[Paul in S.A TX]

I'm not sure what the height of the building but it is defintly taller than 500 feet. The Marriott Riverwalk, right next door is over 300 feet.It looks like something that you would find in NYC. I love it, hopefully the green and blue will be lit at night.

What u think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/TimManuParker/skyscraper.jpg




http://tinypic.com/wgsyb

[Paul in S.A TX]

The 454 foot Tower Life is in the back.

[Paul in S.A TX]

It is so different from the historical architecture in downtown. I't looks really slendor, which is cool, it's growing on me. Any kind of new skyscraper is good news,

[urbanlife]

I like it.

[mpls]

i'd definitely like to see more angles/images, but of what i see, i definitely like. the large glass sections w/ colorful treatments are quite attractive and the form seems pretty solid. i wonder how that red wall will turn out, tho?

[Paul in S.A TX]

This will put S.A's skyline in a higher tier of skylines.

[mpls]

how many rooms? i like how it has squarish floorplates, not the big, nasty, rectangular ones common to hotels (see denver's convention hotel).

[The Nano]

In the journal, one of the captions says it will be 525 feet. It looks great, hopefully this one gets built.

[Stephenapolis]

I like it. It is very colorful. Hope it gets built.

[Stu]

It's not bad. It's colorful. I like this trend of the US's mid-sized cities getting new tallest building which are residential or hotel or both. Um, now let's see them get built.

[Paul in S.A TX]

It is colorful, i really like it.I wouldn't classify S.A a mid sized city, it has nearly 2 million people.Some of you might classify cities this size as mid sized.

[Stu]

^Yeah it's quite large. I should have said large cities outside the big three( NYC CHI and LA).

[JACKinBeantown]

It's 1,000 rooms. And the Tower Life building is 404 feet plus the 150 foot antenna. Judging by this rendering it will be in a location that will not block the view between the Tower of the Americas and the Riverwalk... so that's good. And I kinda like the design. So all-in-all I think it's a big win for San Antonio.

[JACKinBeantown]

I'd like to see a rendering with more of the SA skyline to get a good idea of the overall effect.

[TalB]

If this hotel does get built, where will it rank among SA's tallest?

[Paul in S.A TX]

it looks at least 600 feet, but the article says 525 feet. If so it would be about almost as tall as the marriot Rivercenter.It is more slendor so it looks taller.

[JACKinBeantown]

If there is no spire then the new building would actually be taller than the Marriott. The Marriott's height is 441 feet to the roof / 545 feet to the spire.

[StevenW]

cool.

[Paul in S.A TX]

i though it was 490 feet.

[Benhamin]

Those colors scare me.

[JACKinBeantown]

I got those numbers from this website.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Not bad!

[Paul in S.A TX]

I need to resize it again later, anyone feel free to do it.

[JACKinBeantown]

I think that rendering is a little out of scale. It makes it look 650-700 feet tall next to the old Marriott.

[TalB]

At least this would give some height for SA.

[JACKinBeantown]

I'll be in SA Monday night. Too bad this thing won't be built by then.

[KevinFromTexas]

That's not a 500 footer, that's a 600 footer. It looks to be nearly twice the height of the Marriott Riverwalk, which I've heard is 325 feet and does have 30 floors. And you know, if they build it there, it actually won't block the views that badly from the tower since it's so slender. Hopefully the Tower Life Building won't be blocked from view though, that's my favorite San Antonio building.

[JACKinBeantown]

I'm just assuming that rendering is out of scale, Kevin. I've seen that happen many times in New York.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Maybe the Marriott should be scaled a little larger.

[shakman]

That's not a 500 footer, that's a 600 footer. It looks to be nearly twice the height of the Marriott Riverwalk, which I've heard is 325 feet and does have 30 floors. And you know, if they build it there, it actually won't block the views that badly from the tower since it's so slender. Hopefully the Tower Life Building won't be blocked from view though, that's my favorite San Antonio building.

I thought the Marriott Riverwalk is great deal taller then 325 feet.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Saytownboy do you have that pic that shows how it will look on the overall skyline?

