UPDATED: New and Upcoming Projects. (Birmingham, Bessemer: reputation, compared, largest)

[preguntas]

Originally Posted by wardamnbham

Nice shots.

One a different note, I know (hope?) it'll look better when done but I am not a fan of the brickwork and color scheme of the new stadium. Something about it just strikes me as off.

The industrial design/contemporary mode probably challenges your more main stream design sensibilities. Maybe when you see it landscaped and interacting with the entrance plaza and other Uptown structures you will see that it has not been designed to stand alone as a statement structure; especially since almost a third of the structure is below ground level. Which I think may be unique among all stadiums.

However it is a public facility so not everyone is meant to like it.

I personally see that it does for me what Regions Field has done. It fits so well with the historic industrial context of the urban core which makes the rebirth of all these very old warehouses not seem out of place. It is a great mash-up of two centuries of architecture for me. On the other hand I love the 'Bird's Nest' in China as well.

[wardamnbham]

Originally Posted by preguntas

The industrial design/contemporary mode probably challenges your more main stream design sensibilities. Maybe when you see it landscaped and interacting with the entrance plaza and other Uptown structures you will see that it has not been designed to stand alone as a statement structure; especially since almost a third of the structure is below ground level. Which I think may be unique among all stadiums.

However it is a public facility so not everyone is meant to like it.

I personally see that it does for me what Regions Field has done. It fits so well with the historic industrial context of the urban core which makes the rebirth of all these very old warehouses not seem out of place. It is a great mash-up of two centuries of architecture for me. On the other hand I love the 'Bird's Nest' in China as well.

Good points. What I find odd personally is that I agree. Regions Field is a masterclass in simple but well-done industrial design. Blends in nicely; activates the adjacent streets... it truly is a gem. And Birmingham seems to do well when we embrace our industrial heritage in novel and exciting ways.

But for some reason, I just cannot get over the final stadium design (color, brick patterns, materials used, etc.). It's not bad by any stretch. I just think it missed it bullseye (but still hit the target).

I'm certain you're right... the final product will incorporate nicely into the surrounding environment; and the landscaping alone will help the site pop.

[bfmx1]

Originally Posted by wardamnbham

Good points. What I find odd personally is that I agree. Regions Field is a masterclass in simple but well-done industrial design. Blends in nicely; activates the adjacent streets... it truly is a gem. And Birmingham seems to do well when we embrace our industrial heritage in novel and exciting ways.

But for some reason, I just cannot get over the final stadium design (color, brick patterns, materials used, etc.). It's not bad by any stretch. I just think it missed it bullseye (but still hit the target).

I'm certain you're right... the final product will incorporate nicely into the surrounding environment; and the landscaping alone will help the site pop.

I agree, I think the stadium is "fine", but not "great". Given the relatively small budget I get it. It'll probably be nice on the inside. But I would have liked something a bit more, umm, striking? It looks like it could have been built 20 or so years ago.

[wardamnbham]

Originally Posted by bfmx1

I agree, I think the stadium is "fine", but not "great". Given the relatively small budget I get it. It'll probably be nice on the inside. But I would have liked something a bit more, umm, striking? It looks like it could have been built 20 or so years ago.

Thank you! I think that's it for me. It's not contemporary enough to make a statement. And it's not retro enough to be considered an honorable throwback to past stadium aesthetics.

Not bad, not great... it's just... there.

[mcalumni01]

https://creaturebuilds.com/from-the-...tainment-venue

[magiccity3]

Originally Posted by mcalumni01

https://creaturebuilds.com/from-the-...tainment-venue

I'm personally not a fan of Honky Tonks, but I think this will do well and it will help activate Parkside at night. Once Covid is past, that place will be bumping whenever the Barons are playing. Can't wait.

[TimCity2000]

yeah, i think Parkside in a couple of years (well past COVID) will be the newest nightlife district, especially once all these new apartments and Urban Supply open up (and hopefully something happens soon with the steam plant and the sherman site).

[TimCity2000]

i will say, though... having driven by the new red mountain theatre campus lately, i really wish something else had gone there. the single story renovated buildings with all the surface parking in front doesn't really fit the rest of what's going on in Parkside. plus i feel like they should have stayed in the "theatre district" (yes, i use that term loosely).

[mcalumni01]

I don't mind having different varieties. Pleasing to all is what's needed downtown. I think the attention needs to sort of shift towards the entertainment aspect with all these housing developments going up.

[TimCity2000]

don't love the design of this building... doesn't seem to fit the nature of rotary trail. glad to see the infill though:

New office development planned along Rotary Trail