[OfCourse]

Oh, and the word on the street is that the Museum Tower (in the Arts District) is slated to be closer to 42 stories - or possibly even taller.

Nice.

How's the Victory/Mandarin coming along. Anyone?

Any pics? I LOVE the design.

[eburress]

^^ It's still below ground, I think...they're working on the garage and stuff.

[Dougall5505]

can someone post new pics of the lowrise buildings with the video screens next to AA arena. I love those buildings and with they would do something similar to the rose garden arena in portland.

[Owlhorn]

Cirque on 5-18 by TexasStar

http://urbandallas.us/postings/cirque_051807.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/cirque_and_W.jpg

by Ninjatune

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/503734774_2d4a6999a4_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/201/503797289_052540bbb8_o.jpg

by NMBS1

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture828.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture832.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Hunt Tower

by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/postings/hunt_051707.jpg

[Owlhorn]

One Arts Plaza by NMBS1

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture817.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/protaras/Picture799.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Rosewood Tower

by 1999McKinneyAve
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/6048/img1284lu1.jpg

by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/postings/rosewood_051807.jpg

[Owlhorn]

The Residence @ The Ritz-Carlton

by TexasStar

http://urbandallas.us/postings/ritz_051807.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/ritz_051807_2.jpg

[jordan]

That Ritz Carlton is just ugly to me. I also hate the the views of the Cresent which is a beautiful building, is being obscured, by new construction. But on the other hand. I do love those tall buildings.

[NDtexan]

That Ritz Carlton is just ugly to me. I also hate the the views of the Cresent which is a beautiful building, is being obscured, by new construction. But on the other hand. I do love those tall buildings.

I think you're in the minority as far as the Ritz goes. I think the retro design is pretty bad ass and is needed in that part of town. Plus, the Crescent, while a nice building, isn't all that great.

[colemonkee]

I like the way Ritz turned out as well. It's a solid design, I just wish it were 10-15 stories taller. The massing would look much better that way.

[OfCourse]

I like the Ritz, too. Looks great, although short and stout - so agreed on that it would look better a few floors taller.

[CTroyMathis]

First post updated.

(I'm sure a few things here and there are missed intown(s), moreso further out in DFWland - but, it's at least updated for the first time since last December anyway. . .)

[Mopacs]

I visited Dallas this weekend and walked away with these three favorites

Ok maybe not this one LOL, but I was amused it's still operating
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/471214444_5fc3afbac2_o.jpg

Love that shot (really!). Looks like an old school Howard Johnson, of years past. Where is that? On Stemmons?

[Owlhorn]

Victory Park by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark2.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark3.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark4.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark5.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark6.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark7.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark8.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark9.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark10.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark13.jpg

Terrace and Vista by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark13.jpg


House of Blues by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark11.jpg


The House by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark14.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark_house.jpg

One Victory Park
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark15.jpg
http://urbandallas.us/postings/victorypark-onevictorypark.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Dallas artist doubles as developer

Condos grow out of converting old garage into studio space
10:35 AM CDT on Friday, June 1, 2007

By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com Zad Roumaya's journey into real estate development started as pretty basic – he needed a place for his art studio.
So nine years ago, Mr. Roumaya and his partners purchased a 50-year-old commercial building just south of downtown and remodeled it into workspace.
"Our first goal in '98 was to save the building and office here cheaply – typical artists," he said.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0601livingroom.jpg LOUIS DeLUCA/DMN
Zad Roumaya relaxes in one of the condos at his successful Buzz condo project on South Akard Street.


After working in the converted garage a few years, Mr. Roumaya and his partner Will Pinkerton began making bigger plans for the neighborhood. They eyed the vacant lot across the street – about three blocks from City Hall – and thought it was the perfect location for condominiums.
"We finally said, let's do it ourselves," Mr. Roumaya said. "I borrowed against the equity in our old building to buy the dirt our Buzz condos sit on."
The gamble paid off – the just-completed Buzz condo project on South Akard Street is almost 80 percent sold, and it's a hit with residents and neighbors.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/05-07/0601buzz2.jpg Change Chamber Development
Located just a block south of downtown, the Buzz condos’ four-story residential building has an industrial look with metal trim and bright graphics. And those windows are actually overhead doors that open onto each balcony.


Now the two entrepreneurs are working on a second, even larger deal in Oak Cliff.
So how does it feel making the shift from artist to real estate developer? "That still hasn't sunk in yet," said Mr. Roumaya. "I'm still doing a few art commissions a year."
In the 1990s, Mr. Roumaya left behind his education in finance and marketing to do sculpture, architectural fabrication and design work.
But he's going to have less time for art when the Oak Cliff project starts late this year.
His Change Chamber Development is teaming up with the renovators of the popular Belmont Hotel on Fort Worth Avenue to build two residential projects.
"We've already had people asking about purchasing units," said Mr. Pinkerton, who worked in real estate finance and accounting before partnering with Mr. Roumaya. "A lot of the inquiries we are getting are from people who live somewhere in Oak Cliff."
Alternative for buyers
The developers hope their residences – a combination of live-work studios and for-sale flats – will offer the same kind of affordable housing alternative buyers found at the Buzz.
"When we build in these emerging areas, it's less expensive to buy land," Mr. Roumaya said. "We want to pass that on to our customers."
At the Buzz building, 49 condominiums sold for between $125,000 and $240,000.
The project was designed by architects Kevin Parma and T. Howard & Associates and built by KWA Construction.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0601bed.jpg LOUIS DeLUCA/DMN
At the Buzz building, 49 condominiums sold for between $125,000 and $240,000.


Located just a block south of downtown, the four-story residential building has an industrial look with metal trim and bright graphics.
"We've had a strong response – it has to be the downtown workforce," Mr. Roumaya said. "We have a melting pot of people in the building."
Construction started on the project in January 2006. It was the first condo development attempted in Dallas' historic Cedars neighborhood – a rough-around-the-edges industrial and residential district with postcard views of the skyline.
"We had a lot of senior developers tell us we were crazy to build here – they still tell us that," Mr. Roumaya said. "Some of the people we approached as investors are now coming back."
The Buzz building actually was constructed about $100,000 under budget, he said.
Buyers in the building say they like the developers' hands-on approach to the business.
"Zad started doing mixers with the community during the development phase and everybody got to know each other," said Christian Chernock, a homebuilder who bought one of the units. "That's different than what is happening in other places – it's a neat community to be a part of.
"The building has a lot of character and its own personality, which everyone cares about."
Zipping around
The latest addition to the Buzz project is a garage full of mopeds that residents in the building can use to zip around the neighborhood.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0601kitchen.jpg LOUIS DeLUCA/DMN
A look at the kitchen area of one of the Buzz condos.


