bluff2085

I burrowed this from another forum (definition of a skyscraper), but apparently the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat uses these terms: a low rise is under 15 stories, a midrise is 16-30 stories, a high rise is 31 -50 stories, a skyscraper is over 50 stories, and a jumbo skyscraper (supertall?) is 70+ stories. I don't really like those definitions, but I guess they are useful on a global scale. It would mean that New Orleans only has 2 skyscrapers and Baton Rouge has none. And I definitely wouldn't categorize a 15-story building as a low-rise. I'd say anything over 15 stories is a high rise and anything over 30 stories is a skyscraper. I think I agree with the jumbo 'scraper qualifications.

We are fortunate to have several major arteries running through the heart of the city. Because of I-10, I-12, and I-110 (North/South), the general areas of Baton Rouge (North, Central, and East/Southeast) are quickly accessible. This is partly due to fact that Baton Rouge's land area is relatively small at 77 sq. miles. We are a dense city by southern standards--more dense population wise than Birmingham, Memphis, and Nashville, to name just a few. However, it's pretty clear that Katrina has forced our city to evaluate the current transportation infrastructure. The conveniency of these interstates has previously overshadowed the fact that: 1) they encourage metropolitan sprawl (which is certainly not unique to Baton Rouge) and 2) primary roads in Baton Rouge are often ill-equipped to handle the rapidly growing population of vehicles. That is, there is not enough infrastructure in place to alleviate the severe congestion that we are seeing on roads like Perkins, College, Essen, and Airline. I just hope that in the process of becoming a *legit* mid-sized city (thanks richyb), we seek out solutions to the current infrastructure shortcomings that do not call for the systematic widening of roads. In many cases this is inevitable, but what other options are viable? Baton Rouge can tackle this situation from several angles. Certainly the bus system will come into play. Could we also move towards rail-orientented transit--a move which might put us ahead of other mid-size cities in the coming decades? Economically, we have too much going for us to not consider bold moves such as this. Either way I'm looking forward to seeing what city leaders do to address this dilemma.

It's pretty nice inside. I went there to see Pink Floyd's THE WALL laser light show...pretty trippy stuff. I think they have things like that for other bands as well (ex led zepp) that they show every Saturday for a month. I'm not sure what other kinds of shows are playing there...though it'd be nice to find out since that whole facility along the river is pretty impressive.

I think I would give the edge to Cincy too because of its historic crop, esp the Carew and PNC towers (Portland can't compete with cincy's two 400ft + pre-depression 'scrapers). And I agree, density does it for me. With that said, I can't say too much for either city since I haven't been to both, though Portland's skyline is still decidedly dense:

Here's another match-up: Cincinnati,OH vs. Portland, OR. Both are cities with fairly dense urban cores, both have metros around 2 million and modern skylines to match. Thing is both only have a handful of towers that exceed 30 stories, and both lack a tower taller than 600 feet. More random similarities: Portland's tallest : 42 stories at 546 ft. Portland's 20th tallest : 22 stories and 245 ft. Cincinnati's tallest : 49 stories at 574 ft. Cincinnati's 20th tallest : 19 stories at 255 ft. Portland, OR: Cincinnati, OH:

I can't wait to see more cranes downtown. Will the new buildings translate to more people coming downtown? I hope so! I think they will, too, as it is safe to say BR's downtown is picking up the pace.

Even though the CCC claims Mirabella will be a "renovation" on s front, the Mirabella people confirmed the building will be new "from the ground up!"

I think Founder's Pointe will be closer to the river, with the Horizon towers going right behind it.

Condos start at $600,000 and go up to $1.5 million. About the building: I guess the "renovation" includes the addition of multiple floors to an old building, but I'm assuming this since all the buildings on S Front are in the 1-3 story range. Is there a hidden 8-story building on s front that I don't know about?

Mirabella website The sales offices for the Mirabella are set to open this month.

trolley with memphis pyramid in background

No problem, NCB. That quote you found on Wikipedia probably came directly from the Mud Island website, which should give you just about all you need to know about the River Walk. Heres the website: Mud Island River Park , and here are a couple of pics: Note: that bridge in the background is not a Mississippi River bridge, but the 0.5 mile monorail that goes over the marina to connect downtown to Mud Island, and directly above the monorail is a pedestrian bridge for those who are willing to walk half a mile to Mud Island.

NCB, its kinda funny to talk about cities like this as if they are related, but nonetheless I agree with you! Coming from Memphis and having been to STL and NOLA a bunch, I would argue that both St. Louis and New Orleans have that undeniable "big brother" aspect to them, that in some ways would make a Memphian feel at home. I guess it's sorta like how people refer to Nashville as a "little Atlanta"--though NO, StL, and Memphis are closer in spirit than those two. All three are older cities with major historical connections to one another in music and the Mississippi River. New Orleans will always be my favorite though.

I agree, this one is really tough. I've been to both cities many times. New Orleans has a slight,slight edge over St. Louis' DT skyline, but then again STL has the Arch, an American icon. It is hard to pick one over the other, but I would have to give the edge to New Orleans even though St. Louis has one of nation's larger suburban skylines. You just can't beat the feel of downtown New Orleans.

