Atlanta Project Thread IV

[L.ARCH]

Originally Posted by DNR

uuuggghhh!

I also thought there were articles stating that this development was going to be above 1 million square! What gives?

That larger number likely included the garage.

[smArTaLlone]

A rendering of Norfolk Southern headquarters has been posted on Curbed.


https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/12/11/18...t-norfolk-southern-hq-office-tech-square

[Street Advocate]

Don't believe these were posted yet from https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...thern-to-create-stunning.html#g/447203/1

[smArTaLlone]

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...nching-150-million-8west-project-in.html

Developers are moving forward with a $150 million project that will bring 175,000 square feet of office space to rapidly changing West Midtown.

Developers Jim Meyer of Atlantic Capital Properties and Mack Reese of Gateway Ventures have secured about $60 million in construction financing from Preferred Office Properties that will allow the office development to proceed as a spec project, or one started without tenants signed to leases. It’s a sign of confidence in the emerging office market in West Midtown.

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by smArTaLlone

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...nching-150-million-8west-project-in.html

IMO if West Midtown had a large park and HRT stop, it would be Atlanta's best neighborhood once all these new projects finish construction. Lots of residential, office, and great entertainment. Not sure how large the grocery at Star Metals will be yet, however from their posts on IG it looks like it may take up part of the first and second floors of the development.

[DNR]

I think I like the overall design for the NS site.

However, as a parent, I would be a little uncomfortable about having my kids in the Child Care Center in such a “public facing” location at the corner of a busy street corner. I would feel better if they were tucked away more towards the interior of the building with access to some of the interior elevated greenspace or courtyard. It just feels like anyone could walk in as well. Or maybe having more of a barrier between the Child Care Center space and the street.

Ideally, that street level space should be retail and have the Child Care start on the second floor with a dedicated entrance, elevator and secure check-in desk.

Of course, the renderings are still subject to change.

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by DNR

However, as a parent, I would be a little uncomfortable about having my kids in the Child Care Center in such a “public facing” location at the corner of a busy street corner.

Trust me, the children's area is behind security. Their current child care center at their midtown building is setup similarly where the children have an outdoor area, however, there is no access from the sidewalk to the outdoor play area. The parents must get past the security guard to pick up their children. There is a tall fence in the rendering separating the sidewalk from play area.

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by DNR

I think I like the overall design for the NS site.

However, as a parent, I would be a little uncomfortable about having my kids in the Child Care Center in such a “public facing” location at the corner of a busy street corner. I would feel better if they were tucked away more towards the interior of the building with access to some of the interior elevated greenspace or courtyard. It just feels like anyone could walk in as well. Or maybe having more of a barrier between the Child Care Center space and the street.

Ideally, that street level space should be retail and have the Child Care start on the second floor with a dedicated entrance, elevator and secure check-in desk.

Of course, the renderings are still subject to change.

At the DRC meeting they described the two outdoor areas for childcare. One is elevated (at about the third floor) along Spring street, and has a little façade in front of it to block wind and traffic noise. The other area is along Ponce, and is completely covered and within the envelope of the building. It's slightly sunk due to the slope of the site. The black fence visible in the render is actually 6 feet tall, as required by childcare code. It probably doesn't require a variation because the fence is within the envelope of the building (otherwise a fence like that right next to the sidewalk wouldn't be allowed in Midtown). They mentioned the fence will be designed so greenery grows on it.

I do think a different more active use would be better here. That's another issue the DRC had with the plaza, it doesn't really engage with active uses in the building.

[Sura]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

Don't believe these were posted yet from https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...thern-to-create-stunning.html#g/447203/1

I've complained about the lack of height, but overall is it a good looking project.

However, this looks like a huge waste of space. There could be a wide plaza similar to Broad Street in Downtown. That much greenery seems unnecessary and probably won't look that great in winter.

[Atlriser]

To much greenery? Won’t look good in the winter? Wow! I can’t even.........

[Street Advocate]

Originally Posted by shivtim

I do think a different more active use would be better here. That's another issue the DRC had with the plaza, it doesn't really engage with active uses in the building.

I agree with this and the previously stated sentiment I would not want open access to the children's outdoor playground. I'm not a parent, but agree an internal courtyard would feel more secure during the day and would not potentially have people visit overnight. Despite being across from an open parking deck, this could be a good spot for a public plaza or additional retail to continue the activation of retail on the block south along Spring and encourage activity between North Ave & Tech Square.

