368 replies to this topic

[A2]

Martinman, on Oct 21 2005, 09:22 AM, said:

The six buildings in the center, around the little square have the lofts.  Retail/offices will only be in the bottom two levels and the rest is for the lofts.   I think it would be really cool to live there.

I think if they come up with better transit/shuttles to the rest of the city it will extremely popular with intowners.

I for one believe that the Atlantic Station complex is the best development that Atlanta has seen in over a decade. It is a model of mixed use at its finest. One can only hope that Atlanta can leap frog from this project to another just like it to help promote infill develpment in the CBD and Midtown area.

This is the way Atlanta should have been developing all along.

I think that the momentum of this project can go a long way for planners and developers alike. Instead of ploppoing down another 20-30 story office building outside of the perimiter, 10 miles from the CBD, and  another strip mall way out in places like Buford and Lawrenceville, Atlanta should focus on its core strentgths and build on the success of AS by developing more land WITHIN the perimiter.

My hope is that in the future Atlanta can "connect the dots", instead of scattering more development North Gerogia from 75 and, 285, and 85N. I think we all need to focus on getting gov't bodies to make this TOP priority.


As for the AS. I love it. I would live there. Five years ago, you would never find me in that area of town, but now that side of town is hopping as is Midtown. Now if they can just get the CBD going, Atlanta will finally be in business.

On a side note, the denser the city core the better the traffic. This can go a long way in saving the environment as well as have Atlanta kept in check with their Interstates and major arteries, commonly reffered to Parking lots.
  

A2

Edited by A219724, 26 October 2005 - 09:29 AM.

[ryanmckibben]

wisemesw, on Oct 20 2005, 10:00 PM, said:

Well, I've been working at the Wachovia Building for over a year at Atlantic Station.  I must say, when we first moved in there, we were wondering if they could pull it off.  I went there today at lunch, and I must say that it looks great.  There was a festive atmosphere, people walking around, very nice shopping and restaurants.  It would be a great place for Christmas shopping.  Would love to move there, but would need to find a good school for my child, and I wouldn't say that this would be the best place for kids.  I think it is a great idea for people who work close by.  I wonder if people will actually drive there regularly for shopping, though.  Traffic has gotten a lot worse there in the last couple of weeks.  Yes, the first 2 hours of parking are free, with a max of $14/day, I believe.  Just be careful in the parking decks -- at least where I park, there are "cross-streets" and sometimes people don't watch where they're going.  There are also cross-walks on the streets -- but sometimes people are so busy on their cellphones or looking at the stores, they're not watching for pedestrians.  Overall, I think AS is a great idea.

I'm not sure what school district AS is in, I do know that right across the interstate, kids would attend Morningside Elem, Inman Middle, and Grady High. All three of these schools are great schools. Grady's average SAT score was over 1100. That rivals anything you would find in the burbs.

On a different subject, I went to AS over the weekend, and although I seems to work, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking around Disney World. That, all along, was my only criticism of AS; that it would end up being an urban amusement park.

[A2]

ryanmckibben, on Oct 26 2005, 10:20 AM, said:

I'm not sure what school district AS is in, I do know that right across the interstate, kids would attend Morningside Elem, Inman Middle, and Grady High. All three of these schools are great schools. Grady's average SAT score was over 1100. That rivals anything you would find in the burbs.

On a different subject, I went to AS over the weekend, and although I seems to work, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking around Disney World. That, all along, was my only criticism of AS; that it would end up being an urban amusement park.

I agree. But it is still a heck of a lot better than Urban Sprawl. Know what I mean?

A2

Edited by A219724, 26 October 2005 - 12:08 PM.

[Andrea]

A219724, on Oct 26 2005, 10:25 AM, said:

As for the AS. I love it. I would live there. Five years ago, you would never find me in that area of town...

When I was growing up the mill was still in full operation.  A man down the street from us played on the Dixisteel baseball team and he was quite a celebrity.  

I may be mistaken but I don't think the neighborhood ever really went down all that far.

[A2]

Andrea, on Oct 26 2005, 01:48 PM, said:

When I was growing up the mill was still in full operation.  A man down the street from us played on the Dixisteel baseball team and he was quite a celebrity.  

I may be mistaken but I don't think the neighborhood ever really went down all that far.

I agree to some extent. But I guess I might have been to vague. It was never THAT bad. I was just trying to suggest I would have never moved there, since at the time Buckhead was where it was at. Now the place has had a re-birth of sorts. With Georgia Tech right around the corner and Midtown in a mini boom of its own this area is only going to get better. Again I apologize for coming across like the area was really the dumps. It wasn't. However I would not go as far to say that Downtwon in the CBD was great. It still strugles, but that hopefully will slowly improve in time.

A2

[Andrea]

A219724, sorry, I didn't mean to be critical in any way at all.  I was just rambling through my increasingly ancient impressions.

[Martinman]

A219724, on Oct 26 2005, 10:25 AM, said:

I for one believe that the Atlantic Station complex is the best development that Atlanta has seen in over a decade. It is a model of mixed use at its finest. One can only hope that Atlanta can leap frog from this project to another just like it to help promote infill develpment in the CBD and Midtown area.

