Jan 12, 2009
Omni Hotel Opens Today
By: Kevin Buchanan
A new chapter in Downtown’s development starts today: the Omni Hotel is opening at long last.
After more than a decade of studies, proposals and a public petition, the city is finally getting its convention-center hotel.
The 614-room Omni Fort Worth, directly across Houston Street from the Fort Worth Convention Center, will open its doors Monday with its first guests expected Saturday.
I have to say, I’m a fan of the Omni. It’s glassier than I usually like, and that glass condo tower won’t be fun when the westward sun starts bearing down in the summer, but on the whole it’s an attractive building and a fine addition to Downtown. It’s got proper urban orientation and ground-floor retail, which is better than a great many modern hotels I’ve seen elsewhere. My biggest problem with the hotel is that they built it on a superblock, which are bad for pedestrian circulation in urban environments. On the whole, though, it’s a win.
I’m also excited for what it might be able to do for the revitalization of the south end of Downtown. Between the Omni and the T&P are plenty of newly and long-vacated lots just ripe for infill. It may take time, but I look forward to seeing some of those get replaced with new development.
I agree with you Kevin. I think the Omni is sleek, modern and has alot of eye-appeal…and I don’t mind all the glass at all. I think it really adds to the Fort Worth skyline…can’t wait to get inside!
I am really excited. I won a free night at Omni at a silent auction and have been waiting for this one to open to use it.
heh, the window of my cube actually looks straight at the Omni. I’ve been watching them build it forever.
It’s got a weird little concrete block on the roof, but I guess you can’t see that from the street.
Alex,
That would be the elevator overrun, where the mechanicals for the elevators are. The Omni does partially conceal/integrate the overrun into its design, in contrast to Burnett Plaza, which leaves it expose.
The elevator stack is only in the middle of the condo section, most of the block on the top of the building is for mechanical equipment.
Motorized shades are installed in all condo units the filter out sunlight if it gets too bright.
And if the building was masonry walls with punched windows, that wouldn’t be needed.
/traditionalarchitecturenerd
But yeah, just never been a fan of glass towers in this region. Seems a waste.
I am really excited that we have a new big hotel that can be sold to meeting planners. I am like the rest about getting that first look. I would like to see the sleeping rooms from singles to suites. Most of you remember when the Bass hotel opened and how plain it was and reminded everyone as Federal Post Office on a Sunday.
The Hyatt Regency Fort Worth was the real jewel and I would imagine the Omni will out shine it.
True, but you gotta see the view before you can say it’s a waste. Believe me, it’s worth it.
The best view though is from the balconies on the north west corner. They protrude out enough that you have an amazing view clear down Throckmorton.