Portland, ME - New Construction Continued

Do me a favor and post the rendering jb was using for that spot and the rendering from years ago for the " Faneuil hall" of Portland project on dimillos property
 
grittys457 said:
Do me a favor and post the rendering jb was using for that spot and the rendering from years ago for the " Faneuil hall" of Portland project on dimillos property
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To my knowledge, JB Brown entertained the idea of a convention center on its Old Port property a while back but it didn't go anywehre. I think it was under the name JB Atbro because it was working with Atlantic Investment Partners or something. Then in 2005 or so they proposed an office building on the same site as the hotel is now proposed. Across the Street, on Dimillos property, was a 6 story or so mixed use building with structured parking, which was proposed by Michael Liberty. Then farther west was a proposal for some sort of an acquarium amusement park idea, but it didn't go anywhere. And then there is the 1,000 feet of linear waterfront property at the Portland Co. Complex which was envisioned for a mix of shops a few years ago but still on the market. Then Jeff Cohen the guy behind waterview thought Cumberland ave could become the "Faneuil Hall" of Portland. In reality, Faneuil Hall was the Old Port of Boston when built. One City Center actually leased at a quicker and higher rate than Faneuil Hall, if you can believe it. Just an interesting bit of trivia.
 
Yeah, the 65 ft. limit does stink, but it's a limit that can be tweaked. I think the Opechee corp. doesn't want to hassle with requesting a variance for additional height like the Procantti (sp?) group did. I just think if they put in a little more time with an additional floor or two, they could get the final go ahead, as was the case with the 9-10 story Westin proposal.
 
SHAZBAT73 said:
Yeah, the 65 ft. limit does stink, but it's a limit that can be tweaked. I think the Opechee corp. doesn't want to hassle with requesting a variance for additional height like the Procantti (sp?) group did. I just think if they put in a little more time with an additional floor or two, they could get the final go ahead, as was the case with the 9-10 story Westin proposal.
Click to expand...

I think if you just meant the eastern waterfront site then I would agree with you. I thought the Westin proposal would have been great and perfect along Franklin. I think 65' feet is perfect give or take because it frames the taller buildings along Congress. Now, in Bayside I think taller is better. But Commercial I think has a certain image to which it should probably stick. Maybe I'm wrong, and I know the right structure there would probably do great even if 10 stories or so.
 
That makes sense. A similar effect could happen if the Canal Plaza Hotel is built, framing 1 Canal Plaza and the skyline behind it while blending in with the rest of the skyline.
 
I agree with grittys, the previous renderings JB Brown had for this site was outstanding but those plans were for an office building primarily. Now that the parcel is going to be used for hotel purposes I am sure the designs had to be altered for a totally different use. However, I will take this project and am glad it will extend the streetscape a little further west on Commercial. Wish the Rufus Deering lumber yard was in a different location but they have history and tenure at that location.
 
For those of you disappointed with the proposed Commercial Street architecture and its similarity to other buildings, I might suggest sending your comments on to the Historic Preservation Board via their City Hall staffer, Deb Andrews (DGA@portlandmaine.gov).

The Board is supposed to advocate for quality architecture in historic districts, and I suspect that they might also be inclined to advocate for a little more imagination here. Having some backup support from the public would help.

I don't think that JB Brown and their architect from Opechee would be put out by such a request — indeed I think we're seeing this rather bland proposal mostly because they're playing it safe. I would also note that the quality of the street-level facade — which is the most important part, in my opinion — is pretty great (as it is on the Hampton Inn building on Fore Street), and that's a very good sign.
 
commst.jpg


Also, Pine & Brackett made it by HP and now on to PB. That will be a great project imo
 
Can't complain about that pic. I'll take it

And yes the pine street one is great. Complete that intersection
 
I dont know how Cumberland Farms got in there, but Id love to see a mixed use project in there....would make that a complete intersection
 
God, I saw the absolute worst city sketch artwork in my life today at the Starbucks on Exchange street. Didn't catch the name of the person on the wall but it's so bad I felt like he should be paying me money to look at it. Do me a favor and go buy them so my children don't have to look at it and have nightmares anymore.
 
OK I'll bite -- which one was the "worst"? P.S., you should be buying local anyway, Bard's across the St....
 
This guy or girl, sketched such an atrocious drawing of Cincinnati , Johnny fever and venus flytrap jumped out the radio station window after seeing it
 
It answers the age old questions..... What would a person on bath salts draw on an etch-a-sketch
 
The apartments on Pine and Brackett have been reviewed by The Planning Board....here is the article that was posted in Portland Daily Sun today.

Board reviews plan for West End development, Commercial Street hotel
Published Date Written by Craig Lyons
A four-story mixed use development on the corner of Brackett and Pine streets received favorable feedback from Portland's Planning Board Tuesday and is ready to move forward in the approval process.
The project — known as West End Place — would house 39 apartments, 1,990 square feet of ground-level retail space and 34 on-site parking spaces. The building is to be sited at the corner of Pine and Brackett streets. The board members felt that the project is ready to go for a public hearing after they heard the details of the plans.
The site is now occupied by a small parking lot and two vacant buildings.
Jonathan Culley, a partner in Redfern LWS, said the development will create market rate apartments. He said it seems unique since most of the housing being brought online in Portland is either affordable or condominiums.
"It adds an important element to the housing stock," he said.
Culley said Redfern LWS was driven to develop the project because of an interest in infill development and smart growth principles in an urban environment.
"We're enthusiastic about our project," he said.
As a part of the approval process, the developers have requested a waiver to supply only 34 parking spaces on site, though the city's ordinances require one for each of the 39 apartments. The structured parking, as it's designed, features a mix of spaces for compact and standard-sized cars, and the developers said part of the reason was that people tend to be relying less on vehicles or on smaller ones in urban environments.
The city has received one piece of public comment about the project from an abutting property owner who asked the Planning Board not to depart from its one space per unit parking requirement.
The board felt comfortable with allowing the developers to have five fewer spaces than the ordinances require if they could back up their conclusion about less parking demand.
"I'm comfortable with it if you can have some sort of documentation," said Board Chairwoman Carol Morrissette.
Board member Timothy Dean said he'd like to see a traffic demand management study that backed up the developers' thoughts on the parking situation.
Besides the questions about the number of parking spaces, the board and one resident who spoke during the workshop gave the project high marks.
Resident David Marsden said he thinks the development is a great example of smart growth and will bring a new sense of vibrancy to the neighborhood.
"... The benefit of the building is going to far exceed anything," he said.
Later in the meeting, the board took a look at preliminary plans for a Commercial Street mixed-use development that centers around a hotel.
JB Brown and Sons are seeking approval to put a new development at 321 Commercial St., located between Maple and the Baxter Place building. The development would primarily house a 131-room hotel — under the Courtyard by Marriott banner — with a restaurant and 14 residential units.
The development would have 28 parking spaces on site.
The project is still being reviewed by the Historic Preservation Board since it's within the Old Port historic district.
Vincent Veroneau, of JB Brown and Sons, said the development team is still working through issues with the configuration of Foundry Lane to best accommodate pedestrians, the design of the building at the intersection of Brown and Commercial streets and the building materials.
 
The restaurant in the new commercial street hotel will have the exact same amount of seats and bar stools as sebago brewing. Honestly, somebody get me a job at opechee

Obviously not gonna be another sebago but that's too many seats for any other local restaurant . Any thoughts?
 
Danforth on High:

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Next door, Elm Terrace:

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Substantial new residential project on Hammond Street, just noticed this one:

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Another angle of Adam's School redevelopment:

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