"You can't imagine how that project has changed the impression of the area," said developer Larry Hamilton, who owns the former Ramada Inn hotel across the street.
Mr. Hamilton hopes to start work this fall on transforming his building into a boutique hotel.
"I have brought visitors from out of town to see our hotel, and they look across the street at Buzz and think it's staggering," he said.
Belmont Hotel developer Monte Anderson was impressed enough with Mr. Roumaya and Mr. Pinkerton's success in the Cedars neighborhood to invite them to join his project in North Oak Cliff.
"I saw how they had done things over there, and I have my hands full," Mr. Anderson said. "They are bringing capital and energy to my project.
"We are going to do it together."
The planned construction along Fort Worth Avenue near Sylvan will include about 50 flats and a dozen "merchant homes" – townhouse-style units with work spaces on the ground floor and residential space above.
The Fort Worth Avenue project won't copy Buzz's industrial look.
"We have to be more sensitive to the Belmont's historic architecture," Mr. Roumaya said. "We want to tie it to the Moderne style.
"We think there is a pent-up demand from the person who wants to own an urban home under $200,000."

[Owlhorn]

Mercantile Complex by SDORN

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/9445/themercantilerebirth1ri5.jpg

by TexasStar

http://urbandallas.us/images/merc.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Metropolitan by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/images/metropolitan.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Gulf States Bldg. + 1414 Elm + Third Rail Lofts by TexasStar

http://urbandallas.us/images/3rd_rail.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Old Red Courthouse by TexasStar

http://urbandallas.us/images/old_red.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Winspear Opera House by Maconahey

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4107/img0232dl1.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9036/img0233wb1.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5366/img0236gf9.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6803/img0238lk5.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7259/img0271qo5.jpg


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2513/img0272bz1.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Intimacy of Winspear Opera House begins to reveal itself

04:16 PM CDT on Sunday, June 3, 2007

By SCOTT CANTRELL (scantrell@dallasnews.com) / Classical Music Critic
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0604glwinspear1.jpg Foster and Partners
The red "drum" will be sheathed in red glass and washed with red lights at night.

Already rising four stories out of the ground in a concrete horseshoe, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts' Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is starting to take shape. The glass walls and the vast sunshade that will cover the front and sides of the building are still just designs by London architects Foster and Partners. But, two years and five months before the curtain is to rise inside the long-awaited facility, it's already a growing presence to the northeast of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
Across Flora Street, excavation is now complete for the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus. But this companion building of the performing arts center is only beginning to emerge above ground. To the northeast of the Winspear, construction is under way on the expansion of the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, designed by up-and-coming Portland, Ore., architect Brad Cloepfil.
At the moment, the Winspear is just a concrete arc plus some underground structures and a new 600-car underground parking garage. But what's already striking is how compact the audience chamber will be, compared to the vast expanses of Fair Park Music Hall.
Also Online 6/9/04: Where art meets the arts (http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/performingarts/stories/winspeararchive5_0603gl.6f38ec5.html)
3/27/05: Three firms don't seem to be coming together much in Dallas (http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/performingarts/stories/winspeararchive4_0603gl.6ecc379.html)
5/27/05: Leaner, lighter design a good fit for Winspear (http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/performingarts/stories/winspeararchive3_0603gl.6e0a5b5.html)
10/25/05: Arts center naming honors devoted benefactor (http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/performingarts/stories/winspeararchive2_0603gl.6d016a5.html)
11/11/05: Trumpets and gold shovels add flourish to groundbreaking (http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/performingarts/stories/winspeararchive1_0603gl.6c17976.html)


Greater intimacy is a big part of the new building's raison d'être. The Winspear will have a mere 2,200 seats, as opposed to the Music Hall's 3,400. And, in contrast with the Music Hall's wide swath of seats on only two levels, the Winspear will layer one-third fewer seats on orchestra level and four wraparound balconies. The most distant seats will now be much closer to the stage, and the sonic impact should be improved for virtually everyone.
The success of Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, which opened last fall, reinforces that promise. Although the Canadian house was designed by a different architect, its size, proportions and configuration were designed in consultation with the same acoustical consultant, Robert Essert of Sound Space Design, who worked with Foster and Partners on the design of the Dallas hall.
You might think that everything about a building of this size and complexity would be settled this close to opening. But at a recent meeting at the construction site, Foster and Partners associate partner James McGrath said some of the finishing details were still being worked out.
Herewith, an update:
Glass: "The glass will be slightly tinted," Mr. McGrath says, "but will be low-iron, to keep it as transparent as possible from the inside as well as the outside." The canopy will help by keeping direct sunlight off the glass.
Lobby floors: The ground floor of the lobby will be covered in an Italian gray stone, honed smooth, but not polished slick. Upper-floor balconies will be carpeted.
http://www.guidelive.com/bi/images/clikEnlarge.gif http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0604glwinspear2.jpg Foster and Partners
There will be four levels of balconies above the orchestra floor.

Restrooms: There will be at least one toilet per 22.5 patrons, with twice as many for females – 57 to 34 – plus seven unisex/handicapped compatible restrooms.
Audience chamber: Both back walls and balcony fronts will feature undulating, convex shapes to help disperse sound.
Audience chamber colors: "We're still deliberating certain features inside the auditorium," Mr. McGrath says. But the basic color scheme of the audience chamber will be dark red. "The back wall will be rusty red," he says. "But that could change."
Audience chamber floors: They will be covered in dark wood – still to be determined.
Seats: Specially designed by Foster and Partners in collaboration with Theatre Projects Consultants, they will be 21 inches center-to-center, on average. "We've talked to 15 different manufacturers," Mr. McGrath says. To supply air more efficiently to the hall, and to keep temperatures as consistent as possible in the hall's multiple levels, each seat will have its own low-volume vent underneath.
Ceiling: Concentric rings of hard plaster will conceal lights and catwalks and help disperse sound.
Chandelier: The Foster design calls for a one-of-a-kind chandelier of retractable fiber-optic tubes, each about the thickness of a pencil, the longest about 45 feet long. "But it may or may not happen," Mr. McGrath admits. "We're working on how to make it work."
http://www.guidelive.com/bi/images/clikEnlarge.gif http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0604glwinspear4.jpg Jim Mahoney / DMN
Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House is currently just a four-story concrete arc.

