The Gateway Site

[gman430]

4 hours ago, vicupstate said:

Actually MOVING the Law Enforcement Center, at least the offices is one of the major themes from talking to one of the planners. The presentation is TONIGHT at 5:00 at the Well. 

I’ll believe that when I see it. Who would pay for their new offices? Surely not Greenville County. 

[Exile]

2 hours ago, gman430 said:

I’ll believe that when I see it. Who would pay for their new offices? Surely not Greenville County. 

Here's hoping for the destruction of yet another brutalist monstrosity, however remote the possibility.

[GVLover]

21 hours ago, Exile said:

Here's hoping for the destruction of yet another brutalist monstrosity, however remote the possibility.

Edit. 

Edited February 23, 2022 by GVLover

[GVLover]

“5-10” years is more like 15-20 years. 
 

https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/big-update-in-greenville-county-gateway-project-to-revamp-entrance-to-downtown/article_f0067a1e-9498-11ec-bd66-930435781cb5.html

Edited February 23, 2022 by GVLover

[Exile]

21 minutes ago, GVLover said:

“5-10” years is more like 15-20 years. 
 

https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/big-update-in-greenville-county-gateway-project-to-revamp-entrance-to-downtown/article_f0067a1e-9498-11ec-bd66-930435781cb5.html

A flatiron building with even a little height would be a great gateway feature.

[GvilleSC]

This is making more sense now that the media has picked up the full story. I would love to see the level of landscaping they're showing along North Street entering downtown. 

[GVLover]

5 minutes ago, Exile said:

A flatiron building with even a little height would be a great gateway feature.

I noticed that too; I agree that it would be great! 

[apaladin]

Love the first drawing but unfortunately its just a drawing. They have 3 buildings on the old auditorium site, lol. We know that is not happening at least not in our lifetime. The second drawing I assume is the backside of the BSWA? Thats the only place there would be room. 

[vicupstate]

On 2/23/2022 at 1:30 PM, GVLover said:

I noticed that too; I agree that it would be great! 

How about a new iconic flatiron City Hall?  With the council chambers on the ground floor, of course.  All part of a mixed use project that would tie into the Arena's surface lot as shown in the renderings?  The boulevarding of East North would probably have to happen at the same time.     

[gman430]

I still think they should turn the site into a graveyard with tombstones for all of the failed projects downtown like how Clemson does with football teams they beat.  

[gman430]

Which will happen first: development of this site or the replacement of the puke colored seats at the Well that have been there since 1998?  

[apaladin]

On 3/19/2022 at 1:36 PM, gman430 said:

Which will happen first: development of this site or the replacement of the puke colored seats at the Well that have been there since 1998?  

Not the color of puke I’ve seen.  If you want puke colored visit the Asheville civic center. I swear those are the same seats when it opened in 1975. 

Edited March 21, 2022 by apaladin

[wellen]

Title:
A prominent piece of downtown Greenville, vacant for decades, is on the cusp of rebirth

Link:
https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/business/a-prominent-piece-of-downtown-greenville-vacant-for-decades-is-on-the-cusp-of-rebirth/article_f2b39cf0-a9f7-11ec-9d15-c750952d42f8.html

Looks like this is under contract for sale.  You can read the article for free by downloading the P&C Greenville app on your phone.

Highlight:

"Plan after plan has fallen through over the years but Mayor Knox White said the latest proposal could be the one to come to fruition."

The proposal is "for mixed-use multifamily residences with public and commercial retail space."

Learn more in June...

 

Edited March 23, 2022 by wellen

[GVLover]

8 minutes ago, wellen said:

Title:
A prominent piece of downtown Greenville, vacant for decades, is on the cusp of rebirth

Link:
https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/business/a-prominent-piece-of-downtown-greenville-vacant-for-decades-is-on-the-cusp-of-rebirth/article_f2b39cf0-a9f7-11ec-9d15-c750952d42f8.html

Looks like this is under contract for sale.  You can read the article for free by downloading the P&C Greenville app on your phone.

Highlight:

"Plan after plan has fallen through over the years but Mayor Knox White said the latest proposal could be the one to come to fruition."

The proposal is "for mixed-use multifamily residences with public and commercial retail space."

Learn more in June...

 

This in part stood out to me:
 

White told The Post and Courier on March 22 that he’s “been pleased to see that investors who have very deep pockets from outside of Greenville have been interested in this property.”

“We hope something positive will come from that," he said.

[gman430]

Glad to hear they have a potential new buyer for the site that is a large developer with deep pockets. I’ll believe it when I see it though. Oh and if the proposed project doesn’t include at least a 20 story high rise then I don’t want to see it come to fruition. I’d rather have the site sit empty for another 25 years.

Edited March 23, 2022 by gman430

[GvilleSC]

Good to know that there is healthy interest in the site. I sure hope the deal includes the Canal properties. It's good to see potential investment away from the river/West End to help maintain balance downtown. Seeing quotes from the mayor about something happening on the site "this year" is intriguing and kind of shocking. 

