ATLANTA | Aquarius | 501 FT / 153 M | 38 FLOORS [Archive]

ATLmangum

Feb 13, 2007, 8:03 PM

I couldn't resist, I had to create a thread for this project.

This is a proposed condo project near the GA. Aquarium across from Centennial Park in Atlanta, Ga.

38 stories and 501ft., though it might end up taller.

Awsome, this will definitely the best looking condo tower in Atlanta, IMHO.

http://aquariustower.com/images/01.jpg http://aquariustower.com/images/02.gif
http://aquariustower.com/images/05.jpghttp://aquariustower.com/images/03.jpg
http://aquariustower.com/images/07.jpghttp://aquariustower.com/images/08.jpg

ATLmangum

Feb 13, 2007, 8:07 PM

Aquarius website:

http://aquariustower.com/

cactuspunk

Feb 13, 2007, 8:25 PM

That looks very cool. Can't wait to see this one rise!

Broccoli

Feb 13, 2007, 8:28 PM

That's only a few blocks from where I work... and I think that looks really sharp.

SteveD

Feb 13, 2007, 9:31 PM

Looks beautiful...very promising! This would add some much needed east-west dimension to the downtown skyline too...

Stratosphere 2020

Feb 13, 2007, 9:31 PM

Looks great, though I thought Atlanta's condo market was cooling off.

john3eblover

Feb 13, 2007, 9:44 PM

:slob:

galaca

Feb 13, 2007, 10:22 PM

Very nice! :worship:

ClaySkyHigh

Feb 14, 2007, 12:41 AM

That will be a very nice addition to infill that area !! Could that be the project I read about in this Mondays paper in the Horizon section of the metro section that mentioned a big project off Luckie St. ????????

scguy

Feb 14, 2007, 11:56 PM

No that was the already well known Hilton Garden Inn already going up. I really like this one! Should be a great addition to Downtown.

James2390

Feb 15, 2007, 4:08 AM

This must be built! Downtown really needs a signature residential tower.

Dale

Feb 15, 2007, 4:08 AM

Looks great, though I thought Atlanta's condo market was cooling off.

Cooling off, yes. Stopping, no.

ATLmangum

Feb 15, 2007, 9:11 PM

Remember too that the condo market has been going strong in Midtown and Buckhead for about 5 years now. Downtown is in its infant stages. Think of it as the calm before the storm. I think that this project will have a similar affect on Downtown that Metropolis had on Midtown 4 or 5 years ago.

wolfram

Feb 15, 2007, 11:19 PM

it's got all the right cliches:

ambiguous name.
lots of glass.
curved in plan.
curved bit at the top.

the good views seal the deal.

advice: buy a condo and move to downtown atlanta.

Atlantaholic

Feb 16, 2007, 4:17 AM

Can anyone pin a likely location on this project?

Wheelingman04

Feb 16, 2007, 5:28 AM

Looks fabulous.

gttx

Feb 16, 2007, 2:56 PM

Can anyone pin a likely location on this project?

Ivan Allen and Luckie

smArTaLlone

Feb 18, 2007, 7:32 PM

The Business Chronicle reports that Aquarius "should" break ground in May.

ClaySkyHigh

Feb 20, 2007, 3:29 AM

I hope they stick to schedual !!!! would be nice to see the newest addition that far west of the downtown area !! Atlanta probably would of had lots more Skyscrapers all around Midtown and downtown if the Downtown connector wasn't where it was today.

LoveAtlanta

Mar 5, 2007, 12:09 AM

WOW beautiful i wanna live there

ThrashATL

Mar 7, 2007, 12:35 AM

Haven't seen anyone mention it (I profusely apologize if this is old news) but the Aquarius Tower website has been updated... INCREDIBLE!

http://aquariustower.com/

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s313/thrashatl/aquarius_top.jpghttp://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s313/thrashatl/aquarius_interior.jpghttp://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s313/thrashatl/aquarius_overview.jpg

CGII

Mar 7, 2007, 12:48 AM

This is the age of Aquarius.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

galaca

Mar 7, 2007, 1:20 AM

Looks great! That building is going to have some amazing views.

john3eblover

Mar 7, 2007, 1:30 AM

man that thing looks great. seeing it with the GA aquarium in the picture gives me a better perspective of where it will be and how it will look.

supastar

Mar 7, 2007, 11:56 AM

finally an architect has figured out how to incorporate wind turbines and make them beautiful PLUS, it really compliments the aquarium nicely.

