2 hours ago, texan said:

Just want to make sure everyone understands the gravity (pun intended) of this. There are three space stations (realistically) under development in the world. China's space station, the lunar gateway, and Axiom's station. The lunar gateway is being led by NASA Johnson and Axiom's will be developed and built right here in Houston. Axiom's station is the first commercial space station that I believe will actually make it up, NASA has already given them money and access to a port on the ISS. There have been many proposals but this one is the most serious to date. They are building modules to attach to the ISS then eventually will break their station off which will be used for tourism and on-orbit manufacturing. In spaceflight, this is a huge deal and Houston could become the center of space manufacturing and space tourism because of it. I am extremely excited to see what this does for Houston.

Exactly plus these kind of projects spur other projects and businesses. If done right i really dont see how this can't become a major space complex..

Who knows in 40 years Ellington could be to Houston space industry what TMC is to our medical. 

Well it appears the Spaceport is chugging along 

 Estimate say  could create up to 1000 jobs there

28 minutes ago, Yoda said:

If you're using Google Chrome, right click the link and the click "Open Link in Incognito Window".

 

Microsoft signs on as ‘major tenant’ at the Ion

In another win for Houston’s technology sector, Microsoft has leased space in The Ion, the former Sears building in Midtown that Rice University is redeveloping into a collaborative hub for innovation.

“Having Microsoft as a major tenant is a huge step forward in realizing the vision for The Ion as a dynamic hub bringing together key elements of innovation in Houston,” Rice President David Leebron said in a press release.

Microsoft will occupy space on the building’s fifth floor, said Rice Management Co. announced Thursday afternoon.

In addition to becoming a tenant, Microsoft will play a role in professional and workforce development through community and start-up initiatives to be housed at the Ion. Microsoft will host executive forums and virtual symposiums, said Rice Management, which manages Rice University’s $6.5 billion endowment fund.

 

City leaders have long touted the importance of growing Houston’s technology sector.

“Over the last several years, Microsoft has made it clear it is committed to Houston,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a press release. “With the work Microsoft is already doing with the City and The Ion to support entrepreneurs, workforce development and energy transition, it is only fitting its new home should be in our City's hub for innovation. This news is an exciting next step in our partnership with Microsoft as we continue to grow Houston's innovation ecosystem and become a leader in the global energy transition.”

 

Over the summer, Rice announced its first tenant for the building: Chevron Technology Ventures, an arm of the oil and gas giant that scouts and funds energy-related tech startups. The company will occupy space on the third floor.

The Ion is designed to anchor a 16-acre “innovation district” in the Midtown area that focuses on bringing together entrepreneurs, incubators, accelerators, corporations and academics, and the community at large when it opens next year.

The 288,000 square-foot building at 4201 Main will include shared workspace, prototyping and maker resources, event space, classrooms and communal areas with shared amenities.

Here hoping how well this place is filling up encourage them to immediately move to the next phase. .   In 5 years that entire area going to look completely different.. where there is business ,services follow  , were there services , residential follows( even more so ). 

Given we know  that the areas around it are already marked for development.. the only  logical course is to continue  development along main pass the bridge.

Was driving past that old wendys yesterday and thought " just buy out that shop next to it and you have enough sq  for mid size highrise... access to the highway, access to the rail line. 

1 hour ago, hindesky said:

https://www.houstoniamag.com/travel-and-outdoors/2020/12/buffalo-bayou-east-sector-10-million-grant-2020

 

IT’S GOING TO BE A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON FOR BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP. The nonprofit organization, which conceptualized and maintains the landmark Buffalo Bayou Park, has just received a $10 million grant from the Houston Endowment to help bring its next big act, the Buffalo Bayou East Sector, to life. 

The highly-anticipated East Sector is one of the biggest park projects in the United States, and once completed, it is expected to transform the waterfront and green spaces of Fifth and Second wards and the surrounding neighborhoods over the next 20 years. The BBP’s master plan calls for the construction of 40 miles of hike and bike trails; 200 acres of new and refreshed park space; seven boat launches; seven new pedestrian bridges; and day trip-worthy recreational and cultural destinations, including industrial relics repurposed into gardens, adventure parks, event spaces, and perhaps even a swimming hole in Tony Marron Park. The plan is to also create bikeways and “green fingers” that will connect the neighborhoods to each other, as well as back downtown and Buffalo Bayou Park. (There will sadly not be one long contiguous waterfront trail à la Buffalo Bayou Park, but, on the plus side, there could be a water taxi). 

 

“The grant from Houston Endowment is another exciting step forward in the creation of a more equitable city for all Houstonians,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement issued after the grant was announced. “We are grateful to both Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Houston Endowment not only for their inclusive vision of a better Houston, but their commitment to making it a reality.”

While the East Sector project will ultimately require hundreds of millions of dollars to fully implement over the next two decades, the $10 million grant will help fund several key efforts right away, including:

• Designing key destinations centered around Fifth Ward, Second Ward, and Magnolia Park in the Greater East End.
• Beginning of infrastructure work to stabilize the bayou banks as well as repair existing trail links in the area.
• Land acquisition efforts for future parks and trail connections.
• Phase 1 site improvements at Japhet Creek to include trails, interpretive signage, site furnishings, and landscaping.
• Expand BBP’s organizational capacity, including hiring a full-time Community Engagement Manager.

Suck it Dallas Trinity River ...which ended up just being a bridge over a ditch!!  Just kidding 

I think about this project and what happenings on the other end of the bayou.  I think about how more and more midrises are appearing in midtown. About  the absurd pace at which the medical center is expanding. Then you drive around  the core of Houston and realize  that still huge swashes of land undeveloped.  Even in the areas I mentioned... 

5 hours ago, Highrise Tower said:

New 14-Acre Tech/Life-Science Hub called BayouTech Hub. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects. Same architects as the TMC3 campus.

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1615-South-Loop-W-Houston-TX/18279111/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tend to avoid the world Game Changer as it gets abused but this might just be 

13 hours ago, downtownian said:

 

Long time horizon here unfortunately - decade plus.

That fine one of the biggest knocks on here is always about how short sighted Houston is and never plans long term... good to see it thinking 20, 30 , 50 years down...even of we don't benefit in our life time.

1 hour ago, monarch said:

^^^ this is amazing...

 That area is forming  quite a little  skyline of it own