Legacy Union (former Charlotte Observer redevelopment)

[Hushpuppy321]

Actually appreciate Lincoln Harris for the density on the Legacy Union Site.  Could be much better in regards to the planned Retail but I’m glad they’re at least doing something.  The area around 1st Ward Park is really a shame.  The entire LU site (2 Pads Remaining) will probably be built out (or at least under construction) before another major development is completed around 1st Ward Park.  

[CLT2014]

21 minutes ago, Hushpuppy321 said:

Actually appreciate Lincoln Harris for the density on the Legacy Union Site.  Could be much better in regards to the planned Retail but I’m glad they’re at least doing something.  The area around 1st Ward Park is really a shame.  The entire LU site (2 Pads Remaining) will probably be built out (or at least under construction) before another major development is completed around 1st Ward Park.  

Other than looking at the buildings... what are you doing at the Legacy Union site that is different than what you can do around First Ward? Right now both are dead zones. I guess one can open a checking account and get a coffee at Legacy Union.... around First Ward Park you can sign up for Google Fiber and go to Owen's Bagels. Sit by the fountain for a bit. The park itself is decent and elevates that area above Legacy IMO. Outside of parks though, both are kind of dull dead zones. 

I really hope retail comes to Legacy Union sooner rather than later and they can attract some appealing tenants. 

Edited May 31, 2022 by CLT2014

[Hushpuppy321]

44 minutes ago, CLT2014 said:

Other than looking at the buildings... what are you doing at the Legacy Union site that is different than what you can do around First Ward? Right now both are dead zones. I guess one can open a checking account and get a coffee at Legacy Union.... around First Ward Park you can sign up for Google Fiber and go to Owen's Bagels. Sit by the fountain for a bit. The park itself is decent and elevates that area above Legacy IMO. Outside of parks though, both are kind of dull dead zones. 

I really hope retail comes to Legacy Union sooner rather than later and they can attract some appealing tenants. 

Love looking at the buildings - puts me in a trance…LOL…

Retail is a very difficult animal to wrangle - needs visibility, street activation/foot traffic, good location & parking, captive constituents, proper infrastructure, good planning, strong Financing and still may not happen/develop as planned.  Compared to what was here prior (Charlotte Observer Office & Loading Dock) this area has been transformed and as such, is helping to transform the adjacent blocks.  

The Ally Project does have some pretty good mix of retail/commercial uses and gets quite busy during the weekends.  Not sure if LU can have similar Ground Floor establishments along Tryon Rd but we will see with this new LU4 Tower.

[Miesian Corners]

53 minutes ago, CLT2014 said:

Other than looking at the buildings... what are you doing at the Legacy Union site that is different than what you can do around First Ward? Right now both are dead zones. I guess one can open a checking account and get a coffee at Legacy Union.... around First Ward Park you can sign up for Google Fiber and go to Owen's Bagels. Sit by the fountain for a bit. The park itself is decent and elevates that area above Legacy IMO. Outside of parks though, both are kind of dull dead zones. 

I really hope retail comes to Legacy Union sooner rather than later and they can attract some appealing tenants. 

You can't even open a bank account. The BofA Tower doesn't have a branch. 

[videtur quam contuor]

In 1968 I and two college buddies, one from Pittsburgh and the other from Coral Gables Fl decided our education was not complete without a visit to NYC. Our first day in lower Manhattan we were awestruck. As we wandered the financial district we saw the bank buildings as Greek temples lining the street. I needed some cash from my pitiful checking account and had brought my checkbook. (All well before ATM, general credit cards). We entered one of the temples with brass doors, magnificent decor, grand ceiling, more columns, marble, glorious surroundings all built by customer money. I saw no teller windows, no counters to write checks and sign deposit slips. There were desks all around the main floor and I stepped to one of the desks and asked the kind lady where I could cash a check. "We are not that kind of bank" she replied. The education continued for the rest of that visit.

[CLT2014]

16 hours ago, Miesian Corners said:

You can't even open a bank account. The BofA Tower doesn't have a branch. 

I think there is a financial center branch in the lobby. You just can't access it directly from the street. I'd assume a lot of people can't find it.

https://locators.bankofamerica.com/nc/charlotte/financial-centers-charlotte-16921.html

Edited June 1, 2022 by CLT2014

[KJHburg]

40 minutes ago, CLT2014 said:

I think there is a financial center branch in the lobby. You just can't access it directly from the street. I'd assume a lot of people can't find it.

https://locators.bankofamerica.com/nc/charlotte/financial-centers-charlotte-16921.html

Yes there is a BofA branch inside the lobby on one side and a coffee shop. 

In other news I found the plans for the rest of Legacy and has a lot more pyramids in it and a new perimeter wall. 

 

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

Half of LU site is still under construction. Yes, there’s availability in the deck and probably Deloitte tower now but I bet 24/7 construction makes it difficult/unattractive right now for potential tenants especially the deck retail spots facing stonewall. Waiting for full buildout to cast judgement on the retail situation. Too early in the game to call the retail situation a failure. Tons of potential in that area especially with possible redevelopment of duke site and parking deck. Coupled with being by the stadium and all the massive projects going on across 277 which is very close walking distance. Retail will be fine in at LU. 

