Huntsville updates

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by mp7123

6 story 130,000 sq ft building to be built on northeast corner of site. Construction to begin first quarter 2010.

and a couple of other things


The developer also plans to build Bridge Street Tennis Centre, which will feature six lighted, hard-surface championship tennis courts, and a professional-quality putting green at the four-star 210-room Westin Huntsville.

The construction of those two facilities, to be located in the northwest corner of Bridge Street, will begin next month and be completed in early fall. The use of the tennis courts will be free to hotel guests and non-guests can become a tennis center member of pay a per-play fee.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

and a couple of other things


The developer also plans to build Bridge Street Tennis Centre, which will feature six lighted, hard-surface championship tennis courts, and a professional-quality putting green at the four-star 210-room Westin Huntsville.

The construction of those two facilities, to be located in the northwest corner of Bridge Street, will begin next month and be completed in early fall. The use of the tennis courts will be free to hotel guests and non-guests can become a tennis center member of pay a per-play fee.

Now if O&S Holdings will just pay for all the advertising that they have run, everything will be great.

[HSVTiger]

Looks like the new Hampton Inn adjacent to the Robert Trent Jones course at
Hampton Cove will open around June 26th.

[HSVTiger]

This may prove the Forbes article about Huntsville/ Mobile economic recovery
correct ..at least for one month.

"26% jump from April; first-time buyers 'doing great,' Realtor says

Despite one of the most rainy Mays on record, home sales in Madison County jumped more than 26 percent from April and hit their highest level in nine months.

The Huntsville Area Association of Realtors reported that 429 homes sold during May, compared with 315 in April.

May's sales were down 60, or 13.9 percent, from the same month last year."

[Capital Heights]

Six story "tower"?

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by Capital Heights

Six story "tower"?

compared to the surrounding Crepe Myrtles..yes

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

and a couple of other things


The developer also plans to build Bridge Street Tennis Centre, which will feature six lighted, hard-surface championship tennis courts, and a professional-quality putting green at the four-star 210-room Westin Huntsville.

The construction of those two facilities, to be located in the northwest corner of Bridge Street, will begin next month and be completed in early fall. The use of the tennis courts will be free to hotel guests and non-guests can become a tennis center member of pay a per-play fee.

Something else that was mentioned that the wish list for Bridge Street included a major department store and a 5 star hotel (Westin is a 4 star).
I would like to see something like a Hyatt Place or ALOFT brand in the development. The master plan originally shows two office buildings and a cluster of apartments which would seem to be a good idea, but there may be something about people living in Research Park although some workers practically do already. Some more restaurants wouldn't hurt either. Bridge Street could easily be a catalyst for a light rail spur to downtown and or the airport. Not a new idea and there is some serious talk about it.

[David1502]

There was a lot in the article this morning which leads to more questions particularly land or space wise to handle all of the develpment they are speaking of:
1. The 6 story office building will go in the Northeast corner of the development and will include a parking deck for 320 cars. - Will that mean it will take up part of the existing surface lot for the Westin?
2. The 6 court Tennis Center will be in the Northwest corner - (an existing undeveloped area with construction trailers on it) This will eliminate the possibility for the apartments which had been in the original plan.
3. A Major Department Store: The only remaining land apparent will be next to Sports Academy on the west side of Governors West. from the configuration this hardly seems big enough to accomodate a Macy's (the obvious suitor) and the prerequisite parking such a facility would require by the City.
4. A Five Star Hotel: Again where would this go and where would the required parking be?

To accomodate more development on the site in the future they could convert the existing surface lot on the west side (near Monaco) into a deck. It appears that surface parking for this type of development is underuse of land.

Somthing else of significance buried in the article is that O & S Holdings is moving their corporate office from Los Angeles to Huntsville. This is quite a coup for HSV and speaks to the continuing decline of CA's economy which demands ever higher tax rates on its businesses and citizens. O & S will surely be one of the tenants in the new building. It makes sense as two of their corporate concepts are here - Monaco Pictures and The Station and and it's easier to monitor those businesses close by rather than 2,000 miles away.

All in all this article was very encouraging (particularly in this economy) - it speaks of O & S's confidence in the local economy and creats anticipation of the Department Store and additional Hotel announcements.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by David1502

There was a lot in the article this morning which leads to more questions particularly land or space wise to handle all of the develpment they are speaking of:
1. The 6 story office building will go in the Northeast corner of the development and will include a parking deck for 320 cars. - Will that mean it will take up part of the existing surface lot for the Westin?
2. The 6 court Tennis Center will be in the Northwest corner - (an existing undeveloped area with construction trailers on it) This will eliminate the possibility for the apartments which had been in the original plan.
3. A Major Department Store: The only remaining land apparent will be next to Sports Academy on the west side of Governors West. from the configuration this hardly seems big enough to accomodate a Macy's (the obvious suitor) and the prerequisite parking such a facility would require by the City.
4. A Five Star Hotel: Again where would this go and where would the required parking be?

