Jonas Federal Courthouse Expansion ( 10 floors / 165 feet) + Historic Renovation

[EllAyyDub]

Ours reminds me of the Atlanta Fed building, which I love.  Breaks up the midtown skyline nicely and I think the Jonas addition will do the same.  I don't want to only see glass from Romare/Knight's ballpark.

 

[Spartan]

On 9/28/2017 at 12:10 AM, TheMightyBK said:

A couple of threads over someone proposed we rank uptown's most attractive and most hideous buildings.  This, as rendered, instantly climbs to the top five ugliest.  It looks like something my son would have constructed out of grey Legos when he was 3.

Why not try a modern complement instead?  Something like this would be complementary to both the existing courthouse and surrounding modern highrises.   Duplicate the courthouse's front façade in the rear, and let us see it from the ballpark.

So you want it to look like every other glass box in Charlotte? Meh. Here in the land of no historic preservation, traditional architecture IS different and cutting edge.  

[Nick2]

It's nice to add something different but they could easily make it look much nicer.

[Old Carolinian]

To be historically accurate, the addition to the courthouse should be designed in the architectural style of the original US post office and courthouse on West Trade that was demolished in 1917 in order to construct the first phase of the existing courthouse.    How unfortunate it was for the city to lose this beautiful structure! 

[Spartan]

^If we were getting a completely new courthouse, I would agree 100%. The old courthouse and original City Hall buildings were amazing.

[CLT>___]

Though I would post another rendering from a different angle. I think this thing looks pretty good. I love this older style architecture. I think we could use more of it around the city. 

[navigator319]

Oh boy that street presence :/  

Where is parking for this?

[deleted]

44 minutes ago, JSquare said:

Though I would post another rendering from a different angle. I think this thing looks pretty good. I love this older style architecture. I think we could use more of it around the city. 

I wish I could only be positive about building design (after all, it's someone's job and they are presumably trying their best).  And, I'd welcome some classic architecture on new buildings.  This is just atrocious in my opinion.  Hopefully, it looks better in person.  Just look at the scale and street level.  Surprised anyone likes this.

[CLT>___]

.... it is a federal court house what street presence did you think it would have?

[deleted]

1 minute ago, JSquare said:

.... it is a federal court house what street presence did you think it would have?

Fair point.  But I Googled "Federal Courthouse" and there are many that don't have only block walls for the bottom 6 feet.  Security is an issue I'm sure.  Still think this would be a perfect building to have the addition be modern.  Trying to mimic the original style on that lot is apparently difficult. 

[CLT>___]

I disagree I like the look of a more Gothic style architecture for a courthouse (I know it's not really Gothic style but you know what I mean). I would rather see the new library be the ultra modern addition to the city. 

They are not tearing down the existing court house so adding a modern addition to the back of it would look so forced. 

Edited February 1, 2018 by JSquare

[SouthEndCLT811]

11 minutes ago, JSquare said:

I disagree I like the look of a more Gothic style architecture for a courthouse (I know it's not really Gothic style but you know what I mean). I would rather see the new library be the ultra modern addition to the city. 

They are not tearing down the existing court house so adding a modern addition to the back of it would look so forced. 

I'm fine with it being a court house but Cleveland Museum of Art and it's expansion is a good mix of old and modern.  It can work, the purpose for this location isn't conducive to the openness I get it.  But just for fun:

Edited February 1, 2018 by SouthEndCLT811

[15895]

I wish street level had at least fake windows or something. 

[CLT>___]

@SouthEndCLT811 Beautiful examples of old mixed with new but I wonder if government building that are not really for public use are weary of spending so much money on looks. The lot this is on is obviously not large enough to do that type of stuff which you did acknowledge but I do get your point about putting something in for the public. 

I do still like this project though I think it will be an improvement over the current building. Still very early on in the life of the project as well. I am truly not hinting toward anything but there could still be time for changes. 

[SouthEndCLT811]

Oh totally I get an art museum vs federal courthouse.  Just first thing that came to mind being from there and felt it was relevant to the discussion to bring it up

[SydneyCarton]

I look forward to attending hearings in this gem.

Edited February 2, 2018 by SydneyCarton

[AuLukey]

My only gripe is that they did not match the subtle ornateness of the FC’s neoclassical design. This tower needs some kind of ornamentation at the top: a crown, dome(s), some filigree, something.

[TheMightyBK]

it's terrible

[SydneyCarton]

1 hour ago, TheMightyBK said:

it's terrible

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I find this to be beautiful.  They could have tacked on a cheap glass box, but instead, they're building what appears to be a beautiful limestone structure that complements the gorgeous old courthouse.  I love it.

[AuLukey]

Actually, and I don’t say this often, if ever, I feel like this tower would look better one floor shorter. This rendering makes it look like they added on the top floor after the fact.

[Guest]

Woah, we have a construction start date for this building. Fall 2018. I'm stunned its going to start this soon. Another 200 foot building under construction for Charlotte. 

[jtmonk]

3 minutes ago, ricky_davis_fan_21 said:

Woah, we have a construction start date for this building. Fall 2018. I'm stunned its going to start this soon. Another 200 foot building under construction for Charlotte. 

Wow, really 200 feet?  that seems pretty tall for an 8 story building but I'll take it.  Thanks for the info. 

[Cadi40]

I didn’t think it looked anything near 200 feet until I compared the cars to it in the rendering.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, jtmonk said:

Wow, really 200 feet?  that seems pretty tall for an 8 story building but I'll take it.  Thanks for the info. 

oh its supposed to be 10 floors with 20 ft ceilings, so if its 8 floors it'll be 160.

[tozmervo]

8 floors. About 150 feet. Courtrooms are tall.