ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[bigstick]

Originally Posted by A-town

Do you mind telling exactly what this is? Thanks

[ATLaffinity]

Originally Posted by micropundit

The Cheesecake Factory Inc. (Nasdaq: CAKE) is eyeing a portion of the former Crate & Barrel space near the Peachtree Road entrance, according to industry insiders.
[url]

Dreadful. From Brasserie Le Coze to The Cheesecake Factory. I don't expect it to be all upmarket but geez.

[A-town]

Originally Posted by bigstick

Do you mind telling exactly what this is? Thanks

Sure Bigstick...

Crescent Resources Starts Circle Terminus

Construction Begins on $67 Million Luxury Community

Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 2, 2013 — Crescent Resources, LLC has completed its purchase of a three-acre site within Cousins Properties’ Terminus development. Construction will begin immediately on the Circle Terminus, a $67 million innovative community with 355 apartment homes. The first units are expected to be available in the spring 2014.

“This site has all the ingredients for a very successful luxury apartment community,” said Ben Collins, regional director for Crescent Resources. “Its location in the heart of Buckhead is ideal. And, with its existing world-class office space, luxury condominiums, outstanding public art, five-star dining and street level retail, Circle Terminus will offer a unique lifestyle that allows residents an opportunity to work, play and live all within easy walking distances. This location and all those attributes are consistent with the Crescent brand of exceptional and irreplaceable development.”

“We selected Crescent Resources for this important aspect of Terminus due to its expertise, experience, financial resources and commitment to sustainable development,” said John McColl, executive vice president of Cousins Properties. “As a proven developer of high-quality, successful apartment communities, they are a welcome addition to the development team at Terminus.”

Crescent and Cousins have been working together for more than a year in the planning for the newest addition to Terminus. The architecture of the three, eight-story buildings (three levels of parking topped by five stories of apartment homes) that comprise Circle Terminus takes its inspiration from the existing contemporary buildings in the development.

Unique amenities will include a salt-water resort-style pool, roof-top terraces with dramatic skyline views, a wine bar and tavern, an extensive fitness center, a dog walk park, an art gallery and a business center. The apartments will feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, faux hardwood flooring and a custom lighting package are highlights.

Circle Terminus is designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification requirements from the U.S. Green Building Council. Lord Aeck & Sargent of Atlanta is the project architect. Southern Civil Engineers of Atlanta serves as the civil engineer while Vignette Interior Design of Charlotte is the interior designer LandDesign of Charlotte is the land planner and landscape architect, and, and Hardin Construction of Atlanta has been named the general contractor. Greystar, will serve as the property manager.

Circle Terminus is being financed by an equity investment from Crescent Resources. The construction lender is JPMorgan Chase & Co.

With the start of the Circle Terminus, Crescent has 2,906 multifamily units in communities valued at $442 million under construction throughout the Southeast. The company has developed more than 20 apartment communities.

While this is Crescent’s first multifamily development planned for Atlanta, Crescent Resources has been an active developer in the metro area for more than two decades. The company developed the residential communities Sugarloaf Country Club and The River Club as well as office and industrial parks Crescent Ridge, Satellite Place, Riverside and Corporate Centre at Deerfield. Along with Manulife Financial, the company is also the developer of Phipps Tower.

About Circle
Circle was inspired through extensive review and analysis of current industry trends and marketplace needs. The progressive Circle communities are places where neighbors connect. In addition to presenting a new breed of apartments that people are excited to live in, Circle developments are also infused with the exceptional quality and customer-oriented features that have become Crescent hallmarks.

In addition to Circle Terminus, other Crescent multifamily communities under construction include Circle Bayshore and Circle Crosstown in Tampa, Fla.; Gallery at Cameron Village in Raleigh, N.C.; Circle Ninth Street in Durham, N.C.; and Circle Alexander Village and Circle SouthPark in Charlotte.

Crescent Resources developed Circle at South End in Charlotte; Circle at Concord Mills in Concord, N.C.; Circle West Campus in Austin, Texas; and The Venue at Cool Springs in Nashville, Tenn.



