Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 10:55**

tamtagon wrote:hahaha

I just saw the 88 and remembered the good times, back before the turn of the century when the Cowboys were good. I cannot believe it's been so long since the Cowboys got deep into the play offs.

One part of this streetscaping reminded me of what was once proposed for much of Main Street. Hopefully this is another big step toward some significant construction on this side of town. Through an expansion larger than downtown Fort Worth, Dallas' Uptown already tallies more office space, residential population and retail/destination activity; the east side of downtown could easily play host to similar growth. The corporate presence of galactic ATT really should turn into a cornerstone for this side of town - more like the Cowboys with Emmitt, Troy and Michael instead of the ridiculous teasers we've had for the more than 20 years since then.

I feel once this project is completed along with drever and east quarter, we will have a "better" downtown that our neighbors to the west. Also, if smart district takes off it's a wrap

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 10:56**

Warrior2015 wrote:
tamtagon wrote:hahaha

I just saw the 88 and remembered the good times, back before the turn of the century when the Cowboys were good. I cannot believe it's been so long since the Cowboys got deep into the play offs.

One part of this streetscaping reminded me of what was once proposed for much of Main Street. Hopefully this is another big step toward some significant construction on this side of town. Through an expansion larger than downtown Fort Worth, Dallas' Uptown already tallies more office space, residential population and retail/destination activity; the east side of downtown could easily play host to similar growth. The corporate presence of galactic ATT really should turn into a cornerstone for this side of town - more like the Cowboys with Emmitt, Troy and Michael instead of the ridiculous teasers we've had for the more than 20 years since then.

I feel once this project is completed along with drever and east quarter, we will have a "better" downtown than our neighbors to the west. Also, if smart district takes off, it's a wrap

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 11:47**

Warrior2015 wrote:
tamtagon wrote:hahaha

I just saw the 88 and remembered the good times, back before the turn of the century when the Cowboys were good. I cannot believe it's been so long since the Cowboys got deep into the play offs.

One part of this streetscaping reminded me of what was once proposed for much of Main Street. Hopefully this is another big step toward some significant construction on this side of town. Through an expansion larger than downtown Fort Worth, Dallas' Uptown already tallies more office space, residential population and retail/destination activity; the east side of downtown could easily play host to similar growth. The corporate presence of galactic ATT really should turn into a cornerstone for this side of town - more like the Cowboys with Emmitt, Troy and Michael instead of the ridiculous teasers we've had for the more than 20 years since then.

I feel once this project is completed along with drever and east quarter, we will have a "better" downtown that our neighbors to the west. Also, if smart district takes off it's a wrap

I agree. I really hope they do some small scale infill in the East Quarter to match the existing older buildings.

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 14:09**

That whole Eastern end of downtown could turn into an awesome area of the city.

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 15:30**

I find it interesting how many horizontal sun screens are popping up ever since the winspear seemingly created a new vernacular for the region. Pretty cool.

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 16:47**

Smart District needs more residential development to help make that complete. Lots of opportunity to do that, not sure why something hasn't been proposed yet.

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 17:40**

Tnexster wrote:Smart District needs more residential development to help make that complete. Lots of opportunity to do that, not sure why something hasn't been proposed yet.

They are waiting to see what Amazon is going to do. Mike Hoque said construction of phase 1 should kick off by the end of 2018, but we'll see.

Posted: **25 Aug 2018 17:41**

I wonder how many decisions out there are being help up by Amazon?

Posted: **27 Aug 2018 10:54**

A marquis along the base of that video board would be brilliant...

Posted: **27 Aug 2018 11:16**

The sunscreen thing is something that bodes well for defining a safe space for pedestrians. The Winspear height is a little too tall for what I am referring too but the AT&T height looks like two stories tall which helps the pedestrian-oriented areas seem less intense. Most of these 80's office towers go straight up with their exteriors and don't define a base to the buildings like older buildings did. This can make the buildings look overbearing and overpowering making sidewalk areas seem more desolate and uninviting. While older historic buildings did define a base area around the ground floor so they tend to do a better job encouraging a sense of place and less like a highway trophy, a well known Dallas architecture trait.

