BLACKARD GROUP > ADRIATICA > NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE > KASTEL

This web page is your source of information on progress of the "KASTEL" at Adriatica at Stonebridge Ranch. Designed by Warren S. Wilke and Associates, Inc. Email your questions to info@blackard.net then check back regularly to the "Residents Questions" for your answer. Visit our newest page listing links to the Friends and Partners of Adriatica. Please visit their web pages and learn about them.

October 5, 2006 - A few interior pictures and of the 3rd floor Executive Suites that are almost finished and ready for leasing.

Looking straight up at the hand painted ceiling in the lobby

Look down upon the lobby from the 2nd floor

Looking upstairs from the main entry

The hallway outside the 6 Executive Suites that are available for lease

November 6, 2006 - Our Brazilian Master Artist, Claudio Solano took these pictures of the statues on top of the entrannce to the Kastel. They will give you a better perspective of their beauty.

November 4, 2006 - The Kastel is almost complete with the final touches being added. You will notice the "Four Ladies of Seasons" have been added to the front entrance. These were originally intended for the Bell Tower but Jeff Blackard decided their detail should be enjoyed by the public instead of 100' in the air.

There is still space available on the 3rd floor of the Kastel, arguably the most majestic building in North Texas with incredible picturesque views from every window. Add in the use of the 3rd floor balconies, your work environment will be like no other.

August 26, 2006 - The tenants have begun building the inside to meet their needs, (finish-out).

July 31, 2006 - Below you will see some dramatic changes in the Kastel. The columns and architectural features are being placed causing the building to really "come alive". This building should be completed at the end of this month.

May 8, 2006 - It has been a while since we have posted new pictures here. As you can see below, the tile roofs are being installed and once complete, the stone will be applied to the outside. It is certainly an impressive building.

March 10, 2006 - Stone walls are being installed this week making some dramatically sweeping curves. The roof trusses are being lifted to the third floor today. I would expect to see them being installed sometime next week. Having a roof installed, will really dramatize this building.

March 7, 2006 - I climbed to the third floor to see the views and they are spectacular. The people that will work in this building will definitely have the most spectacular views in McKinney.

March 3, 2006 - The framing of the 3rd floor has begun. Everyday, this structure begins to look more and more stately.

February 14, 2006 - More pictures of the second floor framing. The crane is setting the steel supports for the third floor which will be built in the next couple of weeks.

February 9, 2006 - The second floor framing has started and some walls have been raised.

February 8, 2006 - The 2nd floor decking of the Kastel is in place and framing has begun for the walls. I spent some time standing at the 'future' locations of the windows and took some pictures. Who ever has these offices will have spectacular views in every direction.

January 26, 2006 - As the building continues to grow skyward, we have transplanted several trees to the Kastel. 19 Live Oaks & Cedar Elms are being transplanted to several locations on the property.

January 20, 2006 - The work has progressed to the second floor and soon to be on the third floor. The views over looking Adriatica will be dramatic as the village is being built. The third floor tenants will be hard pressed to do leave the windows and work.

January 18, 2006 -

Work on the "Kastel" is progressing. The foundation stone is in place and as you can tell from the pictures below, enhances the look and feel of an actual "Kastel" This view faces the intersection of Stonebridge Drive and Virginia Parkway. These pictures may be a little deceiving, there are actually two photos, from different sides of the same entry. In a "Kastel" of the "Old World", this entry was used to access the store rooms where the grapes, wine and olives were kept after the harvest due to the constant temperatures. A construction fact... each stone that comprises the "foundation" of the "Kastel" is approximately 3' tall, anywhere from 2' to 3' wide and about 2 1/2" thick. I don't know the weight of each piece, but I can tell you a fork lift (with the assistance of two men) was used to move them and set them in place.