20 replies to this topic

[Jeriat]

Going off the combined ideas I have for Fort Worth and from what I posted on this forum....

(from the south)


(from the west)


(from the north)

[John T Roberts]

The skyline would really be impressive if all of these buildings were added. However, they really make our existing skyscrapers look tiny.

[JRK]

For a city with such frenetic population growth, Fort Worth certainly is in a prolonged skyscraper drought. Downtown needs a unique, high-rise landmark to serve as the city's visual signature, and to set us apart from the refrigerator-warehouse look of other cities' central business districts. I'd go for beauty over an odd design statement. Unfortunately, the economy is not our friend right now, so I'm not holding my breath.

[Jeriat]

The skyline would really be impressive if all of these buildings were added. However, they really make our existing skyscrapers look tiny.

... I think they look tiny now, without the added buildings.

[BobZupcic]

For a city with such frenetic population growth, Fort Worth certainly is in a prolonged skyscraper drought. Downtown needs a unique, high-rise landmark to serve as the city's visual signature, and to set us apart from the refrigerator-warehouse look of other cities' central business districts. I'd go for beauty over an odd design statement. Unfortunately, the economy is not our friend right now, so I'm not holding my breath.

+2. I hate to say "need", but I think a visual signature is exactly what the city needs.

[David Love]

I'm getting the impression we may be having some vertical growth on the south side of downtown.

[urbancowboy]

I'm loving it. I can see if we had a boom this happening...and a lower skyline continuing to stretch along 7th to University Dr.

[renamerusk]

....Downtown needs a unique, high-rise landmark to serve as the city's visual signature, and to set us apart from the refrigerator-warehouse look of other cities' central business districts....

Welcome to the Forum, JRK.

Glad to have another member voicing their support for a signature building in the CBD. The "vision of a future skyline" has been drawn a lot of interest.

For sometime now, I have felt that Sundance Square Corp (SSC) controls when and what office space is constructed in the CBD; so much so, that other players have not been eager to enter and risk their investment in a CBD market so thoroughly monopolized by one developer. This risk factor may have changed in lieu of the relatively modest "three buildings plan" that SSC recently announced and which also committed all but one piece of SSC's prime land slated for development; that one piece being the block immediately east of the Tower. I am suggesting that the fact that SSC is nearly maxed out makes a +1,000,000 s.f. signature building outside of the SSC perimeter less of a risk.

My candidate to take that risk continues to be and is already here: Fort Worth's XTO, a subsidiary of the world's largest energy company. XTO has a vast number of its employees inefficiently scattered around the city . So something akin to the consolidation that Devon Energy has done in Oklahoma City is both a hope of mine and a possibility that would seem to make sense. By the way it would surely qualify as the signature building that is needed here. Here is a glimpse of the Devon Energy Consolidation Program:


http://0.tqn.com/d/o.../DevonTower.jpg

[John T Roberts]

Renamerusk, it appears that XTO chose to restore several historic buildings and create a "campus" in the center of downtown instead of consolidating in a new building. However, that doesn't really mean that a new structure won't be built. From my connections in the architectural community, I have heard that there were preliminary designs done for several XTO buildings. One of which was a signature tower on the Landmark Tower site. There were also several smaller buildings designed for other blocks as alternatives to the signature skyscraper. I don't know if XTO will ever build any of these designs. My concern about this is that if XTO constructs the signature skyscraper, that will leave several historic skyscrapers vacant and a glut of office space on the market. In most cities, when a new building is constructed, the older buildings are left vacant and often are demolished at a later date. That may not happen in this case because XTO has designated most of their historic properties, so they are protected against demolition.

[renamerusk]

... My concern about this is that if XTO constructs the signature skyscraper, that will leave several historic skyscrapers vacant and a glut of office space on the market. In most cities, when a new building is constructed, the older buildings are left vacant and often are demolished at a later date. That may not happen in this case because XTO has designated most of their historic properties, so they are protected against demolition.

John, this too is a concern of mine; and one that I have considered in the event of new super structure being built to consolidate Exxon-XTO offices in the region. I feel that several XTO properties downtown, (W.T.Waggoner, Bob R. Simspon and Petroleum Building) are potential candidates for residential and or hospitality redevelopment; and indeed 714 Main was once slated for just that re-purpose.

