Southron 14 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 First Tenant Moves in RSA Battle House Tower The first tenant, International Shipholding Inc. opened for business in the RSA Battle House Tower April 16th. The building architect says the tower is essentially done -- the crown will remain open to give it an "airy" appearance. The tower lobby won't be open to the public until the Battle House Hotel opens in May. Specialty lighting on the building and the crown are expected to give the tower a spectacular appearance at night -- a beacon on the bay. Mobile Press-Register: Is it done yet? The answer is yes, says RSA Tower architect --- Renderings: Construction photos: April 2007 photos: (April photos courtesy spookyapp and nimsjus) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PortofBama 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Let's discuss Alabama's tallest building! --- Renderings: Construction photos: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Driveways like this don't belong in an urban environment and should never break sidewalks like this one does. I appreciate RSA's downtown development efforts around the state, but I wish they would get better at designing site plans in an urban environment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kayman 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 Driveways like this don't belong in an urban environment and should never break sidewalks like this one does. I appreciate RSA's downtown development efforts around the state, but I wish they would get better at designing site plans in an urban environment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
convulso 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 i agree about the discontinuous sidewalk. on the other hand, maintaining the walkway would add only the most transient of pedestrian convenience - this is a modern skyscraper, and it has no dedicated street-level amenities for the general public. cities everywhere are trying to undo their skyscrapers' lack of public engagement at ground level; this one just opened and carries forth the template of similar buildings from the 1950s onward. when, if ever, will RSA or the city see a need to remedy it? perhaps if mobile continues to grow in density and activity in the immediate area, hopefully. thanks for posting the close-up of the crown - that's the first such shot i've seen, and i've been wondering about the detail in its construction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted April 17, 2007 i agree about the discontinuous sidewalk. on the other hand, maintaining the walkway would add only the most transient of pedestrian convenience - this is a modern skyscraper, and it has no dedicated street-level amenities for the general public. cities everywhere are trying to undo their skyscrapers' lack of public engagement at ground level; this one just opened and carries forth the template of similar buildings from the 1950s onward. when, if ever, will RSA or the city see a need to remedy it? perhaps if mobile continues to grow in density and activity in the immediate area, hopefully. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted May 9, 2007 The spire of the RSA Battle House Tower will be lighted this Friday night and the tower and adjoining hotel will be officially open for business. The tower was 60% leased as of April. Tenants include RSA and PCH Hotels, International Shipholding Corp., Adams & Reese law firm, Regions Bank, Hand Arendall law firm, CitiGroup/Smith Barney, a state agency, a telecommunications firm, an architectural firm, a corporate design group and several other law firms. More tenants will be named this month. Mobile Press-Register articles with photos: A look inside Alabama's tallest building Architect: RSA Tower a 'spectacular' accomplishment Garage a concrete puzzle Construction photo gallery: RSA Tower Construction Sunday's Press-Register featured a special 18-page section for area RSA projects, titled "Vested in the Future." Vested in the Future Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted May 11, 2007 Here's a cool preview of the tower lighting: Dancing lights Check it out, it's pretty neat. Thanks to RSAHort for the link. --- The tower will be lit up by Dr. Bronner in a ceremony tonight, and the adjoining Battle House Hotel will be open for business. Mobile Press-Register blog: Battle House opening events set Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alabadrock 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2007 Here's a cool preview of the tower lighting: Dancing lights Thanks to RSAHort for the link. Check it out, it's pretty neat. --- The tower will be lit up by Dr. Bronner in a ceremony tonight, and the adjoining Battle House Hotel will be open for business. Mobile Press-Register blog: Battle House opening events set Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted May 12, 2007 So, are the lights really going to change like that??? Or is that just showing all the possibilities? Cause, if they do change like that, it'd be pretty unique. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alabadrock 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2007 I'm pretty sure that's a demo of the possibilities. The lighting is supposed to change with the seasons, and may be kind of like a lighthouse beacon on the bay. Judging by some of the colors in the demo, there will likely be special displays for Mardis Gras, and probably for other events as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted May 12, 2007 The $220 million tower and hotel opened for business last night with a black-tie grand opening gala that included lighting the tower's spire. The hotel will be open to the public for guided tours today from 3 to 7 p.m. as part of Battle House Day in Mobile. Mobile Press-Register: Switch is flipped on RSA Tower Musicisright snapped this photo of RSA's David Bronner flipping the switch to light the spire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted May 12, 2007 Musicisright took some great pictures of the occasion last night. Scottybo took some great ones too. Scottybo also posted this short (1 minute) video on YouTube. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
convulso 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2007 jeez whiz those are nice - the lights (both on the tower and on the ground-level buildings) really make mobile loook more metropolitan than it does by day. thanks a bunch for putting these up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alabadrock 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2007 That some very beautiful lighting. It's amazing what they can do these days. Now, I can say I like the open air atrium, instead of it being covered in glass. I don't think it would look this same with the glass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bayourat15 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2007 What are the chances the crown will be RED, WHITE and BLUE for da weekend ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 I heard it's going to be white for a while. Does anyone know when the color schemes begin? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nimsjus 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2007 I heard it's going to be white for a while. Does anyone know when the color schemes begin? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richyb83 1066 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 Very nice, very nice! Thanks for taking all those shots Thats some awesome lighting on the spire for an impressive skyscraper. That building is the envy of the South. I really like the street level shot too; with the hotel light-up and Palm trees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombarnes 0 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 Very nice indeed. Too bad about the entrance, but it's still a magnificent building. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted June 17, 2007 Very nice, very nice! Thanks for taking all those shots Thats some awesome lighting on the spire for an impressive skyscraper. That building is the envy of the South. I really like the street level shot too; with the hotel light-up and Palm trees. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted August 11, 2007 A few of photos taken last weekend: View from Cooper Riverside Park Water St. entrance The facade of the ca. 1870 Coley Building was preserved and incorporated into the tower's parking deck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alabadrock 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2007 Nice, I'm loving the pictures. I had no idea that the facade on the parking deck was that of another building. It's a great preservation move though, blending the old with the new. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted August 13, 2007 ^ Yeah, that was a great move by RSA to preserve that facade. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. --- According to an RSA official, about 70% of the tower has been leased. Mobile Press-Register Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southron 14 Report post Posted January 6, 2008 Signal International plans to move its corporate headquarters from Pascagoula to the RSA Battle House Tower, the second tenant to relocate its HQ to the new building. The marine and fabrication company leased 6,000 sq ft of office space and will move within six to nine months. The company employs more than 2,500 workers in its six shipyards, two in Pascagoula and four in the Port Arthur and Orange, Texas, areas. RSA is now a partner in the 4-year-old company. Thus far, 76% of the tower's 460,000 sq ft of office space has been leased. Mobile Press-Register: RSA gets another HQ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites