The first phase of the Piedmont Row condos in SouthPark sold out in 1 day...that was 80 something units...Phase II comes on the market in August.

A few quick snaps of the Convention Center wreckage last week. I'd imagine they've cleared a lot more away by now.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/bruinsbuddy42/ConventionCtr.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/bruinsbuddy42/2ConventionCtr.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/bruinsbuddy42/3ConventionCtr.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b330/bruinsbuddy42/Girders.jpg

Thanks for the photos, guys!!!

Wow, all the condo development in Charlotte is impressive. The Epicenter project looks great. I wish Flaherty & Collins would build something as nice in their hometown :colgate:

Wow, all the condo development in Charlotte is impressive. The Epicenter project looks great. I wish Flaherty & Collins would build something as nice in their hometown :colgate:

It's Indy! They will soon enough...I can't imagine how they can't.

I assume these are going to be condo towers. They are called the Citidan at fourth ward square. I have tried to find their actual website but had no luck. Anyway, heres the link.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=111832

Also, it looks like the Vue is moving up....even taller. Looking like 58 stories now.

In case that link does not work. The Citidan towers will have 2 10 story towers, and two 22 story towers. (just copy and paste the link, I tried to do it the right way but it did not work)

Great news!!!! The Vue will be a huge development by the time they start construction :lol: Two more floors and it will be 60. Where did you hear about the increase?

I heard about the increase on the other board of course...lol. Few of the posters over there visited the sales office and found that the vue will be taller. I can't help myself. lol

Plus, I think more info about Charlotte should be posted over here. Charlotte has no representation over here lately. Skyscraper city goes out to a larger audience to.

Nobody posted anything over here about the Wachovia/Wells Fargo rumors either.

Well, the great news is overwhelming and there is always a chance that Charlotte forumers need to catch their breath. Personally, I always visit these threads for inspiration... Charlotte's leaders have a great vision for their city, which is why projects like the Vue can happen. Of course, there is always a chance this tower may "steal" some business from other proposed residential high-rises, but I am confident in developers delivering what they "promised".

Where did you hear about the height increase? Where is it verified?

According to the people at UP, the girls who work in the Vue's sales center told them that the building will be taller. (more than one poster said this)

I also read rumors over there that Wachovia plans to go a lot taller.

I guess you can say these are all rumors. We will see soon enough I guess.

Love hearing this, hope it's true. Wachovia planning to go taller certainly makes sense. Never understood why it wasn't taller in the first place.

Speaking of UP....why is it popular? Sky is a much larger forum and the moderators aren't led around by the nose by Metroboi.

UP's popularity is all due to a few hooked in formuers that post there. It has nothing to do with metroboi...in fact he drives away more people than he attracts.

I like this board better. However, Sometimes we go a week over hear without hearing anything about Charlotte. So thats the only reason I view UP. This board is 10 times better though.

well, then post more about charlotte.

i'd be one to help out if ya'll kept talking about charlotte. you do know that, right? ;)

I agree that this site has gotten really boring. I remember oming in here almost everyday and something new would always be posted. Now.....its almost ike why bother coming in here.

Come on guys... You can't expect something new every day, even though Charlotte has gotten some amazing proposals lately. Sometimes the forum will get boring, no matter how much we want to avoid this. Photo threads always help, but there is not much we can do. We have pretty much seen everything that needs to be seen. For a while we'll have to settle for the projects we know of... until something major happens ;) Don't lose hope.

Next time I head uptown I'll try to get some pictures of some construction going on. I'll also try to get some pictures of other projects going on around town.

Anything announced in the past hour or so ? ;)

Well here is a summary:

Under Construction
Courtside: 17 stories and will be complete by the end of 2005.
Court 6: 4 stories will be done in early 2006
Renwick: 4 stories, just broke ground.
M Street: 3 stories, under construction will be complete in 2006.
Avenue: 36 stories, under construction, will be complete in 2007.
Trademark: 28 stories: under construction, will be complete late 2006.
3rd Ward Park: old mens shelter torn down and grass will be planted next month.
Bobcats Arena: 10 stories, opens next month
Imaginon: 3 stories, opens next month
Metro School: 2 stories, opens early 2006.
South LRT: opens early 2007.
Charlotte Music Factory: parts already open, rest will open in 2006.
1st Row condos: 4 stories will be complete in 2006.
Midtown Phase 1: Home Depot/Target...will open early 2007.
EpiCentre: 53 stories, site cleared...construction will begin in the next couple months.

I might have missed a few things that are under construction, let me know.

Thanks for the list, uptownliving :okay: It does help to see a list of what is currently going on in Uptown. Keep it updated for us ;)

Yeah, thanks for the list, can't wait to see Trademark and the Avenue actually start making an impact on the skyline as I drive down 77 from 85.

The Renwick broke ground? All ive seen at the site is the stagging area/lumber pile for court6.

Hey, I just found a rendering of what is suppose to be the new Wachovia building on charlottecentercity.org. It's not a great rendering and doesn't show a lot of detail but I guess it gives you an idea of the layout and everything. And it shows a second tower!!!

To tell you the truth, I hope it doesn't turn out like this. It's to plain.

Hey, I just found a rendering of what is suppose to be the new Wachovia building on charlottecentercity.org. It's not a great rendering and doesn't show a lot of detail but I guess it gives you an idea of the layout and everything. And it shows a second tower!!!

To tell you the truth, I hope it doesn't turn out like this. It's to plain.

Link please. I assume you are talking about the massing rendering that shows the Bank Tower on Tryona and the condo tower on Church.

The Renwick broke ground? All ive seen at the site is the stagging area/lumber pile for court6.

It has a building permit. I thought that pile of wood was for Renwick..but maybe that is for Court 6. If they don't break ground in the next 40 days they will lose their permit.

Thats not what the building is going to look like. Its been on that website for a while now. I heard on UP that renderings will be out soon though. Someone said a couple more weeks.

It is a massing rendering which shows general shapes and sizes. The more detailed renderings should be out by the end of the year.

Next time I head uptown I'll try to get some pictures of some construction going on. I'll also try to get some pictures of other projects going on around town.

A few recent developments:

- The exterior is starting to come up on Courtside. I think they're installing glass on the bottom floors.

- Glass is almost done on the new Wachovia building on Tryon.

- The new arena is essentially finished, with only minor work being done. It's to the point of having signs up outside.

- ImaginOn is done as far as I can tell, awaiting opening day.

- Epicentre's groundwork is being done. The wreckage of the old Convention Center is gone, leaving a rather large hole in the ground.

A few other projects are also coming along, but that's the bulk of it. We're starting to see a lot of cranes on the skyline.

Here is some more info on another Fourth Ward residential condo project:

The Citadin. It will have 4 phases. Two 10 story buildings and two 25 story buildings.
Here is a rendering of the First Phase:
http://www.charlotte.com/images/charlotte/charlotte/12762/162873888182.jpg

Looks very "raleighish" don't ya think? Some people say it also reminds them of recent DC architecture. Low and behold the general contractor for this project is from Raleigh.
This particular building will be on the corner of N Graham St and W 8th St.

The building is already 40% reserved. Construction should start 1Q2006 and completed in 1Q2007.

This is going on the site of the current 4th Ward Square apartment complex, which is a collection of 3 story wooden frame buildings that were built in 1990. The apartments will be torn down and replaced with these new buildings.

The project is currently in the rezoning process and should be approved by the City Council in October. It has the support of the 4th Ward Neighborhood Association.

Here is the project's website:
www.citadinliving.com

Pretty nice and modern building :okay: Thanks for sharing the image with us.

Yeah, looks pretty nice. I saw that today in the Observer.

Posted on Wed, Sep. 28, 2005

Skyline life in 4th Ward
Planned 25-story towers add to high-rise boom
DOUG SMITH

High-rise living is hot in Fourth Ward.

A 36-story condo tower is under construction. Buyers are pouncing on units in a planned 50-story building. And two 25-story towers have just been announced.

Neighbors, planners and real estate experts aren't surprised -- or overly concerned -- at this point by the surge in interest.

"Fourth Ward is the heart of downtown residential," said multi-family housing analyst Emma Littlejohn of The Littlejohn Group. "It has all the ingredients -- history, parks, restaurants, nice connectivity and a wonderfully residential texture."

The first wave of urban pioneers reclaimed blighted houses in Fourth Ward in the 1970s, and the uptown condo craze took root there in the early 1990s.

"We've come to the conclusion that we don't mind being surrounded by tall buildings" as long as low-rise residential is protected in the heart of the neighborhood, said Lynn Weis, president of Friends of Fourth Ward, the neighborhood association.

The developers of the Citadin -- the latest condo project planned there -- and the other high-rise builders consulted Friends of Fourth Ward before proceeding, he said.

Tom Thornburg of JLT Partners is in sync with Fourth Ward, Weis said, in proposing two 10-story mid-rise buildings on Graham Street at the front of his Citadin project and two 25-story high-rises at the back.

"We think that what the Citadin is doing will make our neighborhood all the more unique," he said.

JLT Partners plans to develop the project in stages, demolishing sections of Fourth Ward Square Apartments and replacing them with a mix of condos, townhomes and brownstones, some atop about 20,000 square feet of shops and restaurants.

