The Montgomery Building

[Spartan]

On 11/22/2018 at 3:24 PM, vicupstate said:

BAR Agenda 11-28-18

Page 138 Precedent 7.

This is cool. I know it's also off topic, but I can't believe something like that is happening on Line Street. 10 years ago that's where you went to get murdered.

[Sparkleman]

For some reason I cannot open this. Please do tell what it is.

[vicupstate]

55 minutes ago, Sparkleman said:

For some reason I cannot open this. Please do tell what it is.

A large project at LINE and Meeting Streets in Charleston used the Montgomery building  as a precedent example for the architecture they intend to use. 

[westsider28]

Montgomery Building public tours are happening this weekend (Dec. 7 & 8).  Only a few slots left on Friday, so you'd better hurry if you want to check it out.  You can reserve your spot at this Eventbrite page.

[westsider28]

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the Montgomery Building was today!  Here's a great article about the building's revitalization.  I'll be touring it tomorrow, so I'll flood this thread with photos afterward. 

[hub-city]

Heard that a Brazilian steakhouse may be interested in one of the spots.  Didn't believe it.  Anyone else heard this?

[westsider28]

24 minutes ago, hub-city said:

Heard that a Brazilian steakhouse may be interested in one of the spots.  Didn't believe it.  Anyone else heard this?

The remaining retail spots would be pretty small for a full-service restaurant.  Sidewall Pizza is in a 3900 sq ft space; the remaining spaces are 2070 and 1780 sq ft (non-adjacent, so you couldn't combine them). Tough to squeeze a kitchen in those.

Edited December 7, 2018 by westsider28

[westsider28]

Here's the Herald-Journal's article about the grand opening today (with lots of photos).  It mentioned that a business called James & James (a haberdashery) will take one of the middle retail spaces.  Also, Arken Media Group will occupy a space in the basement.

[westsider28]

Alright, here we go:

The main arcade is amazing.  Marble walls and floors, skylights and chandeliers, retail space access, interesting sloping floors.  Absolutely beautiful.

Basement is larger than I expected, fitness center for residents, several office spaces, but pretty low ceilings.

The apartment they showed was a 10th-floor 2BR unit with windows facing 3 directions.  Fantastic views of most of downtown and even the mountains.

Very impressive overall.  Matched or surpassed my expectations.  Another instance of "doesn't feel like Spartanburg" that's so common now that it doesn't really make sense anymore.  This is Spartanburg!  And it's an amazing time for our city!

[westsider28]

Here are a few different views of the MB from the past couple weeks.

[Spartan]

I'm a big fan of the flags!

[hub-city]

I would have thought Sidewall Pizza would have started their interior work  by now.  Nothing has happened in a while.  Any insights?

[westsider28]

Not sure about Sidewall's status.  I asked them about it on Facebook, but haven't gotten a response yet.

But anyway, Pharmacy Coffee (by Little River) opened today!  This location will serve some unique coffees and preparations that aren't available anywhere else in town.  Seems like a place that will satisfy the coffee connoisseurs (and they do have some normal stuff, too).

[Spartan]

I'm mildly concerned about foot traffic in the Montgomery Building retail spaces. I realize there are two parking decks nearby, but psychologically it feels further away from everything else. I hope that the hotel traffic and general location are enough to draw people there.

[Spartanburg Dude]

So BF Spartanburg, the developers of the Montgomery Building have taken over responsibility for the rehab/redevelopment of the Carolina Theater. 

More here: https://www.goupstate.com/news/20190227/bf-spartanburg-to-manage-carolina-theater-restoration-project

[1Spartanburg]

Sidewalk pizza said a couple of weeks ago that construction should start soon. The coffee shop seems be doing very well. 

[Spartan]

Sidewall looks pretty good... or they just do a good job with social media. Can't wait to try it!

[westsider28]

I'm wondering why the traffic light pole / mast arm hasn't yet been replaced in front of the MB (see bolts sticking up w/cone below).  They'll likely have to remove the pole / mast arm on the other corner once the Cambria Hotel construction starts, so they'll need the pole here to string temporary traffic lights from.   Probably SCDOT moving at a glacial pace, as usual.

[Spartan]

19 hours ago, westsider28 said:

I'm wondering why the traffic light pole / mast arm hasn't yet been replaced in front of the MB (see bolts sticking up w/cone below).  They'll likely have to remove the pole / mast arm on the other corner once the Cambria Hotel construction starts, so they'll need the pole here to string temporary traffic lights from.   Probably SCDOT moving at a glacial pace, as usual.

It also takes like the better part of a year to design/order mast arms. It will happen eventually.

[Historyguy]

Wasn't there a nice decorative mast arm there before they closed the lane?  I'd figure they would have just stored it somewhere...  At least they got a walk sign up on the corner!  

[Spartan]

Good question. I don't recall. 

[Historyguy]

Ask the Google street view - it turns out, there was...  screen shot attached.  

[westsider28]

Interior up-fit for Sidewall Pizza is now underway!

[westsider28]

Noticed last night that James & James Collection, an upscale men's clothing store that currently has a location in downtown Greer, has occupied the center (and smallest) retail spot here.  That's something we don't really have downtown (except maybe Prices').  Good to see!

[CLT_sc]

Absolutely love how this building turned out.   The pics above look terrific.