San Antonio's Downtown Skyline: Nice or Ugly? (Houston, Vidor: section 8, real estate market)

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by tgannaway89

Every skyline is unique (Houston, Chicago, etc.). It gives outsiders an impression of the city. That could be the reason a lot of people have a bad impression of San Antonio.

Houston's skyline is nowhere near Chicago's. Chicago has some distinct,very unique buildings. Houston's skyline is very blah, IMO. Same old same old: Tall boring buildings masquerading as modern.

SA has a mix of buildings.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by tgannaway89

IMO it is one of the ugliest skylines in the world. It looks so outdated and boring. I have seen a few nightime pics that look nice though (from Inspiration Point). The city is great, amazing even, but the skyline is very dissapointing. At least most other Texas cities have nice skylines.

Older more conservative people tend to like it... younger more liberal people tend to dislike it.

LOL at that sweeping generalization. If I was any more liberal I'd be socialist.

Wait. I am.

As a downtown(ish) resident, I really don't think Houston's downtown is one we want to aspire to. Note that I don't think SA's skyline is fabulous, but I think we have some very special buildings/features. I don't think a city needs a bunch of tall buildings that all basically look the same to be significant.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by GWhopper

There is one building being renovated (essentially torn down then built over) next to the downtown Holiday Inn and Riverwalk. I remember seeing and old Iron Cage elevator car sitting among the debris from the renovation and I wondered "what is the history of this place?" Whatever they are building the could have tried to preserve a little of the original location's history.
.

I believe that's the old St Mary's School. I always thought the same thing when walking by. I'm glad something is being done with the space, but it's always a shame to lose some history.

[Bo]

While reading this thread I believe I have come up with a downtown solution that would create oodles of win-win solutions for us City-Data folks. What if the city built 40 stories onto the Alamodome for office space and converted the existing dome space to parking?

Here are a few of the many wins I see from that.

- It would produce a very large footprint skyscraper that would surely impress the most jaded skyscraper enthusiast.

- A building of that scale would produce such a huge glut of office space that there would be no need to build additional high-rise offices downtown for most of this century, thus placating those who oppose new construction downtown.

-That many offices in a single location would justify the construction of light rail.

- It would eliminate the little-used stadium that takes up space and prevents downtown expansion into that area.

- Rents from the new skyscraper and its parking would produce a windfall for the city coffers.

- It would create urban renewal opportunities east of I-37 around the new Officedome.

- It would give the city international bragging rights for having devised a truly unique secondary use for an outdated sports facility!

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by Chaka

I believe that's the old St Mary's School. I always thought the same thing when walking by. I'm glad something is being done with the space, but it's always a shame to lose some history.

Actually, I think it is directly across from the St. Mary's school. But I could be wrong. Maybe it's a property once owned by them.

[GWhopper]

There is a St. Mary's school definitely in existance on that street. It has a 60's or 70's kind of look to it.

[CelesteDF]

Originally Posted by Bowie

While reading this thread I believe I have come up with a downtown solution that would create oodles of win-win solutions for us City-Data folks. What if the city built 40 stories onto the Alamodome for office space and converted the existing dome space to parking?

Here are a few of the many wins I see from that.
- It would produce a very large footprint skyscraper that would surely impress the most jaded skyscraper enthusiast.
- A building of that scale would produce such a huge glut of office space that there would be no need to build additional high-rise offices downtown for most of this century, thus placating those who oppose new construction downtown.
-That many offices in a single location would justify the construction of light rail.
- It would eliminate the little-used stadium that takes up space and prevents downtown expansion into that area.
- Rents from the new skyscraper and its parking would produce a windfall for the city coffers.
- It would create urban renewal opportunities east of I-37 around the new Officedome.
- It would give the city international bragging rights for having devised a truly unique secondary use for an outdated sports facility!

And we have a winner! Bowie, you need to check your mailbox, because AIA should be sending you your "A#1 Architect Award". A better more useful plan has never been devised, and I'm about to nominate you for City Council. Better yet, Bowie for President! Your plan sure beats the heck out of all the economic development and health care proposals being floated this election year.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by Bowie

While reading this thread I believe I have come up with a downtown solution that would create oodles of win-win solutions for us City-Data folks. What if the city built 40 stories onto the Alamodome for office space and converted the existing dome space to parking?

Here are a few of the many wins I see from that.

- It would produce a very large footprint skyscraper that would surely impress the most jaded skyscraper enthusiast.

- A building of that scale would produce such a huge glut of office space that there would be no need to build additional high-rise offices downtown for most of this century, thus placating those who oppose new construction downtown.

-That many offices in a single location would justify the construction of light rail.

- It would eliminate the little-used stadium that takes up space and prevents downtown expansion into that area.

- Rents from the new skyscraper and its parking would produce a windfall for the city coffers.

- It would create urban renewal opportunities east of I-37 around the new Officedome.

- It would give the city international bragging rights for having devised a truly unique secondary use for an outdated sports facility!

Maybe Sea World can convert that spot to a downtown campus. It worked for the Pink Elephant.

[scuba steve]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

...
Of course, the next time you feel lonesome for "metallic" buildings, we also have plenty of the nasty, "modern" steel & glass skyscrapers that you want (Riverview Towers, Weston Center, Frost Bank Building, AT&T building on Broadway/Hildebrand).

Hey, you gave me the name to some of the big beige things I saw! They're hardly metallic, steel or glass as you described them though. I see the opposite - small windows and painted concrete.

tgannaway89 pretty much took my words though.

I'm a fan of a mix truly modern and green building, along with the better old buildings from other eras. I've never lived in a place that really got rid of all the older stuff - it's still there but doesn't stand up as tall.

[BenjaminNicholas]

As for Chicago's sykline, there's nothing else quite like it. Not only am I biased because it's my hometown, but it's also one of the premier cities in the states in terms of skyscraper design and general architecture. Just beautiful to look at and incredibly varied...

San Antonio's skyline isn't good or bad, but moreso just bland. Most of the buildings are of similar color and height, while city council continues to shoot down more 'conceptual' designs of coming-soon projects. While I don't need something as eye catching as Frank Ghery's creations, I could see something working well in SA from Calatrava or Philippe Starck. While I know there's been talk of a coming W Hotel to San Antonio, it would be interesting to see an independent condo/hotel project by a really top-notch contemporary designer.

Not that I want to see this city turn into another Dallas... Just wanting to diversify the look of the skyline a little, while keeping icons like The Tower of Americas and The Emily Morgan just as important.



BN