SkyscraperPage Forum - CHARLOTTE, NC | Four First Union | 1,300+ FT / 396+ M | 100 FLOORS

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- - CHARLOTTE, NC | Four First Union | 1,300+ FT / 396+ M | 100 FLOORS | NEVER BUILT (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154265)

CHARLOTTE, NC | Four First Union | 1,300+ FT / 396+ M | 100 FLOORS | NEVER BUILT

Four First Union

http://www.pbase.com/bz3rk/image/100057147.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/bz3rk/image/100057153.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/bz3rk/image/100057150.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/bz3rk/image/100057154.jpg

Four First Union Center was conceived in 1999 during strong economic conditions, but was canceled during the recession of 2000-2001.
It was conceived to have approximately 80 usable floors. A pyramidal crown and spire would have brought the total height up to about 100 stories and over 1,300 feet, making it among the five tallest buildings in the US and among the 10 tallest in the world.
The building would have encompassed an entire city block in Uptown Charlotte, and due to its unique design, the floors in the middle would have had the greatest floor area.
Was to be constructed atop the site currently occupied by Wachovia Main.
Would have featured both an observation floor and an amphitheater.

Emporis.com

First Union planning 100-story tower
Charlotte Business Journal January 20th, 1999

Quote:

First Union Corp. is finalizing plans for an 80-story uptown headquarters tower that will likely include an ornamental crown stretching its height to more than 100 stories, making it one of the world's tallest buildings.

Sources close to the project say KPF will present four options for the tower -- all reaching at least 100 stories -- to First Union Thursday. A 100-story tower would likely reach more than 1,300 feet, putting it among the nation's five tallest buildings and among the 10 tallest in the world.

The 60-story NationsBank Corporate Center, by comparison, is 871-feet tall, ranking 22nd in height in the United States.

While KPF refuses comment on any aspect of the project, others close to the development say Crutchfield has personally weighed in on numerous details. He wants a modern skyscraper with a classical top that comes to a point at its apex. Each design under consideration calls for 80 stories of occupied space, with a top that adds at least 200 feet in height.

First Union tower plans toppled

First Union bought Wachovia and took their name, and now are finally building a new headquarters in Charlotte, the 764 FT Wachovia Corporate Center.

I live only two hours from Charlotte and never even knew about this proposal until now. Interesting to say the least.

kind of has the chrysler/empire building resemblence. the shape and the crown...

Totally forgot about this one.

Looks nice, it's a shame it was never built. The crown portion almost reminds me of Mobile Alabama's tallest (can't remember its name).

I totally remember this, I like the first design, the second one not so much.

This is personally one of my favorite unbuilt towers. What a shame it ever rose because those illustrations show just what a positive influence it would have had on the skyline. Hopefully it will be revived one day... Btw, does anyone know what if anything was ever built on the site?

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucklehead2 (Post 3676571)

Btw, does anyone know what if anything was ever built on the site?

The proposed location, South Tryon St. at E 3rd. was (and still is) occupied by a 12 floor building called Wachovia Main (constructed in 1954). After the Four First Union plans fell through, Wachovia decided to completely renovate the building instead of demolishing it. Renovations started in 2004 and were completed in May of 2006.

Before:
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4371/232393jm9.jpg

After:
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5729/449732qt7.jpg
Photos from Wachovia Main entry on Emporis

When Wachovia finally did decide to build a new headquarters, they chose a site 2 blocks south on Tryon St. that was occupied by (I think) a tire dealership/garage and surface lots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffaso (Post 3670850)

Looks nice, it's a shame it was never built. The crown portion almost reminds me of Mobile Alabama's tallest (can't remember its name).

The tower in question is the RSA Tower in Mobile, Alabama.

http://www.battlehousetower.com/

Beautiful building. Kind of looks like a giant corn cob :haha:

do you believe charlotte will ever get a 1000 foot skyscraper i really eally hope so