Portland, ME - New Construction Continued

[TC_zoid]

Has anyone heard any news about the 20 story skyscraper/high rise that was rumored for the old port? I hope it gets done! I drove through Portland a month ago and was impressed with all the construction going on. I live in Manchester, NH and Portland feels much more urban than Manchvegas. What a great little city you guys have there on Casco Bay.

When the baby boomers all die off, you will see 20 story buildings.

 

[mainejeff]

When the baby boomers all die off, you will see 20 story buildings.

And more!

Seriously....Baby Boomers have to be the most disappointing generation ever. They went from way cool Woodstock hipsters and had the world in the palm of their hands....to becoming angry old Trump & Bernie groupies and Fox News zombies.

Sorry for the political insertions but it's extremely frustrating since they are still in control of everything....although their control is waning.

Back to Portland!.....

 

[Portlander]

Hey, I'm a baby boomer and I would build my own 20 story building downtown and live in the penthouse if I had the wealth : )

 

[mainejeff]

Hey, I'm a baby boomer and I would build my own 20 story building downtown and live in the penthouse if I had the wealth : )

I hear ya. I'm not far behind the Boomers & hate to paint with a broad brush, but there does seem to be a serious lack of common sense and foresight from your generation lately.

 

[Portlander]

I'm with you Jeff!

 

[markhb]

This is admittedly a broad generalization, but as one of the earliest members of Generation X, I've observed that in many cases, you reach a point in your life where you're satisfied / comfortable with where your life is, and from there on major change is not necessarily your friend. I'm skeptical of a (by Maine standards) very tall building on that tiny lot on Union St., but I would still love to see the tallest building in Northern New England go up on the Top of the Old Port lots. We just need a major resurgence in white-collar office demand to warrant it.

 

[DZH22]

Any new tallests in Portland should go on Congress Street. That way they won't be blocking any views since they're already at the top of the hill. It's really a no-brainer and I'm sure the demand is there if one could bust through the opposition.

 

[Portlander]

Manchester's City Hall Plaza is 275 ft and Portland's ceiling is 235 ft (including mechanical) around the Top of the Old Port lot on Congress Street. It would be very difficult do get anything approved to exceed that limit so I doubt we'll ever "top" Manchester. Burlington, VT actually has a 165 ft tower under construction which is just shy of Portland's tallest! And I agree with markhb that it would take Unum, IDEXX or a major law firm to make an office tower feasible. I do believe a mixed use structure will be possible in the near future but in the 14-18 floor range with the potential of topping out at the 200 ft mark. Anything over 175 ft will be a huge improvement over Franklin Towers!

 

[cneal]

^ Franklin Towers becomes eligible for National Park Service historic landmark status (and historic preservation tax credits) next year, 50 years after its completion in 1969.

Midcentury modern high-rises are under-appreciated, especially in Portland where people fetishize the 19th-century brick warehouses that were themselves considered eyesores 50 years ago. I really like Franklin Towers, and I think more and more people will come to think of it as a handsome building as time goes by.

 

[Max]

The 5-story parking garage at the corner of Cumberland & Brown streets is under construction, I wonder if it might encourage the development of a tall building nearby, since residents or commercial tenants would have convenient parking. I thought I remember rumor on here awhile back about a large residential building being considered near Cumberland & Casco streets.

 

[Portlander]

I do not dislike Franklin Towers, am probably in the neutral grouping. My personal issue is that Maine's tallest building is a senior housing project instead of a marquee office or hotel tower. Maybe with the eligible tax breaks on the horizon, the PHA could freshen up the exterior and add a glass enclosed addition on the top.

This would add at least 15' to the height and provide the seniors some recreation, relaxation, dining, and event opportunities with some of the the best views of Greater Portland. cneal, were you the one who drew up some new design and property improvements/additions a while back? Liked your vision (or whoever took the time) for the building. The new window treatments that were completed several years ago did improve the exterior visually.

 

[Portlander]

Max, that rumor along with the Portland Square parcel is still circulating. I think that with all of the new construction recently completed, underway or planned for Commercial Street and the eastern waterfront might have slowed potential development in those areas for the time being. You could be correct, the new parking garage might be a catalyst for the Cumberland Avenue residential opportunity.

 

[Cosakita18]

Max, that rumor along with the Portland Square parcel is still circulating. I think that with all of the new construction recently completed, underway or planned for Commercial Street and the eastern waterfront might have slowed potential development in those areas for the time being. You could be correct, the new parking garage might be a catalyst for the Cumberland Avenue residential opportunity.

With the now permanent death of Midtown, I think there is room for another large (200 +) market rate apartment project on the Peninsula

 

[markhb]

Two new buildings in the Mall area:

Home2 Suites, now open at 50 Maine Mall Road, former site of the tiki huts where Nara Sushi and Maine Gold & Silver were.

Duluth Trading, under construction on Maine Mall Rd. across from the end of Darling Ave. (This was taken 8/21; the glass is all in now and they're advertising for help to start October 2.)

 

[Max]

Anyone know what's going on at the Holiday Inn by the Bay? They've got a lot of scaffolding set up, it appears they're ready to do some work on the facade, but I don't recall reading anything about it.

 

[Portlander]

Their web site states that the hotel is undergoing a multi-million dollar makeover which includes the rooms, meeting spaces and a complete exterior renovation. No renderings available, but I'm hoping the color scheme is darker and the 70's looking pebble treatment between the window bays is removed.

 

[markhb]

Their web site states that the hotel is undergoing a multi-million dollar makeover which includes the rooms, meeting spaces and a complete exterior renovation. No renderings available, but I'm hoping the color scheme is darker and the 70's looking pebble treatment between the window bays is removed.

Personally, I've always liked the bright white. I'm not a big fan of earth tones in general TBH.

 

[Portlander]

The white exterior with green trim looks like a hotel that belongs in south Florida or the caribbean : ) Used to be even more white until they toned down a few shades many years ago. Anything "should" be an improvement.

 

[shmessy]

Two new buildings in the Mall area:

Home2 Suites, now open at 50 Maine Mall Road, former site of the tiki huts where Nara Sushi and Maine Gold & Silver were.

Duluth Trading, under construction on Maine Mall Rd. across from the end of Darling Ave. (This was taken 8/21; the glass is all in now and they're advertising for help to start October 2.)

I'm sorry to be a downer, but...........forthaluvagawd.......just LOOK at that!!!!!!

 

[Portlander]

Don't be too down, they are in the mall area where quality architecture and classic design are not that important.