About 40 percent of the project is to be open space, with a courtyard, gathering spots, landscaped pathways and a swimming pool. Each of the 25-story towers would have separate pools.

Parking will be on lower levels of the residential buildings.

The first building -- 10 stories, 82 condos -- is planned for Graham and Eighth streets. Buyers have reserved about 40 percent of the units at an average price of $380,781.

Thornburg expects general contractor Harold K. Jordan & Co. of Raleigh to start work by early next year and finish the initial building by early 2007. He estimates the value of the first phase at $33 million, and the value of the entire project at $171 million.

The tax value of the block today is about $12.5 million, Thornburg said.

He originally filed a rezoning last April seeking two 10-story buildings and four smaller ones on the 3.5-acre site.

But after seeing the popularity of high-rises uptown, he hired New York-based Perkins Eastman to redesign it and revised his rezoning request.

The City Council is to vote on his petition Oct. 19.

About 10,000 people live in the center city and roughly 3,000 of those are in Fourth Ward, Thornburg said.

The Citadin and other proposed uptown high-rise projects total more than 3,000 units.

If everything is built, the center city population likely would grow to more than 15,000 over the next few years, said Michael Smith, president of Charlotte Center City Partners.

And with that density, he said, uptown would become more attractive to retailers and service providers, further enhancing its quality of life.

Citadin at a Glance

• 424 condos, townhomes, brownstones and penthouses off Graham Street in Fourth Ward.

• First-phase units range from 600 to 2,500 square feet and sell for $193,700 to $1.1 million.

• Amenities: pool, courtyard, community clubhouse, pet parks, fitness facilities, secured parking at one space per bedroom.

• 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops, double sinks in master baths, hardwood floors in living areas, carpet in bedrooms.

• Temporary sales center: 501 N. Graham St. On the Web: citadinliving.com.

• The name? The developer says Citadin comes from a French word meaning "a city dweller or person who loves city living."

Link:
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/columnists/doug_smith/12759217.htm

Anyone else think that the Citidan Phase 1 looks "raleighish"?

That thing doesn't look close to 25 stories.

That thing doesn't look close to 25 stories.

That's just one of the ten story phase I buildings.

New to forum how you doing.

The 25 story twin towers will come at a later phase. They have not released renderings for those yet.

Welcome rickydavis.

More high-rises on the way, Excellent!

welcome to the forum!

i love this project. some high rise living coming to a different part of fourth ward. will space out the skyline even more...woot!

I'm not crazy about Citadin's design, but that type of project has been sorely needed in Fourth Ward. It'll add a bit to the skyline, but aesthetics aside it will help add some density to what is already the coolest neighborhood in the city. Good riddance to crappy old apartment buildings.

I honest to god thought raleigh when I saw it. Kinda university-hospitalish in general. I don't understand the layout though, how are the four building going to be organized? They're all on different blocks?

I honest to god thought raleigh when I saw it. Kinda university-hospitalish in general. I don't understand the layout though, how are the four building going to be organized? They're all on different blocks?

This project is all on one block. There will be 5 buildings on the site.

On the Graham street side there will be 2 10 story buildings. One on the 8th St corner and another on the 9th St corner.

On the Smith St side there will be 2 25 story buildings. One on the 8th St corner and another on the 9th St corner.

In between the 25 story twin towers will be 3 story townhomes along Smith St.

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I found a few renderings on The Village at Southpark (Go to "Select by property" and choose The Village at Southpark. There are 3 drawings) -

http://www.hanoverco.com/sub.asp?p=Portfolio

Has this started construction yet?

that's the corner of south park's land, i believe.

so, no.

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I found a few renderings on The Village at Southpark (Go to "Select by property" and choose The Village at Southpark. There are 3 drawings) -

http://www.hanoverco.com/sub.asp?p=Portfolio

Has this started construction yet?

Yes construction just started a few weeks ago.

i thought that was only on the dillards parking deck?

:???:

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Laura and I have been looking for a place with detailed info on new and upcoming developments in Charlotte, NC. After reading the threads here I am confident that I am in the right place.

i thought that was only on the dillards parking deck?

:???:

They are doing the parking deck and the Village Of SouthPark...the building permit for the village was issued in late August.

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Laura and I have been looking for a place with detailed info on new and upcoming developments in Charlotte, NC. After reading the threads here I am confident that I am in the right place.

umm, this is probably useless to you, but it's a list of pretty major projects with pictures

http://centercityliving.sitewizard.biz/newconstruction.html

what do y'all think about Central 27? What are the views of?

Looks like a kewl project. It will have skyline views...great location...havn't heard when construction will start:

http://www.tuscandevelopment.com/ucanroll/images/why-rent-v2_02.jpg

umm, this is probably useless to you, but it's a list of pretty major projects with pictures

http://centercityliving.sitewizard.biz/newconstruction.html

doesnt the owner of that site browse this site, too?

Looks like a kewl project. It will have skyline views...great location...havn't heard when construction will start:

http://www.tuscandevelopment.com/ucanroll/images/why-rent-v2_02.jpg

is that some furniture in a garage. :hahaha:

^ Way to come into a forum and act like a total jackass in less than 10 posts.

He's gone.

thanks, jason!

make that way to come in and get banned in 10 posts

1st Row Warehouse condos in 3rd Ward got their building permit issued. Construction should start soon if not already. There are just a few units in this building still available.

http://www.1strowwarehouse.com/

I'd love to see a satellite pic of Uptown in a few weeks. The amount of red clay would be unbelievable.

Another new condo project...not many details on it, but we do have a nice picture:

Royal Court
Location: between Morehead and 277, south of South Blvd.
Height: about 10 stories.

Stay tuned for more info on Tuesday.
http://www.royalcourtcondos.com/images/RClogo350.jpg
View from 277
http://www.royalcourtcondos.com/images/RCconstruction.jpg

View from Morehead
http://www.royalcourtcondos.com/images/RCstreet.jpg

Main Entrance
http://www.royalcourtcondos.com/images/entrance.jpg

skyline view from the condo site
http://www.royalcourtcondos.com/images/SKYLINE.jpg

Location map
http://www.royalcourtcondos.com/images/aerial_web.jpg

great location, looks like it'll go a long way towards filling in the morehead edge of 277--and I actually like the design

It is another "Raleighish" building..similar in style to the Citidan going up in 4th Ward.

Looks like all that anticipation of a Morehead St. revitalization is coming to pass. The area around this project is prime land for both refurbishment and new development; hopefully this will stimulate plenty of growth down there.

wait, is this 615 W Morehead?

East morehead**

there are already some dense buildings on morehead street. however, the newest office buildings going on the children's theater site are LAME. the new children's hospital and all the stuff with CMC is really hot.

this project will be really cool. i do not think this is 615. if you look at their site its the same shit that's been up there for forever. maybe it is and we just dont know? if its not, then that's just another project that may or may not happen [if it does i'd be shocked. its only taken them damn near forever to do anything].

I do not think this is 615 E Morehead...however it is really close as in 1/2 block away on Royal Court (the street is called Royal Court) 615 will be released probably sometime in 2006 or so and will be taller and more glassy.

Cool building :okay: Nice to see the momentum continuing for Charlotte. The views are going to be fantastic, I am sure!!! Thanks for sharing the news, uptownliving.

Man, with all the Morehead projects and the Midtown projects, I see a nice ring of highrises lining I-277 very soon.

a ring around 277, please, the city has this terrible idea that this city has to be linear, just look at the 2010 plan, we gotta get away from that as quick as possible

Hello...here is a Citadin project update.
The Charlotte City Council approved the rezoning for this project. Construction is due to start 1Q2006 on the first 10 story building.

They also released a KILLER hi-res rendering of what the project will look like when completly built out. Wow it looks hot...maybe I will buy a unit there.

I didn't want to post the picture in here because it is just too damn big...but when opened in its own window you get a good picture of just how large this project will be.

High Res Link:
http://www.cpwadv.com/pr/citadin.rgb.jpg

So does anyone like the High-Res image? Or am I the only one?

So does anyone like the High-Res image? Or am I the only one?
I will be the first to say YES! That's an awesome rendering of The Citadin.

that looks huge! how many units are going into the four towers? Why do all these buildings use the same yellow/beige color? It'd be nice to see some other colors mixed in once in a while.

that looks huge! how many units are going into the four towers? Why do all these buildings use the same yellow/beige color? It'd be nice to see some other colors mixed in once in a while.

424 Units total.

i love that rendering. that's amazing.

the buildings in the back have a very vue-ish design it seems. the concept drawings looks to be like that in shape, which is amazing.

this project is going to be amazing. four buildings on one block, that's going to be the densest block in uptown, i bet.

Latest project in urban wave makes jump across I-77

DOUG SMITH

Condo developer looks west Latest project in urban wave would be first to make jump across I-77 The Drakeford Co. plans 41 Craftsman-style condos with attached one-car garages using three separate floor plans.

Center city supporters have long decried the interstate highway loop that creates a barrier between uptown and surrounding neighborhoods.

But Walnut Hill -- the newest condo project proposed near the urban core -- would "jump" Interstate 77 west of Gateway Village and perhaps become the pivotal event that gives the westside its Next Big Thing in the urban housing boom.

Developer Bobby Drakeford of The Drakeford Co. plans 41 condos ranging from $172,000 to $255,000 off Wesley Heights Way near West Trade Street.

