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Comment by Robert Meckfessel on July 24, 2009 at 11:37am

I'm uploading a fascinating presentation made by Marcel Quimby FAIA about the history and current status of the Statler. Marcel presented this to a Preservation Dallas event attended by over 150 people. I was not able to attend, but understand that the audience included several people that had worked at the Statler or were otherwise connected with it during its heyday.
Statler Presentaiton 060209 handout rev..pdf

Comment by Graham Greene on June 10, 2009 at 6:48pm

Clarification regarding comments attributed to me, in this blog, as folows;

The low ceiling height doesn't make it impossible to adapt to residential use, it is only a huge disadvantage.
I'm concerned that the curtain wall has deficientcies where it connects to the buildings frame. I've recommended, several times, that a structural frame analysis be performed to determine the extent of movement under wind loading. The multiple layers of sealants applied to the exterior of the curtain wall indicate that water penetration is a ongoing problem.
I also think there are ADA issues on the lower floors that will create 'almost insurmountable' design challenges.
I hope there is someone out there that can rehabilitate it as a hotel...but with the vitality of hotel development in a virtual black hole it will be a long wait...

Comment by Robert Meckfessel on May 11, 2009 at 6:43pm

It's been quiet for the past couple of months - council elections and a hotly contested referendum that included (ironically) a city-owned downtown hotel.

There is a talk on the Statler on June 2 at the Dallas Center for Architecture sponsored by AIA's Young Architects Forum and Preservation Dallas - Marcel Quimby, local preservation architect, is giving a presentation on the Statler and its significance. DOCO will join in for the Q & A.

Comment by Theodore Prudon on May 11, 2009 at 4:38pm

Bob:
What is the status of hte Hilton?
Also we are doing Tour Day again but this year it includes Mexico and Canada. Maybe next year we will call it Tour Day in the Americas if we can get Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Columbia to participate.
Theo

Comment by Catherine Horsey on February 3, 2009 at 2:37pm

My favorite cultural note on the Statler is that it's alleged that it's the place where Tina left Ike for good.

Comment by Sally Johnson on February 3, 2009 at 11:45am

The Statler HIiton also has an important cultural history, from its design to the events that occured and the celebrities that visited. As an architect I know that it is significant because of its pioneering form and structural design utilizing the concrete flat plate design. I also know it is important culturally because it was an impressive structure for its time and for this city and was the place to be and be seen, although I don't think the phrase was coined yet. Historical events happened there and it IS a hotel so it has lots of stories to tell about Dallas. Celebrities,entertainers, movers and shakers, all came to the hotel. It has grand public spaces and ballrooms, meeting rooms, retail and varied restaurants. Most people in Dallas at the time, had come to the see it, stay in it, or come to an event at the Statler. It was such a mainstay that eventually it newness wore off the by the time young people were going to their proms there, it seemed old and ugly and out of date. One of the hurdles to preservation is changing those people's minds. Many think that if they can remember it as being current, then it isn't historical.

Comment by Catherine Horsey on January 30, 2009 at 10:27pm

Whose shot of the Stadler is that and can I please use it for a presentation I'm giving in a couple of weeks?

Comment by Robert Meckfessel on January 28, 2009 at 3:37pm

I think the low ceiling height issue is a non-issue. True - higher ceilings are in demand now, and I prefer them (although my house has 8 foot ceilings). That said, there are plenty of good buildings with lower ceiling heights. For example, the Price Tower by FLW has 7'-9" ceilings, and is a tres hip inn.

Ceiling height can be dealt with.

Comment by Gregory S. Ibanez AIA on January 28, 2009 at 3:10pm

It does seem to be such a pity. I can't speak to any of the technical hurdles but this idea that a parking lot is better than a building has been the bane of the CBD since the late 70's. I hate to think of the building being replaced with more generica...

Comment by Sally Johnson on January 27, 2009 at 6:58pm

I kept hearing, and most stridently from Graham Greene, was that the low ceiling height made it impossible and that the curtain wall had to be replaced and of course, the asbestos. I was actually surprised that those elements were the big problems for redevelopment as I don't think the latter two things are problems. It seems to me that the Dallas development community believes that the building needs to become something it isn't instead of celebrating what it is and was meant to be. I found the interior spaces to be engaging and classic. The lobby/restaurant spaces are still quintessential 1960's and so well done, that it translates well to today's retro hipster climate. I'm trying not to see "very cool" but this would be a perfect time to. Of course, the building has to be abated, but that is common. The "low" ceiling height of 8' does not dissuade me at all from the experience of the building. Thirdly, I don't think the curtainwall needs replacing. I think is needs cleaning and reglazing. Reglazing is a vague term that could mean replacement of glass, or of gaskets only. The heat and cooling units are in a perfect place under the windows. Then I was told that it was a problem that it didn't have a rooftop pool and terrace, and that from an architect! The real hurdle is that the owner is not interested and let the City tear down its parking garage. I think the City owes it to the building to replace the parking, but they do not have the money to put the parking under the park. That act was a deal killer to redevelopment of this iconic building.

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