I drove past the Cochran Complex Friday and noticed next to it where the fencing begins that they have installed numerouse PVC stacks, anyone know if this will be the new homes that are to replace the Cochran or is this something for the BD, I would assume it is for Cochran replacement which I haven't heard much about recently.
That is the work with the cochran project. Work has been happening there for a little while, but not at any great speed.
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I'm begginign to lose hope with this project. If they keep on delaying the construction IM GOONA GO CRAZY!!
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Could they be having financing troubles? This is a big project and such things can happen. I honestly have not followed the project much lately due to the lack of action, so I might be asking a stupid question.
what's going on at the Cochran site? Is this market rate housing or low income housing?
I'm a little confused by the pessimistic rheteric on this project.
This is a huge project.
The land has been excavated.
New signs erected. Including financial "bank" signs backing the project.
Website recently updated.
New building plans and construction company in place.
Mayors Blog announcements.
Media coverage - whether it is rehashing or new.
This is a huge - huge - project. Any project - much less something this size does have it's share of hoops to jump through and final plans to be nailed down.... ....especially anything in St. Louis.
Again, I am very confused by postings here. It sounds more like anti-project posts than "real" concerns to me the further I read into posts.
This huge project was only announced a little over a year ago. Buildings like the ParkEast took almost two years of planning before we saw land being moved.
This is a huge project.
The land has been excavated.
New signs erected. Including financial "bank" signs backing the project.
Website recently updated.
New building plans and construction company in place.
Mayors Blog announcements.
Media coverage - whether it is rehashing or new.
This is a huge - huge - project. Any project - much less something this size does have it's share of hoops to jump through and final plans to be nailed down.... ....especially anything in St. Louis.
Again, I am very confused by postings here. It sounds more like anti-project posts than "real" concerns to me the further I read into posts.
This huge project was only announced a little over a year ago. Buildings like the ParkEast took almost two years of planning before we saw land being moved.
And if you think about it, Ballpark Village has been in planning for 6 years now, although only in the last year has real hardcore planning been going on with the introduction of Cordish as the developer. The Cardinals couldn't develop the site on their own, so they hired Cordish. BDP couldn't develop the Bottle District by themselves so they brought in Ghazi.
This project is not constructing or rehabbing a single building in the middle of a somewhat already dense area. This is seven blocks of new buildings that have to function as a cohesive neighborhood.
Obviously their vision for the TBD has changed... but for the good. Initial renderings resembled the entrance to an Universal Studio's theme park, later renderings showed a great increase oin residential space, aggressive architecture but with an anti-urban fortress design and now the latest renderings show a pro-urban design with less aggressive but still fine architecture. Surely most of us on this forum have seen many of our earlier concerns answered in later designs.
So while the scope of this projects makes it hard to be patient surely the developers deserve some patience.
Obviously their vision for the TBD has changed... but for the good. Initial renderings resembled the entrance to an Universal Studio's theme park, later renderings showed a great increase oin residential space, aggressive architecture but with an anti-urban fortress design and now the latest renderings show a pro-urban design with less aggressive but still fine architecture. Surely most of us on this forum have seen many of our earlier concerns answered in later designs.
So while the scope of this projects makes it hard to be patient surely the developers deserve some patience.
^ I don't know that I would say 6 years of work for the BV, but saying 1 to 2 would be fair. And in that light, the BD evolving its designs ultill 2007 seems fair. However, one must still be a bit concnerd over financing, as with the potential in the BV or any other more centraly located project, thos all have greater potential than does the BD.
In many senses of the word, another acronym for TBD: To Be Determined. Plans aren't solidified, yet it still looks to be a go.
Also, there is nothing anti-downtown in being critical of a major project. With any large project there is an element of risk to the stakeholders. Therefore you can be sure that the principals are being conservative and a lack of communication from them may make some people nervous. Given that, they have recently provided some updates. Let's hope for the best.
Dave
Also, there is nothing anti-downtown in being critical of a major project. With any large project there is an element of risk to the stakeholders. Therefore you can be sure that the principals are being conservative and a lack of communication from them may make some people nervous. Given that, they have recently provided some updates. Let's hope for the best.
Dave
I knew with Ghazi involved, something would get built, but I don't know if we need another hotel in near the convention center!
Developer uncorks new plans for the Bottle District
By Martin Van Der Werf
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/11/2006
Martin Van Der Werf
The Bottle District development, north of the Edward Jones Dome, has been unusually quiet, prompting whispers about its future. Since its gala groundbreaking in September, old buildings have been demolished, but there has been no construction.
