Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking was held Friday morning for Cameron Harbor - a mixed-use development on the Tennessee River opposite Moccasin Bend from Cameron Hill.
Developer Buck Schimpf said a 115-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott hotel will be built first. 3H Hotel Group is the developer. It will have 3,000 square feet of meeting space, and an indoor pool. The designer is RiverStreet Architecture.
A "world-class" restaurant is also planned on the water. Mr. Schimpf said he is seeking to find an experienced, successful restaurant operator to run it.
There will also be 16 three- and four-bedroom townhomes on five acres of the site along the river. Kuebler Builders is the general contractor. Also included will be a multi-level condominium building higher up on the property closer to Riverfront Parkway.
The townhomes will be built near the old Dixie Sand and Gravel site below the old Gilman Paint.
A section of the Tennessee Riverwalk will run along the river at Cameron Harbor. The extension is from Ross's Landing Park.
The city will be expanding its marina at Ross's Landing by 65 boat slips with over 50 of the new slips located directly in front of Cameron Harbor.
Cameron Harbor will offer the only waterfront lifestyle that is on the river and in the city, officials said.
The city of Chattanooga Marina offers fuel and pump out facilities as well as chandlery. Residence owners will have the opportunity to enter into a use agreement with the city of Chattanooga marina for the new boat slips. These 20X50 slips will have individual power pedestals featuring metered power, water and cable television/internet and will be professionally managed and maintained by the city.
Regarding the townhomes, officials said, "An artful melding of traditional Southern and historic Cape Cod architecture has resulted in a style termed 'Tennessee Coastal'. A traditional standing seam galvanized metal roof, cedar shake, stone and board and batten combine to create an architectural style that is truly at home along the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River. Simplistically elegant in design, it will be thoughtful in its architectural details and amenities and practical in its maintenance and livability issues. The architecture of Cameron Harbor is nothing short of inspired."
River Street Architecture, local leaders in environmentally responsible design, is designing the Cameron Harbor townhomes to meet the requirements for certification under the LEED for Homes rating system. LEED for Homes, a product of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), was created to promote the design and construction of high-performance green homes, which use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste, and are more durable and comfortable for occupants. In order to meet the requirements set forth by LEED for Homes, the Cameron Harbor Townhomes will employ strategies such as the use of high-efficiency mechanical and plumbing systems, rehabilitation of a previously industrial site, and the use of building materials that place less demand on our natural resources. The townhome owners will benefit from these practices and construction choices with reduced utility cost and water consumption.
The Cameron Harbor Townhomes have volunteered to serve as the pilot project for the new residential rating system for Chattanooga currently being developed in response to the recommendations outlined in the Chattanooga Climate Action Plan. The plan, commissioned by Mayor Littlefield after signing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and utilizing broad base public input, contains an assessment of Chattanooga’s greenhouse gas emissions and targets several strategic areas for development ranging from protecting biodiversity to mainstreaming sustainable building practices.
Officials said the Townhomes of Cameron Harbor "offer owners an unprecedented opportunity to customize their home to fit their personal lifestyle and daily lives. These 'semi custom' designs provide an extraordinary level of flexibility."
Designs include a luxury top floor private master suite with a balcony as well as a penthouse level living area for entertaining.
The townhome designs range from 2,500-4,200 square feet and two-four bedrooms. Offering fee simple ownership, there will be an association formed for townhome owners for maintenance of the common areas, grounds and the community river access structures or “Piergolas” for the city of Chattanooga Marina.
Dolores Wolfe IDS created both the exterior and interior color palates, finishes and selections for Cameron Harbor.
Exterior townhouse details:
• Standing seam traditional galvanized metal roof
• Cedar shake detail
• Stone and Hardie plank exterior
• Large expanses of windows facing the river
Features*
• Individual Elevators
.* Various choices of authentic hardwood flooring
9’–11’ ceiling heights
Heated Master Bath flooring
• Oversized vented gas/wood burning interior fireplaces
• Outdoor living spaces including terraces, covered porches, grilling decks & outdoor fireplaces
• Individual minimum 2 car garage with storage
• Individual marine storage garages - 2 boat
• Viking kitchens. Kohler baths/faucets.
• Miele whole bean coffee & espresso system with plumbed in water supply.
*Some features vary per townhome design.
Officials said, "All materials were also chosen for practicality, low maintenance and sustainability practices. The metal roof, Hardie plank and Nichia shingle provide significant advantages in both long term and short term maintenance."
The Cameron Harbor Piergolas is described as a playful combination of a pergola and a pier. These two-story structures provide direct access to the boat slips and the river. Two Piergolas will be constructed one of which will contain an ADA compliant elevator. A natural community gathering place, both Piergolas will also offer stunning views of the river and mountains, it was stated.
Each townhome will have an outdoor living space. Officials said, "There will be broad open covered porches to enjoy the spectacular views of the Tennessee River and surrounding mountains that feature oversized brick and mountain stone wood burning fireplaces and grilling areas."
Mr. Schimpf said, “It is a privilege to be a part of the 21st Century Waterfront Plan. With Cameron Harbor we have another piece of the plan to reconnect our city to the river in all aspects. The most important being that Cameron Harbor will be able to provide resort-style waterfront living in the city. The Riverwalk will be expanded and flow through the back of the community and the expanded marina will bring boats slips right to the front door of the townhomes. Connection to the river and to downtown – this is about as close to ideal living as it gets."
He said the architecture "fits the landscape perfectly and brings together aspects of historic Cape Cod coastal homes with traditional Southern architecture. The floor plans themselves are well thought out and innovative in their flexibility to meet the lifestyle needs of its owner. We have some plans with master suites on the top level and others with living, entertaining levels on the top level – these designs will exceed expectations not just meet them."
Mr. Schimpf said, "This particular site will come full circle with our green LEED design. It is a beautiful piece of land with awe-inspiring views of the river and mountains. Cameron Harbor will remove the last vestiges of this land’s past as a manufacturing site and all the environmental damage that entailed. Having a LEED project fits with our vision for Cameron Harbor, it complements the premier riverfront location and it will provide real, tangible benefits to its homeowners."
Darlene Brown, Gina Sakich and Belinda Winslett of Real Estate Partners Chattanooga LLC will be the exclusive sales and marketing real estate firm for Cameron Harbor.
Ms. Brown said, “Cameron Harbor will bring something entirely unique to downtown living. Luxury waterfront living in the city. The consumer response from its earliest infancy has been tremendous. With only 16 townhomes, I believe the demand will be great. We have six reservations from purely word of mouth. I think this speaks highly of the project, the location and design and the lifestyle Cameron Harbor will provide.”
Officials said, "Most rooms in the hotel will have a magnificent river view. Premium rooms will be available with large balconies overlooking the Tennessee River, the RiverWalk and the Moccasin Bend Reservation."
The hotel, also designed by RiverStreet Architecture, will include "a visually stunning piazza with firepots that overlook the river."
The restaurant will share the piazza of the SpringHill Suites and be built predominately of glass to maximize river views.
Future path of the Riverwalk by new hotel, restaurant and townhomes