Behind the scenes: The back-of-house, including stage house, wing space, rehearsal hall and offices, will be sheathed in cast stone, with slot windows. The Dallas Opera will have offices on the top level.
Annette Strauss Artist Square: The design of the Winspear Opera House will incorporate this outdoor amphitheater on its northwest corner. The square will accommodate audiences of up to 5,000 for events ranging from concerts to theatrical and dance performances to multiday festivals.
Canopy: Reaching well beyond the glass walls of the building, what's being called a Grand Portico of silver anodized aluminum fins will shade more than three acres of outdoor spaces. Spacings and angles of the fins were determined after studying year-round patterns of sunlight around the building.
Facade: Making the building as open and welcoming as possible was a top priority. So the lobby will be wrapped in glass walls 60 feet high, framed in gray-painted solid steel. "The lobby space will be very open, very transparent," Mr. McGrath says. The southeast panel, near the ground-level cafe, will have a 2,100-square-foot section that can be raised for a walk-through outdoor-indoor opening.
The red "drum": The most striking feature of the building will be what the architects call "the drum," wrapping the balconies and rising through the canopy. It will be sheathed in red glass and washed with red lights at night.
http://www.guidelive.com/bi/images/clikEnlarge.gif http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0604glwinspear3.jpg Foster and Partners
A Grand Portico of silver anodized aluminum fins will shade more than three acres of outdoor spaces.

Restaurants: A café at lobby level is expected to be open for lunches as well as evening performances. A more extensive restaurant will be located on the second level, where the box seats are. The food services will be served by a separate catering dock.
Balconies: There will be four levels of them above the orchestra floor. They'll be fronted in GRFG – glass-fiber-reinforced gypsum, a thin but strong paneling – and punctuated with lighting sconces.
Plan your life
The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts has a preview center with large-scale models and architectural renderings of the two new buildings. It's on the mezzanine level of the Trammell Crow Center, 2001 Ross Ave. The center will be open during the CityArts Celebration, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and June 10. This Web site includes Web cams at the construction site: www.dallasperformingarts.org (http://www.dallasperformingarts.org/).

[Owlhorn]

ttt

[Great_Hizzy]

Looks good. I like the landscaping around Victory (or at least the section shown in the photos).

[eburress]

Metropolitan by TexasStar
http://urbandallas.us/images/metropolitan.jpg

I wish they would have replaced all the glass on the Metropolitan with something a little more cheery (i.e., blue, green, etc) and added some more modern features. The building is looking better, but the glass still looks like 1975.

[OfCourse]

Wow. That opera house looks great. :tup:

[colemonkee]

Victory Park looks great. And I can't wait to see the Opera House completed. It's a great design.

[Owlhorn]

The Mansion dropping formalities
09:30 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 5, 2007
By SUZANNE MARTA / The Dallas Morning News
smarta@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...n1.516f54c.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-mansion_05bus.State.Edition1.516f54c.html)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/06-07/0605mansionbar.jpg

Better sit down for this one.

The Mansion on Turtle Creek – home of Dallas' grand dame of fine cuisine – is undergoing a major overhaul. When the work is completed this fall, the restaurant will be sans tablecloths, and jeans will be welcome – even without jackets – in the main dining room.

That's right: Except for the 22-seat chef's tasting room, there won't be a dress code. And in the main dining room, the wooden tables will be bare.

These jaw-dropping changes at the Lone Star State's only five-star, five-diamond hotel and five-diamond restaurant are part of a $20 million renovation as the Mansion gears up for a fierce battle for Dallas' affluent diners.

The goal? Maintain the Mansion's historic elegance, but reposition the restaurant as a place for any occasion, not just wedding anniversaries and other special events.

"To many people, the Mansion became unapproachable and a little stuffy," said Robert Boulogne, chief operating officer of the Mansion's parent, Dallas-based Rosewood Hotels. "That's the element we have to address."
As it aims to become more than just a place for special occasions, the Mansion is dropping its jackets-required dress code.

Critics say the renovation is overdue given that the Mansion faces so many new rivals.

When the Mansion's restaurant opened in 1980, there wasn't much competition when it came to fine dining. That situation has changed dramatically, with the arrival of a robust roster of high-end, nationally acclaimed restaurants such as Abacus, Stephan Pyles, Nobu, Craft and N9NE.

Also, up to even a year ago, there were only two other Dallas-area hotels vying for luxury-minded travelers: the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, and the Mansion's sister property, the Hotel Crescent Court.

Since then, Hotel Palomar, owned by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurant Group LLC, and the W Dallas Victory Hotel have opened. Although the two hotels are technically considered merely "upscale," they both have the $300-plus room rates typically reserved for luxury properties.

Even more of a threat, the Ritz-Carlton Dallas will open later this summer with 218 rooms and a restaurant led by the marquee chef the Ritz lured away from the Mansion, Dean Fearing.

Still other luxury projects, including a Mandarin Oriental in the Victory Park development, are expected to double the area's supply of top-end rooms compared with a year ago, to more than 1,400.

What's to come

At the Mansion, renovations will first focus on the restaurant and bar, refurbishing the ornately coffered ceilings and fireplace mantles while injecting a more contemporary feel.

When the restaurant reopens, diners will choose from a formal chef's tasting room; a slightly more moderately priced, come-as-you-are restaurant; and a cozy bar.

Early next year, the hotel's guest rooms, lobby and other public areas will be updated.

The Mansion's restaurant won't close completely but will limit service to about 16 tables in its Promenade area during construction on the dining room and bar.

Even with the facelift, it will be harder for the grand dame to compete.

All the newcomers mean the Mansion will have to share the market's limited base of luxury customers, said John Keeling, a senior vice president at PKF Consulting in Houston.

"There's a question in my mind whether that many luxury hotels can thrive in the Dallas market," he said, pointing to the fact that occupancy rates in the downtown core have trailed those in the rest of the nation.

Complicating matters, Mr. Keeling said, is the fact that the main driver of luxury lodging demand – corporate headquarters – have clustered around Las Colinas and Plano's Legacy business park rather than in downtown.

"The Mansion needs to go through this renovation if they want to survive," Mr. Keeling said. "It's still a classic hotel and great location, and they'll be a force to be reckoned with, but it won't be as easy for them as it has in the past."

Mr. Boulogne dismissed suggestions that the renovations are coming too late given that the Ritz will open later this summer while the Mansion is still under construction. "Dallas will always embrace the Mansion as its own," he said. "I don't think any chain is going to come in and usurp that."

The Mansion is a part of Dallas history like few other establishments. Its restaurant opened in the 1925 former home of cotton and oil magnate Sheppard King, with the hotel attachment following a year later.

Its hotel soon earned five-star and five-diamond status by Mobil Travel Guides as well as AAA – a distinction it holds exclusively in Texas. (The restaurant enjoys five-diamond status but dropped to four stars in 2002.)

But today, the storied hotel and restaurant show time's wear. Chips in the painted columns that lead into the dining room reveal gold flecks from an earlier, gilded life. The intricately carved fireplace mantle in the library is darkened from soot.

During the renovation, the dining room's mirrored wall will be replaced with a honey-colored onyx that will be echoed in the bar area. Lighting fixtures will be updated and the color palette will take on more contemporary hues of cognac, taupe, amber and celadon.

The patio off the Verandah will be upgraded with higher-end furnishings and become a more regular dining spot.

