UWS: 10 Story Building Planned for Upper West Side
#1
Posted 17 October 2005 - 06:02 AM
Energy firm to build office space
Klabzuba Oil and Gas Co. in Fort Worth is proceeding with plans to build a 10-story Class A office building near the southwest corner of Weatherford and Lexington streets, on the western edge of downtown.
Hank Akin, a vice president at Klabzuba who oversees the firm's real estate holdings, said construction on the 200,000-square-foot building will begin in mid-2006 and end by late 2007.
The company has architectural renderings and site plans, but nothing has been filed with the city, he said.
Klabzuba will move into the building, but most of the space will be offered for lease, he said.
Akin said the timing is right to proceed with their plans for the 3-acre property. The land is near the Mallick Tower office building and a few blocks from the burgeoning West Seventh Street corridor. Citizens National Bank is building a two-story, 20,000-square-foot office building nearby.
"We have a need, and there is a need in the city as well," he said.
Klabzuba owns several office and warehouse buildings in Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Las Colinas and Dallas.
Among the local holdings are the twin-tower Summit Office Park at Summit and Lancaster avenues, and Lexington Place office building, 930 W. First St.
-- Sandra Baker
#2 gdvanc
Posted 17 October 2005 - 04:47 PM
#3
Posted 17 October 2005 - 06:12 PM
#4
Posted 17 October 2005 - 07:41 PM
#5
Posted 18 October 2005 - 09:36 PM
#6
Posted 23 October 2005 - 09:02 PM
10 stories would be nothing to get excited about in most larger cities, but in FW where developers are so reluctant to built speculative space, this is good news. I only hope it's a well designed building, unlike that horrible bank building. I doesn't seem like FW will be getting any highrise office space anytime soon, so if lowrise structures are all developers are willing to build, the least they can do is have some decent designs. A little off subject....the Bank One Building is a low/midrise building I liked when I saw the rendering. And I would like it now ..except for the fact that the builder didn't go the extra mile and camouflage that huge mechanical box on top. It ruins the whole building for me...hopefully this will be better. I can't wait for the rendering.
I consider a building under 6 stories a low rise, from 6-19 stories a mid rise, and 20 and higher a high rise.
Perhaps someone knows if technical definitions of each exist.
Does anyone know who Klabzuba has hired as architect?
If not, do they tend to work with the same firm? I believe Gideon Toal designed their building (Lexington) on Henderson.
Working with a blank canvas, the developers/architects have a nice opportunity to craft a well-designed landmark as Pier 1 did with thier building. Granted, this one will only be approximately 150' feet high (or up to 200' if they decide to stack the building on top of structured parking), the project will have limited visibility, however an attractive design can help the building achieve a great brand name.
Personally, I would consider a neo-art deco design - one that is progressive, yet complimentary to the grander old office towers in Downtown. I would avoid anything that a) is overly nostalgic, and B) relies too heavily on conventional, of the moment designs such as wings on the parapets (e.g. Cash America Bld, The Tower).
#7
Posted 11 January 2006 - 10:26 AM
#8
Posted 11 January 2006 - 11:15 AM
10 stories would be nothing to get excited about in most larger cities, but in FW where developers are so reluctant to built speculative space, this is good news. I only hope it's a well designed building, unlike that horrible bank building. I doesn't seem like FW will be getting any highrise office space anytime soon, so if lowrise structures are all developers are willing to build, the least they can do is have some decent designs. A little off subject....the Bank One Building is a low/midrise building I liked when I saw the rendering. And I would like it now ..except for the fact that the builder didn't go the extra mile and camouflage that huge mechanical box on top. It ruins the whole building for me...hopefully this will be better. I can't wait for the rendering.
Manhattan has many fine buildings that are in this range. I'm one to take the bitter with the sweet and short with the tall.
As density grows, so will the buildings.
#9
Posted 11 February 2006 - 02:51 PM
I also like the fact that the forecast is for 600,000 to 1.1 million sf of office space is expected to be announced and/or built in 2006. Well so far we have 400,000 sf on the drawing board, I wonder if somebody will step up and build us a 700,000 sf tower
#10
Posted 11 February 2006 - 04:39 PM
#11
Posted 12 February 2006 - 02:56 PM
It won't win any awards, but I like it. Nice mix of colors. I'm especially fond of the cap on top. It looks somewhat like the the cap on The Tower (which I hate). But this cap goes nicely with the building. I wonder how it will be lit at night.
Ditto on the lack of awards, but it is nice enough looking. I think the design will age well. I give it a B+.
#12
Posted 12 February 2006 - 05:24 PM
The think I like most is the ratio of height:width - pleasing to the eye.
I dislike the wing-like horizontal component which either is a parapet or hovers above it and acts as a screen for the HVAC on the roof.