[Paul in S.A TX]

A view looking away from the city core.The Tower of Americas is 622 feet to the observation level, to the roof a little more and to the antannae 750 feet. I think the new hotel will be almost as tall as the Tower Life to the top of it's antannae which is 550 feet.
http://tinypic.com/xajia

[Paul in S.A TX]

It makes the Tower life look small, maybe cause it's not directly next to it. I guess the scale is right., maybe just off a tad.I think the slendor design is to maintain the view of the city core.

http://www.raulsphotography.com/sarea/sa20.jpg

http://www.raulsphotography.com/sarea/sa4.jpg

http://www.raulsphotography.com/sarea/sa18.jpg

http://www.amerroofing.com/Projects/images/LifeTower.gif



http://www.photohome.com/pictures/texas-pictures/san-antonio/tower-life-building-1a.jpg

[Paul in S.A TX]

Here is the revived runner up design which is the former winner of the killed project.I still kinda like the new one,especially if it is illuminated by vibrant neon colors.

http://tinypic.com/xajw3

http://img.bizjournals.com/u/f/sanantonio/20041206/coverimage.jpg

[starvinggryphon]

Anyone know when they are going to start construction on this thing? I heard that the year of completion will be 2008.

[Paul in S.A TX]

It was on the news last night.We should find out today.

[SayTownboy]

Construction is set to start sometime this spring (MARCH '05) with a completion date sometime in 2008.

[starvinggryphon]

There was a graphic in yesterday's Express-News. The roof of the Hotel will be the same height as the bottom of the Tower restaurant level (or observation deck, I forget what the lowest level is). The building doesn't look too bad when viewed from the North or South. The article also stated that the public will be invited to participate when the Faulkner design is submitted to the city's Historic and Design Review Commission. So if the design is too offending to the eye or if it doesn't compliment the historic areas it will be amended.

[The Nano]

We need to find someone to do a diagram for the database.

[JACKinBeantown]

The restaurant level is at 579 feet. I was in SA over Christmas and I saw in the Express the figure of 458 feet for this hotel. So many numbers are being thrown around that I don't really believe any of them until there is an official announcement regarding the height of the final approved design.

[Paul in S.A TX]

I did see that, so I dont know whats correct.The rendering your talking about is almost to tower level which is clearly not 458 feet.The other articles say its 525 feet. It looks taller than the Marriott Rivercenter which is 546 feet to the Spires.

[JACKinBeantown]

Any more news on this? It's been a few weeks since I've heard anything.

[HurricaneHugo]

IMO, it's ugly....

[Paul in S.A TX]

There was an article in the Cultural section of the S.A. Express news talking about the design and how it will fit in with the rest of downtown.It also said it will be 575 feet tall so it will be the second tallest structure in S.A. I like it, just hope it's illuminated well.

[JACKinBeantown]

Paul, do you have a copy of that article?

[Paul in S.A TX]

I do i will have to scan it.

[Paul in S.A TX]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v478/TimManuParker/skyscraper.jpg




http://tinypic.com/wgsyb

[Benhamin]

^ I really hope they change the color schemes, imo, the colors of that building are nasty. As for the structure itself, it's ok, I really hope the newer design that was killed gets built that is posted further up on this page, that one looks much better.

Congrats on S.A. getting a new tallest, but it could have and should have been better.

[Paul in S.A TX]

This isn't the final design, they plan to add several hundred condos on top which should make more than 600 feet.

[Paul in S.A TX]

The Marriott Rivercenter in the frist pic is 546 feet so this the new hotel could actually be almost 700 feet if the new condos are added.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Construction begins June 10th.

[Paul in S.A TX]

Hotel Contessa on the River is another hotel for downtown to add to the almost 15,000 exsisting hotel rooms.

http://www.thehotelcontessa.com/images/renderinglarge.jpg

[Paul in S.A TX]

Thats 15,000 downtown rooms.

[Lecom]

At least it's all solid all the way to the top, no cheating.

[Chicago3rd]

Love the building. Can someone superimpose the building onto a picture taken from the observation deck of the Tower of Americas so we can see how the view will be altered?

[Corinth940]

As someone that grew up in SA, I always try to stay up on most of the new developments but I guess I've missed a lot of good info on this new hotel/condo tower. June 10th eh? Hmm, that's right around the corner...any updated info on height or final designs?

I'm excited for all the changes I see taking place in SA when I'm back visiting my folks, but I'm thrilled that a new tallest is being built for downtown!!

