Belk Place: Carolina Theater and Hotel Intercontinental

[TheOneRJ]

Tragic. 

[Nick2]

On 12/2/2020 at 5:26 PM, DMann said:

maybe we can stick a TRUIST sign on it!

Don't jinx it

[King of the Queen City]

On 12/4/2020 at 1:43 PM, RANYC said:

I'll go a step further.  Uptown Charlotte desperately needs a very long corridor of pedestrian interest and engagement that isn't as corporate-oriented.  One could argue that such a corridor could be realized much sooner with low-rise and mid-rise structures, built right up against the sidewalk, the insides of which being transparent to passersby.  You see this in the incredibly vibrant cities of Europe.  I'm sure plenty on here will disagree, but towers don't necessarily make a city vibrant.  It's the sidewalk interaction, and the way the structure encourages people to gather at street-level and engage with one another and their surroundings.  This restored theater appears to do that, and while bodies from an Intercontinental would be nice additions to Uptown, the most important objective of this project is achieved without a hotel tower.

I would like to see some buildings designed by local architects using hand made brick from Old Carolina Brick Co. (located in nearby Salisbury). According to their website,  “The classic antique beauty of Old Carolina® Brick is created by hand. Each brick is hand moulded in the colonial tradition of craftsmanship and lasting beauty. Used on historical restorations in Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon and Montpelier, Old Carolina® brick add a unique warmth and flavor of history to any architectural design.” This would bring a lot of character to Uptown and would be a unique opportunity to create a Main Street-esque retail area. Some say Charlotte has torn down its history. Others say we never had that many truly historic buildings to begin with. One way or another, we have a chance to make history now and give a nod to our colonial past.

[DMann]

New column sprouting

[RANYC]

10 hours ago, King of the Queen City said:

I would like to see some buildings designed by local architects using hand made brick from Old Carolina Brick Co. (located in nearby Salisbury). According to their website,  “The classic antique beauty of Old Carolina® Brick is created by hand. Each brick is hand moulded in the colonial tradition of craftsmanship and lasting beauty. Used on historical restorations in Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon and Montpelier, Old Carolina® brick add a unique warmth and flavor of history to any architectural design.” This would bring a lot of character to Uptown and would be a unique opportunity to create a Main Street-esque retail area. Some say Charlotte has torn down its history. Others say we never had that many truly historic buildings to begin with. One way or another, we have a chance to make history now and give a nod to our colonial past.

I absolutely love this idea!  So many opportunities for place making reveal themselves when we get over the obsession with capital-intensive mega towers.  I’d give anything to see the parking garages next to Brevard Court come down, and to see Brevard Court somehow expanded down Church...with use of the bricks you reference above!

[QCxpat]

Today 2:30 p.m.

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by QCxpat

[JacksonH]

That looks like some good progress! ^

[DMann]

I know it is probably me, but watching the support columns going up, the one in the middle closest to the elevator shaft appears to be a few feet taller than all the others.

 

[QCxpat]

Today 10:25 a.m.

[videtur quam contuor]

This is a photogenic project and worthy of your effort.

[QCxpat]

Today 3:35 p.m.

Edited December 21, 2020 by QCxpat

[carolinaboy]

I love seeing steel go up. Something satisfying about it.

[QCxpat]

Today 9:30 a.m.

Edited December 30, 2020 by QCxpat

[Matthew.Brendan]

^^ Nice angles on those shots

[RANYC]

Really excited to see the full length of Tryon in Uptown fill up with structures, and especially low-to-mid-rise structures like this Theater, which helps to enhance a pedestrian-scale, urban living room feel to our Main Street.  I only wish we acted with urgency when it comes to the state of the northernmost part of our city's main boulevard.  Why can't we start to think of this as our Champs-Elysees, and act and promote it accordingly.

[tozmervo]

2 hours ago, RANYC said:

Really excited to see the full length of Tryon in Uptown fill up with structures, and especially low-to-mid-rise structures like this Theater, which helps to enhance a pedestrian-scale, urban living room feel to our Main Street.  I only wish we acted with urgency when it comes to the state of the northernmost part of our city's main boulevard.  Why can't we start to think of this as our Champs-Elysees, and act and promote it accordingly.

"Don't bother with Tryon Street. Such a tourist trap."

[gman430]

Looks a little shorter than the renderings. 

[JacksonH]

7 hours ago, RANYC said:

Really excited to see the full length of Tryon in Uptown fill up with structures, and especially low-to-mid-rise structures like this Theater, which helps to enhance a pedestrian-scale, urban living room feel to our Main Street.  I only wish we acted with urgency when it comes to the state of the northernmost part of our city's main boulevard.  Why can't we start to think of this as our Champs-Elysees, and act and promote it accordingly.

Yes!  No skyscrapers on North Tryon, please.  This section of the street is aesthetically perfect.  Just keep it up with more complementary architecture and buildings that engage and attract pedestrian life.

 

 

FOLLOW-UP:  And yes, I would not be disappointed if the Intercontinental gets built at a different location.   As I've stated a number of times. my primary concern is that the theater is saved and restored.  Apart from that, this corridor along N. Tryon contains a number of beautiful structures that should be protected, and not overwhelmed by surrounding them with skyscrapers.  I posted a video earlier in this thread about how buildings taller than five stories have a negative impact on the beauty of a city from a pedestrian perspective, and why the lack of such structures in the greatest European cities contributes to their beauty and attracts tourists

Edited December 31, 2020 by JacksonH

[JacksonH]

Deleted

Edited December 31, 2020 by JacksonH

[KulBC]

13 hours ago, QCxpat said:

Today 9:30 a.m.

 

Love this shot with the FFTC, showing how in-context the scale will be without the hotel tower. I'm still hoping the hotel happens eventually, but we're getting a much needed project to enhance the fabric of the city in the mean-time. So grateful the Carolina Theater is being renovated rather than razed. 

[QCxpat]

Today 12:15 p.m.

Edited January 16, 2021 by QCxpat

[DMann]

My sources tell me glass will be going up in March.

[Crucial_Infra]

9 hours ago, DMann said:

My sources tell me glass will be going up in March.

March 2023

[KJHburg]

My drive by shot yesterday and again I noticed a good number of people walking about in uptown which is a great sign. 

[rancenc]

The building to the right of the Belk Construction in @KJHburg's photo has always and still is a very elegant building.  Reminds me of the 2-5 story structures that predominate in Europe's cities that combine both residential and commercial space.  Would be nice if this style of architecture could be replicated in some of the inner city neighborhoods or even in the underdeveloped parts of the center city.  If I am not mistaken, this building housed a women's clothing store by the name of Montaldos.  I also believe that it was tied into the old CityFair complex back in the late 80's/early 90's as well.