UP|The NC Triad

Four Seasons Town Centre

StevenRocks — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:36:54 +0000

I can't see CBL buying Four Seasons at this point. They're focused on Alamance Crossing, Friendly Center and Hanes Mall of late, with Oak Hollow Mall suffering for lack of interest and Randolph Mall holding its own.

Tanger Outlet Center Planned in Mebane

dkst0426 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:59:13 +0000

Looks like it's a go:

Tanger sets date for Mebane groundbreaking

Quote

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. will break ground on its new outlet shopping center in Mebane next month.

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue is expected to attend a “Holiday Ground Breaking Ceremony” at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10.

Headquartered in Greensboro, Tanger has purchased a 52-acre parcel in the Arrowhead development off Mebane Oaks Road at exit 154 off Interstate 85/40. The project is slated for completion in late 2010.

The 317,000-square-foot Tanger Outlet Center in Mebane will include approximately 80 brand name and designer outlet stores. These stores include Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Banana Republic Factory Store, Coach Factory, Gap Outlet, J. Crew, Michael Kors, BCBG/Girls, Nike Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger and so many more of today’s leading brand and designer names.

RIP Ham's

dkst0426 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:57:23 +0000

Growler33, on 28 October 2009 - 01:55 AM, said:

I knew that the Ham's in Burlington went away suddenly. Heard on Fox 8 on Tuesday night that they were in Chapter 11. What a shame. I hope they can reorganize. Loved their soggy chips!

I won't miss it. Service was horrendous, seating was cramped, and parking was always a pain.

Burlington Square Mall Faces Foreclosure

dkst0426 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:56:22 +0000

Creasy336, on 09 November 2009 - 11:25 PM, said:

Thats a great idea. ABSS is looking to build a new middle school/high school and this location would be perfect. In the past I have wanted to see this site plus the Kmart site redeveloped into a "downtown west Burlington" with a western ACC campus, street facing retail, high density residential, and a small park.

A school campus there would be magnificent. Is the liquor store on S. Church by the bowling alley located far enough away, though? If I recall correctly, don't school zones have to be free of such establishments?

In this week's news, Trailhead Church was featured as having relocated to the old Gold's Gym space in the mall, and there was some mention in the article of the mall's management looking to include non-traditional mall tenants.

Church finds new home at Burlington Square Mall

Downtown Greensboro Developments

DiTTO2o — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:30:27 +0000

You can vote for Center Pointe in the 2009 Best Installation Award from 3form now until 12/18!

http://www.3-form.com/installations-best_installation_contest-2009_entries.php?cat=commercial&entry_id=722

Center Pointe

DiTTO2o — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:13:34 +0000

The Arts District / Liberty Street Projects

davieguy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:48:58 +0000

That is the site which includes the dirt being moved just south of the building. I didn't get a real sense however of whether the developer was renovating the old garage building or any idea on the site plan. I just know that Mary decided to do the new restaurant in part because she was guaranteed some parking at the site. Anyway, I hope she does well with the new restaurant concept which if I remember right was more of a lunch focus.

Four Seasons Town Centre

beyonce245 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:26:42 +0000

StevenRocks, on 19 November 2009 - 12:26 AM, said:

The likelihood of Simon acquiring what is pretty much the third or fourth most popular mall in the Triad is low, but not out of the question. There are still three relatively strong anchors at this point, and a decent amount of typical mall stores. The greater likelihood is a repurchase by Koury to shore up their investment in the Sheraton Four Seasons.

Just found this article from November last year. Koury exec Showfety said that they sold to GGP back in 2004 because "they were concerned CBL was gaining too much of a presence in the market." That would seem to indicate that Koury might step in to prevent at least CBL from attempting to purchase Four Seasons, although I don't know about another company, since higher rental rates might impact the convention center. I could see Koury taking minority ownership in Four Seasons in conjunction with another property group.

For companies like Simon or others, it might be a good pickup in a down real estate market. I't's probably valued less than the $161 million GGP paid in 2004, and occupancy is probably still in the high 90s, although I'd like see some of the stores get the boot.

