47 replies to this topic

[cberen1]

Just west of the new Radio Shack campus (across Henderson) there is a new building. It looks like town homes or a small apartment building. It's stucco with a red sheet metal roof. I haven't seen any postts about it and there isn't a sign on the construction site.

Anyone know anything about it?

[Urbndwlr]

That building is called "The Versailles". I believe the paper quoted the developer describing the architecture as “Italian-style” - or maybe “Mediterranean-style”. Either way, the building is not vaguely reminiscent of anything Italian or Mediterranean, nor does it vaguely resemble any element of Versailles.

I liken this to apartment developers’ decisions to build apartment complexes and name them “mansions” or “villas”. Come on people.

IMO, the developer has the right idea to build luxury townhomes on that site (facing the river), but had the wrong idea to give it that design and name. I couldn't bear to tell my friends that I live in a place called “The Versailles”. It seems a bit affected, and IMO will turn away a significant segment of the market – those who can actually identify French and Italian architecture.

I believe the same developer is doing the project just up the hill (figured this out by looking at his website + reading the paper). That project looks vastly more tasteful, and doesn't carry such a silly name.

[redhead]

It's a project by local architect Ken Schaumburg. I particularly like the view of the billboard!

[John T Roberts]

I keep thinking the billboard will come down before the project is completed.

[mosteijn]

I actually like the design. I kind of wonder how those people are going to like their front yards opening into a giant parking lot for a little while...

Rendering (from Schaumburg's site):



Pic I took today (due to the position of the sun, it could be better ):

[mosteijn]

Shot taken from Henderson today, I can see what you guys are talking about with that billboard:

[cberen1]

I particularly like how the rendering makes Henderson look like a tranquil little neighborhood road. But I guess there's no point in drawing the rendering complete with bums, panhandlers and four lanes of very heavy traffic.

[redhead]

From what I understand, the billboard ground is not owned by Schaumburg, and the negotiations to buy it have not been successful. I cannot imagine the people who bought the affected units moving in with the billboard still present---it's lighted for crying out loud!!

[hannerhan]

Any word on what is up with this billboard? It amazes me that it's still up, and I saw kitchen appliances being put in that corner unit a few weeks ago.

I think the overall result of the place turned out OK. Just OK, which is good for Schaumburg's avg townhome actually. I'm sure the rooftop patios will be incredible for the fireworks shows...that would almost make the places worth it.

[grow_smart]

Maybe safly can help with the billboard...where is he when you need him????

[safly]

Have no FEAR, SAFLY is....... Alright well that signage is actually owned by the people whose name are on the base of the board. Now from what I have discussed with certain adv. people is that the head of the big advertising family is not doing so well and that was some time ago last year. What I do know is that a certain someone who works for an outdoor advertising conglomerate would want to purchase it. The family does not want to "hand" it over to Schambourg. It is certainly an odd place to build a mighty pricey townhome around, but I guess the architect thought that he would get his way? As for me, it is pretty darn funny! Oh well, you can out bid me on that deal, it ain't worth it, plus even though the billboard was there long before townhome construction, it would not make such a prescence for people who are waiting in traffic there at around 4:30 pm. Like they are really gonna go and pull in a Beamer lot because of it. Bad billboard placement and bad planning by the developer. That part of the TRiver and bridge are not too attractive either, unless you work for RS. The only plus is that you are in walking distance to a decent Greek rest. and Joe n Nona's.

[safly]

The townhome design is more for a SouthLake or suburb setting, not by the United Way or YMCA child care, then a parkinh lot sprawl, and a dirty filthy bridge, next to a runned down law office and gas station. In wanting a townhome I would desire a yard, a pool, and definately a clubhouse.

[Willy1]

This place reminds me of the Red Roof Inn - a chain of bad motels in West Texas. So far, I'm not too fond of Schambourg's tastes in design... The Ruins looks like it's going to be horrible to look at - but I'll reserve judgement for when it's actually built. Isn't it supposed to go up next to Pier 1? Is anyone else worried that an eye sore next to a new crown jewel will hurt the appearance of P1?

[safly]

Absolutely! Architects have been gagging at the old developer rendering for years. simply horrendous.

[cjyoung]

Sometimes, beggars can't be choosey.

[Urbndwlr]

The townhome design is more for a SouthLake or suburb setting, not by the United Way or YMCA child care, then a parkinh lot sprawl, and a dirty filthy bridge, next to a runned down law office and gas station. In wanting a townhome I would desire a yard, a pool, and definately a clubhouse.

A townhome with a clubhouse? Do you mean like a golf club? Not sure I've ever seen what you're talking about.

