[roadrunner]

Somebody over at SSP is claiming that he has a credible source telling him this building is confirmed and going up. Rendering looks to be 40-50 stories and says Q1 2013 completion....so I would expect a 2009 groundbreaking.

This post has been edited by roadrunner: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 11:46 PM

[HtownWxBoy]

roadrunner, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 10:44pm, said:

Somebody over at SSP is claiming that he has a credible source telling him this building is confirmed and going up. Rendering looks to be 40-50 stories and says Q1 2013 completion....so I would expect a 2009 groundbreaking.

Looks like a nice building... good size, too... hopefully the rumors are true.

[bkjones98]

Very kool. Must be on that parking lot at Houston Ave. and Dallas. I know they are building a huge parking garage there; right in front of the Double Tree.

[rsb320]

It will be interesting to see how this alters our west view skyline. I can't wait to see a decent rendering.

[roadrunner]

rsb320, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 10:54am, said:

It will be interesting to see how this alters our west view skyline. I can't wait to see a decent rendering.

Someone here needs to do some creative photoshopping. I don't really have an opinion on the building yet, but it looks like it will make the skyline look more dense from the north and the west.

[Mister X]

roadrunner, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 10:57am, said:

Someone here needs to do some creative photoshopping. I don't really have an opinion on the building yet, but it looks like it will make the skyline look more dense from the north and the west.

Something I did for fun a few weeks ago. None of the photographs are mine. I just borrowed them to see how the Brookfield tower would impact our beautiful skyline. I also took the liberty of adding Discovery Tower on some of these. It's all in fun.

This post has been edited by Mister X: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 11:50 AM

[HtownWxBoy]

Very nice.

[swtsig]

50-stories

[wxman]

WOW...that really destroys certain views of the skyline. I don't like that building at all. One of my favorite buildings, Texaco Heritage Plaza, will be covered up or overshadowed in certain views, the brown one (5 Allen?) will be covered in certain views and it is really far to the right when looking from the north. The new Brookfield Tower looks very out of place. Just my opinion.

This post has been edited by wxman: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 1:03 PM

[Mister X]

It probably seems out of place to you because you are just used to the northwestern and western views of dt. It hasn't changed all that much from the west since the 80's. Five Allen will have a big impact on dt from the west. Whatever they build in that location will stand out and hide some building near it. Also, I slapped those photos together pretty quickly and although I am probably close as to where the new building will be erected, none of these are completely accurate. These are just to get an idea. Also, another thing that might make the new building appear out of place is that it is 'brighter' in some of these photoshop renderings than the rest of the buildings around it.

I personally welcome this new building. I think it will fit in well with the surrounding buildings. I especially like the distance it will have from the other towers when viewed from the north. Five Allen and Discovery will make dt look wider from the north and south. The brown building (whatever it is called) has never been one of my favorites anyway. It always seemed like it would make a better background building to me than one on dt's 'front lawn'. And the Texaco building will not be hidden except when viewed from the southwest.

This post has been edited by Mister X: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 5:36 PM

[bkjones98]

Mister X, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 11:45am, said:

Something I did for fun a few weeks ago. None of the photographs are mine. I just borrowed them to see how the Brookfield tower would impact our beautiful skyline. I also took the liberty of adding Discovery Tower on some of these. It's all in fun.

Well done.

[strickn]

Mister X, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 1:15pm, said:

The brown building (whatever it is called) has never been one of my favorites anyway. It always seemed like it would make a better background building to me than one on dt's 'front lawn'. And the Texaco building will not be hidden except when viewed from the southwest.

Uh, well, then, wouldn't this 5AC design also make a better background building than one on dt's front lawn? Three Allen Center, the brown one, has some irregularity going on from each angle that help it defer to its neighbors, yes, but also keep it from being a one-note wonder like Brookfield intends.

[feufoma]

Now I see where it's supposed to go! Thanks. But, I've gotta agree with some opinions on the placement: it's going to actually clutter the western view up a bit. I thought this was going to fill the gap between Chevron and the dark brown Allen Center tower. That would have been better if possible-not sure what's in that area.

[swtsig]

i find it amusing that people are complaining about this building's aesthetics and it's impact on our skyline considering they're basing their opinions on a very poor rendering.

[Mister X]

swtsig, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 2:42pm, said:

i find it amusing that people are complaining about this building's aesthetics and it's impact on our skyline considering they're basing their opinions on a very poor rendering.

Me too. The photo is tiny. I wouldn't base any serious opinion of the tower on any of the photos that I altered. I only had one angle to work with. The building could look (and probably will) look a lot different should it ever be built at all.

The only real info the tiny photo of 5 Allen gives us is the building's approximate height, shape, and color on one side. But the real details can not really be deciphered. I'm hoping that when some better renderings are released that there is some kind of beautiful delicate glass facade. It could make all the difference of whether or not this tower deserves it's prestigious location.

