DTD: Gulf States Bldg. + 1414 Elm + Third Rail Lofts (1407 Main)(16 ST.)

[aygriffith]

To be honest, the "find your d spot" sticker campaign had less to do with marketing all downtown retail together and more to do with Neiman Marcus. If you noticed they put those spots on the empty retail spots about 3 days before Neiman's had its 100th anniversary gala at the downtown store. Neimans tells the city of dallas "D spot" people to do something they pretty much roll over and do it. They are considered the cornerstone of any hope of having national retailers return downtown. Hell, they still stay open till 8 on Thursday like all the downtown shopping stores used to.

When close to 2000 people fly in from all over the world to have a black tie gala in the heart of downtown the city of Dallas does anything you want to make Dallas seem alittle less empty. Especially at 500 to a thousand a ticket. It was a fabulous event, you couldn't even move inside and they were kicking people out because about half the people were hammered drunk and didn't want to leave by the end of it.

[TheMapman]

To be honest, the "find your d spot" sticker campaign had less to do with marketing all downtown retail together and more to do with Neiman Marcus. If you noticed they put those spots on the empty retail spots about 3 days before Neiman's had its 100th anniversary gala at the downtown store. Neimans tells the city of dallas "D spot" people to do something they pretty much roll over and do it. They are considered the cornerstone of any hope of having national retailers return downtown. Hell, they still stay open till 8 on Thursday like all the downtown shopping stores used to.

When close to 2000 people fly in from all over the world to have a black tie gala in the heart of downtown the city of Dallas does anything you want to make Dallas seem alittle less empty. Especially at 500 to a thousand a ticket. It was a fabulous event, you couldn't even move inside and they were kicking people out because about half the people were hammered drunk and didn't want to leave by the end of it.

The D Spot campaign isn't the city; it's the Downtown Dallas Association. And wasn't the D Spot campaign aimed more at attracting residents than retailers? Most of the buildings I see with the stickers are condo and apartment buildings, the stickers just happen to be on the empty first-floor retail in some of these places. The whole reason the D Spot pun is used is to link to the idea of Sex in the City of being young, single, professional, and downtown.

[cowboyeagle05]

The D Spot campaign isn't the city; it's the Downtown Dallas Association. And wasn't the D Spot campaign aimed more at attracting residents than retailers? Most of the buildings I see with the stickers are condo and apartment buildings, the stickers just happen to be on the empty first-floor retail in some of these places. The whole reason the D Spot pun is used is to link to the idea of Sex in the City of being young, single, professional, and downtown.
Good point about the focus of the Dspot campaign which is targeted towards bringing in residents. Problem is I feel like I should suggest we get back to the Thread topic Gulf States so, I have eaten there several weeks now mostly around 10:30am and its a ghost town as I would expect so. They are busy though during that time preparing lots of delivery orders for local businesses, a major part of their franchise business model. Today for the first time though I arrived around 11:15 and there were some people but by the time 12:00 rolled around they had a line almost out the door. Seems like they will be a stable tenet due to their strong relationship with delivery. Their in house eating space is large, so as more people and businesses move to downtown they will be able to welcome large numbers for sit down lunch time.

[Dr. Thunder]

They will def be a long term tenant with hours from 7-3pm! I really hope places will start opening later....downtown is crazy on Friday and Saturday nights and Starbucks isn't even open!

[TheMapman]

Good point about the focus of the Dspot campaign which is targeted towards bringing in residents. Problem is I feel like I should suggest we get back to the Thread topic Gulf States so, I have eaten there several weeks now mostly around 10:30am and its a ghost town as I would expect so. They are busy though during that time preparing lots of delivery orders for local businesses, a major part of their franchise business model. Today for the first time though I arrived around 11:15 and there were some people but by the time 12:00 rolled around they had a line almost out the door. Seems like they will be a stable tenet due to their strong relationship with delivery. Their in house eating space is large, so as more people and businesses move to downtown they will be able to welcome large numbers for sit down lunch time.

Are you talking about Jason's? It's packed at lunch (11:30-1:30). Line goes out the door for both dine-in and take out.

[cowboyeagle05]

Are you talking about Jason's? It's packed at lunch (11:30-1:30). Line goes out the door for both dine-in and take out.

Yes I was talking about Jason's. When I get there around 11:00 there's only the numerous staff, but closer to 12:00 the place has a line out the door and starts to fill up. My reference to their future business was about non lunch hours. I was trying to illustrate through description that the space has large in house eating space, so as business downtown increases they have plenty of in house seating in addition to their delivery service to handle pedestrian service. In comparison to a sandwich shop of the Subway kind where they usually have a much smaller in house seating space. All this information was for those who may have not visited a Jason's Deli and may not know that they are more of a full service restaurant than just a quick kiosk like restaurant.

