Page 6 of 22

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 25th, 2014, 12:35 pm
by HiawathaGuy
Kind of wonder if there's any possibility of doing mixed use retail, hotel, office. The demand for office is obviously there.
While I think that's a great idea... I worry that we've now had so much development in Uptown and points east toward Lyn/Lake along the Greenway that it'll be years before transit can remotely catch up. Uptown is really a car sewer, even with all the density. I hope Metro Transit and the City are really looking at this and taking the steps to get things moving.

I just feel like we've been studying and studying this corridor - all while hundreds of thousands of new apartments keep being built. At some point things are going to become crazy (and not in a good way) for Uptown.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 25th, 2014, 1:43 pm
by Wedgeguy
It could be done as the east end of the lot is deeper than the west in of the lot. If you put one tower long ways fronting Emerson on the deeper lot and the other tower fronting Lake you could easily do two separate towers with some still decent floor plates. The layout would be similar to how the Eclipse towers would be located. You can still have the entrances to both on Lake but the east building would be deeper than the west building. Uptown really does not need block long floor plates for the type of companies that would locate here anyways.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 25th, 2014, 2:35 pm
by John
^^^ A few posts back Sean guessed the hotel at about 5-6 stories which I think is in the ballpark as far as height. I don't know the exact zoning of this lot, but I'm guessing they can't go much higher than Mozaic.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 25th, 2014, 2:51 pm
by HiawathaGuy
It's zoned C3A, so anything over 4 stories would need a variance.

"The maximum height of all principal structures located in the C3A District, except single and two-family dwellings and cluster developments, shall be four (4) stories or fifty-six (56) feet, whichever is less."

https://library.municode.com/HTML/11490 ... .360GEDIRE

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 25th, 2014, 3:18 pm
by MNdible
I believe that an increase in height requires a conditional use permit, which is much easier to grant than a variance.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 25th, 2014, 4:40 pm
by John
Thanks for the reference Hiawathaguy. It appears The Walkway and Mozaic are in the same C3A zone as the vacant parcel, according to the city's website. They are more than 4 stories/ 56 feet, so there is precedent for slightly taller. But no high rise here for anybody who has that pipe dream ;)

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: September 26th, 2014, 10:04 am
by anders
I believe that an increase in height requires a conditional use permit, which is much easier to grant than a variance.
Correct, in this case. And probably an easy CUP in this case as well.

"The height limitations of principal structures located in the commercial districts, except single and two-family dwellings, may be increased by conditional use permit, as provided in Chapter 525, Administration and Enforcement. In addition to the conditional use standards, the city planning commission shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors when determining the maximum height:

(1) Access to light and air of surrounding properties.
(2) Shadowing of residential properties, significant public spaces, or existing solar energy systems.
(3) The scale and character of surrounding uses.
(4) Preservation of views of landmark buildings, significant open spaces or water bodies."

https://library.municode.com/HTML/11490 ... .110INMAHE

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 1:31 pm
by twincitizen

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 1:44 pm
by acs
Now THAT is one nice looking project. Class A office, a hotel, a clinic, and retail, well worth the wait. With Mosaic II adding more office space/white collar jobs, uptown won't need downtown.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 1:53 pm
by HiawathaGuy
Curses! Their site is down!

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:06 pm
by twincitizen
Are you sure?

I just saved all of the images just in case they change their minds about making that stuff public!

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:17 pm
by HiawathaGuy
Are you sure?
Does that link work for anyone else? I can't get any of their web links to work - not just that one. So I don't think it's about not having something be public.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:24 pm
by Silophant
Works for me.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:36 pm
by HiawathaGuy
So odd. Clearly my work computer does not like that site! I just looked on my phone.
Agreed - gorgeous building!

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:41 pm
by mamundsen
So it's the vacant lot AND on top of the existing parking garage? Cool! I think it is great to see more and more of this "wrap" type of development.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:43 pm
by HiawathaGuy
So it's the vacant lot AND on top of the existing parking garage? Cool! I think it is great to see more and more of this "wrap" type of development.
Nope, just the vacant lot. The existing parking lot is behind this proposed development.

twincitizen, can you post some of the images?

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:47 pm
by Nathan
Definitely a nice concept that could flesh out really nicely.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 2:50 pm
by Chip Whitley
Would the 15,000 sq ft be enough for a Target Express? I know that's been discussed in the past.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 3:09 pm
by xandrex
Maybe this is just the language they use, but availability is listed as "soon" for office and retail spaces.
Would the 15,000 sq ft be enough for a Target Express? I know that's been discussed in the past.
I believe the Target Express in Dinkytown is 20,000 square feet and Highland Park will be 16,000 or so. So it wouldn't be out of the question.

Re: Uptown Hotel Discussion

Posted: February 19th, 2015, 3:14 pm
by twincitizen
As far as I know, Target Express has been discussed here on this forum, but not by Ackerberg or anyone that could possibly influence such things.

I'm guessing Ackerberg wants more exciting, dynamic tenants that fit the "Uptown vibe" which Ackerberg is big on, as well as something that would be used by hotel guests. Just look at his statements when he bought Calhoun Square.

And really, Target Express is just CVS with a different sign and 2 racks of clothes. It's nothing to get too excited about. CityTarget on the other hand is an actual store worth having, but I'm not sure this is the right location. If LA Fitness ever went away, I'd be intrigued by the idea of a Target Express going in the mall itself, as a way to take up some of the less attractive interior space. The parking is obviously available in the adjacent ramp, so it could work in that sense.

I'd bank on no Target presence in this specific development.