Page 13 of 14

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 11 Aug 2020 16:24
by Jay9398
Tucy wrote:I'm curious about this observation deck as well. Both historically and whether it is planned to be reopened.

Was it an open-air deck on the roof of the building? Where was it exactly?

Earlier in the renovation process, I think it was mentioned that it would be coming back. The website for the project does not seem to mention an observation deck. It does say there will be a restaurant on the 49th floor. I find elsewhere some mentions that the observation deck was on the 50th floor.

Which triggers another question... How many floors does this building actually have? Steve Brown likes to call it 52 stories, which, given Steve Brown's proclivities, is probably an exaggeration. The building's website says it is 51 stories. If they are having a restaurant on 49 and (perhaps) an observation deck on 50... I wonder what is on 51. And where is Steve Brown's 52nd floor? ;-)

Oh, and Merriman (the renovation architects) says it's 50 stories.


The last I read the observation deck on the top floor was still in the plans and was going to be open to the public. I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's never been open air as far as I know. I used to work across the street on 46 and there's no way that what I could see was open air.

The amenity deck on the pedestal (approx floor 9) is open air and is looking really, really good.

I wonder if the discrepancy between the 50/51 floor reporting depends on how the 2 story lobby is counted? Like most I would take anything Brown reports with a grain of salt.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 12 Aug 2020 09:36
by cowboyeagle05
It was a part of the incentive package. The developer to get public money had to reopen the observation deck to the public. The most recent discussion of this feature was in news articles when it was still to be The Drever but who knows if this is still a solid plan. Even Reunion who is also required to have a public amenity deck skirts these rules by just claiming its under construction or closed for cleaning for months at a time. The city rarely cares about enforcing it.

When completed, The Drever’s eight-story tower base will be transformed into a dynamic area with more than 27,000-square-feet of ground floor retail space, 44,000-square-feet of office space, the hotel and residents’ lobbies and a grand ballroom. A wraparound amenity deck with sight lines to surrounding buildings, including a resort quality pool, a spa, a health and fitness room, dog-park and outdoor recreation spaces will be on the 9th floor at the top of the base element. The 50th floor will feature an open-to-the-public observation deck.


The first one is obviously an old pic before they started demo inside. The second is one of the renderings MAA produced as part of the original batch of renderings for the redo. I personally have no idea what the plan is with the observation deck.
download.jpg

50th-Floor-Views.jpg

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 02 Oct 2020 11:56
by vman
I was downtown this weekend and drove down Elm Street right past this building. It's looking really good. But there are several white, what I believe to be planters, lining the front of the building. I swear they look just like oversized toilets. Hopefully, they'll look less so when the building is done.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 02 Oct 2020 14:24
by cowboyeagle05
I think they are planters so once they add in greenery they will look better I hope. I saw them in a photo over on the Downtown Residents Council Facebook page.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 05 Oct 2020 15:23
by Jay9398
They are planters. They do look like giant urinals. Renderings show tall thin Italian Cypress plantings, but do not show homeless people peeing in them, which I assume is inevitable.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 06 Oct 2020 09:29
by cowboyeagle05
Renderings also show fully grown trees in front of every construction project and people with Neiman Marcus bags and a stroller driving a Bently. Renderings are a sham but people eat it up and so do council members.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 10 Oct 2020 15:06
by Redblock
An article in the October issue of D Magazine. So far I have only seen white lights. I assume are LEDs and can be many different colors.

https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/ ... lights-up/

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 10:30
by Tucy
Very exciting news! The Thompson Hotel will open November 14. Honestly thought I'd never see the day.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... -national/

It looks beautiful!

