AmericanVisionaries.com

Ed

"Know something, sugar?
Stories only happen to people who can tell them."
                                                                     - Allan Gurganus

There's a great story about Ed in the bible, (Joshua, Chapter 22).

In the story, Joshua sends 3 tribes home to their land east of the Jordan.  The three tribes built a landmark, an altar, on the west side of the Jordan before they crossed.  Because the river was a natural boundary, they built it to remind future generations that they all served the same God. 

When the 9 remaining tribes saw the altar that had been constructed on their portion of the Jordan, they were ready to go to war with the 3 tribes.  They believed the altar to be a form of rebellion.

When the 3 tribes explained their intention for building the landmark and what it symbolized  -- everything was fine.  In fact, all 12 tribes rejoiced.  They gave the landmark a name:  "Ed" (A Witness) between us that the Lord is God.

Stories and narratives are an overlooked power in successful architecture and real estate developments.

If success is judged in national acclaim, awards and "historic landmark" designation, let me tell you about one architect who understood this power.

Works from this architect -

• Eleven Works have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Five have been designated National Historic Landmarks "in recognition of their exceptional value to the nation"

She was employed to design luxurious resorts, destination towers, art studios, lodges, gift shops, elegant restaurants, even distinctive china by one of the country's first chain restaurant and hotel operators.  Her works (produced from 1900 to 1958) are still as magical (and desirable) today as they were when they celebrated their "grand openings."

Every project started with a story, with authenticity and indigenous materials -- true to the landscape and the cultures of the regions who would help design and build, so that the symbolism and sacred nature of their stories were shared.

That magic helped turn worthless real estate into the hopes and dreams of a nation.

It helped build Los Angeles from less than 175,000 in 1900 to what it is today.

Her name was Mary Jane Elizabeth Colter.  An American Visionary.

Some architects tell me "they act as historian/interpreter to create the experience for the space."

Most of the time, I see their projects and just want to tell them about "Ed."

Painting: Walt Ufer's Mirrored Lake Desert

For more about Colter, click here: www.npr.org

 

Campfire Girl

"It was nice to meet you, but I have to go.  The fiddle player's grandparents are saving me a seat on the front row."

My first trip to Luckenbach, Asleep at the Wheel was starting to play.  And, I'd just met and left someone tall, dark and handsome at the campfire across from the dance hall.

A few songs into the first set he asked me to dance.  We danced on the same floor again, a year later at our wedding reception.

I know the magic of a Texas dance hall.  Luckenbach is still special, but they're all magical.  The people change -- but, that's not the magic.  And, I know the music in Texas is as diverse as the flags that have flown over her -- rhythm and blues, gospel-tones, redneck rock, twang and folk.

I know how it'll smell and how it'll feel.  There's usually a wood-burning stove, the smell of stale beer, sawdust and smoke. It smells different on an August night than it does on a Saturday afternoon in February.  But, dance halls are thick across the Texas Hill Country -- thanks in part to the German immigrants who made it home nearly 150 years ago.

It's still part of home -- the foundations of our culture, our communities and our core values ... family, friends, music, laughter and legends.

That's one of the reasons I'm honored to be a part of a new Texas Music Program, Radio Lonestar.  The producer, Jerry Clayton, has his roots deep here, in Texas Music.  He'll provide us with the stories today that will be our legends tomorrow.

 

 

 

www.luckenbachtexas.com

What it Dreams of

"Along the way, we came to understand the power of art, live music and history to draw people -- sometimes from disparate backgrounds -- together under one roof, reinforcing a common sense of belonging."
- www.mcmenamins.com

In 1990, the McMenamin Brothers bought the Multnomah County Poor Farm, 15 miles from Portland, Oregon.  In the decades following 1911, it was a self contained community were residents farmed, ranched, operated a dairy, meat packing plant, worked in laundries and in their kitchens and hospitals.

Today it is a self-contained community again, "The World of Edgefield" where the old manor serves as a luxurious resort; there's a fine-dining restaurant, a classic pub, numerous small bars serving McMenamin's brand of handcrafted ales, wines, spirits and aromatic house-roasted coffees.  On the 38-acre site is a golf course, extensive gardens, on-site glass-blower, pottery maker, artwork, movie theater, live concert area and gift shop.

