122 replies to this topic

[JB04]

"is expected to include eight to nine 40-story towers and at least one 20-story tower"


wow that's serious

[perimeter285]

I almost wish they would reduce the number of towers but make the planned ones taller.  Like instead of 8 or 9 40-story towers, do 4 or 5 60 story ones.  Better yet, do varying heights to make the development more authentic looking like it developed naturally over time.  

I think fewer, taller towers would also allow for some of that beautiful parcel of tree-filled land to remain a park or a square, even if it was incorporated into the development.

It's time that we have a 70 or 80 story residential tower like the Chicago's and (now) Miami's have.

[LizellaJacket]

Quote

It looks very ... Orlando. Also, in that overhead photo above, anyone notice how many trees they'll be chopping down for this development?

That was my first thought as well.  Atlanta has a very dense urban forest and I hate to see huge sections of it destroyed.  

Thats why I like all the developments on Peachtree and Spring.  Areas that are already developed and cleared.  I guess I'm more of a redevelopment guy.

[Lady Celeste]

Honestly, if I had my choice....or about 500 million dollars, I would put these residential towers in between Midtown and Downtown. Unfortunately my opinion or money does not afford me any input into the matter. I agree that I would love to see more of Atlanta's trees preserved. I do however feel that the developer is making every effort to mimimze the impact. We are losing 19 acres of trees but we are gaining a development next to a MARTA station. I am much more saddened by the thousands of acres of trees lost monthly in the suburbs due to clear cutting by developers for subdivisons.

I also have to consider marketability. Perhaps the developer feels it's easier to sell in Buckhead than other districts of Atlanta. Since we don't know the pricepoint yet, we can only assume that the market research was correct in it's analysis of viability.

[Martinman]

Lady Celeste, on Mar 27 2006, 07:38 PM, said:

Honestly, if I had my choice....or about 500 million dollars, I would put these residential towers in between Midtown and Downtown. Unfortunately my opinion or money does not afford me any input into the matter. I agree that I would love to see more of Atlanta's trees preserved. I do however feel that the developer is making every effort to mimimze the impact. We are losing 19 acres of trees but we are gaining a development next to a MARTA station. I am much more saddened by the thousands of acres of trees lost monthly in the suburbs due to clear cutting by developers for subdivisons.

I also have to consider marketability. Perhaps the developer feels it's easier to sell in Buckhead than other districts of Atlanta. Since we don't know the pricepoint yet, we can only assume that the market research was correct in it's analysis of viability.

The article about Cityplace said that Related was looking to do developments in the other intown markets as well.

Edited by Martinman, 27 March 2006 - 07:09 PM.

[Andrea]

LizellaJacket, on Mar 27 2006, 04:13 PM, said:

That was my first thought as well.  Atlanta has a very dense urban forest and I hate to see huge sections of it destroyed.

I don't think tree loss is going to be a big deal in that area.  That block already has about half a dozen highrises, a 4 story shopping center, two apartment developments, lowrise condos, etc.  It was zoned for high density 20 years ago and has been undergoing pretty intense development for a long time.  It's adjacent to MARTA and the railroad, and backs up to further high density development along Lenox Road.  I wouldn't be shocked to actually see the green space increase.

[Lady Celeste]

For those who are interested, here is the site plan for the CityPlace at Buckhead.

Site Plan for CityPlace at Buckhead

It's a pdf link.

[nick]

I don't like the plan at all. The southeastern corner bordered by Paces Ferry and Roxboro is just more of the same we've seen. Offset from the street a good distance. Way to go. I understand the corners are odd and not exactly a grid but if anything it should give a chance to create a uniquely shaped building that fronts the sidewalk. The flatiron is a great example of this. All those service areas, loading docks, parking garages... ugh. There may not be any other way but I'm really sick of this car culture. Good god this entire thing is within a stone's throw to Marta and 90% of the land is going to be eaten up by parking garages. I'm sorry, they can make the towers as tall as they want but it doesn't mean they're using the land efficiently.

Edited by nick, 18 April 2006 - 05:22 PM.

[teshadoh]

nick, on Apr 18 2006, 07:22 PM, said:

I don't like the plan at all. The southeastern corner bordered by Paces Ferry and Roxboro is just more of the same we've seen. Offset from the street a good distance. Way to go. I understand the corners are odd and not exactly a grid but if anything it should give a chance to create a uniquely shaped building that fronts the sidewalk. The flatiron is a great example of this. All those service areas, loading docks, parking garages... ugh. There may not be any other way but I'm really sick of this car culture. Good god this entire thing is within a stone's throw to Marta and 90% of the land is going to be eaten up by parking garages. I'm sorry, they can make the towers as tall as they want but it doesn't mean they're using the land efficiently.

