SAN ANTONIO | Urban Core Development Thread - Page 13

NBTX11 · #**241** Posted **Aug 22, 2007, 10:22 PM**

The Hyatt is making a dramatic impact on the SA skyline. I am pleasantly surprised. This thing is so wide, it makes a big impact, density wise.

Complex01 · #**242** Posted **Aug 23, 2007, 1:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

I guess if they had made the hotel taller, like the original plan and just move it farther east along the convention center it wouldn't have blocked views. But then it would be away from most of the activity in that area...Rivercenter Mall, farther from the Riverwalk and bulk of the convention center. At any rate, it's the first major highrise that I've physically seen go up in San Antonio, at least that I can remember.

Even if it was taller, you make it sound like it would have been across the highway. Its in the same area that it is now. There is really not even a difference in the location and plus it would have been connected to the convention center, hence "Convention Hotel".

BigBird9 · #**243** Posted **Aug 23, 2007, 2:39 PM**

I think all he's saying is if they moved it further east it wouldn't block views.

KevinFromTexas · #**244** Posted **Aug 23, 2007, 11:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Complex01

Even if it was taller, you make it sound like it would have been across the highway. Its in the same area that it is now. There is really not even a difference in the location and plus it would have been connected to the convention center, hence "Convention Hotel".

No no, I wasn't talking about moving it away from the convention center at all. I just meant slightly more to the east, still attached to it of course, just farther east on Market Street.at the intersection with Bowie. It's there now of course, but I was talking about making the building taller and slimmer. Even with the hotel at Market and Bowie now, it's long enough that the hotel is still directly across the street from the mall and close to the Riverwalk. I was just saying that with it being slimmer and farther to the east it would have meant hotel guests would have to walk farther to get across the street to the mall and Riverwalk sights. This is Texas after all, and people don't like to walk.

The original design. It would have been around 550 feet tall.

jaga185 · #**245** Posted **Aug 23, 2007, 11:14 PM**

Don't post that!!! It's too depressing!

SAguy · #**246** Posted **Aug 23, 2007, 11:26 PM**

Did you know that the original design of the hotel was never submitted to HDRC?

matttwentyeight · #**247** Posted **Aug 24, 2007, 12:08 AM**

kevin, i gotta agree with JAGA... i mean, how can you be so insensitive??? just playin, but i def don't like being reminded that we lost that tower, GRRR!!! better luck next time right?

KevinFromTexas · #**248** Posted **Aug 24, 2007, 12:22 AM**

It sucks. And it bums me out just as much you guys. I was SO excited when that thing came about and was let down when the design changed. Still, at least it's getting built in one shape or another and there are other projects to look forward to. The Vistana and Vidorra will be very nice. And while it would be great to see more towers, I already love San Antonio to pieces, and outside of Austin it's really my favorite downtown in the state.

sirkingwilliam · #**249** Posted **Aug 24, 2007, 2:15 AM**

I have to think the proposal with that rendering was just a bait and switch with the city council so that they would be selected. Bait them with that sweet ass (excuse me) building and get selected then switch and go smaller, cheaper and plainer...

I don't hate the current building going up but I so wish the one first proposed was the building going up now.

ydoc14 · #**250** Posted **Aug 24, 2007, 3:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirkingwilliam

I have to think the proposal with that rendering was just a bait and switch with the city council so that they would be selected. Bait them with that sweet ass (excuse me) building and get selected then switch and go smaller, cheaper and plainer...

I don't hate the current building going up but I so wish the one first proposed was the building going up now.

It'd look nice in the CBD, that's really where I think the design would be better suited since it's tall and slender.

adtobias · #**251** Posted **Aug 24, 2007, 1:31 PM**

does any one have a more clear picture of what it was to look like

starvinggryphon · #**252** Posted **Aug 24, 2007, 4:03 PM**

I like the height of that rendering, but sweet Lord, that thing is hideous!

adtobias · #**253** Posted **Aug 25, 2007, 11:47 PM**

too wide and too short

ydoc14 · #**254** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 3:20 AM**

Check out this recent pic of the skyline! The good: 1. I think the skyline from this angle is the best at doing DT SA justice. 2. You can see the Grand Hyatt from this angle and it looks great and just wait till it's finished! The bad: the person who took the pic didn't post larger sizes so I can't use it as desktop wallpaper

or post it directly on here.

Photographer: espngo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/espngo/1217716371/

METALMiKE · #**255** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 3:40 AM**

wow.that is an awesome pic.try pm-ing the guy to ask him.

KevinFromTexas · #**256** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 3:49 AM**

Oh wow, that's sweet. I have a few postcards from that angle as well. Easily the best view of the skyline. I may be wrong about this, but it might even be possible to see The Vidorra from that angle just to the left, (north) of the Marriott Rivercenter.

elmariachi · #**257** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 8:19 AM**

That is a great angle. If I'm not mistaken that picture was taken from the Hillcrest area between Bandera and Babcock. I took a picture a few years ago from a very similar angle, but at night.

adtobias · #**258** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 2:01 PM**

I went d/t yesterday and there is a lot of empty and waisted spaces that can be used for highrise condos but instead they harbor homeless and vagrants. why doesn't city council work on bringing in investers to the d/t area

ydoc14 · #**259** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 3:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmariachi

That is a great angle. If I'm not mistaken that picture was taken from the Hillcrest area between Bandera and Babcock. I took a picture a few years ago from a very similar angle, but at night.

I'd love to see that shot now w/ ToA lit up

METALMiKE · #**260** Posted **Aug 26, 2007, 3:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adtobias

I went d/t yesterday and there is a lot of empty and waisted spaces that can be used for highrise condos but instead they harbor homeless and vagrants. why doesn't city council work on bringing in investers to the d/t area

I'm sure they are trying to solve those problems.