Mobile Development Thread - Page 201

SouthSky · #**4001** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 1:51 AM**

While their's is bigger, we have a taller building.

Port_of_Bama · #**4002** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 3:24 AM**

Ummmm if im able to get Mobile`s sky line from the I-165 angle it is a little bit bigger but hight is a fact !

Now that i`m thinking from the same angle it is a little more dense as well. I know of two other great angles that i`ll try to post that prove me right. One is exiting off of I-10 approaching water street and the other one is the view of the skyline right off of the Cochrane Bridge !

If anyone is a familire with what i`m talking about would have to agree that our skyline appears to be a little bigger than what our friend from Chartlotte posted.

Port_of_Bama · #**4003** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 3:36 AM**

I`m sorry but from this it appears to be a little bigger to me .This pic is also missing a couple of the buildings that I see when traveling this way, not to mention it`s a little out of date.

nouveau_Mauvilla · #**4004** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 4:21 AM**

^^ What is that taller building to the right of the Merchants' National Bank Building?

Also, I'll take the density of fewer buildings over more, shorter buildings spread out any day.

Port_of_Bama · #**4005** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 5:05 AM**

I saw a huge wachovia sign at the entrance the other day and it`s under a little renovation. So I assume it belongs to Wachovia I believe and i`m glad you sgree with me on the density becasue it does apper to be dmore dense and taller as well.

For those who think i`m Jacksonville bashing i`m just stating my opinion and I think jacksonville is a great city. I`m just judging from the last Jacksonville pic that Mobile`s skyline appears to be a little bigger and more dense.

From the above pic if we were to have 2 more 3 or 400 footers on the west/right our skyline would really be nice ! I could see a 400 footer behind the Govt Plaza also another right between the Ramada and Holiday Inn that would be a good look. Not bad for a metro of 600 K though.

nouveau_Mauvilla · #**4006** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 6:56 AM**

Yeah we could definitely use a couple more. Coming back over the bay, it looks kind of divided between Govt Plaza and everything else (if only the new courthouse could have been built up, or the proposed condo would have happened). I think that the old Red Cross property (assuming the current building is torn down, likely) would be nice as something tall (residential, hotel, maybe office if there's demand) and it would be a good catalyst for western infill and development. There is also plenty of potential property to the North where non-historical warehouses and the like could be developed into towers or at least nice urban buildings (my personal preference being that they be built historical-looking, to get back some of everything that we lost).

NitekKetin · #**4007** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 7:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

I`m sorry but from this it appears to be a little bigger to me .This pic is also missing a couple of the buildings that I see when traveling this way, not to mention it`s a little out of date.

This photo has been altered, so it really shouldn't be used in comparison to that shot of Jacksonville's CBD. Jacksonville's downtown seems to have a bit more density and a larger number of midrise buildings.

A good shot of Downtown Mobile would be from the US 90/98 viaduct over Telegraph Road in Plateau. From that vantage point, the railyards adjacent the State Docks provides a good backdrop. You can even see the cranes from Choctaw Point, too.

nimsjus · #**4008** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 2:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nouveau_Mauvilla

^^ What is that taller building to the right of the Merchants' National Bank Building?

Also, I'll take the density of fewer buildings over more, shorter buildings spread out any day.

The building was originally the Waterman Building (headquaters of the Waterman Steamship Company of Mobile). Wachovia now has the naming rights to the building. It is a great example of an Art Deco skyscraper.
Here is a little excerpt from a website I found...
"The Waterman Building on Saint Joseph Street was completed in 1948 and was one of the boldest architectural statements that Mobile had entered the Modern era. In May 1950, the Waterman Building opened its doors to the public for inspection. Residents were given access to all 17 floors and marveled at the 16th-story balcony filled with azaleas that overlooked the bay. The two-story lobby displayed three large murals and a 12-foot, rotating globe in the center. There were only two other such globes in the nation at the time. The lobby was so popular that two greeters were employed full time and local schools took field trips regularly to see the rotating globe. There was no greater symbol of post-war confidence than the new Waterman Building and its massive globe"
http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1550

The Waterman Globe mentioned in the article is now in the lobby of the Mitchell Center.

BuenaVista · #**4009** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 2:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nouveau_Mauvilla

Blessed, I don't think that's it. I remember seeing it I think since Wednesday.

