ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[NYClife2005]

Originally Posted by sevensixtwo

I drove up Piedmont today. A lot of foot traffic downtown. Here's a photo compilation of the new stuff on Piedmont and also some shots by the old Grady Homes site (Veranda).




Pencil Factory across Marietta from Grady Homes.




Piedmont & Marietta: New GSU Science Building




Piedmont & Edgewood NW corner




SW corner




Renaissance Walk looking awesome








GSU Dorms




Piedmont & Ralph McGill

See, not to complain here, but this is why i've said for so long that if i were a multi billionaire i would have the city rip up all those ghastly, 19th century looking POS telephone poles & wires & put them underground where they belong.

That third pic of the new GSU building - this is the first time ive seen it this close to completion & MAN, that's a welcome change for GSU & DT - and for ATL! But then you realize there's no way in hell to get around those damn poles & wires to get a good shot. Same is true in East Midtown when trying to shoot 12th & MT from Piedmont/10th St.

I know it would cost a lot but MAN would that make a difference in everything, including peoples' perception of the city. New York, DC, Chicago, Miami - Buckhead (parts) --- all have major segments withouth these hideous specimens of the early 20th Century.

ALL the major roads in ATL should be done that way, including Peachtree (all of it), Piedmont, 14th St, West Paces Ferry & Buckhead neighborhoods. I'm serious, give me a billion dollars & i'll have it done.

[BettyBowers]

Originally Posted by NYClife2005

mimic

I applaud your word choice. Whether it is an artist or a city, the insecure ones left to mimicry seldom survive the scrutiny of perspective.

[Snakebit]

Originally Posted by sevensixtwo

I think it's fake brick tiles. Similar to AS.

It isn't, drove by today and it is in fact brick ... saw them myself

[Snakebit]

Also, good and I guess big news although I couldn't find a redering:

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/03/10/jacoby_0311.html

Was this commented on?

Some progress I guess:

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/08/04/tidbits1.html

Article from today from ABC that details further progress:

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/04/27/daily81.html?surround=lfn

In a high-profile deal in March, Suniva inked a deal worth “tens of millions of dollars” to supply solar cells to Aerotropolis Atlanta -- a planned 130-acre mixed-use redevelopment of the former Hapeville Ford plant.

“Solar has gotten a knock about cost,” Baumstark said.

[NYClife2005]

Originally Posted by BettyBowers

I applaud your word choice. Whether it is an artist or a city, the insecure ones left to mimicry seldom survive the scrutiny of perspective.

Uh, not sure what that's supposed to mean - unless you're trying to say Atlanta architecture wont survive scrutiny, still dont know what that means though?

But i mean almsot every city in the US has mimicked NY or Chicago, or any of the most prominent, older cities. Nothing wrong there.

[sevensixtwo]

I hope they are planning an aerotropolis rather that The Aerotropolis. I am confused though. Construction starts 2009. Construction ends 2020. Estimated $1B investment?

Unrelated, is the gap between The Atlantic and State St being left open for another building or something else?

[foxmccleod]

Originally Posted by sevensixtwo

I hope they are planning an aerotropolis rather that The Aerotropolis. I am confused though. Construction starts 2009. Construction ends 2020. Estimated $1B investment?

Unrelated, is the gap between The Atlantic and State St being left open for another building or something else?

Yes, there were tentative plans for a 20 story building or so. Nothing concrete yet, but there will eventually be a building there.

[joecool]

Originally Posted by BettyBowers

I'd rather drink goat's blood.

HA HA HA HA!!! Love it!

[joecool]

Originally Posted by Snakebit

Also, good and I guess big news although I couldn't find a redering:

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/03/10/jacoby_0311.html

Was this commented on?

Some progress I guess:

http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/08/04/tidbits1.html

Article from today from ABC that details further progress:

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/04/27/daily81.html?surround=lfn

In a high-profile deal in March, Suniva inked a deal worth “tens of millions of dollars” to supply solar cells to Aerotropolis Atlanta -- a planned 130-acre mixed-use redevelopment of the former Hapeville Ford plant.

“Solar has gotten a knock about cost,” Baumstark said.

Ok call me dumb but what is an aerotropolis? Is it an Atlantic Station type development? Is what is sounds like to me?

[cybele]

If a**holes could fly this place would be an aerotropolis.

[GTviajero81]

Originally Posted by NYClife2005

including peoples' perception of the city. New York, DC, Chicago, Miami - Buckhead (parts) --- all have major segments withouth these hideous specimens of the early 20th Century.

ALL the major roads in ATL should be done that way, including Peachtree (all of it), Piedmont, 14th St, West Paces Ferry & Buckhead neighborhoods. I'm serious, give me a billion dollars & i'll have it done.

I am not sure if you've realised it but Buckhead is still Atlanta. Although, at times, some nuggets of interesting thoughts are given by your posts, your continued occurrences of mis-information just act to trump the times when you raise good points. Present one's perspective cogently and with as much information as possible is the best way to have others be attuned to your stance -- otherwise they will be quick to dismiss your thoughts.