Picture:
http://www.crescent-resources.com/our-expertise/multifamily/circle-terminus/

[bigstick]

Thank A-town, keep us updated ..............

[scania]

Originally Posted by bigstick

I ate at a Grand Lux in Vegas and it was amazingly good, cannot believe they don't have multiple locations in ATL.

I would eat there sometimes when I lived in Vegas. I do think it would be a nice addition in Atlanta. I use to tell people when they were building Viewpoint that a two story Gand Lux would be great on Peachtree in Midtown.

[nature's calling]

Pinewood Studios, responsible for the James Bond films — including the latest blockbuster, “Skyfall” — the Harry Potter series, the Hobbit and the musical “Les Misérables,” is in talks with local and Atlanta investors to locate a major film and television production facility on 288.5 acres in the center of Fayette County, The Citizen has learned.

Paperwork for rezoning the properties — code-named “Stargate” — has been filed with the Fayette County Planning and Zoning Department as of Tuesday afternoon.

People involved in the talks authorized this statement: “River’s Rock LLC, representing a group of Atlanta investors, is in discussions with Pinewood for a new studio.” No further official information was released.



To be known as “Pinewood Atlanta,” Phase One of the development would be on the southwest corner of the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Sandy Creek Road in unincorporated Fayette County just west of Fayetteville.

Preliminary ideas include production offices, initial production stages, a mill works shop, a film school, a continuing education center, administration offices and a catering and culinary school, The Citizen has learned. While the studio has a reputation for world-class films, the Fayette location would focus on high quality television productions.

Preliminary plans ask for rezoning to accommodate 381 paved parking spaces.

The project will be unlike anything ever seen in Fayette County and promises to become an economic growth engine, according to those familiar with the plans.

Upwards of 500,000 square feet of sound stages, production facilities and ancillary offices are envisioned for the site, The Citizen has learned. The rezoning plans show at least eight such larger structures in addition to clusters of smaller buildings. Zoning being sought is GB (general business).

British-based Pinewood Studios Group is a leading provider of studio and related services to the worldwide film and entertainment industry. Headquartered 20 miles west of London, in Buckinghamshire, the company has more than 1 million sq. ft. of stage and studio space in five countries.

The world-famous “007 stage,” at 59,000 sq. ft., is the largest of the company’s more than 60 stages and studios spread around the world. The entire James Bond series, including the most recent “Skyfall,” was filmed on Pinewood stages.

Wikipedia lists 121 movies filmed on Pinewood stages in its 77-year history, 42 of them since 2000. Recent blockbusters include “Les Miserables,” “Prometheus,” “Snow White and the Huntsmen,” “The Hobbit,” the first and second Harry Potter films, and “Dark Knight.”



In addition to movies, Pinewood stages are home to television shows, commercials, and more. Pinewood Group has three locations in England, plus facilities in Toronto, Berlin, the Dominican Republic and Malaysia.

Pinewood itself does not develop film projects; instead it provides the production infrastructure to actually get the project onto film: sound stages, sets, lighting and the like.

The studio was founded in 1936 by J. Arthur Rank, a wealthy flour magnate and devout Methodist. Rank’s interest in the film industry was born of his vision for making films with a religious and moral message.

A major draw for film companies to locate in Georgia involves tax credits.

State tax credits adopted a handful of years ago have played a major role in improving Georgia’s profile as the Hollywood of the south.

Under current law, production companies who spend a minimum of $500,000 get a 20 percent transferable tax credit, which jumps by an additional 10 percent if the company uses an imbedded state promo logo in the film, TV series, music video or video game project, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Moreover, there is no cap on the credit, which means the more production companies spend here, the more they will save here too.

In the 2011 fiscal year, the entertainment industry spent more than $689.3 million in Georgia, according to GDED. Last year, some 333 productions filmed in Georgia including feature films, TV series, commercials and music videos.

The state tax credits offered by Georgia apply to all in and out-of-state labor working in Georgia, and standard fringe benefits qualify for the credit as well.

Fayette County has become qualified as a “camera ready” community through GDED to assist with location scouting and other efforts.

