Vistana San Antonio [Archive] - SkyscraperPage Forum

elmariachi

Dec 15, 2006, 4:35 AM

I didn't really want to start a whole thread for this, but seeing in how it's been real quite in San Antonio lately, I thought, what the hell.

Anyway, I don't know if many of you have been down town lately but the building located at the corner of Commerce and Santa Rosa has been torn down. This can only mean that the Vistana project will soon get under way. Its weird because only a week ago I passed by the building and it was still being used. I can't wait for this project to be done, it will be a great addition to that part of town.

For those of you who might have forgotten here is a rendering.
http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/2783/vistanaki3.jpg

METALMiKE

Dec 15, 2006, 5:10 AM

Cool.Thanks for the update.

Asobi Seksu

Dec 15, 2006, 5:31 AM

I drove by it last week and the entire lot was shut down (buildings closed) and gated. Which made me think they were getting ready to demolish the building.

Does anyone know when construction will actually begin?

KevinFromTexas

Dec 15, 2006, 5:48 AM

Sweet. I can't wait to see this one to go up.

elmariachi

Dec 15, 2006, 8:27 PM

Does anyone know when construction will actually begin?

I remember reading somewhere that construction was going to begin in January of '07. Which would make sense since they already started demolition of the buildings. If I find where I read about the construction start date I will post a link.

Double L

Dec 16, 2006, 1:13 AM

Really elmariachi? They started demolition of the buildings? They were quick on that; good to know, I'll have to watch the slow construction of this project while attending school. It's really gonna change the area. Every time there's an event at Market Square they close the road and I have to drive right by Vistana's construction site so I should be able to stay updated on this one. Great apartments and great location, it's really gonna change the area. High quality project; I love it!

Double L

Dec 16, 2006, 1:17 AM

BTW...is it just the Amegy Bank building they're tearing down? Or does this project move more far east, to also be built over that street and what's on the other side of it?

Asobi Seksu

Dec 16, 2006, 5:19 PM

Vidorra starting construction, Vistana starting construction next month, the Riverwalk expansion (museum reach/north river reach) starting next month and River North becoming a TIRZ.

Fantastic things are just beginning for downtown.

METALMiKE

Dec 16, 2006, 5:30 PM

Asobi Seksu

Dec 16, 2006, 5:41 PM

It's a TIF.

TIRZ stands for: Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

matttwentyeight

Dec 16, 2006, 5:46 PM

tax increment reinvestment zone. which pretty much means that developers don't have to pay certain taxes on properties within the established zone. it is to help entice developers to build in an area that the city feels would benefit from such development. vidorra received certain tax breaks and grants because of its proximity to the amtrack rail and the bus terminals.

Asobi Seksu

Dec 16, 2006, 5:53 PM

Also, River North (59 blocks; 150 acres) will be designated mixed-use zoning.

METALMiKE

Dec 16, 2006, 5:58 PM

Thanks for the info guys.:cheers:

Double L

Dec 16, 2006, 6:24 PM

It'll be amazing to see when the projects start rolling out for River North.

KevinFromTexas

Jun 10, 2007, 3:12 AM

Thanks to a certain forumer, (you know who you are), I've obtained the heights for The Vistana. Unfortunately, they don't show the entire height, since they don't show the very top height.

The highest height shown is 209 feet, 2 inches. However, measuring the height on a different point and comparing it, it equals 224 feet, and slightly higher than that, maybe by a couple of feet. The 209 foot height on the building is to the bottom of the cylindrical "lattern". Not the entire crown itself, just that cylinder near the very top.

179 feet, 2 inches to the top of the 1st setback in the crown. (First from ground).

The mainroof "floor" is 153 feet, 2 inches high. The parapet, or barrier wall, is 155 feet, 2 inches high.

The top floor, the 14th floor, is 142 feet, 6 inches high.

The 12th floor setback is 125 feet, 0 inches high.