ATLmangum

Mar 7, 2007, 3:56 PM

smArTaLlone

Mar 7, 2007, 5:38 PM

Haven't seen anyone mention it (I profusely apologize if this is old news) but the Aquarius Tower website has been updated... INCREDIBLE!
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s313/thrashatl/aquarius_overview.jpg

Aquarius is one awesome project!

briantech

Mar 8, 2007, 1:27 PM

I drive past that intersection every day on my way to work. They've been in construction on a project immediately across the street for a couple months now :

www.luckiefoodlounge.com 350 seat restaurant, billiards, rooftop bar.

then, right across the street, about two weeks ago they hung a big black poster / tarp thing over the old "Philly Boys" shit hole restaurant that says "Aquarius: Coming soon"

that little area is about to be nice as hell. now if only the could shut down the homeless shelter that's one block away. that, by itself, is keeping that entire area stuck in the ghetto.

ATLmangum

Mar 8, 2007, 4:28 PM

I drive past that intersection every day on my way to work. They've been in construction on a project immediately across the street for a couple months now :

[url]...that little area is about to be nice as hell. now if only the could shut down the homeless shelter that's one block away. that, by itself, is keeping that entire area stuck in the ghetto.

I couldn't agree with you more on that one. Its too bad the city just opted to put more money into that place instead of shutting it down and moving it somewhere else (I'm not 100% sure on that.) Unfortunately, those things are like landfills...no one wants them in their neck of the woods.

It will be a matter of time though before that thing is shut down, though. With all the positive development going on in that area investors will start calling for its closing or they will threaten to look elsewhere.

MarketsWork

Mar 10, 2007, 1:31 PM

It will be a matter of time though before that thing is shut down, though. With all the positive development going on in that area investors will start calling for its closing or they will threaten to look elsewhere.

I agree. As this trend continues in this area, I believe the land will become so valuable that developers and their investors will pay to build a replacement homeless shelter elsewhere. Since expansion further to the west is blocked by the massive Georgia World Congress Center, buildable space is very limited and this area might fill up very quickly. Somebody is already sitting on these properties, making the calculations.

Who'da thunk this area would regenerate so quickly? Certainly not me! I am absolutely flabbergasted by all that's happening to the west of Centennial Park. If built, Aquarius will be a milestone for the area, because it will add permanent residents in a signature tower. From the high ground west of the park, skyline views of Downtown and Midtown are incredible -- and as new highrise growth completely rims the eastern and southern edges of the park, it will only get better. And to think I turned down an opportunity to invest in a nearby property just a few years ago...

alleystreetindustry

Mar 10, 2007, 10:07 PM

it is going to be very nice in the near future when you drive down 75/85 south and see ivan allen, twelve centennial, and aquarius completed. i can't wait.

MarketsWork

Mar 11, 2007, 3:38 PM

it is going to be very nice in the near future when you drive down 75/85 south and see ivan allen, twelve centennial, and aquarius completed. i can't wait.

Don't let Andrea know you drive on the Connector -- she might mistake you for a suburbanite driving nonstop through Shangri La to another suburb, and shoot out your tires! Tell her you look forward to the southward pedestrian view from the 5th Street Bridge...

alleystreetindustry

Mar 12, 2007, 1:48 AM

Don't let Andrea know you drive on the Connector -- she might mistake you for a suburbanite driving nonstop through Shangri La to another suburb, and shoot out your tires! Tell her you look forward to the southward pedestrian view from the 5th Street Bridge...

that is kind of... scary. but trust me, i am certainly no suburbanite. the only time i drive down the connector is on my way to the airport which has only taken place once. you see, i only have my permit. the connector is plenty good at scaring a young person as myself from driving on it.

alleystreetindustry

Mar 12, 2007, 1:49 AM

oh, and i look forward to the southern view from the pedestrian walkway on the 5th street bridge.

