Just Wow

[spenser1058 5366]

This is not related to anything local other than to remind us what can happen when beloved buildings are saved rather than demolished as is often the case in Orlando. For example, what if the iconic Jordan Marsh at Colonial Plaza had been converted to lofts with its teal sign still glowing at night for passers-by on the East-West?

Anyway, an awesome redo underway of the 1947 landmark Streamline Moderne Sears in Santa Monica (maybe prahaboheme will move in when it's done!):

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sears-santa-monica-pictures-20171126-photogallery.html

From the LA Times

 

[prahaboheme 1669]

2 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

This is not related to anything local other than to remind us what can happen when beloved buildings are saved rather than demolished as is often the case in Orlando. For example, what if the iconic Jordan Marsh at Colonial Plaza had been converted to lofts with its teal sign still glowing at night for passers-by on the East-West?

Anyway, an awesome redo underway of the 1947 landmark Streamline Moderne Sears in Santa Monica (maybe prahaboheme will move in when it's done!):

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sears-santa-monica-pictures-20171126-photogallery.html

From the LA Times

 

I was wondering the fate of this building - there was some concern it would meet its demise as eager developers were eying the property with claims to invigorate the Colorado Ave streetscape. Despite the recent opening of the Expo line in 2016 (and it's above projected ridership) Colorado is still a street in transition with not a lot of reason for pedestrians to wander off the Third Ave promenade and head a block over. This will be a huge draw.

Imagine if the Woolsworth building on Orange / Church received the same love!

LA in general is much better at preservation efforts of buildings from the 20th century than anywhere in FL sans South Beach.  It is fascinating to watch the rapid reconstruction of east Hollywood and DTLA - neighborhoods stock full of old gems that just need a little TLC.

[spenser1058 5366]

Something totally different. Miller's Hardware in downtown WP has always been so much more than a hardware store but lately they've been branching out into all kinds of stuff. If our local stores are to compete with the Amazons and Home Depots of the world, this is the way to do it. Amazing!

 

[spenser1058 5366]

A really cool thing I wanted to mention since I'm changing banks and will totally forget. I really like that the photos used on the Chase mobile app are not only of Orlando but are hyperlocal sites you don't usually see.

For example, instead of the usual attractions pics (which would make sense given Chase's relationship with The Mouse), there are scenes like the Washington St bridge and Winter Garden's dock on Lake Apopka. Great job of a NYC bank bringing it home to us folks in the provinces.

[prahaboheme 1669]

39 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

A really cool thing I wanted to mention since I'm changing banks and will totally forget. I really like that the photos used on the Chase mobile app are not only of Orlando but are hyperlocal sites you don't usually see.

For example, instead of the usual attractions pics (which would make sense given Chase's relationship with The Mouse), there are scenes like the Washington St bridge and Winter Garden's dock on Lake Apopka. Great job of a NYC bank bringing it home to us folks in the provinces.

I've noticed this too.  I've seen Park Ave and Wall Street Plaza featured on the app as well.

[spenser1058 5366]

The end of an era - Macy's has announced the closing of its downtown store in Miami (once upon a time, the flagship Burdines.) AFAIK, that's pretty much the last downtown department store in Florida's major cities.

It was pretty much inevitable in the era of e-commerce, I guess, but I'll always remember the awe I had as a kid going with my mom to the downtown Ivey's.

https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/1002886001

From USA Today

Edited January 4, 2018 by spenser1058

[HankStrong 1942]

Where on Earth is this downtown Macy's that I haven't seen it in the years I've lived here?

[spenser1058 5366]

Sorry, it was in the story but not noted in my post that it's the downtown Miami store (22 E Flagler St.) I meant to note that but skipped it. The oldest chain in Orlando that ended up as a Macy's was Jordan Marsh which first opened in Colonial Plaza in 1962. (It was originally supposed to be on N. Orange Ave. but Orange Buick refused to sell and they went to CP and began the demise of downtown.)

Edited January 4, 2018 by spenser1058

[spenser1058 5366]

An interesting story of OEP's process for recruitment of new firms to the region.