The Garden Room – now used mostly for private parties – will be turned into an intimate reception and after-dinner drinks area for those eating in the prix-fixe Chef's Room.

For the bar, there will be slightly brighter lighting, with new settees to replace the rounded banquettes and tables that better accommodate dining.

The restaurant has already undergone some changes with the departure of Mr. Fearing and arrival of executive chef John Tesar, whose menu steered away from Southwestern cuisine in favor of more continental flavors.

And it has quietly loosened its long-held dress policy. While staff still advised patrons that jackets are required in the dining room, the policy hasn't been strictly enforced for about a year.

That change was driven by what Mr. Boulogne said was a changing attitude toward luxury seen in Rosewood's hotels worldwide.

"Affluent customers want to be able to go anywhere and wear whatever they're comfortable in," he said. "It's not for us to dictate. We want to offer them a choice, and that's how we're going to be able to win in Dallas."

Plans for Fearing's at the Ritz also include multiple dining rooms and a bar offering both formal and casual styles to give patrons a choice. No dress code will be enforced.

At the Four Seasons, the dress code at its Cafe on the Green is "resort casual," which leaves jackets optional, though it bans jeans, shorts and swimsuits during dinner service.

A force ... of change

Longtime Dallas restaurateur Gene Street, who co-founded the Black-eyed Pea in 1975, is confident of the Mansion's future in Dallas, though he applauds the updating. "It's still, to me, the force to be reckoned with in Dallas' restaurant market," he said. "If you ask a cabdriver, 'What is the finest restaurant in Dallas?' I'd bet more than half of them would say the Mansion."

But when Mr. Street talked of a recent visit to the restaurant, he described an older crowd. "They weren't playing 'Moon River,' but it wasn't much livelier."

Rosewood's Mr. Boulogne said he hopes the changes will return the restaurant's pre-eminence and broaden its appeal to a younger crowd: "I want people to think of the Mansion as their club again."

The changes won't be easy for some, he was quick to point out.

"Change is hard, and a number of our loyal guests don't want change," he said. "The trouble is, there are just not enough of them to sustain this as only a special-occasion restaurant."

UPDATING AN INSTITUTION

The Mansion began a $20 million renovation of its restaurant and bar Monday. Work on its guest rooms and other public areas begins early next year.

Here's a look at some of the planned changes:

Seating choices: There will be three distinct dining areas: main restaurant, Chef's Room, bar.

Pricing changes: Expect slightly more moderate prices in the main restaurant.

Leave the coat at home: Jackets will be optional and jeans welcome in the main restaurant; jacket required in the Chef's Room.

Less linen: Exposed, dark wood tabletops in the main restaurant; linens in the Chef's Room.

A different flavor: New menus by executive chef John Tesar, including multiple tasting menus in the Chef's Room.

SOURCE: The Mansion on Turtle Creek

BY THE NUMBERS

Built: 1925

Restaurant opened: 1980

Hotel opened: 1981

Rooms: 143

Suites: 16

Starting room rate: $495

Starting suite rate: $800

SOURCE: The Mansion on Turtle Creek

[Owlhorn]

Hunt Tower

http://urbandallas.us/images/dallas_from_crane.jpg

[Dougall5505]

First post updated.

(I'm sure a few things here and there are missed intown(s), moreso further out in DFWland - but, it's at least updated for the first time since last December anyway. . .)
can you add renders to the first post? I'd really like to actually see all the projects going on

[yangtze]

I found this article about george michaels art collection
which will be housed in Dallas. I am from Atlanta, and I wish
we could do as well. You guys are getting an amazing
art collection.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/article01.asp?id=659

[colemonkee]

Hunt Tower isn't much of a "tower" in the context of it's surroundings, but it's a damn good-looking building regardless. Very modern from the frontage road with the curved glass, but an altogether different experience from the sides with the sheer granite walls. It's a great "entrance" building from uptown into downtown.

[MarkyPants2023]

I found this article about george michaels art collection
which will be housed in Dallas. I am from Atlanta, and I wish
we could do as well. You guys are getting an amazing
art collection.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/article01.asp?id=659

Hadn't even heard of this. Thanks for the details.

[DFW]

Here is the design for Museum Tower 42-stories!!!!!

Wait a few seconds and the tower will appear.

http://www.museumtowerdallas.com/#

Nice looking tower.

[Dale]

wow

[KevinFromTexas]

Yay for Dallas! I love it. Nice pic of the Hunt Tower also, Owlhorn. Another new favorite of mine.

[TexasStar]

Arts District condos offer the high life in a high-rise
Developers to offer luxury amenities
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...t.36d22ba.html

11:33 PM CDT on Thursday, June 14, 2007
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com

Developers hope their new condo skyscraper will be a standout in Dallas' downtown Arts District.

To buy into the ultramodern high-rise, residents will need to come up with $1 million for the smallest unit.

"The 42-story condominium building is planned to overlook the new Woodall Rodgers park and will be constructed on Olive Street next to the Nasher Sculpture Center.

The $200 million cylindrical tower was designed by Los Angeles architect Johnson Fain. The exterior of the high-rise is composed of three kinds of glass panels that will overlap like the scales on a fish...."

"The Museum Tower developers plan to open a marketing center in the Arts District next month. They intend to break ground for the building early next year..."

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/samclark/dallas/museum_1.jpg

[kazpmk]

great design!

[vjhe]

FANTASTIC design!

[OfCourse]

:babyeat: Yum

I like it!

[tgj33]

ballllin.

[Texas Tuff]

Wow!! That is a great design! One of the best I have seen so far.
:dancing:

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah. I really hope this beauty gets built.

[eburress]

Oh SHIT!!! Now THAT is a TOWER!! WOW!

Wow - what a gorgeous building! That is the perfect building for that spot, and is frankly what I think Hunt tower should have been more like (in terms of size/scale). Way to go Dallas! Hopefully something similar can get built on the old Lone Star Tower site.

[Owlhorn]

Nice.

How's the Victory/Mandarin coming along. Anyone?

Any pics? I LOVE the design.

Look at the construction immediately left of the W to see the Mandarin progress. Awesome pano by Ninjatune. Almost an Uptown construction summary though some projects are blocked.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1203/544044301_2bc455c227_o.jpg

[SkyWatcher]

Wow, that last photo is great work NinjaTune.

I like the new Museum Tower a lot....much better design...perfect for that area. Can't wait to see it go up!

[houston19514]

Amazing pano, Ninjatune. When was that taken?

[TTU Arch]

Amazing pano, Ninjatune. When was that taken?

That had to be taken over this past week or weekend, as they are still on the same floor for the Rosewood office tower across from the Cresent.

[MarkyPants2023]

It was taken june 12th the original site he posted it is here....