[TheMapman]

Got it, cool.

[jsoto3]

Found this on Ninjatune's Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2197/2251137369_35e3753e5e_o.jpg

[jredallas]

Luxury residential tower in downtown Dallas to open soon

1st all-new residential project in four decades is about to debut

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-mainstreet_08bus.ART.State.Edition1.464ebe2.html

07:42 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 8, 2008

By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com

Tenants will soon be moving into 1407 Main – the first all-new residential tower in downtown Dallas in more than four decades.

The 17-story building, which includes ground-floor retail and a parking garage, has more than 80 luxury apartments.

"The building is almost 100 percent complete," said Ray Finfer with developer Spectrum Properties Ltd. "We have some names on a waiting list that we are contacting now."
[Click image for a larger version] Spectrum Properties
Spectrum Properties
1407 Main has more than 80 luxury apartments. The 17-story building includes a ninth-floor pool deck, ground-floor retail and a parking garage.

A grand opening will be held April 21, but residents can move in before then, he said.

The developers – who've already leased 80 units in two adjoining historic buildings – anticipate a good response.

"Nobody's done anything like this in downtown in a long time," Mr. Finfer said.

The last new residential high-rise to open its doors in the central business district was the 24-story Manor House in 1966. That building contains about 250 units and was recently remodeled.

The 1407 Main tower hopes to lure renters with features including a ninth-floor pool deck that overlooks Main and Elm streets, a fitness center and a basement bowling alley.

There's also a 25-seat theater, a wine tasting room and a private suite that can be rented for family and friends.

Rents begin at about $1,495 for a 751-square-foot starter unit and top out at more than $4,000 for one of the 1,700-square-foot penthouses.

"Inside, the units have a lot of the same flavor as the remodeled buildings downtown," Mr. Finfer said. "But they also have some amenities we haven't had before."

The building, which was designed by Dallas' Good, Fulton & Farrell Architects, boasts super-efficient systems and an insulated exterior designed to save money on utility bills.

The 1407 Main building was constructed on the site of the historic Metropolitan Savings Building. The 1920s tower and the landmark Kress Building behind it were knocked down in 1981 to make way for new construction.

But that project never got off the ground, and the site sat vacant for more than two decades.

While 1407 Main is the first new apartment tower downtown has seen in ages, it won't be the last.

About three blocks away, Forest City Enterprises is building its 15-story Element apartment tower, which is set to open later this year.

That new building – adjacent to the historic Mercantile National Bank tower – will contain 156 units.

The new units are in addition to more than 2,000 apartments in remodeled office buildings that have been added to the downtown market in recent years.

[xen0blue]

They will def be a long term tenant with hours from 7-3pm! I really hope places will start opening later....downtown is crazy on Friday and Saturday nights and Starbucks isn't even open!

Yeah, I know! Starbucks won't stay open on sat or sun nights, what are they thinking? STARBUCKS!

[DallasMan]

^Perhaps the new Starbucks in the bottom of the Fairmont Hotel will stay open at night? Doubtful, but perhaps.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I know of the one at the Magnolia, but was unaware of the one in the Fairmont. Is it near the tunnel connection?

[TexasStar]

I know of the one at the Magnolia, but was unaware of the one in the Fairmont. Is it near the tunnel connection?

Brand new, hasn't opened yet.
Very large one, though. It will front on Ross Ave.

[Justin Terveen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2400287378_3ea2cc4a75.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/2400287378/)

(click click)

[Dbadger]

I think there are 6 starbucks in downtown. Mostly inside buildings: Tram, 1700 Pacific, etc.
The only one - until now - that had street enterance, is the one in Magnolia.
Starbucks has been trying to keep it open but can't. It is run by 'Fresh Choice' and they control the hours.
I think the new starbucks must be their way to try to get one that is open late (I don't know)

However, if it is a late evening Latte fix you need, try the following:
Scene
Urban Market
Porta de Roma
Charlie Palmer

The top two are really good ($3.5 to $4) same as Starbucks

[xen0blue]

Just noticed that for some reason the entire front face of the bottom floor of the Mayfair building (AKA 1414 elm) is gone...it was just there 2 days ago and now its gone. Anyone know if someone crashed into the building with their car or is there a tenant moving in?

Also, in the bottom of the Davis building parking lot (the metropolitan parking garage) next to Enchiladas it looks like there is a sushi place going any...anyone know about these things?

