This past summer (... just like every other summer) while I was back home I walked around downtown several times. Most of the time when I'm there, I check out some of the open spaces and new development in the area.

I decided to finally chart down my ideas of what the centerpiece of Fort Worth could look like somewhere down the line. Make one post of the I'll do these in sections and start with the east side, first.

PROJECT: East Side

EXISTING LANDMARKS: Intermodal Transportation Center, Gen. Worth Square, FWCC (Arena side)

PROPOSED/ONCE PROPOSED/FUTURE PROJECTS: Convention Center expansion (demolish arena), Hotel to replace B&G Club / Block TU Tower [dead] / JFK Memorial [2012/13?],

ANALYSIS: The area between the ITC and Convention Center/Worth Square is mainly surfice lots, along with an empty building which used to be a Boys and Girls Club. Doesn't make for a very attractive "welcome" to visitors or patrons or even people who work in Downtown. Some of the same can be said for the buildings across from the arena and General Worth Square. So I decided to fill those holes and replace the replacable on the next post....

CONCEPT:

There are plans to convert the Convention Center arena into more space, replace the B&G Club as a hotel, and add a memorial and statue for JFK right outside the Hilton Hotel, where he spent his last night on earth. So I decided to add that into the concept. I also added the long dead Block TU Tower project which was supposed to be a very tall, 60 story mixed-use building sitting ontop of a garage. I made a version of it a couple years back (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3571045998_20b9f5301d_o.png). And I know some of you would rather have either a small building or somewhere in the 200'-300' category, but I would LOVE to see how it would look. Since it's my concept, I decided to put it back in, with the same height I had in the original.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6127867922_1e0f98e8fe_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6127867952_ae077d2837_z.jpg

Color codes: OFFICE / RESIDENTIAL / MIXED-USE / PARKING / GREENSPACE, PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY AREA

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6127707415_0e1df55fa4_z.jpg

Decided to add more greenspace next to the garage. And btw, they wouldn't JUST be used for parking. The garages would have ground level retail or galleries.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6128241306_4c3e00354f_z.jpg

A focus on another previous project (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3770519189_c6dc887be5_o.jpg)I did a couple years back.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6127319779_bd508cd135_z.jpg
I wanted to keep the same concept of the two residential towers with the crossing archs at the top, but decided to expand it with retail/restaurants. Those towers are alot wider and I think shorter than planned....

a focus on Block TU...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6127319759_8af8f85ea3_z.jpg

mixed-use buildings for Worth Square
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6127319811_69ffa1af1f_z.jpg

Overhead view
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6127693863_f7b4288a84_z.jpg

Elevation with the Carter-Burgess
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6127319865_4da3d5a8c9_z.jpg

And I added the 645' ft. office tower to add high density while keeping most of a pedestrian friendly feel to it.

Great concept! Too bad it's not going to be built.

Great concept! Too bad it's not going to be built.

Well that was necessary.... thanks. :ohno:

don't pout...

I like it a lot! Why shouldn't Ft Worth have a supertall or at least a very tall skyscraper to punctuate its growth and ambitions and pull the disparate skyline together? Condos and hotels would be a natural given the cultural and historic attractiveness of downtown Ft Worth...and the Bass Bros. can foot the bill! ;)

We gotta think outside of the Bass Family.

If Fort Worth were to have supertalls, I'd say at MOST, 4.

We seriously need more Ft. Worth updates. A vastly under-appreciated city.

A modified version of what I wanted to do....

The hotel is thin and slanted to allow more sunlight. The Arch Towers are also thinner, just like I originally wanted.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6144527714_11c782d5c0_z.jpg

Ft. Worth needs a big "cheater" with a spire that drives past 1,000 ft. Just to remind Dallas that you're there. ;)

I like the arches on that resi. It would be a nice classy touch for the city. Less so with the flat tops. Ft. Worth doesn't need any more flat tops IMHO.

Ft. Worth needs a big "cheater" with a spire that drives past 1,000 ft. Just to remind Dallas that you're there. ;)

I like the arches on that resi. It would be a nice classy touch for the city. Less so with the flat tops. Ft. Worth doesn't need any more flat tops IMHO.