With that being said, how in the heck can you compare NYC, CHI, DC (which, technically has ONE skyscraper in the most base sense of the word) to Buckhead, a community within the city of Atlanta? I purposely left out Miami because that city is the true epitome of all hi-rises but little street activity -- just what Atlanta is trying to change. And are you only working with the variable of overhead power lines and other utilities? Since you are obviously not quite familiar with New York, let me let you in a little secret: it's only in the super-developed areas of that city that have underground utilities. GASP!! Yes, the truth is horrible, isn't it? In Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and areas of the Bronx that are not along the border shoreline with Manhattan the utilities are above ground for the most part.

But, you may argue, the 'real' city of New York is Manhattan! Pish, real New Yorkers in all boroughs (with the possible exception of Staten Island) consider themselves part of NYC...yet we still (I was raised there so I know the hell I'm talking about) call Manhattan "The City". What was the point of this? If you are going to have in your mind the image of Manhattan Island, then damn it, using Buckhead as a area of the city of Atlanta that is aesthetically pleasing would be correct. But please, stop comparing apples to peaches.... *pun intended*

[BettyBowers]

Originally Posted by cybele

If a**holes could fly this place would be an aerotropolis.

And you would be, without hesitation, selected as our squadron leader, darling!

[BettyBowers]

Originally Posted by NYClife2005

Uh, not sure what that's supposed to mean -

I was just saying that anything that mimics something else is destined to be regarded as the inferior, less inspired version.

In stating that, I am cognizant of my own hypocrisy. The Arc de Triomphe is also kitschy. It is not of its time. But, much like religion, we forgive folly the longer it exists.

[cybele]

Originally Posted by BettyBowers

And you would be, without hesitation, selected as our squadron leader, darling!

It would be a worthy accolade. Aerotropaeists, secure your helmets!

[NYClife2005]

Originally Posted by BettyBowers

I was just saying that anything that mimics something else is destined to be regarded as the inferior, less inspired version.

In stating that, I am cognizant of my own hypocrisy. The Arc de Triomphe is also kitschy. It is not of its time. But, much like religion, we forgive folly the longer it exists. (Which is why we find Scientology and, to a slightly lesser extent, Mormonism risible, but find Christianity and Judaism completely plausible, even thought they are all equally ridiculous nonsense.)

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Anyway, the good part of that is Atlanta has ITS OWN unique architecture, such as the Terminus project compilation - i've never seen anything like that, not in NY or Chicago anyway. We've also got Atlantic Station, which as a live, work, play, dine etc. concept, it's pretty new for the US, ive never seen that before in the US. Not to forget Sovereign wich is, hands down, our sexiest modern building & NO city in the US has ever done one like it.

Oh, and the Buckhead new downtown area - pretty much no where in the US has this been done, such a modern & sexy compilation of NEW buildings all close together - with the possible exception of Vegas, but Vegas was intended to be dressed up like that for making money & drawing tourists, where as Buckhead just evolved naturally into that.

So we've got our own stuff.

[scania]

Originally Posted by NYClife2005

Oh, and the Buckhead new downtown area
- pretty much no where in the US has this been done, such a modern & sexy compilation of NEW buildings all close together - with the possible exception of Vegas, but Vegas was intended to be dressed up like that for making money & drawing tourists, where as Buckhead just evolved naturally into that.

So we've got our own stuff.

I don't know if you have ever visited Vegas, but walking the strip is almost breathtaking. That place is amazing. I have imagined having a water feature like the one in front of the Bellagio, somewhere on Peachtree. Probably across from Terminus at Peachtree and Piedmont.

[gttx]

Originally Posted by NYClife2005

I dont need to be an EXPERT on anything to get my point accross.

Being an expert on city planning or development would be an excellent way to get your point across. It would also preclude you from making such base comparisons as streetscapes in Manhattan to those of Atlanta.

Living in another city will also change your perspective considerably. All cities have their good elements and their bad elements, but their nature and extent are wildly different. Typically, though, understanding how and why those situations currently exist will make finding solutions (or realizing that solutions are not feasible) much easier.

Also, as an aside, I would note that the skyscrapers you refer to in Buckhead are neither unique nor firsts.

[gttx]

Originally Posted by AtlMidtowner

If Europeans can do it, then we too should be able to, or are Americans much lower in their standards????

That's precisely the problem. Most Americans have no concept of what makes a city, or even just the built environment, beautiful. In fact, I would say that most Americans don't even CARE about the built environment being beautiful - they would rather it was easy to get around, convenient, and inexpensive. People have just seen ugliness for so long that they are oblivious to it.

I took a class on History of Urban Form when I was at Georgia Tech, and it was amazing to see the evolution of great cities up until the end of the 19th century - all of them looking to the past as inspiration to become places of profound beauty, at once functionally efficient and aesthetically pleasing. The professor then juxtaposed a shot of 18th century Rome, 19th century Paris, and early 20th century Chicago with an image of Northside Drive, replete with power lines and parking lots. It was strange to think about how, while our society has "advanced," our concept of what makes a great city has almost devolved.

[cybele]

How much would it cost to go back and bury the power lines all over the city?

[M II A II R II K]

MANY OFF TOPIC HIJACKING POSTS DELETED



NYClife2005 won't be participating in this thread anymore so this thread will far more likely stay on track now.