Ok I went downtown this morning to take some photos of current residential projects under construction as well as a few other downtown scenes. Enjoy the tour! :)

http://www.downtownstadium.org/FirstHorizonfountain.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/marlinsexhibition33.jpg

These condos are called 600 Bellemeade and they are being built a block west of the ballpark. They are not a part of the planned Bellemeade Village which will have 300 plus condos,townhomes and apartments.
http://www.downtownstadium.org/newdevelopments1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/newdevelopments2.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/newdevelopments3.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/newdevelopments4.jpg

These are the 411 West Washington condos that are now complete and the first residents will move in next week. These condos sold out before the building was even constructed.
http://www.downtownstadium.org/411westwashington1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/411westwashington2.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/411westwashington3.jpg

Here is the new roundabout that was constructed at McGee and Greene Street.

You can see the backside of Smothers Place Lafts in the background
http://www.downtownstadium.org/roundabout1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/roundabout2.jpg
Gateway Plaza Tower in the background
http://www.downtownstadium.org/roundabout3.jpg

Here are some photos of the Carolina Theatre on Greene Street
http://www.downtownstadium.org/carolinatheatre2006_1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/carolinatheatre2006_2.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/carolinatheatre2006_3.jpg

Here is a bar right across the street from the Carolina Theatre
http://www.downtownstadium.org/carolinatheatrebar1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/carolinatheatrebar2.jpg

Various downtown scenes on South Elm Street
http://www.downtownstadium.org/variousdowntown1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/variousdowntown2.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/variousdowntown3.jpg

Arlington Street Lofts in Southside are under construction
http://www.downtownstadium.org/southside2006townhomes1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/southside2006townhomes2.jpg

These are more townhomes in Southside under construction (Macadoo Street)
http://www.downtownstadium.org/macadoo1.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/macadoo2.jpg
these are interesting because they will have courtyard/gardens in between the townhomes and the garages.
http://www.downtownstadium.org/macadoo3.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/macadoo4.jpg

The Tower Homes at southside are coming along.
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_7.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_2.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_3.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_4.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_5.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_6.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/towerhome2006_1.jpg

Hope you enjoyed the tour! :)

currently The Old Wachovia Building is being rebuilt to look like this. It will be a mixe-use building with primarily condos but will include some office space and a restaurant on the first floor. The building is located across the street from the center-city park now under construction. The building will be called Center Pointe

http://www.centerpointegreensboro.com/

http://www.downtownstadium.org/centerpointe1.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3305/downtowngso4zb.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/centerpointe2.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/centerpointe4.jpg
http://www.downtownstadium.org/centerpointe5.jpg

Great tour and pics!!
I knew we had some developments happening in and around downtown, but I had no idea we had this many!!!
I have to say that the Tower Homes look funny, yet cool at the same time.
Greensboro is really starting to tap into it's downtown potential and starting to densify. :)

cityboi, I have been waiting for a long time to see a photo thread about Greensboro. Not only you delivered the goods, but you exceeded my expectations. Plus, the weather cooperated, as it is evident from the photos. As for the urban projects all over DT Greensboro, I don't think I need to say anything, the images speak for themselves. I found the Tower Homes a bit weird for my taste, but I know they will add to the housing diversity of Southside. Not everything has to look the same. Great to see the progress in Bellemeade Village, too :okay: Let's not stop here, Greensboro may be silent when it comes to advertising its progress, but there is a lot to see, especially for us who get to visit not-so-frequently.

The Tower Homes look MUCH better now, much much better. I was a little scared that they'd stick out like sore thumbs in the neighborhood, but they'll blend right in. I'm glad I got a chance to see a lot of this construction last time I was in Greensboro. Great stuff! You should share some of your pics on UP's Southern Photo of the Day in the USA South forum.

Thanks for the pictures!

Thanks alot everyone :) I look forward to seeing even more residential construction.

The Old Wachovia Building conversion must be really an exciting thing for DT Greensboro. Less vacant office space means that a new office tower will be easier to build. It is safe to say that developers are testing the waters right now. If Old Wachovia Building becomes a quick success story - I am confident it will - then developers will become bolder. If Triad Tower was pushed to 22 floors, then I see no problem getting a proposal for something above 30 stories within the next 5 years. Closer to the street-level, though, Greensboro is already there. Lots of exciting residential projects and many good entertainment destinations :okay:

Hopefully, that 30-story proposal will be downtown instead of alongside Triad Tower.