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?p=257489#post257489

[TexasStar]

MUSEUM TOWER
DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/samclark/dallas/museum_twr_ad.jpg
The Dallas Morning News

[MarkyPants2023]

This should bring the DFW crane count to well over 30...maybe even close to 40


33-acre development among the nation's largest under way
Dallas Business Journal - June 22, 2007by Bill HethcockStaff Writer
Kenneth Brock

The crane count will quadruple by year's end at the Park Lane mixed-use complex east of North Central Expressway as construction on the complicated project shifts to high gear.

Two tower cranes are at the 33-acre site now. Eight or nine will set up by December, said Eliot Barnett,managing partner of Dallas-based Harvest Partners, the project's master developer.

"It's going to be quite a scene," he said. "It's big and it's complicated."

When complete, Park Lane will have 3 million square feet, including more than 700,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space, 340,000 square feet of office space, 325 multifamily units and a 230-room luxury hotel with 88 condominiums in two towers over the hotel. The $650 million project across the expressway from NorthPark Center will cover five city blocks, making it one of the biggest mixed-use developments being built in the country this year.

Anchor tenants include a 90,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market, a 78,000-square-foot Sports Club/LA and the 230-room Valencia Hotel, plus about 50 smaller, upscale shops and restaurants such as a Nordstrom Rack and a Bailey's Prime steak house.

The project kicked off in January 2006 with the implosion of a 10-story office building to make way for site preparation, including grading and installation of utilities. Now that those less visible tasks are done, vertical construction is getting under way.

Contractor partnership
Two Dallas general contractors -- the Beck Group and Rogers-O'Brien Construction Co. -- have formed a joint venture called RO-Beck to build most of the retail, office, parking and some residential components.

Rogers O'Brien President and CEO Preston McAfee said this is the first time the two have worked together.

"We've been longtime friends and friendly competitors," he said. "The cultures of the companies are very aligned, which makes our people in the field very compatible."

Adam Van Daele, Rogers O'Brien vice president of business development, said the size and complexity of the project made it important to co-bid the project with Beck.

Gary Steele, senior project manager, said Beck and Rogers O'Brien teams are working together on each building rather than having Rogers-O'Brien work one building and Beck work another. "The idea is to build a little bit of competition between the teams and learn from each other," he said.

RO-Beck started construction June 1 on Block C of the project, which has 1 million square feet of retail, office, restaurants and structured parking and includes the Whole Foods space, Steele said. Shell construction cost on that block is $46 million.

RO-Beck will begin construction on Block D/F in mid-July, Steele said. That block includes an 800,000-square-foot mix of retail and structured parking, with a shell construction cost of about $30 million. Dick's Sporting Goods will be a tenant in that phase.

RO-Beck plans to start construction by November on the project's largest phase, Block E, which will include the Valencia Hotel, a condominium high-rise, the Sports Club/LA, parking garage and restaurants. No square footage has been set for the phase yet, but shell construction costs are pegged at about $110 million.

A third construction company, Cadence McShane Corp., is building Block B, which includes 590,000 square feet of residential space in a 20-story high-rise, a 15-story mid-rise and a four-story loft. The high-rise will have 62 residences, the mid-rise will have 218 homes and an adjoining building will have 45 loft apartments. The first homes will be delivered by summer 2008. Cadence McShane was selected by Houston-based PM Realty Group, the B-block developer. The block also includes 45,000 square feet of retail space and a 505-space parking garage.

Retail occupancy will begin in fall 2008 and continue into spring 2009, Barnett said. The retail space is 73% preleased, he said. The office space under construction will be ready for occupancy in spring 2009, and leasing is just beginning for that space, he said.

bhethcock@bizjournals.com | 214-706-7125

[MarkyPants2023]

Take that back. After counting, DFW will be above 40 with those additional cranes

[Owlhorn]

Posted by TexasStar

Looking south over the 2000 McKinney site towards downtown
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_02.jpg

From 2000 McKinney with 1900 McKinney u/c to the right
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_02.jpg

2000 McKinney with Woodall Park site and Nasher Sculpture Garden. The Museum Tower site is the surface lot to the left.
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_03.jpg

Hunt HQ nearing completion
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_05.jpg

Ritz-Carlton & Residences with Rosewood towers and Azure behind
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_06.jpg

2000 McKinney
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_07.jpg

Rosewood Court, Rosewood Alta and Azure behind them
http://urbandallas.us/postings/2000_mckinney_08.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Better rendering of Akard Place that would go up near Victory

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4048/akard20renderingwt8.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Cirque by Rosewood

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/pullinbuddy/CIRQUE/IMG_0070.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/pullinbuddy/CIRQUE/IMG_0029.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/pullinbuddy/CIRQUE/IMG_0008.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Azure by Rosewood

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/pullinbuddy/CIRQUE/IMG_0035.jpg

[Owlhorn]

rendering of The Ambrose mixed use building, which is u/c at the future Baylor Hospital DART rail station that opens in 2009

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/73/theambrosedeepellumnm6.jpg

[Owlhorn]

Old Red Courthouse new clock tower by BigD5349

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13309

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13310

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13311

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13326

[TTU Arch]

Amazing how green everything looks in July with all the rain we have been having. Looks good.

[kazpmk]

thanks for the updates owlhorn.

[TexasBoi]

Holy shit the Azure looks good. Really tall. I knew it would be tall but not tower over the rest of the buildings surrounding it.

I also like that Ambrose project. Have they broken ground on it yet and are there other projects planned like this around the other future stations? I assume it won't take long to build that but that's great they are building it on the rail.

[DFW]

Icon Center
ICON Partners, LLC
http://www.ucrrealty.com/photos/properties/flyers/200705152057540.icon.pdf

Does anybody know about this?

[TTU Arch]

^Icon was formerly Westmount. The original designers were SOM for the shell and towers and RTKL for the retail portion. That design is the collaborative effort of RTKL and SOM. Not sure the stance of who is working on what now as the design team has now changed.

[Owlhorn]

One Arts Plaza night lighting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd2HTYSEueM

[colemonkee]

^ Speaking of One Arts Plaza, I was in the Big D yesterday and noticed what looked like green mesh fencing near the top. I assume that will eventually be removed, right?

[Austin55]

my city is boring. The methodist mansfield medical center is the only one.Its now complete.Does anyone here know what big leuge(sp) dreams is?

[Atomic Glee]

Not enough Fort Worth on this thread, so...
Fort Worth Updates

Not 100% complete, but close enough for now.

