Center Place

[cwetteland]

Actually, EA just opened their new corporate office in Maitland on Maitland Blvd by Charles Schwabb. From what I understand they signed a 5 or 7 year contract for the space. If you drive by you'll see their initials in blue posted on the building.

Not THAT EA (Tiberon) we're talking about the Parent in LA.

[UPSDAN]

Do you know something UPSDAN???

My guess (and this is TOTALLY a guess) is Electronic Arts? I keep hearing about them building downtown, but nothing has come up yet -- this would be a nice place for them....

NO

[Jaybee]

Nothing is complete without a line down the middle

[Jaybee]

[sunshine]

Please build that! I love it.

[WeNeed2Progress]

Nothing is complete without a line down the middle

Eh... it's "okay". Great in terms of bringing more business and public space, but architecturally rather boring. Thanks for sharing though!!!

[Tim3167]

Architecturally boring??

You could say it's ugly. but boring...I don't think so.

I like it, and that's saying alot because I tend not to like glass boxes.

[UPSDAN]

Probably would be the biggest project yet for Downtown...I kinda like the concept..Let's not get too picky about the design. 4 years ago this sort of project downtown would not have been on the radar...Sign me up for one of the condos...

[bic]

I'm getting a headache just looking at it.

It reminds a little of Paris' La Defense in the organization of the buildings and style. As much as I love La Defense, I don't know if it's the the best idea for our newest project to resemble another that was conceived in the late 1950's and early 60's.

EDIT: I should add that I'm still taking this with a grain of salt. Arquitectonica does some amazing work, so I'll hold off serious judgement until more serious renderings appear. This still looks extremely conceptual to me.

[facilities man]

Interesting... I can't wait to see a little more detailed renderings. I wonder if the facades are more glass or concrete? If it's glass I think I like it. If it's concrete I think it will look like a huge complex resembling the downtown library, and that's one of my least favorite buildings in downtown.

[Dale]

Like it or love, I can just about guarantee you all that this puts Orlando on the architectural map.

[tm68]

I think it's fantastic

[ryanthegreat]

I'm beginning to wonder if Jaybee adds a crease to every graphic he uploads just for the sake of not letting us down...

[prahaboheme]

No question these buildings will define Orlando.

[ryanthegreat]

i'm still trying to figure out which way this faces...from the looks of the first graphic, you'd think it were in the middle of a forest.

[Dale]

Good question. What's the perspective ? Are we looking at it from Orange ?

[prahaboheme]

i'm still trying to figure out which way this faces...from the looks of the first graphic, you'd think it were in the middle of a forest.

From this view, your back would be to the Courthouse.

...I think.

[Dale]

From this view, your back would be to the Courthouse.

...I think.

That's what I'm thinking. And perhaps the taller tower upfront is the 'headquarters tower' ?

[prahaboheme]

And perhaps the short front would be a hotel??

[prahaboheme]

Does anyone else remember something mentioned about PBLT buying the lot next to BofA? If I remember it correctly then I wonder how that is incorporated into the rest of the project.

[Dale]

Everytime I see PBLT I think of a sandwich.

Come on. Admit it. You all do too.

[RiversideGator]

Ahh, I remember where I have seen this before:

Not to rain on y'all's parade, but this brutalist junk architecture has been done before (in Albany, NY here) and it almost always fails miserably. Perhaps this will bridge the gap between Rockefeller Plaza and the Empire State Plaza, but I doubt it. It is clearly a product of the 50s and 60s, not exactly decades known for urban design excellence. The critics will love it, but the people will hate it. Thus, without any redeaming beauty (or apparent street interaction), it will become desolate and unused over time.

[GRS328]

well, it does evoke a reaction for sure. i'm not really a fan of horizontal staggering in general. but i'll hold off on judgement till we see more renderings.

[Camillo Sitte]

Ahh, I remember where I have seen this before:

Not to rain on y'all's parade, but this brutalist junk architecture has been done before (in Albany, NY here) and it almost always fails miserably. Perhaps this will bridge the gap between Rockefeller Plaza and the Empire State Plaza, but I doubt it. It is clearly a product of the 50s and 60s, not exactly decades known for urban design excellence. The critics will love it, but the people will hate it. Thus, without any redeaming beauty (or apparent street interaction), it will become desolate and unused over time.

First, the Albany campus that you reference is, literally, about 20 times the size of the PBLT site.

Second, the architecture suggested for this site has far more in common, at least in this preliminary phase, with the work of, say, OMA/Rem Koolhaas.

If PBLT is able to execute the architecture anywhere near the level of an OMA project then this project has the potential for becoming one of this countries most significant urban developments in years...the potential.

Third, Harrison's Plaza in Albany is really a quite wonderful space regardless of whether or not the individual buildings that line it are too imposing and austere. Orlando should be so lucky to have a large urban plaza such as the Empire State Plaza.

[firemick]

Nothing is complete without a line down the middle

OK , i give it my approval. but waiting for more refined renderings. This looks like the lost city in Planet of the apes with all the foliage overgrown.