A&M and the Sheraton did a land swap with those two blocks. Previously, A&M did own that one and the Sheraton owned the one to the north. They switched, giving A&M three consecutive blocks. At one point a Hyatt House was planned on the land, but there has not been a peep from that in several years.
Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel
#151
Posted 16 January 2023 - 03:46 PM
#152
Posted 17 January 2023 - 08:42 AM
Are we talking about this area here in aqua? On TAD, it doesn't look like that is not pulling up anything, wondering if that's not right-of-way for US-287?
Yup; I'm voting for "Sheraton extension" because it looks to my untrained eye like they could physically extend the garage base southeast into that space and then build a third tower on top of the extended base, so that the final result is one larger structure with no open-air alley in between.
I don't disagree with that idea, but I've always thought of something else being put there.
As I see it, the trouble is that the freeway interchange on Lancaster to the east as well as the bridge over Main to the south are such barriers to walkability that the highest uses for this land are limited. A Sheraton extension seems like a safe bet to me because the use is already proved. An obvious second choice is a use that'll benefit A&M. Maybe if they finally build Cadillac Lofts across Lancaster to the south some additional good choices would come into view, but I'm not holding my breath.
#153
Posted 20 January 2023 - 10:10 PM
Thought I would toss out some answers and comments on this one. I have to say I am stoked to see the Sheraton name getting a shot at getting it's top tier status back! As an aside, expect to see this in that city east of us as well as Arlington and the Galleria or a flag change.
Nixtope - This is a major renovation project! – Yes it is!
To give a bit of background, When Marriott bought the Sheraton Brand in 2016, it was one of the Starwood flags, they committed then to doing a MAJOR overhaul of the brand. They have been slowly revamping several of the flags that were under Starwood, ALOFT being one of the main ones. The next couple of years there will be a huge focus on the Sheraton line and they are pushing them hard. All Sheratons will have to go thru a major overhaul or loose the brand. I believe this one was actually underway, design and planning wise pre-covid.
TLA – Yes, very odd on their timetable, This will never be done in 3 months, I think maybe it was meant to be 2024. In answer on the cost question, the amount only includes the work te contractor is doing, furniture, (FF&E) OSE, Laundry and kitchen equip and actually usually all low voltage systems are not included in the permit amount. As Nixtope says, if it is OFCI, then the contractor’s cost to INSTALL would be included. As well, John is correct this is about 20% higher because it will remain open as it creates a scheduling nightmare as well as take longer.
Crestline/Nixtope – yes, that property is state or city owned for road right of way. Checked it out a long time ago when negotiating with the Kents property across the St. Which they wont sell BTW lol. I was told even back then that with the planned redo of the Convention center and all else going on in this end of town they fell they need those of road widening and turn lanes and such. Which I could see.
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#154
Posted 23 January 2023 - 09:03 AM
Crestline/Nixtope – yes, that property is state or city owned for road right of way. Checked it out a long time ago when negotiating with the Kents property across the St. Which they wont sell BTW lol. I was told even back then that with the planned redo of the Convention center and all else going on in this end of town they fell they need those of road widening and turn lanes and such. Which I could see.
Thanks for this information! So the state or city is holding back some of the grass lots north of Lancaster for potential road widening? Ugggghhhhh nooooo, no more roads for cars, just build structures for people!
#155
Posted 26 January 2023 - 09:28 PM
More of the remodeling will be heard next week by the Downtown Design Review Board.
#156
Posted 26 January 2023 - 09:44 PM
More of the remodeling will be heard next week by the Downtown Design Review Board.
I recall the chair made a comment last DDRB meeting that he hoped Sheraton would be submitting a review to DDRB considering all of the upgrades they were making. Will be interesting to see how much exterior work is proposed. At the time, they were only reviewing the signage updates with the sign contractor. It appears perhaps a lighter colored façade.
"Requests a Certificate of Appropriateness to realize exterior improvements and to remodel existing facades of the public area levels and guestroom towers."
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#157
Posted 26 January 2023 - 09:48 PM
The Texas shaped plantwall (is that a word?) is neat
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#159
Posted 26 January 2023 - 10:23 PM
I'd be curious of how well they renovate the guest rooms. I have stayed at some over-the-road brand new moderately priced hotels that have really mastered the art of soundproofing. I remember a Comfort Suites in Virginia off the interstate we stayed at had the biggest, heaviest and really nicely finished wooden doors with seals and gaskets all around it and once you shut that monster of a thing you didn't hear a single sound the rest of the night outside your room. The walls, floors, windows, doors were incredible all for $130/night. Finely appointed interiors too, for a pretty basic hotel otherwise I was blown away. Same thing in Chippewa Falls, WI (home of Cray Supercomputers), Franklin, TN and Altoona, IA, we grabbed a one night stay at a few name brand new hotels and I was utterly shocked at the level of quality in structure, soundproofing, amenities, cleanliness, comfort and just all around nice accommodations for around $130/night again. It makes me think twice about staying at any remodel hotel built in the 1960's - 2000's, there's just some resonance issues that can't be remedied, not without utter gutting the place.
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#160
Posted 01 February 2023 - 01:53 PM
DDRB 2/2/23 Info:
Staff Report:
https://www.fortwort...taff-report.pdf
Drawings / Presentation:
https://docs.b360.au...b9-16c79782ba2a
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#161
Posted 01 February 2023 - 02:41 PM
It appears the latest renovation will liven up the building, especially at night. I would be curious to hear other forum members comments.
#162
Posted 01 February 2023 - 03:18 PM
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#163
Posted 01 February 2023 - 03:31 PM
It appears the latest renovation will liven up the building, especially at night. I would be curious to hear other forum members comments.
I think there is a lot to like and some that meh. Most all of it I really do like, the only "meh" thing I am not so sure about is that's a lot of one shade of beige! It is clean and I like the simple lighting along the top, I think some places have gone nuts with the exterior LED lighting, looking at you ALOFT's, but I can't help but wonder if it is almost going to look a bit unfinished.
On the plus side, of course like the Focal plant wall and also changing the small windows next to it to large open storefront glass. I think they did a great job on the landscaping without going overboard, Street level Lighting looks nice and lowkey without trying to make it look like daytime. I have always hated the entry at this Hotel, Love seeing them open it up and not being a tunnel any more. and being more open to the street. As well, the underside of the entry looks bright and clean and like it will be inviting day or night.
I'm generally all in! As an aside, I will be going to Denver and Phoenix to look at these first two that were redone in the next week or two, excited to see them in person.
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#164
Posted 02 February 2023 - 10:49 AM
I will always reference the Sheraton flag as somewhere you go to attend a small conference or banquet near a major airport. I have never been in this hotel but I would think any improvements inside and outside would only help enhance the guest experience but will not likely carry the same cachet as say the Omni. Every time I walk past the Omni it is abuzz with people and theres a sense of something going on. Either that or it has a tiny lobby!
My wife and I used to attend the JROTC ball from the school she used to teach at. It was always at that Sheraton. It has pretty extensive banquet/event space and their kitchen is quite good. Most people got one of the two offerings but my wife is pescatarian/gluten free/and has a few other things she can't eat. So she would get something custom made by the chef that would usually arouse the envy of others when they saw what she got. They were quite good about accommodating dietary constraints. I would say their event spaces are geared more toward banquets like that and possibly wedding receptions, than conventions, but their facilities are pretty good.
#165
Posted 01 August 2023 - 08:28 PM
Taken while waiting at a red light. Not the best photo, but still glimpse at the lighter façade.
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#166
Posted 09 August 2023 - 08:18 PM
The sign has now been taken down. It will be replaced with a new Sheraton sign, which will be in a new font.
Sheraton Remodel by jtrobert, on Flickr
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#167
Posted 09 August 2023 - 10:59 PM
At the Convention Center town hall this evening they did mention that the Sheraton wants to build another tower just south of Texas A&M that would border Lancaster.