Oh don't worry, it's coming....

I hate the flat-top dominance myself, but a majority of buildings (there's about 20 of them in my head right now) have flat tops.

By "don't worry, it's coming", do you know something we don't ?

By "don't worry, it's coming", do you know something we don't ?

Well, I am the one making these and I've had these ideas in my head for YEARS.... :lol:

Well, I am the one making these and I've had these ideas in my head for YEARS.... :lol:

I think you've got some great ideas. Mad props to you ... if you can make them happen. ;)

PROJECT: Lancaster Corridor (South End)

EXISTING LANDMARKS: Fort Worth Water Gardens, FWCC, T&P Warehouse/Appartments, Downtown Post Office, "Avenue of Light", Zipper Building

PROPOSED/ONCE PROPOSED/FUTURE PROJECTS: Two 5 story mixed use buildings, Post Office conversion to City Hall, Conversion of T&P Warehouse

ANALYSIS: At one time, Lancaster Avenue was underneath I-30. When that section of the highway was moved south of the T&P Buildings and Post Offices it gave Fort Worth the opportunity to develop a very valuble part of downtown that was ignored for a long time. There have been a few re-development projects finished in the past decade, but there's still plenty to fix up. The T&P Warehouse (one of the longest brick buildings in the U.S.) is vacant, the Post Office facade needs a face lift, and again, there are surface lots....

CONCEPT (Arena):

I HATE the AT&T Building. If I had my way, I'd replace it with another tower I worked on a couple years back.... the Panther City Tower. It's the "cheater" someone mentioned to me earlier. Then (since City Hall could move into the Post Office) replace that piece of crap with a new AT&T building, which I'm still trying to figure out how it should look. There's already plans for the T&P Warehouse to be renovated into appartments (hotel, maybe?) and ground retail with an addition. Along with the proposed 5 story buildings, I would put on an addition to the Post Office for expansion if (and I say WHEN) City Hall moves.

Left: 1,068ft. Panther City Tower / Right: New AT&T Building
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6153283799_72d5a43222_z.jpg

City Hall (Old Post Office) extension
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6153283717_4046b7bddb_z.jpg

For this concept, I plan a 15-18,000 seat arena in place of the TWC. The "face" of the building will face Lancaster and have a plaza in front.

Look down Lancaster
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6153283851_58c300012e_z.jpg

View from the south
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6153283987_97c6cf4383_z.jpg

Top view
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6153283675_0e635d4d40_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6153283773_4aeeda957a_z.jpg

Elevation
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6153283961_4f5d7cc85c_z.jpg


CONCEPT (Building Infill)

Same concept, but instead of an arena, it's just infil buildings. One is a hotel, the other is an office with mixed use buildings.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6153830656_e99e0376b4_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6153283901_aee07d6f60_z.jpg

Overhead view
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6153283757_2934b9262f_z.jpg

Elevation
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6153830674_4a9e7824eb_z.jpg

PROJECT: Burnett Plaza area

EXISTING LANDMARKS: W.500 St., Burnett Plaza, Burnett Park

PROPOSED/ONCE PROPOSED/FUTURE PROJECTS: N/A

ANALYSIS: The main focus of this area is Burnett Plaza, the tallest in the city, that sits in the old Burnett Park. You have some older buildings surrounding the area, reaching from the early 20th century to just a few years ago when the 4 story Hanger Building was finished. There's also some surface lots (of course) and it is the gateway to West 7th Street....

CONCEPT

This area once had the Medical Arts Building (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RqcBiBc4fo), one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire city. Then in the 70's, it was demolished and replaced.... with this (http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/burnett4.jpg). :ohno: I hate the Burnett Plaza. With a passion. And I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. SO, in my fantasy redevelopment, as part of another major entertaiment/residential area in downtown, I tore that down and replaced it with an observation tower. And I kept the 'step design' from Burnett, as a reminder of what used to be (have to honor the past, even if it's crappy). I also have 3 new buildings surrounding the area and a remodel of the W. 500 St. buidling. It would be the new HQ buidling for American Airlines. The first two stories of it would include restaurants and retail. In keeping with the old w/ new image, I also created a new Burnett Plaza building, somewhat in the style of the old Med Arts Building. It's mostly office, but also features ground floor retail with an open plaza. Next to it, a hotel/condo building and just west of the Burnett Park Tower, a new Bank of America Building. I gave it several stepbacks and it sort of looks like the Stanely Cup if you ask me. I made sure all the surrounding buildings of the BPT were at max a height of 450' ft.....

