35 replies to this topic

[thewizard16]

Architect, on 04 April 2011 - 09:54 PM, said:

I've heard - from separate sources - that a mid-rise, mixed-use building is moving ahead.  Glad to hear about the hotel as well. I'm assuming you're referring to the aLoft?

I assume so. I specifically brought up aLoft and was told the hotel is moving ahead (hopefully later this year) without any correction on the name, so it seems that is still the plan. It sounds like it is more of a short-term likelihood for the hotel to get underway than the Arcade actually (the hotel was mentioned as hopefully later this year and "maybe the Arcade too"), but I do know it's being actively worked on. I would certainly assume that this is the same mid-rise mixed use building you have heard about too, and it would seem likely finances/pre-leasing interest are what they would need to be working on to get the project moving along.

[jcmcclure77]

thewizard16, on 04 April 2011 - 11:19 PM, said:

I assume so. I specifically brought up aLoft and was told the hotel is moving ahead (hopefully later this year) without any correction on the name, so it seems that is still the plan. It sounds like it is more of a short-term likelihood for the hotel to get underway than the Arcade actually (the hotel was mentioned as hopefully later this year and "maybe the Arcade too"), but I do know it's being actively worked on. I would certainly assume that this is the same mid-rise mixed use building you have heard about too, and it would seem likely finances/pre-leasing interest are what they would need to be working on to get the project moving along.

There will be a new hotel built on the lot across from Dizzy's, and rumored to start later this year, but it will not be an Aloft property.  It has been decided that brand would not do well in this market.  Cannot disclose hotel brand at this time...

[Architect]

jcmcclure77, on 22 April 2011 - 01:56 PM, said:

There will be a new hotel built on the lot across from Dizzy's, and rumored to start later this year, but it will not be an Aloft property.  It has been decided that brand would not do well in this market.  Cannot disclose hotel brand at this time...

WHAT?!!!!  Major disappointment (if this is true).  So an aLoft works in a suburban strip area of Rogers, but not in a hip, urban downtown are of Little Rock?  Wow.

[skirby]

Does anyone know about the status of this project or another four story project that will include 15,000 sq.ft. of retail and the remainder residential?

[thewizard16]

skirby, on 21 July 2011 - 04:01 PM, said:

Does anyone know about the status of this project or another four story project that will include 15,000 sq.ft. of retail and the remainder residential?

It's still alive as previously mentioned, I was told a while back that there should be some news/announcement by the end of the year. I haven't heard anything to indicate there had been any change of plans, anyway.

[Architect]

thewizard16, on 21 July 2011 - 06:53 PM, said:

It's still alive as previously mentioned, I was told a while back that there should be some news/announcement by the end of the year. I haven't heard anything to indicate there had been any change of plans, anyway.

I, too, keep hearing rumors about an imminent, multi-use project.  I've assumed all along that it may be this.

[thewizard16]

Architect, on 21 July 2011 - 09:44 PM, said:

I, too, keep hearing rumors about an imminent, multi-use project.  I've assumed all along that it may be this.

I would think so. I was told recently the Arcade plans are still alive and to expect news later this year (fall/early winter), and as much as I'd love for there to be two projects floating out there ready to go, it seems much more likely that it's just this one.

[skirby]

Moses Tucker has a redesigned website and it list two current developments. One is the Arcade Building and it describes it as a "mixed use structure to include retail shop space, office and residential space and an auditorium/theater to be developed in conjunction with the Public Library." This is the first time I have heard that the library will be involved.

Also, the website states"the firm is in the preliminary stages of developing a 100,000 square-foot commercial/residential/office complex to be located in the core of downtown Little Rock". Any idea where this will be located?

The website did not say anything about the hotel project that was to be located in the River Market.

[thewizard16]

skirby, on 07 November 2011 - 11:02 AM, said:

Moses Tucker has a redesigned website and it list two current developments. One is the Arcade Building and it describes it as a "mixed use structure to include retail shop space, office and residential space and an auditorium/theater to be developed in conjunction with the Public Library." This is the first time I have heard that the library will be involved.

Also, the website states"the firm is in the preliminary stages of developing a 100,000 square-foot commercial/residential/office complex to be located in the core of downtown Little Rock". Any idea where this will be located?

The website did not say anything about the hotel project that was to be located in the River Market.

Hmm. I hadn't heard about the new development yet, but that's exciting. I'm a huge fan of Moses Tucker and their work in Little Rock, and I was hoping that they would be able to catch their breath and make sure their company was strong while the economy remained in the pits because I knew they'd have more on their drawing board once the market was there to support it. I am glad they redid the website though, the old development and residential pages were a bit of a mess.

[hogwash]

thewizard16, on 07 November 2011 - 11:10 AM, said:

Hmm. I hadn't heard about the new development yet, but that's exciting. I'm a huge fan of Moses Tucker and their work in Little Rock, and I was hoping that they would be able to catch their breath and make sure their company was strong while the economy remained in the pits because I knew they'd have more on their drawing board once the market was there to support it. I am glad they redid the website though, the old development and residential pages were a bit of a mess.

I've heard the Paramount Life Bldg is the aforementioned 100K SQFT project. Not sure, though...

[Architect]

hogwash, on 07 November 2011 - 07:41 PM, said:

I've heard the Paramount Life Bldg is the aforementioned 100K SQFT project. Not sure, though...

Where/which building is the Paramount Life?

[thewizard16]

Architect, on 07 November 2011 - 09:39 PM, said:

Where/which building is the Paramount Life?

It's at 319 W. 2nd Street. I had to dig a bit to figure it out... I'd heard the name before but couldn't recall ever seeing anything referred to as the "Paramount Life" building but sure enough, that was their former headquarters. It and a vacant parking lot sit at the corner of 2nd and Spring near the old courthouse. I've probably driven by it dozens of times and not really noticed it... It's not a particularly attractive building and that whole block is relatively dead- the street entrance to the paramount building is boarded up and the only other structure on that half of the block is a small 1-story brick attorney's office. It's one of several full blocks in that strip of downtown that feels empty since so many structures have been razed and paved over and many of the existing buildings are empty or run down.

Edited by thewizard16, 07 November 2011 - 10:56 PM.

[Architect]

Just looked it up on Google Streetview.  That building does sort of just blend into the background, even though it is sizable, particularly given its sparse surroundings.  A curious development for sure.

[skirby]

Isn't the Paramount Life building on the same block as the parking deck/park purposed a few years ago by Pulaski County?

MT's website states it will be in the core of downtown LR but I  don't see this location as part of the core. Why buy a building and demolish it and build another one when there are plenty of vacant lots  available?

[Arkanzin]

I was hoping the "auditorium/theater to be developed in conjunction with the Public Library" was in conjunction with the Clinton Library rather than the public library.  The lack of an auditorium/theater is the biggest problem I see with the Clinton Center.  They have wonderful guests and lectures yet cram everyone into Sturgis Hall like sardines.  If the Arcade is where the Aloft Hotel was supposed to be or at the corner of Clinton and River Market, perhaps the auditorium/theater could be used for guest lectures.

[thewizard16]

The library bond issue vote was/is today (for another hour). I went and voted in support of it. General turnout was low the guy said, but I imagine it should pass pretty easily and the development of this auditorium can start being planned more seriously. I would love to see Arcade get underway at that site and add a new noticeable building to the River Market.