Misc. Uptown Projects/News

[RANYC]

2 hours ago, Rufus said:

Ok hear me out:  this is good news bc it takes up another empty lot. 

But I also have this idea of taking the sliver of land between Midnight Diner and that gorgeous building at Trade & Brevard, and turn that into a plaza that connects to the Moxy. Use the remaining portions on that block to set up food trucks or kiosks for food. Heck, you can even extend the plaza to cross 4th as well and go behind Skye. And then on either side where there are vacant lots, build small scale entertainment like the B Tower on 5th. 

Ok here's what I am thinking : 

I really like this idea.  Tall buildings don't make necessarily make places stroll-worthy.  Surface-level intrigue and allure do.  Perhaps make it a "pedestrian-only shopping street with crafts, artisans, food, and entertainment."  Big money into replacing the CTC with high-rises really isn't the way to make these uptown sub-districts vibrant at the ground and stroll-worthy.  I'm convinced it's plazas and placemaking w/continuous programming.

Edited February 27 by RANYC

[Rufus]

7 minutes ago, RANYC said:

I really like this idea.  Tall buildings don't make necessarily make places stroll-worthy.  Surface-level intrigue and allure do.  Perhaps make it a "pedestrian-only shopping street with crafts, artisans, food, and entertainment."  Big money into replacing the CTC with high-rises really isn't the way to make these uptown sub-districts vibrant at the ground and stroll-worthy.  I'm convinced it's plazas and placemaking w/continuous programming.

Well one of the reasons this might work is because it's odd shaped leftovers and one large lot (Preferred Parking). The only things that would work in terms of highrises would be something the size of Moxy or Skye, which isn't the worst thing, but this at least tries to maximize the odd shapes into something useful. And then when the CTC closes and the new buildings are built, it can somewhat connect to that development and further connect with Epicenter, thus creating a natural entertainment district that doesn't rely on one big development plan. 

[go_vertical]

I like this idea too, especially since the Brevard street stroll district was never given a chance.

[RANYC]

Yea, we need prodigious stroll districts in the city starting with uptown…not just walkability.  We don’t have now, none of real significance.

[CLT Development]

1 hour ago, RANYC said:

Yea, we need prodigious stroll districts in the city starting with uptown…not just walkability.  We don’t have now, none of real significance.

Elizabeth Avenue should be our South Congress Street. The other opportunity and its already starting to happen is this area.

[RANYC]

2 hours ago, CLT Development said:

Elizabeth Avenue should be our South Congress Street. The other opportunity and it’s already starting to happen is this area.

South Tryon - I could see that.  It’s just missing some signature civic spaces for non-vagrancy gathering and additional clusters of retail.  I know there’s the storefronts in the rear of Railyard but need substantially more.  

As for Elizabeth Ave, I’m hoping the streetcar doesn’t act as an impediment to additional storefront density.  Same for Wesley heights. We’ll see. 

Edited February 27 by RANYC

[KJHburg]

Dear US Bank,

as much as you are growing in Charlotte and the fact that you have your corporate staff here in a rival banks building, why not buy this 301 South College tower rebrand at it as the US Bank Center and take the 50% empty space.  As much as I would love for you to anchor a new building, this would be a cheaper option and you could keep all the current tenants unless you needed the space which is years off.  Look at this plaza that was redone.  

KJ

US Bank new customer

PS look at this plaza that was redone before the current owners went into default.  

 

[KJHburg]

Here is the new Truist Tower plaza (looks good but not as good as the one down at 301 South College featured above) and some miscellaneous uptown shots.  

[KJHburg]

Ever wondered who owns some of these surface lots?   the NC Railroad Company of course!  They need to sell these parcels!

1.  behind Charlotte Plaza this empty .88 acres could be a high rise hotel or apartment tower.

2. 1/2 the block 1.26 acres 3rd and Brevard.

3.  this parking lot beside the Blue Line and behind the Hilton and behind the Wells Fargo office tower is .73 acres.    (this parcel should be for another 400 bed hotel tower for the Hilton and then they could be the biggest convention hotel and rebranded as a Signia by Hilton their convention hotel brand) 

Imagine if all there of these NC RR parcels were sold for development or leased out for development?   

 

Edited March 5 by KJHburg

[videtur quam contuor]

In the second photo KJ provides above one may just detect the rails in the asphalt near the Blue line, both to the right and left of the parked cars near the photo spot. This third street location was for years known as The Wharf where cotton came to town on rails and was unloaded, cotton graders confirmed the quality and weight of the bales, brokers bid for the lots, cotton factors loaned the money for the transactions, workmen toted the bales and a critical economic activity occurred. Rail lines and streets were at grade level until the 1920's when the train/auto interactions were too frequent and the roads were lowered so as to provide a rail bridge over streets from 4th to 6th streets. Some of these cotton businessmen had offices in Latta Arcade, second floor. Sometimes one must look down to see history.

[kermit]

13 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Imagine if all there of these NC RR parcels were sold for development or leased out for development?  

The legislature asked (ordered?) the NCRR to sell these parcels (as well as some others no longer adjacent to their ROW) about 5 years ago. I am not sure the RR sold any of them. Since the state is the only NCRR shareholder I am not sure why they have not made more of a stink about this.