[davinSA]

Ground was broken today at the construction site for the new convention center hotel. I was there. It is going to be built. Anyone know about the condos atop of the hotel? How about any info on the proposed 32 story resdential loft building in St. Paul Square????

[JACKinBeantown]

Welcome to the forum, Davin. Thanks for the report of the groundbreaking. Glad to hear it's actually happening. I don't think the placement will block the view of the Tower from most of downtown (at least I hope it won't).

[davinSA]

So here is the latest for those of you that don't recieve or read the Express: Seems that the hotel will be on 34 floors, with an addition of 144 luxury residences and 8 penthouse units. Total number of floors was not disclosed, as the total number of stories the building would have in the end. My guess, maybe 45-50 stories, when all is said and constructed?? Anybody have anymore information on this??

[kazpmk]

It sounds like this tower will be shorter than the Marriot Hotel and will only be SAn Antonio's second tallest building.

[JACKinBeantown]

Well, the Marriott is only 38 stories, so this will undoubtedly be taller... unless you're counting the Marriott's spires.

[kazpmk]

unfortunately, spires count

[Paul in S.A TX]

it's going to be at least 575 feet.There is no way it was scaled down in height.The Roof will also give it some height.

[Paul in S.A TX]

The building will certainly be second tallest structure in San Antonio at nearly 600 feet.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/jaga185/HotelConvention.jpg

[texboy]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/HyattSanAntonioConventionCenter.jpg

OK GUYS!!! Construction has begun on the Hyatt San Antonio Convention Center Hotel, So what better way to kick off the construction than with an ALL NEW THREAD!?!?!

As time goes on I will add more pictures as construction progresses and y'all can too!

Ok, these first few pictures are pre-contruction. The parking garage is almost the exact footprint of where the hotel with stand. The first two pictures are showing you where the hotel will stand in relation to the Marriot Rivercenter and the Marriot Riverwalk. Its the big "hole".

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0757.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0756.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0766.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0761.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0766.jpg

These next couple of pictures are the first signs of construction at the site. These were take on July 6, 2005 (yesterday). They have started to demolish the existing garage that is ajacent to the Lila Cockrell Theatre.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0972.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0973.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/IMG_0974.jpg

There you have it! Lets Get it Started!

[JACKinBeantown]

Nice Texboy. I hope they never tear down the parking garage across the street. It has a stupid sentimental value to me... my dad and I used to park the car there when we went to Spurs games in the old Hemisfair Arena and watched Gervin and the gang play all-offense basketball.

[The Nano]

Wow, i think i need to start posting again. I cant wait till this thing starts rising. BTW, i love all offense basketball but not phoenix. Just Dallas's from a couple of years back.

[MNMike]

since when is it a hyatt? did that change? Looks cool

[texboy]

Its been a Hyatt ever since Faulkner went into exclusive negotiations with Hyatt in February? I believe. The Sheraton proposal was dropped a while ago.

[Mopacs]

Alright! The Hotel construction thread is now 'official'! Keep up the good work with the photos, Texboy. I'm sure with all the demolition and subsequent excavation, it will be quite some time before the hotel begins to rise above street level.

[jaga185]

yeah, since you first have to create a riverwalk level, is the parking going somewhere else, or is it going on the bottom of the hotel?

[jaga185]

it looks as if they are tearing this thing down little by little, why not get an earth mover or whatever they are called, the things with the giant mouths...it would go much faster

[JACKinBeantown]

because of possible damage to the theater next door?

[jaga185]

oh yeah, I forgot they have be careful of the Lila Cockrell. I had always thought that they were gonna tear down the hotel before June 10th.

[texboy]

Found it! ha! anyway, I drove by the construction site, and the garage is about halfway down now. The next pics I take will be when the garage is fully down.

[texboy]

Drove by the site again today, and MAN are they moving slow on tearing that garage down! I would say theres maybe 40-50% of the structure still standing! Im WAY too anxious to see those tower cranes go up! haha Im HOPING that by December some sort of crane is out there.

[JACKinBeantown]

I'd guess that it will be a while before the carnes go up. They have to take down the garage and dig the foundation pit carefully because of the theater next door. Once that's done I'd guess the actual building process will go more quickly.

[starvinggryphon]

Foundations take forever and a day! Even so I think December is a reasonable date. It's been so long since anything of this size was built to add to our long-suffering skyline. Last time was 16 years ago (Marriott Rivercenter and Weston Centre).