He and others are working on a variety of residential projects in Wesley Heights -- one of the city's hottest close-in neighborhoods. But Walnut Hill is the first in the current wave of condo development to venture into a westside corridor awaiting revitalization.

Westside leaders have toiled for at least two decades to reverse a cycle of blight and crime and change the way people view safety and livability there.

And that's happening, in part because of the efforts of pioneers who have ventured into Wesley Heights to refurbish homes, said Chris Ogunrinde of Neighboring Concepts, an architectural, community planning and development firm.

He and his partners helped lead revitalization on West Morehead Street and are planning to develop five houses at Woodvale Station in Seversville, a fragile neighborhood slightly north of Wesley Heights.

Real estate watchers are confident rising prices in Wesley Heights will spread to surrounding neighborhoods near Johnson C. Smith University if Walnut Hill establishes a market there.

Dan De La Portilla of Center City Properties, who is handling Woodvale Station sales, said that seven years ago you could buy a house in Wesley Heights for about $80,000. Recently, three undeveloped lots sold there for $80,000 apiece.

What's most encouraging about The Drakeford Co.'s and Neighboring Concepts' proposed projects is the potential for more homeowners in the neighborhood, said District 2 Councilman James "Smuggie" Mitchell.

About 60 percent of the condos in Walnut Hill will sell for under $200,000.

"If you look at the price points, that's workforce housing, and you get all the trappings of uptown without paying the premium price," Mitchell said.

UNC Charlotte professor of architecture and urban design David Walters isn't surprised to see large-scale residential development spreading across the interstate.

"The economic forces that are causing the growth uptown are now strong enough to overcome the great barrier," he said. "It's so close, and the views of uptown are so dramatic that ... a previously unfashionable area just got redefined."

The housing surge dovetails with city efforts to encourage more commercial and residential development in West End, which runs along West Trade Street and Beatties Ford Road.

And the two newest residential projects also would be within what Charlotte Center City Partners President Michael Smith calls "the educational corridor." A streetcar line linking Johnson C. Smith University on Beatties Ford Road with Johnson & Wales University, Central Piedmont Community College and Presbyterian Hospital could be in place by the end of the decade, transportation planners hope.

That would make it easier for westside residents to get to work, entertainment and restaurants in Gateway Village and other parts of uptown, Smith said.

Drakeford is developing the condo project through Walnut Hill LLC, which includes Albemarle's South Central Oil Co. Inc., owner of the 2.1-acre site off Wesley Heights Way.

Nearby, South Central owns about 4 undeveloped acres behind the Bojangles' on West Trade Street, and a deteriorated church building on Wesley Heights Way is for sale on a nearly 4-acre site.

Already, Neighboring Concepts principal Ogunrinde can see the potential.

"That old church building is the last big eyesore there," he said. "If it ever goes, then watch out for that area."

Walnut Hill

The Drakeford Co. plans 41 Craftsman-style condos with attached one-car garages using three separate floor plans.

• Three-story townhomes, 1,503 square feet: Three bedrooms and two baths; will sell for $240,000-$255,000.

• Two-story townhomes, 1,353 square feet: Two bedrooms and two baths; will sell for $196,000-$205,000.

• Flats, 995 square feet: Two bedrooms and two baths; will sell for $172,000-$185,000.

• Features: Balconies or decks, nine-foot smooth-finish ceilings, G.E. ranges and dishwashers, disposals, laminate countertops, stainless steel double sinks, cultured marble countertops in baths, 42-inch kitchen wall cabinets, gas heat.

• Design and construction team: Narmour Wright Associates, architect; Carocon Corp., general contractor.

• Projected construction start: March 2006. Completion: second quarter of 2007. Developer Bobby Drakeford said he's finalizing a construction loan with a local bank.

• Sales and marketing: Kevin Thompson of Helen Adams Realty. Walnut Hill is to be developed on this site off West Trade Street, about an eighth of a mile west of Interstate 77 and Gateway Village. The vacant church sanctuary shown above left in this inset is across Wesley Heights Way from the planned condominiums.

http://www.charlotte.com/images/charlotte/charlotte/13000/169011946000.jpg

so, they still don't know exactly how the citadin towers will look?

it didnt seem like that would be the logical look for a new skyscraper. ;)

yeah, i was thinking about how to phrase that without sounding like a dumbass...busted!

i do think that something like a massive birkdale would work. have enough commerical space to allow people to shop that live in the area and the development. generally, i'd like to see some really dense urban ...something happen here. its a great site.

wrong thread, but yeah, i can see that, a reason to live near your office, plus, seems like renaissance park would bring people around despite it's dark (not-so-)secret. Public golf...
On a side note, anyone played Renaissance's disc-golf course? Hardest I've ever played by far

Hello...here is a Citadin project update.
The Charlotte City Council approved the rezoning for this project. Construction is due to start 1Q2006 on the first 10 story building.

They also released a KILLER hi-res rendering of what the project will look like when completly built out. Wow it looks hot...maybe I will buy a unit there.

I didn't want to post the picture in here because it is just too damn big...but when opened in its own window you get a good picture of just how large this project will be.

High Res Link:
http://www.cpwadv.com/pr/citadin.rgb.jpg

Wow.

Where is that going to be located?

Wow.

Where is that going to be located?

In 4th Ward where 4th Ward Sqaure Apartments are now.

It is the block bordered by Graham, 8th, 9th, and Smith.

i do think that something like a massive birkdale would work. have enough commerical space to allow people to shop that live in the area and the development. generally, i'd like to see some really dense urban ...something happen here. its a great site.

I don't think a massive birkdale would work on this site...I think something like that would work better in a slightly less residential area like SouthEnd which has wider roads to handle all the traffic.

Graham St in this section of 4th Ward is rather narrow and its not possible to expand it.

I have heard of plans to build a Birkdale type development on South Blvd on the empty lot at Bland St.

Of course another great place for a mega Birkdale development will be the empty Levine lots in First Ward. As soon as he gets done with the 53rd revision to his plans...then he will start on that project.

so, they still don't know exactly how the citadin towers will look?

Not exactly...but to get a better taste of what they will look like, take a gander at this condo tower by the same architect:

http://www.perkinseastman.com

Its the Cielo on the right side of the page.

Here are some new interior and exterior renderings for the vue. Click on renderings then exterior or interior.


http://vuecharlotte.com/vue_content.html

At last night's 3rd Ward Park meeting it was revealed that Summit Properties is going to announce soon a new apartment and/or condo project on what is currently a parking lot surrounding Presto Grille at the corner of Graham and Trade. Stay tuned for details.

Don't know if yall have seen them or not, but Vue has some new renderings out...they are pretty hot. Just to REview about the Vue, it is a 50 story (maybe 58) condo tower going up on Pine St between 5th and 6th.

View from 5th St
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/Day1.jpg

View from Graham St
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/Day2.jpg

Amenity Deck
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/AmenityDeck.jpg

Street Level at the corner of Pine and 5th.
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/Lobby.jpg

Interior Cross section looking towards the SW
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/CrossSection.jpg

Looking towards the West
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/ViewFromWindow.jpg

The Money Shot (notice the Sea Gulls)
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/Images/Renderings/ViewFromInside.jpg

More info at http://www.vuecharlotte.com/

Construction starts 1Q06.

At last night's 3rd Ward Park meeting it was revealed that Summit Properties is going to announce soon a new apartment and/or condo project on what is currently a parking lot surrounding Presto Grille at the corner of Graham and Trade. Stay tuned for details.

Finally! That lot just looks so empty right now, with all the development coming up around it.

Considering it's Summit, I'd expect to see something similar to Summit Grandview. If that's the case, it should be decent urban infill.

those renderings rule. that's truly amazing.

i cant wait to see that building. i bet it will be a good one that will look exactly like all of their other projects. i hope that its a rather large building considering that city view towers is not too tall.

BTW...here are the latest renderings for this project:::

Aerial looking South
http://www.theghazicompany.com/images/future_epicentre_large.jpg

Trade St view
http://www.theghazicompany.com/images/future_photo_epicentre1.jpg

Corner of Trade and College
http://www.theghazicompany.com/images/future_photo_epicentre2.jpg

Aerial from College looking towards Trade with Arena in background
http://www.theghazicompany.com/images/future_photo_epicentre4.jpgLooks like Ybor City alittle bit.I hope not like all the fighting but the design.

College St view
http://www.theghazicompany.com/images/future_photo_epicentre3.jpgThat looks like Ybor City alittle bit.Not like the fighting but the design and that.Very party feverious too.

I went up to the top of the Courtside Condos the other week with my friend. We took some pics from the top with his cell phone. The sun was setting and so the lighting was terrible, but this will give you an idea of what the views are like from the top.

This is the view looking South. In the foreground is the First Ward Rec Center and behind it is First Ward park which will soon be replaced with the Renwick. In the distance is the 277/Independence interchange.
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/courtS.jpg

and turning towards the SouthWest we can see the Government district including the new Meck Co Courthouse under construction. At the horizon on the left side you can barely make out the buildings of SouthPark.
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/courtSW.jpg

Turning more towards the West you can see more of the Government district including the Char Meck Government Center.
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/courtW.jpg

This is the view towards the North where you can clearly make out the Odell Tower.
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/courtNW.jpg

And here is the reason this building sold out in a week...the skyline view...in the foreground is the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/courtsky.jpg

those are some amazing views. if only the back of courside didnt look like shit.... lol

still a cool building when you see it from central ave. i wont deny that.

