DALLAS FORT WORTH | Urban + Suburban P & C - Page 98

maconahey · #**1941** Posted **Oct 19, 2011, 6:38 PM**

First Baptist Church

skys the limit · #**1942** Posted **Oct 19, 2011, 11:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skys the limit

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Several exciting development projects are underway or near starting for Dallas ..... let's start with this beauty!

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Mercantile Continental Building now undergoing renovation in Downtown Dallas
September 26, 2011

On September 26, 2011, Forest City announced it would begin construction on the renovation of the Mercantile Continental Building in Downtown Dallas into an apartment building with 203 apartments (shown center image above).

The Mercantile Continental Building is located just west from the 1,000 room Statler Hilton/Dallas Grand Hotel renovation project that is currently underway and is just around the corner from the four building complex for the Lone Star Gas (Atmos Energy) renovation project that has also commenced.

Mercantile Continental is also located diagonally across Commerce Street from the very successful Main Street Gardens urban park.

This area of Downtown Dallas is red-hot with major renovation and re-purposing of older and empty commercial buildings into forthcoming centers of activity, mainly as residential uses but also some retail/restaurant depending on the project.

Construction crews began interior demolition and remediation, which is expected to last about 18 months. As of today, October 10, 2011, construction fencing has now gone up around the outside of the building.

Initial leasing for the apartments is expected in 2013.

"This residential building will invigorate Downtown Dallas for future generations," Jim Truitt, senior vice president for Forest City Texas was quoted concerning this project.

The 11 story Mercantile Continental Building, built in 1951, is on the south side of Commerce Street across from the 31 story 545 foot tall Mercantile Bank Building, built in 1942, and the newly constructed 15 story The Element apartment building.

The historic Mercantile Bank was previously converted into apartments and both it and The Element had their grand openings in 2009.

Mercantile Bank (left) with The Element seen here:

The Mercantile Continental Building, along with Mercantile Bank and The Element together form the "Mercantile Place on Main" development and is part of a public-private partnership with developer Forest City and Downtown Dallas Inc.

Article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/ne...-to-begin.html

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The first image below is a better shot of the Mercantile Continental Building, courtesy of DFWCRE8TIVE on Dallas Metropolis with the construction fence now around it. As can be seen in this image, there is an incredible mosaic sculpture over the entrance to the building that is 30 feet tall by acclaimed California artist Millard Sheets. The second image below is a close up of the mosaic.

The sculpture includes a cowboy, native Americans, horses and wild animals made of carved stone and brightly colored Italian glass mosaic tiles and 22-karat gold ornamentation. Sheets also designed several mosaics for the Mercantile Bank Building.

At one time there was local concern that the iconic artwork might be destroyed with redevelopment of the building, but Forest City stated in 2009 that they intend to preserve the mural.

maconahey · #**1943** Posted **Oct 21, 2011, 9:32 PM**

After 25 Years, Craig Hall May Build in Arts District. But First, He Needs Lots of Big Signs.
By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Oct. 21 2011 at 4:16 PM
Categories: Development

You remember Craig Hall, right? He's the developer who's been talking since forever about building something fancy in the Arts District -- like, say, that stalled-out tower where presently there sits a parking garage on Ross. Only, remember, he and the city got sideways over unpaid lease monies and TIF-for-tats, which didn't do anything to speed up construction on a tower that's been talked about since ... 1986. So, yeah. If you don't remember, that's fine too. It's been a while.

But, he's back -- before the city council, matter of fact, this coming Wednesday, when the council will vote on letting him create a new subdistrict within the Arts District Special Provision Sign District. Why the need? Because Hall wants permission to put four signs on the building he now says he's going to build across from the Meyerson -- the Hall Arts Center, which, as you'll note, is a shadow of a shadow of the original proposal. They're all so-called "tenant identity signs," one of which would be nine feet tall by 50 feet long, another of which could be as large as nine feet tall by 60 feet long.

City staff hates the idea of giving Hall dispensation, which is why it suggested the City Plan Commission deny the request: "Staff is concerned with treating a single block within the Art's District differently from the Arts District as a whole and therefore cannot support the applicant's request." But the CPC voted to OK the request, which Hall has said he needs in order to secure tenants in order to build the building. But some at City Hall are concerned that the way the application reads now, he could probably put the signs on the parking garage; there is no language in the application that says they have to go on the so-called Hall Arts Center.