Yes, hopefully. We can't predict it, or guarantee it, though. Of course, Greensboro, Durham, and pretty soon Raleigh, will be the NC cities with their tallest structures outside the core. Don't sweat it, our downtown areas will be the ones to recapture the title, once and for all ;)

I'm sure Winston-Salem and Charlotte are in the running for pickles of their own.

In Greensboro's case its good to have some towers outside the core because you cant see Greensboro's skyline from the interstates. Skyscrapers project an urban image and Triad Tower, Grandover and the Koury Convention Center all contribute to that image.

Amen to that, cityboi!!! Unfortunately, not many people really get it. Quite frankly, it is not only GSO that needs the image. It is pretty much every mid-sized city, Raleigh included. In the next 10 years you will be driving along I-440 (in Raleigh) and see taller mid-rises and high-rises along the North side, starting from Capital Blvd and extending all the way to Crabtree Valley. Quite frankly, I am ecstatic!!! Every time I passed Koury Convention Center during my past visits, it felt nice. Never seemed out of place to me, but that is only my opinion.

In Greensboro's case its good to have some towers outside the core because you cant see Greensboro's skyline from the interstates. Skyscrapers project an urban image and Triad Tower, Grandover and the Koury Convention Center all contribute to that image.

I thoroughly disagree. Firstly, Greensoboro actually benefits from the interstates not cutting through the urban core, since they weren't designed to do that in the first place. Secondly, towers have nothing to do with urbanity. Three of the most urban places I know (Charleston, Savannah, DC) have very few towers to speak of, and conversely, places that have towers scattered all over the place are often lacking in urbanity, especially with respect to the size of the city/metro area (e.g., Atlanta, Los Angeles). Urbanity is only projected at the street level. When people see this tower all by itself, lacking context, the only thing they will think is "Nice tower; why is it out in the middle of nowhere?" If people want to know what Greensboro is REALLY like, get off the damn interstate and venture downtown. If someone wants to judge a city by a skyline, that's their loss and Greensboro shouldn't pander to such common idiocy.

all I meant was that skyscapers are a sign of being urban. You are not going to find 22 story building in small towns or very small cities. Skyscrapers are status symbols. But skyscrapers are a part of the mix of being urban and so is street level activity in downtowns.

Well you might not find 22-story skyscrapers in towns or small cities, but that doesn't mean they cannot be urban. There are smaller towns out there that do a MUCH better job of generating pedestrian activity than bigger cities with their gleaming skyscrapers.

It's cool that Greensboro wants to be a larger city and call attention to itself (what city doesn't?), but in this case I think the city is imitating one of the not-so-good characteristics of larger cities. As you said, this skyscraper is a status symbol. I've driven through cities with an isolated tower near the interstate, and the only think I've thought is how odd it looked all by itself and how much better it would be if it were located downtown (and I know that we urbanites consciously think about things like this, but I'm sure many an average Joe has said the same thing). I say just accept the tower for what it is (or rather what it will be): an isolated status symbol that won't really have anything to do with making a contribution to Greensboro's urbanity. If anything, the converse may happen, but I hope not. Just don't pump this thing up to be something that will help propel Greensboro or the Triad into the upper eschelons of urbanity, either through perception or in reality--because in all likelihood, it will not.

krazeeboi, I normally agree with you 100%, but this time I have to go with cityboi's explanation, basically because this discussion applies to both Durham and Raleigh, two cities I know well. A skyscraper, by itself, doesn't create urbanity. However it is an urban element that properly addresses land use challenges, if done right. If you build it in the middle of nowhere, then it may do nothing to encourage urbanity. However, the Triad Tower doesn't seem to be in the middle of nowhere, therefore we need to give this project enough time to prove itself by attracting more [good] development nearby. Breaking a 22-story into several low-rises doesn't necessarily encourage urbanity either.

In Durham, many people looked down at "the pickle", as they call that city's tallest tower. To those driving along 15-501, the tower projects a more powerful image for Durham, whether some forumers like to admit this, or not. Today, there is plenty of talk about additional development of fairly urban nature around "the pickle".

