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KALAMAZOO | The Exchange (155 W Michigan Ave) | 182 FT | 15 Floors
This project definitely came out of left field. It will certainly be a nice addition to the Kalamazoo downtown urban fabric. Plus its being built on a surface lot.
Developer picks prime downtown Kalamazoo locale to erect 8-story mixed-use complex Quote:
Here's some renderings from the developers blog. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PzMeFmY4xJ...600/scene9.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_edg2X5_i...600/scene3.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYMvvrFLSB...600/scene1.jpg |
If this project breaks ground, it would certainly add to the momentum of development along Michigan Avenue in DT Kalamazoo. Another project that got underway last December is the Metropolitan Center. It involves the redevelopment of four buildings at 105, 113, 119, 123 and 127 East Michigan Avenue. Plans call for 30,000 square feet of space to be turned into a mixed-use development. The final project will have retail on the ground level, 28 residential units on the 2nd and 3rd floors. It will be complete in 2012.
Here's some photos of the progress from the developers facebook page. http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6945640_n.jpg http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3986656_n.jpg http://kalamazoometropolitancenter.com/ |
This project has been upgraded to 12 stories.
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The project was previously stalled due to financing issues. |
FYI, I have included this proposed high-rise in the project rundown for the new KALAMAZOO / PORTAGE Development Thread that was recently started. You can link to that here.
I don't know the current status of this project but it still seems held up. The site signage was changed relatively recently, with the previous project rendering image removed. Now PlazaCorps's website shows this proposed project as a 15-story, 335,000 SF mixed-use tower, and states that Chemical Bank would anchor the property with a new 2-story, 14,000 SF suite. The proposed building will feature about 60,000 square feet of commercial space, internal parking, and luxury apartments. Anyone have more information on this? https://tb26ha.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Image: Rendering of The Exchange Image Source: PlazaCorp |
Wow, it just got uglier and uglier as the years passed. Yay.
Keep the damn parking lot |
Oof wow that is bad. The previous tower pinkster version was fine, why did it get changed to this mess?
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Granted, it is a sketchy rendering, but the form just seems...dated. Maybe they were trying to reference some of the curved tower architecture happening across the street at the Radisson.
I have a feeling this is still not what the final design will be, if ever built. The fact that the imagery on the site signage is completely gone is some indicator that this is still in flux. It seems like there's been a changing of the guard, because Tower's name is gone from the site signage, but Byce & Associates is now listed, and if you go to their website, it's the first thing featured. |
Update - I just did a little more research. On Byce's website, it states that the project is 'in design' and construction is scheduled to commence in 'early 2017' with occupancy by mid-2018. I won't hold my breath.
There are also some floor plans: First / Ground Floor Plan: https://uy8gmw.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Upper (Ninth) Floor Plan: https://vi8gmw.sn.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Images Source: Byce Website Also, this MBiz article says that all of the state approvals and incentives the development team was looking for to move forward were received back in December, including a $6.4 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program (CRP) loan towards the now estimated $52.7 million project. It puts the construction timeline at 20 months long, from groundbreaking to completion. |
Site Prep is Underway at The Exchange Site
I did a double-take this morning as I was driving in to work and saw site barriers and fencing being installed around the Exchange site, at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Rose Street. The far right lanes on both Michigan and Rose are now blocked to traffic. By all appearances, this project is now moving forward, and initial site prep is underway.
Here are some photos that I took later in the day - not much to see here yet, but you can get a sense of the area. https://6zeqsw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://6deqsw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://6teqsw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://3zeqsw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://5jgppg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://5zgppg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://5dgppg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://5tgppg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://3jeqsw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none At 15 stories, this is a considerable size building for the city, and it will be the largest development happening in the city once it breaks ground, which could be very soon, by the looks of it. I hope we see updated / improved renderings soon. PS - Is there any way to change / update the thread title? Since we know a bit more info about the project now? |
New Rendering is up
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https://6dfgna-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: MLive |
Excavation progress is underway at the site of the planned 15-story Exchange building. Work is moving quickly at the moment - Some photos from today.
https://plp0dq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://87p0dq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://pbp0dq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://8rp0dq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
I found some plans of a few more of the floor levels, in a brochure on PlazaCorp's website.
https://pl8zmq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://pb8zmq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none The penthouse floor plan shows the potential for three possible suites to be built-out, along with four separate roof terraces. While the idea of a penthouse level restaurant / lounge would be neat, I'm surprised that this floor isn't planned to be all residential instead. |
A bit of history uncovered during Kalamazoo construction
by Mike Krafcik, WWMT April 25, 2017 WWMT did a short story about some old brick arches that were unearthed during excavations for the new Exchange tower. If you like history, you might find it interesting. Here's a link to the video; I couldn't figure out how to embed it directly: http://wwmt.com/news/local/a-bit-of-...o-construction Quote:
https://879pgg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none The Arches https://pl9pgg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none JR Jones & Sons Department Store, of which the brick arches are suspected to be a part of. |
Official groundbreaking for The Exchange was on Friday, although site prep and foundation work is already underway. Opening is now set for spring of 2019. At 15 stories tall, this is about as good as it gets for Kalamazoo.