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 21 Oct 2020 10:40
by R1070
So impressive.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 13 Nov 2020 15:26
by DPatel304
Image
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Catbird lounge at the Thompson is opening November 27th (Credit goes to Valerie Chaykovska from the Downtown Residents Council Facebook group)

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 13 Nov 2020 17:58
by CTroyMathis
I saw those pictures there, too! The place looks very good. And, of course, the views.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 13 Nov 2020 19:02
by Tivo_Kenevil
Any pics of the lobby/ entrance from the outside

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 13 Nov 2020 21:53
by dallaz
6C559690-0C8F-4ADD-B666-42DE0FDDF016.png
B44ED97E-1DDC-4E49-A249-97C90A471090.png
378C5B74-CFD2-4837-BD46-7E5EEB727AE3.png

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 14 Nov 2020 11:32
by cowboyeagle05
Those wide sidewalks even with the integrated parking are so much nicer than the previous wide roadways perfect for drag racing. Narrow those streets build out those long promenades of walking space.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 16 Nov 2020 14:31
by DPatel304
The hotel’s restaurants are Nine, a breakfast and lunch spot on the ninth floor, and Catbird, a sexy restaurant and lounge on the 10th floor.

Nine is expected to open Nov. 16, with Catbird to follow on Nov. 27.

https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaur ... wn-dallas/

Here's an article about Nine and Catbird, opening soon. Both of these places look fantastic, and I'm so glad that this building is nearing completion and it's even better that the newly completed (and hugely successful) Discovery District is only a couple blocks away.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 17 Nov 2020 15:26
by itsjrd1964
Hope they can somehow keep the pigeons off those 2nd floor exterior ledges. They really left marks-on-the-world down there in the past.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 05:09
by itsjrd1964
Michelin-starred chef plans to open 2 high-profile restaurants in Dallas next year

Two more restaurants, Kessaku and Monarch, will open at The National next year.

https://www.dallasnews.com/food/restaur ... s-in-2021/

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 06:16
by tamtagon
Looks like downtown is going to become a scene.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 09:03
by exelone31
What an incredible turnaround for this building. Remember in The Drever days when we were wondering if it was ever going to get done? So awesome to see this come to fruition.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 10:32
by clcrash19
This building looks amazing driving by after work.. they did a great job with the finish out..

It's amazing how much has changed on this street with santander tower, the national and mid elm lofts for the better. Its night and day and Commerce has really changed alot too with discovery district, remodeled adolfus and statler building.. Used to be only main street had any life

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 10:59
by Matt777
Wow, restaurants on the 49th and 50th floors. Should be amazing views and hopefully a food experience to match. Now that Five Sixty at Reunion Tower is closed, are these the highest restaurants in Dallas?

It's a bit strange that we don't have more high floor restaurants considering the attraction that our skyline is, and the plethora of empty space in Downtown office towers. I understand that most office spaces are probably not fitted out for restaurant specific utilities, but it would be nice to see more restaurants like this, and high rooftop bars.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 13:23
by itsjrd1964
Some of it is very likely the utilities and associated infrastructure. The buildings like the National, LTV Tower, and One Main (Place) were all built originally with the mindset of them being banks and office towers--not hotels and/or apartments. Replacing them with (or adding) hotel/residential changes up the utilities dynamic, the biggest change being hot water. That use and need was originally found exclusively in the occasional hallway bathroom of an office. Now showers, bathtubs, and kitchens (home and restaurant) added to the converted buildings make for an environment not likely envisioned by the building's original builders/developers.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 13:40
by DPatel304
Was this the last major vacant building in the CBD?

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 20:11
by OrangeMike
DPatel304 wrote:Was this the last major vacant building in the CBD?


It’s been consistently described that way in articles about the renovation. If there are others remaining empty, they certainly aren’t as large.
https://www.dmagazine.com/commercial-re ... -downtown/

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 21:13
by DPatel304
Great news if that is the case. As demand continues to grow, it means we'll start seeing more and more new development coming to the CBD, rather than it going into filling some of these existing towers.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 21:25
by homeworld1031tx
It really is a fantastic turn around for the building, but I still can't figure out how this ended up costing ~$450 million bucks. Isn't that the cost of a brand new, very tall skyscraper?

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 09:49
by OrangeMike
homeworld1031tx wrote:It really is a fantastic turn around for the building, but I still can't figure out how this ended up costing ~$450 million bucks. Isn't that the cost of a brand new, very tall skyscraper?


Isn’t it virtually a brand new, very tall skyscraper now?

