Fort Worth: Omni Fort Worth Hotel (Conv. Ctr.) (447 FT. / 33 ST.)

[John T Roberts]

I have updated the photographs of the hotel construction and a tower crane is beginning to rise out of the huge hole in the ground!

[SCARLETandBLACK]

Me too. It's one of my favorite places in all of DFW.


I love the Fort Worth Water Gardens also. I think that they are breathtaking if you let yourself safely get into the spirit of them. It is sad that those people had to die the way they did, but the gardens were not being properly maintained.

However, I have always debated the ethics of their existance in their designed form. There is always a balance between safety and accessability vs. excitement and design.

At least those who do not like the gardens can rest assured that various levels of government would never let them be built again today.

[NDtexan]

I have updated the photographs of the hotel construction and a tower crane is beginning to rise out of the huge hole in the ground!


John, where exactly do you post the photos you've mentioned? Thanks.

[John T Roberts]

I'm doing something a little different this time. Instead of having thousands of construction photographs on a thread, I'm taking a few key photographs from approximately the same location every week and then I'm replacing them. This is the first time I have tried this approach on a forum based platform. I don't know if it will work, and if enough viewers want to see all of the previous ones, then I can post them. The photos are located on this thread at this location: http://www.dallasmetropolis.com/forum/showpost.php?p=228252&postcount=133

[John T Roberts]

The first tower crane went up this weekend and more pier drilling is taking place in the three story hole in the ground.

[John T Roberts]

The latest pictures have now been posted. They were taken on November 19th.

[John T Roberts]

I've now updated the photos. These were taken on December 17th. Here's where the photos are located within this thread: http://www.dallasmetropolis.com/forum/showpost.php?p=228252&postcount=133

[SCARLETandBLACK]

Wow. That hole is so big in the third picture that the dump truck going down the ramp on the far side looks like its a Hotwheels dumptruck. This place is going to make a HUGE impact on Fort Worth.

Did they ever get the WaterGardens nearby back in working order? They were supposed to open quite a while ago.

[John T Roberts]

The building is only supposed to be about 500 feet tall. However, this is the deepest construction hole that has ever been dug in downtown that I can remember. I work out on the west side of town and I go over the Hulen Street bridge every day to and from work, and I can see the tower crane and how just the crane extends the skyline to the south. The main tower will be further south, so we will have a building at about the same height as the other tall buildings that will sit three blocks away from the nearest tall building (AT&T).

The renovations to the Water Gardens are not complete. I think they are scheduled to be reopened in the Spring.

[Haretip]

I have backed off theorizing that this building may yet be a new "tallest" for Fort Worth, but their failure to publish a final height and the size of the basement makes me wonder what we will see in the end. I ain't counting chickens before they hatch, but.... it will have a nice impact on downtown regardless of the final height. I saw the tower crane today on my way home this evening. It will be a definite addition to the south end of downtown and hopefully take the eye away from the AT&T monolith.

[John T Roberts]

I have added new construction photos taken on December 26, 2006. You can see them on Post 133 in this thread. Finally, the foundation work has been started. Haretip, I have some new information on the height, but I'm not sure I can release it. The building has grown and it may not be the tallest, but it will be close.

[John T Roberts]

I drove by the site this week, but I didn't have my camera with me, so I will give you an update. Columns are now coming out of the bottom of the big dig. The landscape and signage package was presented to the Downtown Design Review Board today. There is nothing really exciting with either design, but a dimensioned elevation was presented at the meeting.

[John T Roberts]

I finally got by the site during daylight hours with my camera last Sunday. My latest updated photos were taken on January 7, 2007.

[John T Roberts]

They started assembling the second tower crane this week.

[John T Roberts]

I have updated photos in Post 133 in this thread. They have started pouring the slab on grade for the lowest level of the underground parking garage. I also have new information on the height. It appears the building will be 547'-0". That is 3" taller than the D.R. Horton Tower, making it Fort Worth's Second Tallest Building when completed.

[Monoxide]

Sweet!

[John T Roberts]

Here are some new renderings of the building and the interior. This is taken from Atomic Glee's post on the Fort Worth Forum:

Great new detailed rendering of the Omni's east side:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/234/452961823_37b9913d41_o.jpg

Omni Sports Bar:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/227/452961759_262ff277ed_o.jpg

Bob's Steakhouse:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/238/452946046_1ed59091c8_o.jpg

Resident's lobby:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/452961893_dfdada8f35_o.jpg

Omni Wine Bar:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/212/452946076_6cbe0557c6_o.jpg

[gc]

That looks awesome! Thanks for sharing that John.

[John T Roberts]

You're welcome.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Haven't seen an update pic in a while. How's construction progressing?

[John T Roberts]

I'm crazy. I was planning to post new photos of the construction, as well. Here they are:

http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/omni-const-sw.jpg

http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/omni-const-se.jpg

http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/omni-const-ne.jpg

http://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/omni-const-nw.jpg

Also, here's a link to the webcam for the construction:
http://www.austinprojects.com/Omni/webcam.html

[Geaux Tigers]

Sweet!

[John T Roberts]

I also have a new height update. The latest information that I have is the building's height is now 547'-4". This will put it 10" taller than the D.R. Horton Tower.

[freewaytincan]

that's an amazing building.

[TexasStar]

Wow, a nice convention center hotel.
So it can by done.

[vman]

That's the best looking building built in FW in a long, long, time.

[freewaytincan]

Wow, a nice convention center hotel.
So it can by done.

don't tell dallas.