Omni Hotel & Condos, downtown - under construction:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/264058625_4204a5d6dd.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/843454646_c0928a073b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/843454434_8f840b1646.jpg

One City Place/Shops at City Place - redevelopment of one Tandy Center tower to condos and demolishment of Fort Worth Outlet Mall for replacement with street-facing shops, downtown - underway:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/90/268183098_9a8d7f26b2.jpg

Two City Place - redevelopment of the other Tandy Center tower to Class A office space, downtown - nearing completion:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/585306488_a16989a716.jpg

The Carnegie Building, downtown - under construction:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/367230506_4de591e9ea.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/872075406_fe1fe48897.jpg

The Caceria Building, downtown - under construction:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/CaceriaOpener.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1298/871225457_8022c8ee48.jpg

Le Bijou townhomes, downtown - completed:

(Older photo)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/428921404_e0c9e25a9e.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/486780098_345b41ab29.jpg

Texas & Pacific Lofts, downtown - completed:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/46278877_da9c8c3c58.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/486803962_61cb8ff555.jpg

Texas & Pacific Warehouse Lofts & Retail - planned, construction beginning soon:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1424/835103266_ad0233a2b1.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/texaspacificwarehouse1.jpg

The Neil P. at Burnett Park, downtown - completed:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/neilpatburnettpark1.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/486824319_d7974c16cb.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/486794708_e81ef29427.jpg

959 West Bluff Street Lofts, downtown - completed:

No photo.

Versailles condos, downtown - first phase completed, second phase planned:

No photo.

Cantey Hangar Plaza, downtown - under construction:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/canteyhangarplaza.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/585303284_4c08f547bb.jpg

Tarrant County College campus by Bing Thom, downtown/Uptown - under construction:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1015/576624505_e50a85e148.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1182/585305782_a036d212b9.jpg

Trinity Terrace City Tower, downtown - under construction:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/871226859_f89872e140.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126/871226317_f08cd864df.jpg

714 Main redevelopment, downtown - underway:

(Photo by John T. Roberts (http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com))
http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/714main2.jpg

Pecan Place townhomes, downtown - first phase complete, second phase under construction:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/277757773_484fda6fb7.jpg

Pecan Place condos, downtown - complete:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/486806733_97672c6483.jpg

XTO Energy restoration of Bob Simpson Building, downtown - mostly complete:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/42/82208630_6004c4c183.jpg

XTO Energy restoration of Petroleum Building, downtown - underway:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1346/601563490_a107f2b3fc.jpg

Montgomery Plaza, Cultural District - retail complete, residential under conversion:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/97007664_d3bebfb0e7.jpg

So7 Townhomes, Cultural District - phase one complete, phase two underway:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/871307625_7296a9d252.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/872159154_3213fb0859.jpg

So7 ArtHouse Condos, Cultural District - nearing completion:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1282/871293335_dc1a6f3fd4.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/872159492_550af58497.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/871307283_f4676abf2e.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/872157746_d2afc676f2.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/872156280_7bf5423f4a.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/872152216_b770db4334.jpg

So7 Shops & So7 RiverHouse Lofts, Cultural District - construction beginning soon:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/so7new1.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/so7new2.jpg

West 7th, Cultural District - in planning:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/west7th1.jpg

Museum Place, Cultural District - under construction:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/museumplaceoverview1a.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/museumplaceretail1.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/museumplaceresidential1.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/museumplaceoffice1.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1238/872076860_4c4dbada6d.jpg

Village Homes Cultural District Townhomes: complete:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/872078146_6cb30b0a92.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/871228183_ace19cd05f.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1306/871227765_7de65298b3.jpg

Lincoln at Trinity Bluff, Uptown - complete:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/486762492_cc7c6a4464.jpg

Palisades at Trinity Bluff, Uptown - nearing completion:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/486760370_78ece83bae.jpg

Villa De Leon at Trinity Bluff, Uptown - planned:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/VilladeLeon_full.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/villadeleon2.jpg

Pavilion at Samuels Avenue, Uptown - under construction:

No photo.

LaGrave Field mixed-use, Uptown - construction beginning soon:

No photo.

XTO Energy restoration of Swift & Co. Office Building, uptown - complete:

(Older photo)
http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/swift1.jpg

Fairmount Lofts, Fort Worth South - first phase complete, second phase planned:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/141649930_5784c26975.jpg

Oleander Lofts, Fort Worth South - complete:

No photo.

Pennsylvania Lofts, Fort Worth South - complete:

No photo.

Lofts at Modern Drug Village, Fort Worth South - complete:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/524327249_23ce74dabd.jpg

Lofts of St. Mary's, Fort Worth South - planned:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/loftsofstmarysnew1.jpg

Oleander Place townhomes, Fort Worth South - planned, construction beginning soon:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/oleanderplace1.jpg

Mixed-use at Magnolia & Henderson, Fort Worth South - planned, construction beginning soon:

No rendering.

Max Mehl Building restoration, Fort Worth South - complete:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/835103226_5382e83451.jpg

Baylor All Saints expansion, Fort Worth South - under construction, nearing completion:

No photo.

Texana Townhomes, Fort Worth South - first phase complete, second phase just completed:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/texana1.jpg

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/texanaphase2-3.jpg

Magnolia Green townhomes, Fort Worth South - nearing completion:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/magnoliagreen1a.jpg

Magnolia Green office/retail developments, Fort Worth South - complete:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/magnoliagreen2.jpg

LaSalle Apartments restoration, Fort Worth South - complete:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/lasalle1.jpg

[TexasBoi]

Great update on Ft. Worth and I like many of the new townhomes. We need to see more of them.:tup:

[Austin55]

Very good update

[TTU Arch]

New developer takes over 1600 Pacific redo
Lockey Capital's plans for 1600 Pacific get OK for HUD funding
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/080807dnbuspacific.35a85ed.html

07:58 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 8, 2007
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News

A stalled downtown Dallas redevelopment has been revived with a new owner and construction plans.

Lockey Capital Group intends to start work before the end of the year to turn the mostly vacant 1600 Pacific tower into more than 300 apartments.

Developer Curtis Lockey said Tuesday that the office redo has gotten approved for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding. "We've put a whole new capital structure for the project together," he said.

Mr. Lockey said the former developer of the residential building, San Diego businessman Joe Sapp, is no longer involved in the deal.

Starting in 2005, Mr. Sapp's 3J Development LLC purchased three downtown office buildings that he planned to convert to residential: 1600 Pacific, the Praetorian Building on Main Street and the 211 N. Ervay building. The company also bought a 10-level parking garage next to 1600 Pacific.

The new developer and investor, Lockey Capital, is part of Lockey Investment Group, a Dallas-based investment advisory firm.

Mr. Lockey said he and his partners now own all of the properties and are studying redevelopment plans.

"We are going to start with the big gorilla first," he said.

The 33-story 1600 Pacific – originally the LTV Tower – was built in 1964 and has almost 500,000 square feet of space. The glass-and-stone tower, which was designed by architects Harwood K. Smith and Dales Y. Foster as the home for Ling-Temco-Vought Inc., cost about $16 million to build.

The 500-space parking garage with its distinctive concrete exterior was built in 1966 and designed by Harrell & Hamilton, the firm that designed NorthPark Center and later became Omniplan architects.