$450 million is a huge sum, but it’s a huge building, too. I realize the structure itself is 55 years old or so, but every part of it has been redone in a truly massive project that also had to comply with historic preservation restrictions. The asbestos abatement removed 5 million square feet of material and was the largest in Texas to date. Every piece of marble was removed from the exterior and sliced in two to be reinstalled on a new mounting framework. Financing issues with the previous owner caused delays that may have driven up costs as well. And almost all of the interior space was repurposed from its original use with extensive utility additions, as mentioned above:

itsjrd1964 wrote:Some of it is very likely the utilities and associated infrastructure. The buildings like the National, LTV Tower, and One Main (Place) were all built originally with the mindset of them being banks and office towers--not hotels and/or apartments. Replacing them with (or adding) hotel/residential changes up the utilities dynamic, the biggest change being hot water. That use and need was originally found exclusively in the occasional hallway bathroom of an office. Now showers, bathtubs, and kitchens (home and restaurant) added to the converted buildings make for an environment not likely envisioned by the building's original builders/developers.


No idea if that total cost is inflated, but it really doesn't seem unreasonable given the complexities of what was done.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 12:37
by Mballar
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=6MFVH1pToSK&brand=0

Virtual tour of Model 2 Bedroom at the National Residences;

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 13:14
by R1070
Very nice! What a great product this building has become.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 03 Dec 2020 15:22
by I45Tex
Recent mixed-use block McKinney & Olive was less than half the size, less than half the height-associated structural costs, had a practically greenfield site with no permitting hurdles, and came in at exactly half this cost ($225MM v 450MM).

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 05 Feb 2021 15:52
by CTroyMathis
I had the pleasure of getting a speed-run tour (45 minutes actually, but, felt fast) of the lower floors and the 9th including the outside decks. Got to learn what office space Downtown Dallas, Inc. is supposed to move to (totally forget what floor that was, maybe 2, 4, or, 5?) and the 2 open restaurants (there are 2 more way up high not quite ready), but, my gracious host was just showing me hotel-side F&B since the upstairs crew were busy in meetings. So amazing to see the transformation of this huge building inside and out. A ton of high-end creature comforts scattered all around for guest/residents.

Random takeaways:
There is an extensive checklist of things still to do here and there throughout and underground. Typical odds and ends in various places FOH/BOH. My host mentioned there are ballpark ~100 or so residents so far at this time (I forgot to ask if that meant units occupied or just total residents). I found it really cool he also lives in the building. What a sweet "commute" to work.

Also, two retail tenants are supposedly on tap to go in so far. One is a Chick-fil-A and the other is a Starbucks, however, apparently it will be a move from their Renaissance Tower location and will stay open late. I didn't think to ask which spaces those would go in, I'll just hazard a guess maybe on the Akard corners facing Elm and/or the station (just guessing). The chefs upstairs (2 of them formerly of Fearing's Restaurant) did pass along that the restaurants up there are looking at an early March opening still. I'm sure that's tentative. The Akard Station side is still boarded off and I asked about when that side might open up, but, I don't think they know that answer right now, however, there was one mention that hotel lobby doors might perhaps not be accessible on that side.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 24 Mar 2021 16:26
by itsjrd1964
PaperCity reviews top-of-the-National restaurants Monarch and Kessaku.

https://www.papercitymag.com/restaurant ... nt/#334289

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 24 Mar 2021 20:17
by eburress
Monarch is awesome and the view from the restroom is pretty incredible! I haven't been to Kessaku yet (it opens tonight) but it looks great too.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 11 Apr 2021 04:13
by itsjrd1964
Ch.5's TX Today lifestyle show looks at the Thompson, including the lobby, spa, penthouse, pool, and the Catbird restaurant.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/texas-today/a-ne ... l/2600588/

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 11 Apr 2021 15:01
by Warrior2020
I wonder how the observation deck look

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 16:34
by undefinedprocess
So I've toured this property now, but even the people working The Residences portion are unsure of an observation deck. Anyone know if there will actually be a public observation deck still? Or have the 49th and 50th story restaurants turned into the "observation decks?" Really would love for it to be a true, dedicated attraction for the public. You'd catch my ass up there all the time if so. :lol:

