[CHiPs]

BrewsterMcCloud, on Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 @ 1:54pm, said:

I'm not a huge fan of the building aesthetically - even spruced up it's just too big and kills a great view of the skyline behind it looking from the SW on the ground - and wouldn't be so hurt to see it come down. But if they can get it in shape (that could actually be cheaper nowadays) and price the rooms right I think this project can succeed. There are some nice views up there and it's still just a block away from the rail while also being accessible to Midtown. It's preservation, FWIW.

Now that it looks like something is happening with this, if it succeeds it gives hope to some other older DT buildings (including hotels) that need a little TLC....what if, say, having a new rail line along Texas spurs interest in bringing the Ben Milam back to life?

IMO I rather see it come down too...it blocks the DT view from the south...(being picky here)...Condos would be nice...but as always will be overpriced.

This post has been edited by CHiPs: Monday, June 23, 2008 at 5:02 PM

[ChannelTwoNews]

The development group that bought the shuttered Days Inn hotel on the southern end of downtown said it will spend up to $50 million converting the dilapidated structure into another hotel.

New Era Hospitality, a group of doctors and entrepreneurs that bought the building in May, is negotiating with three hotel companies to brand the property.

But demolition has already started on the interiors, which are being gutted and will be replaced with 340 modern suites, 60 standard guest rooms, 32,000 square feet of meeting space and a swimming pool and bar on top of the attached garage.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busine...ff/5872453.html

[ricco67]

Looks like it's a GO! While it is ONLY going to be 400 rooms, it should be interesting on what happens in this hotel. My only problem with it is that it is relatively isolated from the rest of downtown, except by rail.

[capnmcbarnacle]

ricco67, on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 1:21am, said:

Looks like it's a GO! While it is ONLY going to be 400 rooms, it should be interesting on what happens in this hotel. My only problem with it is that it is relatively isolated from the rest of downtown, except by rail.

Isolated? Whatever. It's only 2 blocks from the Petroleum Club!!


Kidding, I agree with you. A funny thing though --when I looked at Google Earth I realized it is about 7 blocks to the Pavillions, and about 7 blocks to Cyclone Anaya's in Midtown. I realize the average hotel guest in Houston is not going to want to walk either of those, but I found it interesting that you could go either way. The Pierce Elevated acts as such a physical and mental barrier that I never would have thought about walking to Midtown until I looked on the map.

I am just really psyched to see this thing get cleaned up, and keeping my fingers crossed.

[Jeebus]

I think as that area fills-in, 7 blocks won't seem like such a trek anymore. I personally had hoped to see lofts here, but if a budget franchise 2 star hotel, or boutique 3 star can occupy this space, then a success is a success.

I wonder if it would be possible to knock out floors, to open up some of the upper floors, creating 20 foot ceilings for penthouse suites?

This post has been edited by Jeebus: Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 9:18 AM

[musicman]

capnmcbarnacle, on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 8:54am, said:

Isolated? Whatever. It's only 2 blocks from the Petroleum Club!!


Kidding, I agree with you. A funny thing though --when I looked at Google Earth I realized it is about 7 blocks to the Pavillions, and about 7 blocks to Cyclone Anaya's in Midtown. I realize the average hotel guest in Houston is not going to want to walk either of those, but I found it interesting that you could go either way. The Pierce Elevated acts as such a physical and mental barrier that I never would have thought about walking to Midtown until I looked on the map.

7 blocks? why would they do that when they can do lone star!

[GovernorAggie]

musicman, on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 9:22am, said:

7 blocks? why would they do that when they can do lone star!

Eliminate the 7 blocks with...REV Houston!!!

http://revhouston.com/

Looks to me that if REV Houston uses advertisements for funding, this new hotel group should pitch in big time--win win for the guests, the hotel, and REV, IMO.

Then again, that's if REV sticks around long enough.

[The Great Hizzy!]

It's best assets, geographically speaking, are that it's only a block away from the DT Transit Center rail station and that it's a reasonable walk to Midtown's more burgeoning area.

Regardless, it'll be nice to no longer see that big eyesore dominating the southern end of DT's skyline.

[ricco67]

musicman, on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 9:22am, said:

7 blocks? why would they do that when they can do lone star!

AWESOME! I totally forgot about that place. Well, it will be popular with the construction crews for awhile.

[crunchtastic]

GovernorAggie, on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 10:27am, said:

Eliminate the 7 blocks with...REV Houston!!!

http://revhouston.com/

Looks to me that if REV Houston uses advertisements for funding, this new hotel group should pitch in big time--win win for the guests, the hotel, and REV, IMO.

Then again, that's if REV sticks around long enough.