[texboy]

I drove by the sight and the front part of the garage that butts up to Market St. is almost completely down! I really wish we could get some good renderings of this project!

[KevinFromTexas]

Congrats San Antonio! I saw the demolition going on 2 weeks ago when I was in town. I'm not going to list the building as under construction yet at Skyscrapers.com because they're just doing demo work for the garage. As soon as they actually breakground I'll change it. I'd rather do it that way than to have people thinking the building is taking longer to building. I'm so excited about it, I can't wait to see it rise!

[texboy]

The Groundbreaking ceremony has already taken place.

[BrownsvilleTx]

^Where's the pics?!!!! Updated pics please...

[starvinggryphon]

This was the only pic I had available......sorry but it's not in color. http://tinypic.com/xajia

[texboy]

I will post more pics after the demolition of the garage is done. Right now they are about 60% done with demolition.

[KevinFromTexas]

The Groundbreaking ceremony has already taken place.

I know, but at this point we don't even know for sure what the floor count will be. I just don't want to spread around more incorrect news. I'll add a news article to the building saying they've had the ceremony and the garage demolition is taking place.

[jaga185]

couldn't you at least move it too approved?

[JACKinBeantown]

The more I look at that photo the more I hope it tops out at 525 feet. Alright, alright, stop cursing my name. The Tower of the Americas is such a downtown icon in San Antonio that I think a building so close to it geographically shouldn't be taller. If they want to construct a 700 footer on the other side of downtown I'm all for it. Just not right next door.

[texboy]

Just drove by the site this morning. The whole front part of the garage is down. lol Just a little update! Im hoping in two weeks that it will all be down!

[jaga185]

Yeah, no one knows for certain how tall it will be. Which is really sad seeing as how they started construction already, and no one knows the actual floor count. In all reality, I hope it rises taller than 525ft. It deserves to be the tallest we have, and there's no reason for it not to be. Also, I get this strange feeling that the white building we saw a little over a months ago will be built, wouldn't you think Faulkner USA, Kell-Munoz, or Arquitectonica would have posted a section on their sites already?

[texboy]

Kell munoz has posted a picture on their website. Its the tall building, so we don't have anything to worry about.

[DerekfrmSA]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/TexasGuy286/HyattSanAntonioConventionCenter.jpg

That is the picture Kell Munoz has on their website.

[jaga185]

Yeah, I've seen that one, but why don't they have a little section about it on their site, nor does Faulkner USA or Arquitectonica...

[texboy]

Im supposing its bc the construction hasn't "officially" begun.

[starvinggryphon]

Good God......I'm dying to hear some news. Is there an official website?

[texboy]

Nothing yet. The Garage isn't completely down yet. I would give it another week till that happens, and then another week or two for site clean up and prep for construction crews to move in.

[Chicago3rd]

Why is this project such a secret? We cannot get great models or great photos of it? Are they perhaps making changes?

[texboy]

Actually this project has been kept out of the media spotlight for a reason. This project is controversial in nature. There are groups of people who are trying to preserve the historic look of San Antonio and are BIG TIME against the colors and the modernistic look of the building, so in order to side step alot of complaining, I think the developers have not released much info about the project. Kind of funny how are city is predominantly democrat, but we have large groups of people (who like to think of themselves as progressive) that are against anything 'different looking' in downtown. Hence the rather bland and vanilla high rises that have graced our downtown up until now.

[starvinggryphon]

I don't have a problem with the modernistic look of the building at all, it's just the color scheme that is nauseating. And as for the "bland and vanilla high rises", I think that they are cohesive and not as offensive as some suggest. They seem to work together.....I like it just as long as no one starts building off-white residential towers like in Sao Paolo. Bleh. :yuck:

[Joey Hester]

I am hoping to be in San Antonio next April for a conference, so maybe I will get to see some crane action and possibly 10 or more floors by then. What do you think? Too bad it will not be ready for accupancy by then...

Shoud I stay in the Marriott Rivercenter or the Westin or some other hotel nearby?

I like the modernistic design. I am all for historic preservation, but you have to be able to strike a balance.

[texboy]

I wouldn't count on a floor count of 10. You may see some crane action, not guaranteed though, but would be awesome if that is the case!

If I were you I would stay at the Marriot Rivercenter. It is in the middle of all the action and excitement on the riverwalk.