[Duke Energy Plaza Headquarters | 40 Story formerly Charlotte Metro Tower]

I guess we will find out Monday whether it is actually going to be 39 or 40 floors. One Wells Fargo is 588' at 42 floors, so I suppose DEC 2 will appear close in height or slightly taller.  Looking forward to better renderings, but I really like what has been leaked so far.

[Belk Place: Carolina Theater and Hotel Intercontinental]

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/development/article227172409.html

Near the end of this article the writer states that the Intercontinental Hotel is expected to open later this year.  Is that even possible given the current state of the construction site?

[Duke Energy Plaza Headquarters | 40 Story formerly Charlotte Metro Tower]

The press release indicated 39 floors, but I'm hoping for 40+.  This is probably a very novice question: why do floor heights on office buildings seem to be so much higher these days than in the past? For example, BOA Plaza is 40 floors but only 503' high.  Is this simply due to a desire for bigger windows,  or are there other reasons?  It seems like shorter floor height would be more structurally cost effective (i.e. more floors and square footage within the same overall size structure).  What is the average floor height for a modernist box tower in today's construction versus 20th century?  Thanks for any clarification.

[3rd Ward Midrise Projects]

I've read some comments about the unfinished concrete ceilings and columns in Avenue - is this typical of all Novare's buildings? Are they likely to do this in Catalyst as well?

[SouthPark Mall]

Neiman Marcus is already advertising positions on the Simon website. I doubt they would be actively recruiting if they did not plan to open within six months.

[Metropolitan, Midtown Redevelopment]

I was just looking at the revised site plan on CharMeck.org - anyone know what is the large structure next to King's Drive labelled "Junior Box?"

[SouthPark Mall]

Has anybody heard anything new about the Dillard's at Southpark? I remember reading in the Observer last year that they were thinking about a parking deck and 40,000 square foot expansion as part of a total remodel and that the specifics were being worked out with the mall owners. There was also something about making it more attractive from Morrison boulevard by putting in windows.

The deck appears to be under construction, but I went through the store the other day and nothing was happening. They need to do something - it really looks awful compared to the other department stores at that mall.