Turns out the developer, Ghazi Co. of Charlotte, N.C., has been retooling the project and changing its scope.
Out is the 60-plus story condominium tower to be designed by Daniel Libeskind. In is a trendy hotel and a scaled-down condo tower.
A Libeskind design still may be used, but it would be for an office building that may be built in a later phase of the project. Libeskind, an internationally known architect, is the master planner for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center.
Afshin Ghazi, founder of Ghazi Co., says he is focused in the first phase of the project on getting a mix of buildings done, and seeing where it goes from there.
So, in the initial phase, he plans a W Aloft hotel. The Aloft monicker is a new limited-service spinoff of the stylish W brand started by Starwood Corp. The first W Aloft hotels are under construction. This one would be at the corner of Broadway and Cole Street, across from an entrance to the Jones Dome.
The plan still includes restaurants such as Cabo Wabo Cantina and Rawlings All American Grille as well as a bowling alley to be operated by Loop impresario Joe Edwards.
New to the lineup: Bar Management Group, also of Charlotte, has agreed to lease 60,000 square feet of space for several restaurants and nightclubs. Ghazi has decided to build a 1-acre park in the middle of the 18-acre development. He is planning to build stores facing private streets, with 250 apartments to be built above the stores.
"We are 100 percent definitely coming out of the ground," says Ghazi, who has been hearing some of the doubters. Final plans for the condo tower, which will rise to about 20 stories, will be released in about eight weeks, he says. Construction of the first phase will begin in late summer, he says, and be finished in about two years.
Developer uncorks new plans for the Bottle District
By Martin Van Der Werf
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/11/2006
Martin Van Der Werf
The Bottle District development, north of the Edward Jones Dome, has been unusually quiet, prompting whispers about its future. Since its gala groundbreaking in September, old buildings have been demolished, but there has been no construction.
Turns out the developer, Ghazi Co. of Charlotte, N.C., has been retooling the project and changing its scope.
Out is the 60-plus story condominium tower to be designed by Daniel Libeskind. In is a trendy hotel and a scaled-down condo tower.
A Libeskind design still may be used, but it would be for an office building that may be built in a later phase of the project. Libeskind, an internationally known architect, is the master planner for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center.
Afshin Ghazi, founder of Ghazi Co., says he is focused in the first phase of the project on getting a mix of buildings done, and seeing where it goes from there.
So, in the initial phase, he plans a W Aloft hotel. The Aloft monicker is a new limited-service spinoff of the stylish W brand started by Starwood Corp. The first W Aloft hotels are under construction. This one would be at the corner of Broadway and Cole Street, across from an entrance to the Jones Dome.
The plan still includes restaurants such as Cabo Wabo Cantina and Rawlings All American Grille as well as a bowling alley to be operated by Loop impresario Joe Edwards.
New to the lineup: Bar Management Group, also of Charlotte, has agreed to lease 60,000 square feet of space for several restaurants and nightclubs. Ghazi has decided to build a 1-acre park in the middle of the 18-acre development. He is planning to build stores facing private streets, with 250 apartments to be built above the stores.
"We are 100 percent definitely coming out of the ground," says Ghazi, who has been hearing some of the doubters. Final plans for the condo tower, which will rise to about 20 stories, will be released in about eight weeks, he says. Construction of the first phase will begin in late summer, he says, and be finished in about two years.
Dissapointing, but no real surprise for me. I didn't expect a 60-story tower to really fly yet - downtown hasn't hit that much demand, and I'm sure banks probably laughed at the possibility of financing it. Hopefully Ghazi and Co are smart and leave space for new condo towers - b/c in 3 or 4 years, demand might exist for a 40+ story condo tower or two.
Also, what the heck is up with the acre park!
Yet another "green" space I guess. At least it's not a parking garage.
Finally, having a W downtown will be pretty sweet. I don't know what the "Aloft" is, but the W will increase the trendyness of downtown.
Also, what the heck is up with the acre park!
Yet another "green" space I guess. At least it's not a parking garage.Finally, having a W downtown will be pretty sweet. I don't know what the "Aloft" is, but the W will increase the trendyness of downtown.
I like the park idea, think about Lafayette Park area, Columbus Square probably will never be as nice as that but it would certainly be nice addition, as a resident I applaud the park and anything that makes this neighborhood more family friendly. Yet with the Arch also within walking distance I can understand why people would question this. Now if we can get this school board to do something about Patrick Henry school we would really be making headway, it has been terribly neglected.
