ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[atlantaguy]

Originally Posted by Libertarian

Actually Simon is no different from most establishment development/management companies. They're looking out for Number 1 and will do what's in their short-term interest and not that of the surrounding community. Don't trust them being a permanent fixture if things appear to go south. As Gwinnett has diversified economically and culturally and newer retail malls have built further out, Simon has "abandoned" Gwinnett Place Mall by selling the facility to a greater fool while keeping the management contract. Simon owns and manages at Mall of Georgia so the prime tenants were incentivized to relocate out there and nothing done to maintain the old mall. Hate on Gwinnett all you like, but what Simon did at Gwinnett Place is narrow minded. Talk to merchants in retail strips surrounding Gwinnett Place and get their opinion. Funny thing is the Gwinnett Place community will evolve and thrive anyway, but Simon is your daddy's mall operator in all their locations, defensive with surface cosmetic improvements, doesn't invest in emerging ideas, and only serves to restrain good creative thinking and development. That's not just my opinion.

All very valid points, and I definitely see your point of view and reasoning now.

I really would love to see Westfield enter the market.

http://www.westfield.com/us/

[joecool]

I LOVE those towers!!!! I must admit and most of you know from my post that I'm not a fan of Buckhead and would much rather see these in Midtown or Downtown. Those would look perfect on 10th street over looking the Midtown skyline and Piedmont Park... dare to dream.

I am happy we are getting these either way. It just seems like all the proposals in Downtown and Midtown hardly ever happens. Met Life, Museum Tower, The Ansley, Midtown Square, The Fox, 17th and P'tree... I could go on and on. Every time something gets proposed for Buckhead it always comes through. Is Downtown/Midtown cursed? lol

[jpk1292000]

Originally Posted by micropundit

Simon Property Group confirmed in June its intent to build a high-rise residential tower at the back of the Lenox Mall property it owns near Bloomingdale’s department store and that they were working with Miami-based developer The Related Group on the project:

1)The total project will consist of two high-rise residential towers—Phase 1 to be 400 feet in height and Phase 2 to be 450 feet in height—with a total of 750 one-, two- and three-bedroom units in the two buildings. Phase 1, which is the only one under present consideration will have 374 units.

2) As part of the project, the developers plan to activate a new roadway—referred as Lenox Square Parkway—between the present mall parking deck and the property for redevelopment, where the mall loop road is presently located.

3) Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart , Stewart is the project architect.


http://www.buckheadview.com/2013/08/new-lenox-mall-apartment-development-is.html

This is a great design. Glad to see that this isn't going to be the usual boring glass box Atlanta often gets.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by joecool

I LOVE those towers!!!! I must admit and most of you know from my post that I'm not a fan of Buckhead and would much rather see these in Midtown or Downtown. Those would look perfect on 10th street over looking the Midtown skyline and Piedmont Park... dare to dream.

I am happy we are getting these either way. It just seems like all the proposals in Downtown and Midtown hardly ever happens. Met Life, Museum Tower, The Ansley, Midtown Square, The Fox, 17th and P'tree... I could go on and on. Every time something gets proposed for Buckhead it always comes through. Is Downtown/Midtown cursed? lol

I know you are joking but I don't understand the dislike toward Buckhead. For the most part downtown, Midtown and Buckhead are all influenced by the same crowd, and I think they have the interest of the city as whole in mind.

[joecool]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I know you are joking but I don't understand the dislike toward Buckhead. For the most part downtown, Midtown and Buckhead are all influenced by the same crowd, and I think they have the interest of the city as whole in mind.

Not joking. I just don't like Buckhead. I prefer Downtown and Midtown. I would prefer to see development in the those areas over Buckhead. However, I'm perfectly fine with anything good that happens to the city despite the location.

[atlantaguy]

A lot of people here don't like Buckhead, arjay57.

I guess it's an "urban thing" more than anything. I'm personally of the opinion that what's good for the City is good for the City.

Do I want to see Downtown and Midtown do well? Hell, yes! But anything positive of quality that happens ANYWHERE in the City Limits is good, as far as I am concerned.

The general population LOVES Buckhead, so bring it on.

To expand on this, the name recognition of Buckhead continues to amaze me. In my travels and in dealing with people from around the world in business, when I tell people where I live they invariably ask about Buckhead. It is what it is.

[BlueSangha]

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

A lot of people here don't like Buckhead, arjay57.

I guess it's an "urban thing" more than anything. I'm personally of the opinion that what's good for the City is good for the City.

Do I want to see Downtown and Midtown do well? Hell, yes! But anything positive of quality that happens ANYWHERE in the City Limits is good, as far as I am concerned.

The general population LOVES Buckhead, so bring it on.

To expand on this, the name recognition of Buckhead continues to amaze me. In my travels and in dealing with people from around the world in business, when I tell people where I live they invariably ask about Buckhead. It is what it is.

