How Feasible is it to Redesign a Tower's Exterior?

[Charlotteman]

The 230 S Tryon project is quite interesting---a tower being "remodeled" on the exterior, as well as the interior.

I hope this isn't too much straying from the thread, but I've often wondered if that sort of thing might ever be done to the BofA Plaza sometime in the future. When it was built in 1974, yes it was a groundbreaking project. Glass was all the rage. But today it looks so dated, uninteresting, almost behemouth, out of place with it's mostly lovely neighbors.

Would a striking new exterior design for an existing tower that size be economically feasable?

Am I the only one that is starting to see BofA Plaza as an eyesore?

[atlrvr]

First of all, I love the buildings, and think it looks great. Part of developing a great skyline is a mixture of architectural styles with buildings from different periods.

As far as it being possible, I don't know too much about that particular building's strutural core, but I would guess that it would be rather difficult if it carries support on the exterior, as some glass buildings do. Concrete buildings (like Trademark) are relatively easy to replace the exterior, because the shell does nothing to add to the buildings strength.

[eastsider]

I really like the BofA Plaza as well and would hate to see it changed. But if you don't like it, don't worry, 210 Trade will be blocking it from view in a couple years.

[Southernyank]

I love BoA plaza too. If we were to redesign any "behemouth" with glass, I vote for pepto. Naw, not even that. I think it adds character.

[dubone]

Is there ever a case where glass buildings get all new glass? I have to think that after 25 years, the thermal qualities of glass has gotten significantly better. Just as people replace windows in their homes, do towers ever do that? It seems that they could save significant energy and operating costs.

[atlrvr]

Yes....the John Hancock building started to lose all of its windows (the fell out) when it was first built and had to be replaced with some sort of different type of window.

Also, it appears they replace windows at 400 S. Tryon with plywood quite regularly.

[dubone]

Ah yes, plywood. Why not have a full curtain wall made of plywood. We could have the first wooden skyscraper .

Other than from an emergency, where the insurer has to pay (in Hancock's case, it was themselves...HA), I guess replacing the curtain wall for aesthetic purposes is pretty rare.

[Dixie]

I'd find it harder to replace a taller building, unless it were to be turned into condos. It would make more sense to have a office condo conversion with a new exterior because the cost of renovation could be absorbed through the cost of the condos. A positive cycle insues because the nicer the exterior the more you can charge.

[swh1972]

Do I get to stay home from work while the Plaza is being renovated? If so, I'm all for change

[Southernyank]

Nearly every scraper in Miami is upgrading their glass windows now to endure hurricanes better.

[Charlotteman]

I'm glad my question is drawing interest here:)

The main gripe I have about BofA Plaza is the enormous-scaled flat roof. From the west it flattens out the skyline from that angle, and creates an awkward afront to the graceful tops of neighboring towers.

But this is just my humble opinion of course:) I'm no architect, and it's just my own view. And by the way, I agree about the Arlington's exterior glass. It looks more like a tower from 1979 than of recent completion. Yep the pink pepto is ungraceful.

[dubone]

Yeah, it is an interesting concept. It has come up before on Arlington and a few other aesthetically troubling towers here. I don't think there is any chance of aesthetic changes for BofA Plaza, though, as BofA just signed a new lease there. There is no money, then, or benefit to changing the building.

For me, the ground floor of Plaza and Omni is much more damaging to the city than the tower design and the roof. It is a blank face wall against the sidewalk, with the only openings being for cars to the deck. The College Street side is even worse with its dull concrete wall.

Epicenter and Ritz will help significantly. Not only will you have 3 towers to obscure the view of the Omni and Plaza, including one that will be wider and taller than Plaza. But you will also have lowrise retail to help bring people to the street level.

[Charlotteman]

Speaking of the Omni Hotel, I was wondering what guests at the Ritz across the street will think of that flat glass wall as a view?

[atlrvr]

Speaking of the Omni Hotel, I was wondering what guests at the Ritz across the street will think of that flat glass wall as a view?

Wrong block...that would be the view from Aloft. The Ritz would be looking at the Founders Hall atrium on the lower floors, or have a pretty good "in the middle of it all" view on the upper floors.