User:Strange Texan/sandbox

Sundance Square
Sundance Square began as an effort by Ed Bass to revitalize downtown Fort Worth in the 1980s. At the time, downtown Fort Worth was in decline due to suburbanization. There were many empty gaps between existing skyscrapers and historic buildings that resulted in a pedestrian-unfriendly atmosphere. During a trip to Washington, D.C., Ed Bass was fascinated with multiple buildings designed by architect David M. Schwarz. As a result, Ed Bass hired David Schwarz to design multiple traditional-style buildings for downtown Fort Worth.

Today, Sundance Square is a pedestrian-friendly cluster of blocks in a portion of downtown Fort Worth that features bars, restaurants, museums, theaters, and retail. Sundance Square also has offices and residential units. Most buildings in Sundance Square are either historic or designed by Schwarz, with three modern skyscrapers and a hotel being exceptions. Sidewalks in Sundance Square are paved with bricks.

Parks and plazas
Sundance Square Plaza is a 55,000 square foot plaza spanning two city blocks within Sundance Square. The plaza features four large Teflon umbrellas, a permanent stage built into the Westbrook building, jetted fountains that illuminate at night, various other fountains, and a pavilion that can be rented. Sundance Square Plaza is bookended by two office buildings: The Westbrook and The Commerce.

Businesses within the Sundance Square Plaza include: Bird Cafe, Del Frisco's Grille, Jamba Juice, Silver Leaf Cigar Bar, Starbucks and Taco Diner.


 * Fort Worth Water Gardens - A 4.3-acre (17,000 m2) contemporary park, designed by architect Philip Johnson, that features three unique pools of water offering a calming and cooling oasis for downtown patrons. The gardens were used in the finale of the 1976 sci-fi film Logan's Run. (In mid-2004 the Water Gardens had to be closed due to several drownings. It has reopened after preventive measures have been installed.)

Arts and culture

 * Bass Performance Hall - Bass Hall is the permanent home to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn Concerts.

Convention Center

 * Fort Worth Convention Center - Includes an 11,200 seat multi-purpose arena.

Hotels

 * The Hilton Fort Worth opened in 1921 and was the location of where John F. Kennedy last stayed before he was assassinated in Dallas.
 * The Omni Fort Worth Hotel opened January 12, 2009 and was the first new downtown hotel construction in over 20 years. Its former estimated height was around 547 ft (167 m), but it has been down-sized by 100 feet (30 m).

Residential buildings

 * The Tower, formerly the Bank One Tower, was severely damaged in the March 28, 2000 tornado. It was converted into a residential tower in 2004. Before the redevelopment, The Tower was covered in plywood and metal panels, and considered to be demolished. The Tower now has a new facade and a new top feature that makes it the fourth tallest building in the city.

Office buildings

 * City Center Development features two twin towers. One is the 38 story D.R. Horton Tower (1984), and the other is the 33 story Wells Fargo Tower (1982). From the top, they are shaped like pinwheels.