Friendly Center & The Shops at Friendly

JESmith — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:19:21 +0000

Out of curoisty, how long has the Showbiz/Chuck E. Cheese been at Friendly?

On that note, even though I doubt anyone cares, I noticed last week that the Chuck's at Friendly is finally getting the renovations that the rest of the chain got back in 2006. In other words, gone will be the biege and tan walls that the interior has had since it opened as Showbiz, and instead will have purple walls making the place look even more preschoolish than it already is. The wall seperating the game room and the room with the robot stage show will be removed. Makes me wonder if they'll replace the old robots that they've had since it opened with the modern Studio C Chuck robot while they're at it.

(Stupid fact: The Friendly Chuck's is about the only location in the whole chain to still have the old 80s/early 90s logo out front on the green awnings, even though the company and every other location phased it out waaay back in the late 90s).

Four Seasons Town Centre

StevenRocks — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:26:11 +0000

Four Seasons Town Centre

beyonce245 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:42:33 +0000

The Biz Journal reports that Simon Property Group has hired outside consultants to examine possible acquisitions from General Growth Properties, which owns Four Seasons. What do you all think is the likelihood of Simon acquiring Four Seasons?

The two major properties GGP owns in NC are Four Seasons and Southpoint in Durham. But because GGP is in bankruptcy protection and not liquidation, the company will probably try to hold on to Southpoint, especially if the creditors use GGP's portfolio to secure its debts.

I think Four Seasons can still be a great mall. There are still enough mainstream retail tenants for a turnaround to happen. Plus it has great interstate visibility, and I think, untapped potential with CBL controlling every other major mall in the region. But it would take a company like Simon to make it work. I wouldn't mind seeing Simon enter into an agreement with Koury to purchase the mall. The decline at Four Seasons didn't happen until Koury sold the mall. And because Koury still owns the convention center next door, it has a major financial stake in the mall, at least indirectly.

What say you?

Downtown Greensboro Developments

krazeeboi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:42:26 +0000

^Don't get me wrong, the five-story commercial building will be a great asset to downtown and as you stated in your first sentence, one of its major contributions will be density. But when it was stated that the building "will really help add to Greensboro's skyline," you'd think this was going to be a 200-footer or something. Cityboi somewhat tempered his original statement by stating that it will have a "small impact" on the skyline which is much closer to the truth.

Downtown Greensboro Developments

gso27 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:40:42 +0000

cityboi, on 17 November 2009 - 11:42 PM, said:

if you are looking from where I view Greenboro's skyline, it will have a small impact. The frame work clearly stands above almost all the buildings in that part of downtown. Its the tallest building between Gateway Plaza and the Guilford Building and helps fill in the gap a little. buildings dont have to be 20-stories tall to have an impact on the skyline. Half of what makes a great skyline are midrise buildings, its not all about the tall buildings. High Point is a great example. Its downtown doesnt have but maybe one or two buildings that reach 10-stories but the density of midrise buildings make up for it. Great skylines have buildings that vary in height. And yes an 8-story building that just happens to be a jail will have an impact on building density in downtown Greensboro.

I have to agree with Citiboi. Part of what makes downtown High Point and to some smaller extent Winston-Salem so interesting is the density of buildings 4 to 10 stories tall. Greensboro lacks any real density beyond Elm Street, so any new large mid-rise buildings are welcomed (even this ugly jail to some extent). What it offers to the urban streetscape is debatable, but structures of this scale will boost the base of Greensboro's skyline by filling in the many gaps that are visible from certain vantage points. Beyond aesthethics, as land prices rise downtown, more and larger multi-use facilities should increase the foot traffic downtown at all times of the day. I think Greensboro will see more mid-rise development, and hopefully something taller in the future. I get excited with any new developments downtown and I'm even more grateful considering the current economic climate, so there's nothing wrong with getting a little excited with each new announcement.

The Arts District / Liberty Street Projects

krazeeboi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:40:06 +0000

Good Lord @ all the power lines!

