Plaza-Midwood Projects (Central, Commonwealth, The Plaza)

[SCLA]

REMINDER!

Charlotte City Council votes tonight on tough new ordinance to clean up & regulate crime-ridden weekly-rate motels throughout Charlotte, including the two on Independence @ Briar Creek Road overpass. If you want to SHOW YOU CARE ABOUT OUR EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS and can show up, your presence will be greatly appreciated!!

7:00 p.m. at the Government Center (big triangular beige stone building, btwn. 3rd & 4th @ S. Davidson).

[atlrvr]

Here is a rendering of Woodfield's 267-unit apartment project on Hawthorne....I suspect this is looking from the intersection of Hawthorne and Sunnyside.

I'm REALLY hoping that's Hardi-Plank and not EIFS above the masonary....I think it will be, but it would be nice for confirmation.

[aptman]

Here is a rendering of Woodfield's 267-unit apartment project on Hawthorne....I suspect this is looking from the intersection of Hawthorne and Sunnyside.

I'm REALLY hoping that's Hardi-Plank and not EIFS above the masonary....I think it will be, but it would be nice for confirmation.

You have confirmation, hardi-panel no EIFS.

[aptman]

Ditto, DAC, this is exactly what I mean by "in the loop," as there is so little public information about this project, especially as this phase of construction is quickly "going vertical." Yes, aptman, we're aware that the "bunker" is a garage and will be surrounded by midrise stacked units. But we know little else. And with our small corner of Elizabeth about to substantially increase in size- over 200 residents- those of us who live and own nearby are eager to become acquainted with this project- its architectural style, floor plans, target market, etc. One only has to read this board to be more familiar with other area projects that are still in the planning or preconstruction phase. It also seems to me that the commuters who see this project going up might be interested in learning about what's happening, too. Maybe they might like to shorten their commute, who knows?

At any rate, as they say at Emil Faber College, "knowledge is good." I think knowing a little more about this project would be a good thing, not only as an across-the-street future neighbor, but just in general.

I hope the rendering helped to give you a feel for the architectural style. Atllvr was correct that the building will be similar to Camden Dilworth, but it will not be identical. We will be posting an updated color rendering soon and the property website is currently being designed and will contain all floorplans. We are also working on a banner & signage. Unlike a for-sale project, we do not put together a marketing package before we launch a project. Renters typically do not commit 12-18 months in advance so we put together our materials when we get closer to opening our doors, which should occur sometime in the 3rd quarter. The target market is young professionals and frankly anyone who has a desire to be closer to all the wonderful things happening in Elizabeth, PM, & Uptown. The unit mix is heavily weighted towards 1BRs and the average unit size for all 267 units is 900 sf.

[underoak]

Update on The Vyne in pictures at Underoak

(Not sure I did the link right).

What the heck is Hardi-Plank? Apparently The Vyne is Hardi-Plank and masonry. I'm guessing that's a good thing?

There's a tiny winter skyline view at The Vyne possible -- not sure whether future site elevation and plans will take advantage of that. See picture No. 5 at the blog.

[Raintree21]

What the heck is Hardi-Plank? Apparently The Vyne is Hardi-Plank and masonry. I'm guessing that's a good thing?

Hardi-Plank is cement fiber board siding that is made to look like wood but without the wear and tear and is resistant to fire, insects, and rot.

[atlrvr]

Hardi-Plank is also much more aesthetically pleasing than any other faux-wood offering in my opinion. I believe it is also somewhat more environmentally friendly than some other alternatives.....so yes, Hardi-Plank is typically a good thing.

[underoak]

Hardi-Plank is cement fiber board siding that is made to look like wood but without the wear and tear and is resistant to fire, insects, and rot.

Thanks. The 994-square-foot unit at The Vyne, facing the city, is mighty tempting. But I don't see the "luxurious pool" on the site plan, and I'm not sure their definition of "spacious" balcony would match mine.

And if many more trees die, I'm going to get grumpy.

[sfmartin]

I noticed that the Plaza Vue development seems to be moving along ... another of those houses in the strip just got demolished. I think they have one more to go - I wonder why they don't do them all at once?

Site work progressing on Morningside; storm drainage going in; don't seem to have graded in any new road though.

No action on Industry 29 - I have my doubts about that one.

The Duo is done.

Edit: forgot to mention that the billboard sign on the Auto Werks site came down this weekend. So is the lease up or is something happening?

Edited January 21, 2008 by sfmartin

[underoak]

I noticed that the Plaza Vue development seems to be moving along ... another of those houses in the strip just got demolished. I think they have one more to go - I wonder why they don't do them all at once?

Site work progressing on Morningside; storm drainage going in; don't seem to have graded in any new road though.

No action on Industry 29 - I have my doubts about that one.

The Duo is done.

So maybe someone could take down the two Duo signs for now? I wonder if they comply with the sign ordinance....

[SCLA]

No action on Industry 29 - I have my doubts about that one.

When I talked w/ a realtor involved w/ i29 a coupla weeks ago, he indicated they expect to have the last of the units pre-sold (or at least the amt. req'd. to begin construction) in February; project to begin immed. after that. Hopefully that'll happen.

On the bigger picture, tho, maybe it's kinda a healthy thing that some of this mad pace of development is cooling off for a year or so.

[fz dogmother]

Thanks for that rendering aptman!

I'll study it carefully, since I'll be looking at it directly for a long time to come!

[underoak]

Trees continue to tumble at The Vyne. Pretty darn startling if you drive by. More pix maybe later.

