A Historic Luxury Hotel in Downtown Dallas
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Working Floorplans | Tenth Floor
The tenth floor of the Wilson annex will include a fitness room with gym machines, a yoga studio, and locker rooms.
Working Floorplans | Ninth Floor
The ninth floor of the Wilson building will be home to an plein-air terrace bistro and bar, plus a rooftop infinity pool and deck. Hotel guests and visitors will be able to stand on the ninth floor of one of the oldest buildings in Dallas and gaze down upon the bustling city streets, gaze up to the impressive architecture, or watch a magnificent Texas sunset. Guests will be able to look out over downtown Dallas and see the iconic Mobil Pegasus atop the Magnolia Building and the historic Adolphus Hotel.
Working Floorplans | Eighth Floor
The uppermost floor of the main building, the eighth floor will house the conference and ball rooms. The Wilson will be an excellent place to host an intimate wedding reception or celebration, or a place to impress visiting clients from the neighboring office buildings.
Working Floorplans | Third-Fifth & Sixth-Seventh
The third through fifth floors will have a typical floorplan of hotel suites and back-of-house facilities, as will the sixth and seventh floors. The architecture of the building changes above the fifth floor, with the southwest corner of the building only rising five floors.
Hotel Suites
The third through seventh floors will have a typical floorplan of hotel suites, with back-of-house storage and housekeeping facilities.
There will be five levels of suites:
There will be five levels of suites:
STUDIO SUITES | avg. 700 sq. ft.
One room with queen bed, luxurious bathroom
and sitting area
ONE-BEDROOM SUITES | avg. 950 sq. ft.
One bedroom with bed or two double beds,
luxurious bathroom and living room
ONE-BEDROOM WILSON SUITES | avg. 1100 sq. ft.
One bedroom with king or queen bed, luxurious bathroom,
living room and kitchen
TWO-BEDROOM WILSON SUITES | avg. 1500 sq. ft.
Two bedrooms with king, queen, or two double beds,
two full luxurious bathrooms, powder room, living room,
kitchen and dining area
PENTHOUSE SUITES | avg. 2000 sq. ft.
Two bedrooms with
king beds,
two full luxurious bathrooms, formal parlor,
kitchen and dining area, and casual living area
(located on the twelfth floor)
and sitting area
ONE-BEDROOM SUITES | avg. 950 sq. ft.
One bedroom with bed or two double beds,
luxurious bathroom and living room
ONE-BEDROOM WILSON SUITES | avg. 1100 sq. ft.
One bedroom with king or queen bed, luxurious bathroom,
living room and kitchen
TWO-BEDROOM WILSON SUITES | avg. 1500 sq. ft.
Two bedrooms with king, queen, or two double beds,
two full luxurious bathrooms, powder room, living room,
kitchen and dining area
PENTHOUSE SUITES | avg. 2000 sq. ft.
Two bedrooms with
king beds,
two full luxurious bathrooms, formal parlor,
kitchen and dining area, and casual living area
(located on the twelfth floor)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Working Floorplans | Second Floor
The second floor includes the hotel restaurant, the Bar 1632, J.B.'s Piano Bar, and the restaurant and room service kitchens. 
Working Floorplans | First Floor
The first floor will include the hotel lobby, and three leasing spaces, two of which I will be designing. The two spaces that I will be designing are a retail boutique for fashion designer Nanette Lepore and Blanc, a champagne and dessert bar. Two ramps down to public and hotel parking are located on the west side of the building with entrances on the north and south sides. A grand, curved staircase will lead hotel guests and visitors up to the second floor dining and lounges. A two-story chandelier will hang above the reception area and will be visible from the second floor.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Site Analysis | City
DALLAS
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and part of the largest metropolitan area, the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington Metroplex. It is home to approximately 1.3 million people and its economy is primarily based in the banking, commerce, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors. Dallas was founded in 1841 and formally incorporated as a city in 1856. Dallas's status as an epicenter for the oil and cotton industries led it to prominence in the United States' economy.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The estimated population of Dallas when the 2008 U.S. Census estimates were released was 1,279,910 people. The population density was 3,623 people per square mile. The median age was 32.1 with 48.6% of the population being female and 51.4% male. The median income for a household was $40,147 and the median income for a family was $42,670.
Retail sales in 2002 were estimated at over $13 billion and the per capita retail sales were estimated at over $10,914. Accommodation and food service sales in 2002 were estimated at almost $3 billion.