Fayette has hosted several movies in recent years including portions of “Sweet Home Alabama” which were filmed at Starr’s Mill and also “Joyful Noise” which was filmed at several local churches along with a big scene at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City.

Fayette has also hosted the “Drop Dead Diva” television show on the Lifetime network, which filmed in a modified hangar at Falcon Field Airport and on various locations around the area.

Nearby Senoia has been the scene stealer on the southside when it comes to TV shows by hosting the production of the top-rated cable drama “The Walking Dead.” In fact, charming downtown Senoia itself plays a backdrop, down to the unkempt landscaping in the medians as an homage to a world in which humans are on the run from zombies.

In addition to providing tax breaks and location scouting, GDED also offers a help wanted hotline and website to help production companies recruit cast and crew.

The 30-acre campus of River’s Elementary School will also play a role in the overall development, although no final deal has been reached on the property owned by the Fayette County Board of Education. The elementary school is expected to receive a makeover and become a campus of Savannah College of Arts and Design, as detailed in a nearby story.

http://thecitizen.com/http%3A/%252Fwww.thecitizen.com/articles/02-06-2013/the-british-are-coming

Another win for Atlanta.

[scania]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

Dreadful. From Brasserie Le Coze to The Cheesecake Factory. I don't expect it to be all upmarket but geez.

I disagree...The Cheescake Factory is more appropriate for a nice mall like Lenox. Especially with how far the mall is setback from the street. And for Lenox, it would be nice because tho I rarely go to The Cheescake Factory, its definitely a restaurant that is also known for its energy and high buzz.

[bigstick]

I love the sound of PINEWOOD studios ATLANTA>

[ATLaffinity]

Originally Posted by scania

I disagree...The Cheescake Factory is more appropriate for a nice mall like Lenox. Especially with how far the mall is setback from the street. And for Lenox, it would be nice because tho I rarely go to The Cheescake Factory, its definitely a restaurant that is also known for its energy and high buzz.

Looks like it's going to be that Grand Lux you mentioned and not a Cheesecake Factory. Everyone can be happy now!

[maledin]

EDIT: Wrong account.

[plorenc]

Hey Y'all,

I made an interactive map of the upcoming improvements to bicycle infrastructure around Atlanta! Check it out here.

Also: If you have any feedback regarding inaccuracies, or ways to make the map more legible (e.g., the color scheme), please let me know!

[Immovable_Media]

Originally Posted by plorenc

Hey Y'all,

I made an interactive map of the upcoming improvements to bicycle infrastructure around Atlanta! Check it out here.

Also: If you have any feedback regarding inaccuracies, or ways to make the map more legible (e.g., the color scheme), please let me know!

GREAT MAP!!! Thank you for putting your time and effort into it. I for one will be bookmarking it

[shivtim]

Awesome! Thanks, Plorenc!

[Immovable_Media]

Taken from: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/...?ana=e_du_pap&s=article_du&ed=2013-02-07

"Emory Healthcare will invest $312 million in expanding its flagship hospital on Clifton Road. The health system previously announced plans to build a new 9-story clinical tower, to accomodate an increase in patient volumes. While Emory declined to disclose the number of jobs that might be created, based on industry estimates, a 200-bed hospital would employ about 1,000. The tower, which will be build across the hospital, will have 210 inpatient beds — a combination of new and existing beds that will relocate from Emory University Hospital. The tower will include operating rooms, imaging services, a clinical laboratory. Construction on the tower will begin in July 2013 with the building of an underground parking deck. The tower is expected to be completed in 2017."

SCORE!!! Emory developers have decided to build their parking deck UNDERGROUND! Take that NOVARE!!!

[jpk1292000]

This is not development related, but over the past 18 months, it feels like the Atlanta region has gotten some of its swagger back. Recent job growth (last six months) is equal to or, in some cases, outpacing the recent standard-bearers like Houston, Austin, Raleigh, Dallas, etc. On a macro scale, there were the big wins for the region in the John Deere facility and the Baxter plant about 18 months ago, then more recently there have been a number of coups like the GM IT R & D headquarters, Gates Foundation Charity, movie production locations, other healthcare/HR IT headquarters announced in recent months, etc.