Just saw the story about REV today. Very cool!
Details came over from one of Cap'n Crunch's friends who lives in the Heights; I asume he's talking about white linen nights. Commentary I found interesting:

Quote

I just read about this as a possible addition to a big retail festival
night planned for the Heights in August. I assume they used the GEM
because it has two rows of seats. Further research revealed that REV
is trying to make money by selling ad space, while the drivers live
off the tips, and the electricity is donated by a business.

[GovernorAggie]

For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there!

This post has been edited by GovernorAggie: Monday, July 7, 2008 at 3:51 PM

[ricco67]

GovernorAggie, on Monday, July 7th, 2008 @ 3:50pm, said:

For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there!

Just curious, has anyone noticed that there are more ads for "Days Inn" on HAIF lately?

Coincidence?

[lockmat]

GovernorAggie, on Monday, July 7th, 2008 @ 3:50pm, said:

For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there!

Yeah, I think the chron article from yesterday mentioned that they've been working on the inside already.

[Subdude]

GovernorAggie, on Monday, July 7th, 2008 @ 2:50pm, said:

For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there!

Be still my heart. It's hard to believe something is actually happening after all these years to Houston's most prominent eyesore!

[The Great Hizzy!]

I believe that there has been some level of "work" being done to that building, even before the recent transaction, just nothing of any major note (mostly removing recyclable scraps and that sort of stuff). But to actually--finall--be doing some legitimate interior breakdowns is very intriguing.

[BigSky]

I have one word to say....

Hallelujah!!!!

[rsb320]

BigSky, on Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 @ 11:48pm, said:

I have one word to say....

Hallelujah!!!!

Amen to that! Now would somebody move on the the Central Bank building. Convert it to residential already.

[OkieEric]

Wow...it'll be amazing to walk by without the stench of that perpetually flooded basement-level parking garage. I'm pretty sure something has to be living in there by this point... I'll also miss the painted "Hotel"

[robhan]

I am glad they are fixing it up. The front of it has been a urinal for the homeless for a few years now. Onm a real hot day the smell can be overpowering.

[The Great Hizzy!]

robhan, on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 @ 3:01pm, said:

I am glad they are fixing it up. The front of it has been a urinal for the homeless for a few years now. Onm a real hot day the smell can be overpowering.

Absolutely. But not only that. The building has also had occasional trouble with pieces of the fascia's panelling falling to the ground. They've not had the area roped off in months but for a while there it was constantly roped off.

And I agree about Central Plaza. I am also still hopefull of a remake of the old Savoy Houston.

This post has been edited by The Great Hizzy!: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 4:30 PM

[secretsquirrel]

Edited pictures

This post has been edited by secretsquirrel: Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 6:06 PM

[liammclaren]

secretsquirrel, on Sunday, February 8th, 2009 @ 11:34pm, said:

I know this is like 4 years late but it's now official ! I am now the "Houston King of Urban Exploring" ! Here's some pics from the roof of Days Inn. I love all these buildings and hope they remain here forever . The longer they sit the more interesting they are.

wow, very cool. any more?

[Jax]

So is work still being done on this building? I haven't really heard anything or noticed anything being done when I drive by.

[secretsquirrel]

Jax, on Monday, February 9th, 2009 @ 9:37am, said:

So is work still being done on this building? I haven't really heard anything or noticed anything being done when I drive by.

They are still working (very slowly). They are still removing the asbestos. I saw decontamination showers and tons of bags of contaminated waste(asbestos). Most of the carpet, furniture has already been removed. It looks like they have a lot of work to do. The lobby is still full of huge piles of trash. I've also seen workers throwing trash out the window during the daytime.

[Subdude]

secretsquirrel, on Monday, February 9th, 2009 @ 2:04pm, said:

They are still working (very slowly). They are still removing the asbestos. I saw decontamination showers and tons of bags of contaminated waste(asbestos). Most of the carpet, furniture has already been removed. It looks like they have a lot of work to do. The lobby is still full of huge piles of trash. I've also seen workers throwing trash out the window during the daytime.

If they are in the midst of asbestos abatement are you really sure you want to be walking around there?


It is a difficult process. I think you pretty much have to get rid of everything except the frame and floor slabs.

[secretsquirrel]

Edited content

This post has been edited by secretsquirrel: Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 6:06 PM

[Subdude]

secretsquirrel, on Monday, February 9th, 2009 @ 11:09pm, said:

I wear a P100 rated respirator and take the appropriate safety precautions to be as safe as possible. The areas where they are removing the material is totally sealed off and I stayed out of there . Asbestos won't stop me though. Nothing can compare to the feeling of looking out over the city from the roof of a 30 story building. Plus as a kid I used to drive by the Days Inn and always wondered what was inside. I had to see for myself. I'll post some more pics later

Looking forward to additional pictures. And I understand, urban exploration is a lot of fun!

[secretsquirrel]

Subdude, on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 @ 1:20am, said:

Looking forward to additional pictures. And I understand, urban exploration is a lot of fun!

