ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by (four 0 four)

Why are people so anxious to raze historic structures? The Winecoff Hotel (also a former abandoned downtown building) was renovated and opened as The Ellis.

Most people would agreee that the renovation was a success and the area is 'richer' for having such a beautiful building. Downtown's Fairlie-Poplar district is one of the most attractive sections of the city due in large part to the number of historic buildings like The Ellis.

Obviously, the MA building has seen better days but it honestly doesn't look too much different than The Ellis did prior to renovation. By tearing it down, the area would lose even more of its sense of history and personality.

I agree 100%. Thank God those "tear down" attitudes didn't win out when buildings like the Fox and the Flatiron were abandoned and unnattractive.

[Zanarkand A East]

I'm impressed with The Ellis, and MA could use a similar restoration. Just do SOMETHING. As it stands, it's a eye-sore, especially the adjacent parking deck. That entire block, including the site of the building nextdoor that actually was torn down, has tons of potential, and keeping some of MA's historical character would definitely be a plus.

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by Zanarkand A East

I'm impressed with The Ellis, and MA could use a similar restoration. Just do SOMETHING. As it stands, it's a eye-sore, especially the adjacent parking deck. That entire block, including the site of the building nextdoor that actually was torn down, has tons of potential, and keeping some of MA's historical character would definitely be a plus.

I fully believe that it would be restored by now had it not been for the sour economy (there were promising proposals recently). Just try to be patient...I would rather it sit for a while longer and be beautifully restored than be torn down and replaced. Atlanta needs it's historic structures. We have lost too many.

[shivtim]

^The fact that a 14 lane highway was wedged in right next to the Medical Arts Building doesn't improve its prospects. I really don't think it will ever be renovated, but I hope I am proven wrong.

[TarHeelJ]

Originally Posted by shivtim

^The fact that a 14 lane highway was wedged in right next to the Medical Arts Building doesn't improve its prospects. I really don't think it will ever be renovated, but I hope I am proven wrong.

The connector hasn't stopped several other highrises from being built alongside of it, so I don't see why it would stop this one from renovation. Anyway, I hope you're proven wrong as well.

[joecool]

Originally Posted by (four 0 four)

Why are people so anxious to raze historic structures?
The Winecoff Hotel (also a former abandoned downtown building) was renovated and opened as The Ellis.

From hotels.com

Most people would agreee that the renovation was a success and the area is 'richer' for having such a beautiful building. Downtown's Fairlie-Poplar district is one of the most attractive sections of the city due in large part to the number of historic buildings like The Ellis.

Obviously, the MA building has seen better days but it honestly doesn't look too much different than The Ellis did prior to renovation. By tearing it down, the area would lose even more of its sense of history and personality.

From loopnet.com

They are tearing this down?!?!?!?! I will be SOOOOOO PISSED!!!

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by TarHeelJ

The connector hasn't stopped several other highrises from being built alongside of it, so I don't see why it would stop this one from renovation. Anyway, I hope you're proven wrong as well.

I can't think of any highrises that were built directly adjacent to the connector after 1975 (Peachtree Summit building). And there's only one more - the tower right behind the Hilton at Baker and Piedmont.

It may sound like I'm arguing semantics ("directly adjacent" vs "near"), but it's really a big deal. Nothing as close to the connector as the MA building has been built or renovated in more than 35 years. Immediate environment matters, and the connector is a huge deterrent. I wish the MA building was even just a block or two away from the connector, because I honestly believe that would greatly improve its chances of being renovated.

If we'd just cap the connector like all of us have been begging for, it wouldn't be an issue.

[gttx]

Originally Posted by shivtim

I can't think of any highrises that were built directly adjacent to the connector after 1975 (Peachtree Summit building). And there's only one more - the tower right behind the Hilton at Baker and Piedmont.

It may sound like I'm arguing semantics ("directly adjacent" vs "near"), but it's really a big deal. Nothing as close to the connector as the MA building has been built or renovated in more than 35 years. Immediate environment matters, and the connector is a huge deterrent. I wish the MA building was even just a block or two away from the connector, because I honestly believe that would greatly improve its chances of being renovated.

If we'd just cap the connector like all of us have been begging for, it wouldn't be an issue.

I would actually argue that the connector has much less of an impact than the Peachtree and Pine shelter and the nearby "Mayor's Park" that many homeless sleep in. Who cares what is behind your building when you don't feel safe walking on the sidewalk out front.

Lots of other things have been developed right next to the connector in Midtown and next to GA 400 in Buckhead. The area of town where Medical Arts is just has other issues over and above the highway.

[Zanarkand A East]

I'm glad MA is getting so much attention in the thread now, since it's a building I see up close every week after church. I agree that the shelter and Mayor's Park, as well as the Imperial Hotel, affect what does and doesn't happen in that area. The city's eventual plans for the Civic Center/ SciTrek property could also determine the fate of that stretch of McGill. I just don't want to see the shattered windows in MA, or another MetroPCS banner covering the side of it again.