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metzgda wrote:Finally, having a W downtown will be pretty sweet. I don't know what the "Aloft" is, but the W will increase the trendyness of downtown.
There is already a W downtown. I think it has pretty much been a failure. Although, that may have more to do with the owner, who is in, or on his way to, jail.
Multiple condo towers with the biggest at 60 stories to one condo tower at 20 stories? Ouch. 
Sounds like good news to me. First of all, we are not going from 60 floors to 20. We are going from zero to 20. Apparently, Ghazi is being realistic which helps put this project in a solid position.
The park could be really nice. I know DT doesn't need another plaza, but this isn't knocking down an old building, exposing the windowless backside of another building and planting trees. If it is well designed, it could be a centerpiece for the neighborhood.
The W Aloft Hotel is a good concept and will be a nice addition to the choice of hotels DT.
The park could be really nice. I know DT doesn't need another plaza, but this isn't knocking down an old building, exposing the windowless backside of another building and planting trees. If it is well designed, it could be a centerpiece for the neighborhood.
The W Aloft Hotel is a good concept and will be a nice addition to the choice of hotels DT.
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The Central Scrutinizer wrote:metzgda wrote:Finally, having a W downtown will be pretty sweet. I don't know what the "Aloft" is, but the W will increase the trendyness of downtown.
There is already a W downtown. I think it has pretty much been a failure. Although, that may have more to do with the owner, who is in, or on his way to, jail.
There is a WS downtown which has no connection to the W hotels. As much as I'd hate to see another hotel downtown at least it isn't a Holiday Inn. Rather we are getting a high end hotel so hopefully it doesn't affect the bottom line of the Renaissance Convention hotels.
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brickandmortar wrote:The Central Scrutinizer wrote:metzgda wrote:Finally, having a W downtown will be pretty sweet. I don't know what the "Aloft" is, but the W will increase the trendyness of downtown.
There is already a W downtown. I think it has pretty much been a failure. Although, that may have more to do with the owner, who is in, or on his way to, jail.
There is a WS downtown which has no connection to the W hotels. As much as I'd hate to see another hotel downtown at least it isn't a Holiday Inn. Rather we are getting a high end hotel so hopefully it doesn't affect the bottom line of the Renaissance Convention hotels.
Ooops!
Someone else might have a better handle on the hotel situation. However, my hunch is that the new hotel will be rather small and not take a big bite out of the market. It won't have a 1,000 rooms. Aren't W Hotels usually small but ultra trendy? Besides, by the time it is completed, The Grand will have resolved its financial difficulties and possibly shed some rooms due to conversion of the old Lennox as condos? And I believe that DT will see an increase in hotel visitors over the next few years. The city is back and people are starting to notice.
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Here's some more info on the Aloft concept from Starwood's website:
>>>Link
With generous nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows, guest rooms will have a decidedly loft-like feel. In addition to the guest room centerpiece -- a signature, ultra-comfortable bed for which Starwood's brands are well known -- a well-designed workspace, an mp3 docking station and a flat panel television will further differentiate the aloft guest room. Large stylish bathrooms will feature oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by Bliss.
Starwood has created aloft to be both quiet and inviting, day and night, offering a variety of friendly venues for guests to gather. aloft's public spaces are designed to draw guests from their rooms with a number of super social offerings. With Relax; a communal space to grab a drink with friends and Fresh air; an open-air area out back, guests can socialize and gather for light meals during the day or night. aloft will also satisfy guest?s needs 24-hrs-a-day with Re:Fuel; a one-stop area offering up food, snacks and drinks to grab and go. For workouts, Train fitness centers or Splash; the indoor or outdoor pool, will start or end guest?s days with a quick work out. The aloft sites will also feature flexible meeting and function space and offer 100% wireless Internet access throughout the properties.
>>>Link
A bit off topic but it appears that the WS is now being used as some kind of service/hotel worker training scam, uh, program.
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loftlover wrote:
New to the lineup: Bar Management Group, also of Charlotte, has agreed to lease 60,000 square feet of space for several restaurants and nightclubs. Ghazi has decided to build a 1-acre park in the middle of the 18-acre development. He is planning to build stores facing private streets, with 250 apartments to be built above the stores.
Private streets and another hotel? Am I the only one with concerns about the viability of this project? I'd rather see nothing built than a half assed version of the Boulevard on Brentwood. They shouldn't have dropped the 60 story condo tower. It could have been an icon that could have drawn people into the area.