Project: The 415 Address: 415 S Huling New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 20 one- and two-bedroom luxury condominiums ranging from 1,000 to 1,550sf with a price range of $160,000 to $250,000. Project will also include 2,000sf of commercial space. Cost/Status: $4,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Microtel Inn and Suites Address: 362 S Second St New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of a 4-story, 86-room Microtel Inn & Suites Cost/Status: $3,930,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: 420 S Front St Address: 420 S Front St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of existing 5-story building into 36 condominiums ranging in size from 924sf - 1951sf; will include approximately 5927sf of ground floor and basement commercial space Cost/Status: $3,900,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: 89 South Front Address: 89 South Front New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of existing 20,240-sf building into 4 apartments Cost/Status: $3,500,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Gardens of South Main Address: 400 S Main St New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of seven luxury condominiums ranging in size from 2500sf - 6500sf, with prices starting from $500,000 Cost/Status: $3,500,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Machine Shop Condos Address: 465 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of a 3-story, 42,000sf building into 14 condos ranging in size from 1,300 to 1,800sf Cost/Status: $3,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Cornerstone Flats Address: 113 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of historic building on New Main with 15 loft apartments on floors 2-4; 5,000sf of commercial space on the ground floor; and 10 parking spaces in the basement Cost/Status: $2,500,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering: Project: Residences at South Main Address: Mulberry & Talbot New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation and conversion of existing gated residential development into condominiums priced from the $140s; includes 3 freestanding cottages and gated parking Cost/Status: $2,250,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering: Project: Memphis Studios Address: 508 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of a three-story building into a recording studio and lounge Cost/Status: $2,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: South Main single family homes Address: South Main between Georgia & Carolina New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 20 single-family homes within a gated community; homes will range from 2,600sf - 3,000sf Cost/Status: $1,600,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: 92-96 S Main St Address: 92-96 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of a three-story historic building into 18 condominiums; will include 2167sf ground floor retail space Cost/Status: $1,500,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: GE 5 Address: 125 GE Patterson New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of five 2600sf luxury townhomes priced at approximately $350,000 to $400,000 Cost/Status: $1,300,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Blue Monkey Address: 529 S Front St New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of a new, two-story building for the downtown location of The Blue Monkey restaurant; will include a rooftop entertainment area Cost/Status: $1,150,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: Talbot Square Apartments Address: 99 Vance/Talbot Ave New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of two buildings. The Vance building contains four two-bedroom condos with 4,800sf and the Talbot building consists of 16 one-bedroom units with 12,500sf. Cost/Status: $1,116,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Condos at 310 South Main Address: 310 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of an existing building into six condominiums that range in size from 1,200 - 1,600 sf with prices starting at $250,000; will include basement-level parking Cost/Status: $1,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: Mexican Mango Address: 59 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation a three-story, 14,000sf building into an upscale Mexican restaurant; will include a rooftop dining area and patio Cost/Status: $927,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: Vance Station Address: Corners of Vance/Main and Vance/Mulberry New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 6 townhomes - 2 on Main Street and 4 on Mulberry Cost/Status: $900,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering: Project: 493 S Main Address: 493 S Main New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of existing building into two 3000sf luxury condos Cost/Status: $700,000 (u/c) Photo/Description: Project: 83 S Main St Address: 83 S Main St New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of a four-story building for retail and residential use consisting of three condominiumns and 2500sf of retail space Cost/Status: $550,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Featherstone Real Estate Centre Address: 95 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of a ground floor office condo unit for use as a real estate office Cost/Status: $389,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: 496 S Main St Address: 496 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of a two-story building for mixed use: three residential units ranging from 760 to 1,100sf and 1,000sf ground floor retail space Cost/Status: $291,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering:

