I'm curous about what ideas you all have for making this area better, and somehow packaging and promoting it within the context of a tourist/convention-goer draw.
Two ideas that I have been thinking about: (1) the CD really needs a stand-out, independent jazz club (2) needs one of the area museums (the Carnegie, or Frick) to open a branch in this area in which they could rotate some of their permanent exhibits.
Do you have any thoughts?
I've always thought that something like the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia would be cool there. Maybe it would work better in the Strip.
I think Bunchers plans in the strip ( if done properly ) would have a greater impact on the convention business than anything in the cultural district.
Riverparc would be great, but other than the architecture it's not geared to tourists.
They put some kind of decorative panels up on the corners of the parking garage so my normal view is a lot more obstructed now.
They've been painting this garage (by hand) for the last couple weeks. Apparently they are color coding it based on where the retail space is located below.
(1) I'm not sure the Cultural District needs any particular amenity, but a streetcar that ran through the Cultural District and the Strip would help tie that whole area together for visitors in general (including convention-goers);
(2) That DLA+ design reminds me of one of my favorite recent skyscrapers, Aqua Tower in Chicago:
But I gather this was just their entry in Burns & Scalo's design competition.
Love the Aqua Tower, but DLA's rendering doesn't do much for me. Its not bad, and I like the wavy facade, but the building overall is very boxy - I would like to see more angles or curves. Of course tenants like boxes because they are efficient.
Of course tenants like boxes because they are efficient.
They also have to deal with the height restriction, which means to make reasonable use of their land they need to mostly fill up the allowed three-dimensional space.
Being a fan of symmetry, i have a hard time loving Aqua. It gets huge kudos for creativity but I prefer sleek & "clean lines". I might have just a touch of OCD.
Good to see this taking shape on Penn -- it's a great street. Though I do kinda miss the red light seediness that existed in the area. Not that I frequented those live nudes places or anything... I just always find those areas of downtowns interesting.
More people in the area will help growth, but the Kaplan Career Institute is a rather odd addition to the neighborhood...
The other new addition in the 900 block is Kaplan Career Institute, which opened its doors to more than 590 students, faculty and staff on Monday after moving from Wood Street.
Kaplan now occupies six of the eight stories in the building, most of which was empty before the school moved in, and expects to use more in the future. Rugby Realty, the property owner, spent an estimated $8 million to $10 million renovating the structure.
Larry Walsh, Rugby senior vice president, said he expects to the school to add to the vibrancy in the area.
"It's really going to energize the street in terms of adding 500 people to dine at the restaurants and to patronize the other amenities already there," he said. "It's just going to take it and make it more dynamic."
... there's no vibrancy like large groups of students on the sidewalk smoking cigarettes. If you've ever gone past the old location at the end of Wood, you know what I'm talking about.
Good to see this taking shape on Penn -- it's a great street. Though I do kinda miss the red light seediness that existed in the area. Not that I frequented those live nudes places or anything... I just always find those areas of downtowns interesting.
More people in the area will help growth, but the Kaplan Career Institute is a rather odd addition to the neighborhood...
The other new addition in the 900 block is Kaplan Career Institute, which opened its doors to more than 590 students, faculty and staff on Monday after moving from Wood Street.
Kaplan now occupies six of the eight stories in the building, most of which was empty before the school moved in, and expects to use more in the future. Rugby Realty, the property owner, spent an estimated $8 million to $10 million renovating the structure.
Larry Walsh, Rugby senior vice president, said he expects to the school to add to the vibrancy in the area.
"It's really going to energize the street in terms of adding 500 people to dine at the restaurants and to patronize the other amenities already there," he said. "It's just going to take it and make it more dynamic."
... there's no vibrancy like large groups of students on the sidewalk smoking cigarettes. If you've ever gone past the old location at the end of Wood, you know what I'm talking about.
Yeah... I think the Kaplan Institute is a negative for that area... and a real missed opportunity. As you said... it's just gonna be clouds of cigarette smoke. I felt it was perfectly situated at that fringe location at the southern terminus of Wood. I'm sure it will be a boon to the Subway restaurant in the 900 block, however.
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If you've ever gone past the old location at the end of Wood, you know what I'm talking about.
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