DT: Omni Fort Worth Hotel (447 FT/33 ST/2008)
#151
Posted 20 March 2007 - 07:14 PM
#152
Posted 21 March 2007 - 06:49 AM
I'll take the credit as the first member of the Forum to refer to what I called a "Freudian fixation on height" on the part of some posters. My phrasing is just subtler than Jonny's.
I find it so amusing that people on this forum who love and admire the tall skylines of other cities are made out to have some sort of problem because they find FW lacking in that aspect. For most American cities its skyscrapers and skyline are a testament to that city's economic prosperity, progressiveness, and vision. The skyline can be a person's first and sometimes only impression of a city, making a city instantly recognizable to people who have never been there. As a kid, when we went to other cities, I was amazed by the engineering feat of puting up something not only 50, 60, 70 stories tall, but strikingly beautiful also. Something FW still hasn't been able to to do. I remember when FW starting putting up the few skyscrapers it has now, and being disappointed when they were completed. That doesn't mean I have some sort of phallic fixation or loathe the city of FW. I think the quickness to attack people who admire the skyscraper and impressive and beautiful skylines is simply insecurity on the part of some FWorthians. My admiration for the skyscraper is no different than my admiration of planes or battle ships (other than the fact my wife thinks it's childish).
#153
Posted 21 March 2007 - 08:26 AM
For me, a lot of skyscrapers (but not all) are like a Ford Excursion, the A380, or a porterhouse steak. Their greatest attribute is size, which is really only a virtue to people who are impressed by size. Look at the John Hancock and Sears towers. They're just big. And that's great, but it's not enough to get me excited. I much prefer to spend time in Lincoln Park.
Skyscrapers are wonderful. I still think the Chrysler building is one of my favorite buildings of all time. But I'd rather have a downtown that feels like the village than Wall Street.
#154
Posted 21 March 2007 - 09:03 AM
As a kid, when we went to other cities, I was amazed by the engineering feat of puting up something not only 50, 60, 70 stories tall, but strikingly beautiful also. Something FW still hasn't been able to to do.
[/quote]
You probably meant to say, "hasn't done"? and not "hasn't been able to do"? I don't think there is a lack of money, or ability in Fort Worth. I don't think anyone would build a 70 story skyscraper just because it looks great. There would have to be economic reasons for the building, and if so, it could be built.
I agree with the previous post that size really doesn't matter to me either, but the quality and overall fit into the area are more important to me personally...
#155
Posted 21 March 2007 - 09:18 AM
But CurtisD, just curious, and to steer the thread back on track, what do you think of the Omni??
#156
Posted 21 March 2007 - 04:10 PM
Hey now, I wasn't the first person on here to refer to such a thing...and if my history teacher can say it referring to medieval churches, I figured "why not?" Thanks, though, for making it awkwardly obvious.
So I guess if your "teacher" told you to jump off the 7th St. Bridge you would oblige?
Actually that was a trick Q there. Because you could actually SAFeLY jump off of the 7th Street Bridge and land on a patch of grass along the rolling slope onto the bike trails.
HISTory teacher? What kind of school are you attending? What kind of curriculum? FREESTYLE!
That "Medeival Churches Comparison" comment from your teacher seems very oh how should I say, "To Catch a Predator" like.
I'll be watching DATELINE NBC when they come visit Cowtown.
Ok, when are we getting back on track with the original thread here.
BTW, love the OMNI design and height for now, just wish that the nearby "WORLD'S TALLEST GRAHAM CRACKER" was non-existent ... and for a NUMBER of reasons.
www.iheartfw.com
#157
Posted 22 March 2007 - 05:13 AM
But CurtisD, just curious, and to steer the thread back on track, what do you think of the Omni??
As someone else said in regard to FW's "building boom", which would hardly be a blip on the radar in Atlanta or Dallas but is a true "boom" for FW, I feel much the same way about the Omni. It wouldn't be anything special in many cities but in FW, IMO, it's the best tall modern building ever built in the city. I like the use of different materials on the exterior and the pedestrian friendly base will add some much needed density around the convention center (another ill-concieved design). I would have like to have seen something topped of with a point or spire that would have added a focal point to FW's big-box skyline, and I'm not crazy about that "chimney" poking out of the top of the hotel, but all in all it's good. And I thank god David what's his name didn't get his hands on it. I give it a thumbs up.