This is the way Atlanta should have been developing all along.

I think that the momentum of this project can go a long way for planners and developers alike. Instead of ploppoing down another 20-30 story office building outside of the perimiter, 10 miles from the CBD, and  another strip mall way out in places like Buford and Lawrenceville, Atlanta should focus on its core strentgths and build on the success of AS by developing more land WITHIN the perimiter.

My hope is that in the future Atlanta can "connect the dots", instead of scattering more development North Gerogia from 75 and, 285, and 85N. I think we all need to focus on getting gov't bodies to make this TOP priority.
As for the AS. I love it. I would live there. Five years ago, you would never find me in that area of town, but now that side of town is hopping as is Midtown. Now if they can just get the CBD going, Atlanta will finally be in business.

On a side note, the denser the city core the better the traffic. This can go a long way in saving the environment as well as have Atlanta kept in check with their Interstates and major arteries, commonly reffered to Parking lots.
  

A2

Atlantic station will have a huge impact on the city and does street level retail very, very well but I would easily consider Glennwood park the best development in the city.  Its farther away from the city core and  obviously on a much smaller scale but unlike AS, few have been able to find fault with Glennwood park.  It is simply a beautiful neighborhood that beautifully exhibits the principles of new urbanism.  I can't wait until its finished so that we can see pics of the completed project.  Hopefully, George Brewer has many more projects on the drawing board.

Edited by Martinman, 27 October 2005 - 08:28 AM.

[Martinman]

Also....

We tend to spend most of the time talking about high-rises but there are other significant mixed use projects in the city.

Inman park village U/C


Ponce Park groundbreaking 2006


Capitol Gateway U/C

[teshadoh]

^  Great point, ESPECIALLY Ponce Park, I was reviewing their site plan this morning & I can not believe how massive that project is.  Over 1500 living units!  At least two big box sized retail stores occupying space on Ponce & add more office space & two parks & this project will raise the bar just as Lindbergh Center first introduced TOD new urbanism, Glenwood Park & Inman Park Village introduced true new urbanism & Atlantic Station introduced new urbanism on a massive scale.  Ponce Park is introducing extremely high densities to new urbanism, or new urbanism that will feel like classic urbanism.

One other note - what pleases me & provides at least some additional hope for Atlanta, is that 'mixed use' is no longer a buzz word.  Not only in these massive projects - also including Edgewood, Lindbergh & Lindbergh / Sidney Marcus redev, but mixed use is being incorportated into the smallest projects across the city.  It has become the accepted norm, if you are going to build something on a major corridor - it has to be mixed use.  Just a few blocks from me on Memorial Dr is a small half acre sized lot where a 2 to 4 story condo / commercial / retail building is planned.  It's the small projects that will bring needed urbanity & quality density to Atlanta, not the mega-projects.  But the mega-projects are finally showing developers, from the large to the small, HOW TO DO IT!

Edited by teshadoh, 27 October 2005 - 09:44 AM.

[A2]

teshadoh, on Oct 27 2005, 09:37 AM, said:

It has become the accepted norm, if you are going to build something on a major corridor - it has to be mixed use.  Just a few blocks from me on Memorial Dr is a small half acre sized lot where a 2 to 4 story condo / commercial / retail building is planned.  It's the small projects that will bring needed urbanity & quality density to Atlanta, not the mega-projects.  But the mega-projects are finally showing developers, from the large to the small, HOW TO DO IT!

Agreed 100% teshadoh. The skrapers are there. Now is time to fill in the gaps and do it in a smart way. I am glad someone posted those other projects. I am quite astonished at the 1500 unit project. Damn that's huge !!!  

Anywho, great things are happening in and around ATL. I am really glad that there is consensus out there in the community that it is not how big or grand a project is, but rather how benificial it is to the community at large.



A2

Edited by A219724, 27 October 2005 - 10:22 AM.

[dmccall]

We rode through AS quickly Saturday as we only had a few hours in ATL in Saturday and I'm impressed with the scale of the project. The retail component, though, is incredibly boring. We were there for Ikea, but there wasn't anything else worth getting out of the car for. I can't imagine why I'd want to visit AS when visiting Atlanta if we are already going to Lenox and Phipps.  I'm VERY excited about Rosa Mexicano coming, though.

I have to say that I'm more impressed with the upscale, local retail component at the much smaller North Hills in Raleigh. (this project was a replacement of a small mall and accompanying "convenience plaza".

[atlla]

dmccall, on Oct 31 2005, 08:53 PM, said:

We rode through AS quickly Saturday as we only had a few hours in ATL in Saturday and I'm impressed with the scale of the project. The retail component, though, is incredibly boring. We were there for Ikea, but there wasn't anything else worth getting out of the car for. I can't imagine why I'd want to visit AS when visiting Atlanta if we are already going to Lenox and Phipps.  I'm VERY excited about Rosa Mexicano coming, though.