I for one think Buckhead is waaay overrated. From The Peach up to Piedmont needs to be burnt to the ground. Aside from the couple of developments in that area, the place is a dump. From Piedmont to Peachtree-Dunwoody road is coming along nicely, but still, what's the big whoop?

[bryantm3]

i haven't always disliked buckhead, it's just in the past 15 years or so it's become a haven for the rich, atlanta's own "beverly hills", where you can get a nice pad starting at $5 million— the shops in phipps, and later lenox, transitioned from places that were geared towards the middle class, like bookstores, department stores, electronics, music stores, even a piccadilly cafeteria— to being such an exclusive area that i don't feel welcome anymore.

the suburban nature is just par for the course with the rich— a lot of them don't want walkable development because they want to keep it exclusive. that is beginning to change, but right now it feels like LA took over part of atlanta, while the rest of atlanta is starting to feel more like the mid-atlantic and northeast.

[scania]

I've lived in both Buckhead and Midtown. When I first moved here from Vegas/New York, Buckhead was the happening spot with restaurants, bars, and shopping. I lived then at Post Stratford. Then Midtown was starting to become new hot spot and I moved here to Plaza Midtown when it first opened. Initially I was psyched into the vibe that Midtown was soooo cool. But reality sunk in about Midtown and though I love Midtown, it amazes me when people on here feel as if it is so urban. I've mention this before that 3, 4, or 5 blocks, doesn't make a place urban. Now, maybe because my taste is different from some of you on here, but there's basically no shopping here in Midtown. Yes there are a few boutiques, but thats all. When my friends from NY come down to visit, we basically go all around for a good time. The Highlands has some cool spots, O4W has a couple nice spots, West Midtown rarely gets visited, Midtown and and Buckhead are frequented the most. I et bashed on here sometimes for sticking up for Buckhead, but I think some need to wake up and be a realist about the cityy at at large. Some of you only focus on whatever is negative about Buckhead.


BlueSangha, what's the big whoop? The biggest thing happening on our signature street is being done in Buckhead...it is what it is.

[Tuckerman]

Buckhead is just another part of the fabric that makes Atlanta interesting. It is simply reality that many Americans like to stroll around in air-conditioned malls without the "hassle" of street life. I think it is partly an age thing, partly a family thing. When one is 20-30, young, single, there is an excitement about walking freely through streets that have lots of diversity, including beggars, junk salesman, and "weird" looking people. That is the quintessential NYC, London experience, and many urbanists love this rush of experience. Nonetheless, a lot of people prefer a "controlled" setting, where the junk sales (e.g. little helicopters and plastic balls that go flat and re-form and fake Gucci bags, etc) and other distractions are confined to neat little kiosks and one feels little sense of any danger of a stolen handbag or having one's family witness some untoward behaviors. Lenox Sq on a Saturday is very crowded, has lots of interesting people, but it is very managed. Economics of location is very powerful for any store and many pay the price for this sanitized space.
Most cities around the world have this mix of shopping; sometimes it is within a big store like Galleries Lafayette in Paris, but quite often in malls and covered passages within and between buildings. But more and more one sees the equivalent to the American mall in other countries as well.
As for Buckhead, it presents a complex shopping experience. There are many little shops scattered around the side streets. It could be argued that these mainly appeal to the wealthy, but in actuality there is quite a bit of variety. One thing is certain, aside from Atlantic Station and some strips of Highland and Howell Mill, most of Downtown and Midtown are devoid of any "shopping" experience. And the shopping experience is a major part of big city life and especially important for visitors.
Whether or not we like the urban layout and texture of Buckhead is kind of irrelevant because the area increasingly offers a mix of shopping, residence, office and entertainment. Furthermore the ethnic, racial and income mix is not as skewed as often perceived; again, go to Lenox at a weekend and there is a very mixed clientele. Frankly, I don't see such a mix in Midtown.
Finally, from my perspective, a skyscraper is a skyscraper and I would prefer that the toothless Gap between Downtown and Midtown would be filled by a few 40-60 story office gems, but in the meantime I will welcome any high-rise whether in Buckhead, Perimeter or elsewhere in the metro area; I have long given up on a big mass of high rises in the center of the city.

[atlantaguy]

^As usual, the voice of reason. Thank you!

[ATLaffinity]

Originally Posted by scania

and though I love Midtown

Are you kidding me. It's like Midtown killed your parents...

ETA: I have to agree that the area near us around Spring St has been a disappointment. Nothing ever gets developed. Constant stream of homeless people. I'll be gone by the time it's filled out.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

i haven't always disliked buckhead, it's just in the past 15 years or so it's become a haven for the rich,....

