Mobile Development Thread

[Port_of_Bama]

Bonjour, y'all! Bistro Escoffier opens in midtown Mobile

The cook has an interesting history I can`t wait to try this place out.

MOBILE, Alabama -- As he stirred a pot filled with heavy cream, sugar and fresh vanilla, Chef Lee Thompson couldn't stop smiling. “Low and slow,” he said of his technique, adding nine egg yolks and one whole egg to the mixture. He was making crème brulee for one of the first groups to eat at his new restaurant, in preparation for its opening.

He spent years dreaming of the moment the doors of Bistro Escoffier would open for business. And tonight, the new, 42-seat French eatery will officially welcome diners at 1714 Dauphin St., in the spot that was once home to Mobile Popcorn. (The restaurant opened last night with limited seating only, and should receive its liquor license next week, according to its Facebook page.)

Thompson’s love for French cuisine might be in his blood. His grandfather, F. F. Escoffier – whose portrait, painted by local artist Devlin Wilson, hangs in a prominent place in the dining room – is related via “a dotted-line connection” to Auguste Escoffier, a renowned French chef born in 1846 and credited with popularizing French cooking techniques. He was the first chef in what became the Ritz-Carlton chain of fine hotels.

Bistro Escoffier will specialize in casual fine dining, said Thompson’s business partner, David Calametti, who calls himself “a project junkie.

http://blog.al.com/live/2014/01/bonjour_yall_bistro_escoffier.html#incart_river

[NitekKetin]

The pricing is decent.

[Del]

We went last week. Good food and service, really lovely ambience. And of course the BYOB aspect was easy on the pocketbook, although that won't last...

[Port_of_Bama]

Nice!!! ^^^^^ . Has anyone tried La Pizzera in the Leinkauf district?

[Port_of_Bama]

Atlanta-based Rural Sourcing Inc. bringing 100 onshoring jobs to Mobile


http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/201...ral_sourcing_i.html#incart_river_default



Also I ran across two websites that feature old Mobile architecture.Downtown looked larger and more dense in the past then it does in the present and you can see the French Quarter like density in old Mobile.


http://www.whatwasthere.com/browse.aspx#...6019897461/id/3510/info/details/zoom/14/

http://www.theharbinger.org/then_now/index.html

[Alxx611]

Weren't they a pretty major tennent of the RSA Tower?

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/international_shipholding_corp.html

International Shipholding Corp. returning to New Orleans from Mobile, Ala.
international_shipholding.jpg
Gov. Bobby Jindal and International Shipholding Corp. President Erik L. Johnsen announced Wednesday (Feb. 5) that the company will relocate its corporate headquarters from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans, where the business was founded in 1947. (File photo)
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NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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on February 05, 2014 at 2:20 PM, updated February 05, 2014 at 2:41 PM
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Gov. Bobby Jindal and International Shipholding Corp. President Erik L. Johnsen announced Wednesday (Feb. 5) that the company will relocate its corporate headquarters from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans, where the business was founded in 1947. The company relocated to Alabama after Hurricane Katrina.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange as ISH, the company owns and operates a global fleet of waterborne cargo vessels. International Shipholding recorded annual revenue of more than $310 million in its just concluded 2013 fiscal year. After Hurricane Katrina, recovery challenges led the company to relocate its corporate headquarters to Mobile.

The state said International Shipholding will create 100 new direct jobs at a 45,000- to 50,000-square-foot headquarters facility in the Warehouse District, where the company will soon complete a purchase of property already under contract. The new direct jobs will average $70,000 per year, plus benefits, and LED estimates the project will result in an additional 113 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 210 new jobs in the greater New Orleans area.

"I am excited to announce the return of International Shipholding Corporation to New Orleans, where ISH will continue a great tradition of maritime and international commerce companies operating in Louisiana's largest city," Jindal said. "ISH could have stayed in Mobile, but they are coming back home because of our strong business climate, expanding industrial projects, resurgent New Orleans economy, and business growth along the Mississippi River."
"We are elated to welcome International Shipholding home after their departure following Hurricane Katrina," said President and CEO Gary LaGrange of the Port of New Orleans. "We have a real opportunity to work with them on the implementation of Louisiana's new international trade master plan, which will affect Louisiana globally."

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by Alxx611

Weren't they a pretty major tennent of the RSA Tower?

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/international_shipholding_corp.html

They weren't "major" but they will have people left there after the HQ moves.

[Port_of_Bama]

Five Minutes to Live :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2217801/

featuring John Cusack

Two men conducting a bank robbery inform the manager she will be killed unless she makes a money transfer within five minutes.

Sleight of Hand :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1929367/

feat. Ving James, Anthony Anderson, Jon Lotivtz and more

A crew of small time crooks in New Orleans end up in possession of a rare gold coin that belongs to a notorious gangster. When they lose the coin, he gives them six days to find it or pay him what it's worth.



Mississippi Grind :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2349144/

feat. Ryan Reynolds, Sienna Miller

Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with younger charismatic poker player, Curtis, in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost.

Red Squad : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103237/

feat. N/A (Still in Development)

After his stakeout on the U.S. border results in bloodshed on both sides, TRENT MITCHELL, head of the DEA, convinces his deputy administrator, HAL, to help him put together a covert team to hopefully make a dent in the war on drugs.

USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2032572/

The harrowing true story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, who were stranded in the Philippine Sea for five days after delivering the atomic weapons that would eventually end WWII. As they awaited rescue, they endured extreme thirst, hunger, and relentless shark attacks.

[SpawnOfVulcan]

Thanks for the info Port!

Mobile provides both geographic and architectural diversity which makes it perfect for filming locations (a big reason New Orleans is a film-shooting-haven).

[Port_of_Bama]

Free wifi is taking over downtown parks :http://blog.al.com/live/2014/02/city_connects_historic_bienvil.html

Three new eateries are entering the downtown market: http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/as_some_move_out_new_eateries.html

I also saw a sign that Virgina`s Health Food Store will be downtown in the former bank office on Bienville square.

[eshore78]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Five Minutes to Live :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2217801/

featuring John Cusack

Two men conducting a bank robbery inform the manager she will be killed unless she makes a money transfer within five minutes.

Sleight of Hand :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1929367/

feat. Ving James, Anthony Anderson, Jon Lotivtz and more

A crew of small time crooks in New Orleans end up in possession of a rare gold coin that belongs to a notorious gangster. When they lose the coin, he gives them six days to find it or pay him what it's worth.



Mississippi Grind :http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2349144/

feat. Ryan Reynolds, Sienna Miller

Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with younger charismatic poker player, Curtis, in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost.

Red Squad : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103237/

feat. N/A (Still in Development)

After his stakeout on the U.S. border results in bloodshed on both sides, TRENT MITCHELL, head of the DEA, convinces his deputy administrator, HAL, to help him put together a covert team to hopefully make a dent in the war on drugs.

USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2032572/

The harrowing true story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, who were stranded in the Philippine Sea for five days after delivering the atomic weapons that would eventually end WWII. As they awaited rescue, they endured extreme thirst, hunger, and relentless shark attacks.

Also another Bruce Willis movie called 'Vice' is being filmed in Mobile

[NitekKetin]

Originally Posted by Port_of_Bama

Free wifi is taking over downtown parks :http://blog.al.com/live/2014/02/city_connects_historic_bienvil.html

Three new eateries are entering the downtown market: http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/02/as_some_move_out_new_eateries.html

I also saw a sing that Virgina`s health food Store will be downtown in the former bank office on Bienville square.

That's a good location for Virginia Health Foods. It's away from bigger national competition and makes Downtown less of a food desert. Hopefully it has some type of cafe/shop for grab-and-go meal options.

[Port_of_Bama]

Originally Posted by NitekKetin

That's a good location for Virginia Health Foods. It's away from bigger national competition and makes Downtown less of a food desert. Hopefully it has some type of cafe/shop for grab-and-go meal options.

My thoughts exactly ! also do any of you guys happen to know what new development will take shape on the belt line behind the mall ? I see that a new apartment complex is taking shape with a car garage and all on Cottage Hill behind the mall. I noticed yesterday ,when I parked at the side entrance of JC Penny I saw a huge parcel of land has been cleared with construction trucks and all. My guess would be another hotel.

[NitekKetin]

I think the land behind Bel Air Mall is owned by Delaney, so it probably won't be a mall expansion. It might be some office park/hotel development.

[SouthSky]

It looks like this will actually happen now:

[elb401]

I'm not sure that is going to happen. Did you hear anything? I think that was just the company's portfolio that did the design for the project.

[SouthSky]

Originally Posted by elb401

I'm not sure that is going to happen. Did you hear anything? I think that was just the company's portfolio that did the design for the project.

You're right that site is for the design company's portfolio. I don't have a linkable source at this point, but it's on Mobile Bay Times' real estate column (subscription).

[Port_of_Bama]

Barton Academy renovations are coming soon : http://blog.al.com/live/2014/03/whats_up_with_barton_academy_r.html#incart_river


Mayor Stimpson: Walkable Water Street key to revitalization of Mobile's waterfront : http://blog.al.com/live/2014/03/mayor_stimpson_walkable_water.html#incart_river_default

[elb401]

Southsky, you were right! I have a subscription to Mobile Bay Times too. I just saw were the buyers of the property are going to redevelop Saltaire according to the original plans.

The following is from the Mobile Bay Times real estate article:

The bank-owned Saltaire property on Mobile Bay in Mobile has sold to Blake Southern Homes for more than $1.2 million, according to court records and Blake Whitney Thompson, a partner in the home building firm based in Fairhope.

Thompson is managing director of Black Orchid Equity of St. Petersburg, Fla., which acquires asset-based businesses and real estate.

The purchase includes 287 acres off Ala. 193 as well as 100 developed home lots and 12 waterfront lots.

John Vallas of Vallas Realty represented the sellers, and Surety Land Title handled the transaction.

Blake Southern Homes' builder partners are Bill Spriggs and Mark Schlauder, who also own Colony Homes. They plan to start construction on some spec homes with the goal to build 100 houses in the mixed-use community this year.

The investors see the project as a bay front alternative to driving across the bay-way to subdivisions on the Eastern Shore.

Blake Southern will use the master plan originally developed for what was to be a 500-acre town with 1,250 homes, a fitness center, park, stores, two stocked lakes and restaurants.

About nine custom homes were built in Saltaire before progress was stopped in 2008 after local lender pulled the plug on financing. Local developer Logan Gewin kept more than 100 acres on the southern side of the property. About $19 million had already been invested in infrastructure including the lakes, a bridge and roads.

[Del]

I think that may be one of those "what is your dream to see in this space?" projects.