[Mid South NC]

[KJHburg]

Every other boom city in the south announces the design of the tower months even years in advance and many times they dont get built.   But here in the QC we start them and dont tell people what the tower will look  like.  Come on LH we know your anchor Robinson Bradshaw we know 23 stories or so release the design.   The best we have is a drawing that was done by an UP member on a cocktail napkin from our UP meetup in April. 

[GoingUptown]

Photo from this morning…

 

[utcltjay]

22 hours ago, GoingUptown said:

Photo from this morning…

 

Well, now we at least know where the elevators will be. 

[15895]

23 hours ago, GoingUptown said:

Photo from this morning…

 

The ground level of this entire project is just so horrific (the skyscrapers are pretty though. Particularly the BofA one at least). The best case  scenario for being anything other than a turd based on track record is that once a month on a Friday during the summer, they have a "movies in the park" type deal in that patch of grass...

Of all the places in Charlotte. SouthEnd, Birkdale Village, White Water Center (I always went their for festivals or even just to eat and enjoy the ambiance), University City around the lake, random places, whatever replaced T-Bones on the lake in Lake Wylie, etc. I just can't imagine anyone choosing to spend their life at Legacy Union. It's soul crushing. 

That's my opinion. (And FYI, I loved the way the BofA tower looked from day 1 when lots of people were dramatic about the way it looked.) And to think of the talk near the beginning about how Lincoln Harris was going to potentially work with Simon Group and potentially bring a mall sort of like in downtown SLC or something comparative to LA Live, the first Apple Store in center city, Bloomingdales, etc. (even in the absence of an actual mall). So many great concepts and yet this is how it is ultimately turning out. About as vibrant as UNCC at 3PM on a Saturday in summer. Pretty buildings. Pretty landscaping. Yet somehow, the most depressing place in CLT (IMO).

Edited June 3, 2022 by AirNostrumMAD

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

^Not disagreeing with any of your points (I agree).  Except the movies in the park thing lol. I was hoping that patch of grass would be flanked by retail on both sides like Hearst but better.  But in terms of the long run and full buildout of LU…stated a few posts above from me…this thing is literally 50% still under construction. Pedestrian experience/ground level seems suboptimal for sure, but again, we’re a long ways from the full buildout and we don’t even know what the current building u/c even looks like (besides ppl in the know). Luckily, the last parcel left for development is massive and a blank canvas. You can do a lot there. Need a hotel and/or/both residential tower. Absolutely needs 24/7 foot traffic in the area that a hotel/residential project would create. I know LH builds to what the market is dictating and I know they move fast but hope they are cognizant of making a successful Legacy Union as a whole. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by CharlotteWkndBuzz

[RANYC]

On 6/3/2022 at 11:28 AM, AirNostrumMAD said:

The ground level of this entire project is just so horrific (the skyscrapers are pretty though. Particularly the BofA one at least). The best case  scenario for being anything other than a turd based on track record is that once a month on a Friday during the summer, they have a "movies in the park" type deal in that patch of grass...

Of all the places in Charlotte. SouthEnd, Birkdale Village, White Water Center (I always went their for festivals or even just to eat and enjoy the ambiance), University City around the lake, random places, whatever replaced T-Bones on the lake in Lake Wylie, etc. I just can't imagine anyone choosing to spend their life at Legacy Union. It's soul crushing. 

That's my opinion. (And FYI, I loved the way the BofA tower looked from day 1 when lots of people were dramatic about the way it looked.) And to think of the talk near the beginning about how Lincoln Harris was going to potentially work with Simon Group and potentially bring a mall sort of like in downtown SLC or something comparative to LA Live, the first Apple Store in center city, Bloomingdales, etc. (even in the absence of an actual mall). So many great concepts and yet this is how it is ultimately turning out. About as vibrant as UNCC at 3PM on a Saturday in summer. Pretty buildings. Pretty landscaping. Yet somehow, the most depressing place in CLT (IMO).

• "Best case scenario other than a turd..."
• "Soul crushing"
• "the most depressing place in CLT"

do you live in Charlotte?

[15895]

2 hours ago, RANYC said:

• "Best case scenario other than a turd..."
• "Soul crushing"
• "the most depressing place in CLT"

do you live in Charlotte?

I was born and raised in Charlotte 1992-2018. I’ve been following this project since Charlotte Observer sold the buildings. How long have you? 

You don’t need to be a rah-rah Charlotte cheerleader towards me. It’s my hometown, after all. Not yours. I don’t need to be convinced how great it is. I graduated UNCC. I’ve worked at BofA Corp. Center, I was born right there on Elizabeth at Presbyterian Aka Novant. I’ve lived uptown (have you?) I was there at the first Bobcats game. I saw Gus the Bus. I had field trips in elementary to Discovery. I drug my mom to community meetings in the library uptown on what the Lynx light rail would be. Etc. My Charlotte credentials are intact enough to have an opinion on the pedestrian experience of this project. 