Speaking of McGill, the wrecking ball would be better suited fot the multicolored pastel residences on McGill and Piedmont. An even bigger eyesore!!

[Tuckerman]

The Med Arts building is quite beautiful. I can still remember seeing a physician there many years ago. The view from the exam room over the connector and to downtown was quite nice. I agree with the previous posters that it is not the connector, but the Pine St context that makes that building and area unattractive to any investor.

[micropundit]

Former Aaron's Rents CEO Robin Loudermilk and Cannon Equities' Dwight Bell have resurfaced plans for two Buckhead Village parcels as new developments: a 175k SF hotel (with 20k SF of ground-floor retail) next to the Buckhead Theater, and a mixed-use office-centric building on a parking lot at 371 East Paces Ferry Rd (up to 175k SF of office and 25k SF retail.

http://www.bisnow.com/atlanta-real-estate/2012/05/31/crocker-gaining-prominence/

[testarossa50]

I don't think the interstate is a nonstarter, and I think it takes a narrow view to say that no highrises have been built adjacent to the connector in years. The new dual-branded hotel is on the low end of being a high rise and rooms will be <100' from traffic. Also Tech Square, Turner, the Wachovia Building in AS, and the current Tech apartments on North. These are generally in a similar proximity as the MA building to the Connector. None was built as a private residential project, granted.

Still, modern high-end glass can deaden sound to a pretty high degree and make living there acceptable, and the interstate isn't really a terrible thing to have in your view besides the noise impacts. Also, those units would have a pretty killer view otherwise--I imagine from top floors you could see Ponce City Market and Stone Mountain.

I definitely think the Peachtree-Pine situation is the bigger roadblock. Most people willing to pay what it costs for new construction (which is what it will cost to redevelop most likely) will not accept living in proximity to that.

[skapunkskatedude]

Georgia State released their athletics master plan with video's of new soccer, baseball, and softball fields as well as renovation of the current sports arena, a new indoor volleyball arena, and mock ups of the new outdoor sand volleyball arena.

Basketball arena




Baseball complex


Softball complex


Soccer fields


Indoor volleyball arena (there aren't any pictures of the outside, as far as i know it'll be a renovation of the current Sports Arena)


Sand volleyball courts


Apparently there haven't been any sites selected yet for the softball, baseball, and soccer fields (if you look at the pictures they've got skyscrapers from all over the place mixed in) but they want them to be in and around downtown.

There are video's for each one at http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewAr...ID=12700&ATCLID=205408033&SPLASH_SET=YES so check those out. This is all to coincide with Georgia States move to FBS. Construction will begin as soon as funds become available.

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by skapunkskatedude

Georgia State released their athletics master plan with video's of new soccer, baseball, and softball fields as well as renovation of the current sports arena, a new indoor volleyball arena, and mock ups of the new outdoor sand volleyball arena.

Basketball arena




Baseball complex


Softball complex


Soccer fields


Indoor volleyball arena (there aren't any pictures of the outside, as far as i know it'll be a renovation of the current Sports Arena)


Sand volleyball courts


Apparently there haven't been any sites selected yet for the softball, baseball, and soccer fields (if you look at the pictures they've got skyscrapers from all over the place mixed in) but they want them to be in and around downtown.

There are video's for each one at http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewAr...ID=12700&ATCLID=205408033&SPLASH_SET=YES so check those out. This is all to coincide with Georgia States move to FBS. Construction will begin as soon as funds become available.

All I can say it WOW....Go GA STATE. Amazing plans...

[Zanarkand A East]

There's a thread on PantherTalk.com that shows a huge chunk of land where some of the venues could be built, if a few roads are closed near the Connector:



Here's some new construction near the interstate that I could go for!

[hamster]

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4056290.html

[hamster]

First diverging diamond interchange in Georgia

http://www.pba.org/post/ashford-dunwoody-bridge-closed-while-crews-build-diverging-diamond

[jnihiser]

Just drove by Ellsworth Ind. and Chattahoochee intersection, and they have cleared the old Frankie and Johnnie's, a shoe store, and an old liquor store...

Anyone know what is planned for that parcel? I know the parcel across the street is zoned for Multi-Family with Retail.

[cybele]

Originally Posted by hamster

First diverging diamond interchange in Georgia

http://www.pba.org/post/ashford-dunwoody-bridge-closed-while-crews-build-diverging-diamond

It shows one man crossing the road and he is lucky he didn't get run over, but it should be good for those driving.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by hamster

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4056290.html

I pass the construction site everyday, and the project seems like it's moving very quickly. Amazing how building on a vacant lot can transform a whole intersection. As bland as Toyoko Inn would look, I still want to see it across from the Rialto for the same reason.

Meanwhile, I can see SkyHouse from my desk, and as fast as it's being built, I could have sworn I saw someone watching TV on his couch in one of the units