Got an answer to these reader questions? Or just want to be a sleuth for Swamplot? Here’s your chance! Add your report in a comment, or send a note to our tipline.
- Discovery Green: Two questions this week, coming from within a block of each other: First, a reader wants to know what happened to the “awesome” silver-and-blue Skyline Bar & Grill that used to be on the 24th floor of the Hilton Americas hotel Downtown. Separately, and across the park, another reader submits what may turn out to be an existential question about the top of the new Hess Tower:
We just returned from the Dock Dog competition at Discovery Green and noticed that the 30+ story building adjacent to the Northwest corner of the park has what appears to be 5 or 6 wind turbine-like devices rotating at the top of the building. My daughter and I were wondering if they are actually functional electric-producing turbines or are they just ornamental? Thanks for any info you and your loyal readers can send our way.
Photo of Hess Tower from Discovery Green: Stanford Moore
The turbines are functional. Whether they’re economical is another question… the turbulence at the top of a building means it’s not nearly as good a place for a wind turbine as an open plain.
I remembered a Chronicle story about the building with the turbines, and google comes through again:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/sarnoff/5583898.html
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=hess+tower+wind+turbines
Yes, they are functional. According to a friend of mine who is on the project team, they power some of the public area lighting, etc., which is around 1% of the total power load in the building. Power Bill savings: Negligible, PR Value for and oil and gas company: PRICELESS!
Is the Skyline Bar/Grill gone?
I work for a company that studies the feasibility of wind turbines and installs them where it makes economic sense. It almost NEVER makes economic sense. We put them in for PR and tax rebates.
Just curious:
Is the Skyline Bar/Grill defunct?
And is there another concept coming in its place?
That WAS a great view.