ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[Terminus]

The ability to build housing in the different activity centers varies greatly. Multifamily housing is a sensitive issue in Perimeter (in fact, the approval by Dekalb County of 4,000 such units was one of the major reasons the City of Dunwoody finally became a reality). While Perimeter business leaders and developers are clamoring to bring more housing, the zoning doesn't allow any by-right. As such, housing in Perimeter's 3 cities (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven) must go through case-by-case rezoning approval. This contrast with the City of Atlanta, where al all of the activity centers allow housing by-right.

The result is that the barriers to entry in the two areas are very different. In Atlanta, developers can walk down to City Hall and submit an SAP for hundreds of units (up to 400 with no DRI or rezoning necessary), with approval in 30 days or less. In Perimeter, projects must go through up to 6 months of public rezoning procedures.

If research from APA and others is true, the result will invariablly be that there are more speculative projects (that are unlikely to happen) in the area with an easier entitlement process and lower barriers to entry.

[KevinFromTexas]

Please stop with the petty bickering.

You can debate a subject/issue, but please don't resort to petty bickering.

[briantech]

I drove down Marietta St today and noticed that the Hyatt House on Ivan Allen & Marietta is coming along very nicely, it was several stories tall now. Be interesting to see what effect that has on the corridor -- will hopefully drag some restaurants along with it to that area and start to bridge the gap between west midtown and downtown.

[Atlanta3000]

Three Alliance Center - Buckhead (Additional Pic)

[ATLcubs]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Three Alliance Center - Buckhead (Additional Pic)]

I'm excited for this project, does anyone know when this would get started if approved?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by ATLcubs

I'm excited for this project, does anyone know when this would get started if approved?

I saw this blurb the other day.

While Tishman Speyer was not named, Lance's insight provides a glimpse into the hurdles the trophy tower developer will have in getting Three Alliance Center off the ground. And Lance says that's assuming a developer lands a prelease. Going all spec, he says, a developer wouldn't even secure a loan today. Even though it hasn't made a public statement, many sources say Tishman has been vowing to start its 500k SF Buckhead tower on spec this year. And Tishman isn't the only developer mulling this issue.Regent Partners also is eyeing a possible spec tower in Buckhead (reported here).

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/atlanta/2314-office-developments-big-impediment/

[Atlanta3000]

Previous Proposal for Three Alliance Center

I'm not sure what to make of the new design. It appears to be a 30 story glass box that was directly impacted by a F1 tornado and some windows were damaged.

[AtlantaMustang]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

hold my judgements unless I am equity owner in the project.

Jk, I agree. This latest batch of renders doesn't appeal to me. If it fronts the streets ok then I won't care, but it looks like the older one did that better too.

[Verge]

Originally Posted by AtlantaMustang

Jk, I agree. This latest batch of renders doesn't appeal to me. If it fronts the streets ok then I won't care, but it looks like the older one did that better too.

I would humbly disagree-- one of the best new office building designs in Atlanta in many years. Its innovative and a bit daring-- for those that complain about unimaginative architecture in Atlanta-- the lobby is especially beautiful--

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

Previous Proposal for Three Alliance Center

I'm not sure what to make of the new design. It appears to be a 30 story glass box that was directly impacted by a F1 tornado and some windows were damaged. With that said, I am sure some fellow Atlantans will "kindly" tell me to hold my judgements unless I am equity owner in the project.

Wow! How absolutely juvenile.

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by Verge

I would humbly disagree-- one of the best new office building designs in Atlanta in many years. Its innovative and a bit daring-- for those that complain about unimaginative architecture in Atlanta-- the lobby is especially beautiful--

Totally agree, Verge. Not a fan at all of the original design with the swooping curve. The new design is very "L.A." to me.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Verge

I would humbly disagree-- one of the best new office building designs in Atlanta in many years. Its innovative and a bit daring-- for those that complain about unimaginative architecture in Atlanta-- the lobby is especially beautiful--

Looks interesting to me, too. I hope they will take full advantage of the new MARTA bridge.