#158
Posted 22 March 2007 - 10:49 AM
But CurtisD, just curious, and to steer the thread back on track, what do you think of the Omni??
I like the use of different materials on the exterior and the pedestrian friendly base will add some much needed density around the convention center (another ill-concieved design). I would have like to have seen something topped of with a point or spire that would have added a focal point to FW's big-box skyline, and I'm not crazy about that "chimney" poking out of the top of the hotel, but all in all it's good. And I thank god David what's his name didn't get his hands on it. I give it a thumbs up.
Interestingly, I never cared much for the convention center redesign either. I think I said once it reminded me of a giant surburban high school. I too think it will be more enjoyable once the hotel is done.
#159
Posted 22 March 2007 - 11:18 AM
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Kara B.
#160
Posted 22 March 2007 - 01:05 PM
I've always thought the new Convention Center looked fantastic. I see our tastes part company yet again, eh vjackson?
As always. It's funny, I loved the CC design when the renderings were released, but once it was completed it looked very long and rambling. I think I will like it more once the hotel (which I really like btw) goes in across the street. The density the hotel will add will make it seem less "middle of nowhereish" and more inviting. And I thought we were agreeing on more things lately.
#161
Posted 22 March 2007 - 01:41 PM
I've always thought the new Convention Center looked fantastic. I see our tastes part company yet again, eh vjackson?
As always. It's funny, I loved the CC design when the renderings were released, but once it was completed it looked very long and rambling. I think I will like it more once the hotel (which I really like btw) goes in across the street. The density the hotel will add will make it seem less "middle of nowhereish" and more inviting. And I thought we were agreeing on more things lately.
An increase in density will definitely help that area. On this, we agree. It's amazing to look at pre-Convention Center shots of south downtown and see how dense it was back then. Hopefully, it will start to get some of that back. There are way too many barbed-wire-encircled parking lots in south downtown.
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Kara B.
#162
Posted 22 March 2007 - 02:57 PM
#163
Posted 22 March 2007 - 07:41 PM
#164
Posted 09 April 2007 - 03:04 PM
Great new detailed rendering of the Omni's east side:
Omni Sports Bar:
Bob's Steakhouse:
Resident's lobby:
Omni Wine Bar:
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Kara B.
#165
Posted 09 April 2007 - 07:50 PM
These are the latest that I have taken:
I have also learned that the building has increased in height again. This time I have a reference elevation of 547'-4". Since this is a reference elevation, this concerns me. My original information on the height of the completed building may be 100 feet greater than what is actually constructed. The reason this could be the case is that I don't know what elevation the 547'-4" is taken from. Usually, architect and engineers assign the "Ground Floor" level at the main entrance of a building to an reference elevation of 100'-0". Each level is numbered higher or lower than that point. In other words, a basement level 12 feet below the main level of a building would be referenced with an elevation of 88'-0", and a second level that is 16 feet above the main level would be 116'-0". The only way that we will know what the final height will be is when it is close to topping out, we will be able to see if the hotel is about 100 feet shorter than the D.R. Horton Tower. 100' is great enough that we will notice the difference on the skyline. If it appears nearly equal in height then we know the original height was correct. If the building appears shorter than D.R. Horton, then we will know it has been actually shortened. The dimensions on the DDRB presentation clearly called out the height at 498'-6".
Atomic Glee, I reposted your last thread on the Dallasmetropolis Forum. I hope that is OK with you.
#166
Posted 10 April 2007 - 04:32 AM
Construction is also supposed to start in November on the 11 story parking garage between the hotel and the SBC/AT&T Building.
Has the construction started yet on the municipal parking garage. According to the fortworthgov.org site it was supposed to start at the end of March. Just curious.
#167
Posted 10 April 2007 - 04:55 AM
#168
Posted 10 April 2007 - 06:12 AM
As for the Omni - hope the height thing doesn't turn out to be 100 feet *below* D.R. Horton. That seems like something somebody connected with the project would have mentioned by now.
Also, does anybody else find the usage of late '50s/early '60s "Jumble-'O-Crap" style bricks in the interior just a bid odd? It's a weird look for the interior of such a nice modern-looking building.
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Kara B.
