My, Hasn't It Grown! RSA Battlehouse Tower Update - Page 19

jmbreland · #**361** Posted **Feb 15, 2006, 3:25 AM**

Thanks, everybody, for all your nice comments about my pics! :-)

Joey, I heartily agree with ya about downtown Mobile. It's going to be a very interesting place for the remainder of this decade.

Speaking of developments other than the RSA Tower, I really disagree with the design of the crown for Riverview Hotel. It makes the building look like a RSA wannabe, an unwieldy clone of the gorgeous tower. The crown design just doesn't fit with the building's facade. I'd accept it a bit better if they were also redoing the whole facade, making the building practically unrecognizable. But that would cost RSA big bucks, so they aren't doing that. I say we demand that they can do better than this, and do a redesign of the crown. Have a design that blends in better with the building's existing facade, and make it unique with, at the most, only a slight hint that it is RSA's, if they so desire. Let's petition them to do that. Does anybody know how to properly & legally petition agencies?

NEWNANGuy · #**362** Posted **Feb 15, 2006, 11:59 PM**

Yay

Bama_75 · #**363** Posted **Feb 16, 2006, 1:49 AM**

I've been on Mobile County Circuit Court this week. I work west of I65 and don't get downtown often during the weekdays. Downtown is very busy with foot traffic. I didn't know people walked downtown like they do. Makes me want to transfer downtown to work.

pkp · #**364** Posted **Feb 20, 2006, 4:28 AM**

I haven't posted in a while, but there really is a ton of stuff hapening in city center in Mobile. The old news is RSA, Battlehouse, and the Riverview. Of course the condos are a big deal as well and I understand demo on the CSX building should start soon. The old courthouse is coming down to make way for a very cool Mardi Gras park. There are several new eateries in the works. The old Rousso's is being turned into what I'm told is a upscale steakhouse. Of course, the old Drayton Place seems to be doing well as a Lebanese place. There is a new sushi place going in on the square, and I have seen work going on at the old Mario's/Beinville Bistro location. There are some others as well and I'll get more detail on those.

The residential is the most exciting. Work is going on at thw Matress Factory, St. Emanuel Place, Ann Bedsole's location on the square, Cedar and Dauphin, a couple of other Dauphin Street locations. Along with the condos, I'd say we are looking at 500 - 750 + units coming on line within the next two years. The old Troopers is being turned into a market on Conti Street as well, which will give somewhat of a grocery option until a full scale grocery comes along with Water Street Landing. We are also getting a movie theater on Dauphin that will show independent films, will be adding a floor and putting a couple condo units in.

Uh, I know I'm missing some stuff, but I beleive we are reaching critical mass in DT Mobile. I think there is more going on here than most cities twice the size. Pretty exciting stuff. Pleae post any updates I'm missing!

bystander1 · #**365** Posted **Feb 20, 2006, 5:19 AM**

I think those other retail amenities definitely won't be far behind when those condo units finally come online. It's good to see Mobile getting the much needed attention it's getting nowadays. I always thought it would make a fine cruise ship port years ago.

SouthSky · #**366** Posted **Feb 20, 2006, 7:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkp

I haven't posted in a while, but there really is a ton of stuff hapening in city center in Mobile. The old news is RSA, Battlehouse, and the Riverview. Of course the condos are a big deal as well and I understand demo on the CSX building should start soon. The old courthouse is coming down to make way for a very cool Mardi Gras park. There are several new eateries in the works. The old Rousso's is being turned into what I'm told is a upscale steakhouse. Of course, the old Drayton Place seems to be doing well as a Lebanese place. There is a new sushi place going in on the square, and I have seen work going on at the old Mario's/Beinville Bistro location. There are some others as well and I'll get more detail on those.

The residential is the most exciting. Work is going on at thw Matress Factory, St. Emanuel Place, Ann Bedsole's location on the square, Cedar and Dauphin, a couple of other Dauphin Street locations. Along with the condos, I'd say we are looking at 500 - 750 + units coming on line within the next two years. The old Troopers is being turned into a market on Conti Street as well, which will give somewhat of a grocery option until a full scale grocery comes along with Water Street Landing. We are also getting a movie theater on Dauphin that will show independent films, will be adding a floor and putting a couple condo units in.

Uh, I know I'm missing some stuff, but I beleive we are reaching critical mass in DT Mobile. I think there is more going on here than most cities twice the size. Pretty exciting stuff. Pleae post any updates I'm missing!

It is an exciting time for DT Mobile... I've been telling people forever it could be on par or better with/than DT New Orleans if its full potential is realized.