[grantboston]

Just noticed that for some reason the entire front face of the bottom floor of the Mayfair building (AKA 1414 elm) is gone...it was just there 2 days ago and now its gone. Anyone know if someone crashed into the building with their car or is there a tenant moving in?

Also, in the bottom of the Davis building parking lot (the metropolitan parking garage) next to Enchiladas it looks like there is a sushi place going any...anyone know about these things?

I walked by this last night. It looked to me like they had ripped the walls out. I imagine if someone had run into it, we would have seen it on the news (or at least Channel 5).

[xen0blue]

I walked by this last night. It looked to me like they had ripped the walls out. I imagine if someone had run into it, we would have seen it on the news (or at least Channel 5).

AWESOME! I wonder who the new tenant is?

[Dbadger]

^Perhaps the new Starbucks in the bottom of the Fairmont Hotel will stay open at night? Doubtful, but perhaps.

Its open.
Been open for a month.
It has a direct entrance from Ross (not just from the Fairmont)
It is also open till 7 pmm every night, including Saturday and Sunday
which is a first for downtown.
About time Starbucks (and Thank you)

[Mballar]

There is an interesting agenda item (#37) in the Council meeting on the 28th. The owners of the building are requesting the creation of a signage subdistrict for this block to permit large video billboards:
ftp://ftp.dallascityhall.com/Agenda/November%2028%20Agenda/Final%20Agenda_November%2028,%202007.pdf

City staff recommends approval while the City Plan Commmission recommends denial (even though there was some weird back-and-forth motions to approve and deny, by the same commissioner).

If approved, this could set a precedent for more video signage in the DT core in the future.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/1109/3rdrailvideosignageak4.th.jpg (http://img119.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3rdrailvideosignageak4.jpg)


AHunt moved to defer a vote for a few months so that the Council can have a briefing to discuss the broader issue and solicit input from stakeholders. Council approved the motion.

Submit your opinions to Angela:
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD14_Mail_Form.htm

Whatever happened to the signs?

[Double Wide]

I had forgotten all about this. I wonder where the Council stands now on there decision.

[SDORN]

this sign add some interesting views to the building Yeah what happened to it?

[everydream23]

I work on dynamic signage and urban media projects and adding a large TV to the side of the building does not bring any dynamics to downtown. If there was some kind of architectural integration coupled with some type of media art layer (similar to Victory park but integrated a lot better into the arch) I might be game for this. But showing an overgrown pepsi commercial with a flag mounted giant TV is not helping downtown at all.

Also this isn't a way to bring people downtown - this is way to subsidize the cost of a building to the developers by selling advertising space.

And there are other questions -

what are the hours of intended use? If you live downtown especially in that building are there ramifications for you with light?

How will the community benefit in terms of art and access? Someone told me only 5% of the time is the imagery community based.

If Dallas approves this.. this wont make a time square out of Pegasus. Times square has been done. We have to make it BETTER and more nuances than times square signage. We have to make it work with the architecture, the community, and create an experience. Not slap a build board on the side of a building.

examples below of similar projects:

http://www.segd.org/awards/2008.html <--- interacting with the community

http://www.showandtell.com/workdisplay.php?clientID=1 <--- atleast its interesting application

http://www.fluxfelt.com/projects/ < --- media facades in action

[txsmokey]

This is something I have been tracking and am working with the Central Dallas Association on. Currently the ordinance is being revised and put through the proper committees before it goes to the full Council for discussion and or a vote. For an update I will include information from CDA that I just received via email and I will be happy to pass along the actual date of the public hearing to those interested as soon as I know. This will be the best way for anyone to share their opinion or get further information on this issue.

"The Downtown Special Purpose Sign District Advisory Committee and the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee had a joint meeting on July 24 to discuss video boards. The committees will have another meeting, probably the week of August 25 in the late afternoon/evening; this meeting will be a public hearing to receive additional comments from Downtown businesses and residents about what they want. "

[Dbadger]

Does anyone know, now that they have been open for a little bit
What is their rate of occupancy?
I hardly see people going in and out in the evening,
Kind of concerns me for Mercantile and element.
In the meantime the media is all about people moving to downtown,
There is an article almost every couple of days in the dmn. A little confusing.

[maconahey]

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/219/img2290ig9.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2290ig9.jpg)

[maconahey]

Whatever happened to the signs?

...

[Hunter Wadle]

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/219/img2290ig9.th.jpg (http://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2290ig9.jpg)
you cannot see it in the picture but there is a sign that says Jimmy Johns coming soon for the space shown here...

[maconahey]

They are also working on the space next to it. Wonder what might go in there...

[barrycb]

They are also working on the space next to it. Wonder what might go in there...

What space next to it?

