ragerunner

Yes, its the new Westin Hotel. They are building a new Westin residential tower next to it.

Here is Part 2 of the Downtown Providence area.

I really enjoyed downtown "Down City" Providence. It had a great mix of old and new architecture, shopping, dining and culture. I would go back in a heartbeat. I will have part 2 later.

ColDayMan, One final question, have you ever visited Columbus, IN?

MayDay and ColDayMan, Thanks for helping to making my point, you could fit Columbus' entire downtown into one of the big C's neighborhoods, and within that small area you would have more than a dozen famous architectural buildings (in downtown alone). That is why this little town is so impressive. While they could improve, just like about every American city, they have worked on good sidewalk connectivity and the people trail that connects all the main parks is now over 12 miles in length. They also have a functioning bus system that doesn't just go to two spots. So yes, for a small town I think this is pretty impressive. If only other cities (not just Ohio) would put this much effort into transit, public space and sidewalks (per person) as Columbus has American cities and town would be a much better place to live. With that said, the big C's do have some very good modern architecture. University Circle area in Cleveland, University of Cincinnati, etc... But, from your comments ColDayMan on Columbus and modern architecture I would say you are not a fan of UC's modern architecture movement or Peter B. Lewis building at University Circle and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland since these place would only be 'novelties'. Finally, while Columbus is famous for its modern architecture it also has done a very good job at restoring its historic buildings throughout downtown and around the city. So in many ways they have done what many European cities have done, preserve the past, embrace the future (architecturally) and value greenspace and the pedestrian. With that said, I am note sure this conversation is about architecture, substainability, pedestrian design, etc... This is more about a couple of you feeling my comment about the amount of famous architecture in Columbus was more than the 3 C's. So, I take back that comment since I can't verify it even though, I firmly believe if you asked most architects (putting the size of the city aside), which of the following 4 cities have the best modern architecture, Columbus, IN, Cleveland, Cincinnati, or Columbus, OH they would pic Columbus, IN in a heartbeat.

If you want a big city environment then Columbus (39,000) is not a place for you. But, if you were looking for a small town that has big city architecture, parks and design then you would be hard press to find a better community. Also, you are right, it is one of the great outdoor museums for architecture in America.

I don't consider quality architecture (old and new - they have both), historic preservation, good pedestrian design and landscaping a novelty. I call it sustainability. Many great European cities have focus on these same items and I would not consider them a novelty either.

First mayday I never said it was a bustling metropolis, I said that its downtown is very lively for a city of 39,000 people with several large corporations headquarted there. Second, that article is correct, architecture alone will not create utopia and that was the focus of the article. But, quality architecture along with good parks, focus on design and historical preservation definitely moves a community forward economically and socially over many of its counterparts. This is what Columbus has achieved, for a small industrial city in the midwest, it has done very well for its self. Third, the American Institute of Architects surveyed 829 of its members in 1991. They ranked Columbus sixth among U.S. cities in architectural quality and innovation. Only Chicago, New York City, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Boston were ranked higher in the survey. While I can't 'verify' that its has more noted buildings than the 3C, just as you can't 'verify' its doesn't, I don't see any of them on this list.

This town probably has more noted architectual buildings then probably all of Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland put together. The downtown is very much alive (for a small city of 39,000), almost all the historic buildings have been restored and there is a great mix of modern architecture throughout the downtown as well. They have a great park system, a people trail that connects all city parks together and during the daytime there are 1,000s of office workers with companies like Irwin Financial and Cummins Engine Company having their corporate headquarters downtown. Yes, its does have its suburban shopping areas, just like most cities in America, but they have worked hard to connect them with sidewalks, have good design guidelines for the buildings and landscaping. They could focus more on Mixed Use, which they are starting to do. If only all of our midwest cities (big and small) could be this progressive in design, and development it would truly change the economics and quality of life of the midwest in a positive way.

While I support as much residential as economically possible, those numbers are really high. Either they expect downtown Cincy to start consuming residential units at a MUCH higher rate, or they plan on having a ten year buildout for the project?

Yes, I'm sure that a sporting event entertainment restaurant would want to be across the river from their main drawing points. As for the other entertainment venues that went to Nky...it was due to timelines/incentives. But I guess Cincinnati should have done the same thing as Nky and gave in to the "crybaby millionaires". This way Cincinnati could have kept these projects on the Ohio side.......oh wait you condemned that kind of behavior with your next comment: Cincinnati just can't win with you....and many others for that matter. When Cincy doesn't give in to developers, they are quote: dragging their feet, and losing out to Nky....again. But when Cincy does offer some incentives and keep/attract new businesses/enterprises they are quote: throwing money away at stupid entertainment projects that only some people use. Well to be quite honest......I AM AWFULLY DAMN TIRED OF THIS KIND OF ATTITUDE AND COMMENTARY FROM CINCINNATIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It seems as though no matter what Cincinnati does....that it is wrong! This is BS, should Cincy have gotten the aquarium and then experienced the same struggles it is having at NOTL...it would have been: "Cincinnati needs to bail out its struggling aquarium, I mean its great for fish lovers and families, but I don't really care about it...it was a waste to begin with". I could go on, but I will stop here....I need to lower my blood pressure, these kinds of things get me REALLY ticked off!!!!!!! I'm tired of hearing the hypocritical comments out of every Cincinnatian who thinks that they are just being realistic. UncleRando, You are to young to get this worked up!!! I think Cincy has a very good chance of quieting the nay Sayers over the next 5 to 6 years. The Banks is finally on the right track, Fountain Square is nearing completion and the residential base is growing downtown. These three things have a very good chance of turning downtown into a MAJOR success story. The only thing that may slowdown this is the overall downturn in the US economy. I can't wait to take friends and family members to the new downtown Cincy.

