ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[pdpmishap]

The Neel Reid building at Viewpoint is already half gone. Midtown Patch only mentioned its teardown recently.


Does anyone know what's going in its place? The demolition wasn't required for the 2nd Skyhouse iteration (at least not according to the last set of published plans) since its deck followed the eastern edge of Viewpoint. I would have figured they'd start w/ the old Loca Luna.

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by pdpmishap

The Neel Reid building at Viewpoint is already half gone. Midtown Patch only mentioned its teardown recently.

Does anyone know what's going in its place? The demolition wasn't required for the 2nd Skyhouse iteration (at least not according to the last set of published plans) since its deck followed the eastern edge of Viewpoint. I would have figured they'd start w/ the old Loca Luna.

I read over the weekend that it (and the Starbucks) are being replaced by a new apartment building, and that Starbucks will be a tenant in the new building.

Not sure how valid this blog is, but here you go:

http://nickkahler.tumblr.com/post/37740627273

I find this so sad. I have very fond memories of an old friends apartment there years ago. The apartments were HUGE and beautiful. Of course, this was back when we had to step over needles and broken glass to go in and out of the front door...

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

I read over the weekend that it (and the Starbucks) are being replaced by a new apartment building, and that Starbucks will be a tenant in the new building.

Not sure how valid this blog is, but here you go:

http://nickkahler.tumblr.com/post/37740627273

I find this so sad. I have very fond memories of an old friends apartment there years ago. The apartments were HUGE and beautiful. Of course, this was back when we had to step over needles and broken glass to go in and out of the front door...

I'm disappointed in the loss of that building as well, but if that rumor is accurate it would be exciting to see something besides that very suburuban looking starbucks on the corner.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by clexmond

I'm disappointed in the loss of that building as well, but if that rumor is accurate it would be exciting to see something besides that very suburuban looking starbucks on the corner.

I hope the suburban Starbucks and other one-story buildings near West Peachtree and 14th are next for demolition. That's a drastic difference in height from One Atlantic Center right across the street. Add the Checkers on 10th and West Peachtree to that list.

[pdpmishap]

Originally Posted by clexmond

I'm disappointed in the loss of that building as well, but if that rumor is accurate it would be exciting to see something besides that very suburuban looking starbucks on the corner.

I don't know how accurate that rumor could be. I don't know if that spot is large enough to support an apartment building given Skyhouse II's deck will run all the way to 7th St. That doesn't leave a ton of space for apartment + parking unless they go super tall (w/ a deck underneath) especially since the height of the Viewpoint deck would put any south facing units looking squarely at the opaque deck windows. I definitely don't think there's enough room for a deck podium tower. It might work if they shared the Skyhouse deck but then why not just build it like the original triple tower layout from 5 yrs ago. I'd much rather they raze the lot next to Bulldogs and build at least a midrise there.

Given the fact Loudermilk also owns the Viewpoint deck (along w/ a lot of the lots in the area), I'd venture this is just a way for them to get Peachtree access to the deck since that's a big downside to the retail in the building right now. People seriously circle around and around looking for parking at that SBX which is insane given there's like 5 more in the area. If they moved SBX into the ground floor retail and added Peachtree access to the deck, they'd probably be able to attract a lot more commercial tenants.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by pdpmishap

I don't know how accurate that rumor could be. I don't know if that spot is large enough to support an apartment building given Skyhouse II's deck will run all the way to 7th St. That doesn't leave a ton of space for apartment + parking unless they go super tall (w/ a deck underneath) especially since the height of the Viewpoint deck would put any south facing units looking squarely at the opaque deck windows. I definitely don't think there's enough room for a deck podium tower. It might work if they shared the Skyhouse deck but then why not just build it like the original triple tower layout from 5 yrs ago. I'd much rather they raze the lot next to Bulldogs and build at least a midrise there.

Given the fact Loudermilk also owns the Viewpoint deck (along w/ a lot of the lots in the area), I'd venture this is just a way for them to get Peachtree access to the deck since that's a big downside to the retail in the building right now. People seriously circle around and around looking for parking at that SBX which is insane given there's like 5 more in the area. If they moved SBX into the ground floor retail and added Peachtree access to the deck, they'd probably be able to attract a lot more commercial tenants.

