KCRag Forum

GRID wrote:Maybe they can refine it some and make it a more attractive tower for such a front and center location in the skyline. As designed, that building would look great in any other location, anywhere downtown, but I honestly think they could do better to make Three light contrast with Two light and also make Three Light a tad more "sexy".

I guess you take what you can get though. It should be nice from the street and from the P&L district.

StrangerThings wrote:On the topic of changing the design of Three Light...
...
It will be Cordish's 6th high-rise residential/hotel project, so as a company, we are learning by leaps and bounds over here. Over the next decade, you'll be seeing us pop up in several other major markets.

ldai_phs wrote:

GRID wrote:Maybe they can refine it some and make it a more attractive tower for such a front and center location in the skyline. As designed, that building would look great in any other location, anywhere downtown, but I honestly think they could do better to make Three light contrast with Two light and also make Three Light a tad more "sexy".

I guess you take what you can get though. It should be nice from the street and from the P&L district.

I think a change in height and girth would be the single greatest improvement that they could make.

TheLastGentleman wrote:A lot of new apartment buildings are just really ugly imo, and not just in kc. Not sure why everything has to look like a jenga set or grey shipping containers. On that front I actually commend the light towers for looking stable and being blue.

GRID wrote:The north sides of the cordish towers look great. It's the south sides that could use some improvements to break up the monotony.

StrangerThings wrote:As for the height and designs of the buildings. It really just comes down to several cost analysis that have been done. In order to be profitable (and not piles of cash, because residential buildings tend to be very long term commitments), you need X amount of units at X amount of money per unit right. So when you determine all of these things and settle on a budget of let's say 130 million, you're working within those parameters. It would be awesome to add 5-10 floors onto Three Light, but the additional construction cost isn't offset by the amount of rental income you can get. At some point, radical exterior designs get pushed aside in order to ensure a solid business plan is executed.

The only thing that will ever change and allow Cordish to build a taller and riskier building would be having a major employer move it's headquarters downtown. One that would see hundreds of employees making well above the national average income. CEO's, executives, Lawyers and the like. At this point, Cordish has to worry about function over fashion in regards to the exterior. People paying these market rate rents want nice units and great amenities so that's where the money goes. They don't want to live in an ugly building, but how often are they standing around looking at it?

I hope I'm not over explaining because most of you probably know all of this. Trust me when I say Cordish wants to build what you all are talking about. Look at some other projects they've done or are doing. They love big ideas and winning awards for urban design.

Our CEO who is 78 years old still goes to work everyday, served as Director of Urban Development Action Grant program under both President Carter and Reagan. He loves this shit! He wants to leave behind epic developments and buildings, but they've got to make money too.

StrangerThings wrote:The only thing that will ever change and allow Cordish to build a taller and riskier building would be having a major employer move it's headquarters downtown. One that would see hundreds of employees making well above the national average income. CEO's, executives, Lawyers and the like.

GRID wrote:
Speaking of Nashville, they just voted down their huge light rail plan. I was really surprised by that. Huge setback for the city. They are on their way to becoming the Denver upper south. But not if they don't improve their transit.

Highlander wrote:

GRID wrote:
Speaking of Nashville, they just voted down their huge light rail plan. I was really surprised by that. Huge setback for the city. They are on their way to becoming the Denver upper south. But not if they don't improve their transit.

Why are you surprised? It may be growing but it's still a pretty conservative southern city. There may be some progressive new arrivals that promote density and public transportation but I suspect the general populace sees them about like north Kansas Citians see people living in downtown apartments. Doesn't surprise me in the slightest.