The 11th floor setback is 110 feet, 4 inches high.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5990/sanantoniothevistana3ax0.jpg

BrownsvilleTx

Jun 10, 2007, 3:46 AM

tax increment reinvestment zone. which pretty much means that developers don't have to pay certain taxes on properties within the established zone.
Not quite. The property does pay taxes but is "reinvested" into that specific area and as more new development is built, the property appraisals go up but the taxes are again reinvested into the area to help pay for improvements, projects and such. That's why it's called a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

Onward

Jun 10, 2007, 7:56 AM

Man this building really does it for me. I can get enough of it. Cant wait to see the finished project. Would have been great if it was 10 more floors. But it will do alot for that area as it is.

Complex01

Jun 10, 2007, 9:34 AM

Okay i know i will hear it, but i have to say it. I think the building is ugly, i see nothing great about it. It looks old and and thats really about it. That is my honest impression based on the rendering. Maybe it will look a lot better in reality. But i just dont like it, Granted they are building up and doing something with the land, which i think is great, i just think they could have gone withe a better design. The last thing i want to do is start a long drawn out episode about this project, but i just had to say it...

:shrug:

Boquillas

Jun 10, 2007, 5:19 PM

Maybe art deco's not your thing. This building has a great "golden-era Los Angeles or Miami" thing going for it, especially with the pink and rose color scheme and the palm trees. I love it.

NBTX11

Jun 11, 2007, 3:56 AM

Complex, I don't think it's that great either. Maybe it will look better when built, but why is thing so long and blocky. Another low rise brown building for San Antonio, just what we need.

KevinFromTexas

Jun 11, 2007, 5:21 AM

I love it. Heck, I'd love it in Austin. It would look great in Austin's West End.

JACKinBeantown

Jun 11, 2007, 5:13 PM

I think it's pretty cool. SA has a lot of old art deco-ish buildings and this fits in very nicely. So what if it's not tall or modern.

matttwentyeight

Jun 12, 2007, 9:14 AM

you know... they fucked up the hyatt more than anything with all their damn rules and regulations! i'm not gonna beat my meat over this building... but it beats beating it over an asphalt covered parking lot.

i don't love it, but i am happy that something new is happening1!

jaga185

Jun 12, 2007, 3:19 PM

You spoke what all of us were thinking...lol. But I'm still glad we are getting something from the Hyatt even if it is our Wall. This can be our Deco-Box.

starvinggryphon

Jun 12, 2007, 6:00 PM

I believe they are beginning to assemble a crane on the southeastern end of the block. The steel base is up already.

AndresAndujar

Jul 8, 2007, 10:53 PM

Check out the live camera for Vistana. Hit “view” when it opens up. The tower crane is scheduled to go up the third week in july. Rain is slowing process...

http://76.228.88.17

adtobias

Jul 10, 2007, 4:31 AM

that is way too cool

ryan5021

Jul 24, 2007, 7:00 PM

Crane is going up today. Check out the web cam.

Complex01

Jul 25, 2007, 2:15 AM

Ah that is very kewl...

adtobias

Jul 30, 2007, 5:34 AM

do you know if they are going to put up a camera for vidorra

Complex01

Jul 30, 2007, 9:54 PM

From a different prespective. I likes it...

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/Vis.jpg

matttwentyeight

Jul 31, 2007, 2:26 AM

took these yesterday...
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_017.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_016.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_015.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_012.jpg

i got 13 more or so on vistana to post but i gotta go to the gym really quick.... i have new ones for vistana, vidorra, grand hyatt and a little surprise thread... gonna have to wait...???

thanks, matt

adtobias

Jul 31, 2007, 4:54 AM

is this building going to make a impact on our skyline

jaga185

Jul 31, 2007, 4:59 AM

Not from far away, but you will definately be able to see it from the 10/35 freeway.

matttwentyeight

Jul 31, 2007, 5:25 AM

here are the other photos of the crane at vistana... gotta start on vidorra's photos now... enjoy!!!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_011.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_018.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_020.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_021.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_022.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_023.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_024.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_025.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_026.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_027.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_028.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_029.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f158/matttwentyeight/Photo_072907_030.jpg

sirkingwilliam

Jul 31, 2007, 5:34 AM

Have Cross and Co. disclosed when redevelopment of the stalled project at Broadway and 12th?

