239 replies to this topic

[Russ Graham]

the personality of the city is already getting watered down by all the Californians and 'Yankees' that are moving in.

 

"Whatever, we classy up the joint".

-A Yankee

[dangr.dave]

I rode a b-cycle past the Convention Center/Omni parking garage this morning and saw the lights on and what appeared to be drywall going up in the Northwest corner of the ground level retail space.  Does anyone know if anything is really going on there and if something might go in there soon?  All of the retail spaces have been empty since the garage went up.  Just curious.

[dangr.dave]

Looks like Basecom Construction Services is the GC and is doing build-out work on the entire Houston Street side in order to make the space more appealing.

 

From Fort Worth:

 

This project will make improvements to the first floor commercial space making it more attractive to tenants and greatly reduce the tenants' finish-out and move-in time. The project will provide individual heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, suspended ceiling, lighting and a common restroom. The existing space, which has been vacant since it opened in 2009, has the basic infrastructure of central chiller plant, main electrical panels, security lighting, concrete floor, exposed ceiling structure and fire sprinkler system.

 

(http://www.fortworth...ldate=5/20/2014)

[Austin55]

So it sounds like the May Owen center is the presumed location for a possible Omni expansion.

 

 

 

a potential site – the Tarrant County College May Owen District Center – for the future expansion of the Omni Fort Worth Hotel that the city 

http://fwbusinesspre...g-forward-.aspx

[BedfordLawyer]

TWU refurbished the school prior to its move from Irving.  It was very nice and looked like every other law school inside with large auditorium classrooms and small classrooms.  It also has 2 large mock courtrooms and a 2 level library.  I should know as I was the SBA president who help dedicate the building

 

If there's a two level library then the second level is a secret level inaccessible by the normal stairs or elevators.

[Austin55]

Sounds like TCC may be trying to move on with the building. This is from way back in April. TAD still lists the owner as TCC. I'm continuing to look for more info.

 

 

 

Deliberation Real Property, Section 551.072, Texas Government Code. The Real Property discussion will address the purchase, exchange, lease or value of Real Estate, including property located at 1500 Houston Street.

 

 

 

On a motion by Mr. Heede, seconded by

Dr. Evans, they moved to give the Chancellor authorization to negotiate the disposition ofthe

property located at 1500 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas. This includes, but is not limited

to, authorization to select a real estate broker subject to Board approval, and to commission

appraisals, environmental analyses and other due diligence assessments ofthe property, to

engage a title company and to negotiate a lease or contract for the disposition ofthe property. 

[renamerusk]

Are any renderings of the expansion public?  I would think that the 500 expansion would mirror the masonry base and not the glass tower.

 

In addition, connecting the existing hotel to the expansion wing will require some clever designing.

[Austin55]

Nothing has ever really been official with this, just hints and rumors.

Another rumor I had heard is there is a hallway on the 2nd floor where the ballroom is that has a dead end at 14 street, this was designed so that a future expansion could be accessed via skybridge.

[John T Roberts]

According to the original design drawings presented to the DDRB before the project was value engineered, there is a dead end corridor that could connect to a skybridge.  Those drawings are actually still living at fortwortharchitecture.com.  Here's the link.  These drawings show the building over 500 feet in height.  This is a large PDF file.

 

http://www.fortworth...re.com/Omni.pdf

[Austin55]

May Owen Center hits the Market.

http://www.us.jll.co...r-on-the-market

[John T Roberts]

Maybe the Omni Hotel will snap it up and then expand on that site.  They could have an impressive looking mid-rise annex facing Lancaster.

[JBB]

Who owns the abandoned Lancaster right of way?  I assume that and the TCC property would be very attractive to the Omni or any developer.

[Austin55]

Who owns the abandoned Lancaster right of way? 

 

City does. I assume they could make a deal, they are eager to get the area developed. 

 

It is a nice site. The size (including RoW) is about double that of a typical 200x200 block. Could make for a very viable space to build more ballroom and convention space, perhaps with a view over the Water Gardens. 

