Questions about Mandalay Canal in Las Colinas

[Tralfaz]

I'm pretty new to the DFW area (about 6 months) and I just found out about the Mandalay Canal in Las Colinas. How long has this been in DFW? It looked liked it could be really nice, but all the riverside shops were empty. I think there was just a Wendy's and a print shop. Anyone know why there isn't more here? It looked like it could really be a nice mini-Riverwalk.

[Mballar]

I think the short answer to the question of why isn't there more there is the bottom fell out of the economy in the 80's and money stopped pouring into what was, at the time, a pretty bold and phenomenal master plan.

[sogod]

I agree, it is a really nice area and probably could be extended. Its been around since the early 70's I believe.
When I went by a month or two ago most of the shops seem leased but just aren't active on weekends. I was suprised to find the KISS FM morning show studio on the Canal. Not that I listen...

I think things will improve as more residences are built in the area. Just like DT Dallas as more people move in, more shops will stay open nights and weekends.

[rantanamo]

I think you'll see more in time as the Urban Center begins to fill up and DART comes through. Hopefully they finish that people mover as well, when DART comes through.

[psukhu]

I guess they figured out they needed the residential component to make it a true "urban center".

Here's the thread: http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=1211


Also worth checking out: http://www.lavillitalascolinas.com/

[tamtagon]

That Wendy's is packed during the workweek lunch hour.

Las Colinas will be totally cool if/when completed. I wish another movie studio would open.

[drumguy8800]

A few pictures of Mandalay..:

Here (http://www.ovillachurchofchrist.com/derek/index.html?sub=lascolinas2) and here (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=2241).

[rantanamo]

That Wendy's is packed during the workweek lunch hour.

Las Colinas will be totally cool if/when completed. I wish another movie studio would open.


Looks like there will be a huge setback. One of the new compexes under construction is on fire. HUGE fire, and because of its location along Lake Carolyn combined with the heat, they cannot stop it, so the news stations are reporting a total loss. These apartments were looking really great. Similar to those on the southwestern shore of Lake Carolyn.

[psukhu]

^ Wow, I see the smoke from my office.

[sogod]

^^

Ditto. That stinks. I wonder what caused it.

[crescentboi]

can anyone get some pics?

[mrpipeline]

Looks like there will be a huge setback. One of the new compexes under construction is on fire. HUGE fire, and because of its location along Lake Carolyn combined with the heat, they cannot stop it, so the news stations are reporting a total loss. These apartments were looking really great. Similar to those on the southwestern shore of Lake Carolyn.


The news reported that it was only the middle section of the building that burned, thankfully nobody was currently living there, and no workers got injured

[Kelley USA]

This was actually shaping up to be a nice development... I had no idea it was going to be as big as it was (the building not the fire). Also, several of the newscast last night reported the development included retail space (not sure if that is indeed the case or not).

[sogod]

Yep ground floor retail, and the street it faces was going to have DART light rail eventually.

[zigwamo]

It has always saddened me that Mandalay Canal is (and always has been) pretty dead. There is so much potential there. I remember in the late 80s you could ride down the canal in a gondola. But even then it wasn't very bustling. Hopefully the lofts that burnt down will rebuild quickly.

[rantanamo]

Yes, there is to be retail. Just like on the other side of the lake there are some mixed use buildings along the main boulevard. I hope this isn't too much of a setback. The TOD there will be huge.

[tamtagon]

Are multiple DART stops planned through the Urban Centre?

[rantanamo]

I believe the DART study placed a north and south Urban Center station as one option, as well as only one near Williams Square and the Loft building that burned yesterday. One thing to remember is that even if there is one station, the people mover still moves a pretty good distance. I imagine at some point they'll finish the rest when there is more development around the nothern half of Lake Carolyn.

[tamtagon]

One thing to remember is that even if there is one station, the people mover still moves a pretty good distance.

Ya, that's specifically why I asked. It's been 5+ years since I worked out that way and "played" on the people mover during lunchtime, but I'm thinking it will need a pertty substantial upgrade to shuffle DART riders through Las Colinas.

[rantanamo]

http://www.dallasnews.com/img/photo/08-04/0802_lcfire2.jpg

[gc]

yikes..

[rantanamo]

The street in front of the complex is where the LRT line will run right down the center of the large median. These buildings include ground floor retail. There are similar developments going up all along the Lake Shore. Huge, huge TOD for Las Colinas. That building was a total loss though. Thankfully the other two structures seem to be fine.

[Tverb]

Pictures

[drumguy8800]

wow.. thanks!

[freewaytincan]

What the hell happened?!

[Columbus Civil]

I think the fire was started by a welder working on the site.

[rantanamo]

bad bad luck if that's what happened. You can take every precaution in the world, but you never know when a spark that's live enough to start a fire will burst out of the contact point. Could happen at any project at any time.