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

[John T Roberts]

You're welcome.

[crescentboi]

I drove by here a couple of days ago and couldn't see anything happening with the lot for the new tower. Does anyone know what's going on and why it's taking so long for them to get this started?

[crescentboi]

Well here's some pics I got today. And I walked by the empty lot and there are new stakes in the ground, so hopefully that means that they are getting ready to go vertical.

[gc]

Nice shots. I am curious about the % complete of this project.

[msutton]

holy shit that looks so much better

[drumguy8800]

Look at how CLEAN it is!!!!

[Columbus Civil]

I thought you people liked grit.

[gc]

I thought you people liked grit.

You people? Are you LH snob now?

[St-T]

I thought you people liked grit.

SUBURBAN SNOB

[effulgent]

Something my husband noticed is that they have bricked up the Gulf States windows that face the (current) vacant lot up to about the 8th floor or so. Are the Davis and the Gulf going to be touching the new building? Or are they leaving that little alley? The alley doesn't look like it's going to be touched at the moment.

[John T Roberts]

The new building will be constructed adjacent to the west wall of the Gulf States Building on those levels. Therefore, the windows had to be closed. The little alley (a former city street) will remain, so the Davis Building will not be touching the new structure.

[dizzy]

A rendering of the buildings' relationships.
http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showpost.php?p=65345&postcount=128

[D_in_DownTown_D]

I walk past the building nearly every day. Notice that the new windows on the west side are 3 over 3 but on the east side they are 1 over 1.

[carousel]

I walk past the building nearly every day. Notice that the new windows on the west side are 3 over 3 but on the east side they are 1 over 1.

Can you please explain further?

[D_in_DownTown_D]

It's in reference to the mullions dividing the top over bottom sashes of the windows.

[carousel]

It's in reference to the mullions dividing the top over bottom sashes of the windows.

After using dictionary.com, I understand. Thanks.

A vertical member, as of stone or wood, dividing a window or other opening.

[CTroyMathis]

http://www.thirdraillofts.com is owned by Spectrum Properties.
No active index page at this time. No idea if this will be the permanent and/or active address for the new-construction component. . .

[msutton]

anything on the restoration or new development worthy of a photographic update?

[shawndb]

05:58 PM CST on Tuesday, November 1, 2005
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA-TV

Although more apartments, restaurants and people have moved into downtown, convenient parking has not seemed to move in with them.

However, in a new effort to relieve downtown parking problems, a loan was approved by Dallas and the county to build a parking garage in the 1400 block of Main Street.

Spectrum Properties, the developers who will receive the loan, plan to create 84 apartments and 370 public parking spaces.

Easing the parking problem with new spaces is something many in downtown said is essential.

"Actually [parking is] very important," said Ann Bacchus, a downtown restaurant customer. "There isn't enough parking here. It takes longer to find parking than it does to eat."

City officials also said they see the importance of adding more parking.

"It's important for us for downtown to maintain the role that it has, and to enhance," said Rick Loessberg, Dallas County Planning and Development.

However, parking isn't the only thing Spectrum will be working to enhance. The company is also renovating the Gulf States Insurance Building near the garage and transforming it into an apartment building.

By allowing some flexibility in the loan, the county and city are giving Spectrum the chance to also renovate the adjoining and vacant Mayfair Department Store building for more apartments and retail.
Both buildings had been vacant about 25 years.

"You're going to have that intersection on really all four corners...completely either renovated or redeveloped," Loessberg said. "...That's the first time that's happened in downtown Dallas in quite some time."

The parking garage is scheduled for completion in September 2006.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com

[Tnekster]

^Where is the garage? On the bottom of the new building? Is this change the reason construction on the new tower has taken so long.

[shawndb]

From what I saw on the news report it looks like the garage is in the exact same place as the original plan. It would be next to the old department store on the Elm side of the block. First floor retail would be on the Main side. So I don't think any of the plans have changed. I think they just renegotiated the loan and it's flexibility to help the city out with parking.

[BigD5349]

^Where is the garage? On the bottom of the new building? Is this change the reason construction on the new tower has taken so long.

That's what I understood. It's good to see this move ahead, it is certainly needed.

[psukhu]

There isn't enough parking here. It takes longer to find parking than it does to eat

It is easy to find parking in Downtown Dallas if you've lived in a place like New York, Boston or Philly. ;)

[shawndb]

It is easy to find parking in Downtown Dallas if you've lived in a place like New York, Boston or Philly. ;)

I totally agree. People that have always lived here freak out when they can't find a parking spot right in front of the door in under 5 minutes. I think it's a little sad. Maybe we would be a skinnier city/state if we started walking a little further.

[FoUTASportscaster]

But then people would have to exercise. I always shake my head when I go to the big box stores and someone is circling for a parking spot. I zoom in to a spot that will be farther away, but get in the store sooner because they can't walk an extra ten or twenty feet.

