ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[Libertarian]

I don't trust Simon with nice things.

[Nanosolar]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

Anyone know what's replacing Flor at the Centergy building? Their interior design budget appears to be unlimited.

I think it's the AT&T innovation center

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/...borates-with-cisco-georgia.html?page=all

[scania]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

I don't trust Simon with nice things.

The Lenox renovation is awesome. It's making the mall look totally current and modern. I know some people wanted them to bring the mall closer to the street, but that would mean a need of a lot of a new stores.

[scania]

Originally Posted by micropundit

According to a Simon company report, Phipps Plaza will undergo a faced facelift to be completed by 2015.

http://simoncorpoverview.com/assets/atlas/properties/4834/82/PropertyOverview.pdf

I like.

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Can we declare that the city is experiencing a bona fide building boom?

At this point arjay57, I would say a resounding yes!

We are usually early to the party after a recession, but this time it would appear we are bringing up the rear.

There is clearly an energy around the city right now that is becoming pretty obvious, to even the casual observers that don't care about or notice these things like we all do.

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

I don't trust Simon with nice things.

Not sure why you would make this statement.

While Simon is no Taubman or Westfield, they have done nothing but improve these two malls. Both Lenox & Phipps are "trophy malls" in their portfolio.

They are continuing to improve and modernize both, so I would love to hear what exactly you mean.

[jnihiser]

Large apartment project on Collier (Reserve at Collier):


Dresden Project, which is AMAZING and much longer than expected:



Town Brookhaven is finishing up what appears to be their last phase of housing:

[micropundit]

Simon Property Group confirmed in June its intent to build a high-rise residential tower at the back of the Lenox Mall property it owns near Bloomingdale’s department store and that they were working with Miami-based developer The Related Group on the project:

1)The total project will consist of two high-rise residential towers—Phase 1 to be 400 feet in height and Phase 2 to be 450 feet in height—with a total of 750 one-, two- and three-bedroom units in the two buildings. Phase 1, which is the only one under present consideration will have 374 units.

2) As part of the project, the developers plan to activate a new roadway—referred as Lenox Square Parkway—between the present mall parking deck and the property for redevelopment, where the mall loop road is presently located.

3) Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart , Stewart is the project architect.


http://www.buckheadview.com/2013/08/new-lenox-mall-apartment-development-is.html

[Alfred E Neuman]

Originally Posted by micropundit

Looks like a step up in sophisticated building design and well-deserved for Buckhead it would look at home on Biscayne Bay.


Simon Property Group confirmed in June its intent to build a high-rise residential tower at the back of the Lenox Mall property it owns near Bloomingdale’s department store and that they were working with Miami-based developer The Related Group on the project:

1)The total project will consist of two high-rise residential towers—Phase 1 to be 400 feet in height and Phase 2 to be 450 feet in height—with a total of 750 one-, two- and three-bedroom units in the two buildings. Phase 1, which is the only one under present consideration will have 374 units.

2) As part of the project, the developers plan to activate a new roadway—referred as Lenox Square Parkway—between the present mall parking deck and the property for redevelopment, where the mall loop road is presently located.

3) Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart , Stewart is the project architect.


http://www.buckheadview.com/2013/08/new-lenox-mall-apartment-development-is.html

Looks like a step up in sophisticated design and well-deserved for Buckhead. It would look at home on Biscayne Bay.

[Libertarian]

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

Not sure why you would make this statement.

While Simon is no Taubman or Westfield, they have done nothing but improve these two malls. Both Lenox & Phipps are "trophy malls" in their portfolio.

They are continuing to improve and modernize both, so I would love to hear what exactly you mean.

