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The Jones On Main: Office Building At 708/712 Main St.


Texasota

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The design reintroduces retail space at the corner of Rusk and Main (former location of Sakowitz Brothers department store) and will reestablish views into and through the building. Dark tinted glass in black, thick frames and opaque glass in silver-toned frames will be removed and replaced with a consistent storefront system with clear class and bronze-toned frames. A boxed canopy over an entrance on Rusk will be removed and replaced with a light metal and glass canopy

 

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10 hours ago, cspwal said:

 

I'm pasting the rest of the summary and other sections for people who don't click on the link:

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The owner proposes to remove non-original windows, doors and storefront systems on the Main (east) and Rusk (south) elevations at the ground and second (mezzanine) levels. Currently several different storefront and window systems are installed at the ground and mezzanine levels. No original materials are proposed for removal. The design reintroduces retail space at the corner of Rusk and Main (former location of Sakowitz Brothers department store) and will reestablish views into and through the building. Dark tinted glass in black, thick frames and opaque glass in silver-toned frames will be removed and replaced with a consistent storefront system with clear class and bronze-toned frames. A boxed canopy over an entrance on Rusk will be removed and replaced with a light metal and glass canopy. The new ground level window and door design reference (but not replicate) historic storefront rhythm, proportions, glass clarity and frame coloring. At the mezzanine level, clear glass will be installed at the existing openings. This sensitive and compatible contemporary window solution allows for economy and flexibility for retail tenant build-outs, and may establish a new building standard for future work on bays or elevations not included in the current scope of work.

 

HISTORIC SUMMARY:

Located in the center of downtown Houston, the Gulf Building is a significant 1920s Gothic and art Deco skyscraper. Architect Alfred C. Finn designed the original 30- story building, which occupies a quarter of the block at the corner of Rusk and Main. The Gulf Building opened in 1929 with Gulf Oil, National Bank of Commerce, and Sakowitz Brothers as the primary tenants. After World War II two annexes, also designed by Finn, were added on Travis Street and Rusk Avenue. The annexes share the basic character and style of the original structure. In whole, the 712 Main building has an ‘L’ shaped footprint and occupies approximately three-quarters of the block. The adjacent building, 708 Main is commonly owned and connected at the interior to the Gulf Building at 712 Main. 708 Main, located at the corner of Main and Capitol, is not historically designated.

WORK AREA:

The proposed exterior work is confined to the ground and mezzanine levels of the building at the Main (west) and Rusk (south) elevations. Interior work is proposed at the north portion of the building fronting Main that connects to 708 Main. The Rusk and Main area is referred to as the “Retail and Currency Lounge” and the area connecting to 708 Main is referred to as the “Lobby and Portal”. At the exterior, bays M1 and M3 through R19 are proposed to be altered at the ground and mezzanine levels. Exterior work is described by bay location. Bays on each facade have been labeled with a letter and number; the first letter indicates the facing street and is followed by number, assigned clockwise from the start of the structure on the north side of Main (Figure 3).

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This corner is a prime location as it is across the street from the JW Marriott and at the intersection of two different rail lines. It also has me thinking about what other buildings downtown have ground floor spaces that can be converted to retail.

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Will the currency lounge be semi-open to the public, i.e. could I go in there and chill for a few minutes before going home?  Or will it be more of a lobby to a big building where if you aren't supposed to be there big guys named Jeff will escort you out?

Edited by cspwal
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Did they really have to use a photo where a bulb is out?

 

This century has been a really nice growing period for the city. Not just in buildings or apartments but in the culture as well. I don't know if it's the influence of immigrants or people from other parts of the country? Or if the mood is finally changing to take on aesthetics and see it's real value. I know we've lost & continue to lose historic structures, but I'm hoping it's not a fad and this mindset will be here to stay.

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  • 3 months later...

There used to be a lounge and restaurant in the building called "The Inns of Court". It was on the top floor of what we used to call TCB, the addition on the northwest corner of the block. I was told it catered to lawyers and such folks that were common tenants in the building and also in the adjacent Houston Club Building. Once Texas Commerce Tower was built across the street and Gulf Oil vacated I think the clientele base drifted off.

There was also a small dentist's office on level 6. It was a single chair practice with pictures of his daughter (Jacqueline Smith) adorning the waiting room walls, reminding his loyal patients that he had a celebrity daughter.

 

 

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17 hours ago, Urbannizer said:

This new design looks much better, IMO.  It is considerate of and well integrated into the building.  Good stuff.

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  • 4 months later...

Luxury menswear store to open in downtown Houston building

 

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A men's luxury custom clothing store will be setting up shop soon in a historic renovation downtown.

 


 

Houston-based Established Bespoke signed a lease inside The Jones on Main, according to a statement from Midway Cos., the property's owner. The store is expected to open in early 2017 inside the historic property, which includes buildings located at 712 and 708 Main.

 

Inside the 664-square-foot store, Established Bespoke plans to sell classic menswear, custom suits, expert tailoring and ready-to-wear clothing.

 

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  • 2 months later...

It isn't about the lease up.  It's about WeWork, in particular.  I work adjacent to a WeWork and its presence has created a sense of community that did not exist prior to its arrival.  Its tenants carry a palpable energy.  Plus, the fluidity of their schedules means more activity on the streets, in nearby pocket parks, and in nearby restaurants.  Activation of the streetscape is what downtown Houston needs more than anything else. 

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For the record, it isn't confirmed WeWork is taking 31k SF, that's just the amount of space they are saying is available and it is spread throughout the building.  It could be more or less than 31k SF, but I'd guess the landlord is relocating a lot of tenants to make room for a block of a few floors.

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WeWork is just an "office share" arrangement like others that already exist downtown and elsewhere, right?  I have a friend with a budding consulting business renting a shared office space now.  She loves it.  But, how is WeWork different any why should I be more excited about this than another shared office space?

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  • 2 months later...

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