KevinFromTexas

Jul 31, 2007, 3:57 PM

Will this be visible from I-35 and I-37? I assumed it wouldn't be since it'll be on the other side of downtown. There sure are a lot of buildings between that view.

Great to see that the crane is up. I love this building. Can't wait to see it.

METALMiKE

Aug 14, 2007, 9:03 PM

They have updated their website to include floor plans and more renderings!

http://www.thevistana.com/

KevinFromTexas

Aug 14, 2007, 10:36 PM

Sweet!

ryan5021

Aug 15, 2007, 3:11 AM

Is this going to be 17 floors and not 14? By looking at the floorplans it seems that way. The units on floor 13 are two floors and the tower unit which would be floor 15 is three floors. Anybody know for sure?

texboy

Aug 15, 2007, 3:52 AM

....wow.....absolutely amazing..

sirkingwilliam

Aug 15, 2007, 8:29 AM

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1594/vistanatr6.png

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9889/vistana0dw4.png

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/5972/vistana4yq0.png

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4490/vistana2gb8.png

Complex01

Aug 15, 2007, 2:02 PM

That yellow really does stand out in these renderings. Ah not all the spaces have balconies, they are the best part...

21bl0wed

Aug 15, 2007, 5:08 PM

I wish they got rid of thatnasty brown and yellow and had the whole building look like the tower portion...oh well still nice

texboy

Aug 15, 2007, 7:48 PM

...but then that would look like what they are building in Austin... I love the colors, very art deco, and Im sure the colors will be better looking in person than on a rendering. Love this structure, going to be very exciting to see it complete! Im just glad it doesn't look like every other urban highrise going up in the state right now!

21bl0wed

Aug 15, 2007, 8:15 PM

...but then that would look like what they are building in Austin...

Which is better than what's being built in SA. And anyway there isn't really a building in austin that looks like this u/c right now at all? So i don't understand your comment.

I just wish it had more of that bad ass chromed out look that is has on top..all over...The puke orange and yellow takes some points off but its still pretty cool.

sirkingwilliam

Aug 15, 2007, 9:27 PM

SAguy

Aug 15, 2007, 10:11 PM

I agree. I love the colors of the building.

texboy

Aug 15, 2007, 11:26 PM

Which is better than what's being built in SA. And anyway there isn't really a building in austin that looks like this u/c right now at all? So i don't understand your comment.

Im referring to the fact that its not all glass....All glass gets old IMO. The Colors...once again are computer colors...not actual colors. I like them anyway. They are about the same colors as the Tower Life building actually and it doesn't seem that there are a ton of people on here calling the tower life building's colors "ugly" or "gross". Im glad SA developers are distinguishing their designs from other projects in the state. Vistana WILL stand the test of time in its design as the glass structures with no REAL architectural interest will age and fade into history as uninteresting and bland. This is in IMO of course.

ydoc14

Aug 16, 2007, 12:28 AM

Is it just me or does the Vistana resemble this other building in DT:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonleggett/1064154555/

sirkingwilliam

Aug 16, 2007, 2:30 AM

That's the Express-News building and yes, greatly. Which i like, a lot.

ydoc14

Aug 16, 2007, 2:33 AM

That's the Express-News building and yes, greatly. Which i like, a lot.

Express-News that's right, I was thinking it was the Post Office

21bl0wed

Aug 16, 2007, 4:01 AM

21blowed: Yuck! If the entire building looked like the crown and higher floors, it'd just look like another suburban 410 building. Yuck yuck yuck! Those colors give it a unique look and not just another generic suburban mid/highrise.

How would it look like another "suburban" 410 building? And since when is the northern arc of 410 suburban these days? The only all glass building i can think of is where time warner use to be located 410 by pappaduex...and umm the building at 410/I10..And besides whats wrong with havin a building that has a modern look? We have how many buildings that look modern in our dt? umm..hmm..thats right 0. There's nothin wrong with changing it up and having something that looks - now days. Who cares if another city has it? Sometimes being different isn't a good thing. This is one of those times.

kornbread

Aug 16, 2007, 4:42 AM

If they could do one thing, I would say cover the garage on the backside of the building. Similar to the Drury Inn (Alamo Bank). Not the look, just something to hide it. I think it really takes away from the building. It looks like the are planning some kind of greenery there. It's hard to tell, but maybe that will be enough.