Such horizontal wings on buildings' parapets will be viewed as hallmarks of the 1990s-2000s commercial architecture (Tower, Cash America, Klabzuba are local examples)
Judging by the rendering, the building is more attractive than the 4 story office building at 7th and Summit (Schwarz - Hanson design) and the even more unattractive design of the Citizen's National Bank building under construction on 7th street (in place next to the Shamrock Pub on former La Familla site).
I am pleased to have new quality office development Downtown. I never thought that we would see speculative construction Downtown before the suburbs – this is a powerful sign about the tremendous appeal that Downtown has gained to companies. Employers WANT to be Downtown and are willing to pay a premium to be Downtown vs. suburban locations. So, in the big picture of things related to our local economy, this building (and the other small office projects under development) are a very positive sign for our city’s economy and our city center’s health.
I noticed that it will have raised floors throughout.
John, some questions related to the raised flooring systems (i.e. those used throughout buildings such as the Pier 1 and Klabzuba buildings):
What are the benefits of having raised floors?
Does it allow the developer to avoid using dropped ceilings?
Does it lower operating expenses?
Does it cost more to construct than conventional systems which have plain floors and dropped ceilings?
#13
Posted 12 February 2006 - 05:32 PM
#14
Posted 12 February 2006 - 09:46 PM
... Klabzuba tower, and it looks really nice!
I, like you Jonny, believe that it looks really nice...I like the brick exterior; it adds some much needed color to the gray-ish and green-ish dominated dt skyline.
"Keep Fort Worth folksy!"
#15
Posted 12 February 2006 - 10:52 PM
... Klabzuba tower, and it looks really nice!
I, like you Jonny, believe that it looks really nice...I like the brick exterior; it adds some much needed color to the gray-ish and green-ish dominated dt skyline.
"Keep Fort Worth folksy!"
I too like it for the same reasons! But there is something Texas School Book Depositry looking to me only bigger.
#16
Posted 13 February 2006 - 10:17 AM
... Klabzuba tower, and it looks really nice!
I, like you Jonny, believe that it looks really nice...I like the brick exterior; it adds some much needed color to the gray-ish and green-ish dominated dt skyline.
"Keep Fort Worth folksy!"
I too like it for the same reasons! But there is something Texas School Book Depositry looking to me only bigger.
LOL I was thinking the same thing. It even has the curve road underpass, I had to look twice to see that this was not DT Dallas. Nice work on your photoshop Jonny.
#17
Posted 13 February 2006 - 05:15 PM
Is there a name or a principal to this design theme? (e.g. top 8-10% and the bottom 10-15% of the building should break from the dominant pattern of the rest of the building)?
#18
Posted 13 February 2006 - 05:20 PM
What are the benefits of having raised floors?
Does it allow the developer to avoid using dropped ceilings?
Does it lower operating expenses?
Does it cost more to construct than conventional systems which have plain floors and dropped ceilings?
Changes to the infrastructure are easy with raised floors, networking, electrical etc.
Lower operating expenses - I would think so!
Construction, might be more could not tell you. The building I am in has raised floors and dropped ceilings, return air goes out top and chilled/heated air comes out floor vents.
#19 gdvanc
Posted 13 February 2006 - 06:24 PM
On another thread (Mongtomery Wards?) some time ago someone described this as basically being an abstraction of a column, with the capital and base being more ornate. No idea how far back it goes or if there's a word for it - or even if that's a correct description - but since reading that I seem to notice it more often. Of course, this isn't seen on the "ornamentation is evil" architecture of the modernist era; more recent office buildings often display a return to that, but the faces are so much flatter than they were before the modernists destroyed beauty that it's hardly noticeable.
I could be way out in left field on this, though.
#21
Posted 18 February 2006 - 10:10 AM
#22
Posted 18 February 2006 - 02:50 PM
#23
Posted 18 February 2006 - 03:10 PM
#24
Posted 22 February 2007 - 06:41 PM
Glenn Monroe, president and CEO of Meridian Bank Texas, tells GlobeSt.com that outstanding loans, totaling $16.8 million, were acquired from Meridian Bank in Phoenix when the full-service flag was raised at 915 Florence St. in Fort Worth. The headquarters location, though, is going to move in late 2008 to become the anchor bank for an office complex to be built along Weatherford Street by locally based Klabzuba Oil & Gas Co.
#25
Posted 22 February 2007 - 08:20 PM
#26
Posted 22 February 2007 - 08:26 PM
Spec space and great density for the UWS? That is good news! It still could be (and probably will be) a flop design-wise, but I think we may be starting to see a trend here that I've noticed in "other" cities relating to development: it just keeps getting bigger. I mean, we've already progressed from State's dissapointing, high-profile corner usurpation to 10 stories and 200,000 sf of class A office space. Could we start to see real condo projects and landmark office towers pop up soon? I won't hold my breath...
Hey Jonny,
With the recent downturn in speculative high rise condo projects in cities like Miami, where projects are being canceled, and other "hot" under-construction cities, I seriously doubt FW will start seeing these types of developments. Developers are not willing to build speculateive condo space even though FW is the fastest growing city in the country... so now they're really not going to start building here. In fact, I would be willing to be that FW has pretty much missed the boat again on the latest building boom.
