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We <3 Houston by David Luna

The lifestyle center will front BBP and bears a striking resemblance to BP's (no relation) ultra modern data center on their campus. The Thompson is definitely approaching 40 stories and, as currently designed, shares a similar aesthetic to Hanovers 2nd BLVD place tower but with a more modern bent. Designs are still being finalized but they want the Thompson to be an architectural landmark and I think they are achieving it thus far. Presales of the condo units are needed prior to groundbreaking.

From yesterday Aris at Market Square by Marc longoria, on Flickr

Wide view Houston Chronicle by Marc longoria, on Flickr

Costco joined the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce, prompting rumors that they are going to build at this development.

Let's see... a 77019 zip code. PLUS Easy access to downtown. PLUS Easy access to Buffalo Bayou Park. PLUS Easy access to River Oaks (empty nesters). PLUS Easy access to ROD and Galleria. PLUS Easy access to Montrose foodie haven. PLUS Easy access to TMC. PLUS Easy access to Museums. PLUS Hotel amenities and service. PLUS Room service at home. PLUS Whole Foods adjacent. PLUS Art Car Parade Route. PLUS 4th of July Fireworks views. PLUS Cool hotel when visitors come. PLUS I've long considered this area the best place in Houston for high rise residential. It truly is the "center" of it all. The views will either be of a green belt and downtown, a green belt and the sunset to the west over Memorial Park, or urban views of downtown. TMC, Montrose, Greenway, Uptown. The only thing missing is transit. This is why I will continue to beg for a street car down West Dallas from the Allen Center to Shepherd. It's a no brainer. Heck, make a fake one with no tracks... just a trolley on wheels that runs loops all day. There are thousands of units within a couple of blocks of Dallas now. Do it.

...there are some new renderings at: http://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/menil-drawing-institute_o :

what if the observation tower were to replace the days inn/heaven on earth?

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/02/15/tilman-fertittas-new-steakhouse-starts.html?ana=twt ^^^ coming soon.....

Why? I want my dream of a nice observation tower in a architecturally designed rocket to symbolize space city shooting into the air.

negative... much more glass.

As someone looking to buy and move to Houston, I wonder why quality places like this are only residential. I think this would make a great condo for those with longer housing horizons.

Preliminary renderings for AMLI Fountain Place:

I went back and looked at TxDOT's "plan" and this whole idea would cripple the city for a nice long while. It would widen, not close the gap between the East End and Downtown. The Pierce Elevated would be demolished last and it is such a small segment compared to the hell many people, businesses, neighborhoods, etc, would have to go through before anything clears up. And even when it clears up, what have you accomplished??? This would be an absolute disaster for just a small section of covered freeway and a small section of the Pierce elevated demolished in return. Why not make access under 59 more inviting!? Do something with the space provided under the freeway! Double decker 45 and 59 like in other cities! So in summary, TxDOT is going to turn a crap load of dirt for people who can't find another way to get to work other than their cars!? Like give me a break. Those of us who live in the city have to cater to everyone else. I get around just fine on my feet.

Park District, via Maconahey: On left Residences at Park District 1900 Pearl, via Maconahey: On right

What about a restaurant-filled observation tower shaped like the Oilers logo with a driving range all on top of the convention center? (Oh...and the observation tower has a skywalk from a new Ritz-Carlton on the site of a newly-razed Embassy Suites)

dusk in htx by Elliott Blackburn, on Flickr

^^^ great illustration @Triton you're getting back to your old self......

CBRE report shows DFW continues massive warehouse construction: DMN

Then what will I fill my weekends with?

Scarface , that is an interesting idea. Just as long as it is not an imitation of Toronto or Seattle-like space noddles. Sorry needles.

AMLI Fountain Place is approved: 46 level residential tower at 1800 N. Field St. Property will be concrete/steel with curtain wall glass facade. 9-level concrete podium garage extending 97' above grade. Resi tower on top of podium is rotated 45 degrees. Tower has 6 corners extending up to 562' above grade. For comparison, below is AMLI River North in Chicago. It's 543', 50 floors, 409 units and contains 262 parking spaces in a ~10 floor garage podium. CSA

600 block of Preston will be closed this weekend from 7pm Friday to midnight Sunday for installation of the tower cranes.

https://houston-texas-us.blogspot.com/2017/02/riverfront-blight-kbr-redevelopment.html

Excavation of the pocket park on Main has begun.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/02/17/photos-take-a-tour-of-this-downtown-private.html?ana=twt ^^^ not so bad at all. i am really proud of this most wonderful downtown college preparatory institution.....

As did I back in 98-99.

The renderings lend toward a 10 Hudson / Fifth and Columbia hybrid.

So this tower will resemble the second tower at BLVD Place the most or is there another tower in Houston that is similar in nature? Does it have any curves like the original rendering of Theatre Square/International Tower?

It makes absolute sense to have these type of eateries in the convention area. Tourist hot spots cater to the stereotypical tourist. Why pay twice as much for an Olive Garden meal in Times Square or waste your time in a Ripley's? I cannot answer that, but people like it, and good for them. If there's going to be a place for that, might as well be Downtown, and might as well be by the GRB. If someone wants "better" options or where us locals will go, they will turn to the internet and find it. Unless they know someone whom lives here. But for the love of all that is holy stop chanting for an Observation Tower.

Office portion is super cool. Apartment building isn't bad either. Im all for density but would it kill them for some more variations on roof height? Solid Box, white roof, no grass just reflecting the sun.

Across the street at Whole Foods Old/New Windows going in this week Off topic, Whole Foods down the street got new stone/signage this week. Looks a lot better

This is actually a good development for the neighborhood. The reason the east side get's "this stuff" is because the majority of that side of the neighborhood is families. Now within that 3 to 4 block radius you have a dentist, a nice park, etc. IMO a development like this is better for the quality of life. In much the same way the new Crime Stoppers building serves a similar purpose.

Bellaire by russell.hancock, on Flickr

Had some good times in those apartments

drove by the project last night and seriously, you have to see it in person...the size/scale of it all is really impressive...wow!

https://houston-texas-us.blogspot.com/2017/02/milam-street-demolition-pics.html?m=1

https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/multifamily/after-more-than-a-quarter-century-a-star-is-reborn-71030#ath

^^ Agree. I even like the subtleness of the crown lighting. I believe that ornamental lighting on a building should highlight architectural elements, not define the structure. This building still just keeps getting better and better.

I know many of y'all seem unimpressed with the lighting, but I personally love the simple and distinctive vertical light strip. Very modern. Very sleek.

Every time I see these images of the Chronicle building's demolition, it seems like a metaphor for the fall of newspapers in the age of the internet.

This is about the only time that a driver could be confused as to here the orange and white construction barriers start and where they end. They should keep the construction barriers as they tie the building nicely to the road.

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/2017-02/03/content_28087008.htm

According to the property manager, the restaurants open on Thursday! When I walked by there were a bunch of people in both finishing up and all of the tables and furniture were in place. The wiring around Potente is in place for vines to grow around. http://www.papercitymag.com/culture/astros-owner-jim-crane-restaurants-houston-potente-osso-kristlla-chef-dream-team/

Exactly. This will clean up the area around the new drawing center, give the Menil a window on Richmond, and give the Rothko park a break. Maybe some of the people will spread out to the new one. It needs some tender loving care and I'm really frustrated about the big tree near my house that's not going to be here much longer. It is in distress and all of the people jumping, climbing and pulling on it have just about worn all of the bark off the trunk and when its gone its going to leave a big whole in the park. Ive been watching that tree since 1971 when we first lived across the street.