It "feels" a far cry from three years ago about this time when I was feeling pretty down on Atlanta. Of course, it would have really been nice if the TSPLOST passed, but I think things are looking up recently.

[RudyJK]

Originally Posted by plorenc

Hey Y'all,

I made an interactive map of the upcoming improvements to bicycle infrastructure around Atlanta! Check it out here.

Also: If you have any feedback regarding inaccuracies, or ways to make the map more legible (e.g., the color scheme), please let me know!

That is a great map plorenc!

I have a question for the cyclists out there: do you think that the right projects are being targeted in this round of improvements?

I ask because I see a lot of cyclists in west Buckhead/Peachtree Battle area and fear for their safety and motorists. When I lived in Midtown, I don't remember the volume being as great as what I see out here. I can see the attraction with the hills, greenery and fewer traffic lights.

Just curious what those that benefit the most think...

[RudyJK]

Originally Posted by Immovable_Media

Taken from: http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/...?ana=e_du_pap&s=article_du&ed=2013-02-07

"Emory Healthcare will invest $312 million in expanding its flagship hospital on Clifton Road. The health system previously announced plans to build a new 9-story clinical tower, to accomodate an increase in patient volumes. While Emory declined to disclose the number of jobs that might be created, based on industry estimates, a 200-bed hospital would employ about 1,000. The tower, which will be build across the hospital, will have 210 inpatient beds — a combination of new and existing beds that will relocate from Emory University Hospital. The tower will include operating rooms, imaging services, a clinical laboratory. Construction on the tower will begin in July 2013 with the building of an underground parking deck. The tower is expected to be completed in 2017."

SCORE!!! Emory developers have decided to build their parking deck UNDERGROUND! Take that NOVARE!!!

This is good news but Emory is a non-profit -- no investors to satisfy so it's easier to spend money. And health care is where the money is at these days.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by RudyJK

That is a great map plorenc!

I have a question for the cyclists out there: do you think that the right projects are being targeted in this round of improvements?

I ask because I see a lot of cyclists in west Buckhead/Peachtree Battle area and fear for their safety and motorists. When I lived in Midtown, I don't remember the volume being as great as what I see out here. I can see the attraction with the hills, greenery and fewer traffic lights.

Just curious what those that benefit the most think...

There are tons of cyclists in Midtown. I think you would probably find more of them are commuting than riding for leisure and these improvements will greatly reduce the danger of riding down large one-way roads.

[ATL_J]

Originally Posted by RudyJK

That is a great map plorenc!

I have a question for the cyclists out there: do you think that the right projects are being targeted in this round of improvements?

I ask because I see a lot of cyclists in west Buckhead/Peachtree Battle area and fear for their safety and motorists. When I lived in Midtown, I don't remember the volume being as great as what I see out here. I can see the attraction with the hills, greenery and fewer traffic lights.

Just curious what those that benefit the most think...

I don't see very many bicycle commuters in Buckhead / Peachtree Battle area, so I can only assume you're talking about people out riding (mostly in spandex) for exercise?

I think its important Atlanta targets commuters (people using the bicycle as a mode of transportation) paths. With that line of thinking, I think they need to target more east / west paths. Make it easier for those living in the west side and those living in the east side neighborhoods to get to and from midtown / downtown.

With that said, I think, for the most part, these are much needed improvements. Krog Street is used a lot and definitely needs repaving and the two way cycle tracks in downtown, along Parkway, and 10th would be very useful. I don't like sharrows, I think they're a waste. We need dedicated bike lanes, not sharrows. I'd also have liked to seen dedicated bike lanes on Ponce or North Avenue, but I supposed the Freedom Park Trail can get you to downtown and if you're using the Beltline you can take Edgewood (once repaved) or 10th street to get to Downtown / Midtown respectively.

[testarossa50]

Ponce is slated to have bike lanes. The good kind.

http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2012...once-protected-lanes-on-juniper-and-more