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6185993125_fa0b85b285_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6186517086_859b2e462f_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6186516814_95fb53452b_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6186517016_49cdc60dab_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6185993057_fa79820e53_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6186516732_66d7868e71_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6186516972_dc93094b7d_z.jpg

~ Merged.

I applaud your zeal and like these ideas but too many similar threads here.


As to the last concept, I wonder why Ft. Worth doesn't have a really cool observation tower like that. Seeing everything from up there would be a huge draw for downtown IMHO.

~ Merged.

I applaud your zeal and like these ideas but too many similar threads here.


As to the last concept, I wonder why Ft. Worth doesn't have a really cool observation tower like that. Seeing everything from up there would be a huge draw for downtown IMHO.

I appreciate ya putting this all on one thread, because I have about 6 more of these....

And the observation idea is something i've thought about for FW since I was in 2nd grade when I went up to the top floor of the Bank One Building, which is now The Tower. I picked that spot for two reasons:

- 1. I HATE the Burnett Plaza and would love to see it torn down/replaced.

- 2. That area has potential to be another small entertainment district. Burnett Park is already there. I just wish it could have more...

Just some ideas from the Burnett Concept, more buildings I've done in '09.

[ * = scaled down in height / ^ = noticeably altered]


Burnett Plaza Tower (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3642480781_74f9873111_o.png)^
American Airlines Building (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3351/3576599716_aae4130da1_o.png)*^
Burnett Hotel/Condos (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3686686499_366036e941_o.png)
New Burnett Plaza (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3593196103_f91417c996_o.png)*^
Bank of America Building (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3679785205_34d8e7610a_o.png)

PROJECT: Sundance Square

EXISTING LANDMARKS: Sundance West and East, Bass Hall, Fort Worth Central Library, City Center Towers, The Tower, Sid Richardson Museum, (former) Tandy Center, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Chisholm Trail Museum, etc.

PROPOSED/ONCE PROPOSED/FUTURE PROJECTS: Mixed use buildings in between 3rd, 4th, Commerce, and Houston, Redevelopment of Tandy Center, Open Plaza for 2nd Street

ANALYSIS: Obviously the main attraction in the entire city, it was the focus of major redevelopment and revitalization in the late 80's/early 90's. Several buildings were built, re-built, remodeled, and planned. Filled with places to shop, eat, work, and play, Sundance Square is the place to be (Hope you enjoy the free advertisement, Bass Family) It's just that, there are a few too many surface lots for an entertainment district like Sundance...

CONCEPT:

Not much I can do here. Hell, not really much I want to do. Sundance Square has room for improvement, sure, but compared to the rest of Downtown, it doesn't need much more..... but I do feel the need to add that 50 story XTO headquarters (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3637906938_3b8d052e53_o.png) idea that was thrown around years back when Landmark Tower was imploded. I also added The Cassidy (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4482865140_f7e692e425_o.jpg), another building already on the drawing board along with the the now in plan mixed use buildings (http://fortworthology.com/2011/07/21/sundance-square-hires-construction-manager-for-central-plaza/) that'll be placed on the surfaces lots that sandwich Main Street (finally). Sundance will get better.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/6195839472_4bfe93d78f_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6195324769_59c41bc29e_z.jpg

(....yes, that is Basic Insticnt and White Men Can't Jump on the marquee. You can tell that's an old pic someone downloaded for the model.)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6195839530_d230e214e4_z.jpg

Focus on the 50 story XTO
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6195324501_c487240151_z.jpg

The Cassidy
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6195324561_f946d71651_z.jpg

Sundance Square Plaza
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6195324615_6a8a8ec913_z.jpg

Top View
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6195839718_e88c54d276_z.jpg

Elevation
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6195839740_ae57e9249d_z.jpg

That would look awesome! :cheers:

Bravo, sir. :okay:

PROJECT: Upper Westside

EXISTING LANDMARKS: Firestone Appartments/old service station, Packard Automobile Dealership

PROPOSED/ONCE PROPOSED/FUTURE PROJECTS: N/A

ANALYSIS: It's on the West 7th Corridor. This area of downtown is away from the main skyscrapers and center of business. It's mainly a residential area with 3-4 story appartments and smaller retail and office buildings.

