In a world of what-ifs . . .

1. Would you like to see the Hillsborough River Tower (HRT) be built?

2. If so, should it be built at it's current location or would you prefer another location?

3. Do you believe the architecture is attractive enough to grace Tampa's skyline?

My answers are (1.) yes; (2) not in the current approved location. I'd rather see it built across the river in the CBD in between the BOA and AmSouth towers; and (3) yes, I actually like the architecture much better than some of our existing towers, however, I'd like to see an additional 50 - 100 ft. added above the approved 600 ft. I suspect anything taller may as well die on the drawing table as far as the FAA's concerned.

The following pictures are of Hong Kong's Two International Financial Centre. Like the proposed HRT, this tower was also designed by Cesar Pelli and is similar (not exact) in design (although standing 88 stories and over 1300 ft. tall, it does dwarf HRT considerably). It's actually closer to Hong Kong's One IFC, but it was tough to find snapshots of just that tower.

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/2ifc15.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/2ifc07.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/2ifc14.jpg

Sad but true, the HRT is actually more similar in height with One International Financial Centre -- the building just to the right of Hong Kong's current tallest, TIFC.

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/2ifc04.jpg

http://www.dupont.com/safetyglass/lgn/stories/images/2603j.jpg

http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/2ifc13.jpg http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2002/07/157047.jpg
rendering of the Hillsborough River Tower (above right)

1. Yes, I'd like to see it get built
2. I'm fine with the current proposed location
3. I think it would be an interesting architectural compliment to the skyline

Extra credit: Do you believe it will get built in the next five years?
Doubtful. I don't see the DT office market turning around enough to justify a new tower of this height.
Perhaps if they tried a hotel/office/condo combo??

1. Yes, I would like to see HRT get built.
2. The current location is good, as long as the river remains atleast somewhat accessable. Like maybe with retail or something.
3. Design wise, Tampa isn't a knockout city, but we're not a dump either. Being HRT pretty average, it wouldn't stick out positively or negatively from the rendering we've seen. Although I would like to see something a little bit more interesting, the question is is the architecture good enough, and i'd say yes.

Extra Credit: Will it get built in the next 5 years?
Completed: No
Begins construction: Possibly, the developer countinuing to get approval extenxions is what has kept my faith so far.

BTW, Queg, here is a rendering:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/JordanA_015/157047.jpg

Would someone please throw out some info on this "HRT"? I've never heard of it till today in this topic? Is it actually proposed and in plans to be approved? Purpose? Where exactly is the location?

Would someone please throw out some info on this "HRT"? I've never heard of it till today in this topic? Is it actually proposed and in plans to be approved? Purpose? Where exactly is the location?

I believe this will do you justice: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=hillsboroughrivertower-tampa-fl-usa

No - the design sucks - there is no retail - it is bland and a couple of movements old - the lot is horrible . . . dead dead dead - get over it.

1. Yes, although maybe a change to a couple areas

2. Yes, change the spot. I always thought that if TTT wasn't built, then it would be a great spot for HRT

3. I like the projects the developer has done, hopefully he can fulfill this one.

EC: I see something happening by early next year as final approval of the project and construction starting in the Summer. He wouldn't be getting extensions if he knew this would be a no show.

I wasn't aware that Pelli designed (or signed off on) the schematic for HRT.

^^ Yea he did. I almost always like what he does but HRT is pretty bland, unless it's a bad rendering. Which worries me becasue many of Tampa's buildings are "straight lined" types.

Looks very similiar to the 30 Hudson tower in Jersey City.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/7/79/200px-30hudson.jpg

^same architecture firm.

If memory serves, there is yet another similar tower from the same firm in Chicago. The building name is a Madison address.

Hmm... Wonder why I would have thought that this is a clone of Pelli's style, when in fact it is actually Pelli clone? I'm slippin'!

THANKS alot Tampamobster :okay: yea personally any approved 40+story towers im welcoming, but the design could use a bit of more inspiration..........

lol@Jason.

Yup, pretty much a Pelli clone. It aint happening, but I'm not sure I want a clone of a clone of a clone... Novare takes care of that side of business :-P

The HRT idea is definitely Pelli. He's created a long series of towers that owe their massing to Eliel Saarinen's Chicago Tribune Tower competition entry. While that building finished second to the famous Tribune Tower that was actually built, it has certainly proven more influential over the years.

I think Pelli's first building in this series was the one he built in Chicago- I think it was for some financial house. The failed Miglin-Beitler Skyneedle was the next in the series, and then HRT. The buildings in Jersey City and Hong Kong are the most recent. There will probably be a few more to come.

He's not a one trick pony, though, as evinced in many of his other skyscrapers, including the great Wells Fargo tower in Minneapolis, his Carnegie Hall Tower in Manhattan, and all his cool high tech Japanese towers.

Personally, I think the HRT design is just fine, with good proportions and massing. And it certainly would undergo design revisions were it ever to be built. But really, how many ten year old skyscraper ideas ever make it off the shelf?

oi... here's the one from Chicago that I was thinking of.

181 West Madison
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/181madison.jpg

While we're at it, this is he last Pelli design in this generation that I know of...
http://www.tokyoarchitecture.info/Images/Buildings/Atago/AtagoGreenHillsMori-001.jpg


It's obviously the most streamlined and 'high tech' looking tower of them all, which makes sense, since it's in Tokyo.

lol@Jason.

Yup, pretty much a Pelli clone. It aint happening, but I'm not sure I want a clone of a clone of a clone... Novare takes care of that side of business :-P

:rofl: