San Antonio Tower of the Americas Re-Opens Wednesday, June 21 With Landry's $11 Million Redevelopment

HOUSTON, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In San Antonio, everything old is new again. Following an $11 million redevelopment effort under the leadership of Landry's Restaurants, Inc. , the famed Tower of the Americas is destined to once again serve as one of Texas' premier cultural and entertainment destinations.

In 2004, the San Antonio City Council unanimously awarded Landry's a contract to redevelop the landmark, which will re-open to the public at 5 p.m. on June 21, 2006. A Texas-based company, Landry's knows that everything is bigger and better in the Lone Star State -- and the Tower of the Americas is no exception. Soaring to 750 feet in height, it is the tallest observation tower in the state and the second-tallest in the nation, resting on an expanded base of 2,400 tons of concrete and supporting a remarkable three- level revolving restaurant, lounge and observation deck. Built in honor of the 1968 World's Fair by renowned architectural firm Ford Powell & Carson, Inc., who also worked with Landry's in the redevelopment, the Tower of the Americas is a testimony to the pioneering spirit of Texas now more than ever.

"The Tower of the Americas is a focal point for San Antonio and a major attraction for the entire state," said Tilman Fertitta, Landry's chairman, president and CEO. "Our goal was to bring the Tower into the 21st century while retaining the charm and aura that have drawn Texans to it for decades."

The crowning jewel of the renovation is its revolving restaurant, Eyes Over Texas at the Tower of the Americas, which has been transformed into a 250-seat fine dining experience. From the glass elevators taken from the base of the Tower to the floor-to-ceiling windows that encase the dining area, San Antonio and beyond is showcased throughout the restaurant. Chef Andrew Friend, formerly of New Orleans' famed Brennan's-owned Mr. B's Bistro and Susan Spicer's Bayona, uses his Cajun flair to create sensational Texas fare, mixing top-notch steak offerings with daily innovative specials. The Eyes Over Texas' second-floor lounge provides additional space to relax and enjoy the awe-inspiring panoramic view. From the warm mesquite and mahogany accenting the dining room to the honey calcite bar glowing amber in the lounge one floor up, Eyes Over Texas exudes a chic yet classic take on the traditional Texas dining experience.

At the very top of the tower, the open-air observation deck offers mesmerizing views of the city below. Photographs positioned around the deck's floor pinpoint landmarks to help visitors identify their surroundings. With the horizon stretching before them and an ever-present breeze blowing, visitors look out from an unparalleled perch above the city at its many monuments and attractions; with the state's historical flags hanging behind them in the Institute of Texas Culture-curated Flags over Texas exhibit, they are equally able to consider its history.

Attractions abound on ground level with the new Tower Cafe, the Skies Over Texas 4D theater and a store offering items that celebrate Texas heritage greeting guests at the base of the tower. The cobblestone plaza is accented with waterfalls, greenery and inventive lighting, and can host events for up to 4,000 people.

Visitors get a sweeping view of Texas with both feet firmly planted on the ground inside Skies Over Texas, a new 50-seat, $4 million multi-sensory theater.

"We've worked very closely with Landry's Restaurants to make this ride rival anything found in the best theme parks in the world," said CRM Studios Chief Creative Officer Steve Dunning. "The 3D and 4D technology is top-notch and really gives riders an accurate experience of some of the most thrilling and beautiful elements of Texas."

4D technology is a video-production process that puts viewers squarely in the middle of the action by incorporating sensory elements that create realistic and involving experiences that can be coordinated with 3D video technology.

"I attended the original opening of the Tower of the Americas, and remember how exhilarating that was," said Manny Ortiz, general manager of Eyes Over Texas. "We want San Antonioans to feel the same way about the rebirth of this one-of-a-kind attraction." From its opening day, the Tower of the Americas has epitomized the Texan state of mind to both native Texans and visitors from around the country.

The Tower of the Americas observation deck and Flags Over Texas exhibit, the Tower Cafe and Skies Over Texas will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eyes Over Texas will be open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Landry's Restaurants, Inc., is one of the nation's largest and fastest growing casual-dining, entertainment and hospitality companies. Publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNY, Landry's owns and operates more than 300 properties, including Landry's Seafood House, Joe's Crab Shack, The Crab House, Rainforest Cafe, Charley's Crab, Willie G's Seafood & Steak House, The Chart House and Saltgrass Steak House. Landry's also owns several icon developments, including: Downtown Aquarium complexes in Houston and Denver; Kemah Boardwalk, a magnificent 40-acre, family-oriented themed entertainment destination; and the Golden Nugget hotel-casino properties in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada. The company employs 38,000 workers in 36 states.