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 20:27
by eburress
I saw the observation deck last night (Monarch's GM Matt gave me a tour). It seemed to basically be the restaurant's event space and not something necessarily available to random sightseers, but "observation deck" is how he referred to the space, so who knows.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 22 Apr 2021 19:06
by northsouth
Part of the black plywood construction fence facing Akard Station finally came down today. I've been riding the train semi-regularly to regularly since 2017, and if I'm remembering right the fence has been up that whole time.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 06 May 2021 04:30
by willyk
Video from DDI

https://youtu.be/oTrTmScKlWY

Todd did such a great job finishing this, but some of the credit has to go to the prior developers who progressed the project but had to step aside. They got things like the abatement and white marble tiles done. I hope they were able to maintain some ownership in the finished product.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 07 May 2021 12:41
by itsjrd1964
Downtown Dallas hotel claims coveted spot on new Conde Nast Hot List

Conde Nast Traveler's "hot list" of the 69 top new hotels in the world, includes the Thompson--one of 3 hotels from Texas on the list.

https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/trav ... tels-2021/

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 07 May 2021 13:25
by exelone31
Nice

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 24 May 2021 23:11
by willyk
Made it to the Observation Deck. Very cool, but not ready for prime time and never will be. Access it from Monarch (49). A door man there has to take you up some stairs (no elevator) to the sushi bar (50). You have to cross the sushi bar to enter and exit a narrow hallway that circles the glass exterior. The views are great and it’s an adventure just getting there. But the access is not compatible with a large scale tourist attraction. It will be a haunt only for the cognoscenti, including the readers of DFWUF. Shhhhhh!

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 25 May 2021 09:50
by undefinedprocess
willyk wrote:Made it to the Observation Deck. Very cool, but not ready for prime time and never will be. Access it from Monarch (49). A door man there has to take you up some stairs (no elevator) to the sushi bar (50). You have to cross the sushi bar to enter and exit a narrow hallway that circles the glass exterior. The views are great and it’s an adventure just getting there. But the access is not compatible with a large scale tourist attraction. It will be a haunt only for the cognoscenti, including the readers of DFWUF. Shhhhhh!

So you just go up to Monarch, ask the Monarch doorman for the observation deck, and you'll be taken there (free of charge)?

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 25 May 2021 10:30
by exelone31
willyk wrote:Made it to the Observation Deck. Very cool, but not ready for prime time and never will be. Access it from Monarch (49). A door man there has to take you up some stairs (no elevator) to the sushi bar (50). You have to cross the sushi bar to enter and exit a narrow hallway that circles the glass exterior. The views are great and it’s an adventure just getting there. But the access is not compatible with a large scale tourist attraction. It will be a haunt only for the cognoscenti, including the readers of DFWUF. Shhhhhh!


That certainly ups its level of cool by a large amount. Thanks for the tip!

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 04 Jun 2021 18:55
by northsouth
Last bit of construction fencing facing Akard Station was taken down today.

Re: DD: 1401 Elm and Thompson Hotel

Posted: 05 Jun 2021 21:26
by I45Tex
Hannibal Lecter wrote:Downtown Dallas landmark skyscraper will shine again this week

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... this-week/

Image


texasstar wrote:Note the building in the lower left corner of the photo above. The 19-story Rio Grande National Life building only existed for 20 years before it was demolished to make way for the Renassance Tower. Shortest life span of any high-rise ever?


Found a zany 19-story tower in Manhattan that only lasted from the summer of 1897 to the summer of 1910. The Gillender Building:
http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2 ... -wall.html

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 05 Jun 2021 23:46
by texasstar
Wow, thanks I45Tex! That building was an absolute treasure. New York City is a wonderland of things like this.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 12:57
by Roman_Patrick
wow i sure wish Gables Republic Tower would light up the rocket again.. excited to see all the buildings light up at night!

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 07 Jun 2021 20:01
by undefinedprocess
Roman_Patrick wrote:wow i sure wish Gables Republic Tower would light up the rocket again.. excited to see all the buildings light up at night!

I wish.

Re: DTD: The National/Thompson Hotel (1401 Elm)

Posted: 31 Jul 2021 12:51
by Warrior2020
I went to this building last Saturday and it was packed. I didn't realize how upscale it was. You have to dress nice to go to all of the restaurants. I went to the top and they gave me a fancy coat to put on so I could take pictures. The views were amazing. I got to get up to the observation deck but it really isn't an observation deck but they will take you up to it to see it.