ATLANTA | Development Thread V

[micropundit]

Hoping to Resuscitate a Portion of the City’s Heart

The New York Times, April 28, 2015

There was a time in the 1960s when Underground Atlanta, a 12-acre complex of viaducts and storefronts in the heart of downtown, was billed as this city’s answer to Bourbon Street. In the 1980s, it was reimagined as a tourist-friendly “festival marketplace” full of novelty retailers angling to attract out-of-town conventioneers. When that idea faltered, there was talk of turning it into a casino.

Link to story: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/us/atlanta-underground.html?_r=0

[trainiac]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

This is a Dewberry proposal so take it with a grain of salt but



They are looking to expand the Campanile building with six additional floors (what is being purported to be the first high rise addition in ATL history) and add new mixed use buildings next door.

http://www.ajc.com/news/business/unusual-upward-addition-planned-for-midtown-high-r/nk3B7/

Don't they count the Bona Allen building (Ted's downtown location)? Mr. Turner added a floor for his place

[trainiac]

Originally Posted by jeffschade3

They have 75,000 sf right now, phase two will add an additional 20,000 sf. From my understanding, a third phase is under consideration and will add 40,000 sf.

I was talking to a MailChimp person this weekend -- they're completely moved in and taking up the whole office footprint for floor 3 or 4. I can't wait for more of the food and retail stuff to open

[PremierAtlanta]

Originally Posted by micropundit

Hoping to Resuscitate a Portion of the City’s Heart

The New York Times, April 28, 2015

There was a time in the 1960s when Underground Atlanta, a 12-acre complex of viaducts and storefronts in the heart of downtown, was billed as this city’s answer to Bourbon Street. In the 1980s, it was reimagined as a tourist-friendly “festival marketplace” full of novelty retailers angling to attract out-of-town conventioneers. When that idea faltered, there was talk of turning it into a casino.

Link to story: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/us/atlanta-underground.html?_r=0

This was an interesting read. If done properly, this project could be truly transformative for central Downtown Atlanta. There have been previous attempts to turn historic Underground around but I feel this time could be the time.

For one, developers now have a far greater understanding of building quality and useful urban developments. Secondly, we now have a resurgence in the desire for intown living in Atlanta. Thirdly, there is a turn around in how the city is being run now. This makes development city wide quite lucrative.

Scott Smith, president and CEO of WRS Inc., told Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Maria Saporta in December, “We think it's ground zero in Atlanta – the zero mile marker truly is right there. There are 32,000 students a half-block away. There are 110,000 people coming downtown everyday. There's steady income from the government sector down there. The vacancy factor in multifamily is 1.2 percent. With having that many people down there, our whole belief to make Underground successful is that you have to have people there day in and day out."

The above quote shows how this area has changed in the last ten years. This is another reason why I think it will be successful this time.

[briantech]

The way to have people down there "day in and day out" is to have people LIVE there. Yeah it has a huge daytime office population but when they leave, parts of downtown get pretty desolate.

DT needs to ramp up its residential properties -- everything else will follow as demand for restaurants, retail, grocery, etc goes up.

[robertjhajek]

Dirt is actually being moved today at John Weiland's Peachtree Condos.

[ATLmangum]

2 questions...what is going up next to the Fellinis in buckhead off ptree, they demolished some old buildings, and are they tearing down the ihop in buckhead, what is going there?

[jeffschade3]

Originally Posted by trainiac

I was talking to a MailChimp person this weekend -- they're completely moved in and taking up the whole office footprint for floor 3 or 4. I can't wait for more of the food and retail stuff to open

I am eagerly awaiting that day as well. The food options are limited right now with the few places across the street and the food trucks. Speaking of the latter, while I love that PCM provides space for, I must admit I've been disappointed thus far in the trucks that I've tried.

[Verge]

Originally Posted by PremierAtlanta

This was an interesting read. If done properly, this project could be truly transformative for central Downtown Atlanta. There have been previous attempts to turn historic Underground around but I feel this time could be the time.

For one, developers now have a far greater understanding of building quality and useful urban developments. Secondly, we now have a resurgence in the desire for intown living in Atlanta. Thirdly, there is a turn around in how the city is being run now. This makes development city wide quite lucrative.



The above quote shows how this area has changed in the last ten years. This is another reason why I think it will be successful this time.

I am quite skeptical that this developer of (mostly) strip shopping centers from South Carolina understands urban environments at all-- a leaked master plan is NOT promising--

[Verge]

Originally Posted by ATLmangum

2 questions...what is going up next to the Fellinis in buckhead off ptree, they demolished some old buildings, and are they tearing down the ihop in buckhead, what is going there?