CULTURE
Historically, Texans love their food, arts, universities and sports - Dallas is no exception. Dallas was the birthplace of the frozen margarita machine and is known for its unique barbecue and "Tex-Mex" cuisine. It is also one
of only thirteen cities in the U.S. to have teams in all four of the "major sports": the Dallas Cowboys (football), the Dallas Stars (hockey), the Dallas Mavericks (basketball), and the Texas Rangers (baseball). FC Dallas (soccer) and the Dallas Harlequins (rugby) are rapidly gaining popularity in the Dallas area as well. Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Christian University and the University of Dallas are all nationally recognized higher education schools located in or near Dallas.
ARCHITECTURE
From buildings such as the Cumberland Hill School, which dates to the late 19th century, to the new Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theatre, Dallas has made many significant additions to the architectural world. The skyline boasts several buildings over 700 feet
tall and includes easily recognizable building; for example, Fountain Place, with its distinguishable diamond shape and Reunion Tower, the icon of the Dallas
skyline. Downtown Dallas contains examples of many architectural styles: the stately Victorian homes on Swiss Avenue and the French Renaissance Beaux-Arts inspired Adolphus Hotel downtown are excellent examples. Several downtown buildings showcase post-modernist architecture, such as the JP M
organ Chase Tower and the Renaissance Tower. More recently, the Downtown Arts District, including One Arts Place, the Winspear Opera House and the Wyly Theatre, has evoked international acclaim for the Dallas arts and architecture scene. The Winspear and Wyly, designed by Foster & Partners and Rem Koolhaas/Joshua Prince-Ramus respectively, have brought bold, innovative design back to downtown Dallas.
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and part of the largest metropolitan area, the Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington Metroplex. It is home to approximately 1.3 million people and its economy is primarily based in the banking, commerce, telecommunications, energy and transportation sectors. Dallas was founded in 1841 and formally incorporated as a city in 1856. Dallas's status as an epicenter for the oil and cotton industries led it to prominence in the United States' economy.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The estimated population of Dallas when the 2008 U.S. Census estimates were released was 1,279,910 people. The population density was 3,623 people per square mile. The median age was 32.1 with 48.6% of the population being female and 51.4% male. The median income for a household was $40,147 and the median income for a family was $42,670.
Retail sales in 2002 were estimated at over $13 billion and the per capita retail sales were estimated at over $10,914. Accommodation and food service sales in 2002 were estimated at almost $3 billion.
CULTURE
Historically, Texans love their food, arts, universities and sports - Dallas is no exception. Dallas was the birthplace of the frozen margarita machine and is known for its unique barbecue and "Tex-Mex" cuisine. It is also one
of only thirteen cities in the U.S. to have teams in all four of the "major sports": the Dallas Cowboys (football), the Dallas Stars (hockey), the Dallas Mavericks (basketball), and the Texas Rangers (baseball). FC Dallas (soccer) and the Dallas Harlequins (rugby) are rapidly gaining popularity in the Dallas area as well. Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Christian University and the University of Dallas are all nationally recognized higher education schools located in or near Dallas.ARCHITECTURE
From buildings such as the Cumberland Hill School, which dates to the late 19th century, to the new Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theatre, Dallas has made many significant additions to the architectural world. The skyline boasts several buildings over 700 feet
tall and includes easily recognizable building; for example, Fountain Place, with its distinguishable diamond shape and Reunion Tower, the icon of the Dallas 
skyline. Downtown Dallas contains examples of many architectural styles: the stately Victorian homes on Swiss Avenue and the French Renaissance Beaux-Arts inspired Adolphus Hotel downtown are excellent examples. Several downtown buildings showcase post-modernist architecture, such as the JP M
organ Chase Tower and the Renaissance Tower. More recently, the Downtown Arts District, including One Arts Place, the Winspear Opera House and the Wyly Theatre, has evoked international acclaim for the Dallas arts and architecture scene. The Winspear and Wyly, designed by Foster & Partners and Rem Koolhaas/Joshua Prince-Ramus respectively, have brought bold, innovative design back to downtown Dallas.
Site Analysis | The Wilson Building
HISTORY
The Wilson Building was designed by Sanguinet & Staats Architects of Fort Worth, Texas, and was built in 1904. It was built for cattle baron J.B. Wilson and was the first eight-story building in the state. Modele
d after the palatial Paris Opera House, it is designed in a French Renaissance style. The first and second floors were home to the Titch-Goettinger Department Store until the 1920s, when the H.L. Green Department Store moved into the space. H.L. Green was the main tenant for over 60 years, until the store closed in 1997. The upper levels were intended as offices for the medical profession, but the tenants diversified and the offices housed many different professions. A twelve-story addition was added on Elm Street in 1911 to accommodate more office space. The addition, commonly referred to as the Annex, was in the same style as the original building, but with less detailing. After Green's closed, the building was converted into 143 loft apartments with ground-level leasing spaces.
EXTERIOR
The main building is "E" shaped with two recessed light wells dividing the building into three "pavilions." The east facade is partitioned into seven bays by rusticated pilasters. The northeast and southeast corners are rounded and feature decorative medallions with
Wilson's initials and swags above the fifth-floor windows. Belt courses divide the building horizontally into four sections with a protruding cornice above the seventh floor. The facade of the building is glazed brick with terra cotta and stone ornamentation. The ground floor is the most changed due to store remodels, but the current facade is close to the original. Plate glass windows are set behind a colonnade of Doric and Ionic columns on the Ervay Street facade, while engaged columns divide the Elm and Main Street windows.
INTERIOR
When J.B. Wilson built the structure, craftsmen from all over the country came to contribute to the building's finishes. The floors were marble, but have now been covered over in most of the building by terrazzo and hardwood floorings. The first and second floor were finished in mahogany, with enameled terra cotta colu
mns. Most of the original office doors are still in place, including the tenants' names and businesses. Original ironwork still exists in the stairwells. The building originally contained nine elevators: two for the department store and seven for the offices tenants.
SURROUNDING STRUCTURES
The Wilson Building is located in a historic area of downtown Dallas and is surrounded by many examples of significant architecture. Directly across Main Street, to the south, is the Neiman Marcus flagship store. It is said that Neimans decided to build their opulent store at that corner in 1914 because of the Titche-Goettinger Department Store's success in the Wilson Building. Across Ervay Street, to the east, is the Comerica Bank Tower. At 787 feet tall, it is the third tallest structure in Dallas and is a main hub for banking and commerce in the downtown area. On the other side of Elm Street is Thanksgiving Tower. The Wilson Building is on the Dallas Pedestrian Network and is walking distance from many shops, restaurants, and museums.
BUILDING INFORMATION
Streets | Main Street (north
), Ervay Street (east), Elm Street (south)
Total Number of Floors | 8 in main building, 12 in annex
Building Footprint | 220' x 154' (33,700 square feet)
Total Usable Square Footage | 243,946 square feet
The Wilson Building was designed by Sanguinet & Staats Architects of Fort Worth, Texas, and was built in 1904. It was built for cattle baron J.B. Wilson and was the first eight-story building in the state. Modele
d after the palatial Paris Opera House, it is designed in a French Renaissance style. The first and second floors were home to the Titch-Goettinger Department Store until the 1920s, when the H.L. Green Department Store moved into the space. H.L. Green was the main tenant for over 60 years, until the store closed in 1997. The upper levels were intended as offices for the medical profession, but the tenants diversified and the offices housed many different professions. A twelve-story addition was added on Elm Street in 1911 to accommodate more office space. The addition, commonly referred to as the Annex, was in the same style as the original building, but with less detailing. After Green's closed, the building was converted into 143 loft apartments with ground-level leasing spaces.EXTERIOR
The main building is "E" shaped with two recessed light wells dividing the building into three "pavilions." The east facade is partitioned into seven bays by rusticated pilasters. The northeast and southeast corners are rounded and feature decorative medallions with
Wilson's initials and swags above the fifth-floor windows. Belt courses divide the building horizontally into four sections with a protruding cornice above the seventh floor. The facade of the building is glazed brick with terra cotta and stone ornamentation. The ground floor is the most changed due to store remodels, but the current facade is close to the original. Plate glass windows are set behind a colonnade of Doric and Ionic columns on the Ervay Street facade, while engaged columns divide the Elm and Main Street windows.INTERIOR
When J.B. Wilson built the structure, craftsmen from all over the country came to contribute to the building's finishes. The floors were marble, but have now been covered over in most of the building by terrazzo and hardwood floorings. The first and second floor were finished in mahogany, with enameled terra cotta colu
mns. Most of the original office doors are still in place, including the tenants' names and businesses. Original ironwork still exists in the stairwells. The building originally contained nine elevators: two for the department store and seven for the offices tenants.SURROUNDING STRUCTURES
The Wilson Building is located in a historic area of downtown Dallas and is surrounded by many examples of significant architecture. Directly across Main Street, to the south, is the Neiman Marcus flagship store. It is said that Neimans decided to build their opulent store at that corner in 1914 because of the Titche-Goettinger Department Store's success in the Wilson Building. Across Ervay Street, to the east, is the Comerica Bank Tower. At 787 feet tall, it is the third tallest structure in Dallas and is a main hub for banking and commerce in the downtown area. On the other side of Elm Street is Thanksgiving Tower. The Wilson Building is on the Dallas Pedestrian Network and is walking distance from many shops, restaurants, and museums.