[redhead]

Many cluster type developments---be they condo or townhome---feature some type of clubhouse or clubroom ammenity. Even the Kress conversion has a party room and hot tub area on the roof level, so it's in keeping to have some type of common ammenity area for residents. Usually it can be rented for private parties.

[safly]

Many cluster type developments---be they condo or townhome---feature some type of clubhouse or clubroom ammenity. Even the Kress conversion has a party room and hot tub area on the roof level, so it's in keeping to have some type of common ammenity area for residents. Usually it can be rented for private parties.

thanks for the "tag" sweetheart.

[jefffwd]

safly... do you ever sleep!?!

[safly]

safly... do you ever sleep!?! 

Sometimes, but my new Energy patches keep me going, FOR HOURS!Interested? They work like a charm, and ALL ORGANIC. If I fly back in town on a red eye or 10 hours away I will check out the forum from time to time. Sometimes I am sending my 2 cents from a far away island or some distant E.Euro cafe. Sometimes beautiful Croatia, ahhhh. Nothing wrong with sending in an e-mail or a post or two while on business. I like keeping up with FWians, even on the fly.

[AndyN]

This place reminds me of the Red Roof Inn - a chain of bad motels in West Texas. So far, I'm not too fond of Schambourg's tastes in design... The Ruins looks like it's going to be horrible to look at - but I'll reserve judgement for when it's actually built. Isn't it supposed to go up next to Pier 1? Is anyone else worried that an eye sore next to a new crown jewel will hurt the appearance of P1?

I'm not aware of any Red Roof Inns in West, Texas. There are a few in West Texas, but the chain didn't start there and they certianly cover a larger part of the country than just "out there". They started in Ohio and are now part of the Accor chain, which I think is French for "cheap room".

[AndyN]

Have no FEAR, SAFLY is....... Alright well that signage is actually owned by the people whose name are on the base of the board. Now from what I have discussed with certain adv. people is that the head of the big advertising family is not doing so well and that was some time ago last year. What I do know is that a certain someone who works for an outdoor advertising conglomerate would want to purchase it. The family does not want to "hand" it over to Schambourg. It is certainly an odd place to build a mighty pricey townhome around, but I guess the architect thought that he would get his way? As for me, it is pretty darn funny! Oh well, you can out bid me on that deal, it ain't worth it, plus even though the billboard was there long before townhome construction, it would not make such a prescence for people who are waiting in traffic there at around 4:30 pm. Like they are really gonna go and pull in a Beamer lot because of it. Bad billboard placement and bad planning by the developer.  That part of the TRiver and bridge are not too attractive either, unless you work for RS. The only plus is that you are in walking distance to a decent Greek rest. and Joe n Nona's.

I was driving by a couple of weeks ago and they were in the process of removing the buildboard. Wonder who and how much that cost to make that go away.

As for the location, it looks to me like they are prime location once the Trinity River redevelopment goes through. I wonder how much $$ campaign contributions Schaumberg put into the Granger fund.

[safly]

I could see somebody plopping a much taller and bigger property in front of them. I do npt know what would stop em.

[hooked]

You mean lke a 50-story office tower?

I heard a rumor - completely unsubstantiated . . . from a guy who's usually wrong about what day of the week it is - that the Landmark Tower will be imploded on the Fourth of July.

[JBB]

Given that July 4 is less than 6 weeks away, I would say that your source needs to stick to guessing the day of the week.

[cberen1]

Did the Versailles ever fill up? I called Shaumberg's office about it and they said they only designed the building and had nothing to do with the development, so they weren't sure.

I heard a rumor that the project was in or approaching foreclosure, but the source had heard it kind of third hand, so it could be completely false.

[mosteijn]

Schaumburg's website and the FW Biz Press both say the Versailles is 100% full.

[Brian Luenser]

We surely don't hear much about the Versailles Town homes on the Northwest edge of downtown. (Henderson Street) A pretty fascinating place. I remember watching it being built as I was driving back and fort to Downtown from Eagle Mountain Lake. Mostly remember the huge billboard in front of them. (Was a big deal to all then) I have to wonder who all has lived there and how life has treated them there these past 6 years or so. Like has there been much turnover of residents etc... They are nice places for sure, with a great view of downtown. Strange location is all. A bit removed from downtown, though a short walk. Something I have learned in the last several years though... people do not want a short walk. Pretty pathetic. Maybe a clue to the Nation's obesity problem.

Just shot this photo. Looks like the place is getting its first major paint job. And seems to be going from tan to white.

