AnTonY

Yes, anywhere with a northern component allows great view of all of Houston's true density and skyline collection. The northwestern view you describe is also a good frame, especially w/ that "Be Someone" sign. I like the combination of JP Morgan Tower and TC Energy Center front - it creates a somewhat "gothic" aesthetic, and interacts well with 609 Main. The problem I have with the western shot is how spaced out and uninspiring it makes downtown look. It hides all the interesting buildings and features (including TC Energy Center's front), and makes everything look dated and blocky. One Shell Place and Heritage Plaza had interest construction inspirations and technique, but their executions look quite boring and blocky, unfortunately. They help hold frame from the northwestern view, though. Yet the Williams Tower is perhaps my favorite building in all of Houston, despite that also being built in the 80s. It still stands out as quite modern even in today's context. The narrowness of the tower probably assists in making it look sleek.

It looks like the bayou view is starting to take over as the best skyline view of Houston. It has all the new modern towers, along with the historic architecture. Unlike the view from Eleanor Tinsley Park, which is full of ugly outdated 80s buildings.

@samagon It's all been pretty chill. I simply expressed preference with for the Gus location, but I still very much enjoyed those Botanic development photos taking place at Glenbrook. My preference for Gus was based strictly on proximity to the population mass of Houston - the area was more integrated, and even had a direct light rail connection. Whereas the Glenbrook location is a bit farther off, though not totally suburban. I don't really care for any golf course, quite frankly, and wouldn't lose sleep if they all got replaced with something else. You do have a good case regarding proximity to freeways, but I supposed that depends on where specifically the garden would have been placed at Gus (closer to Brays would have been farther way). Also, some years back, there was a suggestion that called for alteration along the nearby freeway - I believe it was to sink the entire stretch, underground, if I'm not mistaken. Nevertheless, as mentioned before, I very much enjoy the development of the park even at Glenbrook. And as some other posts mentioned, Houston seems to have quite some plans regarding Hobby and the entire Eastern End. Looking forward to seeing what comes of them.

That's definitely all true. Though the definition of Houston's core might eventually expand/shift eastward, depending on how successful the Buffalo Bayou development projects are.

^^^ Whoa, it's shaping up real nice. Just imagine if it were Gus that were chosen.

Going back through images, you can really see how good the Buffalo Bayou features the buildings, even in very narrow areas near downtown. So it would be even more impressive if the city continues these types of eastward development projects, where the waterways are wider (to handle huge ships, and lose the bank spillage issues). In a way, it sort of reminds me of the River Spree in Berlin, Germany. You look at that cityscape, and can follow the entire length of the developments from the very narrow ends of the river to the very wide ends.

I already schooled you in two other threads, looks like we're going to have a three-peat. 😊

Of course, this assumes that the city and business leaders would just let it happen. But the business leaders are quite smart, I'm sure they'd figure out a way to pivot and persist during that shift. Even if it means having to acquire new startups. The city would also have to invest in itself to both attract the talent, and/or create it.

It depends on how far in the future you are looking. I agree with your point in regards to the nearer terms. But when more eastward bayou developments like East River crop up, you're going to end up with more of an urban-nature integration to a degree not afforded as strongly in the current hotspot of Downtown/Midtown. Such recreation is important in what makes an area desirable. But suppose that boom goes all the way along the Bayou, to Harrisburg or beyond? Then the city fabric becomes quite linear/elongated, to a point that Downtown is a bit farther west of the midline.

Nope, that's a clear, solid point. The problem is that you people on this site don't understand the concept of nuance. All my original point suggested was that revitalization of the bayou would radically shift the designated desirable area from west-focused to east-focused, which would cause implications on the desirability of the current downtown location. Somehow, that got spun into that I'm suggesting actual physical movement of downtown. I really don't care anything about the west side, quite frankly, there's just nothing to it naturally. That goes whether we are talking about stepford-suburbs like Katy, or the urban-planning mess that is the Galleria. And I already acknowledge the current unfortunate status of the East side. But nevertheless, that area holds, by far, the best potential when it comes to integrating Houston with its natural features. No longer is the bayou a dingy brown creek that overspills the banks with every flood, it's an actual riparian feature that frames the land and provides significant recreation. Combine that with San Jacinto Monument and Battleship Texas, and Houston reconnects all the pieces that grant it sense of place: it finally becomes a true Bayou City. So yes, the East is indeed slave to toxic industry now, but as soon as clean energy sources hit greater uses, I can easily see that land being reclaimed in a vein similar to the revitalization of certain Rust Belt cities (i.e. Pittsburgh) after steel and automotive industries were outsourced.

Of course it has, people are too busy dancing around the answer and bloviating to infinity rather than acknowledging the point and its nuances. Reefmonkey did this a lot, and it really kills the quality of discussion.

It's quite obvious.

I believe Harrisburg was the site of a land dispute, because the owner died before the city founders arrived. Ironically, the area is now within Houston city limits. Go figure.

It's just funny how the city ended up focusing itself on the tiniest, dingiest, most sensitive portions of its waterway. But lo and behold, the parts that are actually grand and impressive are wasted on pollutive industry. Reclaiming the bayou will definitely be a true game-changer for the city when it comes to connecting people here with the outdoors.

Nah, the west will become inferior too. The ammenities offered wouldn't differentiate Houston from Dallas (which people seem to hate). The east, at least, offers real natural potential. No physical movement, just reshuffling of population mass. Especially easier to do in Houston since the growth follows the market. The concept of a "downtown" is a strictly American phenomenon, anywho. Most modern cities around the globe are polycentric.