141 replies to this topic

[AndyN]

City advises that the demolition is planned for the 18th.

 

http://fortworthtexa...tchester-plaza/

 

The following streets will be closed from 5:30-9 a.m. as a result of the demolition:

 

8th Avenue From I-30 WBSR to Pruitt

Summit Avenue From 8th to Pennsylvania

Petersmith Street from Summit to Ballinger

Tucker Street from Summit to Ballinger

Pennsylvania Avenue from 9th to Ballinger

[Austin55]

Hey it actually looks better without the brick. 

 

Let's just slap some glass back on it and let people move in and call it a day.

[PeopleAreStrange]

Wish I had known there was going to be a "media viewing area" earlier today. Need to see if I can get access to it.

 

Looks like it's going to be cloudy and the sun won't be a factor. If the "media viewing area" isn't an option, I'm still conflicted on whether to watch from Ballinger Street or Summit/8th at I-30.

 

EDIT: Ballinger is closer to the building, but the view of the building from Summit/30 seems more interesting.

 

Another thing to note: The forecast calls for southerly winds, so dust may blow away from Ballinger and towards Summit/30.

[John T Roberts]

I will agree that Summit/30 is more interesting, but from experience, I have found that the closer you are, the better. 

[JBB]

I'm working tomorrow and I need to be able to leave quickly afterward, so I'm thinking about somewhere around Summit and the I-30 service road.  The Summit bridge over 30 has a great view, but if I'm reading the closures correctly, it's going to be off-limits.
 
Bud Kennedy had a good write-up on the building today:

http://www.star-tele...e205258019.html

[calien]

St Paul is having an implosion watch party in their upper parking lot at 8am.  Coffee and snacks will be served.

[John T Roberts]

I'm going to try to view it from the south.  Since I live south of the building, I figured that I shouldn't try to work around to the north.  I know that I will be shooting around trees, so I'm not promising the best coverage.

[John T Roberts]

Here are a couple of parting views of the Westchester House Apartments.  These photographs are from the W.D. Smith Photography Collection from the UTA Library Special Collections, Digital Galleries.

 

1952 Photograph: https://library.uta....d7038f34656.jpg

 

1957 Photograph: https://library.uta....16bfbeb3865.jpg

 

 

[Austin55]

John, what was the name of the building to the east which is no longer there?

[John T Roberts]

In the next block to the east was a mansion that was replaced by the current gas station in the early 1960's.  Directly to the east of that, which I think is the building that you are referring, was the Lucerne Apartments.  It was demolished in the 1970's.  Next door to the east of the Lucerne Apartments was Doctor's General Hospital.  It was a small private one that was demolished in the 1980's.  Then there is Ballinger Street.  To the east of that is the Woman's Club.

[elpingüino]

Really interesting Bud Kennedy column this morning about the history of the Westchester. I had no idea it had been so luxurious, with a "dress boutique, shoe shop and posh 1960s private club with cabana, heated pool and a steady stream of showbiz stars." http://www.star-tele...e205258019.html

[JBB]

I'm on the eb I-30 service road just west of Summit. Lots of people and lots of drones.

[PeopleAreStrange]

That was a blast! I've got footage I'll post later.

[Volare]

T&P Warehouse... you're next!

 

Performed by (of course)... Dallas Demolition.

[JBB]

 

Excuse the quality.  Recorded on an iPhone 6S.

[panthercity]

T&P Warehouse... you're next!
 
Performed by (of course)... Dallas Demolition.

What was the final verdict for the T&P Warehouse?

[Volare]

What was the final verdict for the T&P Warehouse?

 

 

Those holding their breath waiting to find out have turned into a desiccated corpse.

[bryanr]

I'm working tomorrow and I need to be able to leave quickly afterward, so I'm thinking about somewhere around Summit and the I-30 service road.  The Summit bridge over 30 has a great view, but if I'm reading the closures correctly, it's going to be off-limits.
 
Bud Kennedy had a good write-up on the building today:

http://www.star-tele...e205258019.html

========================================================================================================

Great story, but I am the grandson, not the son of CL Richhart

[John T Roberts]

JBB, thanks for posting the video.  I was there on the south side and I had two tasks.  The first was to take photographs of the implosion for Architecture in Fort Worth, and the second was to serve as Historic Fort Worth's representative at Thistle Hill.  I only had a few minutes between jobs, and I didn't get a chance to get my video up here.  However, it will be coming.  I did get it posted immediately to my personal Facebook page, and shortly thereafter to this site's Facebook page.  I will upload it soon, now that I'm home.

