Downtown Mobile

[MobileLSUboy09]

I agree on the style of buildings. I hated when they decided to put a spire on the Riverview that mimics the RSA Tower. Thompson Engineering, who designed it, and David Bronner could have came up with something unique that would have looked better. I also like the design of the 250 St. Francis Street project, more condos need to look like that if they are not going to be highrises. So far 8 units of 32 have been sold, unclear about the amount reserved, as of August.

[nitek_of_mobile]

I wonder if it is possible to add a 29th floor for a high-end restaurant. Imagine having sweeping views of Mobile Bay, Mobile River, the Delta, Eastern Shore and City of Mobile at one of the best restaurants on the Gulf Coast.

[mobileal1]

I totally agree, I'm a little embarrased that a copy of the RSA crown is the best we could do... My friend here at LSU who is an Architecture student, and another urbanplanet regular, makes fun of Mobile for it!

[bayourat15]

Hey LSUBOY, have u seen the 40story condo BR is getting ? Thats what Mobile needs.

[MobileLSUboy09]

Hey LSUBOY, have u seen the 40story condo BR is getting ? Thats what Mobile needs.

[nimsjus]

Downtown Mobile Alliance Dec-Jan newsletter is out. I always enjoy the section on a piece of downtown realestate each month. They always give history, tenants and other interesting info about a building that we have all seen a million times, but have no clue about the inside, its past, etc.

http://www.downtownmobile.org/images/news/dan_decjan.pdf

[Southron]

Downtown Mobile Alliance Dec-Jan newsletter is out. I always enjoy the section on a piece of downtown realestate each month. They always give history, tenants and other interesting info about a building that we have all seen a million times, but have no clue about the inside, its past, etc.

[Southron]

Plans for a new 4-story county office building have been put on hold because the Architectural Review Board found that its design would "impair the historic integrity" of surrounding buildings in the Church Street East Historic District. The building would replace the old courthouse annex next to Government Plaza.

[Southron]

A couple of photo updates:

Senior Bowl HQ under renovation

Centre for the Living Arts

[Southron]

FWIW, the Downtown Mobile Alliance has a MySpace page:

www.myspace.com/downtownmobilealliance

[mobileal1]

FWIW, the Downtown Mobile Alliance has a MySpace page:

www.myspace.com/downtownmobilealliance

[Southron]

Planning has begun to transform gateways to downtown Mobile into welcoming, memorable entrances. Gateways at the intersections of Water and Government Streets and Water and Beauregard Streets will be landscaped to make them more attractive and pedestrian friendly. The Downtown Mobile Alliance hired a landscape architect to develop a conceptual plan for the gateways.

Great news that the Water/Government intersection will become a pedestrian-friendly crossing to provide better waterfront access!

Downtown Alliance News Feb-March '08

[Southron]

The Downtown Mobile Alliance website has a map up now of the Business Improvement District in downtown Mobile. A legend for the numbered locations is available here: BID map.

[Southron]

The city wants to turn a small triangle of land in the northern part of the downtown loop into a pocket park with chess boards, benches and a gazebo. The City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday to purchase part of the property in a 21,600 sq ft triangle between Congress and Hamilton streets and Martin Luther King Avenue.

De Tonti Sqare Historic District residents believe the park will help bolster area and draw in new residents.

City looks into area for park

[Southron]

The old American National Bank building at the corner of St. Louis and St. Joseph streets will be demolished for a future commercial project that will be developed in combination with adjacent properties.

Mobile Press-Register

[Southron]

The Mobile City Council voted to spend $40,000 on engineering work to establish a railroad quiet zone downtown. Implementing the changes needed for the quiet zone will probably cost several hundred thousand dollars, but will end complaints from downtown hotel guests who get little sleep because of the loud train whistles at night.

City takes first step to silence trains in downtown

[Southron]

Lots of good stuff in the April newsletter of the Downtown Mobile Alliance, including this:

The Bar Pilots Association started construction on a 2,400 sq ft, two-story office building in DeTonti Square at the corner of Jackson and St. Anthony Streets. The Bar Pilots are moving their office from a location at the state docks.

[Southron]

Tom Leavell, a partner in the renovation of the old Laclede hotel building in the early 80s, is renovating a 16,000 sq ft building at 210 St. Joseph St. for his company office. The project is expected to cost about $2 million and should by done by the end of the year.

The exterior of the old Metals USA building will be improved to fit in better with nearby historic buildings, and the main entrance will be moved to St. Joseph St. There was 6 feet of water on the first floor after Hurricane Katrina, so the company's offices will be on the 8,000 sq ft second floor.

Press-Register: Downtown redo redux

[Southron]

Lagniappe recently ran a story about the rebuilding of the Crescent Theatre, which will include high-end condos on the upper floor. The developers expect to complete the film theater by June and an adjoining stage theatre/event venue by late 2009. The article includes some historical information about theaters in Mobile over the years.

Crescent Theatre

Photo of the site - August 2007

[Southron]

Some news from the Downtown Mobile Alliance May newsletter:

• Hargrove and Associates moved a few of its employees into newly renovated offices in the St. Emanuel wing of the Kress

• building, with the Neisner building renovation expected to finished in early September.

• Bienville Books will open a space upstairs called the Haunted Book Loft after renovations are complete in September.

• The Van Antwerp Building is on the market for $3.5 million.

• A law firm will move into the building at 462 Dauphin Street later this year or in early 2009, after extensive renovations. The building was most recently used as a bar.

Check out the newsletter for a lot more info.

[Southron]

Ground was broken Friday for the new Government Street courthouse annex. The $17 million, four-story building will use an existing foundation, and is to include historic detailing and other features to blend in with other downtown buildings.

Work starts on Mobile County courthouse annex

[Southron]

The Downtown Mobile Alliance published another major investment report this fall. Check out a few of the recently completed projects pictured below, and download the report for much more info about potential projects or those currently underway.

Download the .pdf here: Major investment report

[Southron]

According to the Press-Register, unnamed out-of-town investors have a contract to buy the ca. 1947 16-story former Waterman Steamship building for $3.9 million. The building was Mobile's first post-WWII skyscraper.

Investors have contract to buy Wachovia site

[Southron]

Mobile city officials are considering adding free broadband-speed wireless internet service throughout downtown Mobile.

Free downtown Mobile wireless eyed

[Southron]

The Mobile City Council voted to spend $40,000 on engineering work to establish a railroad quiet zone downtown. Implementing the changes needed for the quiet zone will probably cost several hundred thousand dollars, but will end complaints from downtown hotel guests who get little sleep because of the loud train whistles at night.