It's pretty much always had that vertical strip of lights. I'm guessing that's the main hallway where you'll find the elevator bank on each floor.
Honestly, I'll be happy with the 2nd rendering version. I was just hoping for some dramatic lighting to make this thing visible from afar. Other than that, I do like the design of the 2nd rendering a wee bit more. The renderings they have on the building's website is the design I was hoping they were going with - particularly, this view:
http://www.6xguadalupe.com/wp-conten...-1920x1948.jpg and this one -
http://www.6xguadalupe.com/wp-conten...-1920x1439.jpg. I like the facade details. The contrast of the glass and mullions is something I really like. It also appears to be more silvery than blue, which will probably be a good thing since if they also build The Republic it'll be nice to have them contrast each other a bit.