Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum

ArtVandelay

I walked over yesterday and the lobby was actually brighter than I remember - I think my impression of the spaces we looked at skewed my opinion of the building overall. They've done a good job with the public space - it was bumping with lots of activity.

ArtVandelay

cowboyeagle05 wrote:I hate the way the parking appears to be integrated into the design. That block on the bottom which appears to be the parking garage just appears weird to the overall design.

Dallas developers hate to dig parking garages.

ArtVandelay

Well, what's so wrong with it and I ask with complete curiosity? They've done some nice work on the lobby (i.e. nice seating, new Starbucks) but it's still dark with lots of brass. The tenant floors we looked at were very dated (I'm sure they will be updated as tenants turn over and renew). The tre...

ArtVandelay

I don't see the appeal to this building. It didn't even make the cut for us when we were looking.

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Just came from a D2 meeting and the Elm Street garage is about to undergo and expansion. /Facepalm/

ArtVandelay

Olivella's was bumping on Saturday....nothing on social media indicating they are closed. Hmm....

ArtVandelay

The original development plan did have a more urban feel to it with less parking fronting NW Hwy and a parking garage. Big box developers do what big box developers do and that’s tease with something that isn’t totally terrible with every intention of building something cheap and totally terrible. S...

ArtVandelay

I wish we could get a nice block of 8-10 mid rise buildings throughout this side of town. I’m fairly sure they have to under the Farmers Market PD No, they don't. Zoning basically never requires a minimum density, and this is no different. Developers could build large lot single family homes if the...

ArtVandelay

Tivo_Kenevil wrote:I wish we could get a nice block of 8-10 mid rise buildings throughout this side of town.

I’m fairly sure they have to under the Farmers Market PD

ArtVandelay

Stopped by Olivella’s yesterday and there was a sign on the door saying they are closed until late September for “maintenance.” That doesn’t sound good. Most restaurants that say they’re closing temporarily usually end up closing permanently. I sure hope this one is an exception.

ArtVandelay

cowboyeagle05 wrote:You can tell they tried to blend in with First Baptist. Their family center is this same shiny aluminum and the side of the garage facing south has the texture panels that the First Baptist garage does on its north side.

Since First Baptist owns half the land the garage is on, makes sense.

ArtVandelay

Have they delivered the 24 hour diner that was promised? Did they really promise a 24 hour diner? (The answer to your question is no, at least according to their website.) One of many articles mentioning the planned ground floor 24-hour diner: https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2015/11...

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Have they delivered the 24 hour diner that was promised?

ArtVandelay

Pretty sure the restaurants listed are hypotheticals on what appears to be a sign permit submittal drawing. I doubt any of those are committed yet. Except Ascension of course. I bet you’re right. CBRE/UCR’s marketing collateral (which is updated frequently) shows all the space except for the Ascens...

ArtVandelay

I signed up for the Tap Card beta testing program. My card should arrive by the 24th they tell me. I currently use the app to buy an $80.00 monthly pass. I will be curious if this tap card is better for me than using that. I am always around an electrical outlet so my phone is never running out of ...

ArtVandelay

Also to clarify - the developer claimed the original brick would be damaged if the stucco was removed. The Historical Commission accepted this and awarded the tax credits.

A restoration could have been performed for a price.

Yes, it’s better than it was but will not have staying power.

ArtVandelay

I’m not sure how many times we have to go over this, but the historical tax credit excuse is bull****. It came down to economics for the developer. Do you really think the Texas Historical Commission said don’t make this building look like it did when it was built but rather restore it to its 1960s ...

ArtVandelay

Is the parking garage facade going to have a light feature? At one point, it looked like there were a bunch of randomly located lights installed.

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Not sure if anyone has been following the Deep Ellum mural drama....pretty interesting what’s going on in the Ellum. Westdale really stepped in it and seems to be digging an even deeper hole. A building owner had every right to paint their buildings how they see fit but the way it they went about it...

ArtVandelay

I hope FM gets more retail that stays open a little later once more residential gets completed. Stopped by yesterday evening and it's really quiet in this area. Was happy to see that Green Door Pub was pretty lively though. From the photos, crazy how close The Bridge is to downtown now. It used to ...

ArtVandelay

I’m starting to have my doubts about this project. Looks like work has stopped and the site looks abandoned. The historic structure that remains had huge graffiti tags and lots of broken windows.

I wonder if the can scrap their plans and tear down the building, which would be sad.

ArtVandelay

They are requesting to decrease the FAR (floor area ratio) for multifamily and increase it for all other uses.

ArtVandelay

After looking at Ross on Google streetview, it does look like the utilities have been buried which is good.

