365 Nicollet (334' - 30 stories)

[John]

The flipping of the orientation of the buildings was a great improvement. The Nicollet Mall side has more architectural variation and is more pedestrian friendly without that massive podium. The relationship of the two towers with the Library is way nicer and works better with the Mall. I like relocating the lobby to Fourth Street for more activity on that side. The retail space, while not huge, at least takes up most of the Mall side. The city was assertive with Opus and the result is a much better proposal. Much happier with this now!

[mnmike]

Why does the alley open up to Nicollet at all? There won't be vehicle access there, so why not put another retail space or even a pocket park or something?

It doesn't in this plan...only Marquette

[lorwest]

It's odd that the project name in the COW documents uses the number 360. Even-numbered addresses are on the opposite side of Nicollet.

[Anondson]

Because, "360". As in °.

Not like 360 is being used on the other side,

[lorwest]

Because, "360". As in °.

Not like 360 is being used on the other side,

That'll be great when peopling living at "360 Nicollet Mall" have an address of 365 Nicollet Mall.

[Lancestar2]

The second floor includes a skyway along Nicollet Mall that will connect to the building south of the site
at 401 Nicollet Mall. This skyway will be accessible to the general public via an entrance on Nicollet
Mall. Residents of the building will access the skyway lobby via a shuttle elevator in the same location.
The balance of the second floor is parking. The applicant has shown potential for a skyway connection
across Nicollet Mall to the Central Library that could potentially be constructed with Phase 2. The
portion of the Central Library that was designed to accommodate a skyway connection across Nicollet
Mall does not match up with the footprint of the proposed building.

Is that still the case? I would imagine the Nicollet Hotel "Gateway" development would have a issue with not having a connecting skyway in place around opening. Has the Nicollet Hotel project commented or gave a public opinion on this issue yet?

[mister.shoes]

That's part of the city staff comments in response to Opus' proposal. It's a nice way of saying, "You didn't even think about how a skyway would connect to your design. Get with the program."

[twincitizen]

My assumption was the skyway could connect to phase 2 of the Opus project. They were just saying it didn't line up with phase 1.

Then again, when you really think about it, of what benefit is it to Opus to connect this project to the library? Their building/s will already be connected to the skyway system across 4th St (401 Nicollet/Xcel). Why should Opus care whether or not Ryan's Nicollet Gateway project has a viable connection via the library? If Opus has no interest in building that skyway to the library, that would put Ryan on the hook for building two skyway links: from Gateway-to-library and library-to-Opus. At that point I think the benefit of connecting Gateway to the rest of the skyway system is greatly outweighed by the cost. On top of that, who pays for the security of the section through the library during non-library hours? Ryan is on the hook for that too? Financially speaking, connecting the Gateway project to skyway system does not look like a sure thing.

[Wedgeguy]

My assumption was the skyway could connect to phase 2 of the Opus project. They were just saying it didn't line up with phase 1.

Then again, when you really think about it, of what benefit is it to Opus to connect this project to the library? Their building/s will already be connected to the skyway system across 4th St (401 Nicollet/Xcel). Why should Opus care whether or not Ryan's Nicollet Gateway project has a viable connection via the library? If Opus has no interest in building that skyway to the library, that would put Ryan on the hook for building two skyway links: from Gateway-to-library and library-to-Opus. At that point I think the benefit of connecting Gateway to the rest of the skyway system is greatly outweighed by the cost. On top of that, who pays for the security of the section through the library during non-library hours? Ryan is on the hook for that too? Financially speaking, connecting the Gateway project to skyway system does not look like a sure thing.

What you bring up is true. But Opus know that if they don't play well with the city, that the city can make it very difficult for future project that they may hope to complete. The city may make road blocks or make them do things they may not have wanted to do on future project as retribution. You don't want to piss off those that hold the keys and permits to future development. The city may over look future proposals by them for developers that will work well with the city and the city's goals. Just my thoughts.

[MNdible]

There's presumably some value to Opus in allowing their renters to take the skyway almost all of the way to Whole Foods, right?

[Silophant]

I would think so. But, looking at the 4Marq situation, Opus is apparently happy to block their competition from skyway access, even if it means reducing the potential customer base for their own retail spots. (Assuming that 4Marq wanted a connection but was denied, because why wouldn't they have?)

[John]

I do like the new orientation, it gives Nic a good feel, but it makes me think that marq is just going to have a bunch of butts up to it.

Yep, not too mention the units facing north in Nic on Fifth. And when phase two of the Opus project is built , the views in 360 facing north will also be effectively blocked. Your going to have a lot of units in all these complexes with virtually no view. With the rents they are going to charge, people are going to have very high expectations. They may run into trouble like LPM.

[grant1simons2]

Updated plans in CoW: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups ... 141970.pdf

Updates:

- 3,700 sq ft retail space added to corner of 4th and Marq
- Residential lobby modified to include 4th St entrance
- Skyway lobby modified to include open stair from Nicollet Mall entrance
- North elevation modified to address concerns on blank walls
- Access into parking podium modified to allow access thru the service drive.

[Daboink]

Not dramatic improvements but noteworthy nonetheless, especially the added retail and additional on street entrance.

[Wedgeguy]

So there will be no small retail at skyway level for the two towers. At least the Crossing and the other tower on second both have some forms of retail/food courts for they tenants. Again Opus does another abysmal job with providing the tenants and the surrounding area with any reason to go to the north end of the mall for retail and convenience.

[bubzki2]

Perhaps signs of a trend toward street retail vs. skyway? Personally, I'm okay with more street life over a reason to take the skyways to this area.

[MNdible]

It looks like they could eventually lose those three isolated parking spots by the skyway and convert that into a 700 sf convenience retail space. It's not much, but...

[uncle phil]

Because, "360". As in °.

No, that's definitely the street address they are going with...

[nickmgray]

I don't think there's any real need for retail on the skyway level. If you look at the core of downtown, there are maybe 10-15 buildings that have a thriving skyway level. The remaining 50+ buildings don't have much to offer. This development is be on the far edge of the system, with minimal foot traffic. It's hard to imagine any skyway business thriving here.

[Silophant]

Because, "360". As in °.

No, that's definitely the street address they are going with...

They can't, unless it's going to be 360 Marquette. It's on the odd side of Nicollet.