In Raleigh's case, things are not what they seem. The previous/existing development was/is prone to flooding issues, therefore we would be insane to expect a development of pure urban nature. If I was a store owner, I would not take the risk of placing my business at the ground level. The Soleil Group is giving us 2 high-rises and address the flooding headaches - successfully in my opinion - by raising the first floor above the ground. With so much retail destinations across from that site, it would be insane to put some more shops at the lower levels. The 10-12 story Creedmoor Tower, also proposed for the same section, addresses the flooding issues by doing something similar. An iconic building, although not as tall, Creedmoor Tower allows the architect to "play" a little and offer us a design we normally do not see... assuming it will be delivered as planned. There is talk for even more development that could add more residents and workers in that part of the intersection. Can we hope for something traditionally urban? Absolutely not... It would be risky and inappropriate, thus making that "triangular" parcel great candidate for experimenting with modern architecture. If the proposed towers were downtown, they would have looked totally out of place.

Cities like Savannah and Charleston, which I love dearly, are great examples of urbanity, but they owe it to their glorious past and to the efforts of those who realized the importance of maintaining the great and unique architecture that our ancestors left for us to appreciate and enjoy. Also, these two cities have no skyscrapers because the economy doesn't allow for it. They have neither considerable corporate presence, nor the growth numbers other cities are experiencing. They are more static. If they were to create a true business district - in the modern sense - the city leaders would have had to do this outside the existing downtown areas. Sure, we can have urbanity and skyscrapers co-exist, and DT Greensboro is a great place to witness that. However, I do expect to see the Triad Tower to make a difference in the urban fabric of the area in the next 20 years and it deserves the chance. Our cities need to incorporate urban elements, of any size, in various focus areas.

Sorry for the lengthy reply :(

No need to apologize for the length, as I enjoyed reading your response.

Concerning the lack of towers in Charleston and Savannah, it must be realized that both of these places have height restrictions in place, which is the principal reason why no towers are present. Had it not been for that, Charleston could have had a skyline at least similar to that of Greenville or Greensboro today. Charleston's economy is pretty strong and diverse, but many of the industries there don't have much need for traditional towers (biomedical, aeronautical, manufacturing, etc.). Even then, you have to realize that Charleston took two significant hits in the 1990's: Hugo (it actually hit in '89, but the effects were felt well into the 90's) and the closure of the naval base. And while neither Charleston or Savannah are booming like Raleigh (and there are few cities that are, and this is for better or for worse), they are experiencing significant growth, particularly Charleston. As a matter of fact, in terms of raw numbers, the Charleston MSA has been the 3rd fastest growing in the Carolinas behind Charlotte and Raleigh since 2000.

But back to the issue at hand. I don't know much about the location of Durham or Raleigh's towers, but it appears as though Soleil will be located in a place with a bit more activity than out near PTI, which is where Triad Tower will be located. The "problem" (for lack of a better word) I have with the tower is that I don't think Greensboro's urban core is mature enough yet to warrant such a significant structure outside the CBD. And the biggest thing is that it will include residential--that's the part I really don't understand. In that respect, given its location, it's essentially a vertical subdivision. Sure some amenties will be within the tower itself, but you can't do everything in a tower. So in that regard, it lacks context--unless more mixed-use developments are coming to the area and the tower serves as a kickstart in that regard. Other than that, I see nothing urban about the tower. At least edge city towers in other cities seem to be built around malls (e.g., Buckhead, Perimeter, Tysons Corner, etc.), so you have that convenience right there. So maybe it does need time to prove itself, but for right now, I think it just should have been an office tower.

But back to the issue at hand. I don't know much about the location of Durham or Raleigh's towers, but it appears as though Soleil will be located in a place with a bit more activity than out near PTI, which is where Triad Tower will be located. The "problem" (for lack of a better word) I have with the tower is that I don't think Greensboro's urban core is mature enough yet to warrant such a significant structure outside the CBD. And the biggest thing is that it will include residential--that's the part I really don't understand. In that respect, given its location, it's essentially a vertical subdivision. Sure some amenties will be within the tower itself, but you can't do everything in a tower. So in that regard, it lacks context--unless more mixed-use developments are coming to the area and the tower serves as a kickstart in that regard. Other than that, I see nothing urban about the tower. At least edge city towers in other cities seem to be built around malls (e.g., Buckhead, Perimeter, Tysons Corner, etc.), so you have that convenience right there. So maybe it does need time to prove itself, but for right now, I think it just should have been an office tower.

Ummm, how is Greensboro's urban core not "mature" enough to warrant a tower outside it's area? :weirdo:
It's not big, but it is developed. We already have a few towers OUTSIDE our downtown core.........Howard Johnson hotel, Koury Convention Center and a couple of other smaller "towers".
And this tower is NOT in the middle of nowhere. I don't understand why people that don't live here keep saying that.
This tower is along I-40/85 and very close to PTI and MANY other companies. It's a very industrial section of West Greensboro. Me and cityboi have stated this many times.........