This will be a nice addition to Houston Street.

sirkingwilliam

Aug 16, 2007, 5:04 AM

How would it look like another "suburban" 410 building? And since when is the northern arc of 410 suburban these days? The only all glass building i can think of is where time warner use to be located 410 by pappaduex...and umm the building at 410/I10..And besides whats wrong with havin a building that has a modern look? We have how many buildings that look modern in our dt? umm..hmm..thats right 0. There's nothin wrong with changing it up and having something that looks - now days. Who cares if another city has it? Sometimes being different isn't a good thing. This is one of those times.

Well you are entitled to that opinion. I disagree, whole heartedly, and the great thing about forums such as these is we get this median as a way to express such opinions. :tup:

sirkingwilliam

Aug 16, 2007, 6:22 AM

I always forget this will be on Houston Street.

KevinFromTexas

Aug 16, 2007, 7:21 AM

...but then that would look like what they are building in Austin...

Im referring to the fact that its not all glass....All glass gets old IMO.

Actually, none of the new buildings going up in Austin are all glass. And to date, Austin only has one highrise that has an all glass facade. That is the Dobie Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=dobiecenter-austin-tx-usa) near the UT Campus which is a highrise student dorm. That building was built in 1972, and actually had a facade mix of glass and limestone. In 1992 it was bought by a dormitory property manager and renovated in 1992. The renovation project included removing the limestone facade and replacing it with a cobalt blue colored glass.

Austin compilation of renderings. (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=2703609&postcount=2)

Other buildings do have a lot of glass in their facade such as the Frost Bank Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=frostbanktower-austin-tx-usa), Chase Bank Tower (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=chasebanktower-austin-tx-usa534) and Bank of America Center (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bankofamericacenter-austin-tx-usa), but all of those have glass facades with metal framing around the windows, not pure glass facade. Also in that list, the Chase Bank Tower has marble accents.

All of our other buildings either have a mix of glass, (for windows), and or materials such as granite, limestone, marble, concrete or brick.

If you want to see all glass facades in Texas, look to Houston and Dallas. As a matter of fact, Houston has the tallest all glass facade skyscraper in the western hemisphere, it used to be tallest in the world, but I believe Hong Kong now has a taller one. Wells Fargo Plaza (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=wellsfargoplaza-houston-tx-usa)

kornbread

Aug 16, 2007, 5:42 PM

Actually, none of the new buildings going up in Austin are all glass. And to date, Austin only has one highrise that has an all glass facade.

Kevin,

Isn't the Novarre 360 an all glass building? Actually, now that I think of it, several of the proposed buildings are all or mostly glass: Stacey; the one w/ACL; the tallest one (oval shaped).

KevinFromTexas

Aug 17, 2007, 10:32 AM

Kevin,

Isn't the Novarre 360 an all glass building? Actually, now that I think of it, several of the proposed buildings are all or mostly glass: Stacey; the one w/ACL; the tallest one (oval shaped).

No, although most of the facade will contain glass, there are narrow strips (approximately 2 to 3 feet wide) running the vertical length of the building. I'm not sure what the material is, some kind of stone, possibly limestone.

View 360's web cam of the building's construction at the link below. You can zoom in on the building using the tools to the left and see the facade close up.
http://novare.oxblue.com/austin360/index.html

We're still not sure what all the materials will be on the T. Stacy & Associates Tower, also known as T. Stacy Tower or 501 Congress. It may end up being the only one that has all glass among the new towers. At least from the renderings that's what it seems to show.

The one you're talking about with 'ACL' as in Austin City Limits, that building will have glass, but it'll also have some kind of stone, possibly marble.

The last tower you mentioned which is oval and will be either the tallest or 2nd tallest, all depends on whether the T. Stacy Tower gets built and how tall that tower ends up being. The oval shaped tower you mentioned is The Austonian. The building's facade will comprise of glass and limestone. It looks reflective like glass because it's been polished.

