Harwood District: Hotel Swexan (20 ST)

Post by **tamtagon** » 22 Aug 2018 09:50

A lot of the Field-Moody-Pearl mess is rooted in the DNT-Harry Hines-McKinnon mess; one gigantic knot strung out over a couple blocks bunched at either end. No more one way streets, reworking DNT-Oak Lawn-Harry Hines cluster provides better vehicular movement, returns some land to Reverchon Park and actually provides for pedestrians and bicycle riders.

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 23 Aug 2018 09:25

Yes^. I can not imagine the current configuration done decades ago is working like it used to. It was designed when there wasn't so many active garage driveways and other developments with an active mixture of uses. It seems like the city and TXDOT should look at how to make improvements. Here's hoping that includes pedestrian improvements, not just ways to get cars going faster.

Post by **CTroyMathis** » 23 Aug 2018 10:13

The "Do not block intersection" sign stuck in the middle of a very narrow sidewalk is pretty hilarious as well.

R1070 wrote:Any rumors on what hotel brand will be at this site?

I haven't heard anything. It could be quite possible they will go w/their own Harwood Hospitality Group branding. Or, maybe a brand that is a little more common in Europe.

Post by **tamtagon** » 23 Aug 2018 11:54

I really like the idea that Harwood Dallas would start a hotel - Dallas Beverly Hills London Zurich

Post by **Tnexster** » 25 Aug 2018 17:40

What is that person on the far left? Looks like a crossing guard or something.

Post by **CTroyMathis** » 26 Aug 2018 08:34

That is exactly the person's function at this intersection. At a minimum I've seen them every week day, although I do not know the duration of each day on duty. I could be quite mistaken, but, I believe they are DPD.

flyswatter · Post by **flyswatter** » 26 Aug 2018 11:49

I know some buildings will hire a off duty cop to stop traffic from blocking garage exits and let people out. Cityplace Tower does this during PM rush hour, for example.

Warrior2015 · Post by **Warrior2015** » 26 Aug 2018 12:11

I'm ready to see some renderings !

Post by **Tnexster** » 26 Aug 2018 16:24

flyswatter wrote:I know some buildings will hire a off duty cop to stop traffic from blocking garage exits and let people out. Cityplace Tower does this during PM rush hour, for example.

This happens a lot downtown, with the construction going on, blocked streets and so on it can make for quite a mess at 5:00.

kingpin · Post by **kingpin** » 16 Sep 2018 13:30

Untitled by Around My City, on Flickr

Post by **CTroyMathis** » 11 Oct 2018 16:13

Hotel site from today:

https://twitter.com/CTroyMathis/status/ ... 7684823041

maconahey · Post by **maconahey** » 11 Oct 2018 17:23

Haven't seen this posted yet. Too bad it's only 20 stories. I'd love to see this design tall enough to stand out in the skyline

https://www.cmbeb5visa.com/project/grou ... ood-hotel/

texasstar · Post by **texasstar** » 11 Oct 2018 18:04

Wow! Just, wow!!

Post by **CTroyMathis** » 11 Oct 2018 18:17

That was a good find for sure.

kingpin · Post by **kingpin** » 11 Oct 2018 19:14

harwood_hotel_01 by Around My City, on Flickr

dallaz · Post by **dallaz** » 11 Oct 2018 19:23

^^^^oh, that looks nice.

Tivo_Kenevil · Post by **Tivo_Kenevil** » 11 Oct 2018 19:59

The renders always look great. But the harwood developments never fail to underwhelm...let's go taller!

joshua.dodd · Post by **joshua.dodd** » 11 Oct 2018 20:20

maconahey wrote:Haven't seen this posted yet. Too bad it's only 20 stories. I'd love to see this design tall enough to stand out in the skyline

https://www.cmbeb5visa.com/project/grou ... ood-hotel/

Now this is the kind of unique architecture Dallas needs.

hjkll · Post by **hjkll** » 11 Oct 2018 21:11

This part of Dallas is so luxurious and expensive yet it’s so boring because all the buildings are the exact same height and there’s 0 street level retail

Post by **Tnexster** » 11 Oct 2018 22:09

Nice find, hope this is how it turns out.