JBinCalgary

Mar 12, 2007, 5:52 AM

great looking tower

netdragon

Mar 12, 2007, 4:51 PM

I thought this was that building going up near Alexander street that I see on my drive in every day, looks very similiar, but according to the Aquarius Tower's site saying it will be at the intersection of Luckie street, it can't be the same building.

mthq

Mar 13, 2007, 5:49 AM

This is the age of Aquarius.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

damn, I was gonna say that.

ATLksuGUY

Mar 17, 2007, 12:57 AM

A W E S O M E . . . First robotic parking in ATL, first wind turbine incorperated in a building in ATL, first solar panels use in large office building(i think) in ATL, and im sure theres more firsts. I love this new era of "green" and functional buildings. Bottom line is this building could possibly be iconic for atlanta, even though its kinda short.. I will bring shovels and digg myself if they want to break ground tomorrow. seriously

smArTaLlone

Mar 22, 2007, 3:43 PM

Developer Eyes Summer Start for Aquarius -Globest.com

ATLANTA-Lily Development LLC plans to begin construction in the summer on the $60-million Aquarius Tower. The 38-story, 112-unit condominium project will rise at the corner of Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard and Luckie Street.

The one-, two- and three-bedroom units will range in size from 850 sf to 2,100 sf. Prices will range from the $300,000s to $900,000s, with prices for the four penthouses ranging from $1 million to $2.5 million. Among features are a 24-hour concierge, swimming pool with two-story sundeck, spa, exercise room and media room. Sales and marketing of the units are being handled by Team Spirit Realty & Investment. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2009.

Lily Development president Antonio Escandari tells GlobeSt.com that almost 45% of the units have been sold. Located across from the Georgia Aquarium, the mast-like frame of the project will complement the aquarium’s boat-shaped design while giving all of the homes southern exposure and unobstructed views of Centennial Olympic Park. The project is one of several under construction Downtown, such as the new World of Coca-Cola museum. “The location is incredible; it’s been our biggest selling point,” Escandari says.

Designed by PFVS Architects, Inc., the 240,000-sf tower will be the first condominium project in Georgia to incorporate solar and wind energy into its design. The rooftop solar panels will harness the power of the sun and the wind turbines will channel high winds into usable energy. The tower will have other sustainable features, such as the use of recycled building materials and thermally efficient products. Escandari says he decided to incorporate green features mainly for philosophical reasons. “It’s costly, but we’re finding ways to do it,” he says.

galaca

Mar 22, 2007, 4:02 PM

Lily Development president Antonio Escandari tells GlobeSt.com that almost 45% of the units have been sold.

I didn't even know it was on sale! Awesome! :tup:

alleystreetindustry

Mar 25, 2007, 2:58 AM

this will add to yet an already large list of existing leed buildings in atlanta (of which has the most per capita). what a beautiful thing. now if every building was this "smart".

some_stupid_nut

Mar 25, 2007, 3:53 AM

What other buildings have wind turbines in them. This can't be the first, can it???

Holy shit this place is awsome. Check out the futuristic parking system. People, you have to go to the website and check this out.

Nope, Bahrain WTC has them.

This one incorporates them into the design so nicely though! You might no notice them!

scguy

Apr 2, 2007, 12:02 AM

I wonder how tall this one will be....especially with that sail and spire which looks to add an additional 150-200 ft. Im guessing the whole thing to top of spire will be close to 600 ft.
...Not bad for a 38 story condo tower...if thats the case!

john3eblover

Apr 2, 2007, 1:11 AM

I believe the height will be 501 ft.

peacefu603

Apr 2, 2007, 1:27 AM

Cool!

vanman

Apr 2, 2007, 4:09 AM

This is one friggin cool project, very unique

gttx

Apr 2, 2007, 4:51 AM

according to mayhem, they've started demolition on the site!

mayhem

Apr 4, 2007, 3:10 AM

Site is cleared. :)

atlnative

Apr 4, 2007, 3:22 AM

Does anyone have any site pics?

ATL_Solja

Apr 6, 2007, 3:40 PM

Nothing like an architecture firm in Roswell/Sandy Springs area making Atlanta's first 'green' tower, what happened to practice what you preach?

MarketsWork

Apr 6, 2007, 4:02 PM

Nothing like an architecture firm in Roswell/Sandy Springs area making Atlanta's first 'green' tower, what happened to practice what you preach?