ArtVandelay

Ross Ave. is a great example of what shouldn’t happen. Whole city blocks have been redeveloped - why not make it a requirement that the developer bury the utilities, improve the streetscape/sidewalk and rebuild the street? The street piece could be a special fund each developer pays into and when a ...

ArtVandelay

Talk about a history book story I never want to re-live. Club Blue was the original name for the club I think and it caused a huge upset back and forth between the city council and the club itself for a number of years. The current operators don't make any headlines now nor have I heard of anybody ...

ArtVandelay

500ft Observation Wheel Called the Texas Odyssey, the more than 500-foot tall observation wheel would be built on the banks of the Trinity River. It would be larger than the famous London Eye wheel and more than twice as tall as the Texas Star at Dallas' Fair Park. https://www.dallasnews.com/busines...

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Looks to be in Turkish Mike’s Alto Building. Ha

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What's the story with this HART building? Why is it empty? And what's up with the sketchy night club in the back?

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Redblock wrote:The Gap store in West Village is having a store closing sale.

Sad ending to another American retail juggernaut. All the growth at Gap Inc. is at Old Navy and the Factory Stores which IMHO kinda suck.

One day these guys will wake up and not make all their decisions based on sales per SF

ArtVandelay

I read some of the Yelp reviews and I'm glad I decided to lease at The Merc instead of The Statler this past Winter. It is a beautifully done building but this fire system error seems to be making people's lives a living hell. What confused me though is that many reviews mention that they moved in ...

ArtVandelay

Wow, T_K, glad to see you took the plunge. So the ceilings and doorways aren't too short in height? Not at all. I got the city view suite. It's bad ass. The bathroom was massive; open concept and modern . The lights through out the room are remote controlled. King size bed! This hotel had tons of f...

ArtVandelay

I bet a FOIA request on all correspondence between the City (Economic Development) and Drever would be enlightening. Could this be one of those redevelopment projects that goes so sideways they end up razing the building? I knew those guys were bush league when they ginned up all that publicity afte...

ArtVandelay

IMO North End is the biggest barrier to connectivity between VP and Uptown.

Would love to see that redeveloped.

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I checked out the Ascension Annex yesterday. The plaza at Fountain Place is really chill. Looking forward to the activity once AMLI finishes and more restaurants/retail move in. Also hoping the "nub" to the garage facing Ross gets built.

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Cbdallas wrote:Worst part is that this is such a great train oriented development and the train station will eventually go away with D2 expansion.

Don’t worry-since D2 is on hold it will be a while

ArtVandelay

Confirmed so far:

The Henry
https://www.thehenryrestaurant.com/locations/the-henry-dallas/

North Italia
https://www.northitaliarestaurant.com/locations/dallas-tx-uptown/

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Rumor has it Headington Cos. have leased the space.

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I feel like the Masonic Temple could handle a boutique hotel on the parking behind it with underground parking. With the access to Farmer's Market, Deep Ellum, Main Street District, and eventually, the subways stop, Harwood Park and the Smart District.... A hotel could go over quite well! and somet...

ArtVandelay

Urban Farmhouse looks to be dead. They opened a retail store at their distribution center on Maple Avenue near love field. Probably figured there wasn't a need to deal with the folks running the Farmers Market when they could have a location of their own. They have also implemented paid parking at t...

ArtVandelay

That's across the street from the site correct?

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I'm pretty sure they didn't get a sign permit for that.

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What your seeing is the City working on sewer. Doesn’t look like there’s been any permits pulled on this project. Last activity was 2016.

ArtVandelay

My kiddo loves the water features (that are in working order). The litter box is off putting as are the junkies/bums lurking around the blind spots. I hope the renovation happens.

ArtVandelay

I don’t think it’s that bad.

Having the garage access on Houston is what’s wrong with the project.

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Hannibal Lecter wrote:^ I've heard this will be a Tom Thumb gas station, but I don't have confirmation.

Confirmed.

ArtVandelay

Marriott website says the hotels are opening May 2018.

I’m going to be surprised if this ever gets finished.

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Looks like they are once again open. It could have a been an administrative oversight like missing a sales tax return...the fact they bounced back so quickly leads me to think that.

Now - being locked out for non-payment of rent -that's when you worry.

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Across the street from the Gabriella is another worksite at Texas and Live Oak. The contractor is SunTech. I was looking on their website and I couldn't find anything. They do retail sites and standalone CVS stores. Anyone know how to find out whats being built on that site? It will be a Tom Thumb ...

ArtVandelay

https://interactives.dallasnews.com/2017/the-move/#_ga=2.227877972.81278329.1512351058-1432607781.1476449082 Apparently the DMN has completed its move to the former Library section. One of the questions surrounding the move was how would the Rock of Truth quote be represented in the new location, i...

ArtVandelay

Can we change the title of the thread to "The Commissary - 1217 Main St"? Synn was always a low rent name

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