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I just got back to my place after a week away, and noticed there's a crane set up in front of Drewery Place! Could they finally be starting something on the site next door??????

Houston Center by Marc longoria, on Flickr Houston Center by Marc longoria, on Flickr

Brochure updated with images of Phase II https://www.lovettcommercial.com/Pdf.aspx?id=332

So what your are looking at here are Auger Cast Piles. In Houston these typically go deep (60 - 120+ feet deep) and rely largely on skin friction with the soil. We do NOT "go to bedrock" in Houston, it is simply too far down to get to. Fun fact: Many of the tall building foundations downtown are VERY shallow. They use a mat slab which is anywhere between 8-15 feet thick across the entire footprint of the building.

It just fascinates me how a very tall 42 story building can exist on such a narrow footprint and remain stable. I often wonder how deep down (hopefully into bedrock) they have to drill for the support structure to carry the weight and keep it from toppling over, and if they have to have a counter balance structure at the top to mitigate high winds and swaying ? I know this is done in many places now, especially NYC where they just finished a 98 story tower on a similar footprint. Incredible engineering and technology no doubt.

MKT by Marc longoria, on Flickr MKT by Marc longoria, on Flickr MKT by Marc longoria, on Flickr

As of this writing, you have 4,705. With that level, you can recommend demolishing the Menil, Williams Tower, the BOA Center (heck, even a Whataburger) and receive polite discourse. I have 337. I can barely recommend demolishing a Citgo gas station...

https://www.hrdesigndept.com/current#/themontrosehotel/

Email today... (bulletin attached as PDF): ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It brings our Team great pleasure to present to you the first of many construction updates. Throughout the remainder of the buildout phase, Aspire Post Oak is thrilled to provide to you an insightful overview of our ongoing progress. Once per quarter, you will receive our exclusive bulletin dedicated to delivering the latest updates and information. We are approximately one year away from opening and would like to express our appreciation for your continued support and patience. As time draws near, a more definitive date for pre-leasing and occupancy will be established. We currently anticipate floor plans and pricing will be published in Q2 of 2021 – so please stay tuned! Meanwhile, our devoted Team is eager to provide you with current details regarding Aspire Post Oak. If you have a specific query or your relocation plans have since changed, feel free to request removal from our mailing list or respond to my email for assistance. We look forward to having you join our world-class residences when the time comes! Aspire_Post_Oak_Q3_Newsletter_2020.pdf

Looks to me like the crane is being used to do some exterior work on Drewery Place. Can’t imagine they’d need a crane, much less one extended that far, for work done on on an empty lot.

ENCORE concrete pump filling in 2nd floor on Grant Street side and Steel assembly for Office/Retail on Crocker Street Side.

It's a cool feeling seeing this interaction with the street. It goes against everything in the original vision. The contrast in glass is kind of ugly, but I guess I'll reserve judgements until it's complete with some greenery.

Yeah, you're right . . . . they started using it to move stuff onto the pool deck. 😭 Well, guess this thread'll go back to hibernation for another month or so. What a tease! edit: crane packed up and left, nothing's changed with the new site except an old dumpster full of demo garbage is gone that I'm pretty sure was removed a few weeks ago.

I have wanted to say that so badly, but thankfully you said it first and have more "reputation points" than me to deflect any bullets If you didn't know the significance of the building and the fact it is owned by the same people behind the high-rise, a passerby would immediately think some old lady refused to sell her home and stuck it to the developer, a la the old man in "Up".

I think the contrast is pretty neat, from a historical perspective. I'm going to enjoy pointing out to people why there's such a stark break between the old building and the new renovations, and the 180 planning philosophy has made since the Houston Center was built.

Powder Keg

The Final Environmental Impact Statement has been released now: http://www.ih45northandmore.com/final_eis.aspx Also I see they have a brochure that I hadn't noticed before (seems new?) with some interesting material: https://online.flowpaper.com/7afd0778/FactsHighlightsPapersENGLISHclickable/ Houston Chronicle article: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/TxDOT-releases-environmental-analysis-on-7B-I-45-15598001.php

Does the old mansion turned hotel look out of place or the two towers? I love that they kept it. It's one of the last grand Montrose ladies. And I know from living in Boston that many new projects built around or integrated old structures.

