nakers2

I was curious about that too, it seems like they had kept a lot of the fixtures from the old store. but it looks like they got new barber chairs, as well as equipment for each one of the chairs, they might also be including stuff like the initial stock of various merchandise, etc. But regardless, barbering equipment, especially good quality stuff, can cost a fortune.

Late to the party on this one, but I think it's a PR blunder on the part of Simon Malls IMO. Especially considering all that's happened in the past year or so. A successful black owned business is a good thing for Southpark IMO. Southpark has always been perceived as lily white, and this was a good opportunity to shed that image. And it's not like this is some urban wear store that doesn't fit the high end image of the shopping center, it's a concept from a well regarded barbershop that plays into the theme of the original "Art of Shaving" store that took that place for so long. What shocked me, if anything, was how inexpensive the spot was. 4k a month for the first spot most people see coming in from the underground parking (sans the Tinderbox.) Yes, they could've, and should've forseen the possibility that the lease could've been terminated, I'll give you that, but all things considered, the mall should be happy to have the added diversity (business wise) into their retail offerings. Does anyone have any speculation as to what could've commanded such a rash and eager response to terminate the lease on such short notice? I can't think of a store that would command that response outside of a "luxury wing" contender.

Definitely love seeing it peeking into view from a distance now. IE plaza Midwood/Elizabeth specifically.

I love the density here. One of the biggest things I nerd out on is development that requires some creativity. Anyone can build a development on a multi-acre suburban plot, but to take a surface lot like this, with a pencil thin museum (that I'm aware is a "cap" for the DEC loading dock ramp) on one side, and a historic church and house on the other, and wedge this tower in there is amazing to me, So much use being gained from what was once room for a few hundred cars at best.

How easy would it be to fare jump on this line? I'm not encouraging it, but at the same time, if they're gonna be hard asses about it (like the driver won't move until everyone has paid) I could see there being delays. I know it's not uncommon in many European cities for people to jump on the tram and jump off at the next stop. Once again, not encouraging it, but I think the net benefit of someone getting on at Gateway and getting off at the square would outweigh lost revenue for a short ride.

Any ideas on what the unexpected issues might have been? And could it affect the Discovery Place expansion and the new library project?

I just signed a lease at Camden Cotton Mills, and my apartment will be facing the tracks, so if this project takes off, hopefully I can contribute my limited photography skills.

I've noticed recently that the apartment leasing company MAA (Mid-America Apartment Communities) has been buying/putting up their signage on many apartment buildings/complexes in the Charlotte area. I haven't been able to find many details about this, but just a few examples I can think of are 1225 South Church, now MAA 1225, the apartments across from the Harris Teeter in Southend (can't recall the prior name off the top of my head) and Phillips Place in Southpark. I've also noticed their distinct signage on complexes/buildings that I know have been around for years. Due to the general consistency in their branding, it's noticeable when they slap their very distinct and corporate logo on anything, new or recently acquired. I was hoping to start a discussion, or at least catalog how many Charlotte area properties they own. Whether they build new, or simply prefer to acquire/rehab properties, and poll the UP crowd on their general perception of this company and ones like it who appear to be creating a small monopoly on the rental market in the Charlotte area and how this might affect things moving forward.

Late to the conversation, but I worked at the Metropolitan Target for 3 years in college, I had cart duty from time to time (very dangerous in that deck) and often had to go to the lower levels to retrieve carts. I can't count how many people had to ask me "how to get to Target" from there. Including my own mother. When the Metropolitan was built, whoever was tasked with the design clearly was worried that if they made it too urban (IE; no visible parking) they might drive away customers. As a result you have a ground level space that is virtually invisible (not to mention the former Staples/Marshalls space across the street) and a deck that wasn't even full on black friday, even pre-covid when the entire Target building was occupied.

I think saying it looks "exactly" like the original is being a bit too gracious, but at a certain point you cannot replicate the effects of aging. With that being said, IMO it looks like a 1930's-1940's addition to the structure, rather than a 2020-21 addition, which is something. I'd have almost have vouched for a modernist addition if it were smaller, but on this scale I think sticking to the original architectural style was appropriate, my only complaint being the columns should have been made cylindrical.

I've noticed this too, I think because Burberry and Louis Vuitton's frontage flares outward, it obscures all but Niemen Marcus, so unless someone wants to go to NM, they're not even gonna see, let alone shop in these stores. I've only entered from the NM wing once.

Seems like it was already noted once, but they definitely value engineered the crap out of the Marriott at UNCC. It’s not even gray brick, which I could’ve lived with. I’m actually pissed. Was this purely a cost saving measure? Or is it possible that Marriott (erroneously) assumed that people might mistake it for an academic building?

Not sure why this was suggested to me, but how much would y’all pay me to slap some of the “Pour Now, Chip Later” stickers on the contractor’s trucks?

Not a groundbreaking angle, but maybe something new, from Mint Museum 4th floor.

