230 replies to this topic

[Jones133]

NCpride, on May 29 2009, 08:39 AM, said:

We would be in a much better position to rebound right now if we had built more apartments and condos geared towards the middle class, as opposed to luxury condos that are half empty and going for exorbitant prices.

This is exactly correct. Aiming for the top bracket all the time, and building spec for any income bracket is a recipe for bubble's and ensuing collapses.

[DwnTwnRaleighGuy]

Is one of the reason for the very high prices because the developer is building the condo's from the ground up? Where as most cities are renovating older structures and turning them into condos?

[Euphorius]

Good news for West. Looks as if some of the retail space is about to be taken off the market. There are two new clubs opening up shop there. One is called Still Life. Their facebook fan page is here. The other is from the owners of Cashmere and will be called The Venetian. Supposedly they will have indoor waterfalls, a VIP lounge, and a large outdoor space.

[Jones133]

Euphorius, on 21 January 2010 - 02:44 PM, said:

Good news for West. Looks as if some of the retail space is about to be taken off the market. There are two new clubs opening up shop there. One is called Still Life. Their facebook fan page is here. The other is from the owners of Cashmere and will be called The Venetian. Supposedly they will have indoor waterfalls, a VIP lounge, and a large outdoor space.

I wonder where the outdoor space will go or how it will be situated. Well, since I am wondering things, I wonder where they plan to find even more high end VIP types beyond what downtown is already barely supporting. I also wonder how the condo residents feel about a nightclub beneath them or they get any say in what goes there. I suppose that depends on hos many votes the developer still has in the HOA board.

[RALNATIVE]

Jones133, on 21 January 2010 - 03:56 PM, said:

I wonder where the outdoor space will go or how it will be situated. Well, since I am wondering things, I wonder where they plan to find even more high end VIP types beyond what downtown is already barely supporting. I also wonder how the condo residents feel about a nightclub beneath them or they get any say in what goes there. I suppose that depends on hos many votes the developer still has in the HOA board.

A bar/lounge type space like the Burrough at the Dawson would be more appropriate for that bldg's retail space.

[Jones133]

RALNATIVE, on 23 January 2010 - 12:04 AM, said:

A bar/lounge type space like the Burrough at the Dawson would be more appropriate for that bldg's retail space.

That's exactly what I was thinking. You Dawson guys are lucky to have such a cool spot on board. Until the parking lot between West and Get Dressed for Less is full of more residences, I think the retail space in West will struggle. West Street, Like Boylan Avenue is such an important part of the Glenwood Avenue neighborhood

[RALNATIVE]

Jones133, on 23 January 2010 - 05:56 PM, said:

That's exactly what I was thinking. You Dawson guys are lucky to have such a cool spot on board. Until the parking lot between West and Get Dressed for Less is full of more residences, I think the retail space in West will struggle. West Street, Like Boylan Avenue is such an important part of the Glenwood Avenue neighborhood

We thought the same thing about the Burrough when it first opened. No one thought that it would succeed, given the foot traffic down Morgan and Dawson, but look at it now. Once the hotel project across from 42nd street is completed, there will be much more need for basic retail in that area.

How often are you over at the Burrough?

[ChiefJoJo]

Of course the Borough works because it offers affordable, tasty food, reasonably priced drinks, in an inviting/comfortable atmosphere... plus, it's a well-known GLBT hangout, though not to the same extent as Legends, etc.  So, you have a lot of regulars there who know the owners (they tend bar too) that come in all the time.  This is not necessarily a formula that can easily be repeated.  Know your market and carve out a niche.  Raleigh Times has theirs (hipster hang out + good atmosphere & quality food), Mosaic has theirs, and so on... the restaurants and bars that have struggled downtown are mostly the ones who underestimated the need to target their market and thought a formulaic offering would work (remember the bars at the Depot?).  

The cluby spaces sort of fit that area (Glenwood South), but they need to differentiate themselves from Solas, etc.  Let's hope the West spaces will work.

[Jones133]

RALNATIVE, on 23 January 2010 - 06:19 PM, said:

We thought the same thing about the Burrough when it first opened. No one thought that it would succeed, given the foot traffic down Morgan and Dawson, but look at it now. Once the hotel project across from 42nd street is completed, there will be much more need for basic retail in that area.

How often are you over at the Burrough?

My only concern about the Borough was realized last weekend when a car wreck landed square in the middle of the patio. No body was killed luckily so now is the time to put some pretty but sturdy bollards at the curb. I hang out there in spurts that is mostly a function of who I am hanging out with. It was about once a week, but now its more like once a month with so many other places to work into the rotation. One of the best things about the place is that  it exists quite nicely on its own... away from the activity magnets. Being on the fringe of  the  warehouse district as opposed to in the middle of Glenwood or Fayetteville St just makes it more appealing to me. Liz got the interior just right too, and a cut-away corner entrance to me is a fine detail that says "welcome".

Will the folks footing the bill on the ground floor of West find those things that are just the right touch for the right niche (great point Jojo) of clientele? We shall see.

[orulz]

More apartments are proposed in the Glenwood South area of downtown - this time attached to West at North, and called "Apartments at West."

Site plan here.

Just north of West at North. 0.96 acres, 153 units, 7 stories. Looks like the ground floor is mostly parking, except for a leasing office, lobby, and fitness center facing West Street.

[Jones133]

Another Sandreuter baby. Hoping it gets built. More bodies living downtown will help fill up the existing empty retail spaces (next door at West condos e.g.)