#169
Posted 10 April 2007 - 06:32 AM
#170
Posted 10 April 2007 - 11:40 AM
#171
Posted 10 April 2007 - 01:09 PM
#172
Posted 10 April 2007 - 03:34 PM
John, if we know with certainty that this structure will have 34 stories, is it really likely that it could be 100' shorter than a nearby 38 story tower? Is it feasible to build such a structure with ~13' stories?
agree... if you have 13' stories then that makes for some floors with extremely low ceilings "vegas style... 8 foot or less" when it comes to floor with standard guest rooms by the time you account for the higher ceilings on the first few floors, condos and penthouses. I really dont see Omni constructing a new hotel with ceilings that low on some floors. I have to think that your first height was pretty accurate.
#173
Posted 10 April 2007 - 07:27 PM
With all of that being said, I do think that my first height was the accurate number and the building has only grown taller during final design, construction document phase, and during construction. I mentioned the possible height issues early so that no one would be surprised if the final height was radically different from what we first thought. At 547'-4", the building will be the second tallest in the city.
#174
Posted 10 April 2007 - 10:29 PM
I'm just going to accept that we should just be satisfied that downtown is gonna FINALLY have a new addition to the skyline. Besides (give or take several feet) who cares if it's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tallest? In our downtown, all our tallests "kinda" look about the same size anyways. I wont get excited about "height" again until we get a proposed 'scraper that will actually be noticably taller from all angles. Something 700'ft or more anyways.
#175
Posted 11 April 2007 - 12:04 AM
I like the design of the garage - especially how one side mirrors the old City Hall's black columns. Hope it gets underway soon.
As for the Omni - hope the height thing doesn't turn out to be 100 feet *below* D.R. Horton. That seems like something somebody connected with the project would have mentioned by now.
Also, does anybody else find the usage of late '50s/early '60s "Jumble-'O-Crap" style bricks in the interior just a bid odd? It's a weird look for the interior of such a nice modern-looking building.
BRICK VENEER?
www.iheartfw.com
#176
Posted 11 April 2007 - 07:09 AM
Are those "wagon wheel" lights in the dining room? We had one of those in our family room in 1972.
The same type of thing was recently done at the Fort Worth Club. They spent tons of money remodeling and "updating," and it still looks like something straight out of the 60's. Is there some way to keep a Texas theme without looking seriously outdated?
#177
Posted 11 April 2007 - 07:52 AM
I totally agree - those interior renderings are horrible. It looks like something out of the Brady Bunch; very 70-ish. Seems as if they're trying for a Western/Texas theme, but something modern would be far, far better, IMO.
It looks like an old ski lodge. It's horrible. Hopefully these are just sketches, and the interior decorators will go a different direction by the time they start picking out furnishings.
#178
Posted 11 April 2007 - 07:55 AM
The same type of thing was recently done at the Fort Worth Club. They spent tons of money remodeling and "updating," and it still looks like something straight out of the 60's. Is there some way to keep a Texas theme without looking seriously outdated?
I completely disagree. I think the club did a great job on the renovation, especially the bar. The new card room is great, the formal dining area is great. The Grille is the only piece of the renovation I wasn't happy with. It's ok, but to me it looks a whole lot like the old Grille. I do like the way they took the stained glass out of the old card room and incorporated it into the Grille. I like the continunity, but that one room is still a little disappointing. Overall the renovation is an enormous improvement.
#179
Posted 11 April 2007 - 09:39 AM
I totally agree - those interior renderings are horrible. It looks like something out of the Brady Bunch; very 70-ish. Seems as if they're trying for a Western/Texas theme, but something modern would be far, far better, IMO.
It looks like an old ski lodge. It's horrible. Hopefully these are just sketches, and the interior decorators will go a different direction by the time they start picking out furnishings.
I actually think it's a good start. The lobby has a nice mid-century feel (don't you guys know the 60's and 70's are back? )with some modern touches, keeping the Western look as well. Not a fan of the colored glass in the restaurant, the wine bar is generic, and there are some other things that aren't great either, but they'll have a year to work on refining the look.
#180
Posted 11 April 2007 - 11:26 AM
I actually think it's a good start. The lobby has a nice mid-century feel (don't you guys know the 60's and 70's are back? )
I sincerely hope that's a joke, because there have been enough '60s and '70s comebacks for my taste. Wake me when the '30s and '40s styles come back, because then *I'll* be in fashion for a change.
Funny, the wine bar was the one thing I thought looked pretty good. I thought the sports bar was the most generic looking one.
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Kara B.
#181
Posted 11 April 2007 - 10:38 PM
I totally agree - those interior renderings are horrible. It looks like something out of the Brady Bunch; very 70-ish. Seems as if they're trying for a Western/Texas theme, but something modern would be far, far better, IMO.
