Conformity
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Posts posted by Conformity
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Conformity - It took a while of searching to find a photo of the building in Seattle that I was trying to describe as a possible model for the AutoWerks site, but I finally ran across one, though not online. It was the building photographed for the cover of ULI's book "Dollar & Cents of Multifamily Housing: 2005". I don't know if you have this book laying around, but unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of the books cover online anywhere.
I don't have it, but I will find it next time I am near a ULI Bookstore event or if I have a chance to order it through the online bookstore. It's not "Site 17" is it? Does that ring a bell? It got a lot of press and is also featured in "Density by Design". Thanks for looking for it. I appreciate it and will track it down.
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I just read this from orulz in the Raleigh forum http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/525204.html
Ghazi has put out a bid on the progress land in Raleigh. If he is hurting for money, why this?
Thanks for sharing this article.
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The Coffee Cup is under review for Historic Designation. A 180 day stay of demolition is in place and Beazer is in regular talks with the proprietors of the CC. Today, it appears unlikely that the cup will survive in its current location. Talks currently center around physically relocating the restaurant building closer to
I-77 on another part of the Beazer owned land that's not so central to their development.
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"Its now official, the building permits for the Fasion apartment project on Hawthorne near Central have been issued"
Could they be condos....or are they definitely apartments?
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$65K is just what they have paid Mecklenburg County for the building permit. That does not include all the other costs such as architecture and engineering design fees, advertising, and the sales office. What they have spent so for in total for this thing is well into the 6 figures if not 7 figures.
Generally 2% of retail would be a good a estimate for the marketting budget. 6.5 to 7.5 for architecture and engineering of all types affecting the design of the building. The developers of this project are positively pregnant to the tune of 3MM and the number could easily be as high as 5 MM by now.
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Who is it that has vibility into permitting? I recall that a particular UPer seems to routinely have insight into permit status. We have access to it in our office, but only the guys in construction know how to use it. I have no idea how to use it. Someone mentioned to me recently that Flaherty lacks permits to do beyond the deck level....
Can anyone shed light on that?
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Creation is one of my most favorite restaurants! I hope whatever rises from the Autowerks site incorporates the raffish and gritty character of that area. As opposed to some sterile Btyneish condo.
"Btyneish"....need help here please.
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Atlrvr gets a fax from his future self every morning.
That way, we can hopefully limit Levine from absorbing it into his massive inertia-zone.
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The small billboard that is on the site will come down. Has about a year left on it. The tanks were removed and a "No Further Action" letter was issued.
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Don't know if you're still listening but I would personally love to see something similar to Los Angeles' Urth Caffe in that area. (The website is here www.urthcaffe.com however it only focuses on their coffee). I had lunch there with some friends. It's a full scale organic cafe with salads, sandwiches, soups, baked goods, oatmeals etc. Charlotte has no organic cafe. Not only are organics quite the trend nationally but with the recent onslaught of organic grocers hitting the QC I think Charlotteans have shown an appetite for organic fare. While I doubt (although you never know) that Urth Caffe would open a location this far from home turf, perhaps a prodding of the guys up at Summit Coffee (www.summitcoffee.com) up in Davidson to open a 2nd location down here in Charlotte could do the trick if they were able to partner up with a creative talent out of JW who knows about organic cooking? I think the guys from Summit with the help of said chef could take the urth caffe concept and run with it. (On a side note, Summit Coffee was voted best coffee shop in the south by Turner South's show Blue Ribbon.) Just an idea.
We'll see what happens. I shot an email to Shallom Berkman one of the cofounders at Urth Caffe. I will also try to get with the Summit Coffee guys to see if they have an interest. Thank you for sharing your ideas. They are very helpful.
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Pecan Point is terrible in siteplan, but the buildings are fairly nice, and very reminiscent of old store fronts in NC. In fact, they are almost identical in design to most of the storefront buildings on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. But by having the parking lot in front, it completely discount's the project's positives. Did the zoning or city mandate, or did he push for that despite the city?
I'm at least glad it is a developer in Elizabeth who is part of the plan. Between Conformity and Krug, hopefully, there will be a lot of attention to what is good for the neighborhood, rather than semi-outsider developers swooping in for a buck.
To Krug's credit, the way he has told me the story.....he wanted those buildings on the street back when he did Pecan Point. He says that he couldn't convince the city to do it. I believe it. The 80's was an eternity ago relative to progressive planning in Charlotte.
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Wow....that's great stuff...thanks. I'd love to see the Seattle building should you come across it. What an amazing city.
I have not gone through the "Would You Pay More for Green" thread, but I need to do that. Thought about going with extremely small (400-500 sf) one bedrooms LEED certified starting at about $119,000. 2 Bedrooms 800-850 SF at 219,000 or so.
Don't think I can make rental work (what are our buyers getting in rent at The Rutzler???....I have no data on that myself....sounds like I'll be surprised) and given that Central 27 is doing about 265 SF.....apparently folks are willing to pay to be in this unique and highly walkable area. Building green is still quite expensive and we would need to get top revenues per SF to make it work, but the Thomas Avenue area seems to scream GREEN to me.
