Downtown Mobile

[Southron]

Last weekend, I snapped a few photos of some (but not all) of the smaller downtown projects under way, projected or completed within the last year or so.

Space 301, art gallery

Senior Bowl offices

Royal St. office space renovation

Government St. office space renovation with ground floor parking

Office space renovation, completed

Edited August 13, 2007 by Southron

[Southron]

The display at the maritime center site contains a couple of interesting renderings that show the proposed pedestrian bridge across Water Street. Thoughts about the pedestrian bridge and its location?

[Southron]

The state granted the Downtown Mobile Alliance $44.4 million in Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone bonds applied for last fall. The alliance will contact the original applicants for the grants, which included 28 projects worth over $141 million, to find out if they are still interested in the financing. Some of the projects moved forward without the financing, so the alliance could end up with excess financing that could be made available for other downtown projects.

Mobile Press-Register: Alliance granted $44.4M in bonds

Mobile Press-Register: GO Zone Bonds: Downtown developers could benefit instead

[The Dude]

That's interesting about Baumhower. I was walking toward Government Plaza about this time 2 years ago when I saw him and his friends walking out of that building, seems like this is an idea he has had for quite some time now.

[elb401]

I just hope he opens it. I never really liked roussos. It wasn't very good.

[Southron]

According to Kathy Jumper of the Press-Register, the former Kress store building is under contract to be purchased by a local investor, who wants to put his office there and sell or lease some of the additional space -- 20,000 square feet on Royal Street and 10,000 square feet on Dauphin Street. The 70,000 sq. ft. building was built in 1913.

Mobile Press-Register

[Southron]

A video highlighting recent downtown developments was released by the Downtown Mobile Alliance, which featured the video at its annual meeting. Check it out!

Video: Living, Working & Playing in Downtown Mobile

[The Dude]

A video highlighting recent downtown developments was released by the Downtown Mobile Alliance, which featured the video at its annual meeting. Check it out!

Video: Living, Working & Playing in Downtown Mobile

[elb401]

haha thats what I was thinking.

[Florida]

From an outsiders perspective, I don't think the video was that bad. I was actually quite impressed with all of the beautiful pictures and offerings of Downtown Mobile. That new signature building has done wonders for that city's skyline and overall appeal.

[Southron]

A new restaurant, the Courtyard Bistro, will open in the former Gus' Restaurant location at 751 Dauphin St. within the next few months. Chef Cortland Inge, a Mobile native, is opening the bistro after working as a restaurateur in Chicago and Seattle. The renovated 7,400 sq ft restaurant space has a new, trellis-covered, 3,000 sq ft courtyard with two fireplaces.

Mobile Press-Register: Kathy Jumper column

Sounds like another quality downtown dining option is on the way.

[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.

Rather than fixing the lousy design, the county will waste more taxpayers' money by appealing to the city council.

Mobile Press-Register: Government building delayed by design concerns

[elb401]

I hope they lose!!!!!

[Southron]

^ Me too!

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Sunday's Press-Register included an article about the downtown investments of the Lyons Pipes & Cook law firm, which owns eight properties in the area. The firm has renovated several properties, most recently a two-story building at 7 N Royal St, and would like to renovate or develop more. It's good that these guys got some recognition for doing something with their downtown properties, instead of just sitting on them like some others do.

Law firm invests in downtown

[Southron]

The October 2007 major investment report is available from the Downtown Mobile Alliance: October 2007 Report

Some near-term projects in the report:

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Rendering of the Gayfers building renovation (facing Bienville Square):

[mobileal1]

What's the direct link to the investment report not the newsletter?

[Southron]

What's the direct link to the investment report not the newsletter?

[mobileal1]

I fixed the link -- thanks for catching that.

[Southron]

Just wondering, how do you feel about the Gayfers Building and the Hampton Inns designs?

[mobileal1]

I like the designs for both the Hampton Inn and the Gayfers building. The Gayfers building has more of a modern feel at the Dauphin St. entrance while the historic entry is to be preserved. I think the Hampton Inn will sit in very nicely. I love the Mattress Factory more than anything else.

[Southron]

^ I'm with you on the mattress factory renovation -- it's really nicely done, and adds character to Dauphin St. Even though I'm not completely in love with the Hampton and Gayfers designs, I'm really glad to see those kinds of quality renovation and infill projects going on in downtown Mobile.

[mobileal1]

I love the view of the skyline from I-165 southbound. I think it is the most density view of downtown. The RSA Tower looks nearly full, does anyone know the occupancy rate? I would love to see some more highrises sprout up in the western area of downtown closer to Broad St.

[MobileLSUboy09]

I love the view of the skyline from I-165 southbound. I think it is the most density view of downtown. The RSA Tower looks nearly full, does anyone know the occupancy rate? I would love to see some more highrises sprout up in the western area of downtown closer to Broad St.

[elb401]

that really sounds nice. the steel and glass.

[mobileal1]

I definitely think the best view of downtown is from 165 South, and also from the Cochrane Bridge. I wish they would add different style buildings on the west side. (unlike the riverview which is now just a copy of the RSA) Maybe something steel-framed, and all glass-clad?