35 replies to this topic

[Hankster]

Here's a continuance of the list of completed project in downtown Chattanooga during the period 2000 to 2005.  Following this thread, I will have another thread listing the many downtown projects that are currently under construction.  Enjoy!


Courtyard by Marriott - 120 Room, 7 story hotel in 2001



Hilton Garden Inn - 94 Room, 6 story hotel in 2001



Sheraton Read House - $11 Million Upgrade to 10 story hotel, and two new restaurants completed 2004



The Chattanoogan - $43 Million, 210,000 Sq Ft conferencing center featuring 202 guest rooms, restaurant, bar and retail



Bell South Park - State of the Art, 6,157 seat minor league ballpark for Class AA Cincinnati Red farm team complete 2000



Hunter Museum - $20 Million addition built as part of the $120 Million 21st Century Waterfront project complete in 2005



Tennessee Aquarium - $30 Million addition also built as part of the $120 Million 21st Century Waterfront project completed in 2005.  Picture below shows aerial view of Aquarium and new waterfront



17 Street Landscaping - Complete 2004



3rd and 4th Street Improvements - Complete 2003



Development Research Center - New home for City of Chattanooga development related projects completed in 2001



Market Street Redesign - Complete 2003



Riverfront Parkway Redesign - Complete 2004



City Council Building - Old jail converted to 15,000 Sq Ft city council building in 2000



Hamilton County Courthouse Renovation - $5.4 Million project complete in 2005



Sanctuary Skate Park - ESPN regulation skatepark and in-line hockey arena complete 2000

Edited by Hankster, 17 January 2006 - 10:33 AM.

[ATLBrain]

Just great!  I've really enjoyed my trips up to Chatty.  Often, I get the impression that there's more going on in DT Chatty than in DT Atlanta.  It's really bustling day and nighte.  

I actually ate dinner last spring at that Porter's Steakhouse in the Read House Sheraton.  I had a peppercorn steak (I forget the cut).  It's very good if you like (make that love) pepper.  That street that it fronts (I think MLK) is seeing some development too (EPB Building?).  How much was that one?

Do you know how well the $200M Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ will be integrated into the fabric of DT.  It will sit on top of that big hill next to DT.

Also, I was very impressed by the amount of infill all over downtown.  Plus the north shore is seeing lots of activity too.

Edited by ATLBrain, 17 January 2006 - 10:45 AM.

[Hankster]

Thanks so much for the compliments.  I really feel lucky to live in such an awesome town.  I've been meaning to eat at Porters Steakhouse.  I will definitely give it a try.  Chattanooga has tons of great resaurants!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Great stuff, Hankster !  

I was going to ask you something somewhat C'nooga-downtown related. I'm sure you're familiar with the First Tennessee Bank Building ( http://www.emporis.c...m/bu/?id=124876 ). To the untrained eye, you'd assume that is simply some fairly hideous late '60s Internationalist-style monstrosity. But to most folks, what is not known is that it was built in 1911 and covered with that horrendous facade in 1966 during the "let's make everything look modern" fad du jour. I have seen pre-'66 pics of the building, and consider it to be a beauty. Will there ever be any efforts to remove that dreadful "modern" paneling and restore the structure to its beaux-arts glory anytime soon ?

[smurf]

ATLBrain, on Jan 17 2006, 11:41 AM, said:

Just great!  I've really enjoyed my trips up to Chatty.  Often, I get the impression that there's more going on in DT Chatty than in DT Atlanta.  It's really bustling day and nighte.  

I actually ate dinner last spring at that Porter's Steakhouse in the Read House Sheraton.  I had a peppercorn steak (I forget the cut).  It's very good if you like (make that love) pepper.  That street that it fronts (I think MLK) is seeing some development too (EPB Building?).  How much was that one?

Do you know how well the $200M Blue Cross Blue Shield HQ will be integrated into the fabric of DT.  It will sit on top of that big hill next to DT.

Also, I was very impressed by the amount of infill all over downtown.  Plus the north shore is seeing lots of activity too.

IIRC, the EPB Building was around $31 million. I have an artist drawing of the proposed BCBST building, but its from the initial press release, so its accuracy is unknown. From the looks of things, it'll be a collection of connected 4-6 story buildings. Land value is still too low in Chat for any high rises to be economical. Considering its 800,000sq ft., if it was downtown Atlanta, we'd probably be looking at a 50-70 floor building. Here is the picture I have, looks like its on 6th st or MLK Blvd looking west from the CBD.

