That's what I thought as well. But maybe that investment firm is just going to let them hang themselves and be able to get a half built tower for pennies on the dollar compared to what they were in for originally.
New 32 story residential tower, 9 screen theater proposed for downtown Des Moines
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That's what I thought as well. But maybe that investment firm is just going to let them hang themselves and be able to get a half built tower for pennies on the dollar compared to what they were in for originally.
Any high-rise proposal in a city the size of Des Moines is a gamble. I hope both this one and the 29 story project with movie theater in Court Ave area gets built, If we can get one to pan out, that is a win. Both would be really incredible for the city. We'll see. 2017 should tell us a lot about the realities of both and what we'll end up with in the end. Doesn't hurt that big plans were revealed this week for the possibility of converting the Kaleidoscope Mall into a year-round market. That would be huge in increasing the attractiveness of living downtown.
Please do something with kaleidoscope mall. Please. Are they thinking like a Newbo Market type thing?
The 29 story proposal was never for Walnut and 5th (Court Ave area), it was the original Blackbird proposal which is now up to 33 floors. The one for 5th and Walnut is 32 floors.
Article in Register (include other projects too): http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...own-ideas-taking-baby-steps-forward/97895362/
OK...not only does lil' ole' Des Moines have two skyscrapers currently proposed, there are now suddenly two competing developers battling to build one on the site at Walnut/Court Ave & 5th.
Link to full Register story/video: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...l-pick-one-two-skyscraper-proposals/99444874/
Link to full Register story/video: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...l-pick-one-two-skyscraper-proposals/99444874/
^while I like some aspects of this new proposal, I'm sad to see Blackbird doesn't have a movie theater as part of their proposal. That said, it will just be a matter of time before someone else builds the theater somewhere downtown.
I am also more a fan of the original proposal. The new one also seems contingent on getting a good number of owners to buy-in before the tower would go up, which complicates things, and i have to wonder if this is designed to take away some competition for their other tower, which would be in the same 'luxury apartment' market as the original proposal.
And given this space has prime proximity to other entertainment options on court, i'd prefer an entertainment amenity that diversifies those options in a theater rather than the hotel on court.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...-site-city-council-decide-next-week/99578152/
I don't know specifics but really don't see how anyone can be for the Blackbird project. The project itself is less interesting they are already building one and the other proposal has been going on for two years.
I don't know specifics but really don't see how anyone can be for the Blackbird project. The project itself is less interesting they are already building one and the other proposal has been going on for two years.
Word is the City is going to go with Blackbird at 5th and Walnut. So Blackbird is putting up a 33 story tower at the old Younkers site and a potentially a 35 story tower at 5th and Walnut. I kind of liked Mandelbaum's proposal better, but that project was proposed 2 years ago and is not moving very fast. Maybe they can at least get some movie theaters at another location downtown.
Yeah.. im definitely more a fan of the mandelbaum proposal.
I still think its dubious that theyre going to get the coop off the ground, and i think a theater is much more of an add to court than a hotel. Sucks that we're going to lose out on that addition a second time after losing that to Hyvee just a couple years ago.
Does anyone even go to movies anymore? Seems like that industry is dying the same death as cable tv. And it's a total ripoff.
Yes, plenty still go. Theaters just have changed the experience they offer.
Like how? I see Flix as a totally different model that works but how else is that industry innovating? More comfortable seats??? Refillable disgusting popcorn bowls? That's it?
Its all about the experience. Flix is one way to do that. You can see it in the new theater out in altoona as well- beer, more comfortable seats, higher quality screens and audio. People still like seeing movies when they come out, especially when its the type of movie where you just cant beat the theater experience. I have a pretty solid system with a 65" screen and 7.1 audio, and its great for a lot of watching, but the theater is the peak experience for new releases.
I just dont go to movies anymore. I don't even know anyone that has gone to a movie theater for a movie that didn't have "Star Wars" in the title for like 10 years. I'm not buying any stock in it that's for sure.
Court Ave needs a hookah lounge, a head shop, some chatch shops, and a titty bar imo.
Court Ave needs a hookah lounge, a head shop, some chatch shops, and a titty bar imo.
Are there zoning restrictions against some of those (especially the last one)? Feel like it'd be a goldmine downtown..
Different strokes, I guess.
Even though I have a pretty nice home theater, I still can't create the visuals and sounds that a state of the art movie theater can. Also, I wash my refillable popcorn bowls between trips, so...
I don't go to many movies other than those that IMO benefit from being on the big screen/sound system.
IMO there are enough specifics in the Register article to provide a pretty good clue as to why the city might be leaning to Blackbird. 1) project will be done sooner including the much needed parking ramp, 2) far less in incentives needed by the city, 3) Blackbird is offering to rebuilding the nearby intersection and also extending the skywalk all the way to Court Ave. . Outside of the article, one has to seriously wonder if DM can support two high-rise luxury apartment buildings going up around the same time.
I don't want to lose the movie theater, but fiscally speaking the Blackbird project is a lot less risk for the city I believe.
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