[maconahey]

i could be wrong, but it looks like they are putting up a wall between the two doors, making them into two separate spaces. you can kind of see it going up inside next to the door on the right. who knows...

[maconahey]

I just walked by and there is definitely a wall separating it into two spaces.

[cowboyeagle05]

The smaller space next door is not in the picture above for those who have not been down their to see the new store front layout. They seem to have divided the space based on a ratio of 2/3 went to JJ's which does have documents in the windows stating that's what is going in. The other 1/3 is deep and not wide with only front windows cause JJ's picked the corner. They have a sign up announcing the smaller space is available for lease and it only has a single door not double like the new JJ's space. I am guessing that the smaller space will eventually become some small office space cause its does not seem big enough for much else but I am no professional.

[Urban cowboy]

People are moving into downtown Dallas and other urban cities across the country. However, more needs to be done in DTD in order for us to reach "critical mass'. The easiest thing to do is provide more affordable housing. I'm not talking projects which would "ghettoize" the neighborhood. I'm talking $800-$900/mo. for a 1-Bedroom apt. If the city would lower the rent a little, you would have more people moving into the city's core.
Second, there needs to be "points of interest" in order to create foot traffic. I'm talking foot-to-pavement.
I am surprised no one has mentioned this before. It's an easy concept: Rather than put retail on the 1st floor of every new/renonvated building in downtown, they need to put a dry cleaner, bank, retail across the street from these places. That's why we don't see too many people on the streets of DTD. A lot of the things they need is on the 1st floor of their building.
Some more afforadble dining, housing and retail options along with more side-walk cafes would do wonders for our downtown.

[johnmabes]

People are moving into downtown Dallas and other urban cities across the country. However, more needs to be done in DTD in order for us to reach "critical mass'. The easiest thing to do is provide more affordable housing. I'm not talking projects which would "ghettoize" the neighborhood. I'm talking $800-$900/mo. for a 1-Bedroom apt. If the city would lower the rent a little, you would have more people moving into the city's core.
Second, there needs to be "points of interest" in order to create foot traffic. I'm talking foot-to-pavement.
I am surprised no one has mentioned this before. It's an easy concept: Rather than put retail on the 1st floor of every new/renonvated building in downtown, they need to put a dry cleaner, bank, retail across the street from these places. That's why we don't see too many people on the streets of DTD. A lot of the things they need is on the 1st floor of their building.
Some more afforadble dining, housing and retail options along with more side-walk cafes would do wonders for our downtown.

Thank you Captain Obvious, what a revelation

[psukhu]

People are moving into downtown Dallas and other urban cities across the country. However, more needs to be done in DTD in order for us to reach "critical mass'. The easiest thing to do is provide more affordable housing. I'm not talking projects which would "ghettoize" the neighborhood. I'm talking $800-$900/mo. for a 1-Bedroom apt. If the city would lower the rent a little, you would have more people moving into the city's core.
Second, there needs to be "points of interest" in order to create foot traffic. I'm talking foot-to-pavement.
I am surprised no one has mentioned this before. It's an easy concept: Rather than put retail on the 1st floor of every new/renonvated building in downtown, they need to put a dry cleaner, bank, retail across the street from these places. That's why we don't see too many people on the streets of DTD. A lot of the things they need is on the 1st floor of their building.
Some more afforadble dining, housing and retail options along with more side-walk cafes would do wonders for our downtown.

Does Downtown Dallas not have the among the cheapest residential rental rates for an urban core compared to other large metros in the US?

For example, Downtown Dallas should be cheaper than the downtowns/city centers/CBDs of NYC, LA, Chicago, DC, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Philly. However, Downtown Dallas should be on par with Houston and more expensive than Detroit.

The key may not be for the cost of apartments in DTD going down, but rather the rising cost of living outside of the city center. (think rising gasoline costs and highway congestion) Also, adding more rail lines feeding DTD will make it the most central location for an office in the DFW area. There's an article in the latest DBJ talking about Interstate Batteries moving to DTD from North Dallas. They mentioned the ease of commuting to DTD via DART as one reason for why they like DTD.

[mjblazin]

The comparison should be between each urban center's residential costs and costs 30-45 minute commute away. Yes someone who lives in SF planning to stay in city woud say Dallas is less expensive. Someone sitting in Plana, Frisco, et al don't see it that way.
I understand people now focus on gas because you pay it out as needed. It's the pain of 25 cuts per month. But it only takes $40K difference in your mortgage to generate a difference of $350 per month in payment. That's a lot of gas for not much difference in home value. If people think gas prices will drive people to the city and be willing to pay higher prices for equal or most likely less housing, people will be waiting quite awhile.