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Patrick
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Thanks Corey please keep them coming
Im currently spending the week in Portland Oregon. From time to time this city has been mentioned on here because of their urban planning and rightfully so! Bayside should take a page out of portland oregon's book, the pearl district is a phenomenal example of neighborhood redevelopment!
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Patrick
Guest
cool...is it hot there? Just returned from overseas and stopped in Seattle - temp in the 50s but Maine is in the 80s! FLMike actually made the same comparison between Pearl Dist. and Bayside, so I'd be interested in seeing it someday when we can get out there for a trip. There is an interesting edition of Monocole out this month all about livability and the most well planned cities in the world if anyone is interested. I was going to buy one in the Tokyo-Narita airport but the exchange rate made it about $30 USD. I just got back from Manila, the densest city in the world, and will be posting on my website about it soon if anyone is interested.
^Sounds like quite the trip, I look forward to hearing about it on your blog.
Some recent photos from the Adams School site, which is being developed by Avesta, http://www.avestahousing.org/property-development/under-development/adams-school:
Some recent photos from the Adams School site, which is being developed by Avesta, http://www.avestahousing.org/property-development/under-development/adams-school:
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Patrick
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Oh, well I hope you have better weather there! It was night when we arrived, so that may account for the low temp in Seattle. I hope you take a lot of pictures to share if you have a camera with you.
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Patrick
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Phase 2 please. and thanks for the pics!
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Patrick
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Union Station
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I'm not sure if the link will work but I've been maintaining a flickr set that documents the design and construction of the Brunswick Station (formerly Maine Street Station) TOD in Brunswick. You can find it here.
The initial stages of the development are nearly complete and the only construction left for the time being is the concrete rail platform for which the pilings have been laid and the wooden forms for the concrete are in progress. The FRA recently updated the regulations concerning platform construction stipulating that they must be at least 400 feet long and apparently must be secured by reinforced concrete and enormous steel pilings driving deep into the bedrock... I'm happy about the new length requirements because the shorter platforms in Old Orchard, Saco/Biddeford, Dover, Durham and Exeter limit the ability of Downeaster staff to handle bicycles. But steel pilings for a platform? It seems like a bit of overkill for something that doesn't support anything other than the people on top of it... Perhaps it is meant to protect station structures from derailed trains? I can't figure out the reasoning...
Whether it is justified or not, it certainly illustrates how construction of a relatively simple passenger rail line can be so capital intensive.
Other observations of the development... Its interesting to look at how the project has evolved from the original renderings which look totally different. The funny thing is I still find the original renderings (unlabeled) popping up as examples of "Transit-Oriented Development". Its interesting how renderings like this can take on a life of their own separate from the actual brick and mortar. I was reading a blogpost about TOD recently and found myself thumbing through a slideshow of some early MSS renderings without even realizing what it was supposed to be!
The initial stages of the development are nearly complete and the only construction left for the time being is the concrete rail platform for which the pilings have been laid and the wooden forms for the concrete are in progress. The FRA recently updated the regulations concerning platform construction stipulating that they must be at least 400 feet long and apparently must be secured by reinforced concrete and enormous steel pilings driving deep into the bedrock... I'm happy about the new length requirements because the shorter platforms in Old Orchard, Saco/Biddeford, Dover, Durham and Exeter limit the ability of Downeaster staff to handle bicycles. But steel pilings for a platform? It seems like a bit of overkill for something that doesn't support anything other than the people on top of it... Perhaps it is meant to protect station structures from derailed trains? I can't figure out the reasoning...
Whether it is justified or not, it certainly illustrates how construction of a relatively simple passenger rail line can be so capital intensive.
Other observations of the development... Its interesting to look at how the project has evolved from the original renderings which look totally different. The funny thing is I still find the original renderings (unlabeled) popping up as examples of "Transit-Oriented Development". Its interesting how renderings like this can take on a life of their own separate from the actual brick and mortar. I was reading a blogpost about TOD recently and found myself thumbing through a slideshow of some early MSS renderings without even realizing what it was supposed to be!