Unfortunately-- nothing it will be a parking lot (or a park of sorts?)- at least for the time being--

[Frankster87]

Originally Posted by ATLmangum

2 questions...what is going up next to the Fellinis in buckhead off ptree, they demolished some old buildings, and are they tearing down the ihop in buckhead, what is going there?

Originally Posted by Verge

Unfortunately-- nothing it will be a parking lot- at least for the time being--

The space near the Fellini's is actually going to be a green space/park for the foreseeable future.

http://buckheadview.com/2015/04/24/garden-hills-gets-a-new-prime-green-space-at-least-for-now/

Not sure about the IHOP though...Hasn't it been closed for a while now?

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Originally Posted by Frankster87

The space near the Fellini's is actually going to be a green space/park for the foreseeable future.

http://buckheadview.com/2015/04/24/garden-hills-gets-a-new-prime-green-space-at-least-for-now/

Not sure about the IHOP though...Hasn't it been closed for a while now?

That comment in that park article; What decade am I in???

Didn’t know you were right over us (we’re in the Garden Hills Apts. behind all the former mess). I tried to contact Brand Properties, with no luck, so maybe you can instead. Hopefully they will keep the fence (or a fence) up–green space or not. We are worried here about the increase in crime here (we’ve always been hidden from Peachtree by the buildings and our property manager installed a fence on the end of the old building to keep walking traffic from coming through). Also, people will probably end up parking on the grass anyway, so what’s the use of having the nice space if it will get torn up? And people probably will end up sleeping there (remember the women sleeping in the theater’s entryway before the buildings got torn down?). Before your tower got built, there was a beautiful old house on that corner and as it got torn down and it was in the last stages, people were sleeping in it and when it was down to the foundation, you’d find syringes on the foundation all the time! And people will just dump trash there–will Brand Properties pick up the trash??? So please have them keep the fence up!!!! Thanks!

[robertjhajek]

Originally Posted by jeffschade3

I am eagerly awaiting that day as well. The food options are limited right now with the few places across the street and the food trucks. Speaking of the latter, while I love that PCM provides space for, I must admit I've been disappointed thus far in the trucks that I've tried.

Try Yumbi's philly cheese steak. It's delicious.

[Frankster87]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeanuts

That comment in that park article; What decade am I in???

Haha, wow! So many things going on in that comment....

[PremierAtlanta]

Originally Posted by Verge

I am quite skeptical that this developer of (mostly) strip shopping centers from South Carolina understands urban environments at all-- a leaked master plan is NOT promising--

Verge, I definitely understand your concerns regarding this particular developer. I too share a part of your sentiment. With Cousins being in 191 Peachtree, you would have thought that they would have acquired and developed Underground Atlanta. Unfortunately that is not the case so we are left with this particular developer.

Where my hope for a successful redevelopment of Underground stems from:

A) A strong Central Atlanta Progress. This group has grown in their understanding of what it will take to make Downtown a thriving and successful neighborhood. I also feel that they now have a better understanding of quality urban development. It is my hope that CAP will guide WRS in building an exciting and livable development that both pays homage to Underground's historic past while also blinding in seamlessly with the urban environment.

B) As stated in my original post, the resurgence of Downtown in the last decade has been nothing less than phenomenal. Downtown has the largest and most complete grid in the city. The infrastructure is there to handle quite a bit of residential development.

Georgia State University has been growing by leaps and bounds. It now brings 30,000+ students to the area daily. GSU has also been instrumental in the rebuilding AND rebranding of Downtown. Between GSU, the Streetcar and the popularity of the tourist attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca~Cola, College Football HOF, Centennial Park, CNN, The Ferris Wheel, AmericasMart Atlanta, Phillips Arena, Georgia Dome, as well as the Georgia World Congress Center -one of the top five convention centers in the country both in attendance and square footage), Downtown is positioned to grow into being a destination that is a PLACE as well.

Perhaps I am being too much of an idealist. My hopes are that WRS will want to build something that will leave a legacy for their firm. I also hope that the city is sensitive to the need for quality urban development. Had this been announced 10 years ago I would be skeptical too.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by PremierAtlanta

Verge, I definitely understand your concerns regarding this particular developer. I too share a part of your sentiment. With Cousins being in 191 Peachtree, you would have thought that they would have acquired and developed Underground Atlanta. Unfortunately that is not the case so we are left with this particular developer.

