Omni Breaks Ground in Fort Worth
HOK-Designed Omni Hotel And Condominiums Project Breaks Ground In Downtown Fort Worth
IRVING, TX, August 29, 2006. Omni Hotels of Irving, Texas, has broken ground on a new signature 35-story luxury hotel and condominium tower in downtown Fort Worth. Designed by the Dallas Office of the global architectural firm HOK and scheduled for completion in 2008, the 1-million-square-foot project includes 604 hotel rooms, 97 condominiums and three levels of underground parking for 550 vehicles. It is located on two city blocks across the street from the HOK-designed Fort Worth Convention Center.
The project will add a world-class travel and residential destination and unmatched amenities to downtown Fort Worth. "We designed a building with a forward-looking conception of Fort Worth, while acknowledging the city's proud tradition and context," says Steven Janeway, Principal Designer of HOK Dallas. 'It's been a while since a new tall building has been built in the city, so we are very proud to contribute to the Fort Worth skyline in a meaningful way.'
The building's ground level contains the hotel lobby as well as a separate entrance and lobby for the condominiums. Along the street directly across from the convention center are planned two restaurants, a sports club, wine bar, and retail shops, all serving to enhance street activity and the pedestrian experience. Wood and glass storefronts, reminiscent of early downtown businesses, provide visibility into the ground level.
An 18,000-square-foot grand ballroom and 10,000-square-foot junior ballroom and their associated pre-function spaces are located on the second level. The pre-function spaces, defined by intricate window walls, overlook the convention center and neighboring Water Garden. Additional meeting rooms and breakout spaces are located on the third level along with the hotel's spa, fitness center and outdoor pool. The banquet, meeting and pre-function spaces total 40,000 square feet.
Twelve floors of hotel rooms sit on top of the hotel podium. To break up the length of the hotel corridors, the room floor plate is in the shape of a curved 'L,' with the vertical circulation in the center.
Level 16 begins the luxury condominiums, with a separate fitness center, community room and outdoor pool. The typical condominium floor plate is 10,000 square feet with five units per floor, each unit with its own balcony. The 20 floors of condominiums are clad in a glass curtain-wall with deep vertical exterior mullions. The glass curtain-wall extends through hotel room block, and the continuity of the curtain-wall and vertical mullions accentuates the tower's height, serving as an identifiable icon in the city's skyline.
Other team members include Austin Commercial, L.P. (General Contractor), LopezGarcia Group, Inc. (Civil Engineer), Walter P. Moore (Structural Engineer), Blum Consulting Engineers, Inc. (MEP/FP Engineer) and Looney & Associates (Interior Designer).
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
