436 replies to this topic

[Architect]

 turboturtle, on Nov 20 2007, 06:46 AM, said:

Yesterday, I noticed a banner on the fence that says, "Shop. Play. Live. Opening Fall 2009."

Cool. Not that the banner is definitive, but "Play" is interesting. Movie theater?  Cool restaurants?  It doesn't include "Work", but again its likely to include office use, which is still good for ensuring a nice mix of use.

[turboturtle]

 Architect, on Nov 20 2007, 08:44 AM, said:

Cool. Not that the banner is definitive, but "Play" is interesting. Movie theater?  Cool restaurants?  It doesn't include "Work", but again its likely to include office use, which is still good for ensuring a nice mix of use.

Now I'm wondering if I remembered it correctly.  I'm sticking with "play" until the next drive-by.  The banner is at the corner of University and E. Capitol Ave. (according to google maps anyway). It is St. Vincent Dr. on the east side of University.

[turboturtle]

 turboturtle, on Nov 20 2007, 09:48 AM, said:

Now I'm wondering if I remembered it correctly.  I'm sticking with "play" until the next drive-by.  The banner is at the corner of University and E. Capitol Ave. (according to google maps anyway). It is St. Vincent Dr. on the east side of University.

I confirmed, "play."  

The banner says, "Shop. Live. Play.  Opening Fall 2009"

Now, we can all have a Happy Thanksgiving.  

[LRguy21]

When is Demolition suppose to start?

[turboturtle]

 LRguy21, on Dec 11 2007, 08:51 PM, said:

When is Demolition suppose to start?

you gotta sledge hammer?

[LRguy21]

Naw, I only have a shovel and rake..........and i don’t think i can do much with those.

As i was driving home, i thought how weird its going to look with out that big tent looking thing. it sort of shapes the skyline in midtown. I hope its replaced with a nice condo tower.

[skirby]

Interesting article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today about retail development in Little Rock. One thing mentioned was the possibility that a hotel would be added to Park Avenue.

[turboturtle]

 skirby, on Dec 12 2007, 09:50 AM, said:

Interesting article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today about retail development in Little Rock. One thing mentioned was the possibility that a hotel would be added to Park Avenue.

That makes a lot of sense.  With the hospitals so close, an extended stay hotel should work.

[theman]

 skirby, on Dec 12 2007, 08:50 AM, said:

Interesting article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today about retail development in Little Rock. One thing mentioned was the possibility that a hotel would be added to Park Avenue.

The article also stated that Park Avenue was receiving some interest from big name national chains, but declined to name them.  I don't doubt Strode and the retailers they can pull in after what they brought to Midtowne.

[bchris02]

 theman, on Dec 12 2007, 10:29 PM, said:

The article also stated that Park Avenue was receiving some interest from big name national chains, but declined to name them.  I don't doubt Strode and the retailers they can pull in after what they brought to Midtowne.

I've read that there will likely be a hotel on the property.  It would be nice if he could bring in a signature hotel not in the market, like Marriott or Westin.

[theman]

 bchris02, on Dec 12 2007, 10:55 PM, said:

I've read that there will likely be a hotel on the property.  It would be nice if he could bring in a signature hotel not in the market, like Marriott or Westin.

That would be a coup for the Mid-town area.  It would depend on the tenants for retail and what kind of tenants he gets for the office component.  If Strode brings in tenants on par or greater than Midtowne, I could see it.  I guess it's possible since there is a Hilton down the street.  Just as long that it's not another Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inn.

[LRguy21]

A Westin would be so cool. Something fancy, but not to fancy. I think Hilton should dump their current location and move up to Park Avenue and have a "Real Hilton" or go downtown. For the money the spent on it, it still looks rinky dink.

I don’t doubt Storde either. I think we could finally see a Macys perhaps. I expect NEW. Possibly more upscale than a target.

[skirby]

 LRguy21, on Dec 12 2007, 11:05 PM, said:

A Westin would be so cool. Something fancy, but not to fancy. I think Hilton should dump their current location and move up to Park Avenue and have a "Real Hilton" or go downtown. For the money the spent on it, it still looks rinky dink.

I don’t doubt Storde either. I think we could finally see a Macys perhaps. I expect NEW. Possibly more upscale than a target.

I don't think the Hilton will be going anywhere soon. Since MBC Holdings also controls the property across University. They have plans to redevelop this property into office space. With the construction of Park Avenue I don't think it will be long before something happens here. 630 Metro Center.

[LRguy21]

Does Sears have any plans? it seems to be just stuck there all by itself. Is that how they like it? Its never busy.

[turboturtle]

 LRguy21, on Dec 13 2007, 12:24 AM, said:

Does Sears have any plans? it seems to be just stuck there all by itself. Is that how they like it? Its never busy.

Sears was once going to Shackleford Crossing.

Every news account I've ever read about Sears when a Sears person is quoted, they invariably say that that store is a very good store for them.  

That said, I thought I got some good scuttlebutt from someone I know who works for the City in the planning department.  I posted it here a while back.  The property from I-630 to Capitol Ave (runs if front of Doctors Hospital and makes southern border of Park Avenue), is under ownership of one entity.  That entity was looking at a major redevelopment of the property.  The Sears and Sears would stay.  The Sears Auto Center would go.  Also, the parking deck that juts out into University Avenue now would go.

If this ever materializes, it would be fantastic.

[Architect]

 LRguy21, on Dec 12 2007, 11:24 PM, said:

Does Sears have any plans? it seems to be just stuck there all by itself. Is that how they like it? Its never busy.

Its a nice store with INCREDIBLE visibility along the busiest freeway in the state.  It needs to stay to build upon the critical mass of Park Avenue.  I can't imagine they'd want to move it now with a grand new development next door.

[EJC]

 Architect, on Dec 13 2007, 05:47 PM, said:

Its a nice store with INCREDIBLE visibility along the busiest freeway in the state.  It needs to stay to build upon the critical mass of Park Avenue.  I can't imagine they'd want to move it now with a grand new development next door.

Sometimes I wish it were a bit more elegant in presentation, but I agree with you...it needs to stay.  I used to bad-mouth Sears as an organization, but I've been quite happy with that store for several years.

[Architect]

 EJC, on Dec 14 2007, 09:14 AM, said:

Sometimes I wish it were a bit more elegant in presentation, but I agree with you...it needs to stay.  I used to bad-mouth Sears as an organization, but I've been quite happy with that store for several years.

Yeah, I agree.  Its stood the test of time pretty well considering though.  And to be honest - and probably few here would agree with me - I sort of like the blue-glazed brick color that it used to be before they painted it the tan!  

[turboturtle]

Heavy equipment has been moved on site... and demolition of the old Ward's Auto Center has begun.

[LRguy21]

Do you think that they will emplode the mall, or just take it down piece by piece. i thoght that emplosion of that UAMS dorm was awsome. anways, i wounder how they will go about it. I hope they make a formal announcement. Its deffently going to be differnt if they dont add any tall structures to the area.  The mall sorta shapes the midtown skyline.