[Musicisright]

Last night (May 11) was the lighting of the RSA Tower and the grand re-opening of the Battle House. About 600 people showed up to see David Bronner, head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) pull the giant lever and light up the tower. It was absolutely beautiful. Here are the pictures.


The countdown with David Bronner at the lever
http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6554re.JPG


"O Fortuna" played in the background
http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6570re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6565re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6567re.JPG


The Battle House
http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6590re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6591re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6594re.JPG


The spire of the RSA Tower rises above the Battle House
http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6595re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6596re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6602re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6605re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6612re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6618re.JPG


From Bienville Square
http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6628re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6631re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6643re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6674re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6694re.JPG



http://xs315.xs.to/xs315/07196/_MG_6696re.JPG

[InfillJunkie]

Stunning!!!

[volguus zildrohar]

Go 'Bama!

[austin356]

great pics musicisright, this tower is much better than expected at night, And I had high expectations.

[MNMike]

it seems like it took forever to finish that building....did it take longer than normal? Looks great though!

[Stephenapolis]

very nice. Will it always be changing color, or is this just for the ceremony?

[Mystic City]

yummy!

[austin356]

very nice. Will it always be changing color, or is this just for the ceremony?



I have heard that in the beginning of the work week they will start off with subtle conservative lighting, and then as it progresses they will climax on the weekends with more "out there" displays of color and other enhancements.

And of course the seasons will change for example: Red/blue for Independence day, purple/green for mardi gras, and Red/green for Christmas.

[BamaGrad04]

it seems like it took forever to finish that building....did it take longer than normal? Looks great though!


Yeah, 5 hurricanes will do that.

[vid]

Spiffy. :)

[Musicisright]

Thanks!

[atl2phx]

nice! i like the open air treatment on the crown.

[DruidCity]

I have heard that in the beginning of the work week they will start off with subtle conservative lighting, and then as it progresses they will climax on the weekends...

:skyscraper:

[mSeattle]

I like that.

[MJPhilly]

Beautiful building, great photos. It looks like Frost Bank Tower (Austin) meets the Chrysler Building.

[Austinlee]

awesomeness.

[ColDayMan]

I like it!

[LMich]

The pride of Mobile! You guys really should be proud of this iconic tower. It reminds me of the days long past when cities used to build iconic tower with the same kind of fanfare you see, here.

It would be great to see this from a distance, at night...

[BTinSF]

^^^Take a drive on I-10 along the Alabama Gulf Coast. When you pass through Mobile, on both sides of the Mobile Bay Tunnel, you can see this building very well.

[Musicisright]

Thanks for all the nice words, everybody.



It would be great to see this from a distance, at night...

Yeah, I wish I had gotten out from under the tower and taken some pictures from farther away. I'll have to make another trip soon.

[LMich]

You know what was really great? What was great was that they decided to take on the renovation of this historic hotel, as well, when they could have easily demolished it for some parking garage, or something else. It's cool that RSA saw how much of an asset the hotel could be to the nearby headquarters.

[Mystic City]

Musicisright...your pixs are awesome quality. The first and last photos look like they belong on a magazine cover.

[Exodus]

Is it just me, or does it look like it has a mini Eiffel Tower at the top ? It would be fitting, seeing that Mobile was founded by the French. It also looks like it has an "M" up there also.

[Musicisright]

Musicisright...your pixs are awesome quality. The first and last photos look like they belong on a magazine cover.

Thanks, pal!

Exodus, I don't see the "M". :( Where is it?

[Exodus]

Thanks, pal!

Exodus, I don't see the "M". :( Where is it?http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/500450497_a3d40709fb_o.jpg
Even look at the pic above it, or maybe it's just me:shrug:

[Musicisright]

Yeah, I see now.

Probably wasn't intentional, but it's still cool!

[boden]

This post makes you feel good doesn't it? Always think of Buffett when I see Mobile.

[Lakelander]

Great looking building. Hopefully, it will spur additional development in Mobile's downtown core.

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice. I saw this thing under construction every day for 3 weeks back in 2004 while we worked on cleaning up in Pensacola, Florida after Hurricane Ivan. Nice to see the finished product. Incidently, it's still the tallest building I've seen under construction to date.

Yeah, 5 hurricanes will do that.

Really? Was it 5? I thought it was 4 - Frances, Ivan, Dennis and Katrina. What about Jeanne? I was in Pennsacola at the time Jeanne hit Florida, but we didn't get any crazy weather from it, hardly even any rain infact.

The pride of Mobile! You guys really should be proud of this iconic tower. It reminds me of the days long past when cities used to build iconic tower with the same kind of fanfare you see, here.

It would be great to see this from a distance, at night...

YES! Can someone please take some pictures of the skyline from the bridge going across Mobile Bay? I have fond memories of crossing that bridge every day and seeing the skyline off in the distance. It was a pleasent and relaxing sight after a hard long day of seeing the devestation in the Florida panhandle. One of these days I'll have to get back there and see the progress and Mobile again.

Thanks again for the update.

[Buck]

I freaking love it... I also freaking love the hotel just as much!

[DruidCity]

I saw the RSA tower two days ago, and it looks just as good in person as it does in pictures.

Always think of Buffett when I see Mobile.

As a sidenote, Harrah's announced plans to open a huge ($700-million-to-$1-billion) Margaritaville casino resort in Biloxi, MS, which is about an hour's drive west of downtown Mobile.

[Musicisright]

Can someone please take some pictures of the skyline from the bridge going across Mobile Bay?
Thanks again for the update.

Yeah, I'm planning on getting a good night time shot of the skyline soon. I just don't know what vantage point I'll use. I'd like to get a shot from I-10 looking East, but I wouldn't know where to stand. The Causeway sounds like it would have easier access.

[Musicisright]

Really? Was it 5? I thought it was 4 - Frances, Ivan, Dennis and Katrina. What about Jeanne? I was in Pennsacola at the time Jeanne hit Florida, but we didn't get any crazy weather from it, hardly even any rain infact.

I think it was actually Cindy. I don't really remember her because 2005 was such a crazy year as far as hurricanes go.

[phillyskyline]

Love the lighting!!!!

[phoenixboi08]

Yeah, I'm planning on getting a good night time shot of the skyline soon. I just don't know what vantage point I'll use. I'd like to get a shot from I-10 looking East, but I wouldn't know where to stand. The Causeway sounds like it would have easier access.

Springhill College has the best views in town. You can see all the way past the Battleship...but I don't know if they'll let you on campus at night. Go through the Dauphin St. entrance and follow it up past the golf course, then turn right when you get to the end near the new dorms...or you could park and just walk NE...believe me it's STUNNING!!! You'll love it.

[lumis]

love the color this ads to Mobile's Skyline
since the images above don't load here are some i took recently (http://www.lumis.com/picture/2106817215/)