Renaissance Plaza remedied this when it was majorly remodeled shortly after it opened. Originally it was a straight vertical box of modernism without the frills of design features that didn't serve a "functional" purpose. Then the new owners added decorative details around the base of the building that brought the scale of it down so when a person walks up to it you feel less like you are competing with the entire buildings height. Thanksgiving Tower almost fixed this is as well during their renovation but I am assuming the planned patio covers were cut for the sake of the budget. They would have made the patios much more attractive and more inviting. Right now you go sit outside of Ascension at Thanksgiving tower it's desolate and frankly too tall and doesn't invite you to spend time. Even a cluster of trees would have worked similarly.

I am glad AT&T is making these kinds of contributions to define space and create levels/rooms all over their plaza space.

Posted: **27 Aug 2018 12:56**

cowboyeagle05 wrote:Right now you go sit outside of Ascension at Thanksgiving tower it's desolate and frankly too tall and doesn't invite you to spend time. Even a cluster of trees would have worked similarly.

I was in that area last week and the lack of shade is a major problem there. Just hot blazing sun hitting the concrete.

Posted: **27 Aug 2018 12:59**

Every block in Downtown Matters. The sidewalks are wide enough in most places for the city to add trees. We need more trees.

Posted: **27 Aug 2018 13:07**

They added trees in front of Thanksgiving but it will be a while before they have any value and all the other ground cover is hardscape rocks and colored concrete.

Posted: **29 Aug 2018 11:13**

AT&T's landmark downtown tower sells to big name Dallas investors

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/att ... -investors

AT&T's landmark headquarters tower and plaza in downtown Dallas has been bought by well-known Dallas investors Tom Dundon and Jonas Woods.

CBRE announced the purchase Wednesday morning by Dundon Capital Partners and Woods Capital of the 37-story, Class A office tower. The 965,800 square-foot building is the central point of AT&T's global headquarters campus.

Located on the southeast corner of Commerce and Akard streets, One AT&T Plaza is fully leased to AT&T through August 2030. It has been the company's headquarters since 2008, when AT&T moved to Dallas from San Antonio.

"We are excited to continue our commitment to Downtown Dallas with this investment in the global headquarters of one of the most dynamic, highly profitable and well managed media and entertainment companies in the world," said Tom Dundon, chairman and managing partner of Dundon Capital Partners.

Jonas Woods, president of Woods Capital, praised AT&T for "leading the way in downtown's revival" with substantial investments.

"We believe that AT&T shares our vision of downtown becoming one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Dallas. We look forward to working with AT&T and continuing to participate in the dramatic growth of downtown," Woods said.

Ground floor renovations under way at the property are part of the $100 million AT&T Discovery District project to transform the neighborhood into a popular downtown public space. Upon completion, several city blocks will be converted to pedestrian-only access and neighborhood amenities will be added, including 40,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, a proposed two-story food hall with balcony dining, outdoor gathering and performance areas, a water garden and a six-story video wall facing Commerce.

The partnership between Dundon Capital Partners and Woods Capital bought the property from Icahn Enterprises for an undisclosed price.

Posted: **29 Aug 2018 11:27**

I am just glad we will have local owners of the property. 90% of the rest of office properties in Downtown is owned by large multinational companies largely not invested in Dallas in the same way as a local company like Woods Capital can be. It is always interesting to me how corporations like AT&T just don't want to own their own HQ particularly when they care this much about its ability to attract talent that they are spending millions of their own money on campus renovations.