Edited March 5 by kermit

[CLT Development]

Just now, kermit said:

The legislature asked (ordered?) the NCRR to sell these parcels (as well as some others no longer adjacent to their ROW) about 5 years ago. I am not sure the RR sold any of them.

One is tied with White Point Partners and their CTC station development. The other is looking for a 99 year land lease

[KJHburg]

4 hours ago, CLT Development said:

One is tied with White Point Partners and their CTC station development. The other is looking for a 99 year land lease

White Point Partners owns half that block but it still shows NC RR owning the other half.  

[Guest]

CTC development is still a go after the Hornets pulled out 

Edit; KJ shared in the CTC thread

Edited March 5 by MothBeast

[carolinaboy]

Could someone get a shot or two of the Inlivian project uptown? I'd love to see the progress. Thanks in advance.

[KJHburg]

I hope people will support this new bakery cafe uptown.  It is like a Bitty and Beaus in terms of who they employ but it is more of a bakery.

""Cakeable Café has snapped up its first bricks-and-mortar space in Charlotte’s uptown.

Expect that 1,200-square-foot location at 401 N. Tryon St., Suite 106, to open this spring.

That venture is the latest step for Cakeable, a nonprofit workforce development program for adults who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The uptown store’s inclusive work environment will provide vocational training opportunities for 25 adults. Its helps develop skills such as customer service and managing a cash register to better prepare those individuals for other jobs and roles. That training program is tailored to each person, with the end goal of finding somewhere they love to work.

“Studies say 80% of adults with developmental disabilities are unemployed, and it is our hope to combat that percentage here in Charlotte,” says Renee Ratcliffe, Cakeable co-founder.

Expect the uptown spot to offer a selection of baked goods, such as its signature Oreo brownies and oatmeal cream pies. Cookies include chocolate chip and white chocolate honey pistachio. There’s also mini cakes such as blueberry crumb and lemon, as well as mini breads from banana to cinnamon sourdough. Plans call for hot and iced drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and teas.""

Nonprofit Cakeable Café lands uptown space - Charlotte Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

[j-man]

On 3/6/2024 at 9:34 AM, carolinaboy said:

Could someone get a shot or two of the Inlivian project uptown? I'd love to see the progress. Thanks in advance.

 

[carolinaboy]

1 hour ago, j-man said:

 

Thank you. 

[KJHburg]

I get asked about this apartment complex a lot and yes it is happening.  The Daniel Corp. apartments planned for N Graham between 6th and 7th Streets.

From the Ledger this morning:

"": An Alabama developer has finally closed on its purchase of 1.6 acres in Fourth Ward uptown, after winning approval for plans for a 7-story apartment building from the Historic District Commission.

The Daniel Corp. of Birmingham, Ala., paid $9M for two parcels on Graham Street between 6th and 7th streets, according to documents filed this week with the register of deeds. The company plans to build apartments on land that contains an old tire shop and the former Fourth Ward Bread, which has a brick façade dating to the 1950s that is deemed historic.

The company was planning to build above the 1950s building but told the Historic District Commission that it is “not salvageable and requires demolition.” However, the company plans to rebuild the front portion of the building in its original form.""

10_2023-00865_dec.pdf (charlottenc.gov)

[Matthew.Brendan]

 

dun dun dun... another one bites the dust

Edited March 13 by Matthew.Brendan
edit. "not salvagable" my a$$

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Matthew.Brendan said:

 

dun dun dun... another one bites the dust

I’m with you, and am very skeptical of that explanation. They can move the entire Leeper-Wyatt building but have to tear this one down?

[DMann]

I thought it was being incorporated into the design?

[j-man]

10 hours ago, KJHburg said:

I get asked about this apartment complex a lot and yes it is happening.  The Daniel Corp. apartments planned for N Graham between 6th and 7th Streets.

From the Ledger this morning:

"": An Alabama developer has finally closed on its purchase of 1.6 acres in Fourth Ward uptown, after winning approval for plans for a 7-story apartment building from the Historic District Commission.

The Daniel Corp. of Birmingham, Ala., paid $9M for two parcels on Graham Street between 6th and 7th streets, according to documents filed this week with the register of deeds. The company plans to build apartments on land that contains an old tire shop and the former Fourth Ward Bread, which has a brick façade dating to the 1950s that is deemed historic.

The company was planning to build above the 1950s building but told the Historic District Commission that it is “not salvageable and requires demolition.” However, the company plans to rebuild the front portion of the building in its original form.""

10_2023-00865_dec.pdf (charlottenc.gov)

Just another basic stick built apartment with no character. Thanks for the update though. 

[KJHburg]

Well since there is only 2 current stick built apartment buildings being built inside 277 loop right now, every little project is needed.  The lack of new apartments in uptown is unbelievable when you look to the south, north, west, or east.   Hopefully Vela starts their high rise this year.  

[RANYC]

21 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Well since there is only 2 current stick built apartment buildings being built inside 277 loop right now, every little project is needed.  The lack of new apartments in uptown is unbelievable when you look to the south, north, west, or east.   Hopefully Vela starts their high rise this year.  

You're exactly right.  As long as this is being built to the sidewalk and incorporating core urban design principles to integrate with the streetscape, then this meets a core need for housing in center city and the replacement of blacktop and surface parking.  This is good news.  It's annoying to me that the project took this long.