Downtown Dallas: Statler Hotel & Residences + Future DMN Offices (Old Statler Hilton + Old Library)

[cowboyeagle05]

Yeah, the building I work in uses metal piping for all the sprinkler systems and the reason I know is I have assisted the servicing of them when pressure sensors go off randomly. I assume PVC is just the cheaper solution and not as likely recomended by the industry but when choosing the cheaper bid for work these things can happen and this is what can happen.

[Arch-Image]

Love to know who the Sprinkler contractor was. I tend to agree, no one hardly uses Blackiron pipe anymore as it is so costly as compared to using CPVC (everyone is calling it PVC but it isnt). As well the articles all keep talking about "Caulk". I'm not sure what they mean, are they talking about the joint sealant used to connect the pipes, or possibly the fire-caulk where the pipe penetrates walls. I don't know but as a builder, your sprinkler system coming apart is about the worst thing can happen to a building!

[jsoto3]

There are multiple causes of pvc/cpvc piping failures, mostly a result of installation, operational, engineering and/or product compatibility issues. I suspect in this case the "caulk" they are referring to is the wall penetration fire-stopping sealant. Improper application of the pipe/fitting bonding cement is also a possibility. There are some building products that have nothing to do with the sprinkler system itself that are potentially incompatible with pvc/cpvc piping, and when they come into contact they can degrade the material. It is for this reason that the GC on one of my projects will not permit cpvc piping to be used for fire sprinkler systems on their projects as a matter of company policy, even if the owner wants it, due to the potential for issues and the associated liability. I wouldn't be surprised if other GC's take a similar stance.

Detailed info or anyone interested:
http://www.californiasprinklerfitters.o ... asFail.pdf
https://cedia.net/insights/cedia-blog-d ... g-problems

[mdg109]

Fine China signage will look good at night. I'm happy they're adding trees too.

[Tucy]

Still just a giant hole in the ground

Any updates on this one?

[cowboyeagle05]

It's moving you just have to tip your head over and see them still working.

[maconahey]

[Tnexster]

That is very deep, much more than I was expecting. And....another crane added to downtown.

[mdg109]

Looks like Ramen & Bao is almost ready to open.

[Tucy]

Love what they've done with that building. Beautiful architecture and design.

[mdg109]

Progress shot of the mixed-use parking next door.

[Tnexster]

That is a seriously deep garage. Glad that went down and not up.

[joshua.dodd]

I really wish developers would build parking garages below ground instead of above as they have finally done with this project. Nothing looks worse than a tower sitting on a parking garage podium. We have enough of that garbage...

[ContriveDallasite]

I really wish developers would build parking garages below ground instead of above as they have finally done with this project. Nothing looks worse than a tower sitting on a parking garage podium. We have enough of that garbage...

Absolutely agree. If only it didn't cost 10x as much to dig down.

[DPatel304]

I'd rather developers build above ground parking garages that are aesthetically pleasing and can be later converted into other uses such as residential.

[Warrior2015]

I'd rather developers build above ground parking garages that are aesthetically pleasing and can be later converted into other uses such as residential.

Yeah San Francisco does that well. They have nice parking garages that are covered up with art and or nice architecture and with lots of ground floor retail etc

[DPatel304]

I'm not sure why all cities aren't embracing this. It's cheaper and quicker than going underground and a decade or so from now when there is less demand for parking due to autonomous cars, we'll have extra space that can be converted into additional residential. Unless I'm missing something, I see no benefit to going underground knowing autonomous cars are the inevitable future.

[tamtagon]

Autonomous cars have to be parked somewhere. Sharing the autonomous cars certainly shows promise to reduce the number of vehicles per person are used, but the same used to be said about car pooling. On Demand Trip Taking, that's the behavior we seem to love and the behavior that will be serviced by fleet upon fleet upon fleet of autonomous cars.... parked in above ground and below ground parking garages.

[mcrdal15]

Autonomous cars have to be parked somewhere. Sharing the autonomous cars certainly shows promise to reduce the number of vehicles per person are used, but the same used to be said about car pooling. On Demand Trip Taking, that's the behavior we seem to love and the behavior that will be serviced by fleet upon fleet upon fleet of autonomous cars.... parked in above ground and below ground parking garages.

We really shouldn't be counting on autonomous cars as the solution to all of our urban planning woes. The biggest urban planning mistake we ever made was designing our cities and towns around 1 form of technology and transportation system -- the car. Let's not repeat those same mistakes again. Multi-nodal transportation is the future and while autonomous cars are part of it, we shouldn't be ignoring the other options.

[cowboyeagle05]

^We shouldn't but Dallas city planning policy changes tend to be made based on development industry pressure and pressure has not been in the urban walkable areas as high as it is for more parking! If automated cars do eventually apply the right pressure we might see city funds used to do something with some of these garages if automated cars do cause the shift so many are hoping for.

[tamtagon]

Developers in Dallas should expect to contribute to a parks & recreation fund just like many other cities, and part of that contribution needs to rebuild the pedestrian environment. People still have to walk from their vehicle to the final destination.

The popularity of autonomous cars in the future will most likely have a symbiotic relationship to the pedestrian environment. Miles of parallel parking 'lanes' might need conversion for autonomous vehicle drop off, and these folks will need much better sidewalks.