Pretty much what I said at SSP, I think this is a very bad plan - who every heard of a high density urban development incorporating a cul-de-sac?

[nick]

Seriously. Blah.

[Lady Celeste]

As much as I understand that this developer is probably giving what his target market wants...ie...limited access, plazas and quaint side streets....I am a little underwhelmed by the site plan also. Perhaps it will look a little better once it's done in color. I am baffled as to why there was a need for a cul de sac. Again, perhaps he knows more about what his target market wants but he should also do whatever it takes to make this as community oriented as possible. Building eight or nine 40 story tall buildings in a nice collection is no small feat. Let's hope this is done right to insure the intergrity of the Buckhead submarket.

[Andrea]

Oh, I think there's a considerable amount of discussion yet to be had regarding this project.

[Lady Celeste]

Let's hope so Andrea. Isn't that your neck of the city? The current site plan seems to turn away from the MARTA Station. Maybe I'm not seeing it right since the graphics are all black and white. Maybe I need a 40 inch screen to see some of the detailing but the street set up is less than favorable to a walkable area.

[Andrea]

Lady Celeste, on Apr 19 2006, 11:18 AM, said:

Let's hope so Andrea. Isn't that your neck of the city? The current site plan seems to turn away from the MARTA Station. Maybe I'm not seeing it right since the graphics are all black and white. Maybe I need a 40 inch screen to see some of the detailing but the street set up is less than favorable to a walkable area.

It is, Celeste, and yes, there will be further discussions.  I don't believe the architect or the developer are interested in turning away from the MARTA station -- to the contrary, I think that's one of the reasons the site is considered so desirable.

[Lady Celeste]

Andrea, on Apr 19 2006, 10:48 AM, said:

It is, Celeste, and yes, there will be further discussions.  I don't believe the architect or the developer are interested in turning away from the MARTA station -- to the contrary, I think that's one of the reasons the site is considered so desirable.

That's good. I have my eye on this development. I will probably not always call Atlanta primary home but will have to maintain something here...as long as my parent are still living here. It would be nice to have something secure, close to public transportation (so you can hop on the train and go directly to the airport) around great shopping and fine dining. My hopes are that this will turn out to be a beautiful development that is user friendly and urban oriented.

Please Andrea, if you can, keep us updated with whatever neighborhood discussions you can.

[UrbanAtl]

Wow!  That's really bad.  There are so many driveways.  I can't imagine that it will be very pedestrian friendly.  I hope that the plans change.

[Andrea]

UrbanAtl, on Apr 19 2006, 07:55 PM, said:

Wow!  That's really bad.  There are so many driveways.  I can't imagine that it will be very pedestrian friendly.  I hope that the plans change.

Well, I'm sure they will change.  Even so, I think you have to bear in mind that this contemplates around 4,000 housing units (maybe 8-10,000 residents or more) with maybe 4 or 5 vehicle entry points and less than 2 full cross streets.  That would make it roughly the size of Kennesaw or Douglasville scrunched into 16 acres.

[designspace]

I agree, the site plan looks pretty bleak, and I certainly hope this development looks nothing like that mess in Orlando.  

Of equal concern, is the Atlanta market really ready to absorb an additional 4,000 condo units?  From what I'm hearing, the condo market is quickly reaching saturation.  Considering all the other condos already under development, will Cityplace be the icing on an over-built cake?

[teshadoh]

It's been mentioned on another site - but let the number of condos over saturate the market.  Truely, I'm sorry for those that bought condos (in case they spent + $250k) & don't want to hear me say this - but condo prices are too high in Atlanta.  I wanted a condo over 2 years ago but it was cheaper to buy a massive house & .2 acre of land than a simple 2 bed condo in Midtown.

Hopefully the prices will bottom out & it will be mostly those speculative buyers that get screwed with the losses.  Then more middle income couples can afford to buy one.

[Andrea]

designspace, on Apr 20 2006, 03:38 PM, said:

Of equal concern, is the Atlanta market really ready to absorb an additional 4,000 condo units?  From what I'm hearing, the condo market is quickly reaching saturation.  Considering all the other condos already under development, will Cityplace be the icing on an over-built cake?

Won't the market sort all that out?