What in the world does that mean? In my book, the act of designing is practice, and not mere preaching. I guess no good deed goes unpunished...

DetroitSky

Apr 6, 2007, 8:43 PM

Interesting design, I like it.

ATL_Solja

Apr 7, 2007, 8:13 PM

What in the world does that mean? In my book, the act of designing is practice, and not mere preaching. I guess no good deed goes unpunished...

I think this 'new era of green' is great and wish all the new projects made use of available technologies like solar and wind power, but we need to remember that these advancements in sustainable devolpment mean nothing if larger cultural issues are not addressed. PFVS Architects are located outside of the city, so I was really just noting the comedy of the first 'green' tower in Atlanta being designed by a firm that promotes the suburbs--a practice that is more detrimental to the environment than a few solar panels and wind turbines can make up for.

Sacto

Apr 8, 2007, 11:05 PM

Very nice building, has somewhat of a sexy look to it.

oldpainless

Apr 9, 2007, 5:08 PM

PFVS Architects are located outside of the city, so I was really just noting the comedy of the first 'green' tower in Atlanta being designed by a firm that promotes the suburbs--a practice that is more detrimental to the environment than a few solar panels and wind turbines can make up for.
At one point the area around Aquarius was probably considered out in the country too. Its all relative.

hi123

Apr 17, 2007, 12:44 AM

I hope this tower gets built!

smArTaLlone

Apr 27, 2007, 4:49 PM

The more I learn of this project the more I'm amazed. I was trying to figure out how are they going to have an outdoor swimming pool in this building but I now see that its just above the lobby.

alleystreetindustry

Apr 29, 2007, 8:10 PM

are those solar panels i see on the 'fin' of the building just behind the antenna?

smArTaLlone

May 2, 2007, 1:42 PM

are those solar panels i see on the 'fin' of the building just behind the antenna?

Yeah there are solar panels on this building.

atlnative

May 25, 2007, 4:45 AM

When is constuction suppose to begin?

mayhem

Jun 15, 2007, 7:02 PM

When is constuction suppose to begin?

They were supposed to begin in May, but there hasn't been any activity at the site yet.

jgw99

Jun 20, 2007, 1:11 AM

Hi folks, just joined after too much lurking. If I can make this work, here is a site pic taken last week. You can see the Aquarius banner on the fence. I was standing with my back to the aquarium parking deck. (Double-click for full size)

Thank you all for a great site.

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/6770/2068196140099922062S425x425Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2068196140099922062EJLwJk)

JoLeMaMa

Aug 28, 2007, 5:04 PM

Does anyone have a rendering that includes the exact location of this building? And - does anyone know when construction is expected?

MarketsWork

Aug 28, 2007, 9:35 PM

Does anyone have a rendering that includes the exact location of this building? And - does anyone know when construction is expected?

Paging Terminus...

mayhem

Aug 28, 2007, 10:29 PM

They were supposed to break ground in May. They're still parking cars there for the Aquarium atm. I think they have to wait for their land to be reassembled for the extension of Ivan Allen. They demolished the building at the SW corner of Luckie and Ivan Allen which is a step forward in the road work. That was also supposed to begin many months ago but has been delayed as most everything is on this side of town. Streetscape improvements were promised years ago for Marietta St.

ATLksuGUY

Sep 18, 2007, 2:24 AM

been a while. Any new news??

JoLeMaMa

Sep 21, 2007, 4:11 AM

I logged on for the exact question ATLksuGUY.
Anybody out there?!:hmmm:

joecool

Sep 27, 2007, 11:33 PM

I just shot them an email. Hopfully I will hear back from them soon. I thought they said fall they wouold break ground.

echinatl

Sep 28, 2007, 1:43 PM

:previous: Let us know when and if they reply!

ajdelo

Nov 5, 2007, 9:08 PM

Well, since the most recent discussion today in the ATLIV thread that the area seems to be getting fenced off, I figured I'd bump this to the top and see if someone could post a rendering of it's exact location.

gttx

Nov 6, 2007, 5:43 AM

http://lh5.google.com/danny.oshaughnessy/Ry_-3CqNIMI/AAAAAAAAAQs/w6a_Z4s_ZQA/aquarius%20location.JPG?imgmax=912

mayhem

Nov 6, 2007, 7:16 AM

http://www.shadowlawrecordings.com/development/aquarius_site.jpg

GTTX, you beat me to it. Might as well post this up since I did it earlier.

