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I’d love to learn the details of that pitiful-looking condominium project in the corner of the Shops at Friendly Center . It began with tree-tearing, land-clearing vigor, advertising that the luxury penthouses were selling like hotcakes. But that was years ago, and since then, no movement in sight. Is that project as good as dead?
— Mike Clark , Greensboro

You’re talking about Somerset at Friendly , the $55 million luxury condo complex that Lomax Properties envisioned on a five-acre site at Northline Avenue and Hobbs Road .

John Lomax , president of Lomax Properties and Lomax Construction , said this week the project isn’t dead, but construction is on hold because of the economy. He said he remains committed to the concept.

“We would like to see our vision for the project executed when the real estate market turns around,” Lomax said. “It is showing some signs of improving right now.”

But Lomax said he could not predict when construction might begin.

“We have all the infrastructure in place,” he said. “We are ready to go vertical, but I feel fairly fortunate that we didn’t go vertical (last fall) because everyone that did is suffering right now. We feel we made the right decision.”

Lomax said the scope of the project hasn’t changed: 100 two- and three-bedroom units in a five-story building with a rooftop terrace for entertaining. The condos will range in size from 2,021 square feet to 3,957 square feet. Prices will go from the upper $300,000s to $1.3 million.

Patrick Woods , vice president of Lomax Properties , said the company is not actively marketing Somerset, but its Web site — www.somersetatfriendly.com — remains up and the sales office at the Shops at Friendly Center near Harris Teeter remains open.

Lomax said the company lost some sales because of the construction delay, but other clients stuck with the project because they couldn’t predict how long it would take to sell their existing homes in the current economy.

Lomax did acknowledge that other developers have inquired about building housing on the site should he not proceed with the project.

“I’m still certain about it,” Lomax said of Somerset. “I want to build it the way we have it designed. However, it doesn’t hurt to talk to other people about it.”

As for the property’s pitiful look, Woods said the weeds were cut this week.