Gravity 400 (Under Construction)

[Urbanlooker]

So that rendering doesn't look terrible in fact it looks pretty good for like a mid Town or something of that nature... not so much a downtown. But, I wonder what the population of downtown is sitting around right now and with this project.

[virginia pe]

Interesting.  The elevations and renderings show a few retail spaces, but the ground floor plan appears to show parking at that location.

[urbanlife]

They really should be required to have the whole north side of the building be dedicated to retail space along the first floor.

[baobabs727]

Page 91. That's atrocious.  Looks like some cheesy night club re:  the corner portion.   

More angles please, more depth. It's rather two-dimensional looking.

Too pedestrian, urban-lite (read: faux urban/new urbanism school). 

More glass please. 

Daytime images continue to show an extensive use of the color black on the facade:  black pigmented dye, paint, stain, whatever.  White and black predominate.  Why so much black? How does that color scheme relate to surrounding edifices? 

More retail. Please. 

I'll believe that landscaping along Waterside Dr. when I see it.

This thing could be plopped anywhere. This gateway/CBD location deserves special treatment. This is not special. Not at all.

My City outreach has been ongoing at all levels since last Fall. Before anyone there knew anything about this project. Or so they all claimed. Outreach will continue. 

[baobabs727]

Sorry, this is dictated to text because I’m super busy working on some stuff right now, but I’m also watching the planning commission meeting that was done by remote yesterday. They barely had a quorum, the audio is choppy at times, and one of the commissioners actually doesn’t even seem to realize where this development is going. Wow. Unbelievable. Truth.

The first presenter, the main liaison to ARB, is terribly lackluster and slow and boring in her confusion... but anyway. I will update as I watch more... but so far there have been many concerns echoed by some here, including me,  by both the ARB and the Planning commissioners present, including & most especially, the Chairman.  Pretty strong consternation, but this is just the beginning. Dev. Cert. vote upcoming. 

Issues/concerns so far include lack of green/landscaping along waterside, loss of green space in the form of the “large park “or “pocket park“as referenced on a number of occasions by several ARB members and Planning members. Additionally, the loss of flood mitigation/drainage/water retention via the loss of this Parkland. Color scheme/palette, balconies, design of the stairwell (external) and setting back of building, absence of retail on Waterside Drive, lack of retail along Commercial and Atlantic Sts. All of these concerns have been brought up by and were discussed by ARB at great length. The ARB sent the developer back to the drawing board several times apparently, and some of the concerns have been addressed, but not all of them. They granted a waiver for the 65% threshold for commercial retail along the short side of the building because it’s only 50 feet long and is intersected by a driveway. On the other end of the building, the developer has agreed to build out retail that he didn’t want to. He has also agreed to make some faux retail windows along Waterside Drive but refuses to put retail there because the development design does not allow for it. It was mentioned that the ARB had perhaps thought that they would concede  that point because Waterside Drive is not exactly walkable at  this point; however, the Chairman of the Planning commission remarked that it is sort of the PC’s  job and maybe rather desirable for them to activate the street by encouraging retail there. It appears the ARB has said that they had reached the limits of their authority, according to Hank, and agreed to disagree on some items, accept changes on others, but ultimately put this through to Planning. PC has not ruled on this. Neither has Council. Based on a presentation by Hank, I am thinking he is city staff, the major sticking point might be The loss of this, as he termed  it, “large park” and the urban tree canopy plus flood mitigation utility. How interesting. I’ll update this later.  

I have included some updated renderings taken from the video. Note the ARB-led improvements!!! The building has been pushed back off the street, there are more balconies, more dimensions, more glass, ground floor retail, ground floor faux retail windows, modified color palette (slightly softened and textured, though the chairman kept pounding on this saying he couldn’t understand what was the actual color scheme and if it related to the surroundings or was jarring against the background...posed as a question/concern)....

Edited July 11, 2020 by baobabs727

[zeppelin14]

Good to see that people's concerns were listened to. Now if they can push for retail on Waterside Drive...

[mistermetaj]

The new treatment of the stairwell and additional balconies on the side street definitely help elevate this from pseudo suburban to a much more urban look. Great work by the architectural review board. 

[BFG]

The additional glass gives it a big city look. I’d expect something like this in a place like LA. I like it!

[vdogg]

I don't understand the color palette either, that's the one thing I can't get a feel for. Could be good or bad. I was ok with the original development, and these changes seem to be modest in scope, but the color palette is the one thing I really wanted addressed. I hand waived it off as "early renderings", but I'm disappointed to see that hasn't been fleshed out yet.

[baobabs727]

9 hours ago, vdogg said:

I don't understand the color palette either, that's the one thing I can't get a feel for. Could be good or bad. I was ok with the original development, and these changes seem to be modest in scope, but the color palette is the one thing I really wanted addressed. I hand waived it off as "early renderings", but I'm disappointed to see that hasn't been fleshed out yet.

