210 Trade | EpiCentre

[dubone]

They might have the same issue that the Park had, where many units went for the lower prices, then they had to go much higher on the remaining units to offset the higher construction prices. We'll see how it turns out. But if they can convince people it is under construction, it might help sales of the remainder in contrast to the Park's struggles.

[uptownliving]

Its nice to see the steel going up now at the corner of Trade and College.

And on the 4th St side is where it looks like the beginings of the movie theatre.

[dubone]

Well, now that it is confirmed that it will be a steel skeleton above grade, for the retail portion, I actually now believe that he will be done within months. Look how fast The Park is starting to go up with their steel cage. Ghazi just has to connect these, spray on some efis gel and call it a day .

[TowerRooster]

Well, now that it is confirmed that it will be a steel skeleton above grade, for the retail portion, I actually now believe that he will be done within months. Look how fast The Park is starting to go up with their steel cage. Ghazi just has to connect these, spray on some efis gel and call it a day .

Hahaha... after a statement like that I can't help but wonder what kind of feelings are actually behind that smiley. A block full of EFIS buildings one block from the square!!

[dubone]

It was a smile to underscore my debatably clever mocking Ghazi's love affair with cheap EFIS buildings. I obviously don't want that material and want it banned from the city, but it'll be what it'll be.

[Charlotte_native]

They might have the same issue that the Park had, where many units went for the lower prices, then they had to go much higher on the remaining units to offset the higher construction prices. We'll see how it turns out. But if they can convince people it is under construction, it might help sales of the remainder in contrast to the Park's struggles.

Avenue did this but not unintentionally. They have/had planned incremental increases that coincided with how many units went under contract. It would not be unprecedented for a developer to do this.

[monsoon]

This is a common tactic in almost every development in Charlotte. I believe it was said that where 210 Trade screwed up was because they did NOT do it for the bulk of the units sold.

[Charlotte_native]

This is a common tactic in almost every development in Charlotte. I believe it was said that where 210 Trade screwed up was because they did NOT do it for the bulk of the units sold.

Ahhhh...now that would make sense if they are running into overall number issues.

[dubone]

In today's Dougie, I was reminded about the office square footage included in Epicenter. 140ksf will be available next and there is an option to add 20-40ksf of office. Is that square footage part of the aloft hotel tower, the 210 Trade tower, or just spread throughout the lowrise section? I was thinking it was part of the 210 Trade tower, but then I was surprised to hear that any of it would be available next year in that scenario.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/16264512.htm

[Skyline49er]

I still wish they would put about a 20 story office tower above building A. That would make that intersection hyper dense now that we have the new BofA building and the Ritz.

[uptownliving]

I have heard that the new Epicenter being built in uptown Charlotte is facing some financial problems, mainly that Ghazi is running out of money. Does anyone have any information on this?

That rumor has been bouncing around for a while, but construction continues at EpiCentre.

[Mobuchu]

The final section of epicentre's floor has been poured along 4th st. Although the movie theatre section still needs to be poured. Hopefully once that is done, 210 can start going up.

[RaleighHeelsfan]

I just read this from orulz in the Raleigh forum http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/525204.html

Ghazi has put out a bid on the progress land in Raleigh. If he is hurting for money, why this?

[dxartist]

I just read this from orulz in the Raleigh forum http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/525204.html

Ghazi has put out a bid on the progress land in Raleigh. If he is hurting for money, why this?

not sure... he's got so much on his plate with the Epicentre, The Bottle District in St. Louis, and a couple of other projects.

[Charlotte_native]

None of these folks really spend any of their own money. It would seem that his backers have confidence if they are bidding on new land/projects.

[Conformity]

I just read this from orulz in the Raleigh forum http://www.newsobserver.com/104/story/525204.html

Ghazi has put out a bid on the progress land in Raleigh. If he is hurting for money, why this?

Thanks for sharing this article.

[Neo]

On the construction cam: http://oxblue.com/client/flahertycollins/twotentrade/ it looks like there is another tower crane going up at the bottom of the picture. Can anyone confirm?

[Mobuchu]

appears to be. The Epicentre crane will not be tall enough, and might not even be long enough to work on Aloft.

[RiverwoodCLT]

Yes you are right. Its looks like the base of the crane at the Avenue. Looks like it will be for the Aloft Hotel.

Edited January 4, 2007 by RiverwoodCLT

[uptownliving]

Could this be another sign that Ghazi is about to run out of money?

[dubone]

Yes, cranes are expensive.

In another note, can anyone figure out what Ghazi is building on the Trade Street side on the top floor of the deck? It is where the wall to Trade is open slightly, west of the car entrance. The renderings show a solid wall, but what is actually built could actually remain open (although likely with some with screening). But just inside the deck, they have built a series of low walls out of concrete, creating shapes like 3 or 4 rooms. I think I'd be happy if they were building a couple offices for the parking deck people or security people. They could have windows on to Trade, and put a human use and eyes on the street.

It turns out that those walls are too short for a door or retail, but I think windows to something like offices would be great. But is there anything else it could be?

I will be both very surprised and very disappointed if Ghazi actually enclosed those openings. I think parking decks need as much ventilation as they can get, so it wouldn't be that smart in my opinion.

[A2]

Looks like they will be working on adding the rest of the third crane tonight.

Me like some cranes!!!

A2

[Charlotte_native]

This building will be halfway up before people stop wondering if it is going to be built! Bring on the cranes and the construction!

[dubone]

Have there been building permits for the condo portion? The new crane is for the aloft, which we all knew was going to be built, because it has a major tenant. The rest of current activity is consistent with Ghazi finishing his portion, which I think has reduced the skepticism. But there is still a question on the condo tower. It will be easy to quell those questions, but it will be a little longer before that happens.

Also, some are saying it will be built, but the final products will not be near the level of quality of what was sold. It will be a few years before those predictions will be proved or disproved.

[uptownliving]

There have been building permits issued for the Condo tower base, which is being built by Ghazi, but the building permit for the actual tower being built by Flaherty has not been issued. The permit has been approved, but won't be issued till Flaherty forks over the cash for the permit. Personally I won't get worried about this till about April.

All building permits expire in 6 months if no construction occurs on site, and with the current state of the condo tower base it is going to take them longer than 6 months to get that portion ready to be built on.