SouthEnd Midrise Projects

[dubone]

That is interesting and sad at the same time. I did venture in there and while pricey (I think that is probably the actual price of beeswax candles) it was a very cool little boutique shop and the kind of place we need in Charlotte.

However, it is very cool that he is following his passion in a much more important way than running a candle shop. The bee epidemic is scary and will have a fairly dramatic impact on the human race if it continues.

One sad theory I read which is fairly horrifying: when CO2 levels reach a certain point in the hive (a sign that the hive is overpopulated), the weaker bees leave and never come back, basically committing suicide for the good of the hive. That behavior has been scientifically observed and known for a century. But it seems probable that since CO2 levels on earth have skyrocketed in the last few decades, that it is hitting a tipping point within the hives, especially nearer to cities. But since the high CO2 levels are because of the human's cars, airplanes, power plants, factories, and lungs, the bees' heroic efforts do nothing to lower the CO2 levels in the hives. Thus, more and more bees go off to die for the good of the hive, but to no avail, and the cycle continues until entire bee populations are decimated. So an altruistic species is going extinct because of our selfish species.

Best of luck to the Bee Man!

[krazeeboi]

Ashton construction shots, 1/1:

[tozmervo]

Sometime between those photos and today the landscape on the roof was installed. If you are traveling toward Uptown on South Blvd you can see trees up there.

[Andyc545]

Sometime between those photos and today the landscape on the roof was installed. If you are traveling toward Uptown on South Blvd you can see trees up there.

If you're referring to the amenity deck trees, they've actually been up there for quite some time. You can see them in the web cam.

[cltheel.sdl]

This project looks amazing! I had no idea this would turn out so nicely. After looking at the Royal Court thread and seeing the mediocre finishes on buildings like Aloft, I was not expecting much, but I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the pics of this one. This was some great work - the roof flairs, glass, and brick are all exquisite.

[atlrvr]

I agree this project turned out better than expected from a materials and detailing standpoint...my one major quib is with the exposed concrete parking deck. I kept expecting it to be clad, but I'm losing faith.

[voyager12]

Certainly gives that stretch of the neighborhood more of an "urban" stature which is a good thing. The ground level would seem ideal for a cafe or something in that vein. Maybe with a nice deck along the tracks to watch the train go by. I don't think this has a retail component though?

[tozmervo]

I also noticed they've finally reopened the new & improved LRT trail alongside this project (after rudely closing it for a few months).

[krazeeboi]

I agree that Ashton is turning out very nicely. It actually looks more like an office building, at least to me. I like how its height makes it a visual terminus for Camden. That's one popular urban feature that's somewhat lacking in Charlotte.

[tozmervo]

In an update.....I reported a while ago that Ryan Homes defaulted on the takedown of The Block at South End property. To clarify, while they were in technical default, they had intentions to continue the project. However, The Boulevard Company decided that they would prefer to sell the remainder of the land to an apartment developer.

This is the proposed apartment community spanning the area between Church and Winnifred sts. and Lincoln St. almost to the Catholic Diocese.

Tentatively 1225 S. Church.

So they completed demolition of the site and I assumed that would be that for the time being, but it looks like utility work is beginning. There are some massive pipes sitting on the site now ready for a new home underground. Seriously, you could drive a car through the things. Maybe they're doing a waterpark surrounded by apartments.

[voyager12]

When I was at Common Market last week I asked about progress on the Southend location. They said "Jan or Feb" and were pretty noncomittal either way. Looks like steady progress is being made. Nice that there will be ample parking available on the Tryon St side.

[dubbsscott]

Haven't seen any recent posts about the status of Morningside Village. I heard a rumor that the condo people backed out and that the developer is in talks with another firm (maybe Ryan Homes?). Can anyone confirm? What's going on over there?

[HopHead]

I figured this might be the right place to put this (or not) but given it's proximity to the projects like Ashton, the Circle and Millenium, but has anyone heard on what may be happening with the old Woods on South restaurant space? Given it's location to these soon to be open apartment complexes someone must be looking at filling that space, even with the down economy. I thought a sports bar like a Buffalo Wild Wings would doing a killing there given the potential number of new residents.

[atlrvr]

I agree this project turned out better than expected from a materials and detailing standpoint...my one major quib is with the exposed concrete parking deck. I kept expecting it to be clad, but I'm losing faith.

It turns out they added glass "windows" to the Ashton garage frontage along Hawkins. It helps some. Looks like the rear of the deck will remain exposed, but in theory, another adjacent development will obscure that in the future.