This thread gives the latest info on all of the developments (along with available photos/renderings) going on in booming South End area, including the popular South Main Arts District. A few of the major projects in this area, along with an updated list of projects going on in the rest of DT, can be viewed by going to Downtown Projects List. The following thread will be specifically dedicated to listing the projects going on in the southern portion of downtown. So here it goes: Project: Horizon Towers Address: 717 Riverside Drive New Building/Renovation: New Description: Two 16-story condo towers, 5-story parking garage, 4-story townhomes building (350 units total) Cost/Status: $90,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: State Place Address: Tennessee and Florida Streets between Georgia and Carolina New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 96 condominiums ranging from 800sf - 1200sf and 108 townhomes ranging from 1150sf - 1850sf Cost/Status: $49,000,000 (nearing completion) Photo/Rendering: Project: Mirabella Address: 301 S Front St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of an existing building into 60 condominium units that range in size from 1,800 sf - 3,000 sf with prices starting at $600,000 Cost/Status: $40,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Lofts at South Bluffs Address: 505 Tennessee St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Conversion of 124 existing apartments into 115 condominiums; includes other renovations such as enhancements to the fitness center and interior improvements Cost/Status: $23,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: Riverside 648 Address: 648 Riverside Dr New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovated building will house 66 condos ranging in size from 1,200 to 2,300sf; prices will range from $166,500 to $430,000 Cost/Status: $16,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: The 444 Address: SE corner of Nettleton and Tennessee streets New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 9-story building for mixed residential/commercial use; will include 42 condo units, 74 parking spaces, and 1000sf ground floor commercial space Cost/Status: $12,200,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: Founders Pointe Address: Along the Mississippi River New Building/Renovation: New Description: Planned residential development with 52 single-family homes overlooking the Mississippi River Cost/Status: $12,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Butler Square/River Bluff Houses Address: Tennessee St, north of the Tennessee Brewery New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 16 new single-family homes on Tennessee Street Cost/Status: $12,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: Carolina Lofts at South End Address: Carolina and Kansas Streets New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 12 townhomes ranging from 1500 to 1570sf and 60 condominiums ranging from 630 to 1617sf, priced from $100,000 to $225,000 Cost/Status: $12,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Nettleton Address: 435 S Front St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Development of 34 condos ranging in size from 1,350sf - 2,633sf and priced from $250,000 to $650,000 Cost/Status: $12,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: City House Address: 6 GE Patterson W New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of a 36-unit Manhattan loft-style condominiums. Project will total 90,000sf, including 5,000sf of ground floor commercial space Cost/Status: $12,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: River Tower at South Bluffs Address: 655 Riverside Dr New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation to convert The Rivermark Apartments into 153 condos ranging in size from 865sf to 2464sf; will include demolition of the north tower Cost/Status: $12,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Former Marine Hospital Address: 360 Metal Museum Dr New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Convert cluster of buildings into 30 condos and 12 apartments Cost/Status: $10,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: City Commons Address: corner of Tennessee and Georgia streets New Building/Renovation: New Description: Development of seven units that will each house six separate one-, two-, or three-level condominiums and/or townhomes, ranging in price from $119,000 to $339,000; will also have garage parking and outdoor living spaces. Cost/Status: $9,672,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Front Bluff Address: SE intersection of Vance and Front New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of an existing building into 10 townhomes and 24 condominums; will include basement-level parking Cost/Status: $8,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Ivy at South End Address: 629 S Front New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 17 single-family homes Cost/Status: $6,800,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: Forefront Condos Address: 324 S Front New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of an existing building and new construction for a total of 26 residential units - 12 2-story condominiums and 14 townhomes, ranging in size from 1,150sf to 2,750sf Cost/Status: $6,500,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: The Lawrence Building Address: 60-62 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of historic 66,000sf, five-story building will include 31 (900 - 1200sf) apartments, eight live/work spaces, a new roof deck and basement parking Cost/Status: $6,250,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: N/A Project: 456 Tennessee St Address: 456 Tennessee St New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of seven-story steel and glass building for mixed residential/commercial use; will include 26 condominiums and approximately 6000sf of office and commercial space Cost/Status: $6,000,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: The Rooftops at South End Address: Georgia Street New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 12 townhomes - three buildings with four units each Cost/Status: $5,000,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: 2 West Address: 2 W GE Patterson New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of an existing building into 9 live/work spaces and 11 townhomes Cost/Status: $4,600,000 (planning) Photo/Rendering: Project: RiverCrest Address: Front & Pontotoc New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of 11 condominums; will include 22 parking spaces Cost/Status: $4,400,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: Streets Ministries Address: 430 Vance Avenue New Building/Renovation: New Description: Construction of a new 35,000 sf facility for this non-profit, youth outreach organization. Project will include a plaza and a landscaped parking lot. Cost/Status: $4,200,000 (u/c) Photo/Rendering: Project: 85-95 S Main St Address: 85-95 S Main St New Building/Renovation: Renovation Description: Renovation of historic building and new construction, approximately 24,000sf with 7,200sf first floor commercial, 4,200sf basement, and 15,000sf of residential on upper floors for 15 live/work spaces and 2 penthouses Cost/Status: $4,000,000 (complete) Photo/Rendering: ...to be continued in another post...

In 25 years I think Baton Rouge's skyline will be comparable to Columbia's or Orlando's today.

Memphis now: and Portland:

In 25 years I can see Memphis' skyline resembling Portland's today, in both height and density. Maybe half a dozen towers in 400-600 ft range (nothing taller), with the vast majority of the towers in the 150-350 ft. range.

This has nothing to do with skylines or louisiana either, but it looks like some moderators need to brush up on the alphabet, or am I missing something? http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showforum=10

^ Seattle has one of my favorite US skylines, and maybe even my overall favorite.

Richard here. I post more in the Memphis forum since I grew up there, but I moved to Baton Rouge in '04. I love New Orleans! New Orleans rappers represent pretty well. I like lil wayne the best though.

That is sweet! I never new about this! This building used to be an office tower right? How long has it been vacant?

That's awesome. North Blvd is a good place to start. When downtown gets a little bigger it would be cool to see a Government line connecting downtown to mid city.

I agree. This latest rendering is amazing and almost sexy. With the older renderings the project seemed smaller and a little awkward, but now I am convinced this project is one of the most important developments in downtown. I wonder how this will tie in with One Beale across the street, should be interesting.