The sale also includes the surface lot across Throckmorton. While much smaller, could be possible to build a lot of things on that site. There's probably enough room for a hotel tower, but it could also be a good host to another apartment building like 250 Lancaster, especially if the adjacent garage could be shared. St. Patrick's also might be an interested party.

[Austin55]

Here's a reminder of the text from the 2014 study,

 

 

Hotels. Due to the small hotel package that Fort Worth offers in a walkable and

proximate radius from the FWCC, even with its current convention space sizing, it

should add a second branded headquarters hotel of 1,000 rooms near the north or

northeast end of the building. In addition, an option exists for the Omni to expand

its room count by approximately 400 rooms on an adjacent site, as well as add the

requisite meeting and ballroom space necessary to support it, so that it, too, is

1,000 rooms. If the Omni does not expand, then a third large hotel adjacent to the

FWCC should be encouraged. Then Fort Worth will be well-positioned to host

larger events and two simultaneous events. Any other hotels proposed for the

proximate area around the FWCC should be prioritized behind these two

developments in terms of city assistance, unless in unique circumstances. Only

products that enhance Fort Worth’s hotel package in terms of quality, such as a

high-end boutique hotel or fill a service gap (extended stay) should be encouraged.

Any hotels without full-service amenities and smaller than a size that would induce

large events to Fort Worth should be placed on hold until the development of these

headquarters properties is underway

 

Given the change the hotel market in the last 4 years (+Hampton w 359 rooms, +Aloft w 180 rooms, +Sinclair w 165 rooms, +218 w the A/C soon) I wonder if they think 400 new rooms is viable. Personally, I think it would be if the ballroom and meeting space is well utilized.

[JBB]

At best, theres room for a QT with an attached drive through bank.

[Austin55]

Another thing to consider here - proximity to TRE & TEXRail. For travelers arriving from DFW this will be very easy to access should it go hotel.

[txbornviking]

So you'd assume whomever purchases the lot will also be interest in the city owned portion that borders Lancaster. I wonder if the city could make any sale of that lot contingent on the buyer funding the proposed changes to the Water Gardens that would open up the southern wall to create a southern/Lancaster entrance into the park...

[JBB]

As nice as that would be, I see some risk too.  Rather than make it contingent on a developer of an adjacent property owner picking up the tab, I would rather see the city establish a non-profit to seek donors to fund improvements.  

[renamerusk]

First, JLL Fort Worth marketing the property for its proximity to the Medical District is just strange.

 

Second, with plenty of proposed hotel rooms in the works, a 500-room tower expansion made to connect to the CC might be adequate enough to remove the need for a City-owned CC hotel.  The private market would step in a provide a variety of options for attendees to choose where they stay.

 

Only use funds to expand the CC; allow the private market to expand room capacity.

[Austin55]

Something I think might look nice - Omni's San Diego hotel sits on a similar sized and shaped lot to the May Owen Center. It has 500 rooms and 37 condos over 32 floors

 

https://www.omnihote...details/gallery

[renamerusk]

Great find. There appears to be a lot of exterior similarity shared by the Omni(s) San Diego and the Fort Worth; and the design pairs well with FWO.

 

http://skyscraperpag...buildingID=9831

 

 

[Dylan]

Yes, please! I'd love to have a replica of that Omni tower next to our Omni tower.

[John T Roberts]

Something like this would make a great companion, but wouldn't it block the views from the current condominium portion above the hotel?  If I lived there, I wouldn't want my unobstructed southern view blocked.

[Jeriat]

I'd like to have somewhat of the same tower without it being a twin.

[Dylan]

Something like this would make a great companion, but wouldn't it block the views from the current condominium portion above the hotel?  If I lived there, I wouldn't want my unobstructed southern view blocked.

 

You're ruining my dream, John.

 

But yes, obstructing the view of condo residents is something to consider, just like if you were to put up a high-rise on the Monnings block east of "The Tower."

[Austin55]

It becomes a lot harder when the ownership is the same group. Then again, Left Bank did it by building townhomes, advertising a view, and then building taller apartments across the street.

