Cityplace rant

[sasquatch69]

Cityplace has got to be the most unfriendly building in (or near) the CBD.

I decided to take the train up there on my lunch break to see their event rooms at the top of the tower (my sis is checking out wedding reception venues right now, and that was on the list).

I get to Cityplace and take the escalators to the top of the station. I go to the entrance into the building, and ... it's locked. I go outside, and the west entrance doors are ... locked. I had to walk all the way around to the drop-off entrance on the east side to go in, only to find the security desk unmanned. Go figure.

Their website said the event space is on the 42nd floor, so I headed up there on the elevator. Get to that level and sure enough, all the doors are locked, with a sign that says "for information, go to 34th floor receptionist." So, I head that way.

I get to the 34th floor, stride up to the receptionist desk, and calmly ask as a means of double-checking, "Could you tell me which floor the event space is located on?"

Instead of answering my question, the receptionist looked at me as though I were from the moon, and said "Sir, you're not supposed to be up here. Please head back down to the ground floor and security will escort - I mean, can help you."

Last time I checked, I was clean-cut and dressed fairly well, so I'm nut sure what warranted that kind of response. Rather than argue, though, at that point I headed back down to G, walked past the daydreaming security guard, and left.

Contrast this with my prior visits to the Tower Club, the Empire Room and other reception venues downtown, where I had no problem getting up to the space, and was welcomed to look around as long as I wanted.

I understand the need for adequate security, but that was bordering on ridiculous, and if it were my wedding I would have ruled them out based on that experience. Did something happen there in the past to warrant that kind of (seemingly) unnecessary vigilance?

[gc]

I used to work there. Unfortunately it is called post 9/11 security.

It used to be a free for all....

[RayM]

My experience is that most of the lock-down of Cityplace took place a short while after the DART subway station opened. Before it opened, I could walk down to the 7-eleven on the first sub-level unhindered. After the station opened, I could if I looked like I knew where I was going and well-dressed, but would have to fast-talk the security guard if I were stopped. The doors leading down the station area had card access controls installed, too.

More recently when attempting to visit the 7-eleven, I've been told, "That is a private store for this building only." Mind you, I was wearing jeans and had my mother with me. I have a feeling I would have received the same welcome if I had been better dressed, though. That very likely could be the post-9/11 security you mention.

[trolleygirl]

What? Since when is the 7-11 a private store for the people in the building? When I was with MATA, we used to go in there all the time to get Dr. Pepper Slurpees- it was the only one in town that had them. And that was post 9/11.

I'm sorry but I just have never had a hard time in that building, especially during normal business hours- from functions at the top to meetings in the middle to conventions in the lower ballrooms, I've always thought the building was very nice. Of course if I were checking out possible wedding venues, then I would probably call for an appointment before just wandering in off the streets- I want someone to talk to and answer all of my questions. But that's just me, I'm squirrley that way.

[Quiz03]

Didn't this change after the building was sold? Different owners different ideas on access for the "riff-raff."

[FoUTASportscaster]

I got turned away once trying to do the same thing.

[msutton]

Yes, once the building sold, that 7-11 was no longer accessible to the public. You can get in sometimes, but it's technically private.

[trolleygirl]

Yes, once the building sold, that 7-11 was no longer accessible to the public. You can get in sometimes, but it's technically private.

So, how do they "tell"? Do you have to have a name tage?

[Boredkid]

....