Marketsquare

[jmanhsv]

Marketsquare is an old mall on the edge of downtown Huntsville that will be demolished next month to make way for a new development. Details of this project so far have been vague; the developer has said it will be 400,000 sq ft of "eclectic" shops and restaurants, condos and apartments, possibly a hotel. The city is constructing a "riverwalk" along a creek that runs between Marketsquare and the VBC.

Now here are the rumors: Marketsquare could become home to Huntsville's first condo highrise, and Marriott expressed an interest in a downtown hotel a few years back before Embassy Suites announced, leading me to believe that Marriott could be looking at the site.

So, can we expect a repeat of the Parkway City redevelopment, another Bridge Street, or a mix of both? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

If anyone has more info on the development, please post it here.

[AlabamaGuy2007]

This'll be great for downtown. But, I hope it doesn't suck away downtwon business.

[kayman]

Interesting. I will try to make a trip to Huntsville either the end of this year or early next year. I've heard and seen nothing but good thing in the future for the region.

[aupatt10]

Sort of on topic, sort of not, but does HSV have an established entertainment district downtown?

[jmanhsv]

^Not right now. Marketsquare, the VBC, Embassy Suites and Big Spring Park will become the "entertainment district" once everything is completed.

[HSVTiger]

I think we will see some demolition soon (4-6 weeks) at this site.

[rnc]

I think we will see some demolition soon (4-6 weeks) at this site.

I can't wait to see that eyesore go.

[Shawn35816]

There is so much construction going on in H-ville right now. It's like one big construction site. I can't wait to see what it looks like in 2 years. Many of these big projects will be finished and there will be more coming down the pipe.

[HSVTiger]

I think we will see some demolition soon (4-6 weeks) at this site.

Hopefully we will see announcements soon(few weeks) on the details of this project.

It has the potential to transform downtown into a major entertainment/retail

destination. It will also lead to even more significant development in the downtown area.

[HSVTiger]

demolition has begun on the out parcel that was the auto/tire building.

Long ago Sears Roebuck was the main store and that building was the Sears Auto

Center.

Also for those familiar, remember the old bank that was recently demolished? That area

along the creek will be greenspace and extension of the riverwalk. A new Marriott

will be close to where the old railroad bridge is. That bridge will be demolished and replaced

as the riverwalk will be extended over the creek into the Market Square development.

Hopefully it will have a good name so we can forget the old one.

Where Bridge Street will be more upscale MS will be more fun/entertainment oriented I think.

No details on tenants, but I would expect some big surprises.

[jmanhsv]

Haha, the new name would probably be something suburban and cheesy, like The Shoppes at Marketsquare or the World Famous Marketsquare.

So, HSVTiger, are you sure the hotel's going to be a Marriott? I was just guessing.

[HSVTiger]

Haha, the new name would probably be something suburban and cheesy, like The Shoppes at Marketsquare or the World Famous Marketsquare.

So, HSVTiger, are you sure the hotel's going to be a Marriott? I was just guessing.

yes it seems so, also the city approved Heart of HSV road improvements which was/is a key

item in this project.There will be improvements made to the Clinton interchange as well, not sure

what.

[Rocket256]

Haha, the new name would probably be something suburban and cheesy, like The Shoppes at Marketsquare or the World Famous Marketsquare.

I hope something tall goes there that will define the city skyline, something like the Modis tower in Jacksonville..

[HSVTiger]

I hope something tall goes there that will define the city skyline, something like the Modis tower in Jacksonville..

you and everybody else. The hotel will probably be 10 at the most, but the possible condo and or

office tower(s) might be something taller, just don't know yet.

The fact that HSV doesn't have a signature tower is frustrating

[AlabamaGuy2007]

you and everybody else. The hotel will probably be 10 at the most, but the possible condo and or

office tower(s) might be something taller, just don't know yet.

The fact that HSV doesn't have a signature tower is frustrating

Not many cities in Alabama do. The only one that truely does is the RSA Battlehouse in Mobile. Birmingham falls short cause both of the two tallest in dowtown are nearly the same height. Same thing with the 3rd and 4th tallest.