[John T Roberts]

Austin, I was going to tell PeopleAreStrange that it is rougher when it is you own landlord is going it.  I have less of a problem with it when the two pieces of property are under different ownership.  It's something you have to buy into when you purchase a condominium in an urban area.  There is always that possibility that a neighbor or a new property owner will build something that will block or change your view.

[JBB]

2 things that need to not be an issue in any serious urban area: blocked views from buildings (of buildings like the courthouse is another issue) and the loss of free parking.

[renamerusk]

Something like this would make a great companion, but wouldn't it block the views from the current condominium portion above the hotel?  If I lived there, I wouldn't want my unobstructed southern view blocked.

 

 But that is the very essence of downtowns, tall buildings next to others.

[John T Roberts]

Yes, that is the essence of downtowns.  The only point I was making is that if a tall building is built to the south of the Omni, and it was owned and developed by the Omni, then that means that the company from whom I purchased the condo, was also responsible for ruining my view.

[renamerusk]

Yes, that is the essence of downtowns.  The only point I was making is that if a tall building is built to the south of the Omni, and it was owned and developed by the Omni, then that means that the company from whom I purchased the condo, was also responsible for ruining my view.

 

 I do understand.  However, no one should both live in downtown and simultaneously think that a high rise could not someday sprout outside of your balcony or windows.

[Austin55]

OKC is about to break ground on a 600 room Omni, 

 

https://www.okgazett...ent?oid=2981620

 

(Note that it is on their new streetcar line)

[Jeriat]

OKC is about to break ground on a 600 room Omni, 

 

https://www.okgazett...ent?oid=2981620

 

(Note that it is on their new streetcar line)

 

 

Ugh...

[Doohickie]

That's awesome, Jeriat!

[Jeriat]

 

That's awesome, Jeriat!

 

By far the most fitting gif I've ever seen for this forum.

Just think of Cuban as Streetcar advocates and the Mavericks as the Fort Worth City Council with the Thunder obviously representing the city of OKC. 

[Mr_Brightside526]

^Well played...

[Austin55]

"This is the largest parcel in downtown Fort Worth that can be acquired today for development," Burnette said. "We think the office building will be torn down for something grander. We continue to be under-hoteled and under-residenced in downtown Fort Worth, and an office component would be based on a potential buyer."

http://product.costa...s/shared/194812

[txbornviking]

I assume this lot being sold by TCC will mean property returning to the tax rolls?

[JBB]

Assuming it isn't purchased by someone else that can keep it off of the tax rolls, yes.

[johnfwd]

"This is the largest parcel in downtown Fort Worth that can be acquired today for development," Burnette said. "We think the office building will be torn down for something grander. We continue to be under-hoteled and under-residenced in downtown Fort Worth, and an office component would be based on a potential buyer."

http://product.costa...s/shared/194812

 

I hope something "grander" isn't another 5-story hotel building or still another mixed-use apartment complex (a la Burnett Lofts).  I believe a colorful-looking high-rise project is needed in the Lancaster/Taylor/ Throckmorton/Jennings area.  Aside from the Pinnacle bank building and the restored T&P Lofts this area still has a mediocre look.  The forever unoccupied and barely maintained T&P Warehouse, the drab-looking AT&T building, and some of the old 1-2 story structures and parking lots contribute to this mediocrity.  Not to mention the substandard appearance of undeveloped land with chunks of concrete slabs on it on the southside of Lancaster at Jennings.

[Austin55]

From TCC Board of Trustees Governance Meeting agenda on September 12,

 

 

Consideration and Approval of Contract with RBR Real Estate Holdings, LLC to Sell 1.996 Acres Property at 1500 Houston Street (May Owen Center) and associated parking lots, Fort Worth, TX and Approval for the Chancellor to execute all documents necessary to close the transaction

Amount: $14,000,000.00 (paid to TCCD

 

 

RBR's address is in the same building as the Omni corporate office and the listed treasurer is Omni's Pres and CEO. Robert Rowling is part of TRT holdings who own Omni.

