urbanMSP

I'm not sure why architectural drawings do this - to avoid having to use negative numbers for basement levels maybe?

Yes. It's a very standard benchmark practice.

I wouldn't doubt that this is in fact someone from Alatus. I reached out to them when they announced the project in Rochester, and the lead developer actually took time out of their day to meet with me for a drink so I could pick their brain about the development world. They seem to be more than willing to reach out to the community, more specifically boards like this.

Questions for Alatus:
- Is there the possibility to connect a skyway to Ivy, or would that just take away from leasable space with no benefit to this building, thus not making any sense to complete?
- What determines the height or number of units when proposing a project like this?
- With your Rochester project, now that demo and site prep appear done, when will actual construction start?

(1) The segment of skyway going into the Church site, to the convention center, is one of the few City owned skyway segments in the City (connecting City parking ramp to Convention Center). So our options with that are limited (perpetual easement) but we can't take it down so there is not really a benefit to tying to negotiate something through The Ivy (I think that blank wall is partially mechanical shafts for the in-building runs to the roof so that makes it exceedingly hard to do anything).

(2) Lots of things - demand and supply, economics of land, zoning ordinance/entitlements/YIMBY/NIMBY and applicable code, size of parcel, construction type, environmental concerns and environmental statutes, adjacent uses, sub-soil conditions, rental versus condominium versus parking versus mixed-use, highest and best use for community/aesthetics/capital stack, ambition. In no particular order.

(3) Tuesday, February 13th, 2018.

Some renderings from the site. These must be updated.

Good find Grant. Much more glass in this design. Can't wait for this to get started.

Looks great! Curious to see a perspective coming up 35W. It’s gonna look BIG.

They presented to the DMNA tonight. Same images as Grant posted above. One fun tidbit - they're apparently strongly considering having the big glass panel at the top being a video display like Target Plaza.

That would be rally fun, I'm totally down for anything that makes the skyline more active and playful.

It'll be cool if the two displays were timed together or interacted. Although I have to admit I like the top portion as it is in the rendering. I have a theory that we have many buildings with lights because A)The tallest buildings have them and B) It's so darn dark during the winter.

They presented to the DMNA tonight. Same images as Grant posted above. One fun tidbit - they're apparently strongly considering having the big glass panel at the top being a video display like Target Plaza.

Thats so tacky. Fast forward 2 months and it'll be used to advertise anything and everything. I really hate that.

They presented to the DMNA tonight. Same images as Grant posted above. One fun tidbit - they're apparently strongly considering having the big glass panel at the top being a video display like Target Plaza.

Thats so tacky. Fast forward 2 months and it'll be used to advertise anything and everything. I really hate that.

It can't be used to advertise anything. It's prohibited by the city.

Yeah. Target's hasn't been used as advertising in 17 years, I don't think there's any reason to assume this one will.

I like that they are thinking about adding some unique exterior lighting design elements but can't they come up with something that's not already part of the skyline.

I like that they are thinking about adding some unique exterior lighting design elements but can't they come up with something that's not already part of the skyline.

Maybe a laser show with music? They have this in Hong Kong I hear.

I like that they are thinking about adding some unique exterior lighting design elements but can't they come up with something that's not already part of the skyline.

Maybe a laser show with music? They have this in Hong Kong I hear.

Now that would be cool!

Lol I swear people will find reasons to complain about anything.. I really like the idea of another video display. Like SurlyLHT and Nathan said, it's so dark here in the Winter and it'll contribute to a vibrant skyline view.

I live in Whittier and I think it would e great to have more light on this side of downtown. The south side of downtown gets really dark and because of the convention center it is a bit walled off. I keep imagining how great that could be from the long drive up 35 from the Crosstown...

Is it actually darker here at night than anywhere else?

Yes... I saw it on Fox

It’s dark longer. Dark+longer = darkerrrrrr = darker

I took a Flyover video from the top of Eleven, I felt it worth giving a look at what the top of this tower will end up looking like. I found a view just higher than Hotel Ivy and began by looking due south towards the art museum and Eat Street then began panning to the right.

Click on the video to see what the views will look like.

Alatus by Eric Anondson, on Flickr

I like the view of Central Lutheran from above, really highlights though how it would benefit from a better public space around it. A piece of Loring Park is seen through a couple towers. I even think the expanse of small three story apartments is even pleasant. The street wall of 2nd is interesting, but will eventually disappear as the blocks to the north get filled.