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AutoWerks is no longer empty ... it's gone. They're in there today hauling off the remnants. I suspect there may be some environmental issues at this site that will have to be cleaned up.
Some folks commented a while back on what they would like to see developed there. Any additional thoughts? I will assume from the Lowes South End string comments that Starbucks would not be a first choice.
.....come on....I'm kidding.... -
Woodfield's deal is 5 stories frame. I believe Faison's is 4.
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^I am not sure that I follow you, but it's pretty clear there will be no streetcar through there anytime in the next decade or so. If ever. Maybe they could look instead of using that rail to run the historic trolley to the hospital and back.
Yeh....I looked back over that last one....and I don't follow me either.
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No, the money and the contract for that has been approved. I think the holdup has been from Grubb, they won't begin redoing that part of Elizabeth until he really starts moving on his project. So maybe sometime in 2007 we'll see some movement.
He provided the money for the rail, the city rolled the rest up in corridor improvements funds as opposed to CATS money as a way of getting the rail in the road quickly to help facilitate Grubbs huge development (back when everyone thought it would be a quick rollout) and to avoid tearing up the area later by coming through with track installation after his work was done. Now the shoe is on the other foot. They are hesitating to put the stuff in given all the work that will be done in the future in the Elizabeth Avenue roadbed should Grubb actually move forward with all his plans. At least that's my take on it.
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So I guess we were effectively lied to about CDOT already having the steel on hand from its vendor for the redo of Elizabeth Ave?
I think they do have it on hand. I believe this was privately funded some time ago by a certain developer looking to get Elizabeth Ave. jump started
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I know Grubb had nothing to do with Athens but with Athens and Anderson closing shop this hood's landmarks are dropping like flys. Add in 7th with the potential to loose Jack's and Visart. Who knows how Visulite is doing. It's starting to look scarey. Developers in Elizabeth need to take note and start doing more to prevent potential closures. What's next? The Double Door?
Anderson's is closing?
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i noticed yesterday that place was empty. what a location! obviously, low to midrise with retail/resturant would be successful. room for outdoor cafe style patio(s) would be super. this neighborhood is active with bicyclists and pedestrians - so i think any thing that opens itself to the street would be another great addition.
also, i really like the design that you guys are doing with steelhaus... it's nice to see some modern looks cropping up in town, especially in plaza/midwood. this area has true eclectic character and is open minded to designs that push the envelope. wow... i really look forward to this project. what might you call it?
Thank you as to Steelhaus. Folks either love it or hate it. Mostly love it..."thanks for a breath of fresh air"....that type of thing. No idea what we will call the Autoverks project....maybe "CINCO"...has a nice ring to it...make it 5 stories tall....clever right???.....seriously, beginning my market research and appreciate your comments. Please keep them coming.
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Conformity has purchased the old AutoVerks site at the intersection of Commonwealth and Pecan. I would be interested in hearing UPers thoughts about their vision for that corner. Site is near the Diamond Restaurant and the rest of the Thomas Avenue trappings.
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I owned the site and sold it to a group of Summit and Camden alumni. They inform me that it will be similar to Camden Dilworth, etc. etc. I believe the last time I spoke with them, they told me they would build about 260 units. I believe Faison plans for about 140 units rambling over a concrete podium that covers the bulk of the site and under which same podium, cars will park....entering off Lamar.
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Any update on the old Party Reflections site? last i read here Conformity Corp was no longer doing the project and now its going to be apartments. Anyone know the style of apartments that are slated for this property? higher end?
Thanks
I understand the project to be of a quality similar to Camden Dilworth between Scott and Kenilworth and priced similarly (although I can't tell you what that pricing is).
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I can report that the Steelhaus site behind the Mcdonalds off of Central has been totally cleared. A good sign. I am on that street on a daily basis and the sign sat there for months and months. The rendering is a cool design. Although I wonder if many people are going pay the high prices to live right behind Mcds.
I sometimes wonder as well, but then I look at Central 27 and their prices and, even despite their better location, I am put at ease. We offer a value (the overall balance of design integrity, location and price IMHO). You may also be interested to know that the Steelhaus is in a qualified census tract which goes to that part of our mission which is pointed at doing all we can to eak out some more affordable options for folks who are looking to buy. Because we are in a QCT, homeowners can get below market rate loans and 100% LTV ratios at those rates. It's edgy....agreed, but it works.....particularly given the long term prospects now that Graham has grown his venture to 400 MM.
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I moved the answer on the Party Reflections site to this topic:
http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10211
That is where most of the discussion of that area has taken place.
Feel free to browse that topic, to, as I'm sure there a number of other questions on that area have come up in the past.
Thanks again for joining us, Conformity.
Thanks for doing that.
.....come on....I'm kidding....
Metropolitan, Midtown Redevelopment
in Charlotte
Posted
Perfect....
Living in Elizabeth, if I buy my liquor there, I could pass out and land on my front porch.
With the Collettes involved, I think we'll see at least one major local restaurant concept.