INDIANAPOLIS | North of South | Pro

[GarfieldPark]

Re. Alexander Ralston: I just noticed though - in the second and third pictures in the new photo series above of the CityWay project - when they show the close-ups of the Alexander Hotel - right underneath where it says "The Alexander A Dolce Hotel", there is a little square grid showing what looks very much like a rendition of the central few blocks of Ralston's mile square plat for Indianapolis. Maybe it is a new brand -- and the source of the brand stems from Indianapolis' own Alexander Ralston. That's pretty cool if you ask me.

[SpiderMonkey]

If that's the case it is very cool. I hadn't noticed that before, but you are right. It sure does look like the Ralston plot of Indy.

[Round Rock]

Originally Posted by GarfieldPark

Re. Alexander Ralston: I just noticed though - in the second and third pictures in the new photo series above of the CityWay project - when they show the close-ups of the Alexander Hotel - right underneath where it says "The Alexander A Dolce Hotel", there is a little square grid showing what looks very much like a rendition of the central few blocks of Ralston's mile square plat for Indianapolis. Maybe it is a new brand -- and the source of the brand stems from Indianapolis' own Alexander Ralston. That's pretty cool if you ask me.

It is! I copied the picture on my computer and blew it up large. It has the center part of the grid of downtown with the circle in it and the 4 avenues spoking out. Double cool

[ablerock]

Originally Posted by GarfieldPark

Re. Alexander Ralston: I just noticed though - in the second and third pictures in the new photo series above of the CityWay project - when they show the close-ups of the Alexander Hotel - right underneath where it says "The Alexander A Dolce Hotel", there is a little square grid showing what looks very much like a rendition of the central few blocks of Ralston's mile square plat for Indianapolis. Maybe it is a new brand -- and the source of the brand stems from Indianapolis' own Alexander Ralston. That's pretty cool if you ask me.

Good find!

Perhaps the brand has more to do with the type of hotel, the experience, than the name. The name may change according to location, but the approach is consistent.

Here's a blurb about it. They're calling it a "model" for future urban hotels.

http://www.successfulmeetings.com/De...n-Hotel-Model/

If it is indeed named after Ralston, that's pretty great. And makes sense, since Ratio design it and Ralston Square.

[dcesar716]

[IMG][/IMG]

[dcesar716]

[IMG][/IMG]

[dcesar716]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Indy'd]

though you guys were ahead of the curve, here is "confirming" information from IBJ:

http://www.ibj.com/property-lines/20...AMS/post/31835

[ablerock]

Originally Posted by Indy'd

though you guys were ahead of the curve, here is "confirming" information from IBJ:

http://www.ibj.com/property-lines/20...AMS/post/31835

Not the first time info from SkyscraperCity makes it to mainstream media soon after posting.

[moochie]

A little update: Delaware and South's hearing has been moved to early March. And.. they've sued the city over losing their contract. This sure feels like admitting the end is near to me.

http://www.ibj.com/towing-company-su.../article/31836

Dunno what will happpen to the property. Delaware and South is renting it, and the owners may choose to sell. I have doubts that Last Chance Towing will want to move to the location, rent is pretty high, and there is animosity between Last Chance and the property owners. Angies List won't require them to move for at least 18 months.

Originally Posted by moochie

It's really all up in the air. They'll almost certainly lose their license on the 10th, which will almost certainly put them out of business. The other tow companies, notably Last Chance, are scooping up their contracts right now. If they're gone for a year, they'll never come back.

Thing is that Last Chance is located on property that is now owned by Angies List. Their agreement is to give Last Chance another 18 months to relocate.

Last Chance is owned by former partners of the owners of the property Delaware and South is located at...

So.. Last Chance will probably be the biggest tow company downtown looking for a new home... Where will they go?...

[GarfieldPark]

Hey forum moderators: Please change this thread from "proposed" to "under construction".

[EddieB317]

haha! I asked for it to be changes to U/C back in October!

[pig]

Might as well change the name to CityWay while we're at it.

[Drewbie]

Besides the Density and Design, I think this project according to the renderings is really going to excell in regards to landscaping. The sustainabuility park should be interesting to see when it comes to fruition. It's about time downtown gets a new park or two, too, and hopefully there really are the number of trees that are present in the renderings. It's details like those that can make not just the city, but winter, much more liveable.

[ablerock]

CityWay flyover/promo vid:

Actual renderings start around the :30 mark. It's lifestyle shots until then.

I recommend bumping up the quality to 720p and going full screen.

[cjfjapan]

Originally Posted by ablerock

CityWay flyover/promo vid:

Actual renderings start around the :30 mark. It's lifestyle shots until then.

I recommend bumping up the quality to 720p and going full screen.

Is anyone else thinking that some of the architectural styles and design decisions in CityWay will end up dated and hated in a decade?

image hosted on flickr

[kangaroo1]

Originally Posted by cjfjapan

Is anyone else thinking that some of the architectural styles and design decisions in CityWay will end up dated and hated in a decade?

image hosted on flickr

While the Minton Capehart Federal Building may not be to everyone's taste, it is consider an important and fairly impressive example of late-modern architecture designed by the well-respected local architectural firm of Woollen Associates. Not everyone may like the style, but the building is bold and it makes a statement. Also, I cannot say I have ever really heard anyone say they hated the building--not liked it, yes, but not hated it.

In contrast, the buildings in City Way are designed in a generic upscale contemporary style that would generally be inoffensive to most people. They don't seem they will leave much of an impression, except "here's a nice corporate hotel next to some nice corporate apartments with a few nice chain restaurants interspersed among them." I highly doubt these buildings will ever end up being hated, but it is quite possible they will end up being considered dated as styles and tastes change.

[ablerock]

Originally Posted by cjfjapan

Is anyone else thinking that some of the architectural styles and design decisions in CityWay will end up dated and hated in a decade?

image hosted on flickr

The Federal building is great. I'm only saddened by the block-killing parking structure in the back. The public space around the base would also be better served if the building was residential in nature. As a high-security federal building, it's never really going to be used to its fullest potential. I especially love the way it looks from the top floor of the library.

[IndyYeah]

Originally Posted by cjfjapan

Is anyone else thinking that some of the architectural styles and design decisions in CityWay will end up dated and hated in a decade?

image hosted on flickr

The designs probably will not be hated, however they seem dated already. As long as the project is new and a "Vision" for the city, then most will seem to accept the project. I have accepted Indianapolis' lack of design thoughts for awhile now. I don't feel anything will change for years, unless the public and leaders will push for better.

[cjfjapan]

I think design in Indy is generally middle-of-the-road and safe, even CityWay/North of South. These designs were cutting-edge about five years ago, but now seem so ubiquitous that they'll flame out in just a few years. I'd almost rather see something completely random and out there, or something that blends seamlessly into the existing cityscape. This tries to both, but might end up doing neither.