67 replies to this topic

[rriojas71]

yeah this design is terrible.  It looks cheap already and will look played out in 5 years.  It's as if they designed it knowing that.

[CrimsonBuilders]

The design is really terrible.  Looked through the architect's work on its site and I understand why.  Really gimmicky, sloppy stuff across the board.  This is an example of arbitrarily busy facade design.  I see no design logic other than "just get it done, produce units that work, and hit the budget".  And I don't think its a matter of cost.  They (or perhaps another architect) could have made this much cleaner and more logical, even if limited to the identical material palette, size, window size and pattern, and balconies. 

 

I'd start with eliminating those gray rectangular sections that protrude for no reason, the clumsy cream-colored rectangular thing at the corner entry, and the wickety-wack design on the parapets/horizontal elements.  (What is the term for the horizontal moldings - some on parapets, others lower - as well as the little beady things that stick down a bit?)

 

This is a rare case where I'd prefer to see that site remain vacant rather than have a bad building occupy it for 40+ years. 

 

I'm going to have to disagree with you. There are only 3 types of materials I see in this rendering - brick, stone and stucco. And the undulation you're talking about is more than likely there for a couple reasons - 1) the city requires a certain % of this on every building exterior. 2) its there because the forth floor is a balcony that they are carrying all the way down the building.

[Urbndwlr]

No problem - If we all agreed these discussions would be less valuable.

 

That part of the design guidelines that discourages monolithic buildings has been backfiring, IMO.  It says something about designing alternating/variations in facades. 

So to conform with that we sometimes get these arbitrarily busy building designs. 

 

What I'm arguing in favor of is really hard to articulate (especially b/c I'm not an architect and lack the proper vocabulary & education) but is in essence a more orderly, simpler pattern.  I think the Pinnacle Bank Place, Wood Partners project in Left Bank and Alliance Residential's Broadstone on 5th are also good examples of simpler, more orderly designs.  They varied the facade but each section has a disciplined order, a rhythm that makes sense to the eye. 

 

I have no doubt that the Cadillac Lofts design has some rationale behind why windows, balconies, etc are where they are, its just that when it all adds up, it looks disorganized and as though the design was "stuck on" to appease the City.  It would fit right in if built in suburban Phoenix.  I'm sure they have put a ton of work into it - this is not a character judgement - just a "how can we do better" comment in hopes we refine these for better, more durably beautiful buildings. 

 

I fear its a "just get it done and move on" attitude that can result in outcomes like this.  Some developers are totally oblivious to what I'm writing about.  For others, they may be aware, but set that aside to get it done and move on since they need to keep moving.  I just want us ways to improve this and hoping answer involves tweaking design standards, not making life more complicated for the risk-taking developers. 

[Austin55]

The latest groundbreaking is set for March next year according to DDRB. 

[Austin55]

Filed with TDLR https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2021011929

[txbornviking]

Filed with TDLR https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2021011929

 

Hopefully the start date and completion dates are more accurate than the estimated cost...

Start Date: 4/26/2021 Completion Date: 3/1/2023 Estimated Cost: $1,000,000

[Crestline]

Wonder if the upcoming downtown A&M campus will breathe new life into this residential project. Prior to the campus announcement I felt like this project didn't have a great reason to exist, but now putting residential here feels like a no-brainer.

[Jeriat]

 

Filed with TDLR https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2021011929

 

Start Date: 4/26/2021 Completion Date: 3/1/2023 Estimated Cost: $1,000,000

 

 

Tad bit behind schedule... 

[george84]

I was thinking that as well about residential. I bet we hear some more announcements for new apartments on that side of downtown. The campus is going to be a huge catalyst for growth.

[Stadtplan]

 

 

Filed with TDLR https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2021011929

 

Start Date: 4/26/2021 Completion Date: 3/1/2023 Estimated Cost: $1,000,000

 

 

Tad bit behind schedule... 

 

 

Actually, that schedule was created in dog years, so we should be right on track.

[rriojas71]

 

 

 

Filed with TDLR https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2021011929

 

Start Date: 4/26/2021 Completion Date: 3/1/2023 Estimated Cost: $1,000,000

 

 

Tad bit behind schedule... 

 

 

Actually, that schedule was created in dog years, so we should be right on track.

 

You are correct Notixope.  I moved here 7 years ago and this project was being mentioned to start around that time.

[Austin55]

The slowest moving project in Fort Worth appears to be still be creeping along... a new plat was filed last month. No sign of actual construction still. 

[Austin55]

I did notice the "For Sale" sign is under a new broker, Davidson Bogel. Here is the listing online: https://db2re.com/in...-lancaster-ave/

[gdvanc]

Build a new central library there. Close to transit, which makes sense for city facilities.

[Shanedallas76]

Build a new central library there. Close to transit, which makes sense for city facilities.

We did a noise profile sound study there several months ago. The decibels from the UP and BNSF trains can get to 125 due to squeaks.

[gdvanc]

Oof. Not good for reading I guess unless that can be engineered away for a reasonable price. Wonder how it is inside the T&P Lofts.

[Shanedallas76]

Oof. Not good for reading I guess unless that can be engineered away for a reasonable price. Wonder how it is inside the T&P Lofts.

 

I did two samples (not random) of an empty and occupied condo in the T&P. The results between the empty and occupied were similar. 

The decibel analysis was performed in March/2023. One decibel sample was taken every 10 seconds across 3 days.

• median- 49 (similar to rainfall)
• mean- 48
• min- 37
• max- 70 (loud traffic)
• 3 standard deviations from the mean- 10
• observations- 24k

device: Extech SDL600

The few residents I interviewed seemed drawn to that industrial/urban type environment and so the ambient noise was acceptable to them. In my opinion, a multifamily development or retail would be fitting, given some sort of sound proofing. If the development is themed off of tower 55, I think it would attract a certain niche crowd. 

 

Keeping in mind the development just north with the Convention center and A&M expansion, I believe this area has good future value. 

[ramjet]

I live in the T&P annex and overlook the train tracks.  I concur that the ambient noise from the trains and interstate is acceptable and even pleasant.  But my bar is low.  I used to live across the street from a fire station in Brooklyn.  I can see the Cadillac Lofts lot from one set of our windows.  I hope something gets built there soon.