BUILDING INFORMATION
Streets | Main Street (north
), Ervay Street (east), Elm Street (south)Total Number of Floors | 8 in main building, 12 in annex
Building Footprint | 220' x 154' (33,700 square feet)
Total Usable Square Footage | 243,946 square feet
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Site Analysis | State
TEXAS
Texas is located in the south central United States and is the second-largest state by both population and land size. It is bo
rdered by Oklahoma and Arkansas to the north; Louisiana to the east; Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south; and New Mexico to the west. Texas has an area of 268,820 square miles and a population of over 24.7 million people. Major cities in Texas include Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, the capital. The Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in Texas.
Texas is a notoriously difficult state to travel, due to its size and varying terrain. Driving across Texas, one can encounter many different climates: desert and mountains in the west, rolling hills and grassy plains across central Texas and piney woods and coastal swamps in the east. It claims the country's largest highway and railway systems, as well as the largest number of airports of any st
ate. The Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport is the largest airport in the state, both by size and number of passengers. All of the larger cities offer public transportation, and both Dallas and Houston have light-rail systems to move about the city.
Texas is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state in the U.S. and has an economy that is heavily based in the agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, aerospace, and biomedical research fields.
Texas is located in the south central United States and is the second-largest state by both population and land size. It is bo
rdered by Oklahoma and Arkansas to the north; Louisiana to the east; Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south; and New Mexico to the west. Texas has an area of 268,820 square miles and a population of over 24.7 million people. Major cities in Texas include Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, the capital. The Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in Texas.Texas is a notoriously difficult state to travel, due to its size and varying terrain. Driving across Texas, one can encounter many different climates: desert and mountains in the west, rolling hills and grassy plains across central Texas and piney woods and coastal swamps in the east. It claims the country's largest highway and railway systems, as well as the largest number of airports of any st
ate. The Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport is the largest airport in the state, both by size and number of passengers. All of the larger cities offer public transportation, and both Dallas and Houston have light-rail systems to move about the city.Texas is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state in the U.S. and has an economy that is heavily based in the agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, aerospace, and biomedical research fields.
Mission and Concept Statements
MISSION STATEMENT
Wilson Hotels Worldwide is committed to bringing luxurious accommodations to travelers, whether they travel for business or pleasure, as well as preserving the historic value of the buildings we inhabit and adhering to the social responsibilities we accept in cities worldwide.
CONCEPT STATEMENT
The Wilson Hotel Dallas will become the premier luxury accommodations for both travelers and residents of downtown Dallas. It will be a vibrant hub for living, eating and shopping and will evoke the dynamic spirit of Dallas while preserving the historical integrity of a building that has been a landmark for over a century.
Wilson Hotels Worldwide is committed to bringing luxurious accommodations to travelers, whether they travel for business or pleasure, as well as preserving the historic value of the buildings we inhabit and adhering to the social responsibilities we accept in cities worldwide.
CONCEPT STATEMENT
The Wilson Hotel Dallas will become the premier luxury accommodations for both travelers and residents of downtown Dallas. It will be a vibrant hub for living, eating and shopping and will evoke the dynamic spirit of Dallas while preserving the historical integrity of a building that has been a landmark for over a century.
Problem Statement
In the last few decades, the suburbs of Dallas, Texas have taken the spotlight off of downtown and the area has fallen into disrepair. Businesses were shut down or moved to outlying areas and many of the people living downtown moved as well. More recently, revitalization has become a priority for the people of Dallas and downtown has attempted to return to its roots of luxury living, gourmet food, and fabulous shopping.
Since it was constructed in 1904, the Wilson Building has been a landmark in downtown Dallas. It was the tallest building in Dallas from 1904 to 1909 and has had many notable tenants, including being the first home of the Titche-Goettinger Department Store and the main store of the H. L. Green Variety Store until 1997. The plan for this Southern landmark building is to make it a destination in downtown Dallas by offering a luxurious hotel, as well as glamorous penthouse condominiums, gourmet restaurants, and fantastic shopping. There are many new hotels in the downtown area, but none offer all of these amenities in one place – and none in such a historic atmosphere. Residents and visitors, no matter where their home is, will enjoy the services and attractions offered by the Wilson. Dallas, as one of the most intriguing cities in the United States, deserves a multi-use building that reflects the worldwide appreciation a city of its stature has earned.
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