315 replies to this topic

[Mith242]

NCB, on Dec 18 2005, 02:25 PM, said:

Hey Rod, are the big brick buildings surrounding the future construction site all apartment buildings?
I am just wondering because twe have alot of similar looking apartment buildings in the poorer neighborhoods of New Orleans. When they were first built however, they were quite upscale.

No they're mainly retail.  Although I do think one was converted a few years ago into apartments/condos.

[NCB]

^Thats pretty cool.
I've always liked retail stores in older buildings.

[Mith242]

NCB, on Dec 18 2005, 02:48 PM, said:

^Thats pretty cool.
I've always liked retail stores in older buildings.

This area of Dickson, closer to the university campus, is where most of the retail is on this road.  As you go further east it mainly consists of restaurants and bars.

[Mith242]

mcheiss, on Dec 18 2005, 02:07 PM, said:

Is the university close to this project?

Okay I'm still looking to see if I have any better pics to show this.  I'm just across the street from the campus, on the corner of Dickson and Arkansas Ave.  This pic is looking east and if you look all the way to the left you can see the greyish Qdoba location.  You can also see a little vegetation over on the left too, that's part of the Underwood Building.  The lofts are going between those two buildings.  So it's just about within eyesight of the campus, or at least the very edge of it.

Edited by Mith242, 18 December 2005 - 03:00 PM.

[Mith242]

I should have done something like this before.  But anyway here is a map mainly showing the Dickson St and Square area of Fayetteville.  Not the greatest job in the world but hopefully everyone will be able to see will be able to see where many of these developments are taking place in conjunction with each other.

[DickSonstreetDFW]

Mith242, on Dec 18 2005, 12:52 PM, said:

Here's a few pics of the lot where the development will take place.  Not much going on now though.  The lot between Underwood's and the Qdoba location has been empty for quite a while.  But there were some buildings behind the Qdoba location earlier this year but were torn down.

I hate all those huge powerlines headed down that street on the east face of that project.  I guess it is called Powerhouse Ave or something like that.

I wonder when or if there will be a move to remove that power substation down there next to Powerhouse Seafood?  

If condos heat up more downtown, the land it sits on might be worth enough to partially offset the costs of a move.

I hate powerlines.

[Mith242]

DickSonstreetDFW, on Jan 10 2006, 09:15 AM, said:

I hate all those huge powerlines headed down that street on the east face of that project.  I guess it is called Powerhouse Ave or something like that.

I wonder when or if there will be a move to remove that power substation down there next to Powerhouse Seafood?  

If condos heat up more downtown, the land it sits on might be worth enough to partially offset the costs of a move.

I hate powerlines.

Yeah I'm not a big fan of them either.  When they were doing the Dikson Street Improvement Plan I really wish they had added moving the powerlines underground as part of it.  I could take some nicer shots without all the powerlines around.  

[DickSonstreetDFW]

Aporkalypse, on Dec 11 2005, 09:14 PM, said:

Very slick and impressive building that should fit in nicely.  Dickson and the Square are going to have to increase in density as we run out of buildings to renovate but you don't want to go too high or out of character.  I think that building will fit perfect.

I agree.  This building seems a lot like Three Sisters without being as overt in mixing different styles.

Both buildings take cues from the existing streetscape in Fayetteville and that is why neither will be distinguishable from older buildings in the area in a few years.  I think the Legacy building and the Renaissance Project are also very well designed to fit the Fayetteville vibe.  

Either Fayetteville is very lucky to get so many buildings that just work, or they are doing a great job of steering development.  I'd wager its a combination of the two.  One thing I always loved about Fayetteville is that it has so many residents who genuinely care about their community and get involved in things like the Farmer's Market, planning meetings, beautification, etc.  I believe that community spirit is reflected in a lot of the developers building in the downtown /Dickson area.  Joe Fennel and the guys who did Three Sisters were absolutely visionary.  

The people are what make Fayetteville the great town that it is.  I can't wait to get back.

[Mith242]

DickSonstreetDFW, on Jan 11 2006, 11:35 PM, said:

I agree.  This building seems a lot like Three Sisters without being as overt in mixing different styles.

Both buildings take cues from the existing streetscape in Fayetteville and that is why neither will be distinguishable from older buildings in the area in a few years.  I think the Legacy building and the Renaissance Project are also very well designed to fit the Fayetteville vibe.  