Good shots, Patrick! It looks pretty sharp at night. I went inside to check out the lobby today and it seems like a nice place. It's nice to have a new hotel like this that is somewhere between high-end and budget-level. I'd love to check out the condos on the top floor.
grittys457
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So the hotel is open now and the signs are on. I like the corner sign a lot, it's the back red one that I don't like. Again, good to have another place lit up and with people in that area.
Doesn't it seem like a lot of projects that were announced are quiet right now? In the waiting to hear phase, like the canal plaza, urban outfitters, bayside development, forefront at thompson's point, etc.
Doesn't it seem like a lot of projects that were announced are quiet right now? In the waiting to hear phase, like the canal plaza, urban outfitters, bayside development, forefront at thompson's point, etc.
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Patrick
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Great shot. Was the lining up of new east end development just under chandler's wharf intentional? It makes the city look very dense and for that reason is pretty cool.
Gritty's - yes, it does seem like those projects are quiet right now. My guess is that the city hasn't moved forward in the review phase yet, so there is nothing to report on. Also, the Bayside projects have 2 years to get going on something, so at this point I don't even know if their market studies are done yet. It will be interesting to see what they come up with--hopefully something very urban.
••••Here is an article from The Portland Daily Sun....it has an interview with John Cacoulidis concerning his properties within The greater Portland region.....
N.Y. developer keeps SoPo resort dream on back burner
By David Carkhuff
Aug 17, 2011 12:00 am
Talk about your bigger fish to fry. A developer who owns a Maine island and hopes to bring new tenants to an iconic building in the city's downtown holds out hope for reviving a rebuffed multi-million-dollar waterfront development on property he owns in South Portland.
New York developer John Cacoulidis anticipates he will need another six to nine months to finish renovating the former Portland Press Herald building so it can be rented out as office space. Meanwhile, he still has his eye on the South Portland waterfront and an ambitious convention center development that was rejected a decade ago.
"I like Maine, it's a beautiful waterftont, but right now nobody creates any jobs," Cacoulidis said in a telephone interview Tuesday.
"Right now, it's a little bit rough with the economy the way it goes, but if they give me the OK, I can do something," he said, referring to the 41-story hotel towers and convention center that he tried to build on 22 acres of South Portland's Spring Point waterfront.
"That's my business. I'm a builder. I build all over the country," he said.
Cacoulidis withdrew his plans after twice failing to win local permits, according to news reports. But the project remains on his mind.
"I will put Portland, Maine on the map," he vowed Tuesday.
Cacoulidis — who raised eyebrows with his sweeping and some say unrealistic plans for constructing two 640-foot towers on the South Portland waterfront, as well as for his lingering tax dispute over the island he owns off Cumberland — said he still needs to return a call to Gov. Paul LePage about job creation in Maine.
Right now, he's putting out feelers for new tenants in the former Portland Press Herald building located across from Portland City Hall.
Today at 5 p.m., the Historic Preservation Board will resume reviewing proposed outside alterations to the building, located at 390 Congress St. Architect David Lloyd, representing Cacoulidis's company, Metro Media LLC, is returning to the historic preservation board following an initial review on June 15, bringing proposed exterior alterations of the seven-story building to the board.
Lloyd said renovations include installation of new elevators, bathrooms, added windows and a new entry and lobby space.
"Right now the owner is just cleaning it out and repairing it, adding some windows where there are no windows, and then he's basically looking for tenants. He does not have a tenant right now," Lloyd said.
The building will be suited for office space, although the first floor could work as retail space as well, he said.
Tom Moulton, broker on the property and one of the owners of Dunham Group realty, acknowledged the market remains sluggish, with more supply of commercial properties than demand, but he said the old Portland Press Herald building's location and clean conversion into fully renovated offices should attract a renter.
"I feel pretty confident we'll be able to get it leased out by next spring and occupied by next summer," he said.
Cacoulidis said he bought the old newspaper office because he owns a neighboring commercial office building near Monument Square and because of the old newspaper office's prime location in the downtown.
"I bought it because I own 2 Monument Square, it's very close by, and it's a good address, and the location is good," he said.