Earlier this week, Lynn Derman of One Arts Plaza Homeowner's Association Board of Directors, wrote a Letter to the Editor, calling for opponents to bum-rush City Hall:

The proposed internally illuminated signs would degrade and distract from the surrounding award-winning architecture and mar the Arts District's otherwise carefully orchestrated, non-commercial streetscape. The signs would create significant light pollution, be visible from all arts venues and both ends of Flora, and sit directly in the sight lines of Museum Tower and One Arts Plaza residents. ...To allow large or internally illuminated commercial signage will create a dangerous precedent, forever changing the district's ambience and arts focus.

The proposed Hall Arts Center

http://www.scribd.com/doc/69782483/Hall-Arts-Center

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfa..._hall.php#more

Dale · #**1944** Posted **Oct 21, 2011, 10:06 PM**

I like it. But it's squatty.

JoninATX · #**1945** Posted **Oct 22, 2011, 8:01 AM**

Looks squatty but I like it, for what I've heard this is one of two phases for the project so Hall could still build a huge skyscraper in the long run.

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfa...craig_hall.php

Dale · #**1946** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 2:17 AM**

BTW, I've never seen such bitching and complaining (about Dallas) as I've seen on dallasmetropolis. Almost a refusal to appreciate the virtues of the city.

eburress · #**1947** Posted **Oct 24, 2011, 4:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

BTW, I've never seen such bitching and complaining (about Dallas) as I've seen on dallasmetropolis. Almost a refusal to appreciate the virtues of the city.

hahaha - I know what you mean.

skys the limit · #**1948** Posted **Oct 28, 2011, 8:09 PM**

Below is a larger and clearer image of the current rendering for the Hall Arts office tower in the Dallas Arts District.

As JoninATX commented, the residential tower is still to be constructed on the other side of this same city block. The last rendering for the residential tower (a very avant garde revolving spiral design) indicates it could be 700 feet in height, so a soaring skyscraper is still very probable for that area of the Arts District.

The other thing is the lot that these two towers will be constructed on is not exactly a huge parcel of land when considering two towers will be constructed on it.

This first tower is probably not going to look as squat as it does in the rendering and will end up looking slimmer with its rectangular design occupying less than half a regular city block since a sculpture garden will be located in the middle of the block between the two towers.

In this rendering the office tower is not as tall as in the last rendering but it is a pretty nice looking building still. Many would say it retains a more human scale for the Arts District since it will immediately overlook the Meyerson Symphony Center while a 700 foot tall residential tower would be set back from the Meyerson and the Wyly more so.

Dale · #**1949** Posted **Oct 28, 2011, 8:22 PM**

20 stories ? I suppose it could be a 300-footer.

skys the limit · #**1950** Posted **Oct 28, 2011, 8:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

20 stories ? I suppose it could be a 300-footer.

I would say it could be ~22 stories when counting down from the partial floor on the top center right part of the building.

That would put it near the height of One Arts Plaza which is 24 stories and 331 feet tall.

Not skyline changing but still a very nice addition to that end of Downtown that will add yet more life and vibrancy to the Arts District. And will finally help cover the eyesore that the underground parking garage has been for all these years!

I'm really looking forward to, and hoping for, the ~700 foot tall revolving spiral residential tower next door to this one! Now THAT will be a very nice addition to Dallas' skyline and somewhat of a game changer.

TTU Arch · #**1951** Posted **Oct 31, 2011, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

BTW, I've never seen such bitching and complaining (about Dallas) as I've seen on dallasmetropolis. Almost a refusal to appreciate the virtues of the city.

I can understand. There are a handful of posters on there that are critical no matter the issue, and its obvious to us forumers in the design field that through their comments they don't understand developers, how projects come together and how they are designed but just critize for the sake of it. You just have to skip over them to get to something of substance.

Dale · #**1952** Posted **Oct 31, 2011, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTU Arch

I can understand. There are a handful of posters on there that are critical no matter the issue, and its obvious to us forumers in the design field that through their comments they don't understand developers, how projects come together and how they are designed but just critize for the sake of it. You just have to skip over them to get to something of substance.