Dallas' BGO Architects Inc. did the current redesign of the building, which includes an outdoor pool deck on the fifth floor.

Most of the building's tinted glass exterior will remain.

"We are going to have balconies on every unit above the fifth floor," Mr. Lockey said. "That will have a dramatic impact on the exterior."

The Focus Group has been a consultant on the project and will do the leasing and management, and Andres Construction is the general contractor.

With redevelopment of 1600 Pacific, Thanks-Giving Square will have the largest concentration of converted apartments downtown.

There are already almost 700 rental units in the Republic and Mosaic buildings.

"Every new project that comes on line has a huge impact on what the street feels like and increases the residential population, which helps everything," said developer Ted Hamilton, who is completing the Mosaic building.

"Think what Thanks-Giving Square will be like when all those buildings are full."

[oreo]

hey 'yall', i have a few pretty crappy photos from my recent roadtrip

taken on july 27

lil bit of fort worth
fort worth cranes (not sure what it is):
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/125/pict2240wr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

texas & pacific lofts:
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8988/pict2239nq5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

dallas:
victory park construction (and azure):
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4255/pict2260uf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cirque:
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7900/pict2281iz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the house:
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4861/pict2280yb8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

not quite sure:
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6051/pict2283bx7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bonus: two bad shots of the w
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5161/pict2263xq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/7047/pict2261uz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[dfwcr8tive]

Second Ritz-Carlton condo tower going up
11:13 AM CDT on Thursday, August 9, 2007
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...n.1929153c.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/081007dnbusritzcarlton.1929153c.html)

A week before the first building opens, construction is underway on a second condo tower in Uptown's Ritz-Carlton development.

Crescent Real Estate Equities Co. has begun building the 23-story Residences at the Ritz-Carlton phase two building at Pearl Street and Cedar Springs Road.

The 23-story tower will contain 96 condominiums and is set to open in mid-2009.

Homes in the $175 million project will range from $700,000 to $8 million.

Construction of the Uptown condo tower follows successful sale of 70 condos in the first building, which also includes the Ritz-Carlton Dallas Hotel.

"It's basically sold out – I think we have one unit left," said William Mabus, vice president of development at Crescent. "Phase two is 50 percent presold."

...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0810ritzcarlton.jpg

[Urbanartistry]

Can anyone tell me if there have been any new developments on the Hall Arts District Tower? Is this still on hold?

[TexasBoi]

Hey Oreo. Those were good pics.

[MarkyPants2023]

Can anyone tell me if there have been any new developments on the Hall Arts District Tower? Is this still on hold?

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?p=263060#post263060

[dfwcr8tive]

Posh pad caps Mercantile redo
08:51 AM CDT on Friday, August 17, 2007
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...le.35a867d.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/081707dnbusmercantile.35a867d.html)

Dallas business bigwigs used to gather on the top floor of the Mercantile National Bank tower to hash out big deals. But that was decades ago. And the perch atop the Mercantile tower gathered dust for years.

Now, thanks to a makeover of the downtown landmark, the former bank space is becoming one of the most exclusive residential addresses in town.Developer Forest City Enterprises has turned the penthouse floor of the 64-year-old tower into a swank apartment with 360-degree views of the city. The almost 3,000-square-foot home even has a glass-walled terrace with a front-row seat on the skyline." We haven't priced this one yet, but it's going to be expensive," said James Truitt, the Forest City vice president who's heading up the $250 million redevelopment. "After all, there's only one like it."

With work on Main Street's Mercantile building about 75 percent complete, construction crews are rushing to make a February opening date. Construction on a second, all-new apartment tower on the same block and designed by Dimella-Shafer Architects of Boston won't be done until October 2008. Contractors spent months demolishing a hodgepodge of additions on the east side of the Mercantile, making a big change in the appearance of the old office tower. For the first time in almost 50 years, there's an unobstructed view of the tower from the east side of downtown. "When those buildings came down you were able to see the Mercantile by itself, and now you can now see the historic details," Mr. Truitt said. "We took out 700,000 square feet of buildings to get to that."

But the east side of the art moderne skyscraper no longer looks like it did on opening day in 1943. As part of the switch from office to residential space, designers at BGO Architects added a series of balconies and terraces. Inside, the changes are even more striking. The two-story second-floor banking lobby with its polished stone and wood walls is being saved as grand retail space.

The more than 30 floors of former offices and banking back rooms are now mostly converted into apartments. "Out of 216 units, we have 50 different floor plans," Mr. Truitt said. Prices will average about $2,000 a month for a two-bedroom unit and around $1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment. From the rental units, there are sweeping vistas of the surrounding financial district. The lower levels on the west side face Neiman Marcus' flagship store. "You'll have a good view of their Christmas lights during the holidays," Mr. Truitt said.

Some of the historic office building will remain out of sight after the opening – including two big vaults in the basement and the former mechanical rooms. "The boiler plant in the basement was scary – it looked like it came off an old ship," said Dan Hughes, senior project manager

....

As part of the renovation, Cleveland-based Forest City has used environmentally friendly building materials in all of the apartments, including carpet produced from recycled materials and countertops made from crushed glass. "When we tore down the other buildings, we recycled 95 percent of the materials in them," Mr. Hughes said.

While the Mercantile tower is a holdover from World War II days, the interiors of all the residences are done in sleek, contemporary design."Our residents like the old and historic, but they want all the conveniences of today," Mr. Truitt said. Elevator lobbies will be decorated with vintage photos of the Mercantile building. And crews are saving some of the old marble and stained wood panels in the hallways."For Dallas, this is an iconic building, and we want to celebrate that," Mr. Truitt said

....

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0817penthouse.jpg

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0817mercvert.jpg

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0817merckitchen.jpg

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0817mercnewlobby.jpg

Mercantile building has a rich history
08:37 AM CDT on Friday, August 17, 2007
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...oz.2124573.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/realestate/stories/081707dnbusmercboz.2124573.html)

• Started in 1942, the 31-story Mercantile National Bank Building was the only U.S. skyscraper of its size built during World War II. The War Department gave Dallas banker R.L. Thornton special permission for the construction. Since the steel for the building had already been fabricated, it wasn't economical to halt construction and reuse the metal for wartime battleships and tanks.

• Once the tallest building in the state, the $1.8 million limestone and brick tower at Main and Ervay streets was designed by New York architect Walter Ahlschlager, who did Manhattan's landmark Roxy Theater and the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. The building's signature clock tower was added later.

• Renovations to the original building and additions on the east side in the 1950s and 1960s obscured the Merc's original art moderne stone façade on the lower floors. Those additions have now been demolished, and the original exterior is being restored.

•Originally home to Mercantile National Bank, later Mbank, the building has been vacant since 1993. With about 900,000 square feet in the complex, it was the largest vacant office block in downtown Dallas.

