largeTEXAS Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I agree that this is probably the nicest tower going up in Texas right now. Much better design than anything in Houston. Sad to see that even in boom time Houston, designs are so conservative. And, gosh, if Midland can do it, you'd think Houston could step it up! Sounds like it's now 58 stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Stone Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 WRONG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I would say even Chevron's tower is better than this one. Sure Midland's tower is taller, but it's just as boxy as Chevron's if not more(Chevron has that groove on the north side ). Another thing is location, Chevron's tower is probably going to be the third tallest tower downtown, with very large floor-plates since its 1.7 mil in 50 stories, which I feel will help weigh down the skyline in the south, when looking from the West (if that makes any sense whatsoever). Their's is just the tallest tower they could slap down in Midland because even a 30 story tower would make a huge mark on the skyline. Nothing to be envious of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortune Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 If the Midland tower was being built in Houston people would be complaining that its just a box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Stone Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I like the Midland Tower. I don't care if it's a box. I think the diagonal pattern is kind of cool. I even love how this tower (if built) will be this lone, iconic, isolated, skyline dominating tower. It will grab all the attention for miles in every direction - just like Williams tower in Uptown. It's a great and unusual effect. I hope they build this tower. But there is no question that there are better towers with more interesting, less predictable shapes and design currently going up or proposed in Houston right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Sure, the Pickard Chilton designs are nice-ish, but, in my opinion, Midland's project is much more exciting. I like the design of the tower, but the public spaces (most of them) are where the project is impressive. The green roof that emerges from ground level to cover the first floor street level "retail," the plaza and water feature, and the connection (of much of it) to the street are wonderful. The vertical mix of uses is innovative for this part of the world. The openness of the ground floor(s) looks inviting. I'm not so sure about the sunken ground floor, though - I never think sunken first floors work.The "X" facade design is cool. Reminds me of the Hearst Tower in NYC, which is one of my favs. I think Pickard Chilton is fine and his buildings going up in Houston are nice. But, they're boring and predictable. They're conservative and don't add anything to the street level (see BG Place - horrible). I expect Texas oil executives in 2013 to choose boring architecture. Pickard Chilton and Gensler are probably the best of the predictable corporate design firms. But, when a city like Midland, who's identity is oil, steps it up over Houston in architecture, it makes me question whether it is the oil companies that are so conservative and boring or if it's just Houston. I'm sad no company/developer in Houston has, in one of the richest periods in its history, chosen to create something groundbreaking architecturally. The city that used to be known for thinking out of the box is now so stale design-wise. There are some small exceptions. But, if in boom time, design in Houston is this so-so, will it ever see large-scale, design-forward, exciting architecture again? We should expect more from our city and our development community (see Marvy Finger, Jonathan Farb, Hines, Hanover, Trammel Crow, Alliance, Gables, Linbeck, Frank Liu, Greenberg,... even Wulfe, Midway, and PMRG that are doing decent-ish work). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Stone Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 Some people actually think Justin Bieber and Lady GaGa are musical geniuses too. LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Developer wants $75 Million from the city for the project.http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=23228 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 "Energy Tower rumored to become two smaller towers" http://www.mrt.com/business/article_da8d0ba2-b2e3-11e3-bda5-0019bb2963f4.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elseed Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Midland " Oil Capital of America".....ooooooh that's reserved for the H...thems fighting words Midland... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 "Energy Tower rumored to become two smaller towers" http://www.mrt.com/business/article_da8d0ba2-b2e3-11e3-bda5-0019bb2963f4.html Can't say I find that particularly surprising, since it will let them develop to the extent demand for space grows. I liked the taller design, but it seems a bit much for a market the size of Midland. What I disliked about the tower proposal was the huge vacant plaza surrounding it, so two shorter buildings can better integrate the space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 Cancelled. http://www.mrt.com/top_stories/article_93d496cc-395b-11e4-bd92-eb5a925c4f6a.html?mode=jqm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Am I the only one who knew this was never going to happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Am I the only one who knew this was never going to happen? No. The only surprise in this announcement is that they made an announcement. It is rare that a developer (or wanna-be) ever announces the cancellation of a project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortune Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Bring it to Houston! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasnoDTX Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Our commitment to Midland, specifically Downtown Midland, remains unshakable,” the letter states. “We are already implementing much of what we learned during the Energy Tower process to modernize and improve the infrastructure and operations at our existing properties to maximize our tenants’ experience.” Yea you gotta clean your house first before adding furniture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Less than three months later, in December, a new proposal emerged for the site: A mixed use project with a hotel, condos, apartments and office space plus improvements to the existing plaza. http://www.mrt.com/business/article_f32bfaa4-7a9a-11e4-a68d-4fcb11017c4f.html Today, the Midland Development Board approved that plan for the site http://www.newswest9.com/story/28744512/midland-development-board-approves-hotel-santa-rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Between late 2015 & early 2016, the county courthouse was demolished. In the interim Midland's City Council has had to defer proof of financing and construction drawings for the project four times, the latest in January. As of then, terms stated that construction was to begin by February 28th of this year and be complete by March 2019. The adjacent building on the block is being demolished to make way for the new convention center, which is also slated for completion in 2019. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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