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ArtNsf

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  1. ArtNsf
    I'm in the Whataburger NEVER "in-n-out" camp and damned proud of it. but, hey, try for yourself and enjoy it if you like it.
  2. ArtNsf
    excellent design and eye catching. exactly what we need more of in this area and downtown btw.
  3. ArtNsf
    gorgeous blue Houston sky and why Fall Winter and Spring are Houston's best (comfortable) seasons. Although, summer really ain't too shabby either, considering all there is to do at that time of year. This building is going up quickly now. I'm so happy to see it's progress. thanks for the pic !
  4. ArtNsf
    wow, pretty cool looking just for parking, and I love it !
  5. ArtNsf
    Yep, just like I said. Houston is a different animal totally and if a well thought out cooperating committee is going to work anywhere, it is here because of our can-do attitude. Our residents in the area are way more prouder of Houston than in the old days and thankfully, there's a whole new crop of younger people that have moved in that are willing to work with existing and historic ideas, while introducing new ones. Sort of thinking outside of the box and yes, this includes NEW and existing local developers from what I can tell. But, see for yourself I suppose. I've only lived in the area for approximately 50 years, so maybe just not enough observation and experience on my part.
  6. ArtNsf
    Pardon me, but holy crap what a crock of old world thinking. Houston is a forward progressive town whether the "old guard" likes it or not. The founders of this great City as well as civic leaders and mayor after mayor have demonstrated this time and time again to our great success as one of the major metropolises in America. Our diversity, education and well paid work force (because most Houston employers know the value of their own human resources - people) will always make sure we grow, especially with our own local brand of "activism" pointed in a forward direction of meaningful evolution of ideas and thoughts. and guess what ? it CAN be done and will be done here because of our can-do approach to any and all local, regional and national problems, knowing full well that a stagnant city without growth and development isn't a model that would ever work in Houston. It is a combination of both activism, progress AND development in a carefully thought out environment that fosters both, but honors the historic past. And, when I say "honors the past" I mean honors the past that was good, not honoring bad experiments and ideals that didn't work or ended up doing more harm than good. So, I would suggest having more of an open mind about the Ion development and seeing where it goes before trying to drag it into the national conversation over progress versus development, which IMHO is a complete false choice, much like environmental changes and planning for ongoing climate change, versus jobs - complete nonsense and old 20th century thinking.
  7. ArtNsf
    Wow, spectacular photo of our dynamic Houston skyline(s) and very interesting weather phenomenon - unparalleled IMHO.
  8. ArtNsf
    Wow, wish all our developments were able to move forward at the high speed of this one. This is phenomenally fast IMHO.
  9. ArtNsf
    really wish this tower would start to happen soon. starting to get a little worried about it, though. It's been "in the works" for a very long time, just like the new "Chevron Tower" we've all been dreaming of...
  10. ArtNsf
    I've read many times now, that this height restriction because of Hobby Airport, is pure bunk, and I tend to agree. There is no approach that far from downtown that brings airlines even close enough to a tall building that it might "hit" on the way to landing. It is a myth I've heard over and over as an excuse for these developers to stop at 50 stories. More importantly, and maybe a big factor, is the rumor that anything above 50 floors supposedly increases the cost of the building exponentially due to the need for multiple elevator shafts, etc... Perhaps, but then what explains, other than just excessive oil income for certain developers, the Williams Tower, Chase Tower, and a few others way over 50 stories ? Vanity ? I say good, we need a bit more vanity around this town. After all, there is no vanity large enough in Texas to overcome the bloated self image of certain cities to the far North or central Texas by a long shot ! LOL! Remember "Houston Proud"? Maybe we should all live that way in our day to day lives and by example increase tourism as people are hungry for a different kind of urban experience, but one that is friendly to pedestrians and mass transit users ? At this point, I'd say it's just a matter of money and the will to erect a few super talls (well over 1100 feet) to make Texas' larger than life reputation just that more genuine, especially in the nation's FOURTH (about to be THIRD) largest city in America. It is way past time we should have taken our rightful place in this country. However, because of so much caution by those with the money and power, it will take some time to achieve. After Rome wasn't even built in a day, either. Take this as you want to, but I know I'm correct in my assumptions after so many years of watching, observing and participating in Houston's architecture movements and on this awesome forum. Just my 2.5 cents worth.
  11. ArtNsf
    Amen ! I've been saying something similar to this for decades on this forum. Mostly, I get a beating down by a few posters about "not being mean to" fill in the blank .... other cities, etc... which imho is a bunch of full on b.s. !
  12. ArtNsf
    beautiful shots ! shout outs and thanks goes to Marc Longoria as always !
  13. ArtNsf
    Wow ! Now that is an interesting design and great height if they go for it. Exciting for the area without a doubt.
  14. ArtNsf
    same happening to me when I try to login using any of the login techniques
  15. ArtNsf
    yes, very sad. those protestors were basically at the wrong debate and preaching to the choir. still a colorful newsworthy spectacle that keeps Houston in the spot light - can't complain too much
  16. ArtNsf
    Wow, 48 stories ! That's as tall as any of the new buildings that have been completed in central downtown in the past 5 years or so. Hope it sparks a super-tall trend...maybe...