Posted: **19 Sep 2018 16:55**

Tomorrow is a somewhat important day for AT&T as it's when their brief is due on the DOJ's appeal of the merger with Time Warner. According to this story, they're proceeding with the acquisition for now: https://marketrealist.com/2018/09/att-i ... arner-deal

I'm only saying this because I heard form a director-level employee at AT&T that if everything goes to plan they do expect to move some sort of newsroom/broadcasting capacity from CNN Center to the Discovery District, which would be pretty amazing even if it's just a small studio like WFAA at Victory Park.

On an unrelated note, I was looking through photos of CNN Center in Atlanta and didn't realize how much it looks like Plaza of the Americas, down to the ice skating rink that was removed to expand the food court (bonus points if you knew this was the location of the "World of Sid and Marty Krofft" theme park that only lasted 6 months).

Posted: **24 Sep 2018 15:16**

I wonder if AT&T will add their new concept to the District... Looks pretty cool!

https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news ... -more.html

Posted: **24 Sep 2018 21:11**

That really does look like Plaza of the America's, was that built about the same time?

Posted: **25 Sep 2018 08:03**

A lot of office projects were built at that time with those giant atriums. It was popular for malls and office buildings at the time. Along with the food courts. The office building versions were devoid of less roaming teenagers though.

Posted: **25 Sep 2018 17:37**

Tnexster wrote:That really does look like Plaza of the America's, was that built about the same time?

I looked it up last night, the complex that is now CNN Center was finished in 1976, while the Plaza of the Americas project started in 1978 and opened in 1980. So, not too far apart in age.

Posted: **26 Sep 2018 13:13**

cowboyeagle05 wrote:A lot of office projects were built at that time with those giant atriums. It was popular for malls and office buildings at the time. Along with the food courts. The office building versions were devoid of less roaming teenagers though.

Yep, and don't forget the hotels too. Embassy Suites is a big one that comes to mind.

Posted: **26 Sep 2018 13:27**

Also the Reunion Hyatt and many other buildings built around the 35/stemmons corridor.

Posted: **26 Sep 2018 15:12**

Very true that it was an architectural fad, but once you see them both with the skating rink it's a little creepy.

ice_rink.jpg

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Posted: **05 Oct 2018 15:29**

Road closures and other changes begin tomorrow Oct. 6 per an email from DowntownDallas Inc.

-Jackson St closed between Browder and Field
-Jackson St becomes two-way from Ervay to Browder
-Wood St becomes two-way from Ervay to Field
-Akard St becomes two-way from Wood to Young

mail-1.jpg

Posted: **12 Jan 2019 22:27**

AT&T Buys Historic Interurban Building

AT&T is adding the Interurban to the Discovery District area, but current building residents get to stay put (supposedly). The last paragraph of the article does mention AT&T looking at the Interurban for additional parking availability.

https://www.dmagazine.com/commercial-re ... -building/

Posted: **13 Jan 2019 10:35**

What an absolute shame if the destroy a 1916 building for parking. A step backwards for Dallas in all possible ways.

Posted: **13 Jan 2019 11:50**

Tivo_Kenevil wrote:What an absolute shame if the destroy a 1916 building for parking. A step backwards for Dallas in all possible ways.

The building is a landmark. So, it’s not going anywhere. I know there’s a pretty big parking garage attached to the building. Maybe that’s what they’re interested in.

Hopefully, they can put in some retail where the old Urban Market use to be.

Posted: **13 Jan 2019 12:20**

I think this is encouraging.

Posted: **13 Jan 2019 12:51**

dallaz wrote:
Tivo_Kenevil wrote:What an absolute shame if the destroy a 1916 building for parking. A step backwards for Dallas in all possible ways.

The building is a landmark. So, it’s not going anywhere. I know there’s a pretty big parking garage attached to the building. Maybe that’s what they’re interested in.

Hopefully, they can put in some retail where the old Urban Market use to be.

Is there anything AT&T can do to get around this? I just think we need to be aware and engaged to make sure they don't team up with the city to pull a fast one. AT&T has incredible pull with the city.

