First Citizens plans 9-story downtown building

[krazeeboi]

Very cool. That building looks great! Its awsome that they can make the renderings so accurate. I still wish it had some shops facing Main though

From what I've seen, it seems as though some shops will be facing Main. I made sure I checked for that.

[waccamatt]

From what I've seen, it seems as though some shops will be facing Main. I made sure I checked for that.

I think only the bank branch will have an entrance on Main Street.

[krazeeboi]

I could've sworn I saw some type of entrance or retail space fronting Main. I should've taken a picture of that too.

[Charleston native]

What architectural style are they utilizing for the bank tower? Are there any hints of art deco at all? It seems like it, and it gives the building a nice classic look. I think a building like this could be built in DT Chas.

[emerging.me]

What architectural style are they utilizing for the bank tower? Are there any hints of art deco at all? It seems like it, and it gives the building a nice classic look. I think a building like this could be built in DT Chas.

Yeah... there's definitely some deco in there. It's kind of classic and modern at the same time. It really plays well off of Meridian.

[krazeeboi]

Yes, it does. And I agree, a building like that would fit in well with DT Charelston, especially considering that it isn't very tall.

[Charleston native]

Well, you could even double the size of it and place it in the DT medical district, and it would be a great accent to the current skyline. The building's current size would be a nice replacement for the old Mendel Rivers building facing Marion Square.

[ROBTEX]

Anyone have a new skyline shot of Columbia that DOES show the effect of the new FC Tower, however minimal?

[krazeeboi]

I don't, but I would imagine that the tower would make the most impact from Greystone Blvd. or I-126.

[Spartan]

^It does. And also when viewing form Huger St. I tried to get some pictures of it while in Columbia last week, but taking pics of anything while driving is an extremely dangeous task. I don't have anything constructive to show for my efforts unfortunately.

[CorgiMatt]

I don't, but I would imagine that the tower would make the most impact from Greystone Blvd. or I-126.

You are correct. It adds style, texture and depth to the cityscape, but no dimension to the skyline.

[krazeeboi]

I will try to get down to Columbia Saturday to get some pictures with my new digital camera, and I'll make sure to try and get some shots from I-126 or Greystone.

[waccamatt]

Anyone have a new skyline shot of Columbia that DOES show the effect of the new FC Tower, however minimal?

Never fear, Underdog .....errr...Waccamatt is here:

[ROBTEX]

That's a great shot!

I actually grabbed a cam shot from WIS earlier today that shows FC topped out and pokin' her little head through! It's like she's jumping up & down trying to be seen!

[krazeeboi]

This is an old article, but it looks like the First Citizens building has won an architectural award, which is pretty easy to see. But why it won an award for the little plaza next to it beats me. I think the little pocket parks/plazas built next to office buildings in downtowns don't function as the best open spaces.

[CorgiMatt]

Fantastic. I never saw a local article about the award. I have really enjoyed looking at the trees in the plaza as I drive by. Recently an even for the arts in the Midlands was held there and it raised a good bit of money, I think.

[BrasilnSC]

I've eaten lunch there, it's a nice plaza. Could use a fountain though

[krazeeboi]

^It's aesthetically pleasing, but it fails in that it's not readily accessible from the street, and is even separated by a gate. That's not the impression you want to give when it comes to open spaces.

[CorgiMatt]

It's readily accessible from Lady Street, which is the street the building faces. This is another space where when the trees are mature and the palmettos have filled out, it is going to be very nice. I predict a fountain there within a year or so. The quite fountain next to the Columbia Museum of art wasn't installed until a while after Boyd Plaza was built, I don't think.

[Spartan]

I have really enjoyed looking at the trees in the plaza as I drive by.

[BrasilnSC]

I think this plaza would be utilized much more if there was some sort of street level retail at this location. I think that is about the only thing they failed to do with this building (besides not making it 20+ stories)

[krazeeboi]

It's readily accessible from Lady Street, which is the street the building faces.

[waccamatt]

The Tower at Main and Gervais (that name is too cumbersome, I'm going to start calling it TMG) won't have street-level retail, either, but it will have a bank branch and a restaurant.

[krazeeboi]

^When I say street-level retail, I usually lump restaurants into that category too--pretty much any use that will generate some type of after-hours activity.

[Spartan]

^ And something that will generate activity directly on the street, something that will put people on the ground level there to look out, rather than just entering the tower to go up higher. Banks are ok, not ideal, but acceptable. Restaurants are awesome, particularly when there is outdoor seating.