....and i wanna go up there myself. lol

what is odell, or what's in that building?

Well actually I should correct myself...its not officially the Odell building anymore as the anchor tenet just moved to another part of downtown recently.

Odell is a Charlotte based architecture firm:

http://www.odell.com/

isnt that still the name of the building?

No, Odell moved out...now its just the address...515 N Tryon or something like that. The Odell sign was taken down a few months ago. Odell moved to 3rd Ward.

There is now a webcam for the Avenue!

http://oxblue.com/client/novare/avenue/index.html

Sweet.

those are some amazing views. if only the back of courside didnt look like shit.... lol

still a cool building when you see it from central ave. i wont deny that.

....and i wanna go up there myself. lol

I was at Presby today and had a great skyline view. I noticed how horrible Courtside looks from the 'back'. Is this just temporary while it's still under construction or what?

^ I agree, the back side is almost depressing to look at. It reminds me of something Soviet. I certainly hope they're planning on covering it, but it doesn't appear so from the looks of the construction site.

it appears to be that way as a final design.

let's just hope something comes along to cover it up...

I love the Vue!

maybe BofA will give the city money to paint a huge mural or something. anything is better than 'cardboard' with tiny holes for windows.

^ Considering First Union pulled that off twice, it's not unthinkable. And it would actually be pretty damned cool if they picked the right theme for it.

but this isnt a BoA building.

david furman should have included something more class into the back of that building. it looks not up to par with charlotte's building standards.

BREAKING NEWS...This just in:

Evidently this condo project slipped in under the radar.

Smith Curry Condos will be an 8 story building built on top of the parking deck between the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn on 2nd St. This will fill up the empty space between the two buildings that has perplexed visitors and residents alike when they saw the 2 elevator shafts to nowwhere.

They were just issued their building permit, expect construction to begin soon. I don't have any renderings at this point.

Both the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are about as bland as you can get architecturally, so it will be interesting to see what these condos look like.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/CLTUTHX/media/images/photo_gallery/CLTUTHX_Hampton_Inn_Charlotte_Uptown_gallery_welcome.jpg

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/hotels/content/CLTUPGI/media/images/photo_gallery/CLTUPGI_Hilton_Garden_Inn_Charlotte_Uptown_gallery_welcome.jpg

Thanks for that bit of info, hopefully it will be really nice once it's completed. BTW, didn't they use one of those shafts to put a clock tower on as well?

Yes, they just finished putting those clocks on the elevator shafts too.

Interesting....I always thought that the elevator shafts were designed for relatively short ceilings.....like 8.5'. Of course, if the price is right, you can sell anything.

Lawd, I could not stand to have 8.5" ceilings...after being spoiled with 14 ft ceilings for the past couple of years.

wow. that will be an interesting change.

its about dang time something happened with those two concrete stacks. they have set there for the longest time now.

^They really have. Glad to see something taking up the space.

Anybody know what's up with that "metro school" uptown? What exactly is it and when is it set to open?

Metro School serves approximately 200 students ranging in age from 5-21 who meet certification as trainable mentally disabled, severe and profoundly disabled, multi-disabled, educable mentally disabled and autistic. The school offers functional academics, speech and language services, physical and occupational therapy, music and art skills, media and technology skills, horticulture, home living and work force development training, and adaptive physical education.

The new school building cost $23M and is due to open in August 2006.

View from Stonewall St...you can also see the parking deck between the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn where the Curry Smith condos will go.
http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/departments/construction/Projects/Metro/15.jpg

Cool. I like the concept and the fact that it is located uptown.

Both the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are about as bland as you can get architecturally, so it will be interesting to see what these condos look like.



or uninteresting

here is another view:

http://southernuprise.com/photos/04_29/uptown_4_29_016_re.jpg

Hopefully anything built on top of that parking deck will also do something to de-uglify the parking deck underneath.

Nothing like bare slabs of concrete to brighten up your day. But then, that would certainly harm the affordability of the project...

Wow...the only thing that picture is missing is the backside of Courtside. That would REALLY make my day.

I can't remember if I have mentioned this one before or not, but Charlotte plans to sell part of First Ward Park to private developers to build a mixed use development. On Monday, Nov 28th Charlotte City Council will vote to sell 2 acres of land to Furman for about $2M. In turn they will build 275 condos and 40,000 sq ft of retail and office space on the land. This will all be mid-rise development in the 5-6 story range. Construction will start in 2006.

First Ward Park is located downtown. It is bordered by McDowell, 7th, 6th, and Myers St. There is another development called the Renwick (http://www.therenwick.com/) which should start construction any day now. It is a 4 story condo building.

that should prove to be a cool development. though, i'm against any transaction of park land to a private developer, or for any development for that matter.

The City Council is approving the land purchase of First Ward Park? I thought the County has oversight over all parks and recreation facilities, unless there are some clauses in the agreement back in the 90's when the city handed over its Park and Recreation Dept to be merged with the County's Park and Recreation Dept.

Shawn you are correct in that Meck Co runs and owns all the parks in Meck Co with the exception of Marshall Park in 2nd Ward. They didn't want that park.

The reason the City of Charlotte owns this land is they did a land swap with Meck Co a couple years ago, where the City got the First Ward Park land, which it has subsequintly sold off for development. The County got some vacant land bordered by 9th, 8th, Caldwell, and Brevard. The plan is for the county to land swap its property with Levine so they can build the future First Ward Park close to the Light Rail Line. There are also plans to build a comminity play ground with basketball and tennis courts at the First Ward School.

that should prove to be a cool development. though, i'm against any transaction of park land to a private developer, or for any development for that matter.

I would generally agree with that, however this particualr park was hardly ever used. Over the years I could count the number of people I have seen in the park with the fingers on my hands. The plan is to build a new First Ward Park closer to the Light Rail line that will be better used and surrounded with residential and commercial uses.

^ I agree, First Ward Park was one of those token pieces of greenspace that didn't really serve anybody.

Read on UP in regards to the Carolina Theater restoration and Berkman
Tower addition to it, and from the looks of things, this project looks like it won't happen, according to what they say. Also, there was an article in the Observation last week talking about it's fate, which also didn't sound too optimistic about it's chances of it happening as well. Have any of you guys heard anything lately regarding the Carolina Theater? I for one would like to see something go up on that site, because I get tired of seeing that lot remaining empty everytime I pass that site when I'm visiting uptown. When will the leaders finally get it and start supporting arts & culture in uptown and stop thumbing their noses at it? I guess it'll happen when King Pat is no longer mayor, I suppose. Mayor McCrory may be content with Charlotte not having any culture, but I'm not, and I don't even live there, yet. In case he didn't know this, not all art is pornographic, if that's his reasoning for not supporting it in the past. I don't know why he's so against supporting the arts, but I wish that he would stop hating on it so much and be a little more progressive and open-minded.

The Berkman Towers is still very much alive and well. The developer has been very accomidating to meeting all the demands of the City Council. I'm not sure why so many people doubt this project...I have actually been to the council meetings where this has been discussed and all the council members have been enthusiastic except for the usual suspects...but they don't matter because they are in the minority. I have faith something will be worked out for this project. In fact its on the Council's Agenda for December 12th.

In all honesty the peeps over at urbanplanet are very quick to doubt projects. Not too long ago they were doubting that Epicentre, Trademark, and Avenue would get built...and well look at them now.

So if they are doubting the project, then I see that as a good omen.

Thanks for that bit of info, uptownliving. I guess we can disregard everything I said about the Charlotte leaders not warming up to culture. But anyways, I do hope this project does happen.

I would generally agree with that, however this particualr park was hardly ever used. Over the years I could count the number of people I have seen in the park with the fingers on my hands. The plan is to build a new First Ward Park closer to the Light Rail line that will be better used and surrounded with residential and commercial uses.


true, however, park land will come at a much higher cost one day.

though, that plan has a parking deck. yay!

The Berkman Towers is still very much alive and well. The developer has been very accomidating to meeting all the demands of the City Council. I'm not sure why so many people doubt this project...I have actually been to the council meetings where this has been discussed and all the council members have been enthusiastic except for the usual suspects...but they don't matter because they are in the minority. I have faith something will be worked out for this project. In fact its on the Council's Agenda for December 12th.

In all honesty the peeps over at urbanplanet are very quick to doubt projects. Not too long ago they were doubting that Epicentre, Trademark, and Avenue would get built...and well look at them now.

So if they are doubting the project, then I see that as a good omen.

The Council just voted 10-1 in favor of moving forward with the Carolina Theatre renovation and the 30 story Berkman Condo tower. Like I said before when peeps over at urbanplanet begin to doubt a project that means its very likely to happen.

They doubted Avenue
They doubted Epicentre
They doubted Trademark
They doubted Carolina Theatre/Berkman Tower
They doubted Renwick

Hopefully they will start doubting the Wachovia project real soon...lol.

lmao. they seem to be a bunch of fools.

ya'll forget that their leader is metroboi who thinks that huntersville is the center of all human civiliaztion.

duh!