I for one love the old building but i also have history there...so there's that! haha anyway, i am glad it is staying there..i think it adds alot of character and interest to the development!

Best view of the roof will be from the top of the Glassel School, and you’re right about the interior ceilings - spectacular!

The model/rendering looks cool. I’m still bummed that the most interesting aspect of the exterior design (imho) — the roof — will go largely unseen. Although, it should translate to a spectacular ceiling on the inside.

Yeah, they've been working on hard on that mountain of dirt that has been sitting there. Glad to see activity again. Plus they broke up the median on Cullen and looks like they'll put a turn lane for people trying to connect to 59. No more breaking the law!

well it never went for sale. This is owned by the Houston housing authority. This will have a small % of rent controlled units for seniors. Majority (85% or so?) will be market rate.

construction fencing is going up around the parking lot for the new law building.

That's fine, you don't come across as dry. Wouldn't change a thing.

100% agree with see this being against the original vision. The change has been much...more than I would have thought after seeing the original outline a year ago. If they basically just remove SOME of the brick from the Shops, downtown will have gotten such a facelift. And walking into the shops will no longer feel like going into a bunker.

To be fair, HAIF's entire Venezuelan contingency will likely back you up.

Love the pictures and love this hotel concept. Houston badly needs small scale boutique hotels! These are the kind of places i look for when I go to new cities... little hotels within cool neighborhoods. Are these drawings released because the project is dead or is the project moving forward?

I know. Makes very little sense to me. If I was the developer of "The Allen" I would buy this land, develop high rise condos/apartments, name it "The Memorial" then link the two developments over Buffalo Bayou via ultra long skybridge.

ayyyyyy

I'll say this... as one of the original "preservation twins"... I would trade that old mansion for a stately midrise with some GFR. Something about 8 stories, tall enough to cover up that parking garage. Its time has come and it looks ridiculous sitting there. No need to demolish, just move it somewhere else.

The Greek Orthodox Church really adds another dimension to that last pic!

https://youtu.be/FAtT86-niko

https://www.virtualbx.com/bid-bulletin/2100-memorial-senior-living-complex-subbid/

Here's the building before the tubes were in place. As you say, it looks like there are real windows and window-shaped indentations in the concrete.

I see the darker glass that was mentioned. Maybe they liked the look of the glass on the new tower in Uptown.

I found this photo of a model of the building at night a day or so ago. I’d never seen it before. It’s definitely better than the original model we’ve all seen.

Found some recent photos of inside with the floors cut out and skylight/tarp installed.

The MONTROSE COLLECTIVE-----Travis Tower View.

you got it close, but we gotta go full Bissonnet and Ashby if you want to see how it will really look....

You bring substance and have a proven track record. You could be a lot ruder (you're not rude at all) and you'd still be my new favorite poster.

All of the above. Restaurant/bar, co-working space, and small retail are on level 1.The only other notable space at level 1 is the hotel lounge (approx. 1,900 SF). No, I've heard nothing. If I had to guess then probably 4-8 months, assuming no issues. Foundation should be going out for permit soon, if it has not already. Something like this will usually take about (2) years to complete. Just my opinion. Also, please excuse me if I come across dry in my posts. I am just not able to articulate myself in written word the way I can when speaking to someone face-to-face.

Now that is my kind of "ghetto".

Project: Tower A (Hotel and Condos) Address: 2701 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 Architect: Preston Partnership Information: A 32-story hotel/condo with exterior amenities at levels 9 and 32. Hotel restaurant/bar (3,200 SF), co-working area with conference room (1,200 SF), and 1,165 SF of retail at level 1 Parking at levels 2 - 6 Ballrooms at level 7 Fitness at level 8 Outdoor dining, dog run, and yoga at level 9 along with two swimming pools Outdoor garden area and pool at level 32 183 hotel units (level 10 - level 18) 191 condo units (level 9 and level 19 thru level 32) 558,000 total square foot Future tower at Fannin side.