Another new tower which will probably have a lot of glass will be the 21C Austin Hotel, which will be our 3rd tallest. That one looks to have mostly glass, but there seems to be some granite accents at least on the south side, and probably on the north.

Complex01

Aug 17, 2007, 2:19 PM

Im referring to the fact that its not all glass....All glass gets old IMO. The Colors...once again are computer colors...not actual colors. I like them anyway. They are about the same colors as the Tower Life building actually and it doesn't seem that there are a ton of people on here calling the tower life building's colors "ugly" or "gross". Im glad SA developers are distinguishing their designs from other projects in the state. Vistana WILL stand the test of time in its design as the glass structures with no REAL architectural interest will age and fade into history as uninteresting and bland. This is in IMO of course.

I am sorry, this building already looks dated. These are not the same colors as the Tower Life Building, The TLB is green at the top, were is the green here, or wait its glass. Yes this building will stand out but for an entirely different reason then "architectural intresting"...

With that i am done talking about this project. I will just sit back and watch it rise now...

KevinFromTexas

Aug 17, 2007, 2:55 PM

These are not the same colors as the Tower Life Building, The TLB is green at the top

The Tower Life Building is green at the top because the top (the dome) is made of copper. Copper oxidizes from a chemical reaction between the metal itself and the oxygen in the air which causes it to turn green. Copper can also be forced to turn green by adding a chemical compound to get the desired "patina".

More here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patina

About copper.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper

One very well known hunk of copper resides in New York harbor, the Statue of Liberty. Also pennies made from before about 1981 are made of copper. The newer ones made after that time however, are made of zinc. They stopped making pennies out of copper because copper prices have risen over the years to make the amount of copper in a penny worth more than the penny itself. Zinc is a much cheaper material, however, it doesn't last nearly as long if left to the elements. My dad and I used to go screening for old coins and jewelery in the creeks downtown and you could always tell the difference between a copper penny and one made of zinc. The copper one would be black or green, while the zinc penny would just be an unidentifiable disk and would actually crumble in your hands. The reason pennies are still that familiar copper color is of course because they're plated/coated with it over the zinc.

texboy

Aug 17, 2007, 6:06 PM

starvinggryphon

Aug 17, 2007, 8:05 PM

texboy

Aug 17, 2007, 8:13 PM

whatever..

KevinFromTexas

Aug 18, 2007, 2:15 PM

WOW! I didn't realize how nit picked Id be on here...I mean honestly...complex referring to the green at the top of the tower life...Kevin, yer talking about "narrow strips" of material. All Im sayin is this building has similar colors to tower life...not EXACTLY...and yes ALOT of the buildings going up in Austin have ALOT of glass on them! I guess next time I can't be general, other wise Ill be masacred! I can really see how SA forumers can get slightly...um...hacked off on here...good grief! And comlex the Tower life is in the Deco style...of course it looks dated...by like oh say 80-90 years?

Wow...

Sorry. No offense, I didn't mean to nit pick or whatever. I just thought that it should be mentioned. This is actually the first time that Austin has seen so much glass. Ask any of the Austin forumers and they'll tell you they're glad to see it. We were starting to wonder if we'd only ever see stone facades. Of course I really like the stone facades. The material comes from right here in Texas, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, Marble Falls, Granite Shoals. So I do like it since it's local it gives off that sense of place.

Either way, I really like The Vistana and I like San Antonio's style.

jaga185

Aug 18, 2007, 5:58 PM

21bl0wed

Aug 18, 2007, 7:14 PM

I am glad San Antonio is keeping an identity. Glass is good, but we don't want to be Austin now don't we? Austin can have it's glass, and we can keep our brown's mixed with modern looks, if that makes sense.

So since we can't be like any other city we can't have one kick ass lookin all glass building? Yea lets stop the good from comin here, cause we don't want to look like other places. :rolleyes:

We really should tear down all the marriots and other large hotel chains we have dt too...i mean shit other cities have those same hotel brands in their dts! oh no!

ydoc14

Aug 18, 2007, 11:07 PM

So since we can't be like any other city we can't have one kick ass lookin all glass building?