"Keep Fort Worth folksy"

[John T Roberts]

Yes, those buildings could be redeveloped into other uses if XTO does move out of them.

[johnfwd]

One of the historical density factors influencing high-rise construction has been the scarcity of developable land. Witness the high-rise growth on Manhattan Island, as a prime example. Population growth and density contribute, as evidenced in crowded downtowns in Tokyo, Beijing, and their like around the world. Prestige is another factor, and that is what Devon Energy's tower in OKC is all about, I guess. Oil wealth and megalomania undoubtedly spurred the construction of that monstrous cloud scraper in Dubai. Not sure about Fort Worth with its lingering cowboyish heritage when it comes to the high and mighty asphalt jungle, however.

[Jeriat]

One of the historical density factors influencing high-rise construction has been the scarcity of developable land. Witness the high-rise growth on Manhattan Island, as a prime example. Population growth and density contribute, as evidenced in crowded downtowns in Tokyo, Beijing, and their like around the world. Prestige is another factor, and that is what Devon Energy's tower in OKC is all about, I guess. Oil wealth and megalomania undoubtedly spurred the construction of that monstrous cloud scraper in Dubai. Not sure about Fort Worth with its lingering cowboyish heritage when it comes to the high and mighty asphalt jungle, however.

Well for one, who says we can't have both?

And really, the way I set up that skyline you see above was just looking at both open land (either open, grass field or surface lots) and buildings to maybe replace or redevelop.

I want to build UP more, but have a balance to it. That's why it's higher on the east side of downtown and sort of starts to "sink" as you go west, since I know there's more low, mid residential areas on that side. And just to let you know, most of those buildings I have in mind have some ground level foucs. I don't want it to be like Dallas or Houston.


I would re-work it to make it more clear and fix the Sundance Square area since we know what's going up there in the near future, but I just can't right now. Sketch Up is lagging.

[johnfwd]

No offense intended, Jeriat. And I would wish that architectural renderings such as your’s could become a reality in downtown Fort Worth. In fact, I would rather see your ideas for Sundance Square be implemented instead of the
low profile “campus” layout that is planned in the heart of downtown. But that’s my opinion for what it’s worth.

[urbancowboy]

Maybe during the next boom we will see more building downtown. It's a shame to see much of the overwhelming job growth in other areas. The fact that if we were our own metro (counties on the westside of the metroplex) we would easily be the third largest in the state. I believe Las Colinas has more jobs then our downtown does. I know that LC is very spread out, but we have to do better.

[Jeriat]

No offense intended, Jeriat. And I would wish that architectural renderings such as your’s could become a reality in downtown Fort Worth. In fact, I would rather see your ideas for Sundance Square be implemented instead of the
low profile “campus” layout that is planned in the heart of downtown. But that’s my opinion for what it’s worth.

None taken.

With the SSq part, I honestly had no real idea for it. Just going off what I thought it would be... I think its ok. Depends on the open space.

[Jeriat]

New renderings (with color)

North view


South view


West view


East view

[Now in Denton]

Well if any one of you that live in the Downtown area. You should of gotten a survey a few weeks ago. On what "You like to see in DT Fort Worth". Well in my comments. I said DT needed one super tall iconic tower 50-60 stories. No more 3 to 18 story buildings. Nothing wrong with that height.

But its getting silly having so many short buildings.We are running out of footprints for futuer development. And greenspace for DT parks. Not to mention a developer may tear down a late 1800's ealy 1900's building to may way for his building. Due to lack of Downtown Space.

[Jeriat]

I too would love to see more talls (that's why I did this) but we do need to have pedestrian friendly buildings/parks as well.

That's why I wanted to keep somewhat of a balance and kept the taller skyscrapers spaced out... sort of.

And here's some more from different views.


On Lancaster:


From the steps of the Courthouse:


Down West 7th...:


Sundance Square (with the approved plans for the plaza):

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Burnett Park




"Railway Gate" area along Calhoun (with the Block TU, residential/retail, office, and hotel in place of the B&G Club)

[ron4Life]

Jeriat for Mayor?

[Jeriat]

Jeriat for Mayor?

LoL.

Nah, but I'd love to at least see something rollling...