Actually Simon is no different from most establishment development/management companies. They're looking out for Number 1 and will do what's in their short-term interest and not that of the surrounding community. Don't trust them being a permanent fixture if things appear to go south. As Gwinnett has diversified economically and culturally and newer retail malls have built further out, Simon has "abandoned" Gwinnett Place Mall by selling the facility to a greater fool while keeping the management contract. Simon owns and manages at Mall of Georgia so the prime tenants were incentivized to relocate out there and nothing done to maintain the old mall. Hate on Gwinnett all you like, but what Simon did at Gwinnett Place is narrow minded. Talk to merchants in retail strips surrounding Gwinnett Place and get their opinion. Funny thing is the Gwinnett Place community will evolve and thrive anyway, but Simon is your daddy's mall operator in all their locations, defensive with surface cosmetic improvements, doesn't invest in emerging ideas, and only serves to restrain good creative thinking and development. That's not just my opinion.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

There is clearly an energy around the city right now that is becoming pretty obvious....

There is a LOT going on. Personally I have the sense that more people than ever seem engaged with the overall direction of the city.

[testarossa50]

Jeez, as a Midtowner I'm officially jealous of everything Buckhead is getting. That Lenox tower is awesome.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by testarossa50

Jeez, as a Midtowner I'm officially jealous of everything Buckhead is getting. That Lenox tower is awesome.

Midtown is incredibly hot too. I think a rising tide raises all boats -- we're not that far from having a solid line of development covering the entire Peachtree spine.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jnihiser

Dresden Project, which is AMAZING and much longer than expected:

The Dresden area is looking sharp. There's a lot of depth around the commercial center, too.

[scania]

Originally Posted by Alfred E Neuman

Looks like a step up in sophisticated design and well-deserved for Buckhead. It would look at home on Biscayne Bay.

I agree. This is the best looking tower built since 1180, and 3344(Sovereign). I am a fan of The Related Group. I would love for them to build a tower in Midtown.

[BlueSangha]

The site of the former ESPN Zone is fenced off and work has begun...that according to my ears as I was buzzing by on my bike.

[BlueSangha]

Originally Posted by Alfred E Neuman

Looks like a step up in sophisticated design and well-deserved for Buckhead. It would look at home on Biscayne Bay.

If this actually gets off the ground, it would be really exciting. the unobstructed views all around would be worth the price.

[tdawg]

Related owns the Equinox fitness chain of which I've been a proud member for 7 years. I wonder if the new apt tower at Lenox could be the future home of Atlanta's first branch?

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The Dresden area is looking sharp. There's a lot of depth around the commercial center, too.

I totally agree, arjay57!

This is my hood, and there was a LOT of opposition to this development. I honestly don't think this would be approved now post-Incorporation, so I'm glad this was approved by DeKalb before Cityhood. We have WAY too many Nimby's here.

I just wish I could find renderings of the under construction complex nearer the MARTA station.

[scania]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Actually Simon is no different from most establishment development/management companies. They're looking out for Number 1 and will do what's in their short-term interest and not that of the surrounding community. Don't trust them being a permanent fixture if things appear to go south. As Gwinnett has diversified economically and culturally and newer retail malls have built further out, Simon has "abandoned" Gwinnett Place Mall by selling the facility to a greater fool while keeping the management contract. Simon owns and manages at Mall of Georgia so the prime tenants were incentivized to relocate out there and nothing done to maintain the old mall. Hate on Gwinnett all you like, but what Simon did at Gwinnett Place is narrow minded. Talk to merchants in retail strips surrounding Gwinnett Place and get their opinion. Funny thing is the Gwinnett Place community will evolve and thrive anyway, but Simon is your daddy's mall operator in all their locations, defensive with surface cosmetic improvements, doesn't invest in emerging ideas, and only serves to restrain good creative thinking and development. That's not just my opinion.

I understand your position. But, the rebuttal was made as it concerns the renovation and the money that Simon was doing with Lenox...but if any company, they have to what's best interest for their stock holders. So if things aren't looking bright some areas, the company has to rethink how they are going to invest their money. Also be careful with what you say, Simon is known for investing in innovative ideas and very smart development across the country.