Greensboro Swim Center

beyonce245 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:00:14 +0000

beyonce245, on 17 November 2009 - 09:53 PM, said:

d_Random, I certainly welcome your comments, but could you at least try to add to the dialogue. I'm interested to hear about your apparent opposition to the swim center. But your little quips so far have failed to shed light on why your opposed to this project.

For those of us that prefer more constructive discussion, here's a memo from the assistant city manager about possible funding sources to close the swim center shortfall. The city council is expected to discuss it at tonight's meeting. So perhaps we'll learn more tomorrow.

City Council voted 7-1 to use funds from the hotel/motel tax to fill the funding gap.

Downtown Greensboro Developments

cityboi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:42:22 +0000

The Arts District / Liberty Street Projects

twincity — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:40:09 +0000

Interesting. Is this the site?

Greensboro Swim Center

beyonce245 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:53:53 +0000

d_Random, on 16 November 2009 - 03:56 PM, said:

It will get cleared up, the tax payers will pay the difference!

Downtown Greensboro Developments

krazeeboi — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:26:21 +0000

^I agree. The building's real impact will be at the street level, and it will help as far as urban density is concerned. If a five-story building helps to add to any city's skyline, then they really didn't have a skyline to begin with. Cityboi, I know you really want Greensboro to have this burgeoning skyline, but touting eight-story jails and five-story commercial buildings as significant additions to the skyline really comes across as overboosterish. But that's your right.

Downtown Greensboro Developments

beyonce245 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:23:06 +0000

cityboi, on 17 November 2009 - 06:35 PM, said:

The steel frame has already started going up on the 5 story building on South Elm Street. The first segment already reaches 5-stories and is clearly visible from my apartment at CityView. The midrise building will really help add to Greensboro's skyline.

Sorry cityboi, but this won't do anything for the skyline. There are buildings on Green Valley taller than that. But it's certainly good to hear that progress is being made.

Downtown Greensboro Developments

cityboi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:35:19 +0000

Triad Off-Topic

beyonce245 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:23:21 +0000

The Greensboro City Council will consider adopting the recently completed Land Development Ordinance, which updates the city's land use plan that was put in place in 1992. I haven't been able to read much of it's 514 pages. But from what I have, I like what I see. It seems to encourage more mixed use and higher density developments, reduces setback requirements to foster more pedestrian-friendly developments and provides incentives for transit oriented developments.

The draft was passed last night by both the city planning board and zoning commission, so the plan has a good chance of being adopted by council in February when they take it up.

Read more about the LDO here.

A/perture

beyonce245 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:09:17 +0000

twincity, on 16 November 2009 - 11:44 AM, said:

screen installation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVlCYtsybuM

Thanks for sharing. Was that a window or wall opening that they were covering up on the right?

The Arts District / Liberty Street Projects

davieguy — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:14:54 +0000

I had Sunday Brunch two Sunday's ago at Mary's Of Course. Spoke with Mary and she said they are going to open a second restaurant at the 8th and Trade site. I am sure there will be other shops as well but that is what I know for sure at this point.

Greensboro Swim Center

d_Random — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:56:34 +0000

Lee street bully, on 15 November 2009 - 09:57 PM, said:

I really hope the swim center mess gets cleared up. This could work wonders for the local economy if utilized properly.

It will get cleared up, the tax payers will pay the difference!

A/perture

twincity — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:44:25 +0000

screen installation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVlCYtsybuM

Greensboro Swim Center

Lee street bully — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:57:59 +0000

I really hope the swim center mess gets cleared up. This could work wonders for the local economy if utilized properly.

Elections 2009

beyonce245 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:54:44 +0000

DCMetroRaleigh, on 13 November 2009 - 10:20 AM, said:

Is Greensboro the only major NC city with a Republican Mayor now?

Incoming Mayor, yes.

Elections 2009

DCMetroRaleigh — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:20:05 +0000

Is Greensboro the only major NC city with a Republican Mayor now?

Greensboro Swim Center

d_Random — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:01:14 +0000

cityboi, on 28 September 2009 - 07:09 PM, said:

here is a video presentation by coliseum director Matt Brown.

The Matt Brown shake down continues! Greensboro swim center still needs millions!