We do, One Riverwalk Place :haha:

21bl0wed

Aug 18, 2007, 11:11 PM

We do, One Riverwalk Place :haha:

It's all black and looks like shit..you know what i mean :cool:

kornbread

Aug 19, 2007, 3:21 PM

It's all black and looks like shit..you know what i mean :cool:

So change the tint...

ydoc14

Aug 19, 2007, 3:24 PM

It's all black and looks like shit..you know what i mean :cool:

Yeah I was just kidding :D

matttwentyeight

Aug 21, 2007, 3:31 AM

i'm glad everyone is as excited as i am to talk about vistana & the tower of life building... and yes i am being as sarcastic as can be, when i say that!

PERSONALLY (and y'all can nit-pick or say whatever you want about this cause it don't bother me), i think that vistana looks very much like the tower of life & SA express news buildings but with a more modern flair because of the amount of glass is more (not excessively) in vistana than the others, and the fact that there is chrome throughout the design.

the fact that austin is building many mostly-glass buildings is very cool and fitting for a city that is quite chic and hip... i mean, austin and san antonio have 2 totally different types of feelings when you are in either one of them! austin has town lake with its lush and clean banks; glass buildings add to a reflection already taking place. san antonio has its history and the riverwalk, both of which are prevalent in the skyline; the building's designs are more stone & ceramic which are materials more fitting for a history laden river city!

i do wish that san antonio did have more glass in its buildings designs though, but san antonio is very much so stalled in the past right now, both the buildings' and the people's mindsets... which i think (AND HOPE) is slowly changing as we speak!

and for anyone who says that that are glad that san antonio is keeping their unique look and is happy that SA isn't looking like any other city, i hope that you NEVER run for HDRC or the city council! i also think that whenever they talk about san antonio keeping its own style or whatnot, it's just a copout for the simple fact that we don't currently have any truly modern styled buildings that would have features such as sharp edges and mirrored crystal clean glass!

i have much more to say, but i have spent too much time on this topic... even though i will say i did like kevin's story about his father and him "treasure hunting..." that is really cool!!! made me think of when we would put pennies on the RR tracks to watch them get smushed, when i was young!

KevinFromTexas

Aug 21, 2007, 5:10 AM

I like that there are differences between Austin and San Antonio. It makes it interesting for me at least to visit San Antonio, a city that is much different than my own. Besides being a fun and cool city, wonderfully steeped in history and culture, it is also very different than the traditional Texas city and makes for an interesting time every time I go.

@ Matt, yep. My dad and I would go down to Shoal Creek and Waller Creek in downtown. He took 4 pieces of 2x4 about 2 feet long and built a frame and covered it on one side with a metal mesh to create a screen. You'd get in the water and take a shovel and scoop out the bottom. All the metals and "stuff" would collect in dips and holes in the creek bed. You'd scoop it up and dump it in the screen then sift it out to get out the sand. Things like coins and jewery would stay in the screen. Big stuff like larger hunks of metal and rocks would have to be thrown out. Then you'd look through for smaller items like gold chains and ear rings. We never actually found anything like that, though. We did however find silver coins and of course just change. One time my brother went with my dad and his friend and they made a deal with him that he could have all the change they found that weekend. They ended up finding 10 dollars in change. The greatest moment I remember was when I found a Clubhouse Saloon token. This is a token of course to an old saloon. Well anyway, I had dumped all the stuff into the screen and started digging through it and sifting it. I got down to all the coins and interesting items. I started picking out all the coins and pocketed them. Then there was this one that was a different size. The token is about the size of a quarter, but of course the markings were different. I had no idea what it was so I called my dad over. He comes over and his jaw drops and shakes his head. And tells me what it is. I still didn't quite get it, but he said it would be worth a lot of money. A few weeks later my godfather who also collects old coins and even stamps offered 200 dollars for it. I declined since I wanted to keep it. That was about 12 years ago and I still have it. We also found silver coins, mostly stuff from as far back as the 40s and 50s, mostly silver dimes and a few quarters. They quit making silver coins for circulation in 1965. So if you have a dime, quarter, 50 cent piece or a dollar that is dated 1964 or before that date, it'll be silver. I've actually gotten silver coins in change before. It's rare to see them in circulation still, but sometimes people just don't realize what they have. We also found a lot of wheat pennies and buffalo nickels. These date from the 1940s, (the nickels), and the pennies go back to about 1900. These were the penny designs that predated the modern day penny.