CONCEPT

I know it's mainly a residential area, so that's why I added more housing and mixed-use/retail areas. I didn't make the towers too big, but gave them enough height impact the skyline. Just not TOO much. I also decided to add more parks and greenery to this area. It would be another big neighborhood in downtown that would connect to West 7th district.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6235/6217858317_e71046fa6e_z.jpg

A look down West 7th from the west
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6218379966_9f827b1830_z.jpg

Top View
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6217858669_5b12f2c7c2_z.jpg

Elevation
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6218380008_23034aea1a_z.jpg




I'll get into more detail later, but thanx for the encouragement.

PROJECT: Northwest Downtown

EXISTING LANDMARKS: Tarrant County Courhouse, TCC Downtown Campus west, City Place, Chesapeake Plaza, Hunter Plaza, Mallick Tower, Cash America Building, Tarrant County Plaza

PROPOSED/ONCE PROPOSED/FUTURE PROJECTS: 50 story building west of City Place (now Tarrant County Plaza), City Place redevelopment, 2nd Street reopened.

ANALYSIS: This area (close to the jails and courts) has potential to be and have more than it has now. This corner of downtown has a mix of residential and office. There's been work on City Place already, currently opening up an old street once blocked off by what used to be the Tandy Center, an outlet mall. In the further northwest corner lies a big parking lot that once held stops for Fort Worth's Tandy Center subway, which now sits abandoned with no tracks. Next to it are a few old houses and some industrial.

CONCEPT

I feel that there's MUCH that can be done here... even though I only have a few new buildings in my mind. I want to do something with that big lot. There's just TOOOOOO much asphalt there and it's right next to the river. I think it would be best to have some mixed development with residential in that corner, especially considering how it's good walking distance from a community college and apartments. As for the two skyscrapers, one is a mixed use (office, hotel, ground retail) 50 story tower across the street from City Place, the other is an office building for Sony. Notice how it's shaped like a PS3.:lol: The other buildings are much shorter office and/or mixed use buildings to add to the human scale of this area.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6299857680_5400933265.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6299857948_ee9d4a6cc9_z.jpg

Sony Tower (in front) / Tarrant County Plaza Tower (back)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6227/6299324733_a1d885d8bf_z.jpg

From the Courthouse steps
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6299324909_47baee9ea6_z.jpg

Top View
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6300007618_e298b2fbaf_z.jpg

Elevation..... yes, I know the Courthouse is floating. It's supposed to represent the elevation. For some reason, it only happened for the Courthouse.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6299858688_2d4fac3ebb_z.jpg

Full skyline views

South
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/395638_2809189802336_1636466644_2502535_1951868536_n.jpg

North
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/396526_2809190042342_1636466644_2502536_213812200_n.jpg

West
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405662_2809190282348_1636466644_2502537_1272985698_n.jpg

East
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393992_2809190482353_1636466644_2502538_593883252_n.jpg

On Lancaster:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/409023_2809634173445_1636466644_2502670_66330469_n.jpg

From the steps of the Courthouse:
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/396429_2809634893463_1636466644_2502672_1197414005_n.jpg

Down West 7th...:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/394053_2809635053467_1636466644_2502673_2140878240_n.jpg

Sundance Square (with the approved plans for the plaza):
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/395391_2809635773485_1636466644_2502674_1594357441_n.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405348_2809637853537_1636466644_2502676_608111851_n.jpg

Burnett Park
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405515_2809638133544_1636466644_2502677_1989302000_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/396725_2809638173545_1636466644_2502678_1325456558_n.jpg

"Railway Gate" area along Calhoun (with the Block TU, residential/retail, office, and hotel in place of the B&G Club)
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/400545_2809638373550_1636466644_2502679_40420677_n.jpg

Amazing work