The Council just voted 10-1 in favor of moving forward with the Carolina Theatre renovation and the 30 story Berkman Condo tower. Like I said before when peeps over at urbanplanet begin to doubt a project that means its very likely to happen.

They doubted Avenue
They doubted Epicentre
They doubted Trademark
They doubted Carolina Theatre/Berkman Tower
They doubted Renwick

Hopefully they will start doubting the Wachovia project real soon...lol.

UP isn't even really a forum to me, it more reminds me of a blog. So, yeah, I wouldn't take anything said over there with a grain of salt.
If the renovation and Berkman tower have been approved, I'd love to see what it'll look like. Hopefully it will actually be built, unlike the Park (The running joke of the region, it would seem).
BTW, Are the Renwick and 1st Row already under construction? I can't seem to find anything on their sites that would confirm that.

yes, 1st Row has been under construction for a while and the Renwick just started.

You can see renderings for the 30 story Berkman Tower here:

http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/elunls2l7j5erxhvp7pazc5yrnvrk4b75vfljohsmozjnampe7ya6m2hrl4athpxnpu4fqso2hwibflpk3b4pgtwykg/12120503.pdf

Renderings have been released for the new Blvd Centro Development called Quarterside in First Ward.
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/quarterside.JPG

To get you oriented, in the foreground is the Afro-Am Cultural Center and 7th St. The intersecting street on the right side is Myers St.

This is the development we discussed earlier that will replace the current First Ward Park and shopping center.
This development will be comprised of 202 residential units, 14,000 sq ft of retail and 16,000 sq ft of office space. It will be a true mixed use development along the lines of Blvd Centro's Village of South End.

Construction will start in the next 8 months with completion in late 2007.

Quarterside is being built adjacent to The Renwick which recently started construction.

Berkman Tower looks great.
also, this proposal is amazing. it will be great to have something there right as you come off the 74 expressway.

lmao. they seem to be a bunch of fools.

ya'll forget that their leader is metroboi who thinks that huntersville is the center of all human civiliaztion.

duh!
The funny thing is, he lives in Huntersville, not Charlotte, but he's the authority on everything that goes on in Charlotte. I live in High Point, but that doesn't mean that I know everything that goes on Greensboro just because I live in Guilford County. That's funny!

not that I know a damn thing about UP, but it's funny to think of this guy coming here to SC to read all yall's shit talking...he's listening right now...

not that I know a damn thing about UP, but it's funny to think of this guy coming here to SC to read all yall's shit talking...he's listening right now...
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I could care less if he does read what we say about him on here. The reason that I don't particularly care for metroboi is the fact that he's this know-it-all that thinks he knows everything and eveybody else don't know what they're talking about. I don't have time for people like that, period! I don't even know the guy personally, but if you go UP and read some of the nonsense he talks about at times, it's hard to have any respect for a person like that, without ever having to meet him in person. That's the vibe I get from metroboi.

well i wasn't defending him

well i wasn't defending him
Sorry QCD, didn't mean to snap on you like that, just had to let you know where I was coming from in reference to that moderator on UP that doesn't know what he's talking about half the time.

not that I know a damn thing about UP, but it's funny to think of this guy coming here to SC to read all yall's shit talking...he's listening right now...

lol. that's like saying 'santa is watching.' ;)

it just doesnt work on us adults. :p

so why don't y'all come up with some animal house scheme to get him thrown out? it worked once at AG middle school

so why don't y'all come up with some animal house scheme to get him thrown out? it worked once at AG middle school
Yeah, lets form a coup to overthrow metroboi from UP and make me the head mod over there. :laugh: But that's okay, they can have it, I like it here better.

so why don't y'all come up with some animal house scheme to get him thrown out? it worked once at AG middle school

Are you suggesting we put a horse in his house? It wouldn't be that hard to do. :)

^ there's already enough horse shit on his forum.

don't you mean holy horse shiTH

On to serious business, has anyone ever heard of the Herrin Towers proposal for NoDa? I would like to know more about this one!

Yes, its on Herrin Ave between the railroad tracks and Spencer St. It is on the back side of the Rennasance project which is finishing up construction.

Here are some schematics from Urbana Architecture:
http://www.urbana-architecture.com/images/NODA_SITE1_WEB.jpg
http://www.urbana-architecture.com/images/NODA_REND_WEB.jpg
http://www.urbana-architecture.com/images/HerrinTowers.jpg
http://www.urbana-architecture.com/images/NODA_REND3_WEB.jpg

I think it would be hot to live in one of the 4 towers....which would have nice skyline views.

They have not applied for Building Permits yet, however this project is a go, I just think they are waiting for the Rennasaince to finsh out to avoid flooding the market with too much new inventory.

How tall are the tallest buildings in this proposal?

Is it me, or has NoDa lost a lot of its charm ever since condos started coming up there?

Is it me, or has NoDa lost a lot of its charm ever since condos started coming up there?
It's not just you. I personally feel no reason to visit NoDa anymore except for the occasional trip to Boudreaux's. I think NoDa is now a little on the boring side. Alas, NoDa can only blame itself. Perhaps it will begin to bounce back. It just needs to get its sense back, I think the neighborhood's head got a little big and some developers got a little over excited about the "brand" of the neighborhood and things began to spiral downward. It was a victim of its own success. Hopefully as more businesses begin to open and light rail start pulsing through this neighborhood can regain a little of its former rambunctious spirit.

How tall are the tallest buildings in this proposal?

4 stories....those are the "towers" most of it will be 2 stories.

Is it me, or has NoDa lost a lot of its charm ever since condos started coming up there?

I don't think its the condos that have made it lose its charm, its the closing of some key businesses such as Fat City and Blue Pony Art Gallery. Also its the not so succusful leasing done by Crosland in their new buildings. The Neighborhood Association has retained its flavor and has literally cussed out Crosland at some of their meetings....they don't think that Crosland has done a good job with their developments.

I saw the former owner of Fat City at a Christmas Party a few weeks ago, but I didn't get a chance to speak with him about NoDa.

NoDa is deffinately transforming...and moving more upscale from what it used to be...some of it is good, and some of it not so good...but come back in a couple years when the dust has settled from all the construction and we'll see what the end result is.

I am taking a girl on a cute dinner date downtown, in a park, getting a takeout, my friend is shadowing us setting up unexpected things, and I was wondering how safe 4th ward park is around 7 pm

4th ward park is about a 3 on the sketch scale--should be fine

i got the uptown living calendar in my stocking! it's pretty sweet.

i also know kc that crazy sob

I don't think its the condos that have made it lose its charm, its the closing of some key businesses such as Fat City and Blue Pony Art Gallery.

Losing Fat City was a big blow to the neighborhood. The first time I ever went to NoDa was in about '98 or '99, when a friend convinced me to go to Fat City's Halloween party. I remember driving up Davidson through what was essentially still a ghetto, seeing a guy with black face paint and a lit candle on top of his head walking down the street and thinking, "What the **** am I getting myself into?". I used to hang there a lot after that, simply because it always guaranteed something weird or funky.

I was wondering how safe 4th ward park is around 7 pm

It's perfectly safe, just (as QueenCity pointed out) a little shadowy. I've never seen anyone there after dark who looked up to no good.

thanx ya'll the date went amazing, she melted like butter :-D, couldn't ask that question on UP without getting a new one torn by you know who.

Glad it went well.

Who says Charleston and Savannah have a monopoly on Southern romance? ;)

Is the Berkman still on go? I'm very pleased with this development, not only to save Carolina Theatre, but also to add a condo tower that doesn't look especially futuristic.

I will love the size differencial between Berkman and Hearst/BofA.

So what ever happened to the 25 story condo tower called the Park? Did they finally scrap it?

Is the Berkman still on go? I'm very pleased with this development, not only to save Carolina Theatre, but also to add a condo tower that doesn't look especially futuristic.

I will love the size differencial between Berkman and Hearst/BofA.

It comes before the Charlotte City Council for a final vote in Jan.

So what ever happened to the 25 story condo tower called the Park? Did they finally scrap it?

Well according to their website construction will begin soon.
The guy building it already owns the land and the parking deck so I don't think he is in any hurry to do anything.

http://www.theparkcondos.net/

^ That might be his loss. If I were a developer putting a condo Uptown, I don't think I'd be dilly-dallying at this point. Even in a hot market there's only so much demand to go around, and most of that demand will be filled within the next 2 or 3 years. If this guy's counting on the city to grow forever, he might be in for a harsh surprise.

Building Permits for Phase 2 of Morrison Place have been approved. Phase 1 is just about complete and upfits are occuring as I type.

Phase 2 will include a 6 story midrise mixed use building that has 40,000 sq ft of retail (including an Earth Fare) and 290 Residential units and a swimming pool.

Phase 1 which is near complete inlcudes 47,000 sq ft of retail and 37 Residential units above the retail.

Site Plan:
http://www.grubbproperties.com/images/prop/41/siteplan/morrison_master_plan_rev12205046.jpg

Phase 1 pics:
http://www.grubbproperties.com/images/prop/41/gallery/DSCF0957-122454765.JPG
http://www.grubbproperties.com/images/prop/41/gallery/DSCF0980-122519578.JPG

This project is adjacent to SouthPark and is on the corner of Colony and Sharon Roads.