#27
Posted 23 February 2007 - 08:58 AM
#28
Posted 23 February 2007 - 10:06 AM
In fact, I would be willing to be that FW has pretty much missed the boat again on the latest building boom.
with the way the capital markets are now structured, i think you'll be surprised to see a less volatile commercial real estate industry. there is so much capital flow into the asset class for a variety of reasons, that the "hot money" drying up won't have as big an impact on the industry. as long as dtfw has a low vacancy rate and pent up demand for high quality space, there will be developers looking to build. that being said, if 1mm+ sf goes up and only 50% of the space is leased, you might see new development dry up for a while.
john, i've heard of another building this size (~200k sf) going up as well.
#29
Posted 23 February 2007 - 04:24 PM
In fact, I would be willing to be that FW has pretty much missed the boat again on the latest building boom.
there is so much capital flow into the asset class for a variety of reasons, that the "hot money" drying up won't have as big an impact on the industry.
If I had to bet on which is more likely now to go up now in FW, highrise office space or highrise condos, I'ld put my money on highrise office space. The condo market is already causing concern and with the housing market slowdown and overconstruction its probably justified. As new offiice space is even being quickly snatched up in overbuilt Dallas, it will possibly be the same in FW. I say possibly because the new office market is still somewhat untested in FW, but it seems developers are getting thier feet wet and finally testing the waters.
I will agree with Willy1 though, FW might have missed the highrise condo boom.
#30
Posted 06 May 2007 - 05:07 PM
--
Kara B.
#31
Posted 11 May 2007 - 09:54 AM
#32
Posted 14 May 2007 - 06:38 AM
#33
Posted 17 May 2007 - 12:52 PM
S-T this morning noted the building will be a quiet building, only 4 stories
Has anyone seen the plans? I'm very curious to see how it will look. I understand they hired Gary Cunningham of Dallas, a highly talented and somewhat adventurous architect.
#34
Posted 18 May 2007 - 07:19 AM
#36
Posted 18 May 2007 - 08:55 AM
Do you know of anything he designed in DFW??
Check through his portfolio:
http://www.cunninghamarchitects.com/
After perusing the projects, I have to say that even a shorter Klabzuba building may be interesting. I think a lot of his buildings are ugly, but I like a few of them, and some of them are quite interesting. Definitely way more on the modernist side of things than my traditionalist sensibilities can appreciate, but there's some nifty work there nevertheless. That church in Irving and the Travis Ave. Apartments are my favorites, I think.
--
Kara B.
#37
Posted 18 May 2007 - 09:35 PM
I think a lot of his buildings are ugly, but I like a few of them, and some of them are quite interesting. Definitely way more on the modernist side of things than my traditionalist sensibilities can appreciate, but there's some nifty work there nevertheless. That church in Irving and the Travis Ave. Apartments are my favorites, I think.
I am a fan of the Addison Theater Center. Very warm space, the performance space itself is world-class, completely reconfigurable for the varying needs of different productions. I was with a group of people interested in investigating rehab potential for the historic Haltom Theater visited the Addison facility some time back, and we were all impressed by what we saw there. Cunningham Architects would be a good choice for more projects in the Fort Worth area, especially more apartment structures in the Magnolia area.
#38
Posted 15 June 2007 - 08:36 AM
http://www.klabzuba.com/
http://www.klabzuba....ate_invest.html
New Development Projects
One Hundred Lexington Office Building
Klabzuba Properties is developing a 63,000 square foot commercial office building on the west side of downtown Ft. Worth. The building complex consists of a 4-story Class “A” office building, with attached parking structure, bank and a lushly landscaped park environment. One Hundred Lexington will have floor plates in excess of 16,000 square feet, ample parking and a large number of conveniently located reserved and covered parking spaces.
Scheduled to open the Spring of 2008, the building will feature 9' highly efficient reflective celings with state of the art lighting utilizing electronic ballasts. Modular power, voice and data communications will be available. One Hundred Lexington will serve as the headquarters of Klabzuba Oil & Gas and Meridian Bank. Excellent office space is available for prospective tenants.
Eighth Avenue Medical Office Building
Klabzuba Properties is currently developing a 20,000 sq. ft. medical office building at the corner of 8th Avenue and Allen Street in Fort Worth, Texas. The property is adjacent to Baylor All Saints Hospital and should be open by the end of 2007.
#39
Posted 28 August 2007 - 10:31 AM
#40
Posted 28 January 2008 - 12:03 PM
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Kara B.
#41
Posted 11 July 2008 - 08:54 AM
#42
Posted 11 July 2008 - 09:40 AM
Edit - I should also say that I'm not so sure of how the facade's going to turn out. Y'all know me, I loves me some brick, but I'm not sure it's used well here. There should be some stone to break it up a bit.
--
Kara B.
#43
Posted 21 January 2009 - 12:57 PM
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