[Hankster]

Thanks for the rendering for the Blue Cross, Blue Shield complex.  I have searched and searched and had not been able to come up with anything on it.  It seems that the unveiling of the buildings may be guarded in secrecy.  Latest I have heard is that the total cost for the project is now up to $217 Million.  It will be whopping 800,000 Sq Ft in total and provide office space for all the company's 3,800 employees.  The Cameron Hill apartments will start being torn down within a few weeks, and construction will begin immediately during the first quarter of 2006.  Construction will last until late 2008 or early 2009.  I've also heard that it will be a series of 4 to 6 story buildings just like you.  If I ever get an updated rendering of the project, I plan to post it immediately.

[tombarnes]

I'm really happy to see that the Read House has been restored.  Have they done a good job with the interior?  I'ts great to see landmarks like the Read House being given a new lease on life.

[ATLBrain]

The Read House is beautiful.  They did a fine job with the reno.

fieldmarshaldj, on Jan 17 2006, 05:53 PM, said:

I have seen pre-'66 pics of the building, and consider it to be a beauty. Will there ever be any efforts to remove that dreadful "modern" paneling and restore the structure to its beaux-arts glory anytime soon ?

That's just sad.  The 50s thru 70s were just destructive for so many places, I can attest to how much it ravaged Atlanta.

[cheeriokid61]

I really like all of the streetscapes. I bet they look really nice. DT Chattanooga has a lot of green. Hopefully Nashville will proceed to do more landscaping.

[ATLBrain]

I hope Nashville takes a lesson or two from Chattanooga on how to use their river.

[cheeriokid61]

So do I.

[fieldmarshaldj]

ATLBrain, on Jan 17 2006, 07:44 PM, said:

The 50s thru 70s were just destructive for so many places, I can attest to how much it ravaged Atlanta.

Same for Nashville, too, sadly.  

[ATLBrain]

Hank, the first pic says it's the Marriott, but isn't that the Tortilla Factory?  I think I can see the original Aquarium in the background.  I realize that the Courtyard is adjacent to the Tortilla Factory.

[smurf]

ATLBrain, on Jan 17 2006, 10:15 PM, said:

Hank, the first pic says it's the Marriott, but isn't that the Tortilla Factory?  I think I can see the original Aquarium in the background.  I realize that the Courtyard is adjacent to the Tortilla Factory.

Hmm... it kinda does. Heres a picture out of my archives for reference.

[Hankster]

I believe the picture is taken on the Marriott grounds but does not show the hotel.  Thanks Smurf for posting the Marriott Hotel picture.  That shows the building much better.  The Tortilla Factory has an outdoor dining area but it's not the one pictured.  It's on the second level and looks out toward the aquarium.

[HABANERO7]

ATLBrain, on Jan 17 2006, 11:41 AM, said:

I actually ate dinner last spring at that Porter's Steakhouse in the Read House Sheraton.  I had a peppercorn steak (I forget the cut).  It's very good if you like (make that love) pepper.

Chattanooga is doing a wonderful job of focusing their resources on downtown infill. The revival of development in the last 15 years has been amazing.

About the Porters; Right off exit 25 in Cleveland we had a Porters Steakhouse, If I'm not mistaken it is the same as the one at the Reed house. The reason I think this, is because I think the owner closed the Cleveland store to focus on his DT Chattanooga location… I have not been to the one at the Reed House but if it is the same, the food is wonderful.

[HABANERO7]

In this picture of Downtown Chattanooga taken about 1 year ago you can still see a lot of things under construction, but the one thing I wanted to point out is the hill where BCBS is going to build their new headquarters. The hill is located behind the baseball field in the top of the picture. With the picture being taken in the winter you get a good feel about the location of the site and its orientation to the CBD (Taller buildings to the middle left) and the Riverfront (All the action in the baseball field’s foreground.) The apartments along the top of the hill are to be leveled soon and replaced with around 800,000 sq ft of office space. I’m sure it will be something to see when completed.

[Hankster]

Awesome shot of downtown and Cameron Hill!  Thanks Habanero for posting it.  It really does show very well the future Blue Cross Blue Shield site.  I hope we get a final rendering of the project soon.

[HABANERO7]

Chattanoogan.com is reporting that the Cameron Hill Apartments are offically coming down starting today...

It wont be long before 800,000 sq ft of office space begins to rise on the hill overlooking downtown Chattanooga.

[Hankster]

HABANERO7, on Apr 25 2006, 10:46 AM, said:

Chattanoogan.com is reporting that the Cameron Hill Apartments are offically coming down starting today...

It wont be long before 800,000 sq ft of office space begins to rise on the hill overlooking downtown Chattanooga.

That's a couple of week earlier than I expected.  I'm still waiting to see a final rendering for the project.  I believe this is the largest office project slated to be built in Tennessee in many years.