ArtNsf

Wow, I'm loving all the vegetation and how it works and looks so awesome with the wonderful architecture of this area. This is becoming a magnificent jewel of an addition to downtown Houston !

Fantastic looking development. I absolutely love it and welcome it. Plus, it makes our Buffalo "RIVER" (yes river since that actually is what it truly is) looks so much cleaner than on the western side of downtown. Kudos to these forward thinking developers and designers !!

so, surely Houston won't allow Austin to have the tallest building in Texas for long ? as a native Houstonian, I find that appalling, although I'm a bit proud of Austin for scoring so well.

Incredibly selfish short-sighted comment by this Pennington person. It's impossible to have anything "too nice" for Houston. Thank you!

Such an amazing and beautiful addition to Downtown ! Thank you Hines Corp. Have I also mentioned lately how much we really need a couple more SUPER tall skyscrapers again in Downtown Houston ? Just thought I'd add that in there. Have a great and beautiful weekend everyone !

Gorgeous tower(s). And, look at that incredibly blue glowing Houston October sky !

thank you. i appreciate the information.

forgive my stupidity here, but just wondered what a "bike tag" is ? Thanks.

Now having had the opportunity to be out of state for the duration of this historic pandemic, I can confirm that my happy suspicions about the westward, northward and southwestward growth of the Houston area are true. it was incredibly dramatic flying in past the Austin area (not far from it btw) looking down and seeing the obvious westerly and northwesterly located housing developments that have literally popped up onto otherwise completely vacant acreage, including some that were heavily wooded in late 2019. In the once tiny town of Brookshire, of course where I was born, even the locals now see the city beginning to surround that area and the vast amounts of industrial and office space up to and in some cases, beyond the city limits. So, this is more good news if you are a fan of growth in our Houston area. If the last year and a half weren't so challenging and I had the opportunity to stay in my hometown, I might have missed all this phenomenal growth. And, another thing I noticed, from the air of course, is that although the DFW area continues to grow, it's growth pales in comparison to the Houston area, both from the ground and in the air. I'm always pleasantly amazed at how incredible the progress and growth continues to be in our wonderful city in Texas. There are so many reasons that Houston is this big and growing by leaps and bounds. And, most of those reasons are really good ones economically, culturally, environmentally (yes), diversity, we always seem to elect really good mayors despite the lack of faith in local leadership as almost an "obligation" to oppose whoever sits in the seat of power at the top of the City, and finally, that most Houston of qualities that everyone loves, our unequaled "can do" spirit that has always been a part of our identity. This forum is so interesting in so many ways, and not the least of which is observing and reading about growth and development (and all the incredible photography by so many talented and dedicated members!) Yes, we have our share of increasing crime rates and many other growth pains, but in my opinion the good about this region far outweighs the bad stuff by a huge margin.

wow, is this hater behavior something you live for ? You seem to do this a lot on this forum to anyone that you disagree with for whatever reason. no, i don't have to answer any of your questions. most of my words for simple observations with some historical background. it was not presented as a critical piece of Pulitzer prize winning literature for you to critique for your own amusement. so, no there is no need for you and Google to get involved in trying to falsely debunk my words. now, you have made it personal. so my advice is to take a seat and be quiet, I and the rest of the adults are in the room.