Also, can they technically convert the interior to parking while keeping the exterior? That would be almost as sad as demolishing it considering it's currently residential, and has just been remodeled/updated in a historically sensitive way.

Posted: **13 Jan 2019 14:57**

Matt777 wrote:
dallaz wrote:
Tivo_Kenevil wrote:What an absolute shame if the destroy a 1916 building for parking. A step backwards for Dallas in all possible ways.

The building is a landmark. So, it’s not going anywhere. I know there’s a pretty big parking garage attached to the building. Maybe that’s what they’re interested in.

Hopefully, they can put in some retail where the old Urban Market use to be.

Is there anything AT&T can do to get around this? I just think we need to be aware and engaged to make sure they don't team up with the city to pull a fast one. AT&T has incredible pull with the city.

Also, can they technically convert the interior to parking while keeping the exterior? That would be almost as sad as demolishing it considering it's currently residential, and has just been remodeled/updated in a historically sensitive way.

Honestly, I was thinking the same thing. I doubt that the interior is landmarked as well.

It kinda makes you wonder.

I hope that’s not the plan!

Posted: **14 Jan 2019 13:34**

The building is not a Dallas Landmark (most protected) but it is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Regardless, interiors are not landmarked. Link: http://www.thc.texas.gov/content/tax-cr ... n-building

If AT&T wants it for parking they could demolish and rebuild the current garage that wraps around the building and extend it all the way to Ervay (and/or go underground/higher)... all without touching the apartments. The current garage is awkward to navigate and was built in 1965 where the old interurban platforms were located. Demolition of the current garage would remove the old grocery space but if ground level retail was added it could activate three sides of the Jackson/Ervay/Wood block. The Browder Street Mall on this block has horrible aesthetics thanks to AT&T's giant vehicle ramp. Use the opportunity to consolidate/relocate all the ramps to a space within one garage and out of the pedestrian realm (since Jackson Street will be closed to Lane Street and Six AT&T will lose street access).

View on Wood Street: https://goo.gl/maps/gJxrUwX2crt
View on Jackson Street: https://goo.gl/maps/NHdTA1bfmjQ2

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Posted: **14 Jan 2019 13:43**

dfwcre8tive wrote:The building is not a Dallas Landmark (most protected) but it is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Regardless, interiors are not landmarked. Link: http://www.thc.texas.gov/content/tax-cr ... n-building

If AT&T wants it for parking they could demolish and rebuild the current garage that wraps around the building and extend it all the way to Ervay (and/or go underground/higher)... all without touching the apartments. The current garage is awkward to navigate and was built in 1965 where the old interurban platforms were located. Demolition of the current garage would remove the old grocery space but if ground level retail was added it could activate three sides of the Jackson/Ervay/Wood block. The Browder Street Mall on this block has horrible aesthetics.

View on Wood Street: https://goo.gl/maps/gJxrUwX2crt
View on Jackson Street: https://goo.gl/maps/NHdTA1bfmjQ2

71861f6b3fddd301e4033eb327b75e6c.jpg

Interurban.JPG

0FF3E1FEAC40F84A.gif

Funny you mentioned about possibly extending it all the way to Ervay. That was my first thought as well and I jumped on DCAD to see who owns it a few hours ago. Unfortunately, it's not the same as the Interurban building, but perhaps ATT is thinking of moving that way. Those parking lots, along with their neighboring garages, have always created a total dead zone over there.

Posted: **14 Jan 2019 14:54**

If that does end up being the case, I'd be pretty happy with that result. They would just replacing an older garage with a newer one, which will likely be an improvement to the surrounding street-level.

Posted: **14 Jan 2019 20:29**

AT&T grows its downtown Dallas campus with historic building purchase

I wonder if they'll change the name ("Seven AT&T"?).

