BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN —
Three Sixty Real Estate announced its newest project in downtown Auburn.
The space, which will be located where the Bourbon St. Bar and Campus Barber Shop now sit empty, will include a restaurant on the bottom floor, condominiums above it and an open rooftop.
The 103 N. College St. space is across the street from Toomer’s Corner.
“I am excited about the beautiful living spaces this project offers, as well as the culture, job growth and tax revenue the local economy will receive through the restaurant and event space on the bottom floor and rooftop of the building,” said Diana Ramage with in a release from Three Sixty.
Ramage, a realtor with Three Sixty, will be selling the units.
The building will not exceed 75 feet due to city zoning ordinances.
“The residential units will include two fifth-floor penthouse units and eight additional units featuring two to three bedrooms each,” the release said. “Pricing begins at $2 million, and the spacious floor plans will have beautiful views of downtown and the Auburn University campus.”
One resident, Damarius LaKee Nolan-Watts commented on a post from AUFAMILY on Facebook and said he likes the height of the building and the restaurant space.
“I’d love to see some murals on the building & maybe some decorative lighting that changes colors like the downtown Mobile skyline,” he said.
Another resident, Julie Ward McGowin, said the building’s plans will fit Auburn.
“This old building has seen a lot of Auburn history over the last 100 years,” she said. “A new building needs to be put here that will serve Toomer’s Corner well for the next 100 years. This design and business plan is an ideal use for that area. If it were my property I’d also be maximizing the land and building to 75′, as allowed by city ordinance. But I agree with the sentiment that the new height as compared to current adjacent buildings will be a STARK contrast.”
Public response to the news, however, was not all positive.
“Progress is one thing, but this is dramatically changing the quaintness of town,” said another resident, Suzanne Repress.
Another resident, Teresa Vast, said the height of new buildings is often the problem citizens have.
“Changing the look of downtown is sad,” said another resident, Elaine Vickers. “The loveliest village on the plains is being high jacked by people who I feel are money hungry.”
The city does have limits on building height, but many residents are opposed to how high that limit is.
The release did not provide a time frame for completion of the project.
