DALLAS | 1900 Pacific | 700 FT / 213 M | 57 FLOORS

[SkyWatcher]

Here's the announcement I heard last night on the news. I can't imagine financing after the Museum tower was put on hold but I'd love to see it happen.

DALLAS – The Dallas skyline will soon likely have a new addition. Along with renovating a vacant historic building into a five star boutique hotel and the creation of a three-acre park, a slender skyscraper full of condominiums is planned for downtown.

"It's a significant contribution to the downtown skyline," said Craig Melde, a Dallas architect.

The Pillar Group, a Dallas development company, is moving forward with a $160-million plan for the deteriorating corner of Pacific Avenue and St. Paul Street on the east end of downtown Dallas.

The 77-year-old Tower Petroleum Building, which is located at 1907 Elm Street and is two doors down from the Majestic Theater, will become the five star boutique hotel, complete with 115 guest rooms.

"The exterior will be totally restored,” said Melde, who is working on the project with the Pillar Group. "It's actually in very good condition.”

But next door, at 1900 Pacific Avenue, the drab '50s-era office building will be demolished.

To be built in its small footprint will be the most ambitious part of the project, the skyscraper designed by world renowned architect Michael Graves.

"The tower height is planned to be 700-feet tall, 57 stories,” Melde said. “That's ranking it up there with the tallest buildings in downtown."

At 700-feet, the new 1900 Pacific will be the sixth tallest building in Dallas, just behind the 720-foot Fountain Place, the green mirrored skyscraper with geometric angles at 1445 Ross Avenue.

The new 1900 Pacific will have condominiums, Pillar Group said, priced for people who make $70,000 and up, which is considerably less than those advertised at Victory Park just north of the central business district.

Dallas’ Economic Development Department and the Landmark Commission approved the concept Monday afternoon.

The project is to begin perhaps as early as next June on a simple surface lot across from 1900 Pacific.

Before preserving the 1931 art deco building and adding a new accent to the view that defines Dallas, the Pillar Group plans to transform the parking lot into a three-acre park that will have 1,000 parking spaces in an underground garage.

Providing financing can be secured and that construction starts next summer, Pillar Group said the hotel will open in 2010, and then the tower the following year.