27 replies to this topic

[westsider28]

Major news this morning.  A Greenville-based investor is interested in renovating the Montgomery Building for commercial office space, student housing, and retail space.  They plan to restore the building's facade and floorplan as well as preserving the historic Carolina Theatre.  The plan is to have work done by Autumn 2013.

Herald-Journal article

I'm cautiously optimistic about this.  Other proposals have fallen apart in the past, and there's still some financing to get worked out here.  However, if this comes to fruition, it will be awesome.  This project has the potential to create a huge positive impact downtown.

[spartanburgh]

This project has the potential to make the largest impact on downtown in many years. It would put people on the street day and night, remove a huge dead spot and maybe get downtown over the hump and achieve the critical mass needed to attract further development. when you include the other activity going on.

-Monsoon reopening
-A new restaurant in the old Justin's building
-Couture Closet moving to the old Main St. Mall area
-The Red Cross filling a large office space
-ESA building filling up once again
-The opening of the new market in the old Bishop Furniture building
-Madd Max recent opening and creating night life on the East end of Downtown
-VCOM adding 150 + students each year for a total of 600 +
-The new Hub Bub grocery soon to open (hopefully downtown)
-SCC to open an new branch downtown
-Meeting Street academy soon to open in the old Broadwalk building
-Others?

Edited by spartanburgh, 19 February 2012 - 09:24 AM.

[vicupstate]

I get to visit DT Sburg about once a year, and did so just a week ago.  There has been a slow but steady improvement over time, with the pace picking up in the last few years.  Having the Montgomery building renovated and occupied would be very momentuous to the overall progress.  I really hope it comes off this time.

If it does, then the next order of business is to work on Main Street proper, specifically the serpentine section.

[Spartan]

Wow this is great news!

As with most projects lately I'll believe it when I see it, but the idea of the Montgomery being refurbished to its original grandeur is very exciting. I'll really believe it once they secure financing, the property changes hands, and the City approves some plans.

[hub-city]

Here is the website for the project.  Hope it becomes a reality!!

http://www.montgomerybuilding.net/

[Spartan]

The website says they spaces will be available Fall 2013. That means they are about about to majorly ramp up on some work.

[hub-city]

They are going to have to get to work pretty quick indeed.  I appreciate the pictures that they have already posted, but it looks like all they've done is exposed some of the original interiors.  if it is going to be "totally" renovated by 2013, then they've got to get more than a handyman with a hammer...

Also, the other day, there was an article about a bill at the statehouse calling for tax incentives for buildings that have sat vacant for more than 5 years.  They could be waiting on passage...  don't know, but I would feel better about the project when ownership actually changes hands.

Edited by hub-city, 21 February 2012 - 08:49 AM.

[krazeeboi]

Definitely hopes this one comes to fruition. Would be great to see that handsome historic building have some new life breathed into it that will help generate more pedestrian activity for downtown.