I produced this short film in the mid 80's and never dreamed that a copy of it still existed! Bob Guthrie, the narrator, was the voice of San Antonio back then and we used 8mm film cameras for the time lapse. My apologies about the music, it's pretty cheesy.
I agree with the others, the music is really good, it's uptempo, funky, upbeat and I find this kind of stuff enjoyable to listen to when watching an 80s program. Anyways I really enjoyed this film, it's an amazing feat to move such a large building of that scale and you and your team captured the move of the building perfectly and the in between stuff and I loved the time lapse of the move at the ending credits. Interesting to learn that an archaeological dig took place as well, this is common practice down here in Australia when a building gets demolished (old or new) as underneath are relics from colonial era buildings that once stood in its place, I've seen a couple of archaeological digs in my home city.
Absolutely incredible. Thank you for finding this video and sharing it. I just returned from my first visit to San Antonio when I heard the incredible story of the hotel. This is living proof that we (in America) have the capacity to save anything.
Stayed in this beautiful place for a few days in 1991 NOV. Had no idea it was moved and restored. Still have fond memories of my short visit. I was visiting from New York. Thanks for the post
`I remember this so well. I was a senior in high school at the time. Watched it on TV and was fascinated by the effort it took to move the building. Great to see it preserved.
What a great video. I never knew that hotel was moved. You can feel the sense of pride from the accomplishment of this colosal task completed here in the great city of San Antonio. Thank you for sharing this video with me Heather.
They have been moving buildings like this for over 100 years... there is a time-lapse video of a building in American bigger than this being rotated while people still worked inside from the 1920s or 1930s... look it up, it's amazing!
13:02 my name is Daniel Lozano. My family owned the trucks that were used as counter weights. I personally loaded those trucks at 4 o’clock that Saturday morning and met Mr. Gorman under the bridge of Durango Street. I have many Polaroids newspaper clippings that I would like to donate to someone that may display them.
Hi Daniel, we would love to take those off your hands -- email me: beth@alamoarchitects.com. I'm on vacation but will be back in the office on July 10th. Nice to "meet" you!
I just saw this video fir first time. Its a one of a kind accomplishment. I believe it was a first of a kind too. A big building move of its kind at dat time. Its an accomplishment In itself. And credit city officials Of San Antonio on being example of Being preservationists.
I knew it was moved I remember seeing the news story and seeing it on stacks or loaded on something to move it Incredible it over 100 years old now What’s the conservation society doing more I wonder
This was 35 years ago , Millennials now in SA would say tear it down and build a high-rise or some condos! SA is a different city now, it triple in population and size since then.
Hi David. Considering this happened in 1985, "streaming" had yet to be invented. The story was broadcast on the local channels over the days that it was moved, but I don't think it was broadcast live - it moved very slowly.
1906 . Every midwest cities have houses that old plus undress much older. Why didnt san antonio save many of the oldest houses from the mid 19th century which were torn down for the Hemisfair, 1968
The new Rivercenter Mall was to be constructed on that site and the Fairmount was going to be demolished. The San Antonio Conservation Society was instrumental in saving the historic structure and the best solution was to move it to a new location.
That hotel was from 1906. San Antonio is much older. I suspect the first San Antonio brothel would've been established way before that. Heck, brothels tend to be some of the first establishments in new settlements, don't they? When it's just the men and there are hardly any women?
I produced this short film in the mid 80's and never dreamed that a copy of it still existed! Bob Guthrie, the narrator, was the voice of San Antonio back then and we used 8mm film cameras for the time lapse. My apologies about the music, it's pretty cheesy.
Patrick Fries the music is great
Patrick Fries you don’t have a copy? It’s a shame. This is amazing!
The music is great. It’s part of an era and history. I was 11 years old when this took place. I remember it well. Great video.
I agree with the others, the music is really good, it's uptempo, funky, upbeat and I find this kind of stuff enjoyable to listen to when watching an 80s program. Anyways I really enjoyed this film, it's an amazing feat to move such a large building of that scale and you and your team captured the move of the building perfectly and the in between stuff and I loved the time lapse of the move at the ending credits. Interesting to learn that an archaeological dig took place as well, this is common practice down here in Australia when a building gets demolished (old or new) as underneath are relics from colonial era buildings that once stood in its place, I've seen a couple of archaeological digs in my home city.
The music was awesome man!
I just watched a 35 year old video about moving a building I've never heard of. Credit to all involved in this production for that alone.
people who are here because they heard this story while taking a boat ride in san antonio 😭in 2024🇲🇽
just went on it last night!! 2025
Anyone else here because of the river walk tour guide?
I was in SA, on Riverwalk getting a tour on the tour boats! The captain told this part of history. I’ve hooked since!! So awesome & interesting!!