Either Fayetteville is very lucky to get so many buildings that just work, or they are doing a great job of steering development.  I'd wager its a combination of the two.  One thing I always loved about Fayetteville is that it has so many residents who genuinely care about their community and get involved in things like the Farmer's Market, planning meetings, beautification, etc.  I believe that community spirit is reflected in a lot of the developers building in the downtown /Dickson area.  Joe Fennel and the guys who did Three Sisters were absolutely visionary.  

The people are what make Fayetteville the great town that it is.  I can't wait to get back.

I agree.  Although there are some people probably frustrated because it may be harder to get developments done.  But it is nice that a lot of people do actually care what's going on and such.

[mcheiss]

DickSonstreetDFW, on Jan 11 2006, 11:35 PM, said:

I agree.  This building seems a lot like Three Sisters without being as overt in mixing different styles.

Both buildings take cues from the existing streetscape in Fayetteville and that is why neither will be distinguishable from older buildings in the area in a few years.  I think the Legacy building and the Renaissance Project are also very well designed to fit the Fayetteville vibe.

These buildings are amazing, and I hope that more of the similar kinds of buildings are going to be built around the Downtown vacinity and hopefully College Ave.

[Mith242]

Here's a render of the development.




Here's a link that shows all the projects this group is working on.


http://www.amaregi.com/projects.html

I'll go ahead and post an some info listed on the site for the development.

The Lofts at Underwood Plaza is a powerful collaboration among some of the community’s standouts: Bill and Craig Underwood and AMA with Nock Investments and Ted and Leslie Belden. Just steps away from the University of Arkansas and a stroll from the Downtown Square, the eight-story development will have prime Dickson Street frontage, will be loft-inspired and will be very open, providing top-floor residents with a 360-degree vista of Fayetteville.

The Lofts will contain approximately 89,760 square feet of total enclosed living area and 15,240 square feet of retail and office space. As a mixed-use project, the building's bottom floor will cater to retail shops, and commercial offices will be available on the second floor. Floors three through eight are reserved for residences.

A five-story, well-hidden attached parking garage will have 303 spaces, affording residents and patrons alike ample opportunity for convenient parking. In addition, the design by architect Robert Sharp pays tribute to New Orleans with plenty of outdoor terraces offering breathtaking views from the heart of Fayetteville's entertainment district.

Plans for the Lofts allow for a 15-month construction period from start to finish. There will be 72 units available, consisting of one to three bedrooms and ranging in size from 600 square feet to over 2,600 square feet. Pricing is not yet available

Edited by Mith242, 15 February 2006 - 04:40 PM.

[mcheiss]

This is simply beautiful, I can't complain with this development. Combinding old building styles with new ideas, absolutely beautiful.

[Mith242]

mcheiss, on Feb 15 2006, 05:32 PM, said:

This is simply beautiful, I can't complain with this development. Combinding old building styles with new ideas, absolutely beautiful.

Yeah this is one of the developments I think I am looking most forward to.  From what I'm seeing in the renderings it really looks like something I'm going to like a lot.

[masons_dad1]

Mith242, on Feb 15 2006, 04:35 PM, said:

Here's a render of the development.


Here's a link that shows all the projects this group is working on.
http://www.amaregi.com/projects.html

I'll go ahead and post an some info listed on the site for the development.

The Lofts at Underwood Plaza is a powerful collaboration among some of the community’s standouts: Bill and Craig Underwood and AMA with Nock Investments and Ted and Leslie Belden. Just steps away from the University of Arkansas and a stroll from the Downtown Square, the eight-story development will have prime Dickson Street frontage, will be loft-inspired and will be very open, providing top-floor residents with a 360-degree vista of Fayetteville.

The Lofts will contain approximately 89,760 square feet of total enclosed living area and 15,240 square feet of retail and office space. As a mixed-use project, the building's bottom floor will cater to retail shops, and commercial offices will be available on the second floor. Floors three through eight are reserved for residences.

A five-story, well-hidden attached parking garage will have 303 spaces, affording residents and patrons alike ample opportunity for convenient parking. In addition, the design by architect Robert Sharp pays tribute to New Orleans with plenty of outdoor terraces offering breathtaking views from the heart of Fayetteville's entertainment district.

Plans for the Lofts allow for a 15-month construction period from start to finish. There will be 72 units available, consisting of one to three bedrooms and ranging in size from 600 square feet to over 2,600 square feet. Pricing is not yet available

Beat me to it again... credit goes to you for a great find Mith! This kind of architecture is what really impresses me. What imagination it takes to create such a work of art.