They day after Kennedy was killed, assuming that date is correct.

I know, I was shocked, looks like where my building is was industrial back then, funny to see the tracks were exactly the same back then. My brother’s building appears to be in a spot formerly occupied by at least 50 homes, sad to see even though arguably his place is a more efficient land use. I also tried to look up my friend’s home, built during ww2, briefly forgetting this was the 30’s, strange to see nothing there. The airport was perhaps most shocking to me.

I did see them testing a while back and it was rainbow colored. They had it lit up for *maybe* 15 mins and I was driving with my mother so snapping a picture was frowned upon.

I really do hope that this is not going to be the default color. Lol

Guess I’m first to break this news?

When you say "double T" you're referring to the floor structure similar to that found in parking garages? My understanding is that the DEC is built in the same way, much like the old World Trade Center (except that was steel) it saves space my eliminating columns. Of course we all know this design was largely a factor in the tragic collapse on 9/11, which makes me wonder how these buildings might fair if, God forbid, a bomb or aircraft collision, intentional or not were to occur.

A bit of a dive into my thoughts as I went about my business today: I went to the Central Ave Harris Teeter today. I’d compare their parking lot to being a similar size to a “suburban European” town. Despite this they were just as busy, if not busier than any normal Teeter on a Sunday afternoon. The lot was nearly at capacity, and many people were utilizing street parking and the pedestrian entrance as well. Certainly preaching to the choir on this forum, but it exemplifies the simple fact that lack of, or limited parking does not necessarily deter business, even in car centric cities. If the above example isn’t enough, let us look at the Myers Park Harris Teeter which, despite being in an objectively less walkable, and more affluent (as in a car is just expected) area, has a similar in size, if not smaller lot then the Central location. In fact the only place smaller might be the Uptown one. People still patronize it. Last but not least, as I work in Concord (but it’s not exclusive to this area), I’ve noticed a trend in suburban development which I like. It involves building shopping developments as a series of smaller buildings with parking surrounding them, rather than one large structure (think a Walmart) and a massive parking lot in front. As someone who’s getting their CDL I’m sure I’ll appreciate large parking lots, especially near highways, however as a development nerd I see the benefits of this as you typically will have the parking you need, and you avoid the jam of people trying to get to the front, instead allowing people to funnel to where they need, spreading things out. This is also more cost effective than decks, and once again, spreads out potential choke points (think the Metropolitan deck.) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk A bit of a dive into my thoughts as I went about my business today: I went to the Central Ave Harris Teeter today. I’d compare their parking lot to being a similar size to a “suburban European” town. Despite this they were just as busy, if not busier than any normal Teeter on a Sunday afternoon. The lot was nearly at capacity, and many people were utilizing street parking and the pedestrian entrance as well. Certainly preaching to the choir on this forum, but it exemplifies the simple fact that lack of, or limited parking does not necessarily deter business, even in car centric cities. If the above example isn’t enough, let us look at the Myers Park Harris Teeter which, despite being in an objectively less walkable, and more affluent (as in a car is just expected) area, has a similar in size, if not smaller lot then the Central location. In fact the only place smaller might be the Uptown one. People still patronize it. Last but not least, as I work in Concord (but it’s not exclusive to this area), I’ve noticed a trend in suburban development which I like. It involves building shopping developments as a series of smaller buildings with parking surrounding them, rather than one large structure (think a Walmart) and a massive parking lot in front. As someone who’s getting their CDL I’m sure I’ll appreciate large parking lots, especially near highways, however as a development nerd I see the benefits of this as you typically will have the parking you need, and you avoid the jam of people trying to get to the front, instead allowing people to funnel to where they need, spreading things out. This is also more cost effective than decks, and once again, spreads out potential choke points (think the Metropolitan deck.) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm curious what the UPers think about the stores closing at SouthPark Mall. My mom and dad were in town and commented how COVID was gonna kill the mall, but I'd argue the opposite. While I hate to see stores closing, I think this could be a golden opportunity. I don't doubt there's countless companies with their eyes on the mall who haven't been able to get a spot. Look at Gucci for example, to think they "just now" decided they wanted a SouthPark location is silly, I think Charlottians sometimes sell the mall short in terms of it's national relevance, or even international relevance in regards to it's appeal for brick and mortar stores. In addition, considering the state of many malls across the country, the sight of an economically viable and profitable mall must be a shining beacon in a tough retail market.

Man, this red herring fish fry is sure getting underway.

The fact that the news is there to record a bridge opening for pedestrian traffic only speaks volumes to how mismanaged this project has been. when they built independence decades ago, did nobody forsee that one bridge being removed could create such disconnect? There was a grid pattern here, and they destroyed it. I love living in Plaza, but my God, the fact that I have never walked on the Elizabeth side of the bridge before is saying something, not to be melodramatic, but I genuinely feel like I’ve been liberated.