This post has been edited by secretsquirrel: Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 6:07 PM

[sevfiv]

Thanks for posting those...what a difference a couple decades can make

[secretsquirrel]

sevfiv, on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 @ 2:57pm, said:

Thanks for posting those...what a difference a couple decades can make

IOh wow , I've never seen that building when it was all nice !! Do you have any more pics of any other parts of the building ?

[Jeebus]

secretsquirrel, on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 @ 1:37pm, said:

In 1990 we came and stayed here over night (from Louisiana) while attending my first Astro's game at the dome. I remember swimming in this pool and I remember our beachball going right over the side!

[sevfiv]

secretsquirrel, on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 @ 2:44pm, said:

IOh wow , I've never seen that building when it was all nice !! Do you have any more pics of any other parts of the building ?

Here's the full brochure:









And a guest ticket:




More:
http://www.arch-ive....y-inn-downtown/

[secretsquirrel]

sevfiv, on Friday, February 13th, 2009 @ 1:19am, said:

Here's the full brochure:









And a guest ticket:




More:
http://www.arch-ive....y-inn-downtown/

Sweet ! Thanks for the link !

[Random]

Hey, long time first time.

Any updates on this? I work downtown and can see this building from my office. Needless to say I am VERY eager for something to happen with it. During my lunch break I walked by the building and it looked as though there was zero activity. I did see a bulldozer parked in a loading dock, but that's it. I don't think I've seen anything remotely resembling activity since I started working downtown (january 2009)

[jdbaker]

Random, on Saturday, May 16th, 2009 @ 9:55am, said:

Hey, long time first time.

Any updates on this? I work downtown and can see this building from my office. Needless to say I am VERY eager for something to happen with it. During my lunch break I walked by the building and it looked as though there was zero activity. I did see a bulldozer parked in a loading dock, but that's it. I don't think I've seen anything remotely resembling activity since I started working downtown (january 2009)

I live nearby and am also interested in the status of this project. It seems like the project is dead as there has been no activity is many months.

[tac0meat]

What happened to the pictures posted by secretsquirrel? I would love to see what the inside of this place looks like

[crunchtastic]

tac0meat, on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 @ 7:28am, said:

What happened to the pictures posted by secretsquirrel? I would love to see what the inside of this place looks like

Your screen name is my new all time favorite on the internet. With the possible exception of a dude I spied on a national economics forum who calls himself 'manwhich'.

Welcome to the HAIF!

[tac0meat]

crunchtastic, on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 @ 9:15pm, said:

Your screen name is my new all time favorite on the internet. With the possible exception of a dude I spied on a national economics forum who calls himself 'manwhich'.

Welcome to the HAIF!

LOL, thanks!

I have actually been snooping around on the forum for quite some time, this was my first post. It was actually this building that caused me to stumble on to the site. I was sitting in the parking lot (summer 2007) on the northside of this building, staring in amazement of such a huge structure being completely abandoned. Then i noticed on about the 8th floor, some guy wearing shorts and no shirt, pulling wiring out of the wall and coiling it up!

[tac0meat]

Came across this concerning its development: http://thecastledev....stle/newera.php

Either work has stalled or they haven't updated their progress since June 08

[kylejack]

Savoy that sucker!

[sevfiv]

Yeah, the "timelines" are a little old!
http://thecastledev....olationplan.php
http://thecastledev....le/progress.php

I haven't seen anything go on there in quite some time.

[lockmat]

They bought the property and started working on it the next day? That sounds too amazing.

[Subdude]

kylejack, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 11:02 AM, said:

Savoy that sucker!

It may be that demolition would cost more than the value of the property just sitting there?

[LTAWACS]

I am willing to bet this thing is dead.

[ricco67]

LTAWACS, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 1:32 PM, said:

I am willing to bet this thing is dead.

I say we all buy sledgehammers, then at night go by randomly take a single swing at a wall until it has to be has to be savoyed by the city.

[LTAWACS]

ricco67, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 2:28 PM, said:

I say we all buy sledgehammers, then at night go by randomly take a single swing at a wall until it has to be has to be savoyed by the city.

Best. Idea. Ever.

[20thStDad]

Someone needs to redirect the Heights arsonist over to this thing. I bet he couldn't even do a lick of damage to this REAL structure...

[jfre81]

Subdude, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM, said:

It may be that demolition would cost more than the value of the property just sitting there?

Probably.

Wouldn't the value go up if it was gone though?

[tac0meat]

jfre81, on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 12:57 AM, said:

Probably.

Wouldn't the value go up if it was gone though?

I am surprised they never put the parking garage into service(after the hotel closed), even when the Maharishis owned it. Parking space seems to be a fairly easy money maker downtown. If anything it might have been enough to cover the taxes on it.

[native_Houstonian]

Any new news on this eye sore?