But Cacoulidis agreed that the economy is deterring job creation ("politicians need to do something," he said).
The new governor, Republican Gov. Paul LePage, called his office "to see what he wanted to do," Cacoulidis said. On Tuesday, he said he had yet to return the governor's call.
Cacoulidis said he's staying busy, with people bringing him development projects, even as he envisions retirement to the home where he and his wife reside on Hope Island. But a superior court case is pending over his property tax bill of $80,000 a year for his island home, he said. Cacoulidis said the case is exorbitant taxation for an island deprived of basic services.
"They say the guy is from New York, he has money, let's get his money," Cacoulidis said.
"They estimated I have 40 lots," he said, so the tax bill is the equivalent of 40 families paying taxes, Cacoulidis said. The case may go to federal court, he said.
While the tax case moves through the court system, Cacoulidis said his property in South Portland could still harbor a job-creating resort development.
"Eventually I will revive it," he said.
N.Y. developer keeps SoPo resort dream on back burner
By David Carkhuff
Aug 17, 2011 12:00 am
Talk about your bigger fish to fry. A developer who owns a Maine island and hopes to bring new tenants to an iconic building in the city's downtown holds out hope for reviving a rebuffed multi-million-dollar waterfront development on property he owns in South Portland.
New York developer John Cacoulidis anticipates he will need another six to nine months to finish renovating the former Portland Press Herald building so it can be rented out as office space. Meanwhile, he still has his eye on the South Portland waterfront and an ambitious convention center development that was rejected a decade ago.
"I like Maine, it's a beautiful waterftont, but right now nobody creates any jobs," Cacoulidis said in a telephone interview Tuesday.
"Right now, it's a little bit rough with the economy the way it goes, but if they give me the OK, I can do something," he said, referring to the 41-story hotel towers and convention center that he tried to build on 22 acres of South Portland's Spring Point waterfront.
"That's my business. I'm a builder. I build all over the country," he said.
Cacoulidis withdrew his plans after twice failing to win local permits, according to news reports. But the project remains on his mind.
"I will put Portland, Maine on the map," he vowed Tuesday.
Cacoulidis — who raised eyebrows with his sweeping and some say unrealistic plans for constructing two 640-foot towers on the South Portland waterfront, as well as for his lingering tax dispute over the island he owns off Cumberland — said he still needs to return a call to Gov. Paul LePage about job creation in Maine.
Right now, he's putting out feelers for new tenants in the former Portland Press Herald building located across from Portland City Hall.
Today at 5 p.m., the Historic Preservation Board will resume reviewing proposed outside alterations to the building, located at 390 Congress St. Architect David Lloyd, representing Cacoulidis's company, Metro Media LLC, is returning to the historic preservation board following an initial review on June 15, bringing proposed exterior alterations of the seven-story building to the board.
Lloyd said renovations include installation of new elevators, bathrooms, added windows and a new entry and lobby space.
"Right now the owner is just cleaning it out and repairing it, adding some windows where there are no windows, and then he's basically looking for tenants. He does not have a tenant right now," Lloyd said.
The building will be suited for office space, although the first floor could work as retail space as well, he said.
Tom Moulton, broker on the property and one of the owners of Dunham Group realty, acknowledged the market remains sluggish, with more supply of commercial properties than demand, but he said the old Portland Press Herald building's location and clean conversion into fully renovated offices should attract a renter.
"I feel pretty confident we'll be able to get it leased out by next spring and occupied by next summer," he said.
Cacoulidis said he bought the old newspaper office because he owns a neighboring commercial office building near Monument Square and because of the old newspaper office's prime location in the downtown.
"I bought it because I own 2 Monument Square, it's very close by, and it's a good address, and the location is good," he said.
But Cacoulidis agreed that the economy is deterring job creation ("politicians need to do something," he said).
The new governor, Republican Gov. Paul LePage, called his office "to see what he wanted to do," Cacoulidis said. On Tuesday, he said he had yet to return the governor's call.
Cacoulidis said he's staying busy, with people bringing him development projects, even as he envisions retirement to the home where he and his wife reside on Hope Island. But a superior court case is pending over his property tax bill of $80,000 a year for his island home, he said. Cacoulidis said the case is exorbitant taxation for an island deprived of basic services.