Whatever they build on that spot is going to ruffle somebody's feathers. I don't think everyone will like this building no matter what they build. The location will dramatically change the way we look at downtown Houston from the north and west. Some people are going to have a hard time accepting anything large in that spot.

This post has been edited by Mister X: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 11:27 PM

[wxman]

swtsig, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 2:42pm, said:

i find it amusing that people are complaining about this building's aesthetics and it's impact on our skyline considering they're basing their opinions on a very poor rendering.

I'm basing my opinion on sheer mass of the building and it's location. Reguardless of what it looks like...futurisitic, modern, neo-classical, greek, whatever, it is going to be a big building that _____ up the western view of the skyline. Also it is pretty well displaced from the rest of the builgings...especailly when viewed from the north. I agree with the poster above. I thought this was to be shoved between Enron and 3 Allen. Anyway, it's my opinion only. I just think it could have been put in a better location.

[Mister X]

strickn, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 1:28pm, said:

Uh, well, then, wouldn't this 5AC design also make a better background building than one on dt's front lawn?

I think I'll answer that when I see some better renderings. You may be right, but I think the new building looks better and more interesting than the brown one right now.

[treblelino]

Come on. Do yall think that a 50 story building is going to be built in Houston? I bet it doesnt get off the drawing boards just like so many other projects here. Watch!! I would be surprised if it does. A 20 or 30 story building, but 50? HA!

[Mister X]

Yes, and I bet they stop building One Main Place when they get to the 25th floor. Nothing ever gets built in Houston. There is nothing but trees in the loop.

[uhlaw09]

Bear in mind that those pictures probably place it too far away from the other buildings. This is still going to be connected by skybridge. It's not like they're building the thing in Montrose.

I also think the building will probably look significantly smaller when built compared to the pictures above. For the sake of comparison, Heritage Plaza is 53 stories. The Five Allen rendering is 50 stories.

Very nice job with the pictures though, and thanks.

This post has been edited by uhlaw09: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 7:40 PM

[Mister X]

You may be right. Hopefully we will know for sure soon.

[The Great Hizzy!]

swtsig, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 2:42pm, said:

i find it amusing that people are complaining about this building's aesthetics and it's impact on our skyline considering they're basing their opinions on a very poor rendering.

LOL

Stick around. Things get even better.

[kennyc05]

wxman, on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 @ 1:01pm, said:

WOW...that really destroys certain views of the skyline. I don't like that building at all. One of my favorite buildings, Texaco Heritage Plaza, will be covered up or overshadowed in certain views, the brown one (5 Allen?) will be covered in certain views and it is really far to the right when looking from the north. The new Brookfield Tower looks very out of place. Just my opinion.

Texaco Heritage is one of the ugliest buildings in Houston sometimes

[rsb320]

I can't believe all the negativity. Look at it this way - it's going to eliminate yet another surface parking lot.

[HtownWxBoy]

kennyc05, on Friday, August 1st, 2008 @ 10:27am, said:

Texaco Heritage is one of the ugliest buildings in Houston sometimes

I agree... I've never liked that building.

[citizen4rmptown]

rsb320, on Friday, August 1st, 2008 @ 1:05pm, said:

I can't believe all the negativity. Look at it this way - it's going to eliminate yet another surface parking lot.

Agreed, and i like five allen center it just adds a more modern feeling in DT.

[swtsig]

citizen4rmptown, on Friday, August 1st, 2008 @ 2:28pm, said:

Agreed, and i like five allen center it just adds a more modern feeling in DT.

it's a very sleek looking building... i think most people will really like it.

[bachanon]

mister x, that was fun. nice job.

[Urbannizer]

Anything new on this?

Please don't tell me its......Dead

[bachanon]

i've been wondering about this one too. i doubt it will get off the ground.

[Urbannizer]

bachanon, on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 @ 4:32pm, said:

i've been wondering about this one too. i doubt it will get off the ground.

I hope it does.

I did research on swamplot and the Brookfield properites website and theres nothing new.

They're probaly still waiting until 50% of it is leased.

Im suprised they have'nt cancelled it yet.

Btw has Five Allen Center ever gotten an approval?

[LTAWACS]

UpuPUp!, on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 @ 3:20pm, said:

Anything new on this?

Please don't tell me its......Dead

Ok then... the groundbreaking ceremony will be this Wednesday at 10AM. Mayor white will be there to hail this as "...one of the most important job-creating corporate office buildings in this time of economic crisis..."

[ekarl17]

Is this true? Can you confirm this?

[bachanon]

i think LTAWACS is being sarcastic.

[Houston19514]

UpuPUp!, on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 @ 7:10pm, said:

I hope it does.

I did research on swamplot and the Brookfield properites website and theres nothing new.

They're probaly still waiting until 50% of it is leased.