Westsidelife

Nov 6, 2007, 7:20 AM

This one's a beauty.

echinatl

Nov 6, 2007, 2:51 PM

gttxs' picture not appearing for me. Can anyone else see it? It's only a matter of time until my work starts blocking and filtering certain content, could they have started today... :(

SteveD

Nov 6, 2007, 3:03 PM

ech I've got an x for gttx's image too

atl2phx

Nov 6, 2007, 3:26 PM

ech I've got an x for gttx's image too

i see it, a google map of the COP area with a red box on the aquarius site.

echinatl

Nov 6, 2007, 5:27 PM

Well now I can see Mayhems' pic. Weird, not a big deal though I guess. I think that area really needs a tower though, hopefully it will spur more development for the area.

ATL_sKyHigh

Nov 6, 2007, 5:29 PM

finally an architect has figured out how to incorporate wind turbines and make them beautiful PLUS, it really compliments the aquarium nicely.

HA! IMO those wind turbines and solar panels are all a marketing ploy. I highly doubt that the turbines will even produce any energy in their current configuration. Looks like the wind will blow right around the vertical spire that houses the turbines.

AND...the solar panels...if they are just on the top portion of the building, there is only so much space for the panels. That equates to only a minimal amount of actual generated electricity.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for alternative energy attempts, but it seems like more a marketing strategy than an actual attempt to generate a measurable amount of energy.

ATL_sKyHigh

Nov 6, 2007, 5:34 PM

All of the renderings for Aquarius show the rounded facade. If you look at the plans there are two flat facades. I wonder what the back of this thing looks like?!?

echinatl

Nov 6, 2007, 5:47 PM

Looking at the area where the parking lot is, will that entire block be leveled? It looks like there’s a lot of "stuff" there.

Also, technology is always improving. Newer wind turbines produce more power in less space so you never know. The same goes with solar panels. The building could be designed to channel wind directly to the turbines which could keep them going 24/7 at optimal speed.

The robotic parking deck is what I’m looking forward to seeing the most though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E8ea5-20lI

Even if it is just a marketing ploy it's still a good one, as it is working on me and I wish I could live there:)

MarketsWork

Nov 6, 2007, 8:18 PM

Even if it is just a marketing ploy it's still a good one, as it is working on me...

I had to chuckle when I read that statement, because you really said it all!

mayhem

Nov 17, 2007, 12:04 AM

They're starting road work on Ivan Allen's extension. Some heavy machinery is doing something, not really sure what but it looks like they're drilling to get rid of some metal poles in a parking lot up the street.

MarketsWork

Nov 17, 2007, 5:24 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but just how far will the IAB extension go? To the intersection with Marietta Street?

mayhem

Nov 18, 2007, 2:48 AM

Pardon my ignorance, but just how far will the IAB extension go? To the intersection with Marietta Street?

As far as I recall, it will go all the way to Northside. Part of the expansion is redoing the Jones Ave bridge over the railroad tracks.

Whiffle

Dec 27, 2007, 5:36 PM

Does anyone know the latest on this project?

Xeelee

Dec 28, 2007, 4:14 PM

surely this tower will redefine atlanta's skyline.

echinatl

Jan 1, 2008, 11:24 PM

I ran past the site yesterday and nothing really new has happened. I also noticed the parking lot was still operational.

JoLeMaMa

Mar 7, 2008, 3:18 AM

I can only hope that rumors for this one to begin construction this spring are true... any word? :sly:

civilexpert

Mar 10, 2008, 2:05 PM

Imagine the decorating potential of these condos in Aquarius. I'd have an aquarium on every wall, and I'd get one of those aquarium coffee tables too;)

I think we need to have associations similar to Manhattan and make sure the people moving here care about conservation of our reefs. I'm not joking in that regard.

Its very unfortunate that everything in Atlanta is being built to look stale and cheap with concrete walls and ductwork. I hope they keep the college brats and thugs out of this one.