The Plaza

[UPSDAN]

Okay. You guys are right about the height at 357'. I spoke with the GC today (personally know him, and a handful of others). he flipped to the blueprint and did the whole 455' minus sea level plus that 93.2' or whatever number in the bottom right hand corner of that very same schematic (except with more numbers on it) you all posted above. It came out to 357'.

FYI-- he had the roll of Dynetech blueprints nearby which had recently been delivered by the architects. I didn't press the issue, so next week, he might let me peruse them (is that a word?). I want to verify the height.

FYI-- he confirmed that they are also doing the Lutheran tower.

funny thing though, these guys mainly stick to their own projects and aren't too concerned with details of other projects; noone ever gets the height or floor counts right when I bring up some of these other projects. I guess this psychosis is limited to UP forumers only...

What are the North and South tower now?

[FrigginGr8est]

Any update on the completion date of the residential tower? Thanks

[firemick]

Okay. You guys are right about the height at 357'. I spoke with the GC today (personally know him, and a handful of others). he flipped to the blueprint and did the whole 455' minus sea level plus that 93.2' or whatever number in the bottom right hand corner of that very same schematic (except with more numbers on it) you all posted above. It came out to 357'.

FYI-- he had the roll of Dynetech blueprints nearby which had recently been delivered by the architects. I didn't press the issue, so next week, he might let me peruse them (is that a word?). I want to verify the height.

FYI-- he confirmed that they are also doing the Lutheran tower.

funny thing though, these guys mainly stick to their own projects and aren't too concerned with details of other projects; noone ever gets the height or floor counts right when I bring up some of these other projects. I guess this psychosis is limited to UP forumers only...

^ Great investigative work JRS1! It would be nice to get accurate heights, number of floors and other details on these projects. The psychosis reference is dead on.

[radiostatic102]

I've heard the European concept tossed about a lot around here and it bothers me a little. Western European architecture for the most part consists of block after block of low-rise (usually no greater than 7-8 stories) buildings, often times connected to each other. There are very few 300-foot tall structures in these cities, aside from a few modern districts in older cities (i.e. London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome). When these cities do decide to go vertical, they do it in style with buildings that can be up to 600-800 feet tall. I don't know of a city in Europe with a downtown (an American creation) consisting of many buildings all 200-400 feet tall. If anything, I think the direction Orlando is headed in is more along the lines of Vancouver than anything else.

I did some research. I see what you're saying, and I agree. There are some cities in Europe that have smaller buildings, but it's not really so prevalent to really justify the label of "European".

Orlando is definately heading in the direction of Vancouver, and I would also add Honolulu (without the paradise surroundings) in that this city is dense but I think there's nothing over 500 feet, or even 450 for that matter.....in comparison with these cities we're missing the beautiful mountains or the paradise setting of Hawaii. Nope, we got swamps. Oh, and lots of trees that like to burn...

For the time being, Salt Lake City and Sacramento are in the same bucket as Orlando. Seem to like to keep their towers short.

Edited May 3, 2006 by radiostatic102

[ryanthegreat]

For the time being, Salt Lake City and Sacramento are in the same bucket as Orlando. Seem to like to keep their towers short.

I don't think the height limits are necessarily a bad thing for the time being. It's not like we have this huge downtown core to begin with and we need it to go up instead of out. I'd rather have broader area of land urbanized at the expense of buildings being shorter. And when it gets to the point that demand for land raises to a point where developers have to build taller towers, then maybe they'll be ready to pick a fight with the FAA.

[radiostatic102]

I don't think the height limits are necessarily a bad thing for the time being. It's not like we have this huge downtown core to begin with and we need it to go up instead of out. I'd rather have broader area of land urbanized at the expense of buildings being shorter. And when it gets to the point that demand for land raises to a point where developers have to build taller towers, then maybe they'll be ready to pick a fight with the FAA.

I completely agree it's not a bad thing to have height limits. It needs to bulk up quite a bit first. It's on the right track for that.

[facilities man]

We are becoming a downtown that is opposite of Charlotte. Charlotte has an impressive skyline, but the downtown area is actually contained to a few blocks. If you leave the downtown core by a few blocks there's acres of open surface parking lots. Orlando's downtown will eventually be around 2 square miles of mid rise buildings and the whole downtown should be lively and energetic. I think that's where the European comparisons are coming from.

[cwetteland]

We are becoming a downtown that is opposite of Charlotte. Charlotte has an impressive skyline, but the downtown area is actually contained to a few blocks. If you leave the downtown core by a few blocks there's acres of open surface parking lots. Orlando's downtown will eventually be around 2 square miles of mid rise buildings and the whole downtown should be lively and energetic. I think that's where the European comparisons are coming from.