Im suprised they have'nt cancelled it yet.

Btw has Five Allen Center ever gotten an approval?

Projects are rarely "canceled" in any formal way. Furthermore, even if this particular design for 5 Allen Center is not built, the "gateway project" will not be "canceled". It's been on the books for a long time and will stay on the books as a planned project.

[Urbannizer]

LTAWACS, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 9:44am, said:

Ok then... the groundbreaking ceremony will be this Wednesday at 10AM. Mayor white will be there to hail this as "...one of the most important job-creating corporate office buildings in this time of economic crisis..."

^^^^^^^^
Swamplot would most likely post something about this on their site.

I even think the Local news stations would have did reports on this if it was true.

As far as the words you said LTAWACS..

...Sarcasm.

Houston19514, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 12:28pm, said:

Projects are rarely "canceled" in any formal way. Furthermore, even if this particular design for 5 Allen Center is not built, the "gateway project" will not be "canceled". It's been on the books for a long time and will stay on the books as a planned project.

Thanks Houston19514.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens with Five Allen Center.

[LTAWACS]

bachanon, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 11:19am, said:

i think LTAWACS is being sarcastic.

Yes. I was.

[marc]

LTAWACS, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 9:44am, said:

Ok then... the groundbreaking ceremony will be this Wednesday at 10AM. Mayor white will be there to hail this as "...one of the most important job-creating corporate office buildings in this time of economic crisis..."

Yes, and furthermore, the mayor says that in the spirit of the times this project will go up in HALF the time the Empire State Building did!

m.

[ChannelTwoNews]

If I'm not mistaken, another factor in the feasibility of this tower was supposedly based on comittment from Devon Energy which is already in a nearby tower. Considering there was said to be some interest before and even after the OKC project was announced, that might be something worth checking back on.

[shasta]

marc, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 1:55pm, said:

Yes, and furthermore, the mayor says that in the spirit of the times this project will go up in HALF the time the Empire State Building did!

m.

Ha....The Empire State Building actually broke ground in in the height of the Great Depression. When it was completed, it opened its doors to 40% occupancy and it was quickly dubbed "The Empty State Building". I think we can all agree that it rebounded since then.

Looking at those photoshop images/views on the first page this building is in a great location to make a 'splash' so lets hope that whatever building ends up on the site really defines that edge of downtown .

[Triton]

I contacted Brookfield Properties about Five Allen Center on Sunday, but so far, I haven't recieved any reply.

[swtsig]

ChannelTwoNews, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 2:41pm, said:

If I'm not mistaken, another factor in the feasibility of this tower was supposedly based on comittment from Devon Energy which is already in a nearby tower. Considering there was said to be some interest before and even after the OKC project was announced, that might be something worth checking back on.

pretty much

[marc]

shasta, on Monday, January 12th, 2009 @ 9:31pm, said:

Ha....The Empire State Building actually broke ground in in the height of the Great Depression. When it was completed, it opened its doors to 40% occupancy and it was quickly dubbed "The Empty State Building". I think we can all agree that it rebounded since then.

Looking at those photoshop images/views on the first page this building is in a great location to make a 'splash' so lets hope that whatever building ends up on the site really defines that edge of downtown .

Yup, that was my point.

m.

[lockmat]

Quote

Five Allen Center is a fifty story, 1.2 million square foot office tower planned for development by Brookfield Properties

http://www.brookfiel...development.cfm

This needs to go on the wiki

[lockmat]

lockmat, on Saturday, January 17th, 2009 @ 4:48pm, said:

http://www.brookfiel...development.cfm

This needs to go on the wiki

Was this already confirmed or something? I didn't see one througout the thread. I was thinking that everyone would be excited about confirmation from their own website.

[wernicke]

lockmat, on Monday, January 19th, 2009 @ 1:01pm, said:

Was this already confirmed or something? I didn't see one througout the thread. I was thinking that everyone would be excited about confirmation from their own website.

That website description has been there for a long time... it doesn't necessarily imply a confirmed development. I think it is clear by now that no major projects that did not already have financing in place will be getting off the ground for several years. Especially in Houston with oil at $35/barrel.

[lockmat]

wernicke, on Monday, January 19th, 2009 @ 1:12pm, said:

That website description has been there for a long time... it doesn't necessarily imply a confirmed development. I think it is clear by now that no major projects that did not already have financing in place will be getting off the ground for several years. Especially in Houston with oil at $35/barrel.

Oh, I knew the description was there, but not that part, because everyone was still speculating as to how tall it would be. But I could be wrong for sure. With my memory, probably am.

[lockmat]

http://ddeleo.com/files/Brookfield.pdf

[Triton]

lockmat, on Monday, January 19th, 2009 @ 5:08pm, said:

http://ddeleo.com/files/Brookfield.pdf

That's totally off scale.

[Urbannizer]

^ Woah! That is Sexy!