[(four 0 four)]

These are 3 completely different renderings for the same building. The "swooping curve" is the oldest, the smallest picture with the amazing 'faceted glass curtain wall system' is the next one with the "F-1 tornado" victim being the newest.
I'm most intrigued by the middle version...architecturally, it seems to take the most risk and I can imagine spending a fair amount of time standing at the base with camera in hand.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by (four 0 four)

These are 3 completely different renderings for the same building. The "swooping curve" is the oldest, the smallest picture with the amazing 'faceted glass curtain wall system' is the next one with the "F-1 tornado" victim being the newest.
I'm most intrigued by the middle version...architecturally, it seems to take the most risk and I can imagine spending a fair amount of time standing at the base with camera in hand.

If I am not mistaken, the DRC strongly advised against the 'faceted glass curtain wall system' because the glass could in the evening create a blinding effect to cars approaching from 400 South. So now we are stuck with the "F1 Tornado design".

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

If I am not mistaken, the DRC strongly advised against the 'faceted glass curtain wall system' because the glass could in the evening create a blinding effect to cars approaching from 400 South.

The glare issue I can understand.

But does that dictate the design? Seems like there would be some workarounds.

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by Atlanta3000

If I am not mistaken, the DRC strongly advised against the 'faceted glass curtain wall system' because the glass could in the evening create a blinding effect to cars approaching from 400 South.

It's good that they're actually giving it some forethought. I was recently in London and saw a black screen covering the newly-built 20 Fenchurch Street. The building wasn't quite finished, so I assumed the screen was part of the construction, but a friend said it was permanent. Turns out it was acting as a giant lens and casting a reflection intense enough to blister the paint off a parked car. Apparently the architect blamed it on climate change

The South definitely doesn't have a monopoly on stupidity.

[micropundit]

Invest Atlanta has agreed to fund up to $70 million in construction costs of a 230-unit building dubbed, “Tech Square Tower (the Entrepreneur Dorm)”. Only three similar dorms exist in the nation, according to Invest Atlanta – at Stanford, Columbia, and New York universities, with one more to open in 2015 at University of Florida.The concept is to provide turn-key housing for students who hope to develop some sort of innovative idea, as well as for entrepreneurs who have an office at Tech Square. Residents are to mingle and brainstorm and have access to an on-site mentor, according to the presentation to the board of Invest Atlanta.The dormitory is to be developed by Gateway Developers and South City Partners, two companies that bring deep experience in the Midtown market.Gateway is developing Centergy, the 12.5-acre project that’s just south of the planned dormitory.


The planned dormitory is portrayed by Invest Atlanta materials as a place where lofty dreams of entrepreneurial success can come true:
◾“As technical prowess and the entrepreneurial spirit have moved earlier on in educational lives, more and more great companies are being started in dorm rooms. They are places that entrepreneurs can network and share ideas; shared living spaces are where entrepreneurs can immerse themselves in the culture of innovation for connections and mentorship.
◾“By supporting these innovative living spaces and linking them directly with a thriving start-up community, there is an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers and to engage in the startup economy all while maintaining a quality of life.”
http://saportareport.com/blog/2014/07/at...ory-thats-to-help-entrepreneurs-succeed/

[bigstick]

I love the design of the Tishman building...Build it...

[Nanosolar]

Originally Posted by micropundit

Invest Atlanta has agreed to fund up to $70 million in construction costs of a 230-unit building dubbed, “Tech Square Tower (the Entrepreneur Dorm)”. Only three similar dorms exist in the nation, according to Invest Atlanta – at Stanford, Columbia, and New York universities, with one more to open in 2015 at University of Florida.The concept is to provide turn-key housing for students who hope to develop some sort of innovative idea, as well as for entrepreneurs who have an office at Tech Square. Residents are to mingle and brainstorm and have access to an on-site mentor, according to the presentation to the board of Invest Atlanta.The dormitory is to be developed by Gateway Developers and South City Partners, two companies that bring deep experience in the Midtown market.Gateway is developing Centergy, the 12.5-acre project that’s just south of the planned dormitory

Is this near Centergy 2?

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by Nanosolar

Is this near Centergy 2?

My guess would be the surface parking directly north of it.