Post by **tamtagon** » 11 Oct 2018 22:41

joshua.dodd wrote:Now this is the kind of unique architecture Dallas needs.

word

here's hoping it's just a start

PonyUp13 · Post by **PonyUp13** » 12 Oct 2018 11:17

Beautiful building for people zooming in off the tollway to look at! I bet the street level will be as engaging as Rolex

exelone31 · Post by **exelone31** » 12 Oct 2018 13:12

It's too bad because of all of the predecessors in this area, because this looks like it'd be a really good building, but I can't help but expect the reality to be a much darker structure with hardly discernible greenery.

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 12 Oct 2018 13:49

With a ground floor walled off and unwelcoming like all Harwood projects.

Post by **Tnexster** » 15 Oct 2018 12:32

Let's see if I can put a positive spin on this. Ground floor hotel entrance, maybe cafe and restaurant space that opens up to Harwood street which is right across from St Anne's which is a busy and very pleasant space. Plus there is another bistro next to St Anne's. Rolex is across the street which has a very friendly side facing Harwood. I know the back side isn't but the side facing Harwood looked ok. That leaves the crossing which is still a challenge and they probably needs more than a crossing guard. Not sure about the look of the hotel yet, need to see some other renders. So, bottom line is there is potential here. Too bad Harwood can't be converted to pedestrian space.

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 16 Oct 2018 15:19

Too bad Harwood isn't a developer who cares a little more about the walkability of their master-planned district but hey once they are done building new stuff they can come back and "fix" what they missed on the first try.

dbent · Post by **dbent** » 17 Oct 2018 20:01

I wonder if ppl/developers ever read these comments and laugh at the ignorance ? I mean, I do and I’m sure most of you do too with these ppl it’s almost embarrassing....sometimes it’s best not to add your 2 cents

Tivo_Kenevil · Post by **Tivo_Kenevil** » 17 Oct 2018 22:36

dbent wrote:I wonder if ppl/developers ever read these comments and laugh at the ignorance ? I mean, I do and I’m sure most of you do too with these ppl it’s almost embarrassing....sometimes it’s best not to add your 2 cents

Yeah they do. Turkish Mike, developer of Butler Bros. Building Actually would respond back. Lol But yeah many have been vocal about the harwoods lazy urban planning. They have shit ass sidewalks. The parking lot by the Rolex is laughable. Just second rate "urbanism".

joshua.dodd · Post by **joshua.dodd** » 18 Oct 2018 04:38

The Harwoods don't care about what the plebs think. The Harwoods build for a specific clientele. A very elite clientele.

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 18 Oct 2018 09:16

dbent wrote:I wonder if ppl/developers ever read these comments and laugh at the ignorance ? I mean, I do and I’m sure most of you do too with these ppl it’s almost embarrassing....sometimes it’s best not to add your 2 cents

This forum is strung together and has been for decades on 2 cents at a time. The lively discussion by a combination of professionals and passenger seat critics is what appears to make it entertaining and sometimes a learning experience for those who work in other industries. Personally its the forum that inspired me to go back to college to study Urban Planning and work in Real Estate.

mcrdal15 · Post by **mcrdal15** » 18 Oct 2018 10:01

cowboyeagle05 wrote:
dbent wrote:I wonder if ppl/developers ever read these comments and laugh at the ignorance ? I mean, I do and I’m sure most of you do too with these ppl it’s almost embarrassing....sometimes it’s best not to add your 2 cents
This forum is strung together and has been for decades on 2 cents at a time. The lively discussion by a combination of professionals and passenger seat critics is what appears to make it entertaining and sometimes a learning experience for those who work in other industries. Personally its the forum that inspired me to go back to college to study Urban Planning and work in Real Estate.

I also think many on this forum are truly concerned about the future of the city of Dallas. Many of us have researched the failure of Downtown and want to avoid having a similar fate today. Dallas has to distinguish itself from its suburbs in order to stay relevant. So why the heck do we keep trying to replicate Frisco & Plano in our central city? And how much demand is there for this high end, valet parking-oriented, and fortress-like development? 2% of the population?