I'm happy that Houston is finally paying attention in a positive way to my small home town of Brookshire (population now well over 5000 from about 1000 when I was much younger) and Waller County. For decades developers have consistently bypassed this not that small of a city in favor of areas north and south and even west of town. Many of us in the town have our own educated guesses as to the main reasons why, but that's a discussion which should be included in a much larger American problem that has come to light in the past few years. Brookshire has so much to offer in terms of people resources and land and Texas history having it's western border as the historic southern part of the Brazos River, where we used to marvel at how large the water way was and how shear the sandy cliffs were along each side. (Fun fact, Brookshire has already achieved having a two term Gay mayor in that small rural town, not exactly a bastion of liberal progressive politics, very recently. And some of his term was during the Mayor-ship of another historical mayor of Houston and a friend, Anise Parker.) Seems now, that not only developers, but wealthy Houstonians are discovering the high quality land and extremely cheap land prices, and snatching up many of the available large land plots that they can get their hands on these days. I guess the conventional wisdom all these decades was that the Katy Area should be the western most part of the metro area and that hasn't been true for a very long time, despite what some news media outlets in the area would have us believe. In addition to the resources and land opportunities mentioned above, Brookshire should have been developed long before the Fulshear area and southwestward. At least this growing town is bisected by a little bitty Interstate Highway known as I-10, and in the middle of downtown, the MKT Railroad passes east to west into Houston. Plus, it's definitely NOT in the "middle of now where's-ville" like other over developed and inconveniently out of the way parts of Waller and Fort Bend Counties. Plus, as far as tiny Waller County goes, it has way more diverse of a population than any other city completely encompassed by the County itself. Another plus for expansion and an employment base from which to choose, with great, albeit not "wealthy" public schools. Although we need farms and ranches in Texas to remain viable and in operation for food production, I really don't think eliminating a few gigantic (mostly rice) farms in that area in favor of sustainable, flood conscious development that has respect to the Coastal Plains and natural marshlands which then quickly become the Blackland Prairie part immediately to the west side of the town, will hurt American food production in any measurable way. Interesting side note: Most people to this day don't even realize that Brookshire has had Waller County's only true MUSEUM since the late 1970's. It is a fascinating journey at life in the county and that area from the early 1800's with slavery, cotton fields, and plantations, to emancipation, growth and social progress right up to present day. In fact, I'll boast that my recently late Mom was one of the original construction staff, as in hammers, nails, boards, and elbow grease, as well as original founders of the Museum, after our Father suddenly passed away in late 1977 and she was forced to find work (she always adored history, especially Texas history) to support her nine young children, including myself. A lot of pride you say? Yes, and well-deserved at that. (addition to side-note: Ever since Hurricane Harvey did major flood damage to the Waller County Historical Museum in downtown Brookshire several years ago, it has been closed and undergoing sporadic repairs and more flood prevention supposedly in the works to be put in place. UNFORTUNATELY, the brilliant powers that be out of Hempstead where the County Seat is located have not made any effort that anyone I know, is aware of in order to complete this now 3+ year old repair project. And so it sits stagnant as a monument to the lack of common sense priorities and respect for the historical value of that part of the SE Texas region. The Waller County Historical Museum Board also based in Brookshire, has worked hard to try to get the ball rolling, or rolling faster, but as they will tell you themselves, all of their carefully thought out and researched recommendations for revival and reopening have been either delayed, put on hold, or shot down complete for at least the last 3 years. This is a board that my Mom was on for many years after she retired from the staff of the Museum, because of her love of preserving the local history and my family's historical involvement of building, cultivating and investing in Waller County, right up until just before her passing in late 2019 at nearly 91 years old.) So, here's to the beginnings of a new opportunity for Houston's development and western expansion by way of this article and informing my fellow readers and bloggers of the HAIF forum from Bisnow Houston.

My apologies, on the "Shell Tower" comment above on October 2nd. I was mistakenly talking about that hideous OLD outdated in both classical and post modern terms, Humble Oil 45 story tower that has been slated for a facade makeover with glass exterior panels for several years by Shorenstein, I believe. And I was NOT talking about the beautiful white stone covered 55 story One Shell Plaza tower with the gigantic antenna, which I and everyone I've talked have always loved right in the middle of downtown as you approach from the west. BTW I think we have enough "homage" to post modernism in our city and therefore, refacing some of these uglier ones from the past is fine with me. I don't think we'll ever have a shortage of these old buildings around town. Change is good at the same time that restoration and respect for "examples" of past Houston architecture are also good. It shouldn't always have to be one or the other IMHO.

Yes, and thank you pablog ! Perspective has a lot to do with the feeling Houstonians and the popular media has about this area. Most of it has been very unfair and false over the decades. But, perhaps, we are finally breaking through all the negative propaganda (I won't mention which cities and areas in the country are the most guilty of that. We can all guess pretty accurately anyway.) There really is so much natural beauty - both "flat and contoured" that surrounds this mega multi-county area of the U.S. and Houston. The Bayous (which a few are actually really rivers - I vote to rename the big one "Buffalo River", but I know that will never happen), the wildlife, birds mammals reptiles and the flora, trees, native flowers grasses, insects, butterflies. All of this and more are what make the natural beauty of this area very much worth protecting and even enhancing and celebrating as a source of major civic pride. We already know how incredible our tall skyscrapers are and most are works of architectural wonder and art, with many more on the horizon. But, lets never forget mother nature in this area CAN and does work well with us humans as long as we respect her and just take a little more time with each building project, to figure out the best way to replace any greenery and wildlife and waterway damaged, with native natural beauty, the way that most developers are "required" to offset the ground absorption displacement by having holding ponds/reservoirs installed on each project, to minimize any added flooding caused by the finished product. Also, so what if we are a marshy swampland (which btw is only in certain far eastern and southeastern parts of the county?) These parts of our area are a paradise of life at it's most diverse and finest in America. It is worth noting that several other great American cities, albeit much smaller, have the same climate and swamp lands surrounding their fair cities, yet you rarely hear them complain to the rest of America. These would be cities like Miami, New Orleans, Corpus Christi, Savannah, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and indeed, many more famous smaller yet significant cities in the Gulf Coast and Southern Atlantic regions of the lower 48. So, I feel it is high time for Houston to offer up it's natural beauty and diversity of plant/tree and animal life, and diversity of species as yet one more great reason to visit and enjoy this part of our shared American treasure, which is known as Houston. Oh yeah, did I mention how bad the mosquitoes are in these other cities ? Like WAY WORSE at times than Houston's ever thought about being.

