$50 Million New Downtown Project Gets The Go-Ahead

1 car per apartment?

What happens when George Street is converted back into a two way street?

The wide, high speed curb cuts the city has been approving lately make it very difficult for people to walk around, especially if they are disabled. It's a shame that Kelly Murphy, the Mayor, Alderman Marchand, and city planners drive everywhere, because if they knew what it felt like to walk in New Haven, they wouldn't be approving these kinds of curb cuts.

Most other cities, like Cambridge, have hired traffic engineers who were trained after the 1970s and their policies as a result are radically different.

Is there convenient bike parking? That's probably how many if not most of the residents will get around.

I have to say, based on this single image, the design for Star Supply on State Street was more interesting than this design. The faux historicist flavor is really, really unfortunate. The building looks like it belongs in Florida or at least the Boston Post Road. The historical 'notes' have nothing to do with the rich architectural history of New Haven. Its as if the architect was looking at the new(ish) apartments in the Ninth Square as inspiration for this design and as a reference to New Haven architecture.
It will be telling if the city has allowed the developers to use asphalt roof shingles in the downtown core of the city.

This looks great, very happy this lot is finally getting developed. It doesn't look like there is any outdoor space for occupants. They should include some balconies and/or roof patios/gardens. I think it's great they're building so much parking because it's hidden below the street. If you're going to make a below street parking garage might as well make it big because those spaces can one day replace surface level lots which can be developed on. I'd rather have parking spaces that are hidden away below the street than taking up surface space. I agree some bike parking would be smart too. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Maybe this development will encourage someone to do something at the old Palace Theater.

Much better than the proposed tower for that block. But why the wait until next spring to begin construction?

The city shouldn't be considering vehicular entrances wholly dependent upon the one-way street grid because that is going to change in the near future.

According to the architect, what is actually built will be flat roof construction, so there won't be any shingles. I'm just glad to see that they're using brick and precast concrete panels to clad the building, that parking is underground, and that there is a continuous frontage of active ground floor uses along College Street. While not perfect, its certainly a good development. I wish the Chapel and How project would use this type of construction and materials. And hopefully the mortar joints for the brick will be thin and raked, which looks much better than a lot of typical new construction with brick.

Davecoon: Buildings like this don't last forever. In 30 years, this can be torn down and replaced with something like Enrique Norten's Mercedes House, which would be more reflective of New Haven's diversity and progressive values.

I find it concerning that there's been no mention of the issue of parking for Co-Op High School across the street. Perhaps the developer would be willing to donate or at least negotiate a reduced rate for any unused spaces to the school? Currently, teachers and administrators have parking, but parents do not have any free parking available to them. Co-Op parents have frequently cited access to parking as the number one reason why they are less likely to attend school events, including report card night. Currently, parents park in the lot across from 300 George St at a reduced rate. Once that lot is gone, parents will be even more frustrated...

I think buildings with a 30 year or less life cycle are a disgrace. How "progressive" is building landfill bait?

RE: Mercedes House

Would love to know how a building with studio apts. starting at $2,985.00/mo. is "reflective of New Haven's diversity and progressive values"?

RE: 30-yr. lifespan

Who says this is the projected lifespan? Doesn't sound like super-cheapo development. But I wish they'd spring for Indiana limestone instead of the suburban precast. I do long for the days before the Depression when buildings were designed to last "forever." Contrast this with Cross & Cross landmark at the bottom corner of the Green.

This looks to be a great development. Parking underground frees up space for productive use above. Anon, I wouldn't worry so much about traffic. The Shartenburg tower hasn't flatlined traffic flow and it parks more cars.

The criticism of the design as faux historicism sounds like nit-picking to me. The window placement defines the floors, the color change indicates the change in use, and it has a roof treatment. Faux or not, it's much better than any of the modernist dreck we have to put up with.

While this design doesn't break any new ground, compared to Randy Salvatore's plan for Joel Schiavone's property at Howe and Chapel St. - it's a big improvement.

RE: Co-Op HS Parking

Is there not an enormous multi-million-dollar garage just across Crown Street, and another possibly even bigger one a half-block away on Temple Street?