Work begins on long-awaited Exchange Building in Kzoo |
Construction update photos, taken 6/2 and 6/3, by me. The foundations are well underway for the eastern portion of the building (Lobby 'A' elevator core) and electrical utility work is occurring in the alley behind.
https://uutkaa-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uktkaa-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://xetkaa-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hrsidw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hbsidw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://ghsidw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://ibsidw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://gxsidw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
^ Nice pics and this should climb fast since they're not going down very far.
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A couple of pics from lunch today. Two excavators and a bulldozer on site. Crews are quickly removing all of the excavated earth that was piled up on the western half of the site and carting it somewhere else. I expect it's only a matter of days until they begin excavation on that half of the site for the rest of the foundation work.
https://gazlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://g6zlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://gqzlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none And just for fun, here's a few photos from Lunchtime Live!, in nearby Bronson Park (live music and food trucks every Friday through the summer): https://f6zlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://gkzlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hazlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hqzlyg-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Construction progress photos from Friday, 6/16, taken by me. The foundation work continues to march westward across the site at a rapid clip:
https://uqsnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uasnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uqqmyq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://vgsnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://vwsnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://vqsnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Another look at the site today, Sunday 6/18. Crews already removed the forms from the fresh concrete foundations poured on Friday, 6/16:
https://vasnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://sgsnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://swsnpq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://ugqmyq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uaqmyq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uwqmyq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Updates from today, 6/29/17. Several pours have occured in the past week and a half:
https://uy9rbq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://tyqqpa-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://r49rbq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uo9rbq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://si9rbq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uiqqpa-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://t4qqpa-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Do we think the office portion above the garage will be built with structural steel, or probably more of this reinforced concrete?
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These first two views are from the top deck of the Kalamazoo Center parking garage that connects to the Radisson (north-west of the site): https://rkjpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://tejpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none And this view is from the Epic Center ramp, located south of the site. You can see the crane supporting the large foundation hole borer in the distance: https://r0jpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none A closer look. Once the tower rises, I think it will completely fill the space between the 9-story Comerica Bank tower (left, black metal) and the 8-story Kalamazoo Building (right, red brick): https://skjpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Here's a crude rendering to depict that: https://tujpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none At ground level now - looking east across S Rose St: https://s0jpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Consumer's Energy was there, doing some work down a manhole in the alley. Don't know if it was related to The Exchange or not: https://qujpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none The western half of the building is not as far along: https://qejpdw-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://sei6bq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://sui6bq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Much progress has been made in the past 5 weeks at The Exchange site. The weather was great yesterday and I took some photos.
On the eastern half (closer to The Kalamazoo Building), the core has grown a bit taller, probably about 30 feet high now. This will house two elevator shafts and a stairwell). The beginnings of the parking ramp entrance off of Michigan Ave can also be seen. Lots of electrical utility work is happening on the back side. The alley has been closed off again. Workers have begun laying down moisture barriers for the ground floor slab. On the western half of the site (closer to Rose St), construction has ramped up. Excavation is mostly done, and foundations are now well underway. Forms and re-steel are starting to go up for the perimeter foundations and columns on the western half of the building - I would expect some big pours happening soon. You can now make out the foundation 'pad' for the west core, which will be smaller and will include a single elevator and another stairwell. 1. View from nearby parking deck: https://3jf1hq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 2. A closer look from above. Can see the start of the parking ramp at the extreme left of the site: https://3zf1hq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 3. Looking south, across Michigan Ave: https://5dhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 4. Looking east, across Rose St: https://5zhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 5. Looking northeast, along the alley: https://5jhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 6. Foundation re-steel and forms along the western edge of the building (paralleling Rose St): https://6jhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 7. Foundation pad for the west core: https://5thaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 8. Looking northeast, at what will be the main ground floor retail area: https://6zhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 9. Re-steel silhouette: https://6thaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 10. Looking north, at what will be the main ground floor retail area: https://6dhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 11. The east core: https://3jhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 12. Electric Utility: https://3zhaea-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 13. Looking west along the alley: https://5jh7ja-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none 14. Color contrast: https://5zh7ja-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
The crane is going up at The Exchange site! :boogy:
I wasn't the only one trying to snap some photos during my lunch break today - a large crane in Kalamazoo is something of a novelty. The best I can figure, the last time a crane of this proportion graced Kzoo's skyline was in the early 1980s, when Skyrise Apartments was under construction. Reagan was president, the internet was coming into existence, the first mobile cell phone call was being made, and CDs were being experimented with. https://9rptdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://pbptdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://97ptdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://7bptdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://9lq4ma-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://7lptdq-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://9bq4ma-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://8rq4ma-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://87q4ma-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://plq4ma-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
10/18/17 Dusk shots:
https://8rqj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://87qj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://plqj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://97qj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://pbqj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://9rqj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://7bqj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://7lqj9g-sn3301.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Here's a video taken from the top of The Exchange crane, showing the Kalamazoo skyline from 230 feet up:
Posted by the City of Kalamazoo And another by Kent Companies, which is doing the concrete work, shows a mini time-lapse, aerial views, and crane construction: I found both of these on a recent MLive article. |
Another recent article provides more detail about the construction process and schedule. The crane can be expected to remain up for at least the next year. Final completion is scheduled for April-June 2019. The article title is a bit of a 'no-duh' - still an interesting read though for those not too familiar with the project.