Maybe they will build a mixed use lifestyle center there. That would be a huge move for the city of Middletown.

Were are the bicycle racks and the residential units on the second floor?

I thought the Banks was part of the CBD. Along with the stadiums and riverfront.

Tulsa, OK

I really enjoyed your downtown views. It from angles you normally don't see.

If this monster gets built, I am sure it will change its looks several times (I hope). This would be Newport's Museum Tower (Louisville style). OUCH!!!

While I am not a big supporter of greenfield development. I would prefer to see the development community build a project like The Greene than another strip center or mall. At least there will be residential, retail and office all in one development. To me, that is a step in the right direction for the region. Now lets hope the development community and citizens are will to take the next step, greater density, and mass transit. On a side note: A turn environmental movement should recognize the only way to preserve nature is to create greater density in the current built environment, thus reducing the demand for spawl. Growth will happen, its just a matter of what type of growth. These people do realize that they are suburbanites and are part of the problem, not the solution.

Very true...I couldn't agree with you more. These developments across the nation are consistantly leaving out middle and lower-class America. I believe that this kind of development needs to become more mainstream in order for it to start reaching middle-class America. Its just too unique right now for everyone to have it (not my concept, but rather capitalism's concept). :| While many of the homes in the Village of West Clay are expensive, the condos near the town square are starting in the mid 100s. I would consider that affordable to middle class. In Fishers (another town on the northside of Indy) M/I is building new urbanist neighborhoods with homes starting around 150,000. So, some of the prices for starter homes in these new urbanist developments are affordable to middle income america. But, I agree overall they still have a way to go. Sorry for the messed up quote above.

While many of the homes in the Village of West Clay are expensive, the condos near the town square are starting in the mid 100s. I would consider that affordable to middle class. In Fishers (another town on the northside of Indy) M/I is building new urbanist neighborhoods with homes starting around 150,000. So, some of the prices for starter homes in these new urbanist developments are affordable to middle income america. But, I agree overall they still have a way to go. Very true...I couldn't agree with you more. These developments across the nation are consistantly leaving out middle and lower-class America. I believe that this kind of development needs to become more mainstream in order for it to start reaching middle-class America. Its just too unique right now for everyone to have it (not my concept, but rather capitalism's concept). :|

Yes, you are right, downtown Indy is very clean and safe, and there are a lot of national restaurants and stores (maybe that is a sign of a strong market). But, the place is alive after 5 o'clock and on the weekends and most midwest downtowns can not say that. The wide sidewalks were put in so that the city could allow all the sidewalked cafes (and there a bunch of them). With that said, there are a lot of local restaurants downtown, Malibu on Maryland (its in one of the pictures) the famous St. Elmo's, but most of the local scene is in the Mass. Avenue district in the northeast section of downtown. That is were a lot of the local restaurants, art galleries, and the main theater district is located. The architecture is historical and their are 1,000s of residential units. I think this part of downtown would give you what you thought was missing. I think the average citizen doesn't want 'urban grit' they want a place that is clean, safe, alive 24/7 and easy to navigate. Maybe more midwest downtown should lose the 'urban girt' and they might find a future or keep the 'urban girt' and continue to have vacant store fronts and empty streets after 5 and on the weekend. I personally would take a downtown that is alive over the ones that are dead. Here is a link to Mass Avenue district website http://www.discovermassave.com/home.cfm

Nice photos. So, when are you going to buy one of those new condos? What downtown mall in the midwest is better than Circle Center. Maybe the mall at John Hancock building in Chicago, but that would be the only one I can think of.

While some of the development is on green fields. The downtown development and Gramercy will be on redevelopment sites, not green fields. I would also like to see more and more redevelopment then green field development. Not just in Indy or Carmel but across the midwest.

Great pics UncleRando, Carmel and the Indy area is really starting to implement smart growth, sustainable principles. (Not perfect, but they are on their way) Now, if we only could get the Civic leaders and developers to support and build more of these projects in the Cincy area. Maybe one of the communities in the Cincy area will started the movement. Lets see... I wonder which community that might be?

Your on to something......you could re-subdivide the parcel into 1 acre lots. You could draw those West Chesterites back into the core. I can see it now: gate off the new homes from the existing neighborhoods, and set the homes off, their private roads, about 50 ft.!! UncleRando, I see a great future for you as an urban planner. The NIMBYs are going to love you.