New Orleans Development Thread

[nola17]

Finally, I read that the state set aside 1.2 billion dollars in GO Zone money for New Orleans.

Many of the inland parishes looking to capitalize on what is suppose to be OUR recovery money were pissed

[alon504]

I wonder if the Bywater development is ICInola ?

That is Icinola. My two very good friends are behind this development. I've seen the plans and have been in the building numerous times. It is going to be a great project for the Bywater. And they are getting ready to roll with it....I think construction is starting in November. That is what I hear from them whenever we discuss their project. But, we don't talk about it that much. Just basics.

[jeffschwartz]

That is Icinola. My two very good friends are behind this development. I've seen the plans and have been in the building numerous times. It is going to be a great project for the Bywater. And they are getting ready to roll with it....I think construction is starting in November. That is what I hear from them whenever we discuss their project. But, we don't talk about it that much. Just basics.

iciNola is an awesome project all the way around. it's a really unique take on infill development and it will point the way for future development within our historic neighborhoods. wayne troyer architects do great work. can't wait to see it built.

[sgray]

Two or three 30 story towers. What's this? I'm hoping 2008 will be the year to see some cranes on the skyline for some of these many high-rise proposals we've been reading about for the last 2-3 years.

[Puddinhead]

Two or three 30 story towers. What's this? I'm hoping 2008 will be the year to see some cranes on the skyline for some of these many high-rise proposals we've been reading about for the last 2-3 years.

Just guessing, but it sounds like the Tom Bauer development for the "Storyville" area....I'm guessing the Winn-Dixie in the former temporary casino parking lot there (now the French Quarter RV Park...at least part of it) is the "hurricane-damaged regional grocery store".

[tennis1400]

Yeah Im not sure you can really think anything is being built until you see some foundation work! Ive been seeing things for the Plaza Tower too and I didnt think they were proceeding with the same plan. One thing is the Tracage is now installling scaffolding along the sides of the Lengsfield Loft Building, so this one seems a 90% certainty to be under construction by years end.

[nola17]

I read in New Orleans City Business that Macy's will make an annoucement about its future in the the New Orleans market. I think there suppose to build a free standing department store at Lakeside. I really hope they build at the Renaissance Town Center. I think they might open on the West Bank in the Oakwood Mall

[SlidellWX]

I'm guessing Macy's will go with a site at Lakeside, Oakwood, and at the new shopping development in Covington.

[sgray]

Here's the Macy's announcement. Good news for Metairie and Kenner.

[jca1986]

Tracage will be built and should start construction at the start of '08

[sgray]

I wonder if this is referring to the Royal Cosmopolitan. That project should get started pretty soon in the 100 block of Royal Street.

[nola17]

What happened to the cancer research center?

I thought it was suppose to break ground on the 1st but I havent heard anything.

and also ive seen repairs going on to the dominion tower. they're replacing the glass windows along poydras street

Edited October 5, 2007 by nola17

[SlidellWX]

I know the lot is cleared and I saw some test pilings being done a few weeks ago for the cancer research building.

[nola17]

Well I was thinking that they werent going to do a public ground breaking, but this is to much of an economic development story not to have public

[sgray]

Border's Bookstore is going to renovate an historic funeral home on St. Charles Ave. I know this irks the small book stores but it will be great for St. Charles Avenue to transform this shuttered prominent building into a real eye catcher right along the streetcar line.

[JPKneworleans]

Border's Bookstore is going to renovate an historic funeral home on St. Charles Ave. I know this irks the small book stores but it will be great for St. Charles Avenue to transform this shuttered prominent building into a real eye catcher right along the streetcar line.

That's great, but also kind of weird. I know several people whose funerals were held there. If you were really close to the person, it would be kind of strange. Think about it: Wow, Aunt Millie was enbalmed in the murder-mystery/fiction section.

I wonder if the owners are going to preserve the solarium. That's my favorite part of the building and would a great reading room.

[sgray]

Driving around the other day I was surprised to see a huge Home Depot going up 2 or 3 blocks from the New Orleans Arena on the other side of the Pontchatrain Expressway. With the likes of this store and others close to downtown like the Super Wal-Mart on Tchoupitoulas, living in a condo in the CBD seems more attractive. No having to go to the suburbs to shop.

[tombarnes]

I'm glad to hear that the Bultman building will be preserved. Creepy or not, it's still an interesting building with quite a bit of history. As for Borders, I'd prefer to see an independent bookstore go there, but it's more important to have the building saved than to quibble too much about the tenant. BTW, is Bethany Ewald Bultman still in New Orleans? I believe she wrote a number of books about New Orleans, though she was originally from Natchez.

Edited October 9, 2007 by tombarnes

[blackcoat]

Purchase of Dominion Tower + New Orleans Centre: Take Two:

http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/1...defunct_no.html

Maybe the state will succeed where the Hyatt and the city could not? I have a sneaking suspicion that Judah Hertz's minimum selling price is more than market value; hopefully I'm wrong about that.

There are plenty of very smart uses for this land and office tower, and though a sale of the property doesn't guarantee anything necessarily, I think it would be a huge step toward reinvigorating the Superdome area.

[JPKneworleans]

Purchase of Dominion Tower + New Orleans Centre: Take Two:

http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/1...defunct_no.html

Maybe the state will succeed where the Hyatt and the city could not? I have a sneaking suspicion that Judah Hertz's minimum selling price is more than market value; hopefully I'm wrong about that.

There are plenty of very smart uses for this land and office tower, and though a sale of the property doesn't guarantee anything necessarily, I think it would be a huge step toward reinvigorating the Superdome area.

I think it's very smart of him to start leasing as of January. It'll be interesting to see how much demand there is for space in the building. It's a great building.

Frankly, if there's going to be a government entity involved, I'd much rather see the Superdome Commission owning the place than the City of New Orleans.

[sgray]

I made an inquiry to the Trump Tower sales office about groundbreaking and received the following. Commencement was to have taken place in June '07, then September. then January '08, now Spring.

Thank you for your interest in Trump International Hotel and Tower New Orleans. We are thrilled to be a part of your great city's recovery and rebirth.

We are working on our sales center as we speak, it will be located on the 25th floor of the Pan American building overlooking our site. The center will be beautiful and will represent a full size studio just as it will appear in the tower. We are slated to open the sales center the first week in December.

Groundbreaking is slated for Spring 2008.

Sincerely,

Dana Mowe

Trump International Hotel & Tower New Orleans

[email protected]

[JPKneworleans]

I received the exact same reply to my email.

[nola17]

Does anyone know when Tracgae is to breakground?

[jca1986]

Does anyone know when Tracgae is to breakground?

Tracage is suppose to breakground in January. There is already some prep work going on at the site and the company has moved to hard contracts.

[WRM2007]

Here's the Macy's announcement. Good news for Metairie and Kenner.

Good news for the New Orleans area. If the city would proceed and rip down murderous, ghetto projects from it's main boulevard, then MAYBE a Macy's or a Dillard's would returning with boutique style stores along CANAL such as what Rubenstein's offers. There is no glamour when a murder a day happens over lunch/dinner just blocks away. Chocolate city my arse.

I'm glad to hear that the Bultman building will be preserved. Creepy or not, it's still an interesting building with quite a bit of history. As for Borders, I'd prefer to see an independent bookstore go there, but it's more important to have the building saved than to quibble too much about the tenant. BTW, is Bethany Ewald Bultman still in New Orleans? I believe she wrote a number of books about New Orleans, though she was originally from Natchez.

So why didn't independents take the ball and roll with it sooner?? Because independents are elitist and insular.