jaga185

Aug 21, 2007, 6:51 AM

Well, its not that its a copout, its just trying to optimistic in that we don't have modern looking structures. I mean I would love to have all the "modern flair", would I love to bring SA into the 21st century, hell yeah...but I'll just compliment the little gems we are getting right now. Like the Vistana, I like it.

KevinFromTexas

Aug 21, 2007, 7:10 PM

Fort Worth is doing a great job with new buildings reflecting the city's architectural past. I would like to see San Antonio do the same. San Antonio already has a great thing going downtown with its architecture. Play to that strength, build on it. Don't worry so much with trying to build more modern buildings. In my opinion the ones that have tried to do that thus far look out of place. More buildings like The Vistana would greatly compliment the older buildings and carry on the tradition of the city's architecture. I just hope that whatever buildings do come along that merely try to mimic that style actually pull it off. Some hotel chains can really mar up old styles. Here in Austin one that comes to mind is a 16-story Hampton Inn & Suites. The building was made to look like a 1920s/30s building, but it just looks cheap. The Vistana on the other hand does look authentic. My only gripe is that parking garage treatment, but that could be alright if they cover it up with vegetation as the rendering shows.

Go here to see a few of Fort Worth's new buildings. Some of these are modern, some aren't. Check out the Carnegie Building. Great design.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=135156

EAC2

Aug 11, 2008, 4:18 AM

Greetings from a long time reader. For the next few months I will be posting about the Vistana from my perspective as the developer. I will try to provide background regarding our concept, the team which is working on the projects, the architects (four) and the ups and downs of construction. As this progresses, you may want to refer to the project web page, www.thevistana.com. Pay particular attention to the web cam (button on the opening page, bottom left). this updates every ten minutes, so you can follow our progress in real time. The web cam is mounted on a roof soffet on the Santa Rosa Hospital, catte-corner from the project. Besides looking at it frequently myself, we intend to compile the images into a 3 minute movie of the construction. We are schedule to move the first residents in on November 1st and complete the building by December 31st.
One other note, please feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer promptly.

sirkingwilliam

Aug 11, 2008, 2:54 PM

Wow, another local San Antonio developer. Nice to have you here!

Does Cross and Co have another other high rise projects in the pipeline? I know you guys are doing Broadway Lofts, but is there anything else?

EAC2

Aug 11, 2008, 7:04 PM

in this Sunday's Express News, Paula Allen wrote about the history of the Vistana Site. here is the link:

www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/columnists/paula_allen/chapa_drugstore_fell_to_urban_renewal100.html

sakyle04

Aug 12, 2008, 4:17 PM

an insider tells me that the Sterling Bank lease stipulates that they have to able to occupy the building by October, meaning that the South facade would have to be complete by October, which - apparently - is not looking too promising....

the point of all of this: i think they are going to be under pressure to get the jolly thing completed and we might actually see it occupied by the holiday season.

KeepSanAntonioLame

Aug 19, 2008, 3:58 PM

Yesterday I noticed they're starting to put the brick on. It looks really good.

sakyle04

Aug 19, 2008, 4:27 PM

Yesterday I noticed they're starting to put the brick on. It looks really good.

out of curiosity - which side of the building...?

KeepSanAntonioLame

Aug 19, 2008, 4:35 PM

The milam park side. I don't think you can see it from the web cam.

JACKinBeantown

Sep 16, 2008, 3:21 PM

Hey, esse's... what's the latest with the Vistana? It's hard to tell what's happening from the webcam right now.

miaht82

Sep 16, 2008, 4:36 PM

Last time I went by, it looked as if they just needed to pour the final slab up top on the penthouse tower. They are putting up the brick on all the sides.

sakyle04

Nov 18, 2008, 9:47 PM

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/2008/11/a_tour_of_the_vistana.html

MySA's downtown blog takes a tour (with pictures) of the Vistana.