It looks like an old ski lodge. It's horrible. Hopefully these are just sketches, and the interior decorators will go a different direction by the time they start picking out furnishings.
ski lodge? i guess it'll blend in with that year-round ski park that's proposed for north fort worth.
#182
Posted 12 April 2007 - 06:10 AM
I actually think it's a good start. The lobby has a nice mid-century feel (don't you guys know the 60's and 70's are back? )
I sincerely hope that's a joke, because there have been enough '60s and '70s comebacks for my taste. Wake me when the '30s and '40s styles come back, because then *I'll* be in fashion for a change.
Funny, the wine bar was the one thing I thought looked pretty good. I thought the sports bar was the most generic looking one.
Yeah you're right, the sports bar is pretty generic on further inspection, and the wine bar looks better than I previously thought. I do agree with you that they could put more 30's deco touches in the wine bar and then I think it would be cool. I still like the residents lobby though...but like I said, hopefully they take the next year to refine everything.
#183
Posted 12 April 2007 - 08:31 AM
Dont you guys know that the whole mid century look is now the new modern. KEEP UP.
In reality, the final product could end up looking like anything. Like in most things I doubt those renderings will be representative of the final product.
Remember when So7 was going to be a quaint little Spanish style urban village!?!
#184
Posted 12 April 2007 - 11:43 AM
Now for the product: The continuity of the interior is totally against the grain with the exterior. Except for the ultra chic wine bar.
Sidenote: I hope the 60's are not back in, I like my civil rights THANK YOU MUCH!
www.iheartfw.com
#185
Posted 12 April 2007 - 12:43 PM
#186
Posted 13 April 2007 - 04:02 PM
The same type of thing was recently done at the Fort Worth Club. They spent tons of money remodeling and "updating," and it still looks like something straight out of the 60's. Is there some way to keep a Texas theme without looking seriously outdated?
I completely disagree. I think the club did a great job on the renovation, especially the bar. The new card room is great, the formal dining area is great. The Grille is the only piece of the renovation I wasn't happy with. It's ok, but to me it looks a whole lot like the old Grille. I do like the way they took the stained glass out of the old card room and incorporated it into the Grille. I like the continunity, but that one room is still a little disappointing. Overall the renovation is an enormous improvement.
I suppose the FW Club felt like they had to stick with the traditional furnishings, and you're right, pretty much anything would have been an improvement. The real update was in the kitchen; I'm looking forward to eating a meal at the Chef's Table.
But back on topic, I sincerely hope that the renderings for the interior of the Omni get scratched. Somebody seriously has to go back to the drawing board. Fort Worth will never shed the redneck cowboy image if all our hotel interiors look like Miss Kitty's bar on Gunsmoke.
#188
Posted 16 April 2007 - 03:46 PM
You really had to dig in the ARCHIVES for that comment.
JANUARY!
www.iheartfw.com
#189
Posted 16 April 2007 - 08:26 PM
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Kara B.
#190
Posted 16 April 2007 - 09:02 PM
#191
Posted 18 April 2007 - 09:44 AM
#192
Posted 18 April 2007 - 09:50 AM
#193
Posted 18 May 2007 - 08:25 AM
#194
Posted 18 May 2007 - 08:31 AM
Will someone DT do me a favor and go slap the webcam straight?I'm looking at Lancaster.Anybody else?
There's definitely something or someone messing with it - it's spinning all over the place. I've just gone from a view of the Omni to Lancaster & Henderson to a wide-angle Medical District shot to a lovely closeup of the concrete atop Burnett Plaza.
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Kara B.
#195
Posted 18 May 2007 - 08:36 AM
#196
Posted 18 May 2007 - 09:35 AM
Cowboys Stadium Cam
FW Skyline Cam
FWD Airport Cam
Trinity Terrace Cam
All on here... http://www.wxnation....allasfortworth/
Very cool site and it originates from right here in Fort Worth!
#197
Posted 18 May 2007 - 09:44 AM
Fixed.Thank you!
This web is a lot more fun to look at than the Radio Shack construction web cam. I can see workers moving. Flags waving and cars on the go!
The one big sad thing about this is. That it looks like the bright colorful look inside St Patricks as the sun shine hits the stain glass are numbered.
#198
Posted 18 May 2007 - 05:25 PM
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#199
Posted 20 May 2007 - 12:06 PM
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