 

Bryan, I'm glad that Bud Kennedy contacted you and put your quotes in the article.

[John T Roberts]

Here's a link to my video of the implosion at Fortwortharchitecture.com's Facebook page.

 

https://www.facebook...31009410261516/

[PeopleAreStrange]

Here's my video of the implosion from Ballinger Street. For best results, select 720p at 60 frames per second on the setting icon.

 

 

Worth noting: I originally intended to check out a tripod from school, forgetting it was spring break. Thankfully, I was able to hold my monopod steady beside me while I watched with my own eyes.

[John T Roberts]

Very nice.

[Volare]

There were a LOT of drones in the sky- at least 8-10 from the north. But I haven't seen a single drone video posted yet. (Perhaps they fear FAA enforcement action.)

 

Looking forward to seeing one.

[Austin55]

Here's one

https://v.redd.it/1co0kmllckm01

https://www.reddit.c...plaza_implosion

[JBB]

Two of the drones, including one that was directly over the building, took off from the worker staging area in the foreground of my video.  I would assume that might show up on social media associated with Dallas Demolition.

[John T Roberts]

Westchester Plaza and the Landmark Tower were both imploded on March 18th, twelve years apart.

[Austin55]

I think the Weatherford/Belknap/121 bridge was also on this date.

[JBB]

I watched the Landmark implosion from just south of Morton and 10th next to city hall.  The bridge implosion happened around 10:00 at night and, from 12 miles away as the crow flies, it sounded like it was happening in my backyard.

 

A great compilation of Westchester footage with some taken from drones:

 

https://www.facebook...89899177941192/

[arch-image]

Sadly wasn't able to go to this one , glad to see a few of you went and were able to film it. It always amazes me the precision of implosions. 

[JBB]

John - any early word on problems at Thistle Hill following the implosion? I would like to think that no news is good news.

[John T Roberts]

No news is good news!  I inspected the property within 30 minutes, or so, of the implosion.  There was no damage, that I found.  Our Executive Director and our Staff Person at Thistle Hill was finally let through around 10 AM, and they found nothing.  Another architect and engineer on our board inspected later on Sunday and found no damage to the house or the other structures.  The equipment used to take down the draping of the windows and the house did put a few ruts into the lawn, but Dallas Demolition was aware of it and they were going to fix the lawn damage.  It was pretty minimal.

[JBB]

That's great to hear.  I'm glad that Historic Fort Worth was so vigilant in making certain that the property was protected.

[txbornviking]

Via Scott Nishimura and VLK architects

 

 

 

 

I'm liking it, the curved glass on following summit ought to be a pretty cool gateway element, The residential portion looks dense and interesting. Good project. 

 

Do we have a clue if this is still the redevelopment plan for the site? 

[Austin55]

It feel through although I think it was basically a perfect plan for the site. Maybe swap "building 2" for a ~12 floor hotel and a meeting hall over the outdoor parking space and it's perfect.

[rriojas71]

This is a great spot for a Hotel Renovo revival

[Austin55]

In the next block to the east was a mansion that was replaced by the current gas station in the early 1960's.  Directly to the east of that, which I think is the building that you are referring, was the Lucerne Apartments.  It was demolished in the 1970's.  Next door to the east of the Lucerne Apartments was Doctor's General Hospital.  It was a small private one that was demolished in the 1980's.  Then there is Ballinger Street.  To the east of that is the Woman's Club.

 

Found a photo on the UTA archives.

 

[bryanr]

The Loizeaux Group just uploaded there 2:33 video of the implosion.

 

 

TheLoizeauxGroupLLC

[Austin55]

That 2nd angle with the debris hitting the camera is quite dramatic. Thanks for sharing the video.

[JBB]

Great videos.  I especially like the video from the Texaco lot where you can see the east end of the building swaying before it falls.

[Austin55]

Great videos.  I especially like the video from the Texaco lot where you can see the east end of the building swaying before it falls.

 

Interesting watching the glass all shatter at that moment as well.

[PeopleAreStrange]

When I was watching it live, it looked like it was going to fall towards us for a half-second.

[John T Roberts]

I went back and looked at my video directly from the south, and you could see the east end of the building swaying, also.