Where my hope for a successful redevelopment of Underground stems from:

A) A strong Central Atlanta Progress. This group has grown in their understanding of what it will take to make Downtown a thriving and successful neighborhood. I also feel that they now have a better understanding of quality urban development. It is my hope that CAP will guide WRS in building an exciting and livable development that both pays homage to Underground's historic past while also blinding in seamlessly with the urban environment.

B) As stated in my original post, the resurgence of Downtown in the last decade has been nothing less than phenomenal. Downtown has the largest and most complete grid in the city. The infrastructure is there to handle quite a bit of residential development.

Georgia State University has been growing by leaps and bounds. It now brings 30,000+ students to the area daily. GSU has also been instrumental in the rebuilding AND rebranding of Downtown. Between GSU, the Streetcar and the popularity of the tourist attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca~Cola, College Football HOF, Centennial Park, CNN, The Ferris Wheel, AmericasMart Atlanta, Phillips Arena, Georgia Dome, as well as the Georgia World Congress Center -one of the top five convention centers in the country both in attendance and square footage), Downtown is positioned to grow into being a destination that is a PLACE as well.

Perhaps I am being too much of an idealist. My hopes are that WRS will want to build something that will leave a legacy for their firm. I also hope that the city is sensitive to the need for quality urban development. Had this been announced 10 years ago I would be skeptical too.

PremierAtlanta - I agree with you 100%.

Little known fact - Atlanta is the 4th largest convention city in the US and Downtown Atlanta attracts 30+ million visitors annually. Where the majority of the downtown office workers and students leave the city at night, conventioneers stay all day. If WRS can transform the revitalized Underground into a true Entertainment & Retail district + housing, I believe this development could be extremely successful. I can't believe the city or a local developer has not capitalized on this.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/des...stinations-for-meeting-planners/2681695/

[Ant131531]

A couple of construction updates:

Peachtree and 7th:



Piedmont and 5th:


Spring Street Student Housing

[micropundit]

Octane Coffee and Switchyards, a Downtown private club for design-minded entrepreneurs, are teaming up to open a members-only coffee shop. Western & Atlantic will open in this fall, jointly run by Octane's Tony Riffel and Switchyards. In addition to the coffee, look for bagels and pastries, as well as beer and wine for events.Switchyards comes from Scoutmob co-founder Michael Tavani, and his startup incubator is moving into the building at 151 Spring Street, across from The Tabernacle.


http://atlanta.eater.com/2015/4/29/85165...offee-octane-switchyards-atlanta#4731220

[RocketSurgeon]

Originally Posted by Ant131531

Peachtree and 7th:

I came here to mention how far along that was coming. That stretch of Peachtree sure looks different now. Imagine what it will be like when Eviva and the 5th street building are done!

[Verge]

Originally Posted by PremierAtlanta

Verge, I definitely understand your concerns regarding this particular developer. I too share a part of your sentiment. With Cousins being in 191 Peachtree, you would have thought that they would have acquired and developed Underground Atlanta. Unfortunately that is not the case so we are left with this particular developer.

Where my hope for a successful redevelopment of Underground stems from:

A) A strong Central Atlanta Progress. This group has grown in their understanding of what it will take to make Downtown a thriving and successful neighborhood. I also feel that they now have a better understanding of quality urban development. It is my hope that CAP will guide WRS in building an exciting and livable development that both pays homage to Underground's historic past while also blinding in seamlessly with the urban environment.

B) As stated in my original post, the resurgence of Downtown in the last decade has been nothing less than phenomenal. Downtown has the largest and most complete grid in the city. The infrastructure is there to handle quite a bit of residential development.

Georgia State University has been growing by leaps and bounds. It now brings 30,000+ students to the area daily. GSU has also been instrumental in the rebuilding AND rebranding of Downtown. Between GSU, the Streetcar and the popularity of the tourist attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca~Cola, College Football HOF, Centennial Park, CNN, The Ferris Wheel, AmericasMart Atlanta, Phillips Arena, Georgia Dome, as well as the Georgia World Congress Center -one of the top five convention centers in the country both in attendance and square footage), Downtown is positioned to grow into being a destination that is a PLACE as well.

Perhaps I am being too much of an idealist. My hopes are that WRS will want to build something that will leave a legacy for their firm. I also hope that the city is sensitive to the need for quality urban development. Had this been announced 10 years ago I would be skeptical too.

I agree totally about the resurgence of Downtown-- we moved our offices there and love it-- It does need more folks living here however and good urban development in all of those parking lots (and a few less street killing parking decks)-- the place has, as they say, great bones--