Photo of the Ritz-Carlton site by TexasStar on 15Jan06:
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Info on the Joule Urban Resort:
Gatehouse Capital Wearing Developer's Hat for $40M-Plus Joule
By Connie Gore
Last updated: January 20, 2006 10:15am
http://www.globest.com/news/457_457/.../142181-1.html
DALLAS-Stepping into its second major project in the city, Gatehouse Capital Corp. will partner with the local owner of the former Dallas National Bank Building to develop a 120-room luxury concept hotel in the Downtown.
It's been estimated that the "Joule," designed by Adam D. Tihany of New York City, will cost upward of $40 million to develop. A Gatehouse contact says the developer's hat was won in a confidential yet competitive process staged by the bank's owner, Tim Headington, owner of the Headington Cos.
The Dallas-based Gatehouse, which has a stake in the W Dallas Victory Hotel & Residences, will steer the Joule, touted as an "urban resort," until it opens in 2007 and then turn over the reins, as previously announced, to Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Inc. of San Francisco. Caroline Lerner, Gatehouse's vice president of development, tells GlobeSt.com that the 17-story, 90,000-sf bank building at 1530 Main St. will get another three floors, including a mezzanine level, so it can be readily connected to a proposed 48,000-sf structure at 1526 Main St. To marry the new and the old, the 1920s-era landmark's gothic design will be retained.
The Joule will feature a rooftop pool and grill, 1,000-sf fitness center and signature restaurant with a nationally recognized chef at the helm. "It's a very serious process of choosing someone who really fits Dallas and our project," Lerner says, pointing out that there's ample time to mull over the menu of candidates.
The Joule concept is still being fine-tuned, but it doesn't appear the Dallas hotel is destined to be a prototype for a new brand. "It's so unique," Lerner says, "that I'm not sure how we'd replicate that."
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Fort Worth Trinity River Vision:
(older visuals)
New Uptown District:
The TXU Plant:
Tarrant County College proposed downtown campus
^ Updated visuals of this project located here:
http://www.uptownfortworth.com/