70-story tower eyed for Midtown (Atlanta, Nashville: real estate, hotel, designer)

[tonygeorgia]

70-story tower eyed for Midtown - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by joe2000

70-story tower eyed for Midtown - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

The date is interesting. Not exactly pre-crisis, but still, a lot of water under the dam since.

What's your point/question?

[atlantagreg30127]

Well, first of all, that article was in September, with no mention of it that I've seen anyway, since. And there's enough chatter on the geeky building boards that they'd be going nuts over something like this if it was actually progressing.

Funny part in that article you linked to...

Quote: "“Atlanta at some point needs to transform completely into an international city,” said architect Jon *****rd, founder of the firm *****rd Chilton and designer of Midtown’s 41-story 1180 Peachtree.

“I think, if this building is done with the grace and elegance that a firm of [their] caliber is certainly capable of, then it will help propel Atlanta toward this goal,"

It's odd that a professional in any field would associate how "international" a city is based on the number of tall skyscrapers it has, or how modern looking those skyscrapers are. A city becomes "International" based on it's leadership, it's people, and what it offers International visitors and investors - NOT by it's buildings.

Most American companies are stalling plans to do anything huge right now. Either on their own, or the banks are forcing them to. It's the foreign investors that are taking advantage of it all. The Asian hotel in Midtown is still progressing, and there are rumors of a Chinese-based hotel downtown near Five Points as well. Again, foreign-funded.

[WilliamM]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

It's odd that a professional in any field would associate how "international" a city is based on the number of tall skyscrapers it has, or how modern looking those skyscrapers are. A city becomes "International" based on it's leadership, it's people, and what it offers International visitors and investors - NOT by it's buildings.

I second that. Besides, doesn't that bear a striking resemblence to some of the assertions we haughty Atlantans accuse people speaking for over-eager upstart towns like Charlotte and Nashville of making?

The Asian hotel in Midtown is still progressing, and there are rumors of a Chinese-based hotel downtown near Five Points as well. Again, foreign-funded.

Hm. Now THIS, on the other hand, might make for more of an 'international flavor' - of a sort.

[Zel Ya]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Well, first of all, that article was in September, with no mention of it that I've seen anyway, since. And there's enough chatter on the geeky building boards that they'd be going nuts over something like this if it was actually progressing.

Funny part in that article you linked to...

Quote: "“Atlanta at some point needs to transform completely into an international city,” said architect Jon *****rd, founder of the firm *****rd Chilton and designer of Midtown’s 41-story 1180 Peachtree.

“I think, if this building is done with the grace and elegance that a firm of [their] caliber is certainly capable of, then it will help propel Atlanta toward this goal,"

It's odd that a professional in any field would associate how "international" a city is based on the number of tall skyscrapers it has, or how modern looking those skyscrapers are. A city becomes "International" based on it's leadership, it's people, and what it offers International visitors and investors - NOT by it's buildings.

Most American companies are stalling plans to do anything huge right now. Either on their own, or the banks are forcing them to. It's the foreign investors that are taking advantage of it all. The Asian hotel in Midtown is still progressing, and there are rumors of a Chinese-based hotel downtown near Five Points as well. Again, foreign-
funded.

I totally agree.

This subject has been discussed. This project will remain on the drawing boards for years. The last thing Atlanta needs is another speculative real-estate deal.

The AJC had a recent article about the next shoe to fall--commercial real estate. I guess commercial real-estate was not as speculative as residential real estate but there was still quite a bit of speculation.