To accomodate more development on the site in the future they could convert the existing surface lot on the west side (near Monaco) into a deck. It appears that surface parking for this type of development is underuse of land.

Somthing else of significance buried in the article is that O & S Holdings is moving their corporate office from Los Angeles to Huntsville. This is quite a coup for HSV and speaks to the continuing decline of CA's economy which demands ever higher tax rates on its businesses and citizens. O & S will surely be one of the tenants in the new building. It makes sense as two of their corporate concepts are here - Monaco Pictures and The Station and and it's easier to monitor those businesses close by rather than 2,000 miles away.

All in all this article was very encouraging (particularly in this economy) - it speaks of O & S's confidence in the local economy and creats anticipation of the Department Store and additional Hotel announcements.

A current map from their site
http://www.bridgestreethuntsville.com/documents/BSTC_Directory_2009.pdf

The department store could go north of the west lake which is now grass.
Madison Square better have a major makeover plan underway and I'm not talking about new carpet. That mall could become a major force if it shrunk it's sea of asphalt and transformed itself into a combination mall/open air center. Turn part of the underused parking into a park with water features/
walking trails, internet cafe, upgrade movie theater, add parking deck, try to lure another hotel on the site, create a restaurant park with existing ones,
you could park your car and walk along landscaped walks to whichever restaurant you wanted without having to dodge traffic or drive.

[David1502]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

A current map from their site
http://www.bridgestreethuntsville.com/documents/BSTC_Directory_2009.pdf

The department store could go north of the west lake which is now grass.
Madison Square better have a major makeover plan underway and I'm not talking about new carpet. That mall could become a major force if it shrunk it's sea of asphalt and transformed itself into a combination mall/open air center. Turn part of the underused parking into a park with water features/
walking trails, internet cafe, upgrade movie theater, add parking deck, try to lure another hotel on the site, create a restaurant park with existing ones,
you could park your car and walk along landscaped walks to whichever restaurant you wanted without having to dodge traffic or drive.

Thanks for the map. The location for the Department Store on the north side of the west lake is the probable location, however, the actual grass that is there is smaller than what appears on the map. Regardless, that will be the most likely location even if they have to intrude on the exsiting surface parking lot for the store. It is a foregone conclusion that the surface lot will be replaced by a parking deck anyway as that lot is full now (much less what it will need to accomodate with a department store.)

Also, the far northeast portion of the property is greatly underused as a parking lot now and the proposed 6 story office bldg. will be a much better use. There is a lot of land there.

Madison Square faces a challenging future and you offer some good and creative possibilities. However, the real question comes back to whether the current owners, CBL & Associates have the means to undergo the transformation needed for the center to survive. (Remember, shopping center developers are hurting now, with one of the largest, General Growth, in bankruptcy causing Nordstrom to pull out of Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham) If CBL doesn't, it may be possible that another developer will pursue purchasing the center and undergoing the needed changes. Keep in mind that each of the Department Stores (Belk, Dillards, Sears and Penney's) own their own building and the portion of the parking lot that extends directly from their respective buildings - so that presesnts a challenge for a total parking lot redevelopment unless the department stores wanted to construct their own decks, which is doubtful. Also, the former Mc Rae's Building and adjacent parking lot is owned by the Pizitz's family in Birmingham. It now appears that they are out of the running for a purchase by Macy's as O & S seems to be in negotiations with Macy's now. Another possibility could be that O & S is talking to Von Maur's which is locating in another one of their Bridge Street developments outside of Chicago. Only time will tell.

[bestdeception]

Originally Posted by David1502

There was a lot in the article this morning which leads to more questions particularly land or space wise to handle all of the develpment they are speaking of:
1. The 6 story office building will go in the Northeast corner of the development and will include a parking deck for 320 cars. - Will that mean it will take up part of the existing surface lot for the Westin?
2. The 6 court Tennis Center will be in the Northwest corner - (an existing undeveloped area with construction trailers on it) This will eliminate the possibility for the apartments which had been in the original plan.
3. A Major Department Store: The only remaining land apparent will be next to Sports Academy on the west side of Governors West. from the configuration this hardly seems big enough to accomodate a Macy's (the obvious suitor) and the prerequisite parking such a facility would require by the City.
4. A Five Star Hotel: Again where would this go and where would the required parking be?

To accomodate more development on the site in the future they could convert the existing surface lot on the west side (near Monaco) into a deck. It appears that surface parking for this type of development is underuse of land.

Somthing else of significance buried in the article is that O & S Holdings is moving their corporate office from Los Angeles to Huntsville. This is quite a coup for HSV and speaks to the continuing decline of CA's economy which demands ever higher tax rates on its businesses and citizens. O & S will surely be one of the tenants in the new building. It makes sense as two of their corporate concepts are here - Monaco Pictures and The Station and and it's easier to monitor those businesses close by rather than 2,000 miles away.

All in all this article was very encouraging (particularly in this economy) - it speaks of O & S's confidence in the local economy and creats anticipation of the Department Store and additional Hotel announcements.