"They say the guy is from New York, he has money, let's get his money," Cacoulidis said.
"They estimated I have 40 lots," he said, so the tax bill is the equivalent of 40 families paying taxes, Cacoulidis said. The case may go to federal court, he said.
While the tax case moves through the court system, Cacoulidis said his property in South Portland could still harbor a job-creating resort development.
"Eventually I will revive it," he said.
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Patrick
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thanks for posting, but was I the only one who thought this article was (a) a little disconnected (switching from development plans to the obvious question of job growth, and then to tax rates and personal legal disputes) and (b) failed to mention that Cacoulidis just over 2 years ago mentioned the largest building proposal/idea in Portland history? Where was the mention of his hope to build next to City Hall across from the Press Herald building?
grittys457
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I thought the same thing you did patrick when I read it yesterday. I thought I had flipped to the wrong continued story on the other page. Made a leap and never came back to the first topic. I wish he would concentrate on something in Portland instead SoPo. Even though his giant hotel was foolish even for us who like big stuff, we know it would never ever happen out there, not even on a smaller scale. At least in Portland he could propose something sorta large and it would be okay.
••••The Portland Daily Sun has an article about The Eastland, its renovations, its possible affiliation with The Westin in the future and maybe some (minor?) height additions if im understanding correctly.
Eastland Hotel primed for major renovations next year; Westin may be affiliate
By Casey Conley
Aug 18, 2011 12:00 am
Big changes are coming to the Eastland Park Hotel.
The new owners of the 84-year-old hotel in downtown Portland are planning a massive renovation that they hope will lead to a four-star rating and possibly an affiliation with upscale hotel chain Westin.
Although the final details are still coming together, the roughly $30 million to $35 million renovation is expected to touch all corners of the 84-year-old building, and could result in a full or partial shutdown to speed up the process.
Bruce Wennerstrom, a vice president with New Castle Hotels and the general manager of the Eastland, said yesterday that the renovations would begin next year.
“It’s tired,” he said of the 258-room Eastland, which has been an independent hotel since the late 1990s, when it was affiliated with the Radisson hotel chain. “It has a great past, and it’s time to keep the historical elements in play … (but) bring it up to today’s first-class level.”
Wennerstrom said the company is aiming for a four-star rating once the renovations are complete. Currently, he says the hotel “barely” meets the criteria for a three-star rating.
Rockbridge Capital and New Castle Hotels bought the Eastland in March for $6.95 million, according to the city assessor’s website. That’s about $500,000 less than the hotel sold for in 1997, and more than $1.5 million less than the city values the property for tax purposes.
However, the sale price was well above the $1.95 million that Magna Hospitality Group, which owned the Eastland until March, paid for it in 2000.
In the months since the deal closed, rumors have been circulating about major changes at the hotel, including speculation that the Eastland would align with a major chain — which brings higher upkeep costs but also new benefits like loyalty programs and business clients that help fill rooms.
Sources within Portland's closeknit hospitality community said the renovation would include a major modernization that would, among other things, expand the Top of the East space atop the hotel and add function space.
These people have also said that the hotel owners are planning to align with Westin, a luxury hotel brand that’s part of the Starwood Hotels umbrella, and might ditch the Eastland name altogether.
While declining to comment on specifics of the renovation plan, Wennerstrom did say that a Westin flag was “one of the possibilities” under consideration. Whether or not the renovated hotel will retain the Eastland name is also up for debate.
“That’s one of the things on the agenda, too, how to tie in the Eastland name in the overall name,” he said.
As for the question of whether the hotel will remain fully open, partially open, or even shut down during the renovations, Wennerstrom said that too remains unclear.
“Whether it happens with a full shutdown or not, I can't tell you that right now,” he said.
Although the renovations would likely create new business for the hotel and the neighborhood in the long run, it could mean employee layoffs in the short term. The coming renovations have already resulted in one layoff.
Deborah Roberts, director of sales and marketing for the Eastland, was let go earlier this summer in preparations for the renovations, according to her LinkedIn page.