[John T Roberts]

As of today, the Omni has rebar extending above grade. This is the first construction that is out of the hole and visible from the street.

[4th Generation]

Hey John, how is this progressing?

[Tnekster]

I happened by this site just a few days ago. They looked to be about three floors out of the ground.

[John T Roberts]

They are three floors out of the ground. I will try to get pictures this week. I haven't been shooting much because I'm working 10-12 hours per day and weekends.

Here's a link to the web cam, so you can watch the construction in real time:
http://www.austinprojects.com/Omni/webcam.html

[Fort Worthology]

Time for some tasty Floorplan Sauce:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/1093661815_6a816ed720_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1163/1093654577_b0b53c6e05_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/1093663555_39fd72a767_b.jpg

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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/1093652843_4f6abcd23a_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/1094531754_6c3290c20b_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/1094526918_c789dd4b55_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1014/1093660139_eead8b64d2_b.jpg

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http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1195/1094512692_bbb83049ef_b.jpg

[Fort Worthology]

A few new renderings:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/1096004701_6d40b2f2c2_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1367/1096005567_085b791bcd_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1067/1096005189_798f97a551_o.jpg

[Fort Worthology]

Recent construction pics:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/1096407889_767e13736b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/1097312842_e17fda83fd_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/1097275218_6717f744e5_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/1096422143_3c0080f174_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1139/1097283834_4920e26c6a_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/1097295624_75eee3a702_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/1097088132_2126a50e00_o.jpg

It has gotten tall enough to be seen from atop the Mountain in the Water Gardens.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1139/1097298154_2f463e18c6_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/1096458797_e93b923173_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1403/1097272814_a72351704a_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1351/1097259246_3fcd651c6c_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1425/1097292194_654ad868ef_o.jpg

[noelamador]

wow!that's gonna be a great tower addition for FW.

[jefffwd]

http://www.austinprojects.com/Omni/webcam.html :nuts:

[Fort Worthology]

Latest update:

New condo images.

Pool & Terrace:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1393940487_72a2feffda_o.gif

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/1393940361_fcb3b78d08_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1320/1394833696_6d3d0805de_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/1394833636_7bab93287e_o.jpg

Resident's Lobby - looks a LOT better than the original drawing:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1386/1394833474_7c59788b30_o.gif

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1014/1393940125_c3499a729f_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1402/1393940169_51eeb00065_o.jpg

Traditional kitchen & bath:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1209/1393939877_ad047cd6ec_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/1394832956_b02b112934_o.jpg

Contemporary kitchen & bath:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1346/1394833164_2163e90933_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1092/1394833014_e84ac51376_o.jpg

Some new construction photos:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/1387645319_2fe651f1a5_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1206/1388541724_70147922e5_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1135/1388541894_dac0993047_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1372/1388542102_4a8860762a_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1308/1387646227_6726cb1294_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1247/1388542482_4f2e1f689e_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/1388542652_8c8912db4e_o.jpg

The block next door between the Omni and the AT&T Building has been torn up now for the new parking garage that will serve SoDo and the Convention Center. It will feature a nicely un-parking garage design and have ground floor retail space on Houston and Throckmorton. Location of the new garage:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/1387646747_2dcabb82ff_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/1387646901_51b8ae55e7_o.jpg

With the Convention Center for context:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/1387647447_aa3b5ebb8b_o.jpg

[gc]

nice photos.

[Mballar]

Nice photos and renderings. Looks like Fort Worth is getting a little more First Class.

[Dallas Fan]

I think this project has been over shadowed by the projects in Dallas. But if we take a step back, Fort Worth is quietly improving its self and I have to give them a hand because they are starting to modernize the country but are staying close to there CowTown roots while doing so.

[Geaux Tigers]

That is one fine ass lookin' building.

[Fort Worthology]

Just to be different, it's a nighttime update. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2135/1529531812_32752816b1_o.jpg

Here on the east side, the big steel framework is for the ballroom.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/1529534404_1784050979_o.jpg

Closeup of ballroom work.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/1529534934_668a843087_o.jpg

[Fort Worthology]

Movin' on up:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/1797550292_7cf07ad179.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/1797549972_d9fb5005b4.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2277/1797551618_b5d8cc2a60.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2056/1796710435_bdcc7dfad7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/1797550900_6552c963cb.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/1796709667_2a846ea927.jpg

[rosewood]

Wow, you are really excited about this building!

The apartment layouts are not that great. But the building is wonderful. I can't wait to stay at the hotel.

[Fort Worthology]

They're currently adding some big curved steel beams to the side of the ballroom, to support the curved glass curtain wall that will face the convention center.

Condo prices have gone up a bit and are now at about $500/sq. ft., with about 25% spoken for thus far. The entire top floor is off the market, and will become Robert Rowling's penthouse unit for himself.

[apearson28]

Hey FortWorthology, i really appreciate the update photos. thanks

[Fort Worthology]

Hey FortWorthology, i really appreciate the update photos. thanks

You're welcome! I'm always happy to show the urban development here in Fort Worth.

[rosewood]

Fort Worth is finally coming out! I always adored Fort Worth but I hope it doesn't turn into Dallas part two. I wish you would photograph some of the other great projects going on there, too!

[Kelley USA]

Fort Worth is finally coming out!

Shows you how much I know, I didn't even know Fort Worth was gay!!! :color1:

[rosewood]

So much so they are considering a name change: The Omni Brokeback Tower, darling.