Downtown Projects Update

[KJHburg]

7 hours ago, rancenc said:

City of Wilmington could be looking at some major real estate purchases

https://www.wwaytv3.com/city-of-wilmington-looking-into-purchase-of-former-ppd-building/

here is another article on this possible purchase by the city of the PPD building the tallest in the city.   consolidating the space and selling off the other buildings and parcels could make this a winner. 

https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2023/01/19/city-eyes-downtowns-tallest-building-for-68m/

[rancenc]

New park opens in Wilmington!

https://www.wect.com/2023/02/08/ribbon-cutting-be-held-bijou-park-will-officially-open-public/

[rancenc]

New mixed use development in the works for downtown Wilmington.

https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2023/04/23/mixed-use-development-pearl-ii-with-115-apartments-planned-for-third-and-fourth-streets/

[rancenc]

Educational infrastructure expansion in downtown Wilmington.

https://www.wwaytv3.com/inside-cape-fear-community-colleges-newest-downtown-wilmington-building/

[KJHburg]

ProjectGrace update.

Changes announced to plan for downtown Wilmington redevelopment project | WilmingtonBiz

City of Wilmington completes purchase of the 12 story PPD building with city leasing 5 floors, 2 floors to PPD and rest for other tenants.  City will open parking deck to public for use of all which is good. 

Cape Fear Commercial to provide leasing services to city for former PPD headquarters | WilmingtonBiz

and the Downtown Gateway project update

Gateway Project to exceed $110M, plans altered after city’s Thermo Fisher purchase | Port City Daily

 

 

[rancenc]

New dining option coming to downtown WIlmington.

https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/lifestyle/food/2023/08/16/olivero-restaurant-from-james-beard-nominee-sunny-gerhart-is-set-to-open-in-downtown-wilmington/70519877007/

[rancenc]

From the recent addition of NC Weekend on PBS.

https://www.pbs.org/video/the-cove-riverfront-villas-zrh5nc/

[KJHburg]

even more new apartments on the north end of downtown next to the Live Oak Pavillion at the Waterfront Park.    This north end of the Riverwalk is like being on the Rail Trail in Southend of Charlotte but better as it is on the River! 

This is being developed by Kettler out of DC area who also has some projects in Southend of Charlotte.   This is a great looking project.  

Downtown Wilmington, NC Apartments | Metropolitan at the Riverwalk (livemetriverwalk.com)

photos today.

[rancenc]

New entertainment spot in downtown Wilmington!

https://www.replaymag.com/rally-point-bar-arcade-opens-in-north-carolina/

[rancenc]

New Michael Jordan Museum coming to downtown Wilmington.

https://www.wilmingtonbiz.com/hospitality/2023/12/14/michael_jordan’s_family_county_partner_to_plan_jordan_museum/25120?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=WilmingtonBiz_com+Thursday+Update&utm_campaign=20231214_m178177192_12%2F14%2F23+WilmingtonBiz_com+Thursday+Update&utm_term=Michael+Jordan_E2_80_99s+family_2C+county+partner+to+plan+Jordan+museum

[rancenc]

New dining options in downtown Wilmington.

https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/lifestyle/food/2024/01/24/tequila-comida-cantina-opens-at-pier-33-in-wilmington-nc/72264739007/

[rancenc]

Project Grace officially breaks ground in downtown Wilmington!

https://www.nhcgov.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=590

[KJHburg]

Wilmington is named Southern Living's best city on the rise and lot has to do with downtown and the riverwalk.

The Best Things To Do In Wilmington, North Carolina (southernliving.com)

Wilmington rated best city on the rise in Southern Living survey | WilmingtonBiz

[nicholas]

A few renderings of Project Grace.  This will replace the library currently on the block with a newer, nicer one, and add a museum as well.  A mixed-use development is slated to be added at a later time on the southern side of the block (where the current library is located).

It will replace a few surface lots and a small old office building on this side of the block.

This is the current library (on the opposite corner of the block from these renderings. The parking deck in the middle will remain.)

Edited March 9 by nicholas

[KJHburg]

The City of Wilmington bought the 12 story former PPD Thermo Fisher building downtown.  There are several parcels that can be developed around it and these flyers show them and adjacent apartment complexes built nearby. 

[rancenc]

Taller buildings could be in Wilmington's future!

https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/local/2024/03/18/wilmington-nc-trending-toward-taller-buildings-as-land-costs-rise/71906443007/

[Rufus]

On 3/15/2024 at 10:32 PM, KJHburg said:

The City of Wilmington bought the 12 story former PPD Thermo Fisher building downtown.  There are several parcels that can be developed around it and these flyers show them and adjacent apartment complexes built nearby. 

I went last year to a 4th of July shindig in the park right there and it was HOPPING. I had no idea how lively this area had become. It needs to connect to the main downtown core better - relying on the riverfront doesn't do it entirely. There is great opportunity to continue to build on the urban apartment boom in the area. 

 

IIRC, when the PPD building was built, there was talk of two more similarly sized buildings, but this was just before the recession, so I don't think it had any teeth to survive that obstacle. Obviously I think apartments and hotels will work better than office down here. Capitalize on the fast growing tourism and retirement growth in the area. It's insane how fast this area is growing. 

[KJHburg]

Miscellaneous photos of downtown today.  The new 293 unit Metropolitan apartments on the Riverwalk next to the amphitheater are starting to open and lease up.  

[rancenc]

New dining options coming to downtown Wilmington!
https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/lifestyle/food/2024/04/18/italian-restaurant-slated-to-open-at-hotel-ballast-in-wilmington-nc/73287492007/