Independence Center & Marriott Renovation

[CLTProductions]

 

 

Well this is going to be awesome. Inside of the Marriott post renovation. Can anyone make out what it says on the ceiling of the bar? "James Bar"???

[CLTProductions]

Well this looks nothing short of amazing.....not "all" the retail we wanted, but at least they're taking out the atrium....this is epic

[tozmervo]

I'm much more impressed by the site plan than the actual space, which still looks like a giant lobby - they've just jammed a cosmopolitan restaurant into one side. The exterior space looks much more interesting and potentially active now, though. Big improvement over the big lot of nothing that's there now.

However, that plan shows the lobby for Northeastern as being available (the yellow space). It also shows the interior corridor space and tin tin as being one contiguous retail space (in peach), potentially eliminating the existing interior connection to Iveys. 

Edit: the ground perspective photos show a big glass canopy over the main building entrance, which is critical to that giant curtain wall more inviting and less cold, but the bird's eye view doesn't show the canopy. Hmm..

[CLTProductions]

I'm much more impressed by the site plan than the actual space, which still looks like a giant lobby - they've just jammed a cosmopolitan restaurant into one side. The exterior space looks much more interesting and potentially active now, though. Big improvement over the big lot of nothing that's there now.

However, that plan shows the lobby for Northeastern as being available (the yellow space). It also shows the interior corridor space and tin tin as being one contiguous retail space (in peach), potentially eliminating the existing interior connection to Iveys. 

I need to double check but I am fairly certain that interior connection to Ivey's is going away....

[tozmervo]

I think its fine if it does, though it could do in Showmars and Subway back there, not to mention the little sundries store. 

Also: it's kind of funny to me that they didn't put a logo on the most recognizable space in that footprint, Starbucks. 

[navigator319]

It was less then a year ago the did the minor renovation to the exterior of this building facing Trade/Tryon.  Why would they waste that money if they were going to do this?

[CLTProductions]

Different owners then. New owners wanna completely transform the building. They're gonna have a lot of free space soon and this will obviously sky rocket the buildings value. 

[Silicon Dogwoods]

Build this, instead. It will evoke the original Independence Building. Only much taller, of course. I'm sure Cesar Pelli would welcome an opportunity to adorn another corner of The Square.

[Norm2]

Holy Batman that new front entrance looks nice! Hate that it is mostly going to be restaurant space though :-(

[Spartan]

I love any proposal to convert a lobby into retail space. The architecture is complimentary to the building itself. I'm indifferent about it - but it will still be a huge upgrade compared to what's there today. 

I have some concerns about the site plan. First, they are dramatically reducing the plaza space on the Square. Historically, buildings on all four corners didn't allow for any plaza space, but it seemed like the idea was to create the plaza space over time, so it's disappointing to see that go. I also don't care for the weird alley space they are creating on the left side of the renderings. I'm not convinced that space will be used in the way that rendering suggests.

Still, it's an overall improvement. I'm also starting to move towards the camp that thinks we need more actual retail on Tryon Street. Restaurants are great - we just need more shops. Seems to me that the current Northeastern University lobby space would be a good opportunity. I really like that they are converting the other entry way into the "mall" into retail space as well.

[Finkle]

The space between the two buildings will most likely be the ped entrance to the tower that can be built behind the exisistng buildings

[DMann]

The space between the two buildings will most likely be the ped entrance to the tower that can be built behind the exisistng buildings

And we should be expecting something to happen with that sooner rather than later.  This corridor empties to a ramp to get into the garage, something will change that.

[CLTProductions]

And we should be expecting something to happen with that sooner rather than later.  This corridor empties to a ramp to get into the garage, something will change that.

well that sounds cryptic. Do you know something we don't? They finally putting a tower back there?

[NYCLT]

Where exactly would it go? On the existing structure of 101 Independence or on the parking deck on Church?

[CLTProductions]

Where exactly would it go? On the existing structure of 101 Independence or on the parking deck on Church?

The latter, there's been a tower planned there for 30 years

[DMann]

I know nothing definite, but to take out the atrium and leave it as a dead end hardly makes any sense.  That site is too prime to be a goofy little parking lot.

[CLTProductions]

I know nothing definite, but to take out the atrium and leave it as a dead end hardly makes any sense.  That site is too prime to be a goofy little parking lot.

When in Charlotte.....

[SgtCampsalot]

I know nothing definite, but to take out the atrium and leave it as a dead end hardly makes any sense.  That site is too prime to be a goofy little parking lot.

Devil's advocate: How in the heck would they make that opened-up atrium space anything but a dead end when it has this as a back-end?

[CLTProductions]

Devil's advocate: How in the heck would they make that opened-up atrium space anything but a dead end when it has this as a back-end?

The original plan was to cap this and put a new face on that garage

[Desert Power]

Are they going to renovate the exterior of Independence tower?  I just looks rough from the outside.  Not sure if that is feasible.

[CLTProductions]

The Marriott renovations are finally done! And wow wow wow. I.....uh the agenda tried to do them justice but they have to be seen to be believed. Some serious big city stuff here. https://www.charlotteagenda.com/63067/marriott-city-center-set-new-standard-uptown/

[tozmervo]

8 hours ago, Jayvee said:

The Marriott renovations are finally done! And wow wow wow. I.....uh the agenda tried to do them justice but they have to be seen to be believed. Some serious big city stuff here. https://www.charlotteagenda.com/63067/marriott-city-center-set-new-standard-uptown/

Took a coffee break to go check it out, and I totally agree, way more impressive in person than I expected. Very cool stuff, and a great coffee shop

[Guest]

44 minutes ago, tozmervo said:

Took a coffee break to go check it out, and I totally agree, way more impressive in person than I expected. Very cool stuff, and a great coffee shop

Its got the Toz Stamp of Approval! Thats like a James Beard!

[tozmervo]

5 minutes ago, ricky_davis_fan_21 said:

Its got the Toz Stamp of Approval! Thats like a James Beard!

The coffee place sells fine leather goods, I mean COME ON

[CLTProductions]

20 minutes ago, ricky_davis_fan_21 said:

Its got the Toz Stamp of Approval! Thats like a James Beard!

James Beard aint got $#!^ on the Toz Stamp. Did you go check out Stoke and the rest of the lobby while you were in there? Amazing right?