However, I think some should temper their expectations before they wind up disappointed and create a foul mood on the message board. Give yourself the space to be pleasantly surprised. It should be reiterated that the article states that due diligence will be a two month process at a minimum, and the EARLIEST we (the public) hear anything further on the plans will be June. When June 30th comes and passes, don't start the doom and gloom campaign, please. 

Edited March 23, 2022 by GvilleSC

[cabelagent]

44 minutes ago, GvilleSC said:

Good to know that there is healthy interest in the site. I sure hope the deal includes the Canal properties. It's good to see potential investment away from the river/West End to help maintain balance downtown. Seeing quotes from the mayor about something happening on the site "this year" is intriguing and kind of shocking. 

However, I think some should temper their expectations before they wind up disappointed and create a foul mood on the message board. Give yourself the space to be pleasantly surprised. It should be reiterated that the article states that due diligence will be a two month process at a minimum, and the EARLIEST we (the public) hear anything further on the plans will be June. When June 30th comes and passes, don't start the doom and gloom campaign, please. 

LOL…hope you’re being sarcastic as there’s been a  ‘foul mood’ regarding this site for years…will likely continue until the site is finally developed. Hope you don’t get burned out monitoring  the ‘doom & gloom’ . 

 

[GvilleSC]

3 minutes ago, cabelagent said:

LOL…hope you’re being sarcastic as there’s been a  ‘foul mood’ regarding this site for years…will likely continue until the site is finally developed. Hope you don’t get burned out monitoring  the ‘doom & gloom’ . 

 

LOL - I'm thinking more along the lines of United Community Bank's new HQ, etc. Sites where hype of 20 story buildings were discussed without any foot in reality. 

[NewlyUpstate]

Plus tall buildings kinda suck. Would rather see a mid-rise mixed use that has nice architecture and green/public space.  Something that provides a good entrance to downtown, but also blends well with having Bon Secours nearby.

Edited March 23, 2022 by NewlyUpstate

[gvegascple]

3 hours ago, NewlyUpstate said:

Plus tall buildings kinda suck. Would rather see a mid-rise mixed use that has nice architecture and green/public space.  Something that provides a good entrance to downtown, but also blends well with having Bon Secours nearby.

This is an interesting comment.  After everyone working from home during Covid, it exposed the capital risk with tall buildings that before may have been seen as no brainers.  

[GvilleSC]

2 minutes ago, gvegascple said:

This is an interesting comment.  After everyone working from home during Covid, it exposed the capital risk with tall buildings that before may have been seen as no brainers.  

Can you elaborate on the risk that you're talking about?

[gman430]

4 hours ago, NewlyUpstate said:

Plus tall buildings kinda suck. Would rather see a mid-rise mixed use that has nice architecture and green/public space.  Something that provides a good entrance to downtown, but also blends well with having Bon Secours nearby.

Charleston is that way. ——->

I hope it’s at least 50 stories tall and you can see it from Asheville.  I also hope it needs FAA approval to get built, blocks out the sun and creates a wind tunnel with hurricane force winds. 

Edited March 23, 2022 by gman430

[distortedlogic]

1 hour ago, gman430 said:

Charleston is that way. ——->

I hope it’s at least 50 stories tall and you can see it from Asheville.  I also hope it needs FAA approval to get built, blocks out the sun and creates a wind tunnel with hurricane force winds. 

Greenville; The Dubai of the US!

[gvegascple]

19 hours ago, GvilleSC said:

Can you elaborate on the risk that you're talking about?

I assume that one of the main reasons many employers are pushing to get remote workers back to the office is due to the capital investment in real estate for office space.   Everyone demonstrated fairly well that many can work remotely without efficiency losses and improved work/home balances.   Before Covid, big tall office buildings were perceived as good investments where density made sense.  Post covid, I imagine those who havent made such now potentially at risk investments might be rethinking how to spend their money.  This is not discounting the insane real estate market, but having a giant empty building to maintain is now more of a risk than before.

[GvilleSC]

11 minutes ago, gvegascple said:

I assume that one of the main reasons many employers are pushing to get remote workers back to the office is due to the capital investment in real estate for office space.   Everyone demonstrated fairly well that many can work remotely without efficiency losses and improved work/home balances.   Before Covid, big tall office buildings were perceived as good investments where density made sense.  Post covid, I imagine those who havent made such now potentially at risk investments might be rethinking how to spend their money.  This is not discounting the insane real estate market, but having a giant empty building to maintain is now more of a risk than before.

Got it -- you're talking about office space. I didn't perceive the transition. According to the article, the interest of the developer is to construct multi-family residential on this particular site. They could absolutely fulfill gman's dream of a highrise as a multi-family project. I'm not saying it's likely, but possible.

Off topic: I think we've yet to really witness the full impact of the work from home transition. Canal Insurance is trying to lure people back into the office with their new lease at 101 North Main. A lot of employers are trying to resume a pre-2020 normal. It will be interesting to watch over the next decade.