TWIN system enters country; San Francisco, Nashville, Minneapolis and Florida to get high rises.

Atlanta Getting First thyssenkrupp TWIN System in Americas

thyssenkrupp’s first TWIN elevator system in the Americas is set to go into the High Performance Computing Center (HPCC) in Midtown Atlanta, for which ground was broken on April 20. A project of Georgia Institute of Technology and John Portman & Associates, the HPCC is located at Spring and Fourth streets and represents the second phase of Technology Square. Described by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as “one of the most anticipated real-estate projects in the city in years,” the center will be a showcase for technology that includes the computer-controlled TWIN system. TWIN features two cabs operating in one shaft and is touted by thyssenkrupp for decreasing stops, saving space and enhancing efficiency.

Development Would Include San Francisco’s Second Tallest

Oceanwide Center, a proposed two-tower development at 1st and Mission streets in San Francisco, includes what would be the city’s second-tallest building at 910 ft., Curbed San Francisco reported. The plans include 1.35 million sq. ft. of office and 650,000 sq. ft. of residential space, and seven floors of heavily landscaped public/retail space. City officials were enthusiastic about the plan, although they questioned the practicality of some of the tropical flora proposed. The plan continues to move forward, but no construction dates have been given.

Nashville Tower Would be Among City’s Tallest

Developers are proposing a US$325-million development that includes a 40-story hotel/condominium tower, the Nashville Business Journal reported. If built, it would be among the tallest buildings in Nashville, Tennessee, which is undergoing a construction boom. Including a slightly shorter tower housing a 250-room hotel, approximately 420 residences and ground-level retail and restaurants, the development was designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz of Chicago and is being backed by Northern Capital Investments and The Congress Group. It is located at 151 First Aveune South in an area known as South of Broadway, or SoBro.

Four Seasons on Drawing Board in Minneapolis

With design guidance from Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, United Properties (UP) of Bloomington, Minnesota, hopes to build a 34-story building with 300 hotel rooms and approximately 160 residences in the Nicollet Hotel Block in downtown Minneapolis, the Star Tribune reported. UP hopes to start construction in fall 2017 and complete the project within approximately three years. The building would stand 530 ft., including a spire. Elness Swenson Graham (ESG) Architects designed the plan.

Florida Residential High Rise Moves Forward

Seaglass at Bonita Bay, a 26-story residential building in the Bonita Bay community of Bonita Springs, Florida, is moving forward with sales in excess of US$90 million as of April and construction set to start, Naples Daily News reported. The Ronto Group is the developer of the project, set to include 120 units, a private beach, five golf courses and a tennis complex, among other amenities.