The building was definitely antebellum- it had a pressed brick facade with fine mortar joints, greek eared interior trim and jib doors beneath the upstairs windows opening to the gallery. The building was remodeled in the 1960's, Cooper Van Antwerp, architect. The iron gallery and front wing dated from that remodeling. By the way, the buildings immediately to the East are ante-bellum, too- coach house and servants quarters for a house that once faced St. Michael Street
Go to Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record

and type in 351 Saint Michael Street (House), Mobile, Mobile County, AL to see photos of the building!

Port_of_Bama · #**4010** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 6:51 PM**

I read in the Mobile Bay Monthly that the globe was in the Saenger before the last move to the Mitchell also.

Port_of_Bama · #**4011** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 6:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

This photo has been altered, so it really shouldn't be used in comparison to that shot of Jacksonville's CBD. Jacksonville's downtown seems to have a bit more density and a larger number of midrise buildings.

A good shot of Downtown Mobile would be from the US 90/98 viaduct over Telegraph Road in Plateau. From that vantage point, the railyards adjacent the State Docks provides a good backdrop. You can even see the cranes from Choctaw Point, too.

Yes ,I know the view from the Cochrane bridge says it all to me.

BuenaVista · #**4012** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 9:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlessedMobile

Come on ya'll...we know the "City of Mystics" isn't going to happen. Our lifestyle and culture shouts "Azalea City". I would much rather be associated with something of beauty that is more unique to our area.
Did anyone ever determine which building was torn down last week on St. Francis? I read two different locations.

354 St. Francis, 3 doors west of N. Claiborne Street

BlessedMobile · #**4013** Posted **Jun 4, 2009, 9:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuenaVista

354 St. Francis, 3 doors west of N. Claiborne Street

That looks like the old House of Specialties building. There is a big parking lot West of the building and the Temple is close by and across the street. There was a lot of ironwork surrounding the porch.

SouthSky · #**4014** Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 3:30 AM**

Air Force committed to 'fair and open' tanker contest, still opposed to split buy

http://blog.al.com/live/2009/06/air_force_committed_to_fair_an.html

Port_of_Bama · #**4015** Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 7:36 PM**

I believe Airbus will win it again if the Airforce is really about product and job growth then all possibilities should point to Airbus.

BlessedMobile · #**4016** Posted **Jun 5, 2009, 8:17 PM**

I think the Air Force has already decided which is the best for their use but the politicians may have their say-so on the matter. I'm hopeful we win the contract to the benefit of Mobile but you never know. Airbus has been much more aggresive in the international market than Boeing which has prompted Boeing to do more outsourcing to keep the prices down and be competitive. This is simply a global economy that requires we compete with the world. This won't be fun or pretty.

Port_of_Bama · #**4017** Posted **Jun 6, 2009, 2:21 AM**

Nope not pretty at all and with Airbus being more global is one of the many reasons why i`m hoping Airbus,my city, and state win this.

I have a gut feeling that the Airforce has decided aswell.

BlessedMobile · #**4018** Posted **Jun 6, 2009, 6:00 AM**

I was downtown tonight and drove up St. Francis looking for the site of the demolished building. That was the old House of Specialties building. In my opinion it is no loss for the city. I could see that they had salvaged the old brick. I can tell you for sure that the inside looked like a rundown rental house the last time I was there. With the adjacent parking lot and the land of the building there is at least room to build something much better. I don't know what is planned for the site.

Port_of_Bama · #**4019** Posted **Jun 6, 2009, 12:45 PM**

Hopefuly another trendy restaurant. NOJA seem to be a nice spot ,is it ?

nimsjus · #**4020** Posted **Jun 6, 2009, 3:04 PM**

NOJA is probably my favorite fine dining place in town. The inside is really cool, the food was great and they have a nice courtyard (which is perfect in the spring and fall. THey also had a well stocked bar too. THe staff was really knowledgeable about the food and were great about making suggestions to steer you towards what was good. The apartments above it were pretty neat too. We saw them on the downtown living tour, which I would highly recommend going to if you get the chance. Very small and some of the fixtures were outdated, but you had a balcony on the front out to Jackson and space in the back overloooking the courtyard. Rent wasnt too bad either for downtown (I think about 450 a month for 1 bath and loft type bedroom). Im sure you can get in good with the restaraunt folks and get some good stuff for cheap/free.