And Raleigh-NC is right. This is similar to what Durham has with the University Tower on 15-501 and what Raleigh will get with the Soliel Tower in North Raleigh...........

So stop picking on Greensboro
:bash:

Trust me, I'm not picking on Greensboro. It's just this one development I'm picking on.

The issue isn't about a tower being built outside the CBD, but this type of tower being built outside of the CBD really doesn't make sense IMO. If the area where the tower is being built is starting to become of a more mixed-use nature, there's nothing wrong with that, but does it have to start with something like this, that would fit in much better with Greensboro's vibrant downtown? I don't even have much of an issue with the height, but mixed-use towers simply work better in existing urban contexts. So in a residential sense it can be regarded as being in the "middle of nowhere", since it doesn't appear that there are everyday amenities within walking distance.

I'll actually be up in the Greensboro area on Monday, so I think I'll take a drive through the area to get a better feel for the location. Anyone care to give me directions from Charlotte? :)

I'll actually be up in the Greensboro area on Monday, so I think I'll take a drive through the area to get a better feel for the location. Anyone care to give me directions from Charlotte? :)

You know full well that all you have to do is take I-85 north to Greensboro from Charlotte.......piece of cake. :lol:

Duh, I do know that much....LOL. I mean where exactly is the industrial area? Which exit is it off?

Duh, I do know that much....LOL. I mean where exactly is the industrial area? Which exit is it off?

I think it's exit 210; the same one for PTI I believe. It is very close to where NC68 and I-40 merge; just west of it. It is west of the "tank farms" on the opposite side of I-40 and very close to the PTI exit. :)

krazeeboi makes a good point though slightly misinterpreted. Greensboro's urban core is growing. We all know that and we all accept that, but the problem with a growing urban center, like Greensboro, Raleigh, and Durham, is that the proposals are in a place where prices are high and land is at a prime. With that being said, the problem entails developers who want to build a tower like their own personal ad., but because they are generally looking for the best price, they decide to locate towards a more widely used center that is in a cheap location with considerable traffic each day. Triad Tower is near I-40 and PTI and Soleil is at Crabtree and Hwy. 70, both locales major traffice points with a lot of people seeing the developers' creations. Cities as young as Greensboro and Raleigh, in terms of urbanity and development, haven't had the experience of this many proposals coming in. They haven't had the urbanity as say New York or D.C. or even Charleston, and they are trying to work towards that. In my opinion they have to learn from their mistakes to be on the road towards an urban society. all proposals look great and will do wonders, but it only takes one tower to be a bust for the city. That is what both cities need to realize.

Triad tower makes a good approach for development, but it may fall short and ruin the market for more towers or urban projects for Greensboro. On the other hand, it may do what Soleil will probably do in Raleigh, which is make developers of CBD's call for more extravagant proposals for the CBD, and make city-leaders push for more in the urban core.

^I'm hoping the latter happens in Greensboro. The renovation of the old Wachovia Tower will do wonders for the skyline, and it would even be good to see some midrises get built downtown. I'm a bigger fan of density anyway.

Thanks for the directions triadcat. :)

No need to apologize for the length, as I enjoyed reading your response.

Concerning the lack of towers in Charleston and Savannah, it must be realized that both of these places have height restrictions in place, which is the principal reason why no towers are present. Had it not been for that, Charleston could have had a skyline at least similar to that of Greenville or Greensboro today. Charleston's economy is pretty strong and diverse, but many of the industries there don't have much need for traditional towers (biomedical, aeronautical, manufacturing, etc.). Even then, you have to realize that Charleston took two significant hits in the 1990's: Hugo (it actually hit in '89, but the effects were felt well into the 90's) and the closure of the naval base. And while neither Charleston or Savannah are booming like Raleigh (and there are few cities that are, and this is for better or for worse), they are experiencing significant growth, particularly Charleston. As a matter of fact, in terms of raw numbers, the Charleston MSA has been the 3rd fastest growing in the Carolinas behind Charlotte and Raleigh since 2000.