Buckhead, Druid Hills and Ansley have been the havens for Atlanta's wealthy residents for over a hundred years. If you want to see who still pulls the levers of power, take a look at the board of the CIDs for downtown, Buckhead, Midtown, the hospitals, arts centers, parks, universities, banks, law firms, corporations, etc.

For some reason an awful lot of these folks continue to live in Buckhead.

Although nowadays some are even OTP types.

[Immovable_Media]

Atlanta Streetcar - Entire Loop 2.7 Miles - 7/30/2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LV9021EUO0

Centennial Olympic Park to Woodruff Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8K8Y7fWt1A

Woodruff Park to 75/85 Connector: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_vv1jNv6vQ

75/85 Connector to King Historic District: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWDdc4EL9Q8

King Historic District to 75/85: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPRp2cZAvGk

75/85 Connector to Woodruff Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XUpWT6VA94

Woodruff Park to Centennial Olympic Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjNP1cO14fY

Have you ever wondered how two steel rails are connected? It's done by a process called "Thermite Welding." I caught the tail end of the process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwW-s_WA56w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKjn7Sxwcuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFOmXa0u83w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEZOz_49_c

[BlueSangha]

BlueSangha, what's the big whoop? The biggest thing happening on our signature street is being done in Buckhead...it is what it is.[/QUOTE]

That's laughable, one development does not Buckhead make. You forget the crap its in the middle of. The eyesore that is the Roswell/Peachtree Split all the way up to Maple Dr. has nothing to be admired. I go through that area twice a day, 5 days a week. Aside from the nice towers in the business core, there's no life there, people just drive through, from one parking space to another. All I am saying is that its got a long way to go to catch up to the hype.

[scania]

Originally Posted by ATLaffinity

Are you kidding me. It's like Midtown killed your parents...

ETA: I have to agree that the area near us around Spring St has been a disappointment. Nothing ever gets developed. Constant stream of homeless people. I'll be gone by the time it's filled out.

LOL. I made it clear numerous of times. I love Midtown. I think its great overall. It doesn't have an urban feel like a San Fran or NYC, but I still love Midtown. Things I've said that people on here take negative is when I make statements that Midtown isn't that URBAN, or that I feel there's not a plethora of things to do on the level that some on here seem to think. With that being said, I would rather be here than any other area in Atlanta. But you won't find me bragging to my friends on how ultra cool Midtown is or have become. Other than my condo, its hot!!! LOL

[scania]

Originally Posted by BlueSangha

BlueSangha, what's the big whoop? The biggest thing happening on our signature street is being done in Buckhead...it is what it is.

That's laughable, one development does not Buckhead make. You forget the crap its in the middle of. The eyesore that is the Roswell/Peachtree Split all the way up to Maple Dr. has nothing to be admired. I go through that area twice a day, 5 days a week. Aside from the nice towers in the business core, there's no life there, people just drive through, from one parking space to another. All I am saying is that its got a long way to go to catch up to the hype.[/QUOTE]

No one project doesn't, but it's not the only project going on up there. I agree the areas you have mention has a lot to be desired. But there are a PLETHORA of areas in Midtown, and O4W that have a lot to be desired as well. To take it step further, the safety as a whole when it comes to O4W could use a ton of TLC.

[clexmond]

Originally Posted by scania

LOL. I made it clear numerous of times. I love Midtown. I think its great overall. It doesn't have an urban feel like a San Fran or NYC, but I still love Midtown. Things I've said that people on here take negative is when I make statements that Midtown isn't that URBAN, or that I feel there's not a plethora of things to do on the level that some on here seem to think. With that being said, I would rather be here than any other area in Atlanta. But you won't find me bragging to my friends on how ultra cool Midtown is or have become. Other than my condo, its hot!!! LOL

What do you think "urban" is? Midtown meets effectively every definition of urban there is (as does Downtown and the core area of Buckhead).

[SwimAtl]

I don't prefer Buckhead, but I'm really glad it's part of our city. There's a lot to like - restaurants, shopping, incredible housing stock, density along the Peachtree ridge. It just seems to me that it's lacking something - maybe diversity and a nice urban park (though Chastain is great and continues to improve, it seems like more of a neighborhood park) or even a grand gathering place or public art. To me there is nothing provocative about Buckhead except some of the nicer skyscrapers.

[scania]

Originally Posted by clexmond

What do you think "urban" is? Midtown meets effectively every definition of urban there is (as does Downtown and the core area of Buckhead).

I agree with you. My point was concerning the thought that Midtown was so far past Buckhead, and Buckhead is not at all. This was really a response to a lot of general statements on this board for the past 6 years or so. Let me make this clear, Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead have areas that are urban. Are any of them on the level of a Chicago, New York, or San Fran, as some on here seem to think...I think not. BUT, I also feel that it isn't necessary to resemble any of those cities to have an urban presence. It would be great if Atlanta would nurture the uniqueness that the city has and build up that to create its own character.