by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
Berkman Plaza’s first residents are expected to move in about the end of February. That’s latest that the developers hoped but, as company executive Alan Travis says, “Several unfortunate things have happened lately.”
The things, of course, were the events of Sept. 11, which have set back many construction projects, and have put Berkman’s ambitious 22-story downtown tower behind schedule.
Travis, vice president of the Atlanta-based Berkman Co., was in town this week to review the riverfront project and, in an interview Wednesday in the sales trailer on Bay Street, said they’re happy with the way things are going.
“We have firm commitments on 40 or so of the leases, including four of the eight penthouses, and five firm contracts on the 20 townhomes with five more pending.
“That’s fine with us. We have a new concept for people of this area and we expected fewer commitments. We thought more people would want to wait and see what it was like.
“But we’re pleased . . . there has been plenty of traffic.”
The tower has 206 apartments and 20 townhomes.
Travis said that the amenities are solid, including a grocery store, and that the final product will be identical to the initial dream.
Travis confirmed that former owners of a Chef’s Market will operate the grocery, to be called Portabella’s Gourmet. It will offer ready-to-eat meals as well as grocery items. Also definite is a Daryl Powers Hair Salon and a Deluxe Cleaners outlet.
The tower today is a construction site, but Travis expects to have a model in place by the middle of February.
The Atkinson & Knight Realty Group has been retained as the real estate agents. “We’ve been impressed with the work they’ve done in the Riverside area,” said Travis.
The tower will include a concierge service and full security. Its location indicates it may not need much: it’s directly across the street from the police station.
“We thought that may turn off some people but it’s been surprising,” said Travis. “No one has mentioned it. The jail, either. (The Pretrial Detention Center looms over the police station.)
“People look the other way — they want to see the river.”