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Took some photos near dusk today. Construction crews were just starting to place the first few forms for the third floor, while a few others were placing re-steel cages for some of the columns that will span from the second to third floors. It looks like about half the second floor is poured, and the remainder of that floor is soon to be poured.
https://wkve3a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://wuve3a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://v0ve3a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://weve3a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none There goes the sun! https://uku9ya-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
12/02/2017:
https://ghtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://gxtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://ibtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hhtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://irtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hxtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://fbtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://frtwbq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hbsnyw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://hrsnyw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
I was thinking about all the parallels between The Exchange tower and the Warner Building in Grand Rapids. There are a lot of similarities, here's a few I thought of quickly:
Some of this isn't surprising, given that it's the same CM and similar geographic location, but the coincidences are still interesting. Obviously there are differences too - the biggest being that The Exchange has market-rate apartments, and the Warner has a separate 12 story hotel planned for the site directly next door. Anyway, it should be neat to watch these two rise in tandem. Warner (taller of the two, in background): https://sipadw-sn3302.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: Fox17 News Online The Exchange: https://6dfgna.sn2.livefilestore.com...&cropmode=none Image Source: MLive |
I was trying to find if there was a construction cam for this job and instead I found a new website for The Exchange that is up and running but still under construction. This looks like the new official site and I'm guessing they will change the url once the content is further along.
http://1738.bfhosting1.com/ There are some short time lapse videos, but only through July of this year. There's a handy little directory of all the floor plans, and additional exterior renderings that I had not yet seen. Also, it indicates that pricing for the 133 apartment units will be released in summer 2018. https://u4prpq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://viprpq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uoprpq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://r4prpq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://siprpq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://uyprpq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none Source: The Exchange Site |
Just a quick one from this morning, taken while I was driving to work. About a foot of snow melted overnight and there is a lot of activity once again. It looks like they are getting relatively close to begin pouring for the third floor:
https://tejnha-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Photos from yesterday, 1/26/18. The third floor deck is poured, and a portion of the fourth. You can see the difference in floor-to-floor height between the first two floors and the third, which is the first of the all-parking deck floors:
https://skgp4a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://suh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://s0gp4a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://qegp4a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://qugp4a-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://seh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://rkh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://teh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://r0h0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://tuh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://skh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none https://s0h0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
February 27, 2018 - hovering around 60F -
https://sr1fhq-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none vs. one month ago - https://seh0aw-dm2305.files.1drv.com...&cropmode=none |
Lots of activity on The Exchange site today, with a large concrete pour happening. This will be the fifth level of the building (parking deck). There is also cold-form steel framing going in on the ground floor. Some photos -
https://ul22gg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://t722gg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://tb22gg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://tr22gg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://q722gg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://rl22gg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://s70bdg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
Took a peek around The Exchange site today, at ground level. No activity on site. Cold and very windy. Forms are being set for what will be the sixth floor (and final parking deck level). We will be reaching the apartment level floors (7 - 15) a little later this Spring.
https://7bprgg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none CMU going up along the back / south side - https://9l9i4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://9b9i4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://879i4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Glazing is going in window framing on the first and second floors - https://8r9i4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none The mass of this building is becoming more prominent each week - https://pl9i4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://pb9i4a.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
Some updates from yesterday. Partway done with the 7th floor pour. This is where the building transitions from parking ramp to residential.
From the top of the Epic Center ramp - https://frsgyw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none From the Haymarket District parking lot - just barely visible peaking above the surrounding buildings, soon to be much more visible - https://hbtrvg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://hrtrvg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://ghtrvg.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
edit (deleted - accidentally posted this in the wrong section)
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edit (deleted - accidentally posted this in the wrong section)
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Here is a different view of The Exchange from about 1 week ago. I took this screen shot from the below news story. The video footage is from the top of Peregrine Tower, which is a higher perspective than I can get.
https://gabkxw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none Source: WWMT |
Took this over the weekend. At the moment they are on the 8th / 9th floor. The 8th floor is the first residential floor, and it involves a bit of a transition from the parking deck levels below. It is about 50% total height now.
https://sej8bq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
I forgot to post these, from July 25 - up to the tenth floor now -
https://gtrgpq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://f9rgpq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://gnrgpq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://dtrgpq.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://fdsrya.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
Working on the 12th floor now. Photos from yesterday, 8/24/18.
https://plqhfw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://9rqhfw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://pbqhfw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://97qhfw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://7lqhfw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://7bqhfw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://9l8scw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://9b8scw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://pl8scw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://8r8scw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none https://878scw.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
Looking good!
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I love seeing these projects in smaller cities. even relatively modest projects can make a huge difference. same is happening in Boise with a ton of infill that would get lost in most larger cities. |
From yesterday, 9/10/18 - The Exchange in the distance, 180 E Water St site work in the foreground.
https://xeut9g.dm.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none |
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