I think the building looks dramatically better. The changes are many and significant. The ARB really delivered big time within the scope of their purview. Ymmv.

Edited July 13, 2020 by baobabs727

[baobabs727]

Wonder what’s going one with this project....

[vdogg]

Still working it's way through planning I think. It hasn't been that long since it last went before design review.

[Norf Native]

 

Update on Gravity 400

Edited January 8, 2021 by Norf Native
update

[carolinaboy]

Kudos to Marathon for investing 100 million dollars in Norfolk between this project and the one in the arts district. Say what you will about the design but Marathon has done wonders for Norfolk.

[baobabs727]

On 1/11/2021 at 3:19 PM, carolinaboy said:

Kudos to Marathon for investing 100 million dollars in Norfolk between this project and the one in the arts district. Say what you will about the design but Marathon has done wonders for Norfolk.

Marathon deserves some credit, yes. They build decent projects. Nothing special.  I still say that Buddy could do much, much better. I think everyone knows this. 

However, I don’t much like monopolies in anything. New blood is needed in Downtown.  Competition is good for consumers. True, it’s a free marketplace, in theory, and others can (and have) come into the market and have done good work. But when one man controls something like 92% of the apartment business in a mid major downtown, something is very off. IMHO. Hopefully, everyone from the outside gets a fair shake at acquiring the deals and getting favorable terms from the city departments...not just the good old boy insiders. 

I sure wish that Mr. Thompson would get into the apartment development business. I know that he’s building condominiums at the oceanfront, but that is to be part and parcel of his Cavalier complex. So it’s kind of a one-off. I am certain that he would build something truly spectacular in downtown. And even though we might all be thankful for Buddy, you cannot exactly attach the word “spectacular” to any of his projects. Not to his completed projects anyway. 

I have still not given up hope on the Cordish companies bringing one of their famous luxurious towers of light to the downtown waterfront.  Icon will be emptying out quickly if that happens. If they can afford the rents, that is. 

Edited January 16, 2021 by baobabs727

[baobabs727]

Oh. Did this get approved?

[mintscraft56]

Anyone heard of any other news regarding the gravity 400 on Waterside? I heard its still in the plans and basically can get started any time now. But im just asking before I make any assumptions.  Hopefully they build it soon.  I have been dying for downtown developments to get started. I hope they find better use for MacArthur mall as they supposedly supposed to open it up and create about like at least 4 new blocks....jeez im so excited for the development all this could bring.

Edited September 14, 2021 by mintscraft56

[varider]

I am also curious about Gravity 400. I don’t think there is a problem with demand right now.  Waterside could definitely use more residents in close proximity and maybe it could activate the park more. Waterside is decent, as is, but it could use more activity and vibrancy and daily use. As it is now, it feels more of a place for visitors than an actual city marketplace. 

On another note, I absolutely hate the empty lot at 1500 Monticello and would love to see a new proposal for that lot in the near future. 

[mintscraft56]

Holy smokes!!!! Its actually happening! I dont know why im so hype over a low/mid rise but im HAPPY to see development in downtown! 

7 hours ago, Asdfjkl; said:

Paywall but construction should start later this month with completion in Summer 2023. 

https://www.costar.com/article/591150464/marathon-development-gears-up-for-next-downtown-norfolk-apartment-project

Thank you for this update!

[urbanlife]

4 hours ago, mintscraft56 said:

Holy smokes!!!! Its actually happening! I dont know why im so hype over a low/mid rise but im HAPPY to see development in downtown! 

Thank you for this update!

It may be a short building, but it looks like it will show up in the skyline.

[mintscraft56]

https://rebusinessonline.com/berkadia-secures-56-2m-in-construction-financing-for-multifamily-development-in-norfolk-virginia/

 

Already known but this is another Small Article about the secured 52 million dollars for construction financing. 

[Urbanlooker]

When did a 6 story building become classified as a high rise? A mid rise yeah sure, but a high rise I don't know about that. 

[SuffolkWahoo]

Although short, with its placement and footprint, Gravity will be quite a significant edition to downtown.

[mintscraft56]

14 hours ago, Urbanlooker said:

When did a 6 story building become classified as a high rise? A mid rise yeah sure, but a high rise I don't know about that. 

Lol its pretty good for Downtown Norfolk Standards.........Now if they could stop talking about 2-3 story SPQ apartments and add more of these in! 

[varider]

https://www.breedenconstruction.com/news/breeden-construction-set-to-develop-luxury-apartments-in-norfolk-virginia/
 
“Construction is set to begin late November 2021 and take approximately 22-months to complete. “We are pleased to serve as general contractor for Marathon Development and look forward to continuing development work in the downtown Norfolk submarket,” says Brian Revere, President of Breeden Construction.”

Edited November 15, 2021 by varider