Eastside related news: Coventry Woods folks seem to have lost a battle with zoning against Independence Woods, an infill project. Is there a thread for that part of town, near Sharon Amity and Independence?

Report from that neighborhood association, in their own words, shortened slightly, at underoak.

[atlrvr]

With Beazer announcing today that they are 100% pulling out of the Charlotte market, hopefully it means developers who were initially skeptical about being involved with Morningside Village will now be more willing to go forward there, and the development will be built at a quality level as promised when announced.

[uptownliving]

I noticed that the Plaza Vue development seems to be moving along ... another of those houses in the strip just got demolished. I think they have one more to go - I wonder why they don't do them all at once?

Plaza Vu just got their building permits approved and issued. Expect to see some construction in the near future.

[underoak]

Photo update on The Vyne at underoak.

Pictures are from Feb. 3 (sorry for delay; life gets in the way). Work has continued apace since then.

Edited February 9, 2008 by underoak

[PlazaMidwoodGuy]

^^ How many trees are being saved vs. the number being ripped up by this "green" project?

Edited February 9, 2008 by PlazaMidwoodGuy

[ExCal01]

Morningside Village has a new sign up on Morningside Drive. Also, Morninside Village is going to be featured in the "Next Big Thing" in the Observer on Wednesday in which they will supposedly announce a couple of contracts for the first phase(s) of the development (the commercial / retail block with appartments). I believe they are supposed to start going vertical in August/September.

Also, they are currently in the proceeds of digging out the new pond at the end of McClintock near Morningside. The improvements to the creek and the addition of the pond (and 14' wide walking/biking trail) are going to be really nice.

I also learned that MV hopes to the development standards with respect to putting in granite curbs on all streets throughout the development. However, they are getting resistance from the city on that issue. Does anyone know why the city would oppose granite curbs? Seems to me to be it would be a nice upgrade.

[atlrvr]

^ The city doesn't like the cost of replacing them when they become worn....they've actually ripped granite out of places elsewhere in the city

I'm excited to hear the news about Morningside Village....if done right, this should be a good guide to what can be done with other large under-utilized tracts in established neighborhoods.

[Appetite for Construction]

The Observer is reporting today that Post Properties will be the developer and landlord for an apartment project within the developing Morningside Village area. Based on the Post Properties already in Charlotte, this is good news IMO!

Below are links to the article (with rendering) and the overall website for the area.

Doug Smith Article

Morningside Village Website

Edited February 13, 2008 by Appetite for Construction

[Andyc545]

I like what they did in Atlanta, so I cross my fingers we get something similar. What caught my eye is it has plans for an 11 story condo (400 for rent, 600 for sale)!

[atlrvr]

I think the two Post Properties projects downtown are of decent architectual design....Phillips Place, not so much.

I'll reserve judgement until I see this....the fact that they will be using stucco is already throwing up a red flag, but their Gateway Village building did a decent job witht he stucco. The picture of the property in Atlanta...eh, not a big fan. Also, the architects, Preston Partnership, have a reputation for pulling plans out of a drawer as opposed to thoughtful design.

I'm neutral at this point at what I expect from the design, though I am very excited at the prospect of 25k sq. ft. of retail. The fact that its rental I think is ok, as long as the for sale components don't stall. I like the picture of real brownstones on the Morningside Village website under "vision", but the likelyhood of that really happening is extrordinarily low.

[SCLA]

I think the two Post Properties projects downtown are of decent architectual design....Phillips Place, not so much.

I'll reserve judgement until I see this....the fact that they will be using stucco is already throwing up a red flag, but their Gateway Village building did a decent job witht he stucco. The picture of the property in Atlanta...eh, not a big fan. Also, the architects, Preston Partnership, have a reputation for pulling plans out of a drawer as opposed to thoughtful design.

I'm neutral at this point at what I expect from the design, though I am very excited at the prospect of 25k sq. ft. of retail. The fact that its rental I think is ok, as long as the for sale components don't stall. I like the picture of real brownstones on the Morningside Village website under "vision", but the likelyhood of that really happening is extrordinarily low.

Yeah, Post's stick-built suburban-style developments, as far as the buildings, are nothing to get too excited about, but when they got into the steel-frame urban market in recent years I'd say most of their stuff is not bad (could do a lot worse!). However the news IS worthy of excitement b/c of the landscaping they're famous for (head & shoulders above ANYthing @ non-Post properties). That's one aspect where the finished product usually falls short of the sexy renderings, when developers 'value-engineer' quality landscaping out of a project during design development....but I don't think Post will disappoint at all.

As far as the brownstone comment, yeah, I too am jaded enough to expect a bit less in the details than the marketing would imply........the disappointing realities of lowest-common-denominator, inside-the-box design stack the deck against cool details (e.g. the granite curbs getting axed by the city in favor of cheaper-to-replace poured concrete). Cornelius did 'em all along their main street a coupla years ago; why can't Charlotte? (All about setting a precedent, probably.)

[voyager12]

Post apts are nice in a classically neutral Banana Republic style. Nothing very daring. Perfect for the young professionals that typically fill them. It will be interesting to see how they change their model to fit MV's lower density pedestrian scale vibe. I would have liked to have seen rental rates at a lower scale mixed in so some of the displaced residents could have moved back. The neighborhood association would have freaked out though.

[atlrvr]

It would have been a good opportunity to do 10% of units making 60% AMI, which they probably could have got tax-exempt bond financing for....however, Post is not the company to do a mixed-income property. The majority of developers that do these properties typically produce a lower overall quality project, based on what I've seen in Charlotte.