They really ought to narrow down the thoroughfare roads in SouthPark (Sharon, Colony, etc.) and start adding cut-through roads to relieve traffic. It's a shame to see developments like this one at the corner of two four-lane roads.

Colony at that point becomes a 2 lane road with bike lanes....and Sharon is 6 lanes.

There are already a number of cut through roads in the SouthPark area.

What type of development should go at the corner of Sharon and Colony?

Well according to their website construction will begin soon.
The guy building it already owns the land and the parking deck so I don't think he is in any hurry to do anything.

http://www.theparkcondos.net/
Which project do you think will get built first, Levine's urban village or The Park Condos, both of which were supposed to have happened a long time ago? I'd probably go out on limb and say Levine's urban village will probably happen sooner, maybe sometime in the New Year. I think the developer of the Park Condos need to go ahead and sell it to someone else who can make it happen, because the more you don't see anything going on at that site, chances are it'll never happen. I mean, they don't even have a sales office like the other proposed condo towers that have been proposed and are under construction right now, for crying out loud!

I say Levine's happens first, only because I don't see The Park (as we know it) ever happening. Despite what the website says. I believe a condo tower could eventually go on the site but I think it won't be the currently planned one. Just my hunch, however Levine will E-v-e-n-t-u-a-l- -l- -y do something with his land. I just hope he builds it in time for my great, great grandchildren to enjoy it.

The Park does have a Sales Office right on the site. Verna has also been working on getting building permits approved for his building which is an expensive thing to do. So Verna already has the architectural drawings, and the engineering diagrams for the building, he just has one last hurdle to get over and thats approval from the County. Meck County has been holding up his permits for quite some time becuase he is trying to use an innovative way to heat and cool the building that hasn't been done before in Mecklenburg County.

Whereas Levine only has a masterplan....there are no architectural renderings for the seperate buildings, he also will probably have to do some rezoning, and he hasn't even applied for building permits yet. So Levine has a lot more hoops to jump through.

I am hesitant in saying this, but my money is on Verna to finish first.

Well guess what folks, miracles do happen. The Park condos has FINALLY been granted its steel structure building permit for $7M. Now its up to Verna to start construction...
http://www.theparkcondos.net/images/ho_building.jpg


Right on que, the folks over at UP have been doubting and trashing this project in recent days....so just remember, when the folks over there start doubting a project, that means it is likely to get started :)

Well guess what folks, miracles do happen. The Park condos has FINALLY been granted its steel structure building permit for $6M. Now its up to Verna to start construction...
http://www.theparkcondos.net/images/ho_building.jpg


Right on que, the folks over at UP have been doubting and trashing this project in recent days....so just remember, when the folks over there start doubting a project, that means it is likely to get started :)
Great news. I've never been crazy about that design, but I think that location will prove to be even better than people first perceived.

at least the design doesnt make the front look nice and then a trashy back. though it will be hidden from the view on 4th street as you come in by all the govt. stuff.

also, UP being negative about things is only spawned by metro.m thinking that everything in the world is coming to huntersville, nc. duh!

lmao.

The City Council tonight approved the Carolina Theatre renovation and associated 30 story Berkman Condo tower to be built on top of the theatre.

definitely one of my favorite proposals--that's suweeeet!

this is amazing news. i really love this project. this gives us full development on tryon street from 7th street to cornerstone plaza on one side and the green on the other. yay!

Wonderful news! A 30-story tower will go really well on that spot, and of course the Theatre renovation is priceless.

also, UP being negative about things is only spawned by metro.m thinking that everything in the world is coming to huntersville, nc. duh!

lmao.
Word on UP is that sales at The Vue has been sluggish. It's like you just have to take what they say with a grain of salt a lot of times. The problem with them is they take their opinions as the truth and don't back their statements with facts whatsoever. It's totally different on here. You guys always do your homework before you post your info.

no joke.
but the vue will happen. sluggish or not, they have done a lot of work on that tower, i expect it to go up.

Actually, I think the problem is that certain forumers read one sentence of one poster on UP and then come over here and tout it as the collective opinion of UP. One should always take into consideration that there is great overlap in forum members between SSC, UP,and SSP and that many SSC forumers are fully aware of what is being posted there.

For me, SSC and UP are very different in purpose and The Vue can be used as an example. SSC is more fact based and region based. Where as UP is more city specific and fact and theory based, if that makes since. The thread on The Vue at UP is 45 pages long, UP follows a project from announcement to completion and typically, with larger projects, something is posted on them daily. If their is a slight bump in the road it will be felt on UP. I like that on UP you can discuss a project from every angle and get multiple opinions, pros, cons, what ifs (both positive and negative), etc. and learn more about development as a whole from the ideas and opinions of the other forumers. I like that you can find a link to every rezoning petition filed for the projects, I like that renderings and rumors always hit UP first. UP is the kind of place where everything is posted and the reader is usually responsible for determining fact vs. some guys opinion or idea. The thing is, you eventually learn to decipher who really knows their business and who's 16 years old and use that to weight the comments of the particular individual. No one on UP doubted the eventual building of The Vue, one guy said he thought TV might be having trouble selling because of marketing tactics being used. A couple of other people (not Charlotteans) jumped on it in agreeance because of the high prices. The Charlotteans on board defended the project BUT allowed for the usual "what if" discourse of possibilities. So how about this, why don't we all leave what's said at UP on UP. It's unfair to generalize what people say on another site when you may be off base. I like UP but I go to UP for UP not SSC. They really are different and mixing the two doesn't work as well as it may seem it would. It just seems like every other post in the Charlotte threads here starts with "over on UP". Let's move past it.

I saw this blog on Charlotte.com today. Something to think about for anyone thinking of buying an Uptown condo.


Thursday, January 12, 2006
Uptown's Great Skyline Views At Risk?

All those people buying up condos in those uptown towers ’cause they love the view? Guess what. Nothing in city regulations can stop the owner of some parking lot next door from putting up a tower to block the view.
I guess it’s only a major point if you’re one of the people buying in to places with names like “the Vue,” but it’s a great example of our city planning policies being a day late and a dollar short.

The point came up Tuesday night in a forum called “Towers: Is Charlotte Losing Or Finding Its Soul?” at the Levine Museum, put together by an interested group that calls itself the Civic By Design forum. Architect/developer David Furman, who’s building Courtside among other uptown projects, was asked about the problem of shadowing, which you get in places with a lot of tall towers.

The questioner wanted to know what’s being done here?
“I think nothing,” said Furman.

City planner Kent Main, in the audience, confirmed that. We do not have any regulations on that, he said. One reason buildings in New York City are terraced back from the street, he said, is because of those kinds of regulations requiring sunlight and shadow studies. But, he said, he didn’t think Charlotte had reached that point yet.

He’s right. We haven’t. But here’s the problem with that kind of thinking: By the time Charlotte has reached that point, with everyone wanting a tower on every uptown plot, how hard is it going to be for City Council to buck the pressure they’ll get from all those developers planning to build all those towers? Setting sunlight rules and viewshed rules will limit the ability of some property owners to build everything they want, wherever they want it.

The time to adopt regulations is now, before the pressure gets so intense.
How important is the view to potential condo buyers uptown? Patrick Kelly, a young architect who works with Civic By Design forum coordinator Tom Low, went around to a bunch of for-sale condo tower projects uptown to hear their sales pitches.

His conclusion: “They’re all selling the view.”
Betcha all those buyers will be a tad ticked when they learn their “view” has no protection. Welcome to Charlotte.

For me, SSC and UP are very different in purpose and The Vue can be used as an example.... The thing is, you eventually learn to decipher who really knows their business and who's 16 years old and use that to weight the comments of the particular individual.

I think your points are good and valid. Personally I think about 70% of the posts at UP are crap or old news. There are a few posters such as atlvr and dubone who I respect their news and/or opinions...there are others as well. There does seem to be a lot of stuborn old fogies over there who think they know everything and yet about half of what they post is incorrect and they go into a tizzy when they are proven wrong time and time again. It gets really annoying, really fast. I love debates with people that actually know what they are talking about, not wasting my time with some clueless pompous azz.

All those people buying up condos in those uptown towers ’cause they love the view? Guess what. Nothing in city regulations can stop the owner of some parking lot next door from putting up a tower to block the view.
I guess it’s only a major point if you’re one of the people buying in to places with names like “the Vue,” but it’s a great example of our city planning policies being a day late and a dollar short.


Interesting blog and something that maybe Charlotte should think about...does Atlanta have something like this? I know that New York does...but come on, we all know that Charlotte will never be like NYC. Luckily I don't have to worry about my view from my downtown condo...the area is fully developed. However for me, its more about the location and being able to walk to most everything. I will give you a good example. Next week I am getting my wisdom tooth pulled, and guess what, I can actually walk the 4 blocks to the Oral Surgeons office to have it done. Talk about conveinence.

its more about the location and being able to walk to most everything. I will give you a good example. Next week I am getting my wisdom tooth pulled, and guess what, I can actually walk the 4 blocks to the Oral Surgeons office to have it done. Talk about conveinence.

that's so alien to me in the university area. I have to cross n. tryon to get anywhere (holding my breath). Not alotta road rage uptown

Interesting blog and something that maybe Charlotte should think about...does Atlanta have something like this? I know that New York does...but come on, we all know that Charlotte will never be like NYC. Luckily I don't have to worry about my view from my downtown condo...the area is fully developed. However for me, its more about the location and being able to walk to most everything. I will give you a good example. Next week I am getting my wisdom tooth pulled, and guess what, I can actually walk the 4 blocks to the Oral Surgeons office to have it done. Talk about conveinence.
Well I had my wisdome teeth pulled years ago. Take it from me, your concern should be...will you be able to walk back????? :cry:

haha--don't get hit

you are usually heavily sedated when they send you home. i remember being in my car waking up and then passing out again and waking up in my room what was hours later.

it was nice.

