lakewoodhobo wrote:So much for a skyline-altering design. I'll take it, but we were promised more.
I think the skyline-altering part is just not shown in this view... at this time.... All we're seeing here is the train track, covered (but maybe not air-conditioned?) station, and elevated walkways to new giant parking garage and convention center.
To make money, Texas Central and partners will operate the quick ride between Dallas and Houston so passengers will spend money on all the stuff build around the station, much the same way big convenience stores (Buck-EEs, QuickTrip, RaceTrak) break even on gasoline just so customers go inside the store and buy stuff. There's gonna be a honkin-big hotel adjacent to the train station -- probably the reason these pictures show sheltered walkways over I-30 to the convention center! There's probably going to be something on top of the parking garage, mixed use entertainment destination and likely overnight accommodation as well.
The purpose of the train is to put customers in the station adjacent development, and that's where Texas Central founding partner Matthews Southwest comes in. When MattSW bid for the contract to build the existing convention center hotel, sketches by one of the popular Starchitects helped win; the hotel component of the station co-op might actually be a skyline changing exclamation. I certainly hope so.
With a deck park connecting the convention center to The Cedars, we're in for a complete renovation of the butt-end of the convention center, ideal setting for a new skyscraper.