[Mith242]

masons_dad1, on Feb 15 2006, 11:47 PM, said:

Beat me to it again... credit goes to you for a great find Mith! This kind of architecture is what really impresses me. What imagination it takes to create such a work of art.

I've posted something similar before but it was from a picture I took of a sign on the site.  But I saw that on the internet and thought maybe it would appear a little better.  That and the pic I posted before is pretty far back in the topic now.  But I am glad I found the website.  I had no idea that AMA had done so many of the nice projects up here.  I have to say I'm really impressed by both the AMA and Barber Group.

[Mith242]

Well I found out why nothing has been happening with this development.  The city hasn't approved it yet and they seem to keep putting it off.  They tabled it again to talk about it another time.  I get the impression they're a bit hesitant on it in part because of it's height.  I'm wondering if they're waiting till everything is finalized on the building height ordinance before they decide on this project.  One area of this development would be 9 stories.  But it wouldn't be on the street front, it's stepped back.  The developers also mentioned it wouldn't block views or anything the way they designed it.  I can't say I'd want all the buildings around Dickson to necessarily be 9 stories but this seems designed very nicely and as I mentioned earlier it's stepped back so that the 9 story section is away from the street.  Hopefully the city will eventually pass this.  The building heights for the downtown area are a little low for my taste but overall I do agree with what they're trying to do.  But I just think they need to allow a little more height to allow projects like this more feasible and also to increase more infill and less sprawl.

[masons_dad1]

Mith242, on Mar 14 2006, 02:41 PM, said:

Well I found out why nothing has been happening with this development.  The city hasn't approved it yet and they seem to keep putting it off.  They tabled it again to talk about it another time.  I get the impression they're a bit hesitant on it in part because of it's height.  I'm wondering if they're waiting till everything is finalized on the building height ordinance before they decide on this project.  One area of this development would be 9 stories.  But it wouldn't be on the street front, it's stepped back.  The developers also mentioned it wouldn't block views or anything the way they designed it.  I can't say I'd want all the buildings around Dickson to necessarily be 9 stories but this seems designed very nicely and as I mentioned earlier it's stepped back so that the 9 story section is away from the street.  Hopefully the city will eventually pass this.  The building heights for the downtown area are a little low for my taste but overall I do agree with what they're trying to do.  But I just think they need to allow a little more height to allow projects like this more feasible and also to increase more infill and less sprawl.

What doesn't make sense is Fayetteville is wanting to limit building height whereas Bentonville is wanting to build upwards. For a city that's supposed to be the most urban in NWA Fayetteville is pretty much handing over the title to Bentonville.

[DickSonstreetDFW]

masons_dad1, on Mar 15 2006, 01:04 AM, said:

What doesn't make sense is Fayetteville is wanting to limit building height whereas Bentonville is wanting to build upwards. For a city that's supposed to be the most urban in NWA Fayetteville is pretty much handing over the title to Bentonville.

If height is your only criteria for urbanity, then yes.

I think that the city of Fayetteville might be going a bit overboard right now if a 9 story building is really causing them pains as far as height restrictions.

What they will find as property values continue to increase is that development simply isn't feasible downtown unless the developer allowed to go up a few floors and maximize the peice of land.  Otherwise the land cost will make development unprofitable.

[Mith242]

Well I think we are seeing some conflicting views from city officials.  There are certainly some that want a more compact dense city but others seem to be emphasizing a more 'small town' feel I think with lower buildings.  As I said before I can understand not wanting to cover up and hide historical buildings and such around the downtown area.  But I do think the limits they set are just a little too low.  That and I do think that exceptions can be made if it's for a good development like this one looks like it will be.  But as was mentioned earlier if you set the limits so low and the real estate prices keep going up it's not going to make it economical to develop these pieces of land and create the infill we need.  You're simply going to push developers further out from the city center.

[OnDickson]

Looks like the planning commision finally gave their stamp of approval to this project with a few modifications.  Apparently the height (9 stories) is acceptable, however, the height has been recuced on the Dickson Street portion of the lot to try and keep from 'overwhelming the buildings around it'.  The Lofts passed with a 7-2 vote, but it sounded like there was some pretty intense debate and lots of questions raised about compatibility of sturctures with the Dickson Street surroundings.  I expect this debate will greatly intensify as the discussion of the proposed 15 story Divinity building heats up.