[hannerhan]

Like most of Schaumburg's projects, I always felt that the architecture of Versailles was a little "off." It's French but you put a red roof on it? Or, it's Mediterranean but you put a metal roof on it? I just think it's completely disjointed.

Thank God he never got the funding to build the "Summit Ruins" project...that would have been even worse.

Compare Versailles with Hilltop, the townhomes that Village Homes did on 7th Street, and just look at how many types/shapes of windows Shaumburg used in Versailles vs. the guys at Village.



Maybe beauty is just in the eye of the beholder and I'm missing it, but I much prefer the above design. And to be clear, I have no financial (or otherwise) interest in either of these groups.

[AdamB]

You mean to tell me that isn't a La Quinta?

[Ron Payne]

LOL exactly what it looks like! Maybe that's why they are changing the color - too many walk-ins looking for a room!

[AdamB]

I seem to remember that they had plans at some point to build a second building and finish off the block... or am I imagining things?

[pelligrini]

Compare Versailles with Hilltop, the townhomes that Village Homes did on 7th Street, and just look at how many types/shapes of windows Shaumburg used in Versailles vs. the guys at Village.

Maybe beauty is just in the eye of the beholder and I'm missing it, but I much prefer the above design. And to be clear, I have no financial (or otherwise) interest in either of these groups.

Actually, Schaumburg designed the Hilltop project too.

The execution of the Versailles project wasn't as it was originally designed. The tile roof wasn't done, nor proper window trim among many other things that the builder did on their own. There were supposed to be other development plans for the trinity at that time. I believe it was going to end up fairly close to the Town Lake, that was before the plans for it changed.

[Art Cooler]

Like most of Schaumburg's projects, I always felt that the architecture of Versailles was a little "off." It's French but you put a red roof on it? Or, it's Mediterranean but you put a metal roof on it? I just think it's completely disjointed.

Thank God he never got the funding to build the "Summit Ruins" project...that would have been even worse.

Compare Versailles with Hilltop, the townhomes that Village Homes did on 7th Street, and just look at how many types/shapes of windows Shaumburg used in Versailles vs. the guys at Village.



Maybe beauty is just in the eye of the beholder and I'm missing it, but I much prefer the above design. And to be clear, I have no financial (or otherwise) interest in either of these groups.

These buildings seem better suited to our climate, what with the more deeply recessed windows, and the roof overhangs. I also find it more architecturally easy on the eyes than that other thing.

[David Love]

Like most of Schaumburg's projects, I always felt that the architecture of Versailles was a little "off." It's French but you put a red roof on it? Or, it's Mediterranean but you put a metal roof on it? I just think it's completely disjointed.

Thank God he never got the funding to build the "Summit Ruins" project...that would have been even worse.

Compare Versailles with Hilltop, the townhomes that Village Homes did on 7th Street, and just look at how many types/shapes of windows Shaumburg used in Versailles vs. the guys at Village.



Maybe beauty is just in the eye of the beholder and I'm missing it, but I much prefer the above design. And to be clear, I have no financial (or otherwise) interest in either of these groups.

These buildings seem better suited to our climate, what with the more deeply recessed windows, and the roof overhangs. I also find it more architecturally easy on the eyes than that other thing.

I agree.

[Thurman52]

Major earthwork next door this week. I thought I read new units going in

[Austin55]

I park in the same place at TCC everyday, can't believe I'd not noticed this yet. 

 

[prideftw]

I hope it is something that screams downtown

[prideftw]

Like something 6 or 7 stories with glass lol

[Austin55]

This building is going to be in a pretty interesting spot in 10 years when the TRV is further along.

[Fort Worthology]

If it's more units of the existing Versailles town homes, you can expect to have it match the original, more or less.

[Austin55]

This is still turning dirt, but it looks like foundation will be ready to be poured soon. I've never seen such a small project push dirt around this long. One of the interesting things is they've built a new sidewalk on Henderson and it's massive. 

[Doohickie]

This is still turning dirt, but it looks like foundation will be ready to be poured soon. I've never seen such a small project push dirt around this long. One of the interesting things is they've built a new sidewalk on Henderson and it's massive. 

 

Was there some sort of site cleanup required before they could build?  That can take a while.

[Austin55]

They've finally actually built something. Looks like garages in the back. Not the best urban design to me. 

 

[Mr_Brightside526]

They've finally actually built something. Looks like garages in the back. Not the best urban design to me. 

 

 

 

I bet there will be an alley and they will build another row facing the west.

[Austin55]

They've built them up around Peach street. They are looking nicer than I had expected. 

 

 

Lovely sidewalk.