Albuquerque Development News

[ABQist]

Mixed use usually averages a liitle more per floor than straight hotel or residential, but less than luxury office. BOA is almost 16 ft per floor -- not sure we'll get that w/ Chant. However, they said they want the tallest tower, so 15'/fl (which is comparable ot BOA without the roof) would be around 405-410'. Maybe 425-450 with a roof structure! That would be really exciting to me! And very close to thhe tower in the link!

As for Packard, even if we only got 10'/fl, with 45 stories that'd be 450'! 100-150' taller than BOA wold also be really exciting for downtown.

As to whether or not it will really happen, I've watched for years this kind of stuff get blown away. We're about to find out what kind of leadership we currently have. I have seen some positive and some negative indicators in the year i've been back. I think we'll know in the upcoming months.

[NickABQ]

Hey guys! Great airport images there! ABQ Sunport is the fastest growing airport in the country.......over 6.1 million passengers used ABQ last year.....which a shitload bigger than a lot of airports in other countries.....most of which are building like crazy....so its about time ABQ did some work on our airport!

Another big scraper/airport/mass transit fanatic here.

I think Packard will be taller than Chant, and I think that as they are now planned....I bet both will top out in the low 400's, unless Packard gets height approvals, and then possibly a 500 footer.

Packard will definately happen. I saw a press release of it yesterday, and sale boards. According to Gloria,( forgot her last name, but she is the major real estate agent) they have pre-sold about 60 units already, before being launched. The only thing Blue Dot is waiting for is final drawings........


The loop is necessary, we are the largest city without a loop...( i think). Not to mention master planned communities Rio West, Quail Ranch and the SunCal development are all beginning o break ground soon. By 2020, another 200,000 people could live on completely vacabt land west of the petroglyphs in Bernalillo County alone.

Can you imagine the traffic nightmares without Paseo? Would be awful, why they wouldnt extend it (the freeway part) is beyond me.


Also, was looking at the master plan of Mesa del Sol...they have a building height limit of 5 floors! I think we should petition to raise the building height minimum to 25 at the urban center they are planning along I-25!

[NickABQ]

Has anyone looked at the 2020 master transportation plan? Its available at the main library upstairs. It highlights all the planned freeway expansions and new builds etc....

[ABQist]

Originally Posted by NickABQ

Has anyone looked at the 2020 master transportation plan? Its available at the main library upstairs. It highlights all the planned freeway expansions and new builds etc....

Also, was looking at the master plan of Mesa del Sol...they have a building height limit of 5 floors! I think we should petition to raise the building height minimum to 25 at the urban center they are planning along I-25!

@Nick
Is there an online version of the transport doc?

And I agree, some towers along I-25 @ Mesa Del Sol would make a cool gateway from the south. What about the north I-25 corridor -- what's the height there? There is already some mid-rises and some vacant land. I'd like to see a mid/high-rise corridor there (including Chant.) I heard the old chip plant was planning a hotel on their property. Anybody heard anything about that?

[NickABQ]

Sorry, I havent been able to find an online document.

As far as the height limit, Im not sure about that either.......

[Roswell]

That chip plant you're talking about is the old Philips Semiconductor plant. I worked there for 11 years. The building was recently sold to the Titan Development Group who has some major plans for the site.

According to New Mexico Business Weekly, the initial vision for the future mixed-use facility incorporates space for office, retail, restaurant, a hotel and possibly a residential component. Titan is currently in the process of putting a design team together.

Here's the link to the article:

http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/a...05/story8.html

[Roswell]

I did a little research and came up with these documents...



Here is a link to the actual document:
http://www.cabq.gov/airport/pdf/S_10.pdf




Here is a link to the actual RTP document:
http://www.cabq.gov/transit/pdf/03-Section1.pdf

Looks like some interesting stuff is in the works.

[ABQist]

When the story was broken about the Chant proposal, a 23-27 story tower was mentioned. I found a AbqTrib article dated June 15, which says Chant is considering a 25-30 story tower.

"Local commercial development company Chant Associates is working on a project that could bring a 25- to 30-story mixed-use high-rise to the corner of Jefferson Street and I-25, where Johnny Carino's Italian restaurant used to be."

I have 3 requests for the Chants:
1. Do It!
2. Make it 30 stories (35 if the city will permit)
3. Make it cool -- it's gotta be cool -- no ugly, wierd misfits, please.

Here's another suggestion of mine:

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=442181

Can somebody get one of the Chant Bros. email -- maybe we can send him some ideas. I like surprises as much as the next guy, but with all the hype here, I think I've discovered a new medical condition: 'abquglytowerphobia'. I never recovered from the Uptown Sheraton fiasco.

[Roswell]

I'll get to work on finding an email address for one of the Chant brothers. It looks as though a website for their company is currently under construction.

Since Albuquerque has such a rich history with Rt66 and Art Deco, I'd love to see some amazing architecture that embraces the richness of that wonderful age. I currently live in Minneapolis but am a born and raised Albuquerquean. I have such a love-hate relationship with that city primarily because of the anti-development attitudes that have prevailed there for so long. I want my home city to become everything that that other major cities are but without losing its very unique identity. That is what makes the place so very special. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Here is a link to one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. It's in downtown Minneapolis. I'd much rather see something with its type of character in Albuquerque rather that just a glass tower with no character.

Check it out!