You’ve referenced me not living in Charlotte several times before. I didn’t spend 26 years there and all of a sudden I’m just so far out of the loop because I’ve lived in DC for 4 years. 

This project is crap at the ground level (the most important part by far) in my opinion. Excluding the extremely low bar of being better than a defunct newspaper printing facility, bringing more jobs and having glitzy skyscrapers, it’s a disappointment from a pedestrian level experience and perhaps a missed opportunity for residents in uptown. 

And yes, I realize the project is not finished but the developer has SO little regard for the community and neighborhood, he’s building a giant skyscraper and the only public information known is on a Internet forum from descriptions of the building drawn on a napkin…. Obviously, the developer has ZERO interest in catering to the community he is building. Which is fine. I’m sure they’re making a ton of $$$

Edited June 4, 2022 by AirNostrumMAD

[RANYC]

3 hours ago, AirNostrumMAD said:

I was born and raised in Charlotte 1992-2018. I’ve been following this project since Charlotte Observer sold the buildings. How long have you? 

You don’t need to be a rah-rah Charlotte cheerleader towards me. It’s my hometown, after all. Not yours. I don’t need to be convinced how great it is. I graduated UNCC. I’ve worked at BofA Corp. Center, I was born right there on Elizabeth at Presbyterian Aka Novant. I’ve lived uptown (have you?) I was there at the first Bobcats game. I saw Gus the Bus. I had field trips in elementary to Discovery. I drug my mom to community meetings in the library uptown on what the Lynx light rail would be. Etc. My Charlotte credentials are intact enough to have an opinion on the pedestrian experience of this project. 

You’ve referenced me not living in Charlotte several times before. I didn’t spend 26 years there and all of a sudden I’m just so far out of the loop because I’ve lived in DC for 4 years. 

This project is crap at the ground level (the most important part by far) in my opinion. Excluding the extremely low bar of being better than a defunct newspaper printing facility, bringing more jobs and having glitzy skyscrapers, it’s a disappointment from a pedestrian level experience and perhaps a missed opportunity for residents in uptown. 

And yes, I realize the project is not finished but the developer has SO little regard for the community and neighborhood, he’s building a giant skyscraper and the only public information known is on a Internet forum from descriptions of the building drawn on a napkin…. Obviously, the developer has ZERO interest in catering to the community he is building. Which is fine. I’m sure they’re making a ton of $$$

Happy for you.  You seem to be having a delightful time in DC.  I hope the office buildings there thrill you

Edited June 5, 2022 by RANYC

[JRCLT]

AirNorstrom really puts the MAD in his name. Wouldn’t see it any other way. (You have every right to have that opinion I totally agree with you on the crap pedestrian level. It’s needless to say though that it isn’t irreparable though. Also I’m just making jokes.) : )

[15895]

40 minutes ago, JeanClt said:

AirNorstrom really puts the MAD in his name. Wouldn’t see it any other way. (You have every right to have that opinion I totally agree with you on the crap pedestrian level. It’s needless to say though that it isn’t irreparable though. Also I’m just making jokes.) : )

It’s all gooddd. 

Edited June 5, 2022 by AirNostrumMAD

[KJHburg]

drive by earlier in the week.   Oh yeah I am tired of holding back this rendering.   if this is not the look of this tower I will buy 3 dozen Dunkin Donuts and bring them to the next UP meetup walk and y'all know I don't like those cake-y donuts and I prefer the sweet Southern melt in your mouth  doughnuts of KK. 

Notice the balconies at least 3 levels and it has more in common with Legacy 2 Deloitte than the BOAT.    Happy weekend walk a greenway nearest you!   Charlotte Rising! now with a rendering. 

[SydneycartonII]

That’s really impressive.  It looks like a shorter version of the new tower that BofA is anchoring on Wacker Drive in Chicago.  I think that Riverside developed the one in Chicago.

I can’t wait to move back to Charlotte once my kids graduate from East Chapel Hill.

Edited June 11, 2022 by SydneycartonII

[CharlotteWkndBuzz]

Take a screenshot everyone before it gets deleted lol jk. Thanks KJH! Looks tall tbh. I like it. Only concern is that the grassy plaza is neglected of retail facing it again. Hope that’s not all lobby like Deloitte 

[15895]

It’s a pretty office building. 

[j-man]

Sooooo most people who saw the renderings said they didn’t like the building…like how. This looks a lot better than I thought by how everyone was describing it. But I would need to see more renderings….and also. How much space is left on the block for another tower. Looks like some room is empty behind it. I thought this was going to take over all the empty space left. 

Edited June 11, 2022 by j-man

[CLT2014]

49 minutes ago, j-man said:

Sooooo most people who saw the renderings said they didn’t like the building…like how. This looks a lot better than I thought by how everyone was describing it. But I would need to see more renderings….and also. How much space is left on the block for another tower. Looks like some room is empty behind it. I thought this was going to take over all the empty space left. 

Space behind is the parking garage. If you zoom in you can see some cars parked on the roof.