I swear it's like watching a Lucas Cruikshank youtube.

maconahey · #**1953** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 4:30 PM**

Aerial view of The Park and Museum Tower from the 1st of November. They should be finishing up the beam installation over the next few weekends.

From today:

http://www.theparkdallas.org/Blog.aspx?Id=81

maconahey · #**1954** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 5:55 PM**

By STEVE BROWN
Real Estate Editor
stevebrown@dallasnews.com
Published: 03 November 2011 03:37 PM
RelatedDeveloper Craig Hall hopes to break ground next spring on an office tower, retail building and a half-acre park in Dallas' downtown Arts District.

The complex across the street from the Myerson Symphony Center will be the first phase of a $500 million development Hall plans along Ross Avenue and Flora Street.

But first the developer has to line up business tenants, arrange construction financing and clear some hurdles at city hall before construction can begin.

"I've wanted to do this project for some time and once it's done, people will think it's a great contribution to downtown and the Arts District," Hall said Thursday.

Hall Financial Group has owned the 5-acre development site since 1995. The real estate and investment firm bought the property – complete with an underground parking garage and unfinished ground-level construction – after previous owners' plans for two skyscrapers fell through.

For the last 16 years the property has remained virtually unchanged while the surrounding Arts District grew with new venues and world-class architecture.

"I bought the site believing that the performing arts buildings would be built in the next few years," Hall said. "Of course it took years longer."

Hall believes that the timing is right to resume development of the property. Demand for new first-class office space in the area is increasing, he said.

"If we don't have some new high-quality space in the Arts District or Uptown, some businesses will move to Plano or Richardson or further," Hall said.

The $160 million first phase will be a 17-story, 460,000-square-foot office tower fronting on Ross Avenue. Construction of a restaurant building facing the symphony hall on Flora will also be part of the initial construction.

Dallas' architect HKS designed the development. "They've worked with on this site for the better part of a decade," Hall said.

To attract business tenants to the project, Hall Financial is seeking city approval to put corporate signs on the tower that are currently not allowed by Arts District zoning.

The developer has asked the Dallas City Council for permission to install the sings, which some residents in the Arts District oppose.

"I have been quite surprised at what we thought was a minor thing has turned out this way," Hall said.

This week Hall Financial sent detailed plans for its Arts District project to city council members as part of an effort to gain their approval.

Additional development on the property is planned to include a high-rise residential building, more office space and retail.

"It's important to have street level retail on Flora," Hall said. "We have some great restaurant spaces planned and an entertainment area on the roof overlooking the neighborhood.

"We've got a greenbelt between Ross and Flora that will be open to the public that will join downtown and the Arts District in a pedestrian friendly way," he said. "I think the Arts District is real important to the future of Dallas and I want to do something responsible."

Hall said the first phase of his project will take 18 to 24 months to build once work begins.

The developer must receive a construction permit to start the project next year and have it finished by the end of 2015 to receive previously approved financial incentives from the city.

Hall Financial Group is currently working to sign up tenants.

"No lender is going to make a loan without preleasing," Hall said. "We've had discussions with bank tenants that want to consolidate in a new Arts District building."

BBVA Compass is one of the financial firms looking for a new office location in Dallas, real estate brokers say.

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/c...ion=reregister

Dale · #**1955** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 6:04 PM**

Only 17 stories. Oh well, it's a nice design. And everyone keeps hinting at a much taller second phase.

skys the limit · #**1956** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 10:26 PM**

Vacant building near Dallas City Hall could get redo

Dallas Business Journal, Candace Carlisle
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011, 2:46pm CDT

The 500,000 square foot vacant building across the street from Dallas' City Hall has been sold to investors who would like to redevelop the property.

The redevelopment is still being studied, but plans likely will include more than residential and retail space for 500 S. Ervay St., said David Glasscock, executive vice president of Colliers International, who is representing the new building owners.

"We are looking at a highest and best use study to determine the type of redevelopment," Glasscock said. "It could have some kind of retail or apartments, but it needs to have some type of base, or something unique to brand the building."