Michael and Brian McMenamin's "passions for art, history, food, drink and chat" have built their vision to 50 locations throughout Washington and Oregon.  2004 sales totaled $ 72 million. 

"Among their 1,700 employees are historians who research the properties and dig up stories about prior residents.  These often form the basis for a McMenamin restoration process that turns ramshackle real estate into historic theme parks.  Once an old structure is brought back, artists get to work, painting murals of old characters and logos of McMenamins-brewed beers."  (Forbes, August 15, 2005)   

Stephen King once said that the best way to learn about a new place is to know what it dreams of.  It's also the best way to learn about and share, an old place.

Just ask Michael and Brian.

Where Their Ancestors are Buried

"I was walking through the ruins of Beirut with a friend called Soula Saad.  She remarked to me that her city had been destroyed seven times.   I asked her half in jest why they did not give up re-building and just move elsewhere.  'Because those who do not honor the earth where their ancestors are buried will be damned forever.' "

- Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light Online

San Antonio, Texas, 1880:  Englishman William Loyd discovered what he believed to be natural cement rock and after confirmation, formed the first cement plant west of the Mississippi.  The Alamo Portland and Roman Cement Company was powered by steam engines and ground ten barrels of cement daily.

The name was changed to The Alamo Cement Company in 1881, the company diversified into building stone and sidewalk construction.  Its materials were used in the construction of the Texas State Capitol and the Driskill Hotel, two of the state's most famous landmarks in Austin.

When the original quarry's resources were exhausted, it later became the Japanese Sunken Gardens at Brackenridge Park.  The company was north of their original location at a new site, by 1908, in an area known as Cementville.  It left the Cementville location in 1985, to move further North.    

By 1997, Cementville represented 500 acres of neglect in the heart of San Antonio, between downtown and the airport.  The owners and Trammel Crow's Bob Barnes had a vision ... a vision of paying tribute to what it had been for nearly a century, what it meant to the economy and to the people who worked there. 

The Alamo Quarry Market, opened in 1998, is just that.  There were environmental issues, historic preservation issues and difficult leasing issues.  But when the momentum began, it attracted a higher level of retail to San Antonio.  To San Antonio for the first time were retailers like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Whole Earth Provision Company, joining Regal Cinemas, Whole Foods, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Victoria's Secret.

On the acres of the Quarry Market are reminders of her past ... the five giant smokestacks, (much of the original architecture of the plant was maintained), a Caterpillar, a crane, a railroad car that transported materials.

Some complain about its design and that it makes only minor attempts to pay tribute to the historic elements.  On the website Project for Public Spaces, the writer states, "A giant retail complex whose elements are so spread out that shoppers might well drive between them." 

And, most San Antonians respond with -

"It's still an awesome development, the preservation of the quarry deserves merit, so get over it. I love the Quarry. Compared to other cities that are mostly sterile, places not unique such as Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix." - Paul Hernandez (10/14/03)

"If you want another Target or Wal-mart, just go a couple blocks and they are everywhere!" - Allie S. (5/01/05)

Mr. Barnes told me the story of being in Whole Earth Provisions, the store under the smokestacks of the center, and overhearing a gentleman giving a tour to friends.  He overheard him say, in an amazed whisper, "I'm not sure, but this may be the original floor." 

The Quarry is a destination and a landmark.   It draws people like a magnet to new places to shop, eat and enjoy.  It's an experiential setting that can not be duplicated.

“The Alamo Quarry Market is the premier Lifestyle Center in San Antonio. It is one of the most architecturally significant shopping centers in the country.  ... As part of the center’s design, the original five smokestacks, Rock Crusher Building and Clinker Building are incorporated into the project. The center boasts approximately 590,000/SF of the nation’s top retailers.”

- American Assets, Inc., San Diego, CA, http://www.americanassets.com/retail_detail.asp?id=1

For more, go to www.quarrymarket.com