They didn't give many more details besides that.
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#168
Posted 09 August 2023 - 11:18 PM
Very interesting, I've always wondered what would become of that space.
#169
Posted 27 August 2023 - 11:52 AM
This is a remodel progress photo comparing the new to the old. Most of the 1974 tower has been repainted, while not much has been done to the exterior of the 1980 tower. The new logo has been installed on the older tower, while the newer tower still has the old sign. I'm including both a day and a night shot of the building, taken yesterday. The night shot is zoomed in a little bit because it was a better photograph. Eventually the top of both buildings will have an LED strip to accentuate the facade at night.
sheraton-remodel-progress1 by jtrobert, on Flickr
sheraton-remodel-progress3 by jtrobert, on Flickr
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#170
Posted 27 August 2023 - 01:20 PM
The paint looks much more "clean" and (to me at least) gives the multi-story face a more unified appearance. The new rooftop sign features the updated brand logo font; simpler/sans serif, all uppercase, possibly readable or recognizable from a greater distance. I wonder of the "circumscribed S" graphic logo is going to be installed in the wide, flat gap between the room blocks. Too bad about the almost windowless "brutalist" protruding building element above the porch entrance... looks basically uninviting, probably not the best "curb appeal" for a hotel. Even some vertical louvers would help break up that massing (and no doubt reduce the summer heating on that exterior west-facing wall...), or maybe that would be a better location for a large "S" logo... in any event my eye tells me the paint job is an improvement
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#171
Posted 27 August 2023 - 02:24 PM
The "S" logos are going to replace the existing ones. The logo on the front is on the northwest corner of the restaurant facing Commerce Street, the one on the back is on the east wall of the south tower. It is much larger and is more of a sign. The new Sheraton font will go up centered above the windows in the ballroom, which are above the exit from the porte-cochere on Commerce. The current Sheraton sign is a little to the left of this location. On the Calhoun side, a smaller new font sign will replace the existing one at the exit to the north tower. Finally, another Sheraton sign will go up on the southwest corner of the parking garage facing Lancaster. The size is supposed to be somewhat larger than the others that are on the first or second floor.
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#172
Posted 28 August 2023 - 01:35 PM
I realize the renovation is not complete, but does anyone else have any comments on the renovations or the new signage. We need some activity on the Forum. Hopefully, with a little cooler weather, I will get out more to document the city.
#173
Posted 28 August 2023 - 02:13 PM
Having seen not only this but several other Sheratons getting ready to go thru the new Upgrades I am impressed with what Marriott is trying to do. Everywhere in the word EXCEPT the USA Sheraton still is known as a high end hotel, sadly in the USA it kind of got driven into the ground over the years so I am glad to see them trying to gain their reputation back. On this hotel, For one I hope they actually do the green wall shaped like Texas that is in the original sketches. As to the overall appearance I am not overly impressed by the all one light shade of Beige. I guess it makes a statement but not one I would have gone for. I do really like what they are going to do with the entrance. I haven't been down there in a while but am anxious to see how the inside is coming along.
Word is the other big Sheraton to the East is going thru design now but not much being said yet, I will be curious to see how they approach thing..
#174
Posted 28 August 2023 - 03:43 PM
I should have gone inside, but I was running errands on Saturday afternoon, and just stopped by to take the photograph. On Saturday evening, it was getting late and I wanted to get home. Next time I'm down there, I will stop inside the hotel.
#175
Posted 28 August 2023 - 08:14 PM
I’m looking forward to the cooler weather as well. It’s been awhile since I walked through downtown.
#176
Posted 30 August 2023 - 08:24 PM
Taken on August 27th
#177
Posted 31 August 2023 - 06:50 AM
When we discussed this site at the Forum lunch, the gas explosion was brought up. Here’s the article: https://www.upi.com/.../1921510987600/. It was in 1986.
I’m looking forward to the cooler weather as well. It’s been awhile since I walked through downtown.
We didn't get to Ft Worth until 1987; I never heard about this.
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