Powerhouse Plaza Approved by Council

Cydney
06/19 01:57 PM

“precoital-bar-dates”?  Maybe Glenwood South needs an Adam & Eve.  The Stitch space is still open, right?

brian_M
06/19 02:41 PM

“precoital-bar-dates”...oh no you didn’t!

the truth
06/19 09:59 PM

my prediction: closed <24 months after it opens.

that name alone is writing checks that its body can’t cash!

oh yeah, i went there!

Cydney
06/19 10:29 PM

Wha?  “the truth” really needs to be more specific with *the details.*

I am curious about the rendering, since it seems devoid of much materiality… is this current?

Jay
06/19 11:11 PM

I’m going to second Cydney’s concern. Are there any other renderings floating around?

the truth
06/20 11:40 AM

all i meant was that the name “powerhouse plaza” seems to imply that something pretty badass is happening in there…and it’s really not.

i am just cautious to fall in love with anything downtown anymore. anything with personality seems to close within just a few years unless it is financially backed by billions of dollars.

just my old crotchety ramblin’, young fellas. but what would i know? you kids with your facebooks and your mp3 wazahoos know more than my old backside…but ill have to leave here soon too and you can replace me with a loft and another sushi restaurant.

Cydney
06/20 12:54 PM

The name comes from the fact that it is diagonal from the actual powerhouse.  A little more interesting than some of the others going up and not as marketing specific as “Hue”.  I don’t get that one.

I think there is lots of personality downtown, and things are in constant flux because that’s the way it is.  I hate to see good things go away as much as anyone.  I can only hope for more than just restaurants that change names every 8 months.  American Apparel!

the truth
06/20 10:13 PM

thanks, cydney.

i understand the name now. i didnt even make the connection to the actual powerhouse. thanks for the information. (i still wish it was powerhouse as in “badass” though!)

youre right about downtown. i have always loved it, but i feel like it’s a teenager now…and those are always the most annoying years…trying to figure itself out and develop an identity while trying and failing and trying and failing…you know how it goes, im sure.

David
06/21 01:05 PM

Damn Cydney, you actually got truth to say something with compassion.  And here we thought he was just out to disagree all the time.  Like we really want more loft condos- heh.

Magnus
06/22 11:12 PM

No mention of parking?

This is often the most poorly considered and implemented aspect of ambitious urban projects like this.

Cydney
06/23 12:59 PM

You mean like on the plan above that says “Parking Deck (5 Upper Levels)?

Rusty
06/23 01:41 PM

I think the lighting scheme on the final design is what will really make the building work. I don’t know how it will impact their LEED certification, but hopefully they can do something really cool without being a powerhog.

Christopher Triplett
06/23 03:13 PM

I think a day time view would be more appropriate for a general assesment of the building.  No matter how occupied, it will never be this bright at night (and would we want it to be anyway?).

I’m surprised that local architects aren’t integrating more traditional details in our new buildings.

It looks RTP-ish.

-CJT

http://ginkotron.com

Cydney
06/23 03:49 PM

Can you clarify what you mean by ‘traditional details’?

Christopher Triplett
06/23 04:40 PM

Pedimented columns, corbels, psuedo-buttresses (e.g. The Wake County Court House), natural stone, mouldings, friezes, emblatures, architraves, carvings, sculptures, large scale brick/stone patterns, fountains, et al.

I do not mean design an urban structure and throw on decoration, rather, integrate some elements which are inspired (even if mildly) by more traditional architectural ornamentation.

In doing this, one goal should be avoidance of pure mimicry (Mimicry that disrespects historic structures.)

Complimenting our existing history

-CJT

Rusty
06/23 05:12 PM

I think this building is very much in keeping with the direction that Mr. Cline’s firm has taken in the past. Not to put words into their mouths, but I think their tendency is toward being respectful in terms of proportion and massing, rather than re-imagining historic details.

I’d like to see a few street level renderings, I think the human-scale interactions with this building will become supremely important. This rendered view doesn’t give us much of a peek, but I’m hoping for some interesting solid-void spaces at the grade.

Matthew Brown
06/27 07:03 PM

It looks great except for that slanty top. What a weird fad that is!

Jackie K
07/03 08:10 PM

To the “Truth”

If you knew anything about Raleigh you would know it was called ” PowerHouse Plaza” Because that is the name of this neighborhood and it is owend or was once owned by Progress Energy. The area of electrical transformers and powerlines caged in across from Napper Tandys is called the Power House…. Dont be so closed minded Mr. Truth…

joe
12/03 01:20 PM

IS THERE ANY UPDATE ON THE CONSTRUCTION START DATE OF THIS PROJECT?

joe
12/10 01:31 PM

What’s going on with this project?  Notice construction trailers have shown up on the site for about a month but nothing else has occurred.

mary
12/17 03:34 PM

I don’t know. i saw the construction trailers as well.  looks like something is finally starting

JRD
02/10 12:13 AM

How difficult is it to wrap a parking structure with retail or residential?  Seriously!  The other 3 sides of that block will always be dead and West at North condos will always be undesirable because of that.  This could have really been a nice puzzle piece that fit on all sides, but its just going to close off the pedestrian experience forever.  WHY IS THERE NOT A LAW OR CODE FOR THAT?!?!?!?