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=493303

Just like NickABQ, ABQist and many more of you, I too am a fanatic about buildings, airports and transit!

[ABQturkey]

"abquglytowerphobia'. I never recovered from the Uptown Sheraton fiasco."

You know, ever since you wrote about that, I've been driving around town thinking about what COULD have been. From the Marriot, the twin towers next door, and that cruise liner looking UNMH children's hospital. There is a reason why the city of Vancouver forced developers to build slender above a certain height.

About the airport: I remember reading a while back that the current terminal was built to handle 8 million passengers per year and once the numbers get closer, actual planning and development would occur for one of those scenarios.

I like the 2B option as well due to the ease of getting in and out of the terminal. However, I like the cleaner land use of the 1A and 1B. Maybe they could build three parallel garages?

ABQist: that first tower you linked to from emporis would be a fantastic design. I think we'll be lucky to get 400', though, with this building. 14' floors for 27 stories = 378'. Let's hope they round it up to 30 stories or use uber tall floors

[ABQturkey]

Roswell: that is an awesome building. It definately holds its own in the Minneapolis skyline. Omaha did a nice job mimicking Rockefeller Center as well. It's quite an elegant design. http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=118496

[ABQist]

@ABQturkey

That bldg in Omaha is spectacular. But I can't take it any more. As you look around the country and look at cities comparable to ABQ or even smaller, they all have nice bldgs going up. It's now or never ABQ -- put up some glorious towers or forever be left in the dust. We'll still have the Sandia's, lumanarios, and sopapillas, but no longer will the question be "red or green"? It will be "Is that your tallest???" and "Don't they believe in landscaping around here?"

FYI, one article says Chant is considering 25-30 floors. Let's hope it's 30.

[Roswell]

I wholeheartedly agree with you, ABQist. I honestly can't see how really nice, tall architecture is going to ruin this city. I think it just imparts a sense of activity, cohesiveness and worth. Besides, if THEY intended Albuquerque to remain small, THEY should have curtailed its growth back in the early 60's. Like I said before, it's way beyond that now. THEY lost their chance to keep it small and in the dark ages. The city has been growing by default. What should be done now is to direct the growth with unique and innovative ways of meshing the cultural and environmental values with today's times. On the bigger picture, Albuquerque's original native population (not Native American) is somewhat eclipsed by the influx of people moving here and it's this influx of new people that are also bringing with them new ways of thinking and growing. The old school just needs to stop fighting all of it and learn to adapt and assimilate the city in new directions. I hope I've sense.

[Roswell]

BTW, I found these pics of Albuquerque Plaza that I tool back in 1989 when it was being built. Enjoy!

[ABQist]

Very cool pics of ABQ Plaza. The greatest highrise proj ever in ABQ and I missed it -- just my luck. That is probably the only time that type of crane has been used here. I can only remember the mobile cranes that they use on shorter 2-18ish story bldgs. Must have been neat at the time. I'd love to see 4 or 5 of those cranes in DT at once plus the arena going up.

Drove by Anasazi today and they have two very tall levels up. Who knows, it might just be 180'. The lofts are great, still not the kind of towers I want to see. Go Blue Dot!

Just one more thought. With ABQ Sunport handling new levels of traffic and a major expansion in the works, maybe now they'll build another tower next to the Wyndham -- I mentioned earlier the city has reserved 4 acres for a hotel there. I read Wyndham has the highest occupance rate in the city, something like 83%.

[haldcottingham]

Are there any height limitations in the downtown area?

[NickABQ]

To my knowledge, there is not a height limit within downtown limits proper, however, surrounding neighborhoods such as Edo, Barelas (five floors maximum) Raynolds and Martineztown all have height limits.

Have e-mailed and am now in communication with Garfield Traub, Blue Dot and La Posada.

BTW GREAT images of ABQ Plaza!!! I was just wishing last night that i could see it under construction!! (Technically i did thought i'm too young to remember.).

Still by far one of my favourite scrapers in the world, and the icon of ABQ.....packard and Chant wont be able to usurp that title. :P

[NickABQ]

Can someone refresh my memory how to post images? its...[IMG] then the image[/IMG] correct?

Thought I would post construction photos of Anasazi.

[Roswell]

I place the pics on my company website and then direct the IMG link to them. You can start an account with something like Flickr and then do the same thing. Since this is a forum, they have no other type of webspace available to post other than by links. Really looking forward to seeing those pics of Anasazi since I'm in Minneapolis.

Go NickABQ!!!! Can't wait to hear what they say.

Glad you like the pics of ABQ Plaza. I was down there constantly watching the construction. Yeah, you could see that crane from all over the city. It was an awesome time!

[ABQist]

Not sure if anyone has seen this going up SE of Univ. Stadium.
http://golobos.cstv.com/view.gal?id=...player_gallery
I would love to see the entire area around the sports complex get developed with just about any kind of infill. The Univ/Stadium area is very nice, it's the grevious trek of getting there from I-25 that makes me cringe. Maybe a soccer statium and some hotels/commercial/retail? In the meantime I'll bring my out-of-town friends down University past TVI.

OK, I promise to stop after this, but here's my final choice for the chant tower -- I know it's not culturally-correct, but I still love it. And it's right in the ballpark at 32/381'. Talk about a powerfull icon -- people driving by would go, "WOW!".

http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=265546