As far as I know, the Midtown zoning overlay doesn't allow for any curb cuts on redevelopments on Peachtree. So if they tear down that Starbucks they'll have to remove the curb cut on Peachtree and replace the sidewalk / give it a proper curb.

[pdpmishap]

Can they leave the SBX and pave a drive to the back of Viewpoint w/o hitting zoning issues? The 7th St/6th St One way thing is really annoying/confusing and I see people going the wrong way every day at those intersections.

There's no longer a need for that retaining wall once they finish leveling the Reid building (they were working on the garage when I left this morning). I'll definitely be disappointed if Loudermilk's whole strategy is a big surface lot but it wouldn't surprise me. It does seem to be an awful waste of a perfectly good building if that's the extent of the change. The actual interior of the Reid apartment actually looked to be in decent shape and the interior paint looked fairly bright/fresh at a distance despite being abandoned for the better part of a decade.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by pdpmishap

Can they leave the SBX and pave a drive to the back of Viewpoint w/o hitting zoning issues? The 7th St/6th St One way thing is really annoying/confusing and I see people going the wrong way every day at those intersections.

There's no longer a need for that retaining wall once they finish leveling the Reid building (they were working on the garage when I left this morning). I'll definitely be disappointed if Loudermilk's whole strategy is a big surface lot but it wouldn't surprise me. It does seem to be an awful waste of a perfectly good building if that's the extent of the change. The actual interior of the Reid apartment actually looked to be in decent shape and the interior paint looked fairly bright/fresh at a distance despite being abandoned for the better part of a decade.

That's a good (although somewhat depressing) question. People turning from Peachtree into Starbucks are already bad enough (ignoring pedestrians etc.), getting another surface lot basically on Peachtree and cut through traffic would be awful. On the bright side I'm almost positive new surface parking is disallowed by the same zoning overlay.

[Midtown_DD]

It's pretty interesting to me that they are tearing down an old 4 story apartment building in the heart of Midtown and no one really knows why!

[testarossa50]

My guess is they were able to get a permit to do it and now they're doing it just because. If they announced some big development and then tried to get a demo permit they would risk a big rally to save the building.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

I read over the weekend that it (and the Starbucks) are being replaced by a new apartment building, and that Starbucks will be a tenant in the new building.

Not sure how valid this blog is, but here you go:

http://nickkahler.tumblr.com/post/37740627273

I find this so sad. I have very fond memories of an old friends apartment there years ago. The apartments were HUGE and beautiful. Of course, this was back when we had to step over needles and broken glass to go in and out of the front door...

I live in Viewpoint and I heard from a reliable source about the retail spaces at Viewpoint. I'm not sure how much of it will turn out to be true, but it's exciting to hear some of these activities since there were NONE so far.

1. I also heard that there is a building planned where the Starbucks is and it will move in as a tenant at the same location. I find hard to believe there is no news about this.

2. There are several companies interested in the retail section of Viewpoint FINALLY!!! Dentist office, Gourmet grocery store (something like Whole Food) and APPLE STORE!!!! Can you believe it? I can't. I heard they are in discussion stage, but just the fact that APPLE is interested is amazing. The only possible site would be where Sprint store is and they may move the Sprint store to accommodate APPLE. I hope this really happens.

Let the talks begin!!!

[bryantm3]

what i really think would be fantastic is if there was a department store on peachtree— à la the rich's that used to be downtown. remember all the christmas movies set in new york or chicago or wherever, with the department store right on the street and shoppers coming in and out while "silver bells" plays— "silver bells... silver bells... it's christmastime in the city".

call me corny but atlanta won't be urban until we have the same stores that are in all the malls, on the streets in midtown and downtown. it was this way until the 1950s, can't wait until it's like that again.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

what i really think would be fantastic is if there was a department store on peachtree— à la the rich's that used to be downtown. remember all the christmas movies set in new york or chicago or wherever, with the department store right on the street and shoppers coming in and out while "silver bells" plays— "silver bells... silver bells... it's christmastime in the city".

call me corny but atlanta won't be urban until we have the same stores that are in all the malls, on the streets in midtown and downtown. it was this way until the 1950s, can't wait until it's like that again.

Absolutely agree, and besides being corny, I think it's practical

It seems ridiculous that with all these people within walking distance of Peachtree we have to get in a car and go to Atlantic Station to just find a shirt (that's not from some boutique).