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... g-purchase

Posted: **14 Jan 2019 20:42**

tamtagon wrote:hahaha

I just saw the 88 and remembered the good times, back before the turn of the century when the Cowboys were good. I cannot believe it's been so long since the Cowboys got deep into the play offs.... The corporate presence of galactic ATT really should turn into a cornerstone for this side of town - more like the Cowboys with Emmitt, Troy and Michael instead of the ridiculous teasers we've had for the more than 20 years since then.

*sigh*

Posted: **16 Jan 2019 16:56**

Overall I think AT&T was tired of waiting for the rest of Downtown to blossom with retail needed to make the area popping for new recruits. DowntownDallas Inc has been cheerleading a shopping district anchored by Neimans for decades now and its been full of starts and stops. AT&T needs to snag and keep new recruits and can no longer wait for other investors to provide that boost to their property. Headington threw in some very pricey options but nothing that seriously creates the energy to snag AT&T what it really needs. Even Neiman Marcus has retail space in their nearby garage that looks like a homeless shelter with plywood covers over windows and rapidly deteriorating sidewalk.

AT&T is taking the horse by the reins here and trying to create enough space in a concentrated area that they can lease to some lasting retail/shopping tenants that make their campus active. You can't just throw one quarter size grocery space in a dead zone and expect a marketplace of shoppers to show up as the city hoped would happen in the past. You have to have enough space to create a bubbling effect of customers that feed off each other. Like any Mall, AT&T is definitely trying to make sure they have enough square footage to create an energetic marketplace. An AT&T store and an Einsteins Bagels isn't enough.

Posted: **16 Jan 2019 22:26**

7 hotels on Commerce with people looking for something to do at night—a good number of them should find their way here.

Posted: **23 Jan 2019 09:44**

Just drove past this site and noticed they have started on the canopy structure along Commerce, at least the section that juts out from the building. I believe there's another section that'll be anchored to the ground, but haven't see that yet.

Posted: **18 Mar 2019 15:31**

Did anybody go to the AT&T Discovery District event on Saturday in Downtown? Apparently they shared new renderings and gave an update on the progress. Would love to hear any new details!

Posted: **22 Mar 2019 12:15**

Video board was approved yesterday:

AT&T’s Huge Downtown Video Board Gets a Blessing From the Plan Commission
https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2 ... ommission/

Posted: **26 Apr 2019 15:38**

Don't really know where to put this but I'll do it here since it's adjacent. Manor House has been undergoing a much-needed cosmetic renovation with some new paint, art wall and perhaps some lighting on their big blank wall.

IMG_7414.jpeg

IMG_7415.jpeg

Hopefully they're also update the sign on top the building, but I'm definitely more interested in what they're doing at the street level.

Posted: **11 May 2019 02:20**

Downtown Dallas' landmark Manor House high-rise gets a redo

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... -gets-redo

Posted: **11 May 2019 12:36**

That orange splash of color is nice.

Posted: **16 May 2019 06:55**

The sidewalk on Commerce has been opened up an it looks really good. Wide and lots of nice granite blocks for seating.

Posted: **07 Jun 2019 12:56**

A few photos from this week. I really like the smaller tiles used for the sidewalk throughout the entire block. Seeing this up close is starting to make me think this really could make downtown into a destination (like KWP). I tend to be an optimist, so I may be wrong.

Posted: **08 Jun 2019 12:36**

That last pic is interesting, what are they doing to the side of that building on the left?

Posted: **08 Jun 2019 13:50**

Tnexster wrote:That last pic is interesting, what are they doing to the side of that building on the left?

Giant video screen?

Posted: **08 Jun 2019 15:44**

Yeah those are the support being installed for the giant mega screen they got approval for a couple of weeks ago.

Posted: **14 Jun 2019 17:20**

https://about.att.com/sites/discovery_district

Bird_eye_view_Modified_Resolution_Gensler.jpg

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jackson_akard.jpg

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Posted: **14 Jun 2019 22:09**

Looking great, and just think, they could have gone to Legacy West like everyone else. DTD really hit jackpot when we kept them here.

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