But, I wouldn't worry. After all of these new jobs get here. Something's just gonna have to give.

[L'burgnative]

Does CRP have height restriction; the reason I am wondering is because where the growth is happening I am afraid that if or when Huntsville finally get there high-rises, they will go there rather then in downtown.

Also; is Marketsquare that Mall that is right up against the Parkway on the east side where Burlington Coat Factory use to be.

[AlabamaGuy2007]

Does CRP have height restriction; the reason I am wondering is because where the growth is happening I am afraid that if or when Huntsville finally get there high-rises, they will go there rather then in downtown.

Also; is Marketsquare that Mall that is right up against the Parkway on the east side where Burlington Coat Factory use to be.

I don't think they have a height restriction. Judging by how tall the Adtran building is.

Marketsquare is the shopping center at the corner of So. Memorial, and Clinton. On the east side.

[HSVTiger]

a bit of an update, still some time must pass it aappears

still think it will be sooner than later

Demolition of the old LBJ Tire and Auto Repair at the Heart of Huntsville/Market Square mall doesn't mean construction on a new project is about to happen, the property owner said last week.

Scott McLain, Heart of Huntsville's owner, said the building was unsafe and had become a place for homeless people to camp.

"It's not really motivated by imminent development," McLain said. "We are demolishing LBJ because it ultimately will be demolished, because it was an old building that was falling down. It has become a nuisance."

McLain, who has been working on plans for the downtown site, off Clinton Avenue and South Memorial Parkway, for several years, said he and the city have reached an agreement on the configuration of Heart of Huntsville Drive. The city is still working on a final design, he said, and construction on the road is expected to begin in January. Once that happens, McLain said he can "get into doing our site plans specifically."

http://www.al.com/business/huntsvilletimes....xml&coll=1

[jmanhsv]

Looks like not one, but two hotels may be coming to Marketsquare. They will have 400-450 rooms (combined), so we're not looking at anything too tall with the hotels (maybe 6-8 stories). It also looks like hotel developer John Q Hammons is now interested in the project. http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/ind....xml&coll=1

[HSVTiger]

Looks like not one, but two hotels may be coming to Marketsquare. They will have 400-450 rooms (combined), so we're not looking at anything too tall with the hotels (maybe 6-8 stories). It also looks like hotel developer John Q Hammons is now interested in the project. http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/ind....xml&coll=1

[rnc]

100 million ain't too shabby, interesting to note that the Embassy cost 40 mill, so wonder if that 100 million is just for the hotels? This has the makings to totally transform downtown. Having Hammons involved will almost guarantee success. Footprint size of the hotels could raise the height, but it seems most of Hammons properties are in the 9-15 floor range. He is also involved with convention centers and ballparks.

No there will not be a stadium involved in this project, but maybe it could lead to more VBC improvements/expansion. Hopefully it will move quickly out of the concept stage.

[woob]

Since that is out on the edge of downtown, a couple 8-10 story towers would look great. Hopefully, if we ever get a 20 story or so building it will be near the center of downtown, closer to the courthouse. The Marketsquare redevelopment is looking better all the time.

[rnc]

I often wonder why Huntsville doesn't have any 20+ story buildings yet.. I think it's good planning.. I wouldnt rush into anything like that. I really like a smaller city with a dense downtown full of 10 - 12 story buildings.

[woob]

I wouldn't complain with a dense downtown full of 10-12 story buildings either. But right now we have a not so dense downtown full of a few 10-12 story buildings and a bunch of 3-5 story buildings. It is definitely moving in the right direction and I'm really enjoying seeing it change. I've only lived here for a little less than two years and it has changed a lot already.

[rnc]

I wonder why that is.. I live in Shreveport Louisiana and for its size we have a rather large Downtown I believe.. our tallest is 25 stories with a few more 20 and below

only thing constructed lately though have been casino hotels largest across the river 25 stories. 12 story Hilton currently under construction attached to the new 500,000 sqft convention center.

http://flickr.com/photos/42869697@N00/205359322/