Fascinating stats: there are more than 500,000 college students within a 100 mile radius of Orlando, 70% of UCF grads stay in the region and more than 90% want to. (Orlando is like Sally Field: "You like me! You really like me!"

http://www.i4biz.com/featured/moving-towards-tipping-point-ken-potrock-partnership/

[spenser1058 5366]

A video about the region from OEP. Interesting just how prominent the Space Coast is in it.

[dcluley98 3419]

Check this restoration out in DT Tampa: http://www.tbo.com/news/business/realestate/The-long-awaited-transformation-of-the-Armature-Works-in-Tampa-is-nearly-ready-for-its-debut_164809660

I would love for somebody to do something similar to that here!  Wow!

[spenser1058 5366]

Doug Guetzloe, whose "Ax The Tax" minions slowed down progress in Central Florida for almost twenty years, has died at age 63.

http://orlando-rising.com/political-consultant-gadfly-doug-guetzloe-dies-63/

From Orlando Rising 

[spenser1058 5366]

The startups that believe Orlando has a bright future in tech:

Post-Amazon bid, Orlando tech regroups behind startup successes
http://bit.ly/2oigKF0

From the Sentinel

[HankStrong 1942]

I was quite surprised to see my lovely wife flash up in that OEP video.  HAHAHA.  I had to text her.  I can't believe she didn't slide it to me.  I had to watch it multiple times to see if I was making it up.

Too funny

Edited February 23, 2018 by HankStrong

[spenser1058 5366]

Cool castle, errr, house, in Fruitland Park I hope we don't lose:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-fruitland-park-history-castle-ivan-yeftich-20180301-story.html

From the Sentinel

[spenser1058 5366]

Really cool deco building available on Alden Rd:

http://bungalower.com/2018/03/12/eyes-street-art-deco-alden-warehouse-available-lease/

From Bungalower

 

[spenser1058 5366]

Acoording to the Census Bureau, the Orlando MSA has passed 2.5 million for the first time:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-bz-census-metro-population-20180321-story.html

From the Sentinel

(But, of course, no one really wants to live here)

[HankStrong 1942]

Shhhh... it's like saying Beetlejuice 3x!

[spenser1058 5366]

I have read in the past that 15% or more of a county's residents have to commute into an MSA for it to be added to that area.

This article from the News-Journal about  (Delightful!) DeLand, DeBary, Orange City and Deltona suggests we may be on our way to adding Volusia to Orlando's MSA.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20180331/destination-deland

[JFW657 4542]

On 3/6/2018 at 9:33 AM, spenser1058 said:

Cool castle, errr, house, in Fruitland Park I hope we don't lose:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-fruitland-park-history-castle-ivan-yeftich-20180301-story.html

From the Sentinel

We nearly lost one in Leesburg recently.

The historic Mote Morris House (Wiki-link) suffered a serious fire which destroyed part of the second floor. 

At first they thought it was a total loss, but fortunately enough of it was saved and the money is available to restore the damaged portion. 

[spenser1058 5366]

I love the tower on that one. Wonder what's in that part of the house?

[JFW657 4542]

That's where the ghosts live.

Or should I say "reside"...

[spenser1058 5366]

Tesla may be falling apart but SpaceX had a perfect launch today at Canaveral with supplies for the ISS. It seems Central Florida handles the details better than Cali?

https://amp.space.com/40172-space-used-dragon-cargo-launch-success-crs14.html

From space.com

 

Edited April 2, 2018 by spenser1058

[spenser1058 5366]

Nothing to do with Orlando, but as a fan of mostly gone downtown department stores, this is sort of heartrending, although hardly unexpected.

As most folks know, Sears is a Chicago-based company (although its headquarters decamped for Hoffman Estates in the 'burbs after selling off the Sears Tower years ago.)

In any event, the closing of the last Chicago Sears has been announced. It's definitely the end of an era.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sears-closing-last-chicago-store-20180412-story,amp.html

From the Chicago Tribune

[spenser1058 5366]

Have you ever wondered why some urban posting types like Urban Planet but others post mostly on SSC (or maybe others I don't know about.)

For example, most Orlando posts are on UP but Tampa is mostly on SSC. I know I find UP easier to navigate but I wonder if there are other reasons.

And then there's Jacksonville that went rogue and created another site altogether.