274 replies to this topic

[beerbeer]

It needs to happen for this alone.

AI Engineers will occupy about 1 ½ floors in the approximately  214,000-square-foot building that will also include more than 20,000  square feet of retail space. It also will feature a "green roof'' and  pub-style rooftop restaurant.

I want to have a drink at that pub, the views should be tremendous.

[The Voice of Reason]

beerbeer, on 26 April 2011 - 09:46 AM, said:

It needs to happen for this alone.

AI Engineers will occupy about 1 ½ floors in the approximately  214,000-square-foot building that will also include more than 20,000  square feet of retail space. It also will feature a "green roof'' and  pub-style rooftop restaurant.

I want to have a drink at that pub, the views should be tremendous.

You and I will be fighting over a stool at that pub for sure!!!

I also would fully intend to move the US Soccer supporters groups home bar to that location
could you imagine watching the world cup on the 12th floor roof garden(beer garden)

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

Note to AI:

Just walked by... here's an idearrrr - why not work with the Clarion buyer, tear it down, tear down the stupid 'skybridge' to HSB (tear down Spri's too if you want), then one big building with office, apts, hotel rooms, and restaurants/bars.  Get W or Westin chains involved.  Go.

[HartfordTycoon]

Theophrastus Bombastus, on 29 April 2011 - 12:28 PM, said:

Note to AI:

Just walked by... here's an idearrrr - why not work with the Clarion buyer, tear it down, tear down the stupid 'skybridge' to HSB (tear down Spri's too if you want), then one big building with office, apts, hotel rooms, and restaurants/bars.  Get W or Westin chains involved.  Go.

Now that is a plan! Would love to see something like this happen.

[beerbeer]

Stop tearing down buildings! Do we never learn?

The conversion of the hotel to apartment is exactly what is needed. It takes half, perhaps a quarter, of the time that tearing down a building and putting up a new one would -- assuming one is put up after the vacant lot is created.

Instead of another hole you get a building filed with life and activity.  The conversion is by far a better way to go.

[The Voice of Reason]

beerbeer, on 30 April 2011 - 08:03 AM, said:

Stop tearing down buildings! Do we never learn?

The conversion of the hotel to apartment is exactly what is needed. It takes half, perhaps a quarter, of the time that tearing down a building and putting up a new one would -- assuming one is put up after the vacant lot is created.

Instead of another hole you get a building filed with life and activity.  The conversion is by far a better way to go.

renovating the old hotel is absolutely what needs to be done.  If we were Stamford, and there was a huge developer lined up, I say tear down and build new, but we need rennovations more than anything.  holes in the ground suck.

regardless, both owners working together is a great opportunity.

Edited by The Voice of Reason, 02 May 2011 - 10:51 AM.

[mikel]

The Voice of Reason, on 23 August 2010 - 11:23 AM, said:

holy crap that just a pile of dribble!

if the developer, and owner, and primary tenant were publicly struggling as a company I'd get quite worried, but the fact is that this developer has announced a tenant not all that long ago, and lets not forget this is the worst recession in ages, so your gonna have to excuse some delays.

just chill out a bit, and if you are pre disposed to showing despair, try at least to wait for some kind of negative news.   not just that someone saw someone tinkering with a bulldozer, and that must mean they project is dead.

wait for asphalt to be poured there before you fly off the handle please?

A year later. I wonder if the "voice of reason" has gotten a grip on reality by now?

[drc72]

mikel, on 30 June 2011 - 07:46 PM, said:

A year later. I wonder if the "voice of reason" has gotten a grip on reality by now?

Yeah I would venture to guess that this thing is pretty much dead in the water............

[beerbeer]

While the Hartford business climate is bad (and much of it self-inflicted), this is a country wide problem.  Very few companies are expanding. Companies are building their war chests for the looming tax hikes and Obamacare. Most corporations want cash at hand to respond to the huge hits headed their way by the federal government.

But this project only needs on media-sized company to make it go. So even a mild uptick in the economy could put it back on schedule.

[Bill Mocarsky]

mikel, on 30 June 2011 - 07:46 PM, said:

A year later. I wonder if the "voice of reason" has gotten a grip on reality by now?

drc72, on 01 July 2011 - 03:13 PM, said:

Yeah I would venture to guess that this thing is pretty much dead in the water............

I just went by the site and found that the site is not paved.

[The Voice of Reason]

mikel, on 30 June 2011 - 07:46 PM, said:

A year later. I wonder if the "voice of reason" has gotten a grip on reality by now?

Yes, a year has passed and I still stand by my post.

The lot is not paved, the recession is still real and affecting Hartford, the owner is STILL committed, still owns his company,  and you are still a negative nancy....

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

Anyone heard from this dude lately?  I though he was on this board at some point.  I miss the ziggy-zaggy 60's Channel 3 building.

[The Voice of Reason]

the developer was not on this board, just a dude who worked on the project.  for all i know he might not even work there any more.


I will say this about Abdul Islam however,   He is still around.  Just a couple months ago he came to my office to meet with other business leaders and Malloy.  So, he is still actively involved in greater hartford and I feel as though his intentions are still the same, its jut a matter of all the same issues this project has had since the begining.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

Lovely - now there's gangish-type graffiti appearing on the side walls of the depressing, empty, open rock-pit......  at least pave it, clean it up, and park cars there for now...

Edited by Theophrastus Bombastus, 27 October 2011 - 12:59 PM.

[drc72]

Would you guys say that this thing is pretty much officially over?

Edited by drc72, 05 February 2012 - 10:08 AM.

[The Voice of Reason]

nope.

call me stubborn, but as stated before, its intended to be owner occupied, and that has not changed.  the economic environment has been getting better, but its not exactly piping hot right now.  so, until this place fully paves over and starts leasing the property to LAZ, I am going to still hope.   I also think that until I hear anything about AI having financial trouble or the company struggling, I think this thing will still be alive.

I do however think they should add 8 stories of condos and call it a day

[Luca Brasi]

There are three empty highrises downtown. Office vacancy downtown is the highest of any city in the northeast. No one will go near financing this. Word from the people at Constitution Plaza is that this project is dead in the water.

Edited by Luca Brasi, 09 February 2012 - 10:36 AM.

[Theophrastus Bombastus]

I heard that also.  Why the f do they tear down the old building when the new one is nowhere near ready to get started?  City should fine them $1000/day for open pit.

[mikel]

We got fooled again, Hartford.  Another empty hole downtown.  We never learn.

[The Voice of Reason]

that sucks if true.    who are these constitution plaza people?  like property management types?