Glasscock and Wade Smith brokered the transaction. A California-based investment partnership purchased the buying from the Nevada-based Ervay Lofts LP.

It took roughly five months to work through multiple city liens on the property before the transaction closed last week, Glasscock said.

The 101-year-old building has served as a warehouse, a merchandise showroom and office space over the years. In 2006, Bismo Development Co. announced it would redevelop the building into 321 residential units and retail space. But that never happened and the company abandoned its original conversion plans.

Glasscock said California-based investors are still determining the best use of the building.

Dallas-based Merriman Associates Architects have begun working on renderings for the building.

skys the limit · #**1957** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 10:52 PM**

Sylvan Thirty, new mixed use project across from Downtown Dallas in North Oak Cliff/West Dallas

A view of Sylvan Thirty from the Belmont Hotel, overlooking Downtown Dallas

Sylvan Thirty Landscape 01 by Cooper Smith Agency, on Flickr

Sylvan Thirty is the vision of developers Oaxaca Interests and Drexel Realty Partners, a 6-acre site that straddles North Oak Cliff and West Dallas, includes restaurants, neighborhood services and about 200 apartments.

The project's main anchor tenant is set to be specialty grocer Cox Farms Market, a grocery that will occupy about 11,000 square feet of the project. The grocery store and other openings are planned for fall 2012.

The developers have been working with the CityDesign Studio, the group that helped put together a planning document for West Dallas, to make sure the look and feel of the project fits an overall look of the plans for West Dallas.

The total cost of the project is expected to be about $47 million with somewhere between $7 million and $13 million being requested in the form of various public subsidies including TIF reimbursement.

This is the first major re-development project on the West Dallas/North Oak Cliff side of the Trinity River as a result of the Calatrava Bridge's construction that is still underway.

This project is an important test of the city's ability to reshape development in West Dallas and to build from the momentum of the Trinity River project, including the highly anticipated opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge next year, which already is drawing national attention as part of a modern redevelopment template.

Follow this link to many more renderings for the Sylvan 30 project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/coopers...th/6069829611/

http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallas...e-edge-of.html

skys the limit · #**1958** Posted **Nov 4, 2011, 11:01 PM**

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Home Depot begins construction on 1.2 million square foot distribution center in Dallas

Dallas Business Journal by Candace Carlisle, Staff Writer
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 2:32pm CDT

Home Depot has begun construction on a new 1,187,000-square-foot distribution facility at 2320 Beckleymeade Ave. in Dallas, expanding the home improvement retailer's distribution footprint off Interstate 20.

The $20 million expansion, which includes real property and tenant improvements for the facility, will add to Home Depot's existing 531,000 square feet of distribution space right next door for a total of 1,718,000 square feet of space in Dallas.

Home Depot has been at the South Dallas site since it originally leased the space from developer Trammell Crow Co. in 2007.

Construction is scheduled for completion in 2012. The expansion will bring an estimated 250 distribution jobs to South Dallas, according to city documents.

.......

Full article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/ne...on-on-12m.html
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maconahey · #**1959** Posted **Nov 5, 2011, 1:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skys the limit

Vacant building near Dallas City Hall could get redo

Dallas Business Journal, Candace Carlisle
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011, 2:46pm CDT

The 500,000 square foot vacant building across the street from Dallas' City Hall has been sold to investors who would like to redevelop the property.

I took some photos inside this building earlier this year and it's HUGE! I couldn't believe how big this building was. I think it'll be perfect for lofts. Until then, it's serving as a nice place for the homeless to live in...

JoninATX · #**1960** Posted **Nov 5, 2011, 7:34 PM**

Sundance announces three-building development plan

Quote:

Dallas Business Journal by Lance Murray, Digital Content Producer
Date: Friday, November 4, 2011, 6:35am CDT

Construction is scheduled to begin in April on a three-building building development that will the centerpiece of the Sundance Square area of downtown Fort Worth.

Sundance Square Inc. .. unveiled its plans Thursday for the new activity in the 35-block office, retail and entertainment district.

Construction is slated to begin after the conclusion of the Main St. Arts Festival, officials said. Plans for the plaza portion of the project are still being developed.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/bl...-building.html