[Sura]

Originally Posted by Atlriser

To much greenery? Won’t look good in the winter? Wow! I can’t even.........

Obviously trees and landscaping are important, but that's a whole bunch of public space that has zero use.

[Libertarian]

Those concrete benches don't look real comfortable for sleeping!

[montydawg]

Originally Posted by Sura

that's a whole bunch of public space that has zero use.

I think green space in the city is great. Looks like a great place to sit and have lunch.

[jpk1292000]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Those concrete benches don't look real comfortable for sleeping!

I suspect that's intentional.

[Sura]

Originally Posted by montydawg

I think green space in the city is great. Looks like a great place to sit and have lunch.

Where are you going to sit and put your food?

Another edit: There's a difference between green space that you can use, like a park with grass, and their green space which is just bushes.


There's more space in something like this.

[Username123]

Originally Posted by Sura

Where are you going to sit and put your food?

Another edit: There's a difference between green space that you can use, like a park with grass, and their green space which is just bushes.


There's more space in something like this.

There’s more space at the Broad Street plaza, but it’s not greenspace. I don’t mind some greenspace at the NS buildings. Saying that it has no use if you can’t stand on it doesn’t make sense to me. Plenty of parks don’t allow off trail use. The areas off trail have the use of being appreciated from the trail. Greenery provides a break from the concrete and glass. The greenspace around the retention pond at Historic O4W Park is like that. Are all those trees wasted space to you?

Also, the area planned outside the NS buildings has plenty of space to sit and eat lunch. Sure, there are no tables, but I’m not above sitting on a bench and enjoying a sandwich.

[Martinman]

Originally Posted by shivtim

At the DRC meeting they described the two outdoor areas for childcare. One is elevated (at about the third floor) along Spring street, and has a little façade in front of it to block wind and traffic noise. The other area is along Ponce, and is completely covered and within the envelope of the building. It's slightly sunk due to the slope of the site. The black fence visible in the render is actually 6 feet tall, as required by childcare code. It probably doesn't require a variation because the fence is within the envelope of the building (otherwise a fence like that right next to the sidewalk wouldn't be allowed in Midtown). They mentioned the fence will be designed so greenery grows on it.

I do think a different more active use would be better here. That's another issue the DRC had with the plaza, it doesn't really engage with active uses in the building.

I wasn't going to say anything about it but I'm glad the DRC did . On the west side of West Peachtree, there will be an unbroken string of development from Ponce to 10th street with much of going up in the last 10 years. Incredible! Yet if everything south of Tech Square is a place that is completely dead after office hours, that will be much more disappointing than the lack of height IMO.

[Sura]

Originally Posted by Username123

There’s more space at the Broad Street plaza, but it’s not greenspace. I don’t mind some greenspace at the NS buildings. Saying that it has no use if you can’t stand on it doesn’t make sense to me. Plenty of parks don’t allow off trail use. The areas off trail have the use of being appreciated from the trail. Greenery provides a break from the concrete and glass. The greenspace around the retention pond at Historic O4W Park is like that. Are all those trees wasted space to you?

Also, the area planned outside the NS buildings has plenty of space to sit and eat lunch. Sure, there are no tables, but I’m not above sitting on a bench and enjoying a sandwich.

Taken from the Atlanta compilation thread:

"Overall, the committee was enthusiastic about the innovative design of the buildings and recommended support for the identified variations. However, the DRC challenged the team, including landscape architect OJB, to continue refining the open space plan by creating more permeability and inviting places for people to gather within the plaza. Thoughtful programming will help bring the plaza to life and creative design features such as intimate seating areas, performance spaces and public art will ensure that the space is actively used by both the tenants and the Midtown community."

I'm glad the DRC didn't just hope everyone brings a sandwich to eat on the benches.

[Username123]

Originally Posted by Sura

I'm glad the DRC didn't just hope everyone brings a sandwich to eat on the benches.

I’d rather have built in benches than chairs and tables that get put away at night like the ones at Broad Street. I’d love to see more active use, but I don’t think that greenspace that can’t be stood on serves no purpose, and I hope that whatever active use this plaza has remains active after hours.