But back to the issue at hand. I don't know much about the location of Durham or Raleigh's towers, but it appears as though Soleil will be located in a place with a bit more activity than out near PTI, which is where Triad Tower will be located. The "problem" (for lack of a better word) I have with the tower is that I don't think Greensboro's urban core is mature enough yet to warrant such a significant structure outside the CBD. And the biggest thing is that it will include residential--that's the part I really don't understand. In that respect, given its location, it's essentially a vertical subdivision. Sure some amenties will be within the tower itself, but you can't do everything in a tower. So in that regard, it lacks context--unless more mixed-use developments are coming to the area and the tower serves as a kickstart in that regard. Other than that, I see nothing urban about the tower. At least edge city towers in other cities seem to be built around malls (e.g., Buckhead, Perimeter, Tysons Corner, etc.), so you have that convenience right there. So maybe it does need time to prove itself, but for right now, I think it just should have been an office tower.

I think adding residential in the tower is a good thing. It makes the project more economically feasible and its the perfect area to live becasue of the close proximity to all three Triad cities. This area wether we like it or not will become the Triad's "Buckhead". Projects such as Triad Tower will spur other development and there is a good chance there will be a mall built between the Triad Cities one day. I dont think this will hurt downtown either because downtown has a different kind of vibe.

Trust me, I'm not picking on Greensboro. It's just this one development I'm picking on.

The issue isn't about a tower being built outside the CBD, but this type of tower being built outside of the CBD really doesn't make sense IMO. If the area where the tower is being built is starting to become of a more mixed-use nature, there's nothing wrong with that, but does it have to start with something like this, that would fit in much better with Greensboro's vibrant downtown? I don't even have much of an issue with the height, but mixed-use towers simply work better in existing urban contexts. So in a residential sense it can be regarded as being in the "middle of nowhere", since it doesn't appear that there are everyday amenities within walking distance.

I wouldnt say the tower is not close to other amenites for people who will live in the tower. West Wendover Ave is nearby and its full of retail, restaurants and other businesses. The Tower is also very close to amenties in northern High Point so in a residential sense its not in the middle of nowhere.

On the other hand, it may do what Soleil will probably do in Raleigh, which is make developers of CBD's call for more extravagant proposals for the CBD, and make city-leaders push for more in the urban core.Exactly!!! Not only Soleil Center 1 will make other developers get their acts together and deliver better projects in downtown, but will also attract some suburbanites who wish to live the high-rise life, but their job is located somewhere in RTP, closer to the central areas. Based on studies I was quoted, 40% of the condos pre-purchased are for investment reasons, and this is a nationwide figure. If demand for Triad Tower is there, then it is because some people wish to live in that area, or close to it.

As yet-another parallel to Soleil Center 1, let me review what happened AFTER the announcement of the tower:
RBC Tower went from 15 floors to 29 and later to 31.
Site 1 goes from 12 and 8 floors to 20 and 14 floors.
Site 4 (Lafayatte) scaled up from 12 to 15 to 21 stories.
Bloomsbury Estates 1 & 2 scaled up from 6 to 7 floors (94 to 110 units).
Reynolds Tower 1 was announced; even though shorter, the tower will have the same square footage and units as planned.
The 14-story West At North was announced; up from 6 and 10 floors.
The 10-story North Street was announced.
The 18-story Soleil Center 2 was announced for Crabtree Valley.
The 10-12 story Creedmoor Tower was announced for Crabtree Valley.I know that this is only speculations, but I have a feeling that DT GSO will soon get the new tallest for the city. Isn't there a speculation for a tower next to the Old Wachovia tower already? Today's vision will be tomorrow's project ;)

Yes that is what was meant by my comment Raleigh-NC. you make an excellent point in showing what has come out of the proposal for Soleil 1. Don't forget that it was just months later that North Hills East was shown to the world either. Both of these developments are meant to give residents a taste of what urban living is. these proposals, both NH, NHE, and Soleil have garnered so much attention and praise that they serve as an example of what needs to be brought to a growing downtown. hopefully Triad Tower will do the same. maybe Triad Tower will gain 2-3 neighbor higrises in the 8-14 story range, just like NH and Soleil did here. Greensboro leaders need to focus on Triad Tower, because it serves as a trendsetter for downtown Greensboro. Dont reject this proposal, accept, learn from it, do better than it, that is my motto.

I agree with you more Rufus. right now developers are scared to build large scale highrise condos downtown. The success of Triad Tower will show these developers that there is demand for mixed use towers downtown and many people want highrise living.

I sure hope so. And if the area where Triad Tower will be located in Greensboro will be the "new Buckhead" of the area, I sure hope the city will learn from Buckhead's mistakes. You can get some great shopping and dining done in the area, but don't even think about walking.