Look at that beautiful deep blue Texas sky over Houston. Incredible. I hope we can have many more beautiful skies like this for a while longer. It's one of the very few positive effects of the pandemic and mainly due to the various quarantines and shutdowns in the past year. In fact, I just read and article last week (NYT's or WaPo ?) that around the world, emissions are currently at 1990 levels in the large cities of the world, which is amazing. I plan to be outside (distanced or away from any people) and enjoy it while it lasts. In the meantime, this project seems to be moving a bit faster now and getting more exciting with each passing week of construction. Houston is a powerhouse when it comes to getting almost impossible things done that others would scoff at during a recession and pandemic, even a major hurricane.

And, I was noticing that from the renderings of the tower that is actually from the one in Shanghai, if the proportions were correct? this tower would be anywhere from 65 to about 72 stories high, and very close to the height of the Chase Tower. Of course, it's probably NOT in proportion in the renderings, but wouldn't it be great for it to be a true supertall whenever they secure a wealthy tenant that wants something magnificent again downtown, in true "bigger in Texas" fashion? And, Houston is the place to build it. Yes, dreaming is fun in this troubled age we live in. A truly fun escape from the daily chaos and confusion of the past few years. Now, if we all think hard and concentrate and pray for it, I just know it will happen.

I understand what you are saying. However, what I didn't make clear, is that what I'm saying applies (from my perspective since the "damage" is already done worldwide, with yes, many successes, and also many failures) to FUTURE city planning world wide, especially given the fact that human population is continuing to rise exponentially, thus further reducing available, sustainable, livable land masses that future human populations might want to live on. Yes, "they" are making more land, naturally and man made, but it is minuscule in comparison to how our present society is depleting resources, ground water and healthy lands. For me, it all comes down to "let's please not foul our own nests any more than we already have" since this is our only home and it doesn't appear we'll be moving to another planet to use and abuse anytime soon. I do applaud some of the wonderful achievements of the Army Corp of Engineers over the decades, here in Houston and elsewhere, and I'm not saying to throw the baby out with the bathwater. But, obviously, what they want to do to the bayou all the way up to Studemont, is going to cause big problems in our extremely beautiful new BBP and all it has to offer and the beautiful slow meandering natural river known as Buffalo Bayou. So, it's just a single issue I'm taking up with them on and not an over all damnation of the USACE in any way. Sorry if i failed to make that clear.

AMEN! I couldn't agree more. And, why is it that we humans always think that we are so much smarter than Mother Nature by relentlessly and arrogantly trying to "improve on nature's process" of dispersing flooding waters by cementing over and channeling waterways, when the natural soil we have and the natural vegetation in the yes, natural flood plains does a much better job in the long run? We always seem to fail miserably (everywhere in the World) when we build in say well established and well known flood zones. I'm hoping that mitigating and reversing this sort of bad way of thinking, man made problem is high on the list of things to be done in the future to lessen flooding around this gigantic, extremely populated Metropolis, that continues to grow by leaps and bounds in both infrastructure and population. All for very good and very positive reasons.

Wow, very cool ! The tall tower looks like at least 50 stories. Anyone else get that number or close to that ? This will be such a neat and upscale addition to the area. Exciting !

this is going to be quite a handsome building and very noticeable in the downtown skyline. they are building at break neck speed and it's starting to come together quickly now. i can't wait to see the finished exterior with cool lighting on top and hopefully on the sides as well !

OMG this is so tragic and extremely sad. I'm so sorry for the loss to each of their families. Someone said it above and I agree "can 2020 END soon enough already..." My prayers are with the loved ones today as they learn of this and now must deal with the loss at this difficult time in the World, and now in their own lives. God Bless you all.

nope yuk yuk yuk ! too mid-century un-modern for my taste. and this being HOUSTON after all, it would be great to have it visually more appealing IMHO, perhaps though, another color of glass like bronze or green or something that really pops with some sort of homage to the past look, perhaps at the lower ground level.

I know this Fairfield Residential project is probably going to look very nice in the middle of downtown. However, that horrible old huge eyesore of a hotel/Days Inn? is still there unimproved, AND the old Exxon tower STILL hasn't been re-clad as has been Shorenstein? Properties' plan for years. Yeah, I want it all done and now, right LOL! But, it sure does seem like these two (almost) abandoned remodels are taking much much longer than expected to begin renovations, with no start date in sight.

Thank you tangledwoods very much for helping me to understand these factors about the foundations of tall structures in our own unique Houston coastal soil and ground structure ! I had also wondered all these years if we had any bedrock within striking range so to speak of the sand and gumbo clay of east and se Houston all the way to the coast. It seems as though we do, but it's just too far down below the surface to be economically feasible to use it. Which leads me to my next comment and curiosity (or my ongoing "someday dream") for downtown. And, that is the hope of another but much higher supertall tower like one approaching or exceeding 100 stories and how they would be able to support this super structure from below. I do know that it's going to happen ONE DAY in the future and I also believe we Houstonians want something that is the tallest and most gorgeous supertall in the U.S. for our own Houston and Texas pride. All which would be well worth the cost of building such an iconic building or buildings. Now, if we could only find dedicated funding from both federal and local municipal funds to help out some awesome developer along with a very generous proud Houstonian philanthropist with plenty of financial resources to make it happen in our lifetimes. Hmmm...... 😀

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.

Oh well, something's better than nothing once again thanks for clarifying.