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Not sure if anyone has seen this video on youtube, seems pretty cool Marriott Marquis Houston - Opening late 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwExMfU0WN0

To observe how other cities are tackling this issue with a specific example of another type of development, similar to the one that will be constructed in our city?

Way to throw cold water on us, Mr. Mojito! This is clearly a much more ambitious project, but it makes sense. Uptown Dallas is a functioning urban neighborhood and Midtown at this point frankly isn't. McKinney Avenue, where this is being built, can be counted on to have throngs of people on any pleasant evening; Midtown has no such street. This is partly because efforts at density are currently scattered in about half a dozen locations across the vast expanse of Midtown, while Uptown Dallas long ago found its focus along McKinney. Zoning helped this, along with an incredible development of townhomes and apartments on a massive scale by a single developer in the late 90's (the State/Thomas district), embodying urban principles of attractive, inviting streetscapes and sidewalks rather than the treeless soul-killing lanes of the Midtown/4th Ward townhome areas. What else can you say? The streets in Uptown Dallas are not five-lane-wide, one-way aspiring freeways like the ones in Midtown. Historic houses in Uptown Dallas are protected by landmark ordinances and lend charm to their new urban surroundings, while the remaining ones in Midtown are targeted by developers for demolition. There seems to be a lot more (and bigger) trees in Uptown Dallas for whatever reason, despite its being a climate less congenial to tree growth. I think Midtown will catch up and even has the potential to be a more interesting, because more gritty and less planned, urban neighborhood, but it will take time for the scattered pieces to develop synergy. It's also interesting to note that the Dallas Whole Foods has a streetcar line in front of it. Just throwing that out there. (Mods please don't delete this one, I think the comparison with Dallas Uptown is genuinely useful for understanding Midtown's challenges and possibilities.)

Caught this during the pour on Saturday, May 9th

Like Bigfootsocks said...there seems to be a trend going around in other cities. Its great to see that finally coming to Houston. Such as these: DC: Seattle:

This is the Whole Foods mixed use development in Dallas that will be finishing up this summer. 222 apartment and 17 townhomes

damnit sorry that is sideways. I miss tapatalk. The mobile web browser version of haif isn't cutting it for me.

^^^ the only thing that i simply cannot stand regarding the otherwise inspiring video, is the outright lying about UPSCALE SHOPPING. surely, they must realize that they are in downtown houston.... right?

by all means, please carry on....

Check the webcam at night. You can see the signage. SkyHouse_River_Oaks-20150511-222134

Noticed today that they have started installing some of the cladding on the East side of the building. Sorry I didn't get a picture but I was merging on 59/69...in a company car.

So with the possible pierce elevation removal, this location turned out to be not so bad after all.

Not the best view but you get an idea on 45 going south as of 05/11/2015

Good point. I also want to mention that I heard thru the grapevine that many people in downtown's higher circles are relieved that this didn't come to fruition.

For as much as I don't like Dallas, I really admire how over the years they have valued old structures and neighborhoods. I remember spending time up there in the early 70's and they had just converted an old regional car storage structure that housed cars for GM or Ford up off of Central expressway that a developer converted into one of the most wonderful shopping centers called Olla Podrida. It was a very urban feeling rustic old brick 2 story warehouse with big wooden beams and wonderful skylights. It housed art galleries, florists, clothing stores a couple of restaurants, and various specialty shops. They are light years ahead of us on repurposing old buildings and redesigning neighborhoods to be more urban and pedestrian friendly. The whole Mckinney area, all the way to the new museum districts totally amazing. Also what they did to the freeway to create the park. Whether you like Dallas or not you have to give them credit for being so forward thinking. I've lived in Houston my whole life and it frustrates me how much more progressive they are in the area of revitalizing old areas and turning them into beautiful neighborhoods, profitable structures and exciting areas to walk around in. Midtown is light years behind in this regard. Our main problem is our developers and our planning board. For the most part just don't get it. They always want to use their suburban models no matter where they build. Take CVS for example. They have urban designed stores but we can't seem to make it a point to force them to use these more appropriate plans in places like Midtown and Montrose. That falls on our unplanning department. They just don't get it. I'm sorry I went off on a tangent. Never mind.

Another angle

The Hamilton Houston by Marc longoria, on Flickr

50 shades of waiting on ramps.

I encourage everyone who complains about our suburban style in midtown go get involved in TIRZ and neighborhood groups and Houston Planning to make your voices heard. So Houston is working on a general plan... Wouldn't it be great that they planned for midtown to be very urban? Also, I have confidence midtown will continue to become more and more urban with time and planning. Everywhere inside the loop between downtown and uptown is slowly becoming more and more urban. We are making great progress. Let's Realize that this is a huge span of land that has challanges, but eventually we will Have a large urban belt that we all can enjoy (or not). Remember it's ok if not every area is urban.

I don't think they have us beat on all points. I think our downtown has developed better thus far, and our lack of planning sometimes makes for a nice spontaneous feel. It's also good to remember that their Uptown contains much of what we have put into our Uptown (Post Oak) area, with most of Dallas' high end condo towers and some of the best hotels. This has given Uptown Dallas a prestige that has helped attract residents and investment to the area, while Midtown Houston still has a lot of mistrust. But I don't want to get into a Houston vs. Dallas discussion, other than to pinpoint specific things that we can learn from them.