“My former employer is going to be doing a major renovation and due to this renovation, I have been laid off,” Roberts says in LinkedIn. She declined to comment for this story.
Her LinkedIn page also includes a recommendation from Bob Pope, New Castle’s vice president of sales and marketing. After recommending her for other hotel jobs, he writes, “The hotel Deborah was employed at ~ The Eastland Park Hotel / Portland ME ~ will be under an extreme renovation in 2012, and during that time period there will be less direct selling to manage.”
Wennerstrom declined to comment on whether the renovation would cause job losses.
Jonathan Benowitz, managing director of Rockbridge Capital, did not return an email seeking comment on the Eastland renovation plan.
Eastland Hotel primed for major renovations next year; Westin may be affiliate
By Casey Conley
Aug 18, 2011 12:00 am
Big changes are coming to the Eastland Park Hotel.
The new owners of the 84-year-old hotel in downtown Portland are planning a massive renovation that they hope will lead to a four-star rating and possibly an affiliation with upscale hotel chain Westin.
Although the final details are still coming together, the roughly $30 million to $35 million renovation is expected to touch all corners of the 84-year-old building, and could result in a full or partial shutdown to speed up the process.
Bruce Wennerstrom, a vice president with New Castle Hotels and the general manager of the Eastland, said yesterday that the renovations would begin next year.
“It’s tired,” he said of the 258-room Eastland, which has been an independent hotel since the late 1990s, when it was affiliated with the Radisson hotel chain. “It has a great past, and it’s time to keep the historical elements in play … (but) bring it up to today’s first-class level.”
Wennerstrom said the company is aiming for a four-star rating once the renovations are complete. Currently, he says the hotel “barely” meets the criteria for a three-star rating.
Rockbridge Capital and New Castle Hotels bought the Eastland in March for $6.95 million, according to the city assessor’s website. That’s about $500,000 less than the hotel sold for in 1997, and more than $1.5 million less than the city values the property for tax purposes.
However, the sale price was well above the $1.95 million that Magna Hospitality Group, which owned the Eastland until March, paid for it in 2000.
In the months since the deal closed, rumors have been circulating about major changes at the hotel, including speculation that the Eastland would align with a major chain — which brings higher upkeep costs but also new benefits like loyalty programs and business clients that help fill rooms.
Sources within Portland's closeknit hospitality community said the renovation would include a major modernization that would, among other things, expand the Top of the East space atop the hotel and add function space.
These people have also said that the hotel owners are planning to align with Westin, a luxury hotel brand that’s part of the Starwood Hotels umbrella, and might ditch the Eastland name altogether.
While declining to comment on specifics of the renovation plan, Wennerstrom did say that a Westin flag was “one of the possibilities” under consideration. Whether or not the renovated hotel will retain the Eastland name is also up for debate.
“That’s one of the things on the agenda, too, how to tie in the Eastland name in the overall name,” he said.
As for the question of whether the hotel will remain fully open, partially open, or even shut down during the renovations, Wennerstrom said that too remains unclear.
“Whether it happens with a full shutdown or not, I can't tell you that right now,” he said.
Although the renovations would likely create new business for the hotel and the neighborhood in the long run, it could mean employee layoffs in the short term. The coming renovations have already resulted in one layoff.
Deborah Roberts, director of sales and marketing for the Eastland, was let go earlier this summer in preparations for the renovations, according to her LinkedIn page.
“My former employer is going to be doing a major renovation and due to this renovation, I have been laid off,” Roberts says in LinkedIn. She declined to comment for this story.
Her LinkedIn page also includes a recommendation from Bob Pope, New Castle’s vice president of sales and marketing. After recommending her for other hotel jobs, he writes, “The hotel Deborah was employed at ~ The Eastland Park Hotel / Portland ME ~ will be under an extreme renovation in 2012, and during that time period there will be less direct selling to manage.”
Wennerstrom declined to comment on whether the renovation would cause job losses.
Jonathan Benowitz, managing director of Rockbridge Capital, did not return an email seeking comment on the Eastland renovation plan.