Berkman Plaza 2

[ricker]

It will never be finished, the developer already pulled out when the real estate market went south, and there is no market anymore that would support a condo building that size in that location. It will end up getting demolished.

You seem very sure.

I am not.

Would you mind making your case for why the existing shell absolutely could not be used for anything?
(I realize I am assuming the work to date is in acceptable condition)

I look forward to learning quite possibly why the structure absolutely cannot be integrated into any vision of the future for the Ship Yards.

I am not attempting to aggravate or irritate.

Win me over.

I just hate waste.

[ChriswUfGator]

The market for condos is not what it was when that project was begun, I don't know that current demand especially in that area would support the sales prices required to make it economically viable.

[coredumped]

If the developer jumped shipped on it - who owns it now?

As for using it for a movie, it's probably cheaper to do that with computers:)

[ChriswUfGator]

If the developer jumped shipped on it - who owns it now?

As for using it for a movie, it's probably cheaper to do that with computers:)

It's owned by whatever shell corporation the developer started up to limit liability.

[Scrub Palmetto]

I wish someone could evaluate the structure and put an end to the speculation about whether it will HAVE to be demolished or not.

There is precedent for this sort of thing. Here in Kansas City, the construction of a concrete high rise apartment building was halted in 1930 due to the stock market crash. It was left exposed for about 14 years before finally being completed in the mid-1940s. I'm sure there are other examples from the same era.

This is how it looked in 1940, after a decade of extreme winters and summers (KC has both):



This is it today:



It wasn't as exposed as Berkman II, but the top 3 floors were, and none of the others had windows.

[ricker]

THANK YOU ^

Even if berkman 2 (needs a new name BTW)  never gets any taller, it does not even HAVE to be residences, right?

[mtraininjax]

I am not sure it is structurally sound. I know I would not want to go through it or live there, based on what transpired there.

[jaxjags]

This building was not built by same contractor as the garage and used different construction methods. Concrete structures can withstand weather many years, example EverBank Field. The abandoned units in Mandarin have finally found an investor, and if the price is right,  the same might happen at Berkman II.

[ben says]

I've never understood the whole wanting to live across from the jail thing...

[thelakelander]

I think the draw would be the river and downtown. You just happen to also be next to a jail and a coffee plant.

[mtraininjax]

This building was not built by same contractor as the garage and used different construction methods.

Good luck selling that upstream without a paddle. LOL!

Somehow death trumps living on the river....

[tufsu1]

It will never be finished, the developer already pulled out when the real estate market went south, and there is no market anymore that would support a condo building that size in that location. It will end up getting demolished.

I'm sure people said the same thing about the condos off Baymeadows...and they are under construction again...with prices north of $400k

[I-10east]

I've never understood the whole wanting to live across from the jail thing...

I wouldn't have any detrimental NIMBY-esque feeling living somewhere like that. Don't forget, most importantly it's also across from JSO. I wouldn't call that anything unique either (urban detention center with nearby housing). I would have that 'weird and unsafe' feeling living nearby a suburban or rural jail moreso than across the street from an urban jail with adjoining police HQ. 

[hightowerlover]

Living across the street from a jail provides a constant stream of live urban street entertainment.  It's like being in law & order re-runs, everyday! Plus it has to be one of the safest areas in all downtown due to the police presence.

[ben says]

Anyone know the occupancy rate of B1?

I enjoy many of you trying to make light of the whole across from the jail thing...and I pretty much agree with you. But that's one hell of a hard sell...especially to people potentially dropping a few hundred thousand on a new place. While we all say "who cares about the jail for XYZ reasons"--most people in the market for a new place aren't thinking along those lines.