Absolutely incredible. Thank you for finding this video and sharing it. I just returned from my first visit to San Antonio when I heard the incredible story of the hotel. This is living proof that we (in America) have the capacity to save anything.
Amazing voice on this narrator.
Stayed in this beautiful place for a few days in 1991 NOV. Had no idea it was moved and restored. Still have fond memories of my short visit. I was visiting from New York. Thanks for the post
`I remember this so well. I was a senior in high school at the time. Watched it on TV and was fascinated by the effort it took to move the building. Great to see it preserved.
Been to it now and have gigs there for events very nice and elegant!
Restaurant in the building is always changing but place is nice!
What a great video. I never knew that hotel was moved. You can feel the sense of pride from the accomplishment of this colosal task completed here in the great city of San Antonio. Thank you for sharing this video with me Heather.
Hut ab, ne große Leistung. Wusste nicht, dass das schon 1985 möglich war.
They have been moving buildings like this for over 100 years... there is a time-lapse video of a building in American bigger than this being rotated while people still worked inside from the 1920s or 1930s... look it up, it's amazing!
Bravo, Rusty Gorman and your team of engineers!
13:02 my name is Daniel Lozano. My family owned the trucks that were used as counter weights. I personally loaded those trucks at 4 o’clock that Saturday morning and met Mr. Gorman under the bridge of Durango Street. I have many Polaroids newspaper clippings that I would like to donate to someone that may display them.
Hi Daniel, we would love to take those off your hands -- email me: beth@alamoarchitects.com. I'm on vacation but will be back in the office on July 10th. Nice to "meet" you!
Pretty cool to watch! Watching the building go over the Market Street bridge is fascinating! The glass bottle didn't budge
I remember this and have pictures of the move. I will have to dig thru old boxes to find. Maybe the Fairmount Hotel would like them.
I remember seeing this televised as a kid and thought it was the coolest thing!
It was a week long 🥳 party.....so much fun....about 2 blocks from my work
I was on the first corner when it turned. I watched a styrofoam coffee cup on a beam that never fell off. :-)
Really???
I remember watching this in person....at least a part of the move anyway. It was simply amazing.
I just saw this video fir first time.
Its a one of a kind accomplishment.
I believe it was a first of a kind too.
A big building move of its kind at dat time. Its an accomplishment
In itself.
And credit city officials
Of San Antonio on being example of
Being preservationists.
I can't even make a right turn without curb checking, and they out there moving a whole ass building without error
"We're gonna take Bikini Bottom, AND PUSH IT SONEWHERE ELSE!" Lol, but really an incredible piece of SA history!
All the buildings need to be off of the original total Alamo footprint. Then, the whole area recreated as much as possible to the 1836 battle.
@11:20 that bottle was left there by my grandpa when working on the bridge
Why is Nicholas Cage an architect back then??
im going to move my grammys old house so it wont be destroyed
Wonder what that cost?
I was driving a cab in San Antonio at the time.
You can move an entire building? Man that's insane!
Nona is one of my favorite restaurants in San Antonio on the first floor.
I knew it was moved
I remember seeing the news story and seeing it on stacks or loaded on something to move it
Incredible it over 100 years old now
What’s the conservation society doing more I wonder
This was 35 years ago , Millennials now in SA would say tear it down and build a high-rise or some condos! SA is a different city now, it triple in population and size since then.
How is that bridge today, 2020?
It is still there its a luxurious place to stay
Did they stream this live as it happend
Hi David. Considering this happened in 1985, "streaming" had yet to be invented. The story was broadcast on the local channels over the days that it was moved, but I don't think it was broadcast live - it moved very slowly.
I saw it myself back then.I was working at the Gibbs Building by Alamo plaza back then.
@@angelfacePFC You are very gracious! Politeness is becoming rare!
I heard they held 4 glass coke glass bottles to it
moving whit the dolly hydraulic self balance this excellence ./.
1906 . Every midwest cities have houses that old plus undress much older. Why didnt san antonio save many of the oldest houses from the mid 19th century which were torn down for the Hemisfair, 1968
First guy looks like Nic Cage.. Lol
Moved in 60 seconds
why did they move it ???
The new Rivercenter Mall was to be constructed on that site and the Fairmount was going to be demolished. The San Antonio Conservation Society was instrumental in saving the historic structure and the best solution was to move it to a new location.
❤❤❤
S.A. oldest Brothel House. They never said that, why?
I googled it and didn't find anything. How do you know?
That hotel was from 1906. San Antonio is much older. I suspect the first San Antonio brothel would've been established way before that. Heck, brothels tend to be some of the first establishments in new settlements, don't they? When it's just the men and there are hardly any women?
April 1st
How much asbestos did they break lose and let get circulated into the air for people to breath in
Did they use asbestos yet in 1906?
z