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Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: December 23rd, 2014, 4:13 pm
by nordeast homer
6-20 story buildings on one block, I'm not sure we're Beijing yet. I'll be dead and gone before we reach that kind of density. :) It would be nice to see a larger development on what eventually could be a prime block of real estate.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: December 23rd, 2014, 4:20 pm
by grant1simons2
I mean we could reach 4 pretty easily. Honestly wouldn't mind KA leaving downtown, how many of their workers do you think even want to live in Minneapolis? Maybe that's too big of an assumption.. If KA does want to sell, and they sell at the right point and time, we could end up with a pretty cool development on this site I think.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: December 23rd, 2014, 4:28 pm
by twincitizen
...in time, the entire K-A block could be filled with 6-20 story residential buildings (for rent or sale). I'm sure everyone involved is eager for a resolution sooner rather than later.
That should be read " six to twenty story buildings" not "six twenty story buildings".

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: December 24th, 2014, 12:08 pm
by NE_love
I like the overall big moves of the design. The base is 2 parts, a darker material representing the 1st floor and the horizontal material making up the parking. The design is using material to indicate the use. If the materials work out as rendered, the podium brings the scale of the building down more to a pedestrian level. *As rendered* I like this much better than The Nic, however anything other than horizontal louvers would likely ruin this concept. The glassy corner runs down the building and ties it all together. I do not like that the other residential corner along Portland is treated the same way. Hopefully they can refine these and make them better through detailing, rather than giving up the contractors VE list.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: December 26th, 2014, 8:55 pm
by John
It's probably Stanton's best designed project (which is not really a compliment). It's fine for the site and will have a neutral impact. I do think it's best if he sticks to these less visible locations to build his condos.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 3rd, 2015, 1:33 pm
by twincitizen
Website: http://portlandtowerminneapolis.com/
Twitter and Facebook links found within.

I guess they're sticking with the "Portland Tower" name. I had assumed that was just a working title and Stanton would come up with something a little more snappy.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 6th, 2015, 9:48 pm
by John
Website: http://portlandtowerminneapolis.com/
Twitter and Facebook links found within.

I guess they're sticking with the "Portland Tower" name. I had assumed that was just a working title and Stanton would come up with something a little more snappy.
I noticed on the tiny rendering on their website the exterior podium façade has been changed quite significantly. It's more silver toned and the panels are vertically arranged. A good improvement from the previous design and fits in better with the vertical arrangement of the windows in the condos above.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 7th, 2015, 8:58 am
by nickmgray
A few different angles that I don't think have been posted here.

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Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 7th, 2015, 1:54 pm
by Lancestar2
That podium is so ugly. Unless people love it then perhaps we hire them to throw up some of those wood slab on city center and call it a day! :lol:

Besides that it does look like a nice classy dark colored building. Plus if the Armory is converted into a place for events again it should be a nice community that develops in that area. If only they did something about that podium mess. Yikes!

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 7th, 2015, 2:38 pm
by Tyler
As John pointed out, the website shows different cladding on the podium.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 7th, 2015, 3:06 pm
by John
As John pointed out, the website shows different cladding on the podium.
Yes, they're using a silver or grayish metal panel system with a vertical arrangement for the podium. They also extended the towers red brick to the base rather than use black ( My guess is to visually unify the tower with the base). Probably got some feedback from the Planning Commission to revise the podium design. The original looked pretty goofy and awkward. Looks much better now.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 7th, 2015, 4:04 pm
by Wedgeguy
I'll agree that the revised podium looks much more cohesive with the rest of the tower. Now let's hope that the ground level has some life at street level with some forms of retail.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 8th, 2015, 5:54 pm
by John
Here's a little bigger render with the new podium design:
Image

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 8th, 2015, 6:19 pm
by Silophant
Oh, that's much better.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 8th, 2015, 9:37 pm
by John
Oh, that's much better.
Yeah , way better. I just noticed they also extended the wide red brick column along the Portland side of the tower all the way down to the street. That's also helps unify the design better. Interesting how a few tweaks like that can make a big difference.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 9th, 2015, 4:56 pm
by grrdanko
There is a backhoe on the Portland Tower site. It looks like they are getting ready to start construction.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 9th, 2015, 5:43 pm
by Nathan
For real! I feel like a lot of stuff is about to break loose. It's awesome if they're just ready to go like that.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 9th, 2015, 6:20 pm
by MNdible
It's Stanton, so I wouldn't doubt it. He's got a pile of cash burning a hole in his pocket, and the only thing he knows to do with it is build condos.

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 10th, 2015, 8:21 am
by TommyT
It's Stanton, so I wouldn't doubt it. He's got a pile of cash burning a hole in his pocket, and the only thing he knows to do with it is build condos.
^^ Not complaining

Re: Portland Tower - 516 S. 8th St.

Posted: February 10th, 2015, 8:41 am
by RailBaronYarr
They discussed that silver, more vertical paneling at the Z&P meeting where ADUs were discussed (I was there to speak in favor). Couple neighborhood residents had thoughts, actually thought the horizontal look was better (? I think?) and they had spent months working with Stanton on the design or something.