Well I had my wisdome teeth pulled years ago. Take it from me, your concern should be...will you be able to walk back????? :cry:

I am only getting 1 pulled...so they will just use novacaine. And if I can't walk back then I can take the Gold Rush for free.

In other news, Novare has selected its next condo tower site for downtown in 3rd Ward (according to atlvr). The current parlor game is to guess where that site is before its publically released.

My guess is either the mini block bounded by 4, Poplar, 3rd, and Mint.
Or the half block where Angry Ale's is at the corner of Church and 3rd.
Or maybe the parking lot at the corner of Mint and 2nd.

What does everyone think?

Well that was a short guessing game. The next Novare Condo tower will go where Angry Ale's is today...corner of Church and 3rd. If the baseball deal goes through then this condo tower will be right next to Romear Bearden Park.
2.5 city blocks will seperate this tower from Novare's Avenue condo tower currently under construction.

wow, if it's anything like the avenue we're in for a treat. that will really change the view of downtown from the stadium. I've always felt like all the buildings from that angle hug the BOA HQ kind of like a wall or fortress, maybe this will throw that off. too many damn parking lots around there anyway, except on game day--then you can practically tailgate on tryon.

The skyline is finally starting to "thicken" beyond the Tryon St. canyon. At this pace, it won't be long before we have 15+ story walls on both sides of Church and College.

that's going to be amazing news.
any idea how tall it will be? cover up some of that ugly space right there. man, that's going to be great.

i wanna know more. pretty much it.

just like the past like 8000416510 articles doug smith has come out with, this one again goes on and on and on about how charlotte can do fine with the condos. but again he states in the title a little bit of doubt. BORING.

anyway. here it is. pretty much the same as the last ones we've all read.




Question of the Week Condos are redefining the uptown skyline, igniting zoning battles in the suburbs and becoming a force in the Charlotte home sales market. So are we seeing a sustainable housing trend or a speculative fad?
Condos probably won't displace single-family homes as the residence of choice here, but they will continue gaining popularity, said real estate analyst Emma Littlejohn of The Littlejohn Group.
"Over the next three to five years, the market has strong legs, with new players coming in with a variety of projects," she said.
Littlejohn is the multifamily expert developers most often go to in Charlotte for market analysis when planning a project.
She and her senior research analyst, Maggie Collister, say their statistics indicate the attached housing market (condos and townhomes) accounted for 25 percent of Mecklenburg's new home sales in 2005 compared with 13 percent five years ago.
In Charlotte, more than 1,316 condos sold last year. Uptown -- one of the hottest markets -- saw more than 1,700 high-rise units announced or started in 2005.
Nationwide, the National Association of Home Builders expects 255,000 condos to be started this year, down from about 270,000 in 2005.
The big numbers make economists and housing experts nervous. They worry that too many people are buying speculatively, causing overbuilding and price inflation.
But Littlejohn doesn't see that happening here.
That's because, locally "the bankers keep things in balance," she said, enforcing more stringent condo pre-sales requirements and requiring developers to put more equity into the project.
The average county-wide price of a new condo in 2005 was $186,922 compared with $221,359 for a single-family home, Littlejohn said.
In large cities where subdivision tracts are scarce and building sites are expensive, the average condo price often exceeds the single-family home price.
That's not likely to happen here in the foreseeable future, Littlejohn said, because the Charlotte area still has a good supply of affordable single-family land.
But, she said, the attached home market will grow as city planners encourage more high-density development along transit corridors.
Infill projects in established neighborhoods -- Cotswold has a potential site on the market, for example -- enables condo buyers to get closer to jobs and services in the urban core.
The condo trend is being driven mainly by empty nesters and young professionals, but the mix also includes single parents, active retirees and divorcees -- not necessarily the traditional suburban two-parent family with 2.2 children.
Scottish Rite Temple Looking for Buyer
The for-sale sign outside the Scottish Rite temple at 4740 Randolph Road is attracting a lot of attention.
Allen Tate Realtors' Linwood Bolles said he has received at least 30 calls from around the country about the Cotswold area building and 5.1-acre site.
Some potential buyers are interested in rezoning the property for as many as 60 condos.
Scottish Rite temple members hope to make enough from the sale to build a smaller facility elsewhere.

Came across some info and renderings for Elizabeth Square which will be going up on the former Party Reflections site (which has already been torn down) on Hawthorne Ln right by Independence Blvd. This site is 2 miles from the center of downtown which you can see in the aerial below:

http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/esquare.JPG
The purple line is the future StreetCar Route and the blue line is the future LRT route.

Here is the site plan:
http://home.carolina.rr.com/willhaden/images/esquaresiteplan.JPG
-120 Residential units
-32,400 sq ft Office
-Bldg A is 4 stories
-Bldg B is 5 stories
-Bldg C is 4 stories
-Bldg D is 3 story townhomes.

Here are some renderings. The first is the view from Sunnyside Ave
http://www.clinedesignassoc.com/portfolio/ElizabethSquare1.jpg

The second rendering is the view from Hawthorne Ln.
http://www.clinedesignassoc.com/portfolio/ElizabethSquare2.jpg

This is being developed by Conformity Corporation. No construction timetable has been made public yet, in fact this project is not being publicly marketed yet...however I would not be surprised to see movement on this by late 2006.

awesome. i've been waiting for something to happen on that site.

and it will be TOD! so that's awesome!

Wow, that's a pretty impressive rendering. Elizabeth is definitely a good place for denser development.

It's amazing how much the CATS system will change in such a short time. The thought of both streetcar and light rail lines running through Elizabeth in the near future is inspiring.

There is always alot of talk of the negative impact 277 has had on skyscraper development in Charlotte because it has made a natural boundary for the Uptown area however looking at that aerial above it is clear to see that much more development can occur inside the perimeter. It sort of reminds me of Dallas, LA and Houston with similar boundaries, of course, for now, on a smaller scale. I think 277 is positive because it helps put developments like this one in Elizabeth away somewhat from the core and keeps the values in the core high, so feasibly the best option is to go to as vertical as possible. I expect that in 25-30 years a similar skyline in Charlotte will be in place much like those of Houston and LA today. Compact and tall.

277 is also a wonderful bypass of uptown to southeast CLT if you are coming from the lake

Wow, 5 years from now our skyline is going to look so AWESOME!

I don't know if anyone ever heard of a condo tower that was proposed some time back called 615. E. Morehead, but I know they've talked about it in the past on UP. I think from what they also mentioned on there, it was supposed to be a 25 story condo tower as well. If anyone has heard of it, does anyone know if that project will ever happen?

That project is on the back burner right now...but going up right next to that site is Royal Court...which will be starting construction in the next couple months.

Courtside Condos is nearing completion. People will start moving in a couple of weeks.

I drove by tonight and noticed they have lit the top of the building in yellow...even on part of the back side. Really makes the building stand out. If you are around downtown at night make sure to check it out.

Also, they have put up the address for Courtside by the condo entrance on 6th St near Caldwell. It is big numbers "5o5"...the "o" part changes color as you walk/drive by from purple to green to blue depending on the light and the angle you are viewing it at.

one down

Novare, the developer of the 36 story Avenue condo tower has signed a lease for office space on the 26th floor of the building formerly known as IJL, now known simply as "201 N Tryon" This shows Novare's commitment to the Charlotte market, along with the fact they have transferred an executive from Atlanta to Charlotte to oversee future construction projects. I also have a sneeking suspicion they will move the Avenue Construciton webcam to the window of their new 26th floor office once they start going vertical.

http://oxblue.com/client/novare/avenue/index.html

they need to get a street sweeper in there to clean up the little mess Avenue has made on Church Street.

Style we need to go up for some new photos sometime, we haven't been in a long while.

if this weekend is nice, you wanna go?

i'll talk to ya about it in english.

Sorry, can't this weekend, I'm going skiing. But hopefully the next weekend I can, although on that Saturday I have to ref a soccer tourney, but hopefully we can work it out sometime then.

There is now a rendering for 615 E. Morehead posted on the website (615eastmorehead.com). It is no longer in the 20 story range, they now have it at 34 stories. It is very nice looking, yet reminds me of a south florida resort. Also, on the State Street Cos. website they have it listed as having 164 luxury "homes".

There is now a rendering for 615 E. Morehead posted on the website (615eastmorehead.com). It is no longer in the 20 story range, they now have it at 34 stories. It is very nice looking, yet reminds me of a south florida resort. Also, on the State Street Cos. website they have it listed as having 164 luxury "homes".