•The Merc is being rehabbed into 215 apartments with two floors of retail space at the bottom. The first phase opens in February. A second building under construction next door will have more than 150 apartments and opens in late 2008.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0817merclobby.jpg

Link: Read a 1943 Dallas Morning News article about the bank's opening (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-07/0817mercopening.pdf)

[Austin55]

whats going on in Arlington?
I got glory park,heres the official site,http://www.glorypark.com/ Its been mentoined once or twice here.
Does anyone have info on Mansfield Developments?

[dallasbrink]

Very cool...i was driving around down town saturday and i didnt have my camera with me. Im going to try to make it over there again here in the next week to get pics of everything. What can you guys tell me about Cirque 2, Akard Place and 1900 Pacific Ave

I dont know if anyone agrees with me...but arnt you ready to see them get started on the Calatrava Bridge, Woodall Rodgers Park and the Dallas lag of the Trinity Project?

[dallasbrink]

whats going on in Arlington?
I got glory park,heres the official site,http://www.glorypark.com/ Its been mentoined once or twice here.
Does anyone have info on Mansfield Developments?

Nothing yet, but expect land moving to take place here in the next few months, most likely after the sad Rangers season is over.

[dallasbrink]

whats going on in Arlington?
I got glory park,heres the official site,http://www.glorypark.com/ Its been mentoined once or twice here.
Does anyone have info on Mansfield Developments?

Nothing yet, but expect land moving to take place here in the next few months, most likely after the sad Rangers season is over.

[dallasbrink]

Element under development in Irving
Dallas Business Journal - 10:48 AM CDT Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Print this Article Email this Article Reprints RSS Feeds Most Viewed Most Emailed
Plans are under way to open an Element hotel in Irving in October 2008.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has inked a deal with Sava Holdings LTD to open the hotel.


The companies will break ground on the project, at Interstate 635 and Beltline Road, next week.

White Plains, N.Y.-based Starwood says the hotel will have 123 guestrooms designed for extended stay, with a complete kitchen.

The nature-inspired hotel will have modern touches, such as WiFi and an international pantry stocked with everything from Korean kimchi soup to Greek delicacies.

It will feature an outdoor fire pit and barbecue, where nightly gatherings will be held and will have about 1,600 square feet of meeting space and an integrated technology center and library.

Starwood's other hotel and leisure brands include St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W, Le Méridien and AloftSM, among others.

Sava Holdings is an Irving-based venture investment company.

Web site: www.starwoodhotels.com


http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2007/08/27/daily23.html?surround=lfn

[Austin55]

I dont know if anyone agrees with me...but arnt you ready to see them get started on the Calatrava Bridge, Woodall Rodgers Park and the Dallas lag of the Trinity Project?[/QUOTE]

YES!

good for Irving.

[dallasbrink]

So ya, i e-mailed the dallas city council telling them how sorry they were on delaying the Calatrava bridge and the Trinity river project.

There was 4 messages on my answer machine later from city secretaries wanting to talk to me.

I didn't curse them out or anything...i wonder what they wanted.

[toxteth o'grady]

Money.

[Austin55]

ive heard rumors of 2 25-35 story hotels near the cboys new stadium. I'll bet that gonna be a fun area to watch soon

[toxteth o'grady]

That area could use a little something. The big excitement is a Wal-Mart across the street from the stadium site.

Of course, they may want to think about parking garages. BIG ones...:tup:

[dallasbrink]

That area could use a little something. The big excitement is a Wal-Mart across the street from the stadium site.

Of course, they may want to think about parking garages. BIG ones...:tup:

HAHAHA, that will make for some AWESOME tail gating and i wont be surprised to see walmart tunr that stroe into one of there hybrid stores where they try new stuff out at.

And ya, glory park is the development going up in the parking lots around the ball park

[maconahey]

Jefferson at West End Station
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/7383/img2955lt1.jpg

1900 McKinney
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/6388/img2868jb6.jpg

Cirque
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4972/img2865ax6.jpg

1900 Mckinney (left) Rosewood Court (center) 2000 McKinney (right)
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9063/img2872asx1.jpg

View down Harwood St.
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/141/img2836yi8.jpg

New crosswalks on Main St.
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5828/img2717sf5.jpg

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/624/img3003qz6.jpg

[eburress]

Wow - that Uptown area is getting dense in a HURRY!

[dallasbrink]

Ya, apparently Woodall Rodgers Deck Park and The Museum Tower are supposed to start here in the next few months.

[Texas Tuff]

Ya, apparently Woodall Rodgers Deck Park and The Museum Tower are supposed to start here in the next few months.

Great news. I can't wait to see these two projects get going. BTW, I'm sure glad the forum is back up.

[Urbanartistry]

Has work on the Woodall Rogers Park deck really been confirmed to start in the next few months? I hadn't read about this anywhere. If so, that's incredible news! :cheers:

[dallasbrink]

Has work on the Woodall Rogers Park deck really been confirmed to start in the next few months? I hadn't read about this anywhere. If so, that's incredible news! :cheers:

Yes, i think they are waiting till fall when the ground is easier to work

[Austin55]

Thats what Ive heard.

Ya, apparently Woodall Rodgers Deck Park and The Museum Tower are supposed to start here in the next few months.

was museam tower appproved?

[dallasbrink]

Thats what Ive heard.



was museam tower appproved?


Thats what i hear, it should be starting construction here soon

[TexasStar]

The Cirque is topped out and crane removed.

http://urbandallas.us/postings/Complimentary_S.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1058/1394489773_2763eb6ce5_o.jpg)

1900 McKinney Avenue rising on the skyline.

http://urbandallas.us/postings/1900_McK_09-16-07_S.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/1395114392_975948df3a_o.jpg)

Old Red Courthouse and Clock Tower now completed.

http://urbandallas.us/postings/old_red_09-16-07_S.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1086/1395111492_fae8896db2_o.jpg)

St.Ann Court - early site work underway.

http://urbandallas.us/postings/St_Ann_Ct_09-16-07_S.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/1394541967_0ccf0de62b_o.jpg)

The House in Victory Park

http://urbandallas.us/postings/the_house_09-16-07_S.jpg (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/1395112344_601fef1d11_o.jpg)

[CALMSP]

just got back from a night at the Fairmont and partying at the W, the whole area, along with Uptown (we were at Lotus) is pretty cool......Houston needs to take note!!

[toxteth o'grady]

That area around Discovery Green in Houston is going to be impressive if all the projects proposed come to fruition.

[maconahey]

Jefferson at the Arts District

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2663/jpiartsft8.jpg

[CALMSP]

Dallas sure does things right.............residential above and commercial on the bottom.......we down here in Dirty Houston need to take note of this concept!!! And fast!! I'm sick of all the apartments being built but no commercial!