  17. ArtNsf
    Agreed ! This redevelopment in Stafford of an existing large site also shows that developers are willing to buy up and improve just about anywhere within the realm of the "Houston area" which bodes well for the entire area's future improvement. Plus, I think Houston needs to really start annexing land and neighborhoods again like it used to in the 70's and 80's so there aren't as many outlying "towns" and "villages" all with unwieldy city governments and citizens to start complaining always about "Houston did this, or Houston does that" and "we don't want to be like Houston". That is a bunch of B.S. IMHO. If you don't want to be "like Houston" simply move far away. This city has been in existence since 1836 and so it is a very old well established, yet dynamic and ever changing region. Most locals know that after they've lived here a year or two. That's the time to realize that this way of existing for our great city isn't going to change any time soon. I for one, welcome one large municipality using local resources and talent to run the city with a large and broad vision for the future, not one of a bunch of small privileged towns and villages attached at the fringe that want to simply try to "keep Houston and Houstonians out" or worse. Thanks goodness we can leave that old worn out multiple "cities" and "towns" making up an area to a place like DFW, a nightmare in itself and certainly not as much diversity, development, improvement or progress as we have, and always have had, in the greater Houston area. Yes, there is some of that in the closer suburbs, but as we've witnessed in recent years, that model is dying and more and more people want to be a part of this bigger entity and even live downtown (OMG heaven forbid!). I've read articles not long ago that the "brilliant" Texas legislature has made it more difficult for big cities to annex surrounding and adjacent areas where there is obviously no separate municipality in control and even where the residents would prefer to be a part of the larger city. Where this came from is anybody's guess, but we are talking about the Texas legislative philosophy in the last few decades that has done little to improve life state wide. Evidence appears to indicate that most if not all, positive changes innovations are being initiated by the big cities, especially Houston, and are then spreading as word of successes spread. In this day and age of rapid information transfer, this is a good thing. It means necessary and/or desired changes to the way we run our city(ies) happens much faster in response to the citizenry. Sorry for the long rant, but all of this is important and necessary to weigh in considering the benefits of these mostly inner city building projects, AND in consideration of future expansion as the people desire and can be conveyed to the local governments. I feel as though there are many more people out there in our region that desire inclusion in the bigger picture, instead of exclusivity and isolationism that goes with incorporating "new" cities or suburbs/subdivisions. I think we have enough outlying municipalities already, it's time to expand the City as needed in the directions where there is a desire by the residents and room to grow, our currently legislative process allowing.
  18. ArtNsf
    I'm loving the contrast and all the colors added to downtown's night skyline, and very visible, even from this distance. Thanks for the cool photo !
  19. ArtNsf
    Whataburger rules ! IN and Out ? Gag me totally, and they are small and overpriced.
  20. ArtNsf
    Agreed. But, there are those in power at high levels that are trying desperately to sound the alarm about the historic and record breaking student loan debt that even those of middle age still owe and how the rates are so high, they'll probably never be able to pay those debts off. Some relief has to come soon, or the beginning and younger graduates out of high school will no longer have college as a viable option, especially once they realize their own parents are still struggling with student loan payments with high interest rates. It seems that the student loan banking industry has more power to get what's "owed" them than even the IRS and those guys are ruthless, by going after a person's relatives and estate even after one has died. Maybe the adage should be rewritten to say "death, taxes, and student loans". Anyway, something has to be done and soon before this "bubble" bursts just like the housing one did 12 years ago. If not, having beautiful colleges and incredible faculty won't matter much if the students can't afford to even walk through the front door.
  21. ArtNsf
    cool. these renderings sure have a "space city" feel to them, which I think makes sense and it's something different than most of what we've seen being developed lately around town. thanks for the screen shots !
  22. ArtNsf
    absolutely my point too, agreed.
  23. ArtNsf
    Your ideas definitely make sense if the elevator situation is what sets the limit here locally. I do recall working in the First City Tower (back when it was known as that) and touring the Transco Tower (way back when as well), and they have multiple elevator shafts that stop going up at various levels, and that also begin at certain floor levels, more than two or three if I remember correctly in Transco, which is 65 stories (and an incredibly beautiful super tall building). I guess the cost was easier to cover back then before prices for just about everything went up faster in some areas, not so fast in other areas, but still a steady rise overall - over 30 years now, including construction materials and labor. However, I know for a fact that Houston has some mighty wealthy developers and locals just like any other city, even the 3 larger cities in America that are bigger than Houston, and you know, prestige and bragging rights do come to mind. In Texas at least, that makes a HUGE difference to most of us architecturally minded people. It almost becomes reminiscent of a sport - go figure... I hope Houston will always remain the biggest and best city in Texas as it already is, but adding more taller buildings would be some mighty tasty frosting on the cake, indeed !
  24. ArtNsf
    Thank you for putting it the way you did here. And, NO I would absolutely NOT be okay with dallas or austin having a taller building. It's a Texas thing I suppose down here, but that would so not be cool at all !
  25. ArtNsf
    I'm just going to throw this out here, as I haven't read anyone else specifically ask about it on this forum. But, why is the magic "ceiling" in downtown not exceeding 50 "stories" any longer ? Is there some sort of exponentially higher costs associated with adding floors at 50 and above ? Don't get me wrong, I'm very appreciative of all these mid height tall buildings we've gotten in the past 8 to 10 years, without a doubt. But, seems strange that every time something is proposed at 50 plus stories, it either sits on the table for years and dies, or is cancelled altogether. Cases in point, El Museo Tower 54 floors (although not in downtown, but further south) and the new Chevron Tower right at 50 floors, still pending with no movement on the project in at least 5 years now. I know the 1980's were a different time in Houston and America in general, and there were some high powered forces that allowed us to get our "super tall" buildings downtown at the time, but I really can't imagine what is keeping these sorts of taller projects from happening again, especially at this time in Houston. Just my two cents and maybe someone in this forum has some factual insight on this. I would love to see a move toward some super talls downtown soon, especially like they have