The Real Deal

If you’re headed to downtown Mobile for Mardi Gras, and you haven’t been downtown for a while, you may expect to see the area transformed. The number of projects that have been announced or started construction in the last year is remarkable, and there are even more on the way.

But if you’re expecting a new downtown, prepare to be disappointed. You’ll have to work around a lot of construction, but you won’t see many new downtown residents or restaurants or talk to people staying at the Battle House.

So what’s going on? Are these projects really going to happen? And if so, when, for crying out loud? Here’s an update on some of the projects discussed in previous RealDeal columns.

Hotels:

Battle House Hotel – The hotel is now accepting reservations for May 1 and later. But then a few months ago, their Web site showed rooms available in March. So it’s anyone’s guess when the hotel will actually open.

Riverview Plaza Hotel – As of March 1, it will officially be a Marriott Renaissance Hotel. A $55 million renovation is scheduled to be completed this summer with all guest rooms to be completed by April.

Lafayette Plaza Hotel – You’ll notice a new look to the hotel’s tower. The hotel is undergoing a $10 million renovation and expects to be a Holiday Inn “soon.”

Hampton Inn, Royal Street between Government and Dauphin Streets – The developer says construction will start in May, and it “could” open as soon as summer 2008.

Residential, retail and mixed used projects:

Water Street Landing, 11 Water St. – This condominium/retail project has been on the drawing board so long it’s hard to believe it will ever happen. It has faced a number of obstacles including the recent death of the lead partner, and the project Web site disappeared last fall. I hear one of the partners was in town after the Super Bowl to get the project back on track, but I won’t believe it until I see some actual activity at the site.

Condominiums/park at the old Mobile County Courthouse site off Government St. – All you’ll see here is a vacant lot, and I’ll be surprised if there’s anything more there by Mardi Gras 2008. It’s going to take a long time for Mayor Jones and the county commissioners to agree on this one.

Mattress Factory Lofts, 412 Dauphin St. – You’ll be impressed by this condo development. It will be a beauty when it’s complete, but there’s no telling when that will be. Progress is slow and it looks like there’s still a long way to go.

St. Emanuel Place, 127 Dauphin St. – Ditto for this apartment/retail development. Progress is excruciatingly slow but it will be a knock-out when it’s finished.

St. Louis Lofts, 308 St. Louis St. – The former Mobile Fixture building will have 21 condos. Construction started last August and is scheduled to be complete by early summer.

519 Dauphin St. – This small development of four high-end townhouses has been under construction for over a year, and it still isn’t finished.

O’Gwyn Condominiums, Conception Street at Conti Street – Eleven condominiums are planned, with prices likely to be in the $200,000s. The developers hope to start construction in the next two months and to complete the project within eight months after that.

Carriage Works Condominiums, 709 Dauphin St. – Seven condos and four new townhouses are planned at the former site of the Schumacher Carriage Works, with prices ranging from $225,000 to $399,000. The project shares the same developers as the O’Gwyn Condominiums, and the same schedule. They hope to start construction within two months and be completed within eight months after the start of construction.

Parkside Home and Garden, 51 S. Conception St. – This will be an offshoot of an upscale Birmingham home furnishings store. It is scheduled to open this summer, but I’m betting that date will slip. Construction appears to be in the early stages.

Restaurants and entertainment:

Hurricane Brewing Company, 225 Dauphin St. – While you’re downtown, be sure to check out this new restaurant/brew pub, one of the few new entertainment venues that is open.

The Royal Scam, 72 S. Royal St. – Another new dining and watering spot that is actually open and well worth checking out for its cozy atmosphere and great location.

Samurai J, 167 Dauphin St. – The owners told me they are rushing to get open by Mardi Gras at this spot overlooking Bienville Square. But just before going to press, they told another Lagniappe staffer that probably won’t happen before Fat Tuesday. Still, more sushi should be available in LoDa soon.

Bizmark Saloon, 455 Dauphin St. – Look for an opening soon. The city approved a liquor license in January.

Crescent Theatre, 208 Dauphin St. – Work is well underway on this art house theater/condo project but the developers say the opening date has slipped from this summer to late 2007.

Piano bar/jazz club and upscale restaurant, 210 Dauphin St. – Construction is underway but the developers say the opening is still over a year away.

And what’s the status of the most important new building downtown, the RSA Battle House Tower? You’ll still see scaffolding around the spire but it’s getting close. The latest reports say the first tenants will move in around late March.

So if you’re looking for a revived downtown this Mardi Gras, you’re probably going to be disappointed. But I’ll bet you won’t be disappointed a year from now.

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