I encourage the shuttle vehicles to become an important and premium priced component of public transportation, along with a variety of guided mass transit vehicles (buses, shuttles, streetcars, LRT whatever) but none of it will flourish without a great pedestrian environment.

[mcrdal15]

^We shouldn't but Dallas city planning policy changes tend to be made based on development industry pressure and pressure has not been in the urban walkable areas as high as it is for more parking! If automated cars do eventually apply the right pressure we might see city funds used to do something with some of these garages if automated cars do cause the shift so many are hoping for.

This is a prime example of the corporate state dictating what happens in the public sphere. We need to move forward and get away from the mentality that "we work for the economy" rather than the "economy works for us." Eventually we're going to hit a major resource crunch. The current model of "endless growth in a finite world" is unsustainable. We need to bite the bullet and begin redesigning our communities around sustainability and create a new economy that fits within that mold. I fully understand the uphill battle this is going to be and in Dallas, it's incredibly difficult to plan for the basics of urbanity. If Dallas doesn't adapt, then it will be left behind.

[cowboyeagle05]

https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/cheeseburger-bao-shines-at-the-statlers-randb-10996136

R&B's Cheeseburger Bao Is Fusion Food At Its Best

...Today, in the calm and empty Statler restaurant, R&B's daytime cook wraps an apron around her black shirt. The only sounds are Al Green’s “Love and Happiness” and the hiss of the griddle that follows an order of the Cheesebao-ger...

...Chef Angela Hernandez, who pilots the R&B kitchen at the Statler (alongside the recently-opened Fine China), doesn’t care about the definition of the word in this case...

The reason I posted this one because it seemed important since there has been no discussion on R&B compared with Fine China and the other places that have opened in the Statler.

[DPatel304]

I popped in to the Statler on Saturday and actually wasn't able to find R&B. I didn't spend too much time looking for it though, but this is definitely a place that's on my list of places to try out.

[lakewoodhobo]

I popped in to the Statler on Saturday and actually wasn't able to find R&B. I didn't spend too much time looking for it though, but this is definitely a place that's on my list of places to try out.

The entrance is on the outside to the left of Fine China. I've been meaning to check it out too.

[Tivo_Kenevil]

The Statler has been a success. The painful development process has been worth it.

[willyk]

^^^They have done a great job of engaging the neighborhood and bringing street life to this end of EMC.

[ArtVandelay]

Have they delivered the 24 hour diner that was promised?

[quixomniac]

R&B is much cheaper than Fine China or the other dining options there. Great people watching spot, gets really eclectic late at night.

Does anyone know why the Statler is no longe lit up in blue? Is it because the blue lighting scheme can become annoying for people who live in the Statler?

[Tucy]

Have they delivered the 24 hour diner that was promised?

Did they really promise a 24 hour diner? (The answer to your question is no, at least according to their website.)

[DPatel304]

I don't remember hearing about a 24 hour diner, but R&B seems to be the closest thing to fit that description.

[itsjrd1964]

There were early reports of a 24-hour place that would be part of the offerings. IIRR, Overeasy was what resulted from that, although nothing was said from them about trying to be (or wanting to be) 24-hour. That was disappointing, but surely some place will go the 24-hour route in DTD eventually. Not everyone works or eats during 'bankers hours'.

[ArtVandelay]

Have they delivered the 24 hour diner that was promised?

Did they really promise a 24 hour diner? (The answer to your question is no, at least according to their website.)

One of many articles mentioning the planned ground floor 24-hour diner:

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... -50s-flair

Maybe promised is not the right word but back in 2015, the concept was promoted. This sticks out in my mind because downtown could use a 24 hour diner.

[DPatel304]

I'd imagine it wouldn't be hard to make Overeasy 24 hours, correct?

[maconahey]

Finally coming out of that giant hole they dug for parking

[cowboyeagle05]

The good thing is this creeps new development further East in the CBD. I still remember walking down Main Street fresh out of High School while I was attending El Centro. There was still a parking lot next to the Davis building. City Tavern was there I believe right where they recently moved out of on Main Street. Pegasus Plaza was the only modern park/plaza in many miles of Downtown. Buildings that would eventually become the Joule hotel had banners announcing businesses that never materialized. I used to walk all the way from El Centro to this end and turn around just after getting to University Center. Statler was always a curiosity for me even though at that time I didn't know a lot about it. Now there will more residents on the side of Downtown.

[Tivo_Kenevil]

Finally coming out of that giant hole they dug for parking

What's the garage supposed to look like?

[lakewoodhobo]

Finally coming out of that giant hole they dug for parking

What's the garage supposed to look like?

I believe the final approved design is the one that took a slightly more mid-century look:



All parking will be underground BTW.

[Tnexster]

That's a nice look, hope it comes out looking that good. Great to see something new coming out of the ground in that part of downtown.

[Tivo_Kenevil]

Finally coming out of that giant hole they dug for parking

What's the garage supposed to look like?

I believe the final approved design is the one that took a slightly more mid-century look:



All parking will be underground BTW.

Thanks. I forget about this little project. Looks a little mid century,not bad. Good infill

[willyk]

Going to have a nice view of Harwood Park too.

https://parksfordowntowndallas.org/harwood-park/

[dukemeredith]

Was there ever an update from the developer on whether units are going to be for rent or for sale?

[cowboyeagle05]

I have no evidence to base this on other than my own experience but I doubt they will be for sale.

[maconahey]