55 West

[RestedTraveler]

A photo from Sunday Morning as we were high-tailin' it out of town:

[JRS1]

^^

that's a great shot...

[bulldogger]

why have they used netting the last couple floors, but not prior?

[FLheat]

why have they used netting the last couple floors, but not prior?

'cuz if you fall from that height you might die.

[bulldogger]

'cuz if you fall from that height you might die.

Yeah, but you could die after falling from the 5th floor.

[ORLANDOJBBOY]

why have they used netting the last couple floors, but not prior?

It is b/c the last couple floors overhang out from the lower floors, so if they are working underneath the floors and drop something it does not fall, they are tied off on straps secured to the building so they are not going to fall just their tools and stuff.

[F-L-A]

'cuz if you fall from that height you might die.

You might die? Are you made out of rubber or something?

[RedStar25]

So will the "hat" sit on top of the over hanging rim?

I have to admit this building looks taller than I thought it was going to.

[JRS1]

So will the "hat" sit on top of the over hanging rim?

I have to admit this building looks taller than I thought it was going to.

it looks like it might end up being 396' like they originally said, or, that's what 377' looks like right next to Suntrust (after the hat dome goes up).

[codypet]

One of the tower cranes was coming down today.

[RedStar25]

awwwww

[ORLANDOJBBOY]

awwwww

so i guess in a month or so we will have no tower cranes up in downtown orlando area at all...only one at 55 west now, one at OUC and one at Fl Hospital. Which Fl Hosp will be coming down soon and OUC is going up fast so it wont be there for much longer i imagine.

[bulldogger]

You can start making out that "hat" on the west side of the building now. I'm sorry. I shouldn't call it a hat. It is the flying nun.

Edit: I must have had some acid on my holiday card envelopes. What I thought I saw last night when I was at Lake Eola is not there now.

Edited December 31, 2007 by bulldogger

[jnorlando]

an orlando sentinel article states that some of the units at 55W will become rentals.

[prahaboheme]

Good news--more rentals are needed.

[bic]

Good news--more rentals are needed.

I think that what the article means is that many investors will end up turning their condos into rentals, just as they do at any other condo complex that allows it-- not that 55 West management will be leasing directly to people after the building opens. Just my theory.

[jnorlando]

55 West to become a condo hotel according to orlando business journal.

how does this work exactly? are they going to still honor the contracts for the residential aspect of the project?

[snoop]

55 West to become a condo hotel according to orlando business journal.

how does this work exactly? are they going to still honor the contracts for the residential aspect of the project?

It doesn't say condo hotel... it just says hotel. There is a big difference between the two.

[chgochris]

It doesn't say condo hotel... it just says hotel. There is a big difference between the two.

Re read it again, it says condominium hotel, boutique suite hotel, and office space.

[FLheat]

It doesn't say condo hotel... it just says hotel. There is a big difference between the two.

I read condo hotel as well:

"When construction started, 55 West was to have been a residential condominium with 80,000 square feet of retail. Grosse Pointe CEO Bob Hensley says his company will keep the retail space but now plans to convert the space into a condominium hotel, a boutique suite hotel and office space. "

[jack]

I did not see condo hotel. They must have changed the article. I see hotel from the existing units.

[jnorlando]

yes, the article definitely changed from when i first read it. so how does this potentially affect the hilton church street proposal? i also read an article (although now i can't find it) that the lexington is also looking to convert to another well known brand. once the arena is done and the new OPAC is completed, would there be enough business to support both of these hotels (and lets not forget about CP III down the street)?

[jack]

I do not think it changes anything. The Hilton will have CSS and a lot of meeting space. If the CVB can keep it filled, which they should, it will increase the demand for hotel space.

[JRS1]

is the new O-Rena going to have significant meeting room space. I know there's going to be a lot of retail sf... this might explain why.

however, if the rumors were correct about Euro American Advisors and the fiancial backing issue from a few weeks back, then maybe going hotel is the quick fix to get more $$$ pumped into the project.

[jnorlando]

I do not think it changes anything. The Hilton will have CSS and a lot of meeting space. If the CVB can keep it filled, which they should, it will increase the demand for hotel space.

that's true, i didn't think about the meeting space. but is there that much of a demand for meeting space in the CBD? also forgive me, but what is CVB?