David,
Couple things that are inaccurate. O&S has already located their office in BSTC, and they aren't going to the new office building. And The Station 2 isn't affiliated with O&S.

[DavidH74]

I agree that Von Maur is a very,very viable and likely candidate. They have expressed interest in Huntsville, are expanding, and, as mentioned, will be part of Bridge Street Chicagoland.

[jmanhsv]

Really, guys? Von Maur? Their closest store is in Louisville, so unless they are planning a major expansion into the Southeast, I really doubt they are looking seriously into Huntsville. And even if they are looking to move into the region, I think they'd be announcing stores in Nashville first.

Macy's is already entrenched in the region, and is the only one that I know of that isn't already in Huntsville, or more specifically, Madison Square. So it's a good chance (like, 95%) that it's Macy's, unless O&S really does throw a curveball and sign a upscale store or Von Maur.

[SouthSky]

I thought this might interest you all, especially with the big Boeing presence already in Huntsville:

"Where will Boeing put a second 787 final assembly line?"

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090617/BLOG01/906179995

I think it would be amazing if Boeing indeed started a new aircraft line and located it in HSV... two of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers churning out aircraft in the same state... Boeing aircraft in Huntsville and Airbus military/commercial aircraft in Mobile.

Awesome.

An actual article without the juicy innuendos:
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2009/06/boeing-hints-at-nearing-decisi.html

[David1502]

Originally Posted by jmanhsv

Really, guys? Von Maur? Their closest store is in Louisville, so unless they are planning a major expansion into the Southeast, I really doubt they are looking seriously into Huntsville. And even if they are looking to move into the region, I think they'd be announcing stores in Nashville first.

Macy's is already entrenched in the region, and is the only one that I know of that isn't already in Huntsville, or more specifically, Madison Square. So it's a good chance (like, 95%) that it's Macy's, unless O&S really does throw a curveball and sign a upscale store or Von Maur.

I agree with you that there is at least a 95% chance they are in talks with Macy's. But... I never would have believed that they could talk Westin into opening a four star hotel here, nor could I have believed that they could get Kate Spade to sign a lease either. These guys are from the West Cost and think outside of the box and for some reason they appear to think that HSV is similar to Beverly Hills/W. Hollywood or why else would they have located the only other Ketchup here? If you remember four years ago, the Bridge Street website promoted an "upscale department store" - Macy's doesn't quite fit that description - in fact Belk Parkway Place which carries $1,000 Hickey Freeman men's suits is more upscale than 90% of the Macy's. So, I still say that there is a small chance they could be in talks with Von Maur. Remember Von Maur is in some really small cities in IL, and Iowa.

All in all, I would expect to see an announcement of Macy's locating there for the reasons you mentioned. HSV is one of the largest markets which doesn't have one of their stores (Jackson, TN and Bowling Gren, KY have one) so they would like to have a presence just to get a return from their national cable T.V. ads. Also, like you said, HSV is too far from Von Maur's existing base of stores in the Midwest.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by SouthSky

I thought this might interest you all, especially with the big Boeing presence already in Huntsville:

"Where will Boeing put a second 787 final assembly line?"

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090617/BLOG01/906179995

I think it would be amazing if Boeing indeed started a new aircraft line and located it in HSV... two of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers churning out aircraft in the same state... Boeing aircraft in Huntsville and Airbus military/commercial aircraft in Mobile.

Awesome.

An actual article without the juicy innuendos:
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2009/06/boeing-hints-at-nearing-decisi.html

When Boeing located it's main facility at Huntsville International Airport many years ago, between the mile apart parallel runways. it was rumored then that one day Boeing might assemble planes there. They have the room and infrastructure to do it, but it sounds from the article it may go elsewhere.
It would be fantastic.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

I just looked at the Dolce Group website, and you're right, they must think that Huntsville is the amazing place... I mean, I love North Alabama, but it definitely ain't no LA, Buckhead, Dallas, or Las Vegas. After looking at that site, I'm convinced that anything is possible.

[mlog]

I went by Indigo Joe's this evening and noticed it was closed. A sign on the door said "thanks" but they had to close due to "rising costs" and a "poor economy." Anyone know when they closed? We ate instead a nice Thai restaurant in the same strip mall called Charm Thai.

[HSVTiger]

Originally Posted by mlog

I went by Indigo Joe's this evening and noticed it was closed. A sign on the door said "thanks" but they had to close due to "rising costs" and a "poor economy." Anyone know when they closed? We ate instead a nice Thai restaurant in the same strip mall called Charm Thai.

A few months ago I think. I thought the location was a bit odd, it's easy to miss, and service supposedly was poor. The death knell of any restaurant.. that and bad food.

[ThatGuy]

Originally Posted by HSVTiger

A few months ago I think. I thought the location was a bit odd, it's easy to miss, and service supposedly was poor. The death knell of any restaurant.. that and bad food.

And high prices. Burgers were about as much as Red Robin.