[ATLaffinity]

Originally Posted by Artemis

2. There are several companies interested in the retail section of Viewpoint FINALLY!!! Dentist office, Gourmet grocery store (something like Whole Food) and APPLE STORE!!!! Can you believe it? I can't.

I'm a big believer in Whole Foods and Apple being the needed catalysts for Midtown.

Absolutely can't see ViewPoint being the building for Apple. Seems like there's a lot more energy more towards 1010. Apple isn't going to have a store facing out onto a dumpy surface lot.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by pdpmishap

I'd much rather they raze ... Bulldogs and build at least a midrise there.

Fixed! Skyscraper or bust!

[Zanarkand A East]

I was at the Fox last night and noticed that Ponce is now a two-way street between Spring and Peachtree. When did this happen? I worked at Bank of American Plaza last year and it was still one way westward. Also, have there been any updates on making Spring a two-way street, as was rumored months ago?

[ChadK]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

Absolutely can't see ViewPoint being the building for Apple. Seems like there's a lot more energy more towards 1010. Apple isn't going to have a store facing out onto a dumpy surface lot.

Yeah, I think the Apple rumor is just that. But I would love to see them build one of their glass cube stores on the former Houlihan's site at Colony Square. I think it would benefit both the street level and underground areas of Colony Square itself. But that's just me dreaming.

In other news... The apartment building 3380 Peachtree Road has been urged to make some modifications to their plans. Some details are rather disappointing, like "The back of the parking deck will be 'greened' using plant materials that grow up the structure from the ground level." Blah.

[simms3_redux]

Apple did look at 12th & Midtown (1010) back in '08. I saw the proposal and it blew my mind. I think Apple would kill it in Midtown and it shocks me that there isn't one already here. They already lost their opportunity at 12th and Midtown as there is no more space for them there.

Whole Foods has expressed interest in Midtown, from what I have heard. I know they have talked to a few developers in town. They have smaller concepts that would suit the neighborhood. Midtown is very hot right now, relative to Atlanta, and so I think a lot of developers are feeling out the market and pitching ideas and plans. Here's to hoping they include fewer parking decks, ughhh. Tired of these horribly huge wastes of space that get built and sit half empty as so many residents go car-less nowadays.

La Tagliatella is now open. Look at it at night...it's crazy busy (visually busy, I don't know if there's a line out the door necessarily).

New renderings for Elan Westside on their Facebook page - Looks great!



Again, from what I have heard there is a large announcement that will be made sometime in the next month or two regarding more intown retail. I already know the scoop so it is happening, but I can't give details. Don't expect Peachtree St announcement (so far as I know, but that would be even better), but the more we can pull away from the malls in Buckhead the better! Serious retailers new to the Atlanta market, too.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by simms3_redux

Apple did look at 12th & Midtown (1010) back in '08. I saw the proposal and it blew my mind. I think Apple would kill it in Midtown and it shocks me that there isn't one already here. They already lost their opportunity at 12th and Midtown as there is no more space for them there.

Whole Foods has expressed interest in Midtown, from what I have heard. I know they have talked to a few developers in town. They have smaller concepts that would suit the neighborhood. Midtown is very hot right now, relative to Atlanta, and so I think a lot of developers are feeling out the market and pitching ideas and plans. Here's to hoping they include fewer parking decks, ughhh. Tired of these horribly huge wastes of space that get built and sit half empty as so many residents go car-less nowadays.

La Tagliatella is now open. Look at it at night...it's crazy busy (visually busy, I don't know if there's a line out the door necessarily).

New renderings for Elan Westside on their Facebook page - Looks great!



Again, from what I have heard there is a large announcement that will be made sometime in the next month or two regarding more intown retail. I already know the scoop so it is happening, but I can't give details. Don't expect Peachtree St announcement (so far as I know, but that would be even better), but the more we can pull away from the malls in Buckhead the better! Serious retailers new to the Atlanta market, too.

Such a tease

But seriously, a Whole Foods in Midtown would absolutely kill it. It's one of the last things to be in walking distance for my household and would effectively mean we wouldn't need the car except for occasionally running to a hardware store.

[briantech]

Originally Posted by clexmond

Such a tease

But seriously, a Whole Foods in Midtown would absolutely kill it. It's one of the last things to be in walking distance for my household and would effectively mean we wouldn't need the car except for occasionally running to a hardware store.

There's a publix ... ?