The first thing that came to mind when I saw that rendering was "That's what 210 Trade should've looked like". That is just stunningly beautiful beyond words. If that doesn't get built, Charlotte will be missing out on an architectural holy grail.

http://615eastmorehead.com/images/front/perspective.jpg


i hope the left side of the building is where morehead street is. other than that, very cool!

Wow, what a nice surprise. Yes, Morehead St is on the left side and Euclid Ave is on the bottom. The downtown skyline would be towards the right.

Architecturally this really reminds me of the Midtown Atlanta highrise condos.

34 stories would put it roughly at 400 ft, slightly shorter than the Interstate Tower.

Anyone want to take bets this will be Doug Smith's "Next Big Thing" in the Observer tomorrow?

Is that a tennis court on the first setback? I would love to be able to live there!

Yes that is a tennis court on the 7th floor.

Here is a list of ammenities:
-Restarant facing Morehead with outdoor seating
-Valet Parking
-24 hour Concierge
-Swimming Pool & Tennis Courts on 7th floor
-Steam and Sauna Room
-Club level on 15th floor

Well the condo announements just keep rolling out. The latest one is C. It was expected and will be located on South Blvd at the Bland St intersection. This site is next to the Arlington (pink tower) and Lance Factory Lofts. It will be composed of 2, 10 story towers.

All we have right now is the site plan.
http://www.crescent-resources.com/c/images/Main%20Image.jpg

-140 condos
- 280 apartments
- 25,000 sq ft of retail
- 10,000 sq ft of offices
- Charlotte Trolley Muesem.

This development is right at the Rensselaer Ave LRT stop. Construction starts this summer. Perkins Eastman is the architect (they are doing Citadin too)

There are 1,500 condos under development along the South LRT line.

More info here: http://www.crescent-resources.com/c

Awesome! And the anti-transit folks said that light-rail would be a waste of taxpayer money, as usual. Look at all the development that's happening along South Blvd. as a result of light-rail.

Notice we havn't heard much from the anti-transit folks lately :)

Rendering for Morehead looks as if Coral Gables meets New York Life Building.
Soon when all these proposals get built there won't be that much fanfare for new proposals unless they go as tall as BOA Corporate. Charlotte should thank God daily for BOA headquarters. Imagine the Queen City without it.

You are right about BOA, Iamnorthcarolina. And I like your "Coral Gables meets New York Life building" description, which seems fitting. It's good to see even more residential infill occurring in South End, as well as a developing secondary skyline in that area.

Isn't it about time again for someone to photoshop a skyline view with all these new projects inserted?

Well its another day and time for another Condo project announcement. This one again in the South End area. It is called Lofts Dilworth and will be on the corner of Euclid and McDonald. This puts it right next to Atherton Heights and across the street from Village of South End.

http://www.loftsdilworth.com/UC_TOP.gif

-3 stories
-4 buildings
-30 residential units
-Walking distance to East LRT Station.
-Construction starts in April.

More info here:
http://www.loftsdilworth.com/

This development pace is un-freakin'-believable. Every time I pick up the paper there's a new announcement. And it seems that everything is converging on 2007... by 2010 I bet this will truly seem like a different city altogether in many areas. Only one concern... I hope this isn't creating a bubble. It would be a shame if, for some unforseeable reason, we ended up with a surplus of condos.

Thanks for posting the website link to 615 East Moorehead. What a dazzling building! Truly a gem:)

Will this tower be closer to Uptown than the Arlington? I can't picture the location (I live in Seattle, grew up in Charlotte) Can't remember a lot of the street names.

Do ya'll think the new Wachovia tower will be of this caliber and quality? Too bad this isn't the Wachovia tower's design~~~

Will this tower be closer to Uptown than the Arlington? I can't picture the location (I live in Seattle, grew up in Charlotte)

Do ya'll think the new Wachovia tower will be of this caliber and quality?

Technically yes this tower is closer to uptown than the Arlington since the border of uptown is 277 and this tower is right on 277...whereas the Arlington is about 4 blocks away from 277. However, if you are walking or driving the Arlington is a little bit closer to uptown since there are no direct connections to uptown from 615 E Morehead.

I don't think the Wachovia tower will be traditional in design. The architects for that project are modern types.

I just wanted to highlight some recent condo development that is going on in Myers Park...these are all high quality condos. First is the Boxwood that was done in 2002.
http://www.schraderdesign.com/bigimages/box2.jpg
http://www.schraderdesign.com/bigimages/box4.jpg

Next is Fenton Place
http://www.schraderdesign.com/bigimages/fenton1.jpg

Next is Eastover Place
http://www.schraderdesign.com/bigimages/east4.jpg
http://www.schraderdesign.com/bigimages/east2.jpg

Next is the Crillon
http://www.narmourwright.com/projects/images/the_crillon_at_fenton_place.jpg

Next is Selwyn Ave Condos
http://www.narmourwright.com/projects/images/selwyn_avenue_condominiums1.jpg
http://www.narmourwright.com/projects/images/selwyn_avenue_condominiums2.jpg

Edgehill
http://www.condocando.com/ereport/images/mpe/edgehill.jpg


There are a number more not pictured here...but all of these have been built in the past 3 years with a couple under construction now.

I'm loving the architecture...very stately. Of course that's to be expected for Myer's Park though.

there are so many such projects in that section of town. i took photos around that area a while ago. there are at least 6 projects there you didnt hit. i'd get them...but i'm lazy!

Well its time for another condo announcement. Dilworth Walk. 4 stories, 64 units, located on Kennilworth Rd near the East Blvd intersection.
http://www.dilworthwalk.com/images/pic_render.jpg

This project is pending a rezoning request which will be reviewed later this month:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Planning/Rezoning/Rezoning+Petitions/2005+Petitions/2005-169.htm

This area will become more and more urban in the coming years. A Pedscape Plan is being inacted this year for East Blvd:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/City+Engineering/See+Our+Projects/Transportation/Roads/East+Blvd.htm

Also, CATS plans to eventually run a streetcar that will come within a 1/2 block of this development.

More info on the project here:
http://www.dilworthwalk.com

Wow! Thanks for sharing the pics!

I like The Crillon. It looks truly georgeous, in my opinion :okay: Thanks for sharing the images with us, uptownliving.

DMR Architecture has some updated renderings on 210 Trade/ Epicentre.
They are slides 2, 3, and 4 located here http://www.dmra.biz

Notice 2 things:
1) They have a massing for the potential hotel (2nd tower)
2) About 30-40 ft has been chopped off the Movie Theatre and Bowling Alley section on the 4th St side. I don't know what this means but it does concern me.

what i never did understand about the east blvd pedscape lan is that they are going to put in lines that say you cant drive there. why not just extend that median to where you have no lanes? that makes sense to me. build it! it looks so much better than just a 'no drive' lane.

also, that area between scott and kenilworth is going to see a lot more development due to the trolley system that will go there. it is also very close to the light rail with that being just down east blvd to south blvd. so that area will be a very attractive area to be in. and the sugar creek greenway will go through the area.

things are looking up!

also. anyone know when anyone is going to move on that project that is located on east blvd. between scott and ken?

:)

If you are talking about the Epicurian site...it looks like it will sit empty for a while....too bad as that is some prime property.

This is not really anthing new but rather a sign of progress: Pappas Properties will begin construction very soon on a Sales Center for the Midtown Southside condo tower (174 units, approx. 15 stories) that is part of the Midtown Redevelopment.

The sales center will be built on Baxter St.

http://www.pappasproperties.com/images/logoboxMidtown.gif
http://www.pappasproperties.com/images/midtown_bottom.jpg

on emporis they list two condo towers for the midtown development [i think?]. is there only one tower?

its goin to be cool to see all the stuff going up in Midtown. there are some really cool projects that are really going to fill that empty section of the city in.

The shorter tower (10 stories) will be an office building.

Yeah emporis really needs to update their info for Charlotte. A significant portion of it is outdated or just flat wrong.

I was just over in Midtown earlier today doing some business and they are really going to town on the Indepence Blvd/Stonewall intersection. They have moved a lot of dirt.

i tried to think of that word epicurian for like 3 days...THANK YOU

The road near the Wendy's at Midtown is now closed, and as you said it looks like they're really moving quickly on construction there. It's hard to tell from the street what exactly they're working on, but they seem to be moving along at a pretty fast clip.

It's also becoming more clear how the greenway will interact with the new development. Neat stuff.

Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention that the Trademark project on W. Trade St. is about 3 floors tall (out of 28) and rising rapidly. I'll try to get over there and get a pic or two sometime soon.

The road near the Wendy's at Midtown is now closed, and as you said it looks like they're really moving quickly on construction there. It's hard to tell from the street what exactly they're working on, but they seem to be moving along at a pretty fast clip.

It's also becoming more clear how the greenway will interact with the new development. Neat stuff.

Yes the Greenway around the Midtown Project will be quite nice when it is completed in the nexr few years. Here is the master plan for that section that was done in 2002. A few small details have changed, but nothing major.

http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/e54itdzt7c6zvx5roemwh7gl6vypq2gywlwnb5kqcynvdwwldxszqzbl2pehwljzblsm4gizvugvlyvgvhfipafmutf/MidtownMap.gif

is there still going to be a massive sea of parking for home depot/target? i didnt think that was in the plan?

Well it will be a parking deck instead of a parking lot...but the store and parking configuration is roughly the same.