Soooo should this now be moved to the Downtown subforum instead of "Going up" ?

Those are some resilient trees

I really hope this isn't representative of how they will be installing the windows.

Saw these new signs at the corner of Dowling and Polk. Anyone have any more details?

Trees around this site didn't look new to me.

Way to edit your post after the first example didn't work. Lemmon Ave. is a major cross-town artery that would never be zoned for pedestrian-oriented development. It would also not, by anyone who has been there, be considered "the heart of McKinney Avenue."

^^^ wonderful / inspiring video! props for sharing.....

The Truluck's that it replaced (south corner of the block) was an urban-style location with zero setbacks. My guess as to why they set back its replacement so far (northwest corner of the block) is to free up the corner land for an eventual high rise. The land values virtually dictate a highrise at that corner. I think we're all just trying to find ways to make Midtown better. So let's resist the urge to one-up people with dubious examples.

It's true that an area as large as Uptown Dallas has some car-oriented developments, but strategy is involved in where these are allowed and not allowed. The Neighborhood Wal-Mart you posted, for instance, is hemmed in between a cemetery and a freeway. If you're going to put a grocery store anywhere, that's the place to do it. Meanwhile our suburban CVS on Main Street just south of the Superblock would be like building a suburban CVS along the heart of McKinney Avenue when it was developing 10 years ago. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have been allowed.

great video and thanks for posting! I did notice that in the video they show the George R Brown with the roads open in front and not changed to the new entertainment/dining pavilion areas.... its going to look even better!

seriously all these amazing photos you are all posting make me so excited about this part of downtown! cannot wait to see the end product! thank you!

Cloud. Interesting. It appears to be 19 completed floors on MM. Also, interesting to note it that the 19th floor on the Hilton is even at floor 12 or 13 on Hess.

Too bad downtown still has that retarded sign ordinance that's really holding our downtown back. Show me pictures of the most dense, vibrant, colorful, people filled urban centers in the world and tell me what they all have in common....

@HTown Man true! I often times compare Uptown Dallas to Midtown Houston because I feel that they are the most urban parts of the city. I think Midtown should add more national retail stores that will attract people (think a development like West Village in Dallas). Because I remember when I used to live in Denton, me and my friends would drive almost an hour just to have dinner in west vil. My FAVORITE part of midtown (and one of my favorites in the whole city) is that bagby/west gray Post development. I love how urban, inviting, pedestrian friendly and landscaped it is. I don't think Midtown is that far behind, but like u said, the development is scattered throughout that neighborhood. They have to get rid of the few remaining pieces of riff raff (greyhound station/that ghetto mcdonalds) and add more destination type developments.

I was thinking about this the other day and thought the exact opposite. I was thinking about a grocery store ( HEB ) for block 251 and/or 276 to serve all the 10 possible new apartments toward the southeast. Less traffic and easier access.

I still think the planned GHP boutique hotel actually ends up here instead. IMO, it's just too prefect of a site, next to GRBCC & the ballpark, not to mention 2 blocks east of the Westin. With all the development down Texas Ave, it would make the perfect bookend.

Those trees are definitely not new. They've been here, just bare for many months. No work has begun on the plaza as I walk the southbound lane daily to the office, a nice alternative compared to walking on crackhead corner. I thought Main St construction was supposed to start coinciding with Dallas St Shopping Corridor construction? I honestly can't wait as I think the roadwork will drive out the bums.

I may have said this earlier, but I'm more and more against this realignment (don't call it an expansion), they could and should do this cheaper. As much as it sucks, they should keep the current alignment of everything and add more through lanes to 45. keep 45 elevated the whole way around downtown by removing the dallas dip and add at least 2 lanes in each direction. They can do this easily by expanding over the existing street grid between midtown and downtown, smooth the curve around the southwest side of downtown and connect into existing lanes. Remove the allen parkway exit from northbound traffic. remove the allen parkway entrance for southbound traffic, there's still the Houston street entrance/exit for 45 which is very accessible from allen parkway. while they're at it, remove the ramp from 59 southbound traffic to 45 northbound (direct all 45 northbound exiting from 59 southbound onto I-10 west). Remove the ramp from I-10 westbound to 45 southbound (direct all 45 southbound exiting from I-10 onto 59 southbound). I know it sucks that freeways don't get removed, but to remove and make better one area to the detriment of other areas is, to be as polite as possible, f***** up.

Minute Maid park and the Toyota center are going to look so urban and developed around in those ariel shots the TV always runs during commercials - no sea of parking lots but instead high rises and mid rises

Taking shape but not finished yet.

different angle from earlier 20150509_085748g by Not.Larry Dierker, on Flickr

Tried to spot a second foundation for the other possible tower crane but couldn't see it.

It's nice to have a well defined district. The edges that are created may actually be beneficial to the neighborhoods adjacent to Downtown/Midtown in the sense that each is clearly delineated. You wouldn't put a 40 story office building up in the Third Ward or Northside, but removing the Pierce makes Midtown just as attractive an option as Downtown for that same building. The edges that are created are Houston's form of de facto zoning.

Walked by tonight and looks like there is a liquor license up for "Your Pie" - a make your own pizza type place

It does sometimes

If haif members ran things, Houston would be awesome.

How someone this scared of risk gets to his position I have no idea.