Legacy Union (former Charlotte Observer redevelopment)

[The Force Sleeps]

So basically we're bookending uptown with an Odell copycat.

Well, better than nothin! #amiright??

[ChessieCat]

3 hours ago, ricky_davis_fan_21 said:

14,200 sq feet of retail in the parking deck. 

Will they construct the parking deck so a second tower can be built over it in the future like Portman did (615 S College)?

[Guest]

1 minute ago, ChessieCat said:

Will they construct the parking deck so a second tower can be built over it in the future like Portman did (615 S College)?

lets be honest. They completely dismantled the westin parking deck and built a sheer elevator core. From the site/floor plans, I do not think the parking deck will be built in a manner that it could hold a building. 

[CriticalT]

Choad.  Stump.  

[15895]

The building doesn't look stubby if you look at it straight on which most people will be. 

 

also, no inside information at all, but the base of this project overall could be great. The part where this faces the street, Church Street, seems to have lots of retail. The parking deck has retail. There seems to be a plaza facing BoA stadium. And stonewall facing is a blank wall which leads me to believe some development will come be directly there.I would wait to see more details before being too critical. 

 

Edited January 12, 2017 by AirNostrumMAD

[AP3]

Maybe the large plaza fronting Tryon will be the large retail gathering plaza for the open air retail?  And maybe a secondary plaza fronting Stonewall?

[lewy2000]

4 hours ago, CLT2014 said:

Will retail expansion be a very traditional design as well? I can't picture a more contemporary retail environment around this. I thinking it will be Phillips Place or Birkdale Village style of architecture. 

Reminds me of The Bravern in Bellevue, WA. Some high-end retail would work well  at the base of this thing.

[HopHead]

I could see a large retail development facing Mint and Stonewall that would be a great gathering spot before (and after) Panthers games. Knights too. The number of places to tailgate in uptown, at least right by the stadium, are becoming few and far between. 

[cha]

Ted Mosby got his gnb building ! 

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, AP3 said:

Maybe the large plaza fronting Tryon will be the large retail gathering plaza for the open air retail?  And maybe a secondary plaza fronting Stonewall?

The large Plaza fronting Tryon will definitely be lined in retail.
As far as the rest goes I think you will see a similar treatment along stonewall as what is planned for Stonewall Station, but with smaller retail spaces.

Edited January 12, 2017 by Guest

[KJHburg]

are those real balconies about 3/4 up? they would have great view of the stadium and the rest of the skyline. I could see a law firm up there. 

[SgtCampsalot]

1 hour ago, KJHburg said:

are those real balconies about 3/4 up? they would have great view of the stadium and the rest of the skyline. I could see a law firm up there. 

Pacino would love it.

[JRNYP2C]

So completely underwhelmed.....This is eerily similar to the Mellon Bank Building in Philadelphia, just a little snazzier.  For me, a letdown of what should be a showcase property and have a "WOW" factor as you are driving on 77 or 277.  This will get lost in the shuffle.  Meh.

[RiverwoodCLT]

I see it this way.  This looks better than the old Observer building. I was not surprise after looking at the Capital Towers in South Park,  I can see where this came from.  When they start paying the poster here on urban planet to design buildings , we will have to take them any way the developer wants to build it.

Edited January 13, 2017 by RiverwoodCLT

[dxartist]

Honestly, this design is......blah.  Not very inspiring at all.  My attitude is basically, meh, whatever.  I would have loved the design to be a scaled down version of the old Wachovia tower that wasn't built (no not that 100+ story monstrosity that would have been an eyesore) but the art deco version.  Well, I guess something is better than nothing.

[edmundblackadder1999]

55 minutes ago, JRNYP2C said:

...This is eerily similar to the Mellon Bank Building in Philadelphia...

I thought the same thing about the similarity to Mellon Bank.

[The Force Sleeps]

I'm actually really fine with this look. 

We have quite a few unique and prominent skyline buildings. BofA, Duke, Hearst, the jukebox...

I think it will really help balance the skyline out, adding some variety without being overtly eye-catching. Just a nice standard tower.

Not every tower has to be a standout.

[Dale]

Melon Bank in Philly is actually quite distinctive, IMO.

[RiverwoodCLT]

Melon Bank in Philly

[cltbwimob]

I really don't mind the building to be honest.  It obviously will not be the most beautiful building in the skyline but it does have some early 20th century skyscraper appeal.  I think this tower along with a good retail/residential component akin to Center City DC and a couple of good hotels will make this project an overall win.  

I'm really hoping this project brings a good HQ as the office tenant and gives us new products in the retail space (Saks, Bloomingdales, etc) and hotel space (Grand Hyatt/Hyatt Regency, JW, W, Loews) that are currently not present in Charlotte.

[edmundblackadder1999]

Although this reminds me of the Mellon Bank tower, I prefer this.

Mellon is nice, but its diminuitive crown is not sufficiently proportional imo.

[CLT2014]

Do we know when they will officially announce the tenant that is leasing 50-60% of the building?

[thateasta]

I think this will be a nice addition to the skyline.  If they highlight the building with proper lighting, this thing could be a focal point along 277.  

[HopHead]

Perhaps all that pre-leasing is from BNY Mellon since it's so similar  

On a serious note, the design almost certainly confirms it's a financial institution of some sort which has been talked about quite a bit already.

[ChessieCat]

15 hours ago, ricky_davis_fan_21 said:

lets be honest. They completely dismantled the westin parking deck and built a sheer elevator core. From the site/floor plans, I do not think the parking deck will be built in a manner that it could hold a building. 

Yes, I noticed the Portman tower straddles the parking deck rather than being built directly over it.  Oh well, let's hope for a second tower someday