49er

Thats such a great building to replace the Kellys house. It adds additional urban fabric to a district that is really too small right now imo. There needs to be several new pedestrian oriented structures added in all directions from Davidson and 36th. I am of the opinion that neighborhoods evolve for the better or worse. This area became stagnant and the new energy being pumped in can only be for the better. i do hate that Fat City went away. The owner sold out to development, but its good to hear that he is bringing Fat back from the dead.

Most of the office towers in downtown Charlotte were evacuated, if not all of them. My building was.

Estimates have shown that the airport line wouldnt be used as much as others b/c Douglas is a big transfer hub - most people never leave the airport when flying through Charlotte. I think rapid bus is a good option - especially if rail isnt viable.

I dont see how you can say 3 malls failed. The same mall was renovated and reinvented, but 3 separate developments havent occupied the site. This is a development that will thrive if designed properly. Its a prime location now and the land is severely underutilized, seeing as it is bordered by Dilworth/Myers Park and downtown, Elizabeth,etc. On a side note, it seems funny how major retailers snub most downtowns in the country. if this project were just inside the loop, i doubt Target or Home Depot would even look at it.

Good shot, the new courthouse is really visible, even at just 8 floors. People talk about how downtown wont attract any good retail anytime soon, but look how close this is! The City and the developers need to work on improved pedestrian connections though. Maybe some sort of tunnel under the interstate...this of course, in addition to better sidewalks down Stonewall

The site for this is on the lower right. Look between the two circular onramps at the bottom right, and its the parking lot/building to the east of the freeway. Its practically downtown, so close!

Cotswold is the anomaly, really. With all the development that has occurred, that center has somehow remained popular, similar to Cameron Village here in Raleigh. Yeah Im just old enough to remember the old southpark, with the Woolworths store and coffee shop where the hechts wing is now. Its funny that today, you grow up and feel nostalgic about a shopping mall, not a downtown. It was actually sad to see sears torn down, i even went to driving school in that building.

well, these are different times with different developments. Theres more urban momentum in Charlotte and this proposal is a complete makeover - not just a bandaid as the other projects were. Ive lived in Myers Park and most recently in Oakhurst (the original one off Monroe) and it sucks to be an inner city resident and have to drive to Pineville and Matthews to shop.

I think its sorta unique for them to be considering stacked big box stores. Its something unique that you find in limited use around Atlanta and I think Ive seen some in south fl. If it werent for that damned beltloop this would practically be downtown retail. You can spit on downtown from this site.

So Neimans is pretty close to being confirmed? Southpark is definitely a unique suburban district. The mature trees take the edge off of what could be a sterile setting. Southpark could have a buckhead style future ahead of it. The Galyans and plaza area are an attempt to compete with newer malls that have the fake mainstreet outdoor areas...ala Southpoint

Yes I totally wouldnt be surprised if J&W takes interest. They have a history of renovating old buildings. Theyve done wonders in downtown Providence. That building is two blocks from their campus and across the street from the apartments. Our company was looking into it for a tenant once. It seems that it was an auto showroom way back in the day. They actually stored the cars in the upper floors, much be a pretty sturdy building! It was renovated in the 80's, thats where the exterior stairwells came from.

The only work being done to the Polk building is to assure that more damage isnt done. Its not being renovated. The state property office is going to put it up for sale soon. It has been deemed surplus property by the state of NC. Hopefully it will fall into the right hands.

I really like the design. The roof has a hint of the 715 north church condos. pretty cool, though. Tallest residential building within the loop, for now, hehehe. This thing is going to have awesome, in your face views of the arena and the skyscraper cluster.

I hope Andersons and the Visulite dont meet the wrecking ball. Burger King can go its own way.

I reported about 2 weeks ago that a supposedly 16-story condo tower was to be announced around April 15th. A realtor told me that height. i had originally heard 12-stories. Guess we'll have to wait for the article in the paper!

Well I finally made my way back to this forum. Thanks for the updates. Where is the Sterling under construction? I noticed yesterday that the parking lot across from the pink bldg in the first pic now has the steel frame of a 3-4 story domed building for CPCC. i think its there bookstore. This district is so awesome b/c there arent any suburban style buildings under construction. Will the double door be torn down, I hope not?? Greatest blues club around, for over 25 years now i think

Id have to disagree a little on it being a suburban wasteland. Southpark is an urban paradise compared to the likes of Carolina Place/Pineville, University City, Matthews. etc. Density is arriving there although youre right about the people, many are anti urban to the core.

yeah there's a brooks brothers in Southpark. An Oakley store just opened too. Call me redneck, but I'd never seen one of those before. Know what sucks though? The stronger Southpark gets, the more difficult it is for retail to take hold in downtown. Dept stores in downtown? Not a chance for a decade or two in my opinion. Southpark is just too freakin close. Plus the new mall north of downtown makes it even worse.

Ive never been in one. Isnt it just an upscale Dicks Sporting Goods? It would be cool if the Barnes & Noble across the street built a signature store on mall property.