[Guest]

I figured this might be the right place to put this (or not) but given it's proximity to the projects like Ashton, the Circle and Millenium, but has anyone heard on what may be happening with the old Woods on South restaurant space? Given it's location to these soon to be open apartment complexes someone must be looking at filling that space, even with the down economy. I thought a sports bar like a Buffalo Wild Wings would doing a killing there given the potential number of new residents.

Well unfortunately its an unneccessarily large space that comes with beer production equipment, so the rent is very high. Not only does it have an unnecessary amount of space it has tons of UNUSABLE space. With the square footage of the place one would expect there to be twice as much seating, but there is not. Another problem with the incredible amount of space that even when its getting decent business it looks empty which gives it a poor image. That is why Woods on South died. Its a specific niche space so its not as easy to fill and market as one would expect. Hopefully the addition of more rental/condos will help.

[palmetto75]

I figured this might be the right place to put this (or not) but given it's proximity to the projects like Ashton, the Circle and Millenium, but has anyone heard on what may be happening with the old Woods on South restaurant space? Given it's location to these soon to be open apartment complexes someone must be looking at filling that space, even with the down economy. I thought a sports bar like a Buffalo Wild Wings would doing a killing there given the potential number of new residents.

Wow! Great idea for this space. I know the broker that represents BW3s locally. They were quite actively looking for locations in the area a couple yrs ago. They considered the old Hooters on South location, but didn't like the demos and median incomes in the immediate area back then, and considering the Hornets carried that location I don't blame them. I know they favor their prototype strip mall design, but this would be a graet spot to adapt to.

Edited January 22, 2009 by palmetto75

[dubone]

The facade materials for Circle are looking pretty good. The little inlet things are not my favorite, but it definitely does not have the euro-block look that everyone feared from the siteplan. The lack of much retail space is not great, but not the end of the world because of the amount of retail space in the area. I don't get down there much, but went by there today.

[tozmervo]

^ I like the railings they are using at the Circle, too.

Having said that, here are photos of the Ashton and Spectrum from the LRT bike path. Take note that the path in front of both projects has been substantially upgraded from the standard asphalt and was widened at both projects. Still not a fan of the corny old-timey lights, though.

I also noticed that the Ashton Parking deck is being painted tan to match the rest of the architectural precast.

Edited January 24, 2009 by tozmervo

[Charlotte_native]

The facade materials for Circle are looking pretty good. The little inlet things are not my favorite, but it definitely does not have the euro-block look that everyone feared from the siteplan. The lack of much retail space is not great, but not the end of the world because of the amount of retail space in the area. I don't get down there much, but went by there today.

I pass by Circle frequently and have really like how this has come out. The renderings and site plans don't reflect what I see there at all. The material mix and overall project has a far better feel than I expected it too. I still wish they would have added more retail and commercial space, but I am happy that it turned out to look OK.

When Circle, Ashton, and Millenium are finished the local neighborhood businesses ought to be booming.

[Andyc545]

I pass by Circle frequently and have really like how this has come out. The renderings and site plans don't reflect what I see there at all. The material mix and overall project has a far better feel than I expected it too. I still wish they would have added more retail and commercial space, but I am happy that it turned out to look OK.

When Circle, Ashton, and Millenium are finished the local neighborhood businesses ought to be booming.

When I went by last, I had a similar feeling. I like the way the glass turned out and the patios that face the light rail. The brick work looks a lot better and to a pleasant surprise or lack there of (Depending how you look at it), this project has finished off much better than some projects that had higher ambitions.

[Guest]

Could someone possibly get a picture of Circle Southend?

[smacchat]

I check the Silos at Southend site frequently to see if there is new info on develpment and new info on the opening of the Local bar nearby. I went today and the site is down? Have they scrapped the residential portion altogether and are going all commercial?

[Andyc545]

I check the Silos at Southend site frequently to see if there is new info on develpment and new info on the opening of the Local bar nearby. I went today and the site is down? Have they scrapped the residential portion altogether and are going all commercial?

Not sure, but I sent an email to the available email address before on the Local bar website to get an update (since the website still says they are opening in October 2008). Needless to say, I never received a response, making me believe things may not be snowballing. A shame, I was really looking forward to a local non-chained casual bar and on the light rail.

[tozmervo]

First, some updates / brighter photos of the Spectrum and Ashton - nothing says "Dunavant has a long way to go" like the new streetscape it is getting in front of Spectrum. It looks like both of these projects will be ready for occupancy by mid to late spring.

[tozmervo]

Now for some Millennium and Circle action.