526 replies to this topic

[go_vertical]

Wow, it's great to hear about all the development in downtown Spartanburg.  I haven't been there in quite a while (moved to Orlando a little over five years ago).  The most exciting thing is the talk of condos in downtown.  Once permanent residents are strolling the sidewalks then businesses will sprout like weeds.  One thing I'm curious about is how much these condos will cost.  Has anyone heard talks about price/sq.ft. or it is still too early in the planning stage for that.  Keep the pictures coming. I definately have to plan a trip back soon.

[Spartan]

Well, unit prices are already set. Price per square foot.. I'm not sure. I doubt if anyone is thinking about that just yet. Check out the thread for 155 Broad for more on that.

If you haven't been to Sparkle City in 5 years, you will be amazed at the transformation that the city has undergone.

We have new shopping centers in all corners of the city, a very attractive new Morgan Square, tons of new businesses, shops, restaurants, and some in-town neighborhoods that are seeing some re-investment.

How long did you live in Spartanburg?

[go_vertical]

I lived there for about ten years.  I remember being a little frustrated because I would see Greenville growing leaps and bounds but Spartanburg had nothing in the works aside from the random shopping center or occasional road improvement.  And when something would get announced even snails were sitting around wondering what the hold up was.  This always bothered me because I saw the potential in the city and often I felt like the people that had the ability to make changes didn't see what I did.  I'm finally glad to see some movin' and shakin' going on.

[Spartan]

Yeah that frustrated pretty much everyone. There were some issues with the leadership in Spartanburg in years past. They were all about maintaining the status quo (which wasn't much to brag about). Plans quite literally sat on shelves and collected dust.

The new leadership, however, is all about change. They seem to be doing things right in order to correct the mistakes in the past for the benfit of all Spartans. I have recently learned that Spartanburg is gaining reputation nationally as a progressive city in part due to its BikeTown program.

[roads-scholar]

go_vertical, on Apr 20 2007, 12:30 AM, said:

I lived there for about ten years.  I remember being a little frustrated because I would see Greenville growing leaps and bounds but Spartanburg had nothing in the works aside from the random shopping center or occasional road improvement.  And when something would get announced even snails were sitting around wondering what the hold up was.  This always bothered me because I saw the potential in the city and often I felt like the people that had the ability to make changes didn't see what I did.  I'm finally glad to see some movin' and shakin' going on.

The passing of the "old guard" has had something to do with the huge changes we're now seeing in town.  By the old guard I mean the industrialists who ran Spartanburg and who colluded to prevent economic, social, and cultural diversification.  Their primary motivation was to keep wages down and labor unions out.  

Another reason why Spartanburg is seeing more dramatic changes is that more capital is available for investment.  In years past, many ambitious projects were delayed and often cancelled due to a lack of financing.  The downtown condo project that was recently announced is an example of a project that would not happened a few years ago because sources of financing could not be obtained.  

There is also a new leadership class in Spartanburg that is much more globally oriented and culturally progressive.  Moeover, these folks understand all too well the importance how quality of life issues are toward attracting knowledge-based industries and jobs.  

I'm in agreement with you now - Spartanburg is now really movin' and shakin'

[Spartan]

I'm not sure if this is a development or not- but the Palmetto Building (the former Belks) is being rennovated into 20 luxury apartments. I thought they were already apartments, so this isnt really "news" to me. But I guess since they were last rennovsted in 1985, the latest round will truely make them "luxury" apts. Either way, its good news for downtown.

Herald-Journal article

Building Timeline

[Spartan]

Books-n-Stuff is closing. That, along with Sandella's makes two businesses on Main St that have closed or will close soon. I have heard that rents are going up, so I suspect that may be the problem. I hate to see any business downtown go, unless its a cash advance operation or a wig store. These two are no exception. But with the demand for downtown property increasing, I expect them to be replaces in short order.

[lynturner99]

I also believe that these buisnesses will be replaced shortly. The article in the Herald had a very optimistic tone about what may be coming where Sandelas used to be. I know LongLeaf recently purchased the building and Sandela's owner was quoted as saying he didn't want to stand in the way of progress. So maybe LongLeaf has some big plans for the spot. On an aside; family from California flew in last week and stayed in the Inn on Main and loved it and just went on about how downtown was looking so great since they last came 6 years ago; they also ate at Justin's and loved it.

[Spartan]

I'm glad to hear that about your family's visit. The Inn on Main is a great spot.

I hope that LimeLeaf's owners do have plans for a restaurant there. I'm sure its going to be something great

[Spartan]

Some good news for downtown today- the Bijou Market building on Main Street has been sold. The new owners are going to keep the apartments upstairs and finally get some business in on the ground floor. The previous owners had struggled with this for quite some time. They say that there will be an announcement soon. Pretty much anything will be good there considering that there is nothing there now.

HJ Article

[Spartan]

Sprucing up the entrance to the Courthouse:




The old Spartan Hotel. I tried to see what sort of progress had been made on the rennovations, but there wasn't anything worth takign a picture of. Hopefully its further along that it looks from the outside!

[lynturner99]

They have begun tearing down the brick building at the corner of east main and alabama. Hopefully they will begin construction of the second johnson buiding soon. By next summer east main could have a very different look!

[Spartan]

I found out that the Spartan Hotel rennovation is indeed underway and progress is much more evident. Here are some photos.

[hub-city]

What are the plans for the old Spartan hotel?

[Spartan]

Conversion to condos I think. Could be apartments, but I'm pretty sure its condos. Ground floor retail from what I understand.

[krazeeboi]

Glad to see renovations underway....it would have been cool to see it become a hotel again as well.

[Spartan]

Spartanburg used to have a lot more hotels downtown, since it was a major rail hub back its heyday. The Spartan Hotel is the only hotel from those days remaining.

[Spartan]

According to the Journal, the Downtown Association has hired a coordinator to, well, help coordinate projects and efforts downtown. Long term, the Downtown Association wants to become separate from the Chamber of Commerice (I assume something like Charlotte Center City Partners). The example the article uses is Fort Worth, TX where the downtown association coordinates and manages concerts, festivals, signage, and cleaning streets. But that situation would be at least five years out- if not more (IMO). This is a positive step for Spartanburg.

There were no TBA's this week.

[hub-city]

GREAT NEWS!!

The HJ is reporting that developers are looking to invest in a multi-million project on the corner of Main and Pine.  The current Pine Street Crossing that has the Skillet, Ford's drugs etc... and the Economy Inn adjacent will be torn down and redeveloped.  Plans are still preliminary, and it may be an August '09 start, but this is great for downtown.

Check out more details in the ARTICLE

[hub-city]

More great news.  We knew about this one, but they just posted it on the online HJ.  It's the official announcement about the sister building to the Carolina First building.  It should start within a month!

ARTICLE

Edited by hub-city, 26 August 2007 - 06:46 AM.