Western Gateway Project

[Guest]

This is a different new proposal than that of the Trinity Partners, but seems to be equally as important. The project is in its design phase, but plans to be around 11 stories, with shops, a hotel to compliment the doubletree, office, and a little residential. The idea of it is to be somewhat of a gateway to downtown. The Parcel is 2 acres bounded by 4th St. Extention, Irwin Ave. and Johnson and Wales Way.

Here's a rough rendering.

With the announcement of two things in the area today, plus the two Blvd Co. Projects I was thinking we could start a gateway only topic or something to consolidate these.

[atlrvr]

Wow.....I knew Citiline was looking at this parcel (where the low-rent, run-down apartments are/were), but had no idea it was anything on this scale.....so far, I like what I see....

[dubone]

This is great news. I run to Frazier Park past this area sometimes and the area really feels run down. I think it is a great thing that area to get dense projects like this.

It is hard to tell much from that fuzzy rendering, but in general, the scale looks fair as an extension of the gateway area.

[Spartan]

Its good to have another hotel locate in center city, even if its way over there. That section of 3rd Ward is sort of removed from the rest, so it will probably be a good addition to the area.

[Andyc545]

I was doing some research on the Center City Partners website and noticed they updated the development report pages, although the details aren't all up yet. I noticed a new project labeled "Victoria Square Redevelopment" in 3rd ward. You can see it on the CCCP website. Right now, this is where the awkward 4th St. / Trade Connector is next to Johnson & Wales. You can view the site here in Google Maps. Just curious if anyone has heard anything about this and the details. If not, I'm fairly certain CCCP will have specifics when they update their next report. A Google search came up with no results, also.

[New Name]

^ I've heard a few things about this lately. Mostly just stuff in passing on local news and such. As far as I can recall it's the plan to raze an abandoned apartment complex and build housing and and another hotel to "anchor" this side of uptown. If I recall, there was debate about the existing housing close by.

[Spartan]

We've been discussing this one somewhere. I'll see if I can find it. Its going to be a hotel with some retail space, the J&W Student Activity Center, and some townhomes facing Irwin.

[Raintree21]

Isn't it part of the streetscape improvements that they are going to remove the 4th street connector when they do all the work for the baseball stadium?

[uptownliving]

^ 2 Different Projects...same street. The baseball will close the 4th St connecter at Graham St and could possibly start late this year. This "Victoria Square" project will be next to where they will put the 4th St connector on a road diet to slow traffic down and make it more pedestrian friendly. This is much closer to I-77 and Cedar St. Also this part of 4th St won't start for another 2 years or so.

[atlrvr]

I merged these two topics as they are discussing the same development.

[Guest]

I merged these two topics as they are discussing the same development.

[atlrvr]

Looks awfully suburban, even for Gateway Village.

Anyway, the vote for this project I believe is tonight. I'm generally supportive of the plan, but hopefully the execution will be more sincere to urban design principals.

[Spartan]

Wow what a horrible design.

[Guest]

I couldn't agree more Spartan it is pretty terrible. But at least it will be another hotel for DT Charlotte, tho I don't undertand the location. As far as design goes, doesn't it seem familiar to anyone. Its very reminiscent of a certain suburban project in charlotte, maybe its just me but....

[Spartan]

When does the fact that its a poorly designed building trump the fact that its a needed function/use in this city?

[Guest]

When does the fact that its a poorly designed building trump the fact that its a needed function/use in this city?

[Miesian Corners]

I'm not so sure I understand what's so bad about it. It's an oddly shaped parcel to work with and the apartment building that's there is incredibly ugly. This will block it from most every view. I've seen some color renderings of this and it's got some good detailing with glass, steel and aluminum accents (reminiscent of J&W current campus buildings). I'll take this over Ghazi's EFIS monstrosity any day of the week--at least this building is precast concrete and has its retail facing outwards.

edited for a typo.

[Guest]

I'm not so sure I understand what's so bad about it. It's an oddly shaped parcel to work with and the apartment building that's there is incredibly ugly. This will block it from most every view. I've seen some color renderings of this and it's got some good detailing with glass, steel and aluminum accents (reminiscent of J&W current campus buildings). I'll take this over Ghazi's EFIS monstrosity any day of the week--at least this building is precast concrete and has it's retail facing outwards.

[krazeeboi]

I didn't readily see what's so bad about it either. I'll reserve judgment until I see something a bit more detailed.

[Spartan]

It appears to be very auto-oriented. Maybe the full color renderings will shed some light on the situation. I admittedly can't tell what is going on in the rendering that shows J&W Way, but I don't think it activates the street very well.