New rendering unveiled for Penn Arts redevelopment

July 6, 2010
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Penn ArtsCheck out this new rendering of the redevelopment of the Penn Arts building. Work on the project at 16th and Pennsylvania streets began in April. You can see the plans for signage and an outdoor cafe along 16th Street. Developer Christopher Piazza paid $1.4 million for the building in 2008 and had planned to spend $3 million on renovations but gave up on banks unwilling to lend early this year and found two equity investors instead. He had to cut the budget in half, to about $1.5 million, and expects to have the first apartment units available by September. An earlier post is here.

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  • Glad
    ShaneJuly 6, 2010 8:33 AM
    This is a great looking building, I'm glad that it won't sit empty much longer. the only changes I see is the trim color and the addition of the corner sign.
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  • fantastic!
    firewoman1220July 6, 2010 8:52 AM
    I always wished for a cafe of some kind when I lived there years ago. I can't wait to see the finished product!
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  • Rendering...
    IndyArchitectJuly 6, 2010 9:49 AM
    I'm sorry, but is this really the BEST rendering we could get of this proposed project? The image is vague and poorly drawn...sorry, but it's difficult to get excited about something when those working on the plans give us a child's drawing as a professional submission.
    Either way, I'm looking forward to something happening here.
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    • Plans
      AlixbeaJuly 6, 2010 1:57 PM
      It will be interesting how he swings the cafe. While to would be great, the sidewalk is not wide enough, there will be issues with the clear sight triangle and no alcohol can be served at this location as it is across from a high school. Not to mention, he will have to garner IHPC approval and support from the surrounding neighborhoods.
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    • Bars nearby
      firewoman1220July 6, 2010 2:20 PM
      I would think a coffee shop style cafe would work best and be welcomed by people living nearby. Not to mention that there are plenty of bars already within walking distance.
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    • MEOWW
      BradypusJuly 6, 2010 2:31 PM
      At least someone is trying to do something with the building. Perhaps keeping the costs down on drawings will free up money for real needs.
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    • Awesome
      Sandra JarvisJuly 6, 2010 2:33 PM
      This is GREAT NEWS for this prime corner. I've seen the before now I am anxious to see the after! I could totally see a little coffee shop / cafe here. With it being so close to downtown I can see this being a draw for the young professionals / students who want to be nearby.
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    • 16th st sidewalk
      CorrNDJuly 6, 2010 3:30 PM
      There's a quote from Piazza in the earlier post that says "metered parking will be installed on 16th in the front of the building pending necessary approvals." If that happens, the grass and tree area separating pedestrians from traffic would be unnecessary and the sidewalk could be widened to accommodate an outdoor seating area.

      Hopefully it comes through. Sounds like a great idea.
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    • Rendering?
      DaveJuly 6, 2010 4:07 PM
      Very bad rendering. Hope this wasn't produced by an area architect. No way this cost any less than a proper rendering would have cost. Embarassing.
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      • Great
        Bob SandersJuly 7, 2010 5:35 AM
        Obviously it is an artist's rendering-very cool piece. If anyone from the Winter's Farmers market is reading, this is where you should be leasing space!!
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        • Would They?
          JoshJuly 7, 2010 9:09 AM
          If the neighborhood fights a bar here... well, what do you say to that. It's not like it would be some cheap liquor store.
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        • Rendering...
          IndyArchitectJuly 7, 2010 9:28 AM
          There's very little that's "cool" about the rendering. If you want people to get excited about a project, you need to provide an image with the most information available. The rendering provided is poorly drawn, vague, and juvenile at best.
          It will be great when something is finally done with this property but, seriously, how can one get excited by this rendering??
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          • project
            SandraJuly 7, 2010 10:56 AM
            I can't speak for everyone but I don't think its the rendering everyones excited about, its the project. ;)
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            • Rendering...
              IndyArchitectJuly 7, 2010 10:59 AM
              Sandra, you are most certainly correct, and I agree that's the correct point of view, rather than dwelling on a schematic image.
              However, as with so many of these types of projects, in order to get the public excited about them and enticing businesses to rent space in the building, you need to wow them. This rendering does very little to 'wow' anyone...
              That is my only point concerning the rendering. This project deserves better visual representation.
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            • Air Conditioning
              The TruthJuly 7, 2010 2:29 PM
              The rendering doesn't include all the window air conditioning units that will be hanging out in a building without A/C.
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