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 18 Oct 2018 11:41

The 2% are the true fickle crowd downtown one min when it fits their fashion sense and back to Frisco when the wind changes.

maconahey · Post by **maconahey** » 18 Oct 2018 14:16

Development Plan
https://dallascityhall.com/government/m ... 20Plan.pdf

Landscaping
https://dallascityhall.com/government/m ... 20Plan.pdf

willyk · Post by **willyk** » 20 Oct 2018 22:05

Considering that most users of these buildings are savvy about social media, if I were a developer I would take an interest in the way this forum and others could shape the public perception of my development.

Post by **lakewoodhobo** » 30 Oct 2018 14:18

New Harwood hotel will be an eye-popping addition to Uptown Dallas' skyline
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... as-skyline

Architectural rendering for the project show a sculptural white building with cantilevered upper floors and a swimming pool and garden on the roof.

The building was done by the developer's in-house Harwood Design Factory.

Harwood International representatives could not provide details about the timeline for the new hotel or who the operator will be.

Post by **Tnexster** » 30 Oct 2018 14:26

I guess white is the new beige here in Dallas.

Cbdallas · Post by **Cbdallas** » 30 Oct 2018 15:17

Apparently everyone needs a room to stay in Dallas. I never thought I would see so many high end hotels be built in Dallas but I am glad that we seem to need all of these rooms. Will be a great addition to Harwood district.

Post by **Tnexster** » 30 Oct 2018 16:37

I'm not a huge fan of the design but will see it looks when as it goes up. At least it isn't another box which is a welcome change. Rolex across the street turned out nice so hoping this does too.

DFW · Post by **DFW** » 30 Oct 2018 19:41

Eye popping addition, it may be from street level next to it but it won’t be from a distance, it seems that good design buildings in Dallas are getting lost between to many other mid high-rises. For example the new Rolex and the McKinney & Olive buildings great designs but needed to be taller to show up in the skyline.

Warrior2015 · Post by **Warrior2015** » 30 Oct 2018 20:05

DFW wrote:Eye popping addition, it may be from street level next to it but it won’t be from a distance, it seems that good design buildings in Dallas are getting lost between to many other mid high-rises. For example the new Rolex and the McKinney & Olive buildings great designs but needed to be taller to show up in the skyline.

Great observation that's very true.

willyk · Post by **willyk** » 30 Oct 2018 21:03

I would like to see the glass follow the curve, so that the shape is smooth.

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 31 Oct 2018 10:03

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.

ArtVandelay · Post by **ArtVandelay** » 31 Oct 2018 10:24

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.

dallaz · Post by **dallaz** » 31 Oct 2018 10:36

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.

I agree, I noticed that too.

texasstar · Post by **texasstar** » 31 Oct 2018 13:06

Tough room.

DPatel304 · Post by **DPatel304** » 31 Oct 2018 13:23

DFW wrote:Eye popping addition, it may be from street level next to it but it won’t be from a distance, it seems that good design buildings in Dallas are getting lost between to many other mid high-rises. For example the new Rolex and the McKinney & Olive buildings great designs but needed to be taller to show up in the skyline.

Yeah, it's definitely a shame. I do like that these mid high-rises are still trying, even if they might be visible from afar. On the plus side, this also creates more pressure for the taller high-rises to really step up their game.

Reignofcane · Post by **Reignofcane** » 31 Oct 2018 14:50

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.

I was told that the parking garage was being built above ground in part here because the Retail Connection's building next door has a parking garage above ground, so they wanted to get the hotel guests above that level.

R1070 · Post by **R1070** » 31 Oct 2018 22:33

Reignofcane wrote:
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.
I was told that the parking garage was being built above ground in part here because the Retail Connection's building next door has a parking garage above ground, so they wanted to get the hotel guests above that level.

That is actually really good planning because my apt faces a parking garage and I absolutely hate the car lights coming into my bedroom at night!

Post by **cowboyeagle05** » 01 Nov 2018 20:44

Reignofcane wrote:
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.
I was told that the parking garage was being built above ground in part here because the Retail Connection's building next door has a parking garage above ground, so they wanted to get the hotel guests above that level.

What a fabulous excuse. It was also much cheaper...

joshua.dodd · Post by **joshua.dodd** » 05 Nov 2018 07:03

To be fair--and I say this as someone who hates buildings built on parking garage pedestals--it is very difficult and expensive to build parking underground since you hit limestone after going 10 feet underground.