In the first picture, from the penthouse/spire suite, notice how small the Grand Hyatt looks... Wow.

miaht82

Jan 27, 2009, 11:47 PM

taken from the Downtown Blog

Thursday is the day for the Vistana (http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/2009/01/thursday-is-dday-for-the-vista.html)

By Benjamin Olivo on Jan 27, 2009 9:37 AM

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/20080127vistana450a.jpg
WebCam image from thevistana.com (http://thevistana.com/)

Things are getting loco over at 100 N. Santa Rosa Avenue. With its first tenants scheduled to move in Sunday, the atmosphere at the Vistana is. . .

"'Crazy' is the right word. . .," developer Ed Cross said via e-mail. "We are (going) 100 mph with people on top of people, but it never goes as fast or as smoothly has you hope. Everyone has been so understanding, considerate and helpful through these final days including the city."
The first seven floors of the 14-story apartment building at W. Houston St. and N. Santa Rosa Avenue across from Milam Park is scheduled for city inspection Thursday. That's when Cross will learn whether the building will be granted a certificate of occupancy.

oldmanshirt

Jan 28, 2009, 2:30 AM

Sweet! You really have to see it in person to appreciate the impact this building makes, not so much on the skyline but on the west side of downtown. It really connects the CBD with the Market Square area, and I hope this area can be where a lot of the downtown proper residential construction is concentrated. UTSA DT should help out with that.

jaga185

Jan 28, 2009, 3:25 AM

Does anyone know what the rates will be? Whatever happened to that guy that was moving in?

oldmanshirt

Feb 5, 2009, 10:05 PM

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/2009/02/vistana-update.html#more

A fresh batch of pics and some updated info on the opening. Still no word about a grocery store or any other non-residential stuff besides the bank.

Ed Cross says the first residents should be moving in this weekend :banana:

JACKinBeantown

Feb 5, 2009, 10:26 PM

I think Vistana is a great addition to SA. The one concern I have is that maybe they could have done a better job at the street level. It looks like there is a door for a storefront. Is that right? Does anyone have more photos of the street level?

Keep-SA-Lame

Feb 5, 2009, 10:50 PM

Last I heard there was supposed to be a Jamba Juice there.

miaht82

Feb 5, 2009, 11:14 PM

http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/downtown/20090205vistana1.jpghttp://thevistana.com/vistanacam/LVTheVistana20090205165700000N.jpg
taken from the DT blog on mysa.com and the Vistana website.
1st pic:the bank will be on the front/right side of this pic which is facing commerce. there is another suite availble on the corner of Laredo/Commerce.
three of the four lanes for the bank are where the van is turning. more on the other lane after I post the retail pic.
the left side of the building; Santa Rosa is the side that is available for retail, with some windows on the back side on Houston St.
2nd pic: the entire side facing, N of the four drive-thru lanes for the bank, are for retail. There is about 25,000 sq. ft. available. The resident entrance is on this corner.
http://thevistana.com/themes/Xaraya_Classic/images/site/content-map.gif
of the four lanes, the one farthest to the left/north is available for the retail site; perhaps for a drive thru cleaners or a drive-thru anything, i've seen some weirder things.

My pic:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3220384123_38874cbfd7.jpg?v=0

ydoc14

Feb 6, 2009, 12:37 AM

Drove by the other day...I'm liking the palm tree landscaping. It's going to be a nice building, can't wait to see the glass go up on the crown.

JACKinBeantown

Feb 6, 2009, 9:23 PM

So it seems that aside from the exposed parking garage below the pool, this building is practically perfect.

KevinFromTexas

Feb 7, 2009, 5:38 AM

Yeah. My only real gripe is how obvious the parking garage is. While it's not that bad, with the rest of the building being so nice and having a certain style to it, the parking garage sort of distracts from it. Still, it's a really great project. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished out with all the landscaping and finishing touches, and I'm really really looking forward to seeing how they light it.

kornbread

Feb 7, 2009, 3:58 PM