[Tnekster]

But then people would have to exercise. I always shake my head when I go to the big box stores and someone is circling for a parking spot. I zoom in to a spot that will be farther away, but get in the store sooner because they can't walk an extra ten or twenty feet.

So true, the other thing that gets me is people that are so lazy that they can't get out of the car to go inside the fast food joint to order what they want and instead will sit in a line of cars 15-20 deep for the added "convenience" of not having to get out of the car. One can be in and out of the place before most of these people have even placed an order.

[FoUTASportscaster]

So true, the other thing that gets me is people that are so lazy that they can't get out of the car to go inside the fast food joint to order what they want and instead will sit in a line of cars 15-20 deep for the added "convenience" of not having to get out of the car. One can be in and out of the place before most of these people have even placed an order.


So true. :confused:

[Jack Flack]

Looks like construction might be about to begin on the new tower inbetween the Gulf States and Davis Building. The trees along Main in front of the lot have been cut down and there are big tubes or rebar and cranes on site now.

[X Factor]

Can we get a pic?

[Tnekster]

Drove by today and they were working, drilling, digging and moving dirt.

[Tnekster]

Pic of construction

[slfunk]

The base of the crane is in place.

[slfunk]

put this in the Davis Lot too, but the base of the crane is in place.

[Tnekster]

^Can't wait to see a crane on Main street.

[Boredkid]

should'nt the two threads be merged?

[clipper]

How it used to look.

[barrycb]

Never should have torn it down. I like how the new architect is playing off the old lines, however.

[X Factor]

From tonight....


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4328/dtdconstruction3wk.jpg

[tamtagon]

Downtown is going to be a pretty sweet place to live one of these days. All the talk about how great things will be with 10,000 CBD residents is selling the environment short and rooted in suburban perceptions of living.

[Lionel Hutz]

Great photo. Thanks.

[effulgent]

Something I noticed today ...

They're starting to put glass into the windows of the first floor of the Gulf state building. No more plastic!

[barrycb]

They also have the scaffoling up on the old department store. I wonder if they will re-face, or remove the existing ugly finish to reveal the original facade?

[BigD5349]

How old is the old department store facing onto Elm? When it was the Mayfair, it looked the same way it does today, and that was in the 1950s, I think. Have we been looking all these years at a 1950s facade over an older building?

[antoinekhuu]

http://www.downtowndallas.com/current.htm#thirdrail

WHAT ARE THE THIRD RAIL LOFTS?

http://www.downtowndallas.com/1407construction.gif
http://www.downtowndallas.com/gulfstates.gif http://www.downtowndallas.com/1407main.gif


Construction at 1407 Main

Gulf States Building under construction
Completed project rendering

Those familiar with recent development in Downtown Dallas refer to the construction occurring on the north side of Main Street between Akard and Field as "The Gulf States Building," "The Davis Lot" or 1407 Main. However, recently, developer Spectrum Properties launched a new name for the project, Third Rail Lofts, leaving many to ponder the origin of such a reference. So we decided to find out exactly what the name means, and get an update on the project's progress.

The Project
Breaking ground almost one year ago, when complete, Third Rail Lofts will be comprised of three buildings: 1415 Main (The Gulf States Building), 1407 Main (new construction on top of what used to be a surface parking lot) and 1414 Elm Street. The entire residential/retail project will house a total of 164 loft apartments, and in the 1407 Main and 1415 Main Street ground floors there will be approximately 25,000 square feet of retail.

The units will have high ceilings, custom designed kitchens with Granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and solid cherry veneer cabinetry. There are two penthouses with terraces in the historic Gulf States building. For the use of all of the residents, 1407 Main Street will feature an urban oasis floating nine stories above street level where you'll find the swimming pool with a waterfall/spa. In addition, there will be a Dog Park, two sun decks, a cabana bar, a fire pit and a 5,000 square foot clubhouse. Additionally there is private parking, a business center, an exercise facility and a multi purpose party room.

The Name
Rosemary Patton-Smith with Spectrum Properties explained, "In electric train systems, like the elevated train in Chicago and the New York subway system, all of the electricity, a.k.a. THE ENERGY, flows through the third rail of the train track. Thus the name, Third Rail Lofts, energetic...busy...a lot going on."

Certainly so! To find out more about Third Rail Lofts, including pre-leasing information, call 214-747-1415.

[carousel]

The crane is going up!

[barrycb]

The crane is going up!





Da Crane! Da Crane!

[Boredkid]

who is that a pic of?

[WTx]

who is that a pic of?


OMG, I'm officially old!!?? :rolleyes:

[Boredkid]

How old are you? And again, who is that?

[Columbus Civil]

herve villechaize