55 West

[cwetteland]

Giant neon fish? Seems kind of gaudy for (downtown) Orlando.

IMO it would be a bit gaudy for a "Central Business District" per se, but not when you think of an urban living environment. With Solaire, 55W, Presidential, and all the residents moving in, the area becomes a real people place, and if they include a fish market along with the sea food restaraunt, I think the fish could really great be part of an urban atmosphere.

Edited December 23, 2005 by cwetteland

[WeNeed2Progress]

Giant neon fish? Seems kind of gaudy for (downtown) Orlando.

I think "nice" and "tasteful" neon signs give an urban environment a certain nostalgic charm.

[demon]

Just an update on the work going on here. I walked down Church St on 12/23 and there has been some work going on. You can actually see through parts of what was Church St Market and into the garage behind it. Doesn't look like some kids threw bricks anymore.

[RedStar25]

Drove Past there today. You can now see into parts of the Parking Garage I belive.

[JRS1]

there was an Olive Garden in the skybridge? Did it go out of business, or did Darden just shut its doors b/c of the impending construction?

[chgochris]

The Olive Garden closed in 2001

[JRS1]

I'm kinda bumbed out that I never ate there. It was prob. alot like Chilis Too at OIA.

[JRS1]

Ok, the demolition is for real and its going on at a pretty fast clip. Lots of progress now. Demo up to the tracks in front of the garage & up to the escalators. Just starting to demo Howl at the Moon. sorry, no pix.

[pomegranate]

Taken this morning -- the lighting wasn't so good but you get the general idea:

[Tim3167]

I took this on the morning of the 5th.

[RedStar25]

Sweet.... Tear that puppy Down!

[UPSDAN]

Went to take pics of this today and Church Street is closed. They have a massive crane down on the 55 West site going in which is blocking the entire street...

[pomegranate]

Wow!

[go_vertical]

What are the chances that we'll see construction start immediately after demo is completed? Don't they already have materials ready or did I read that about another project? I just hope there isn't a pause between the two phases.

[JRS1]

they're tearing this puppy down really quick. half of the western part of the garage is already down. Howl at the moon still stands.

[orlandonative]

What are the chances that we'll see construction start immediately after demo is completed? Don't they already have materials ready or did I read that about another project? I just hope there isn't a pause between the two phases.

Im sure they have the foundation package awarded already. I wouldn't excpect any delay in the construction.

[RedStar25]

Thank God... Ive been dyin to see this building go up.

[prahaboheme]

Thank God... Ive been dyin to see this building go up.

Yes, for years, literally.

[JFW657]

I still think that building would have been better suited to the old Lynx Bus depot site across Pine St. with Church St. Market just getting some minor renovations. But that's just my humble opinion.

[orlandonative]

I still think that building would have been better suited to the old Lynx Bus depot site across Pine St. with Church St. Market just getting some minor renovations. But that's just my humble opinion.

I'm assuming by building you mean 55west? I never thought about it over there but your right it would have been a solid fit with the O-rena so close to that location. However, with the current location I think we will all be grateful with the almost immeadiate cluster being created by Suntrust, Plaza, and 55west. Its pretty much overnight density.

Edited January 10, 2006 by orlandonative

[jack]

[RedStar25]

Now how did you get ontop of the Copper wopper?

Nice pic by the way.

Edited January 11, 2006 by RedStar25

[jack]

I know people.

J/K I know a lawyer in the building that was able to get me in.

[uncreativeusername]

Those pictures are rockin'...though, how did they make it into the 55 West thread? I guess maybe so that we can start fantasizing about how crazy that view will be once the Plaza and 55W are done.

You know, I was trying to figure out where that view was from. Copper Whopper will have some stellar views from every angle once all our projecteds are done...the cluster in your pictures, the Dynetech/Vue cluster from the next angle, then PBLT/BoA/Courthouse...man oh man.

and speaking of fantasizing, I was day-dreaming today about being downtown in 5 or 6 years with someone new to Orlando and saying, "You know, when I moved here, CLNI, CLNII, City Hall, The Plaza, 55W, Tradition Towers, Dynetech, The Vue, the Courthouse, PBLT, Ivanhoe, Sanctuary, Thorton Park Central, Paramount, Waverly...none of that was here." Not to even mention all the infill...

Edited January 11, 2006 by uncreativeusername

[pomegranate]

Went to take pics of this today and Church Street is closed. They have a massive crane down on the 55 West site going in which is blocking the entire street...

Is Church Street still blocked off? Does anyone have an update or pix?