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Yeah, I guess your right... To borrow a quote from one of our premier members: "So fellow Houston Architecture board members, sit back and watch Atlanta and Dallas get all these cool projects while Houston sits stagnant! Welcome to Houston, the 4th largest joke of a city in America."

An overview showing the different facades. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/10/midtowns-next-mixed-use-development.html

Back up da truck...

Easy answer: Calatrava is an engineer 1st, who uses expense high performance coatings on all his work along with the obvious structural gymnastics. Holl builds conventional bldgs with an emphasis on spatial design (especially moody lighting effects) versus Calatrava's raw "bird in flight" designs. I'm sure after the Beck bldg experience, the MFAH board of directors were probably not concerned about getting another "collection" piece; rather than it is seeking a pragmatic yet elegant solution to unite and feature the ad-hoc, period-esque additions over the years. Edit: Expect a 100 year bldg.

Some history I found here ( http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/02/08/story12.html?page=all ) gives some insight into what the lobby used to be like, I hope they take a historical approach with the renovated lobby and common areas: Pearl overhaul next phase for historic ‘Carter’s Folly’The history of 806 Main is as interesting as the structure’s possible future. The building was developed by Samuel Fain Carter, the nephew of legendary Houston businessman Jesse Jones. At 16 stories high, Carter’s development was planned as the tallest building in the state of Texas. Houstonians considered a building that tall unsafe and referred to it as “Carter’s Folly.” At the same time, it was perceived to be located outside of the Central Business District. Jones tried to talk Carter out of the project, saying Houston’s skyline would be more harmonious if no building were higher than 10 stories tall. Two years after Carter’s building was completed and was deemed safe, Jones began erecting the new Rice Hotel, which would be one story taller than Carter’s facility. Not to be outdone by his uncle, Carter added six more floors to his edifice in the 1920s. The 806 Main building was originally faced with polished Texas granite, Bedford stone columns, terra cotta and brick — all hidden by a slipcover of marble and glass added 30 years ago. Occupied by Second National Bank for many years, Carter’s building had Italian and Norwegian marble in the lobby and on all 15 original office floors. Every office had electric fans, electric lights and a wash basin. An artesian well in the basement provided icy cold water for the city’s first office building with drinking fountains. Betty Brown, current manager of 806 Main, says the building was a true original in more ways than one. “It was the first building with indoor plumbing,” she says. “This was the first high-rise in Houston.”� �

Maybe urbanized already shared this. It's kinda old but gives a good aerial. From their Facebook