Ghentite 12 Report post Posted May 3, 2013 Looks like there might be some movement on this. I'll get in touch with the developer and try to find out more details. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/purchase-looming-for-savoy.html#!/2013/05/purchase-looming-for-savoy.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BFG 588 Report post Posted May 3, 2013 Great news! Would be really cool if they put some shops on the ground floor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brikkman 70 Report post Posted May 3, 2013 that would be really nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varider 15 Report post Posted May 3, 2013 Retail could really start improving if we keep seeing investments like this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brikkman 70 Report post Posted May 6, 2013 how are they going to fix the lean? I'm sure they will get some kind of historic tax break, etc... for this.. As I understand, its sinking because its on old century old wood foundation and the area it sticks on use to be an old inlet that was filled in.... If they keep some of its historical internal parts, it maybe a very unique renovation... same with mission building.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
urbanlife 152 Report post Posted May 10, 2013 how are they going to fix the lean? I'm sure they will get some kind of historic tax break, etc... for this.. As I understand, its sinking because its on old century old wood foundation and the area it sticks on use to be an old inlet that was filled in.... If they keep some of its historical internal parts, it maybe a very unique renovation... same with mission building.. Funny, I was just thinking about this and figured I would see if anything new happened to this leaning building yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virginia pe 12 Report post Posted May 10, 2013 (edited) how are they going to fix the lean? They may not have to fix the lean, only to stabilize the building so the lean doesn't worsen. The building is probably supported by timber piles. Timber piles do not rot underwater. They only rot at the waterline. They are probably rotting near the ground surface due to a drop in the water level. If they can excavate and expose the tops of the piles, they may be able to cut off the rotted portion and replace it with a concrete pile cap to stabilize the building. I do not have any direct knowledge of the condition of this building, I am just speculating. As I understand, its sinking because its on old century old wood foundation and the area it sticks on use to be an old inlet that was filled in.... The old inlet was Town Back Creek. Here is a photo of Town Back Creek from a historical marker in front of the MacArthur Memorial. Transcription of marker:Town Back Creek, extending eastwardly from the Elizabeth River almost to St. Paul’s Church, was the northern end of the original town of Norfolk. By the early 1800’s new residential development had occurred north of the creek. Two early footbridges connected this newer area to the old town, one at Catherine (now Bank) Street in 1798 and one at Granby Street in 1801. In 1818 – 1819 the one at Granby Street was replaced by Stone Bridge. It was built by William H. Jennings and was distinguished by an arched rise at its center. The bridge remained a local landmark until 1884 when filling of Town Back Creek to Granby Street was completed. City Hall Avenue was developed in 1885 as a grand boulevard from the City Hall (now MacArthur Memorial) to Granby Street. Most of the remainder of Town Back Creek was filled by 1905 and City Hall Avenue was extended westward. Major construction at this corner included the Monticello Hotel in 1898 and the Royster Building in 1912 Edited May 10, 2013 by virginia pe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brikkman 70 Report post Posted May 14, 2013 Looks like there might be some movement on this. I'll get in touch with the developer and try to find out more details. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/purchase-looming-for-savoy.html#!/2013/05/purchase-looming-for-savoy.html I was home this weekend, the "under contract" signs have been removed and replaced with "SOLD"... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Telmnstr 1 Report post Posted July 11, 2013 Does anyone have the bought and sold data? If I recall Wright bought it pretty cheap ($600K?) when it was full of tenants. Then it got condemmed, then it went on the market for $1.6 million or whatever. Heh. I was told that the company that was doing those apartment conversions of the leaning tower of granby, Union Mission and other buildings wree backing out because the apartment market is weak. But I guess with the dead cat bounce they came back. It will be interesting to see what all of this apartment oversupply will lead to. Things are nutty in the USA right now. Giant rich people investment groups like Blackstone are buying up tons and tons and tons of residential housing to turn rental and all that. Big money is looking for returns and the only thing they can think of is rape it out of the younger people or whaetver. But with school loans and crummy job prospects I don't know how they will fill all of this inventory. Think about it, is there jobs and people to support it all? Renters can't use liar loans to rent apartments like homebuyers could. I'm all for build baby build (with private money.) If things go well all these projects will get built and go into foreclosure, then get returned to market at better rates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BFG 588 Report post Posted July 11, 2013 And this goes back to my gripe that I've made time after time again. They want anywhere between $1,200-1,500 for these apartments. I get that downtown living is pricier, but Norfolk does not have a downtown to justify such rents, esp. when you can go a few miles and get a similar building in Ghent for a few hundred less. Like you said, student loans and crappy jobs (in a low-paying market no less) are not going to offset the rents wanted. If this were say, DC/NOVA, then I could understand the rent going for that price. Other than the fact that you can go to the landlord for repairs, why pay that kind of money to rent when you can get a house/condo for much less? This area has to stop leaning on the military as its crutch for filling housing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
757Duke 27 Report post Posted July 20, 2015 Looks like this building's about to meet the wrecking ball. It's unfortunate.http://hamptonroads.com/2015/07/norfolk-poised-tear-down-leaning-building-if-developer-doesnt-fix-issues Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urbanlooker 91 Report post Posted January 15, 2018 The Leaning tower of Granby is no more the tilt has been fixed and it will now be turned into 44 apartments. https://pilotonline.com/business/real-estate/article_e383bc9f-2404-5f90-a5e0-01803d1f08fe.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Virginia City 131 Report post Posted January 16, 2018 It will always be The Leaning Tower of Granby to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virginia pe 12 Report post Posted May 11, 2018 I found this video of the straightening of the Leaning Tower of Granby. https://www.enr.com/videos?bctid=5773202416001 Kudos to Hourigan, and Speight Marshall & Francis and the entire team for a difficult job well done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
urbanlife 152 Report post Posted May 12, 2018 17 hours ago, virginia pe said: I found this video of the straightening of the Leaning Tower of Granby. https://www.enr.com/videos?bctid=5773202416001 Kudos to Hourigan, and Speight Marshall & Francis and the entire team for a difficult job well done. I am impressed the building was saved, I figured that with its dangerous lean that it would one day be torn down. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zeppelin14 63 Report post Posted June 5, 2018 Have they begun the process of converting this to apartments yet? Anyone with pics or layouts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baobabs727 322 Report post Posted June 5, 2018 They were working in it last pm as I walked by. Busy site, lots of workers. Framing in the windows with concrete blocks on second floor.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