And that's what I like. Skylines that look great on postcards don't necessarily make it great to live in.

[Dale]

We are becoming a downtown that is opposite of Charlotte. Charlotte has an impressive skyline, but the downtown area is actually contained to a few blocks. If you leave the downtown core by a few blocks there's acres of open surface parking lots. Orlando's downtown will eventually be around 2 square miles of mid rise buildings and the whole downtown should be lively and energetic. I think that's where the European comparisons are coming from.

I take your point, although that sea of parking lots in Charlotte is rapidly being gobbled up.

[ryanthegreat]

And that's what I like. Skylines that look great on postcards don't necessarily make it great to live in.

Exactly. And in the long term, a vibrant downtown will lead to more growth than an impressive skyline and no vibrancy. Things are happening in the right order for Orlando.

[JRS1]

Plaza N & S: I think the posted heights are correct: Plaza N is just taller than Wachovia and Plaza S is just taller that Citrus Center.

As for this discussion on heights, all I know, is that the footprints of some of these projects are as big or bigger than many in other downtowns; ie, these are massive projects albeit not the tallest.

Edited May 4, 2006 by JRS1

[Camillo Sitte]

Just a couple of random quick-pics...

[GregoryMCSE]

Just a couple of random quick-pics...

NICE SHOTS... PARTICULARLY THAT SECOND ONE... THAT'S A NICE VIEW... ONE THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

[JFW657]

NICE SHOTS... PARTICULARLY THAT SECOND ONE... THAT'S A NICE VIEW... ONE THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

Just go to the top floor of the parking garage across the street from the library and you can enjoy it in person.

[bulldogger]

South Tower view from Central and Rosalind.

South Tower - visor shot

Both North and South Towers

Front entrance of The Plaza now has some kind of overhang/covering.

Edited May 18, 2006 by bulldogger

[JRS1]

beautiful shots.

they are really cutting corners on this project;

that overhang should have been glass;

they plan on painting the masonary work on the garage instead of fitting it with precast;

the Court St. entrance has vert. precast uprights going up 3 level-only above a squared off overhang; the rest of the way will be concrete block.

anyway... can't complain.

[bulldogger]

beautiful shots.

they are really cutting corners on this project;

that overhang should have been glass;

they plan on painting the masonary work on the garage instead of fitting it with precast;

the Court St. entrance has vert. precast uprights going up 3 level-only above a squared off overhang; the rest of the way will be concrete block.

anyway... can't complain.

I guess this means we won't be seeing those 2 JumboTrons then???

[GregoryMCSE]

beautiful shots.

they are really cutting corners on this project;

that overhang should have been glass;

they plan on painting the masonary work on the garage instead of fitting it with precast;

the Court St. entrance has vert. precast uprights going up 3 level-only above a squared off overhang; the rest of the way will be concrete block.

anyway... can't complain.

painting the masonary work on the garage is going to look terrible! I thought I saw that they had started painting the garage... and I told myself that it simply could not be true.... I think it will look scary horrific... that cheap "tin shack" looking ovehang is bad enough.... beautiful project they are cheaping out on!

Edited May 18, 2006 by GregoryMCSE

[JRS1]

there is another company dealing with the Jumbotron wiring and instalation; its not B&G;

paint on the garage-- believe it. but they are pricing stucco.

the canopy--they are moving the excalators farther out from the bldg. and they might have to cover them, b/c now, they'll be beyond the canopy.

they are also pricing outdoor tile for the front courtyard that can withstand heavy loads (for functions & heavy equiptment). the developers want it so they can host functions there. I say why not pour concrete and tile the surface?

the garage issue does not sit well with me... they know there is a good chance it will look like crap and I think they are balancing the alternatives.

that canopy kind of sucks, especially in light of the cool visors 200' above it.

[neon9]

they are also pricing outdoor tile for the front courtyard that can withstand heavy loads (for functions & heavy equiptment). the developers want it so they can host functions there. I say why not pour concrete and tile the surface?

Heavy duty segmental pavers would work well for heavy loads, they use them at the Port of Tampa, but I have no idea what would be cheapest which is probably driving their decision....Speaking of concrete, they can do great things these days with concrete alone. Color, texture, and sawcut joints that make it look like tile.

[Tim3167]

Update 5/20/2006

[demon]

This building looks totally different during the day than it does at night. Great pics.

[prahaboheme]

Looks better at night.

[Marky30]

Very amazing updates Tim. Thanks so much. Keep up the great work.

[Tim3167]

Thanks for the kind words. It has turned into a fun hobby.

As far as it looking better at night, I agree the glass does take on some different characteristics once the sun goes down.