I have to say that I'm more impressed with the upscale, local retail component at the much smaller North Hills in Raleigh. (this project was a replacement of a small mall and accompanying "convenience plaza".

I wish the retail was better, it will be interesting how long the stores will stay and what stores will move in.

[Martinman]

dmccall, on Oct 31 2005, 10:53 PM, said:

We rode through AS quickly Saturday as we only had a few hours in ATL in Saturday and I'm impressed with the scale of the project. The retail component, though, is incredibly boring. We were there for Ikea, but there wasn't anything else worth getting out of the car for. I can't imagine why I'd want to visit AS when visiting Atlanta if we are already going to Lenox and Phipps.  I'm VERY excited about Rosa Mexicano coming, though.

I have to say that I'm more impressed with the upscale, local retail component at the much smaller North Hills in Raleigh. (this project was a replacement of a small mall and accompanying "convenience plaza".

This is what people don't understand about AS.  Obviously, its not worth traveling there when you can go to the Banana Republic, or Ann Taylor at your nearest mall.  Atlantic station will be a destination for intown residents who currently are underserved by retail.   Theres nothing comparable south of Buckhead.  I think ultimately, as Midtown gets more retail options,  it will be a neighborhood center primarily for those living/working in this immediate neighborhood.

[teshadoh]

I'm perfectly pleased with the retail options at Atlantic Station, they are casual moderately priced stores that my wife & I typically buy clothes at.  Additionally, with the movie theater - AS is certainly convenient for intown residents.  

As for some tourism factor, I think it's the design of the development & not the retail selection.  If suburbanites want to shop, you are honestly better off shopping at your nearest mall.  Atlantic Station is basically the intown resident's nearest mall.

[Andrea]

Law Firm to move to new building in Atlantic Station

The Business Chronicle reports that Nelson Mullins will lease 100,000 sf at Atlantic Station and spur construction of a new office building there.  The firm declined to move to a proposed 17-floor tower at the southeast corner of 14th and West Peachtree streets, but elected instead to move to a 12- or 14-floor mid-rise at One Market Street in Atlantic Station.

[UrbanAtl]

I understand when people say "why would you go to AS when you're going to go to Lenox".  I have to say that yes I love Lenox but with these new 'lifestyle centers' poping up, Lenox is looking more and more like... well, a mall.  Yes that is a stupid statement but really malls just can't keep up with AS or Glenwood Park.  I have already decided, now that I have a choice I'm going to AS to buy mall clothes and not to any of the malls.  I've already spent $400 on dress shirts at three different shops there.  So to answer the why go to AS over Lenox; it's time to let Lenox Square die.
Maybe this is the end of the mall era in America???  I really think that Lenox needs to fill its parking lots in with towers, put parking under new towers, and make it a city center.  They could get more money out of their realastate if Lenox becomes an urban distric rather than a semi-urban mall.

Picture the corner of Lenox and P'Tree Roads.  Now imagine a gride of streets over the front parking lots creating Atlantic Station style footprints for future towers.  Ahhh to dream!

[Martinman]

UrbanAtl, on Nov 20 2005, 11:19 AM, said:

I understand when people say "why would you go to AS when you're going to go to Lenox".  I have to say that yes I love Lenox but with these new 'lifestyle centers' poping up, Lenox is looking more and more like... well, a mall.  Yes that is a stupid statement but really malls just can't keep up with AS or Glenwood Park.  I have already decided, now that I have a choice I'm going to AS to buy mall clothes and not to any of the malls.  I've already spent $400 on dress shirts at three different shops there.  So to answer the why go to AS over Lenox; it's time to let Lenox Square die.
Maybe this is the end of the mall era in America???  I really think that Lenox needs to fill its parking lots in with towers, put parking under new towers, and make it a city center.  They could get more money out of their realastate if Lenox becomes an urban distric rather than a semi-urban mall.

Picture the corner of Lenox and P'Tree Roads.  Now imagine a gride of streets over the front parking lots creating Atlantic Station style footprints for future towers.  Ahhh to dream!

Thats an interesting idea about filling in the Lenox parking lot and hopefully something like that will happen as Buckhead edges toward becoming more urban.  However although the popularity of malls is on the downtrend, some of them still do very well and Lenox is certainly one of them.  Buckhead is a regional shopping destination, and Im talking the entire southeast, because of its malls which contain many of the most exclusive retailers in the area.  Don't expect that to change anytime soon.  What will change is the the intown neighborhoods develop more of its own retail options and will be supported by a rapidly growing intown population.

Edited by Martinman, 20 November 2005 - 02:14 PM.

[UrbanAtl]

You're right Martinman.  It's a bit too much to say let them all die.  I guess I should say let them evolve.

[Promia]

Dekalb's Jones saying once GM's Doraville plant shuts down, they might turn it into another Atlantic Station/Atlantic Station II was his exact words!  Mayor Shirley Franklin also has plans to turn the Lakewood area into, yet again, another Atlantic Station.  So many possibilities, I hope these come to be!

[ironchapman]

^Now this is some exciting news!

Great to see that Atlantic Station has set a precedent in growth for Atlanta!