 

https://www.bizapedi...ldings-llc.html

 

https://en.wikipedia...ki/TRT_Holdings

 

Omni has caught their big fish. 

[AndyN]

How much of the downtown campus will that pay off? Also, are administrative functions of TCC still in the May Owen and if so, where will they move?

[JBB]

Not much. They have over $500 million in the downtown campuses. I believe the admin offices moved to one of them.

[John T Roberts]

Yes, the administrative offices of Tarrant County College have moved to the Trinity River Campus (old RadioShack).

[Austin55]

Omni would still need to acquire the leftover strip of grass from the ROW to have the full site, since that is under city ownership at the moment. 

[Urbndwlr]

Omni would still need to acquire the leftover strip of grass from the ROW to have the full site, since that is under city ownership at the moment. 

IMO that would be a good use of the City-owened land.  Would make that 1.5 acre Omni site a little bigger, allow larger ballroom, more rooms, maybe even some on-site parking if necessary (might not need it with the large garage 2 blocks to the north).  Wondering if the plan is to somehow tie the southern (new) building into the original Omni Hotel - i.e. they use the same lobby or would it be a separate hotel tower. 

I'm guessing this would be pure hotel and no residential/condos this time. 

 

Hotel is the perfect use of that site so we have a ring of hotel rooms surrounding the convention center, making it extremely walkable for convention-goers. 

[John T Roberts]

I could be completely wrong on this, since I am not involved with architectural firm that designed the original Omni.  My guess is that there will be a separate hotel tower on that block that will probably have a smaller ballroom and a few meeting rooms with ground floor retail.  There will be a connection by skybridge over 14th Street into the main building, as there is a small dead end corridor in the middle of the 2nd floor at the current Omni Hotel.  I'm thinking that they will not build any additional parking underground and there won't be any residential units for sale in the new building.

[Austin55]

 

Omni would still need to acquire the leftover strip of grass from the ROW to have the full site, since that is under city ownership at the moment. 

IMO that would be a good use of the City-owened land.  Would make that 1.5 acre Omni site a little bigger, allow larger ballroom, more rooms, maybe even some on-site parking if necessary (might not need it with the large garage 2 blocks to the north).  Wondering if the plan is to somehow tie the southern (new) building into the original Omni Hotel - i.e. they use the same lobby or would it be a separate hotel tower. 

I'm guessing this would be pure hotel and no residential/condos this time. 

 

I agree that it would make sense for the city to find a way to get the Omni that land, it's a huge frontage along Lancaster which could really benefit from further activation. It's also a great entry into downtown from the T&P station which should be gaining importance with 2 trains now serving it and improvements planned. I think the existing Omni has done a great job activating Houston St, so I hope the next iteration could continue that trend down Houston and onto Lancaster. The bigger site having allowing more and bigger meeting space is pretty critical too, it's in demand. 

 

Does anyone know how well the original Omni condos sold? I guess that might be a good indicator of whether they'd want to try again. The Omni Louisville opened last year and contains residences so it's not unheard of for the company to be doing that still.

 

I'd guess a hotel with 400 rooms over 2-3 floors of lobby, retail and meeting space would be 15-20 floors, probably about the height of the T&P Terminal across the street.

[roverone]

That would certainly alter the balcony view experience of those condos, but I guess they each have angles towards the west and east on that original building point.

[renamerusk]

 I'd guess a hotel with 400 rooms over 2-3 floors of lobby, retail and meeting space would be 15-20 floors, probably about the height of the T&P Terminal across the street.

 

   Why only 400 rooms?  I would guess that the Omni would want to be a 1,000 rooms plus hotel.  Certain Conventions RFP is a hotel with a minimum of 1,000 rooms.

 

 When the Anatole Dallas added a tower, it constructed a 27-story annex with 700 rooms to bring its total rooms to 1,600.

 

  With Fort Worth saying that it needs a 1,000 room Convention Center Hotel, I could see Omni getting a jump on a new convention center hotel; and even selling itself as the Convention Center Hotel. 

 

I would guess something in the order of a 40 story tower on this sliver of land.