Also, the Outlaw Convention Center is expanding... and with the container port moving south in 07-08, the small container area to the north of the Convention Center will be vacated. I know some of this will go to the Convention Center and Maritime stuff, but there is room for more than that. I've heard along with the two cranes, that warehouse will be "moved" as well. This would provide A LOT of river-side space. With the strong possibility of Mobile getting a second cruise ship, the terminal is in need of expanding its parking facilities and overall capacity. The terminal would need to be able to take on both ships at once, so you got to think it would be a sizeable expansion both laterally on the water, outward, and up. Apparently, with the ship (Holiday) being gone, there is a lot of pent-up demand, and other agencies are taking notice.

I've received nothing new on the Water Street Landing condos, but I've heard that everything still is on target to an 08 finish. I doubt it with our luck with hurricanes, but I will definitely take it if it does arrive on time.

I don't think I could list all of the substantial projects that are going around the CBD... there is just so much.

pboo74 · #**367** Posted **Feb 21, 2006, 8:25 AM**

downtown needs to get a resturant like friday's,apple bee's,or a big time sports bar with alot of t.v's in it?To draw more people downtown and also since getting another cruise ship, mobile needs to build 1 or 2 more high rise hotels.

Dystopos · #**368** Posted **Feb 21, 2006, 5:17 PM**

Isn't this the RSA Tower thread? Surely someone has some new photos to share?

pkp · #**369** Posted **Feb 21, 2006, 5:25 PM**

Looks the same as the Feb pictures from jmbreland.

SouthSky · #**370** Posted **Feb 21, 2006, 8:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dystopos

Isn't this the RSA Tower thread? Surely someone has some new photos to share?

I will over Mardi Gras. I would be updating, but I have been in Baton Rouge for a month now and haven't been able to get back to Mobile.

Alxx611 · #**371** Posted **Feb 21, 2006, 9:35 PM**

I know this isn't downtown related, but has anyone one see the new Cooper T's restaurant on Airport Blvd? It used to be a Piccadilly (sp?) and then it was bought out by this former pilot who docked one of his old planes or something like that, next to the place. Here are some old pics of it from maybe a month ago, when they were still assembling the plane together:

Anyone have any more recent pictures? oh and by the way, is there anyway we can have just a Mobile forum, not just the RSA?

pkp · #**372** Posted **Feb 22, 2006, 8:20 PM**

Using one of your pics here, jmbreland

Is it just me, or is the tower nowhere near as tall as the renderings make it look?

Musicisright · #**373** Posted **Feb 22, 2006, 9:13 PM**

I think that newspaper picture is of the 800 ft. rendering before they scaled it down.

Alxx611, I've been to Cooper T's, but I have no recent photos. The food is pretty good, but the menu is a little limited...

pkp · #**374** Posted **Feb 22, 2006, 9:19 PM**

eh, I probably won't eat there because of where it is. If its not east of 65, I'm probably not going to give them my money.

Musicisright · #**375** Posted **Feb 22, 2006, 9:22 PM**

Why? Do you mean east of Cody? Because it is east of Cody.

pkp · #**376** Posted **Feb 22, 2006, 9:27 PM**

The same reason I don't shop at Wal-Mart.

Well, its not that bad. I'm just not for the sprawl that is west Mobile. And I feel that if I spend money there, it will only be worse. If I spend money in the city center and historic districts on the other hand, those areas will be more likely to prosper. I will eat at Cooper's other place (Ruth's Chris) and maybe even Felix's from time to time, but my life is in mid town and down town, so that is where I want to invest. The city center is not just a highrise museum - its the heart of our region. I know I'm just one person, but you have to start somewhere.

In the long run, my wife will probably make me eat there once, but I'll complain the whole time.

eastbayblu · #**377** Posted **Feb 23, 2006, 1:39 AM**

I totally agree PKP, I live in Midtown and I try to keep my money here and downtown.

You can't expect areas to row without be a patron to them. I would love to move Downtown, but rent is high down there, and I can't afford a condo in any of the new projects.

<sigh>

elb401 · #**378** Posted **Feb 23, 2006, 4:28 AM**

yea same here!! I live in Midtown and try my best not to spend my money outside of the historic areas.

pkp · #**379** Posted **Feb 23, 2006, 4:09 PM**

^
Kudos to you both. Eastbay, I think we'll see downtown getting a little more affordable in the next couple of years as more high quality units come online.

Alxx611 · #**380** Posted **Feb 23, 2006, 9:37 PM**

As much as I dislike West Mobile, and wish I was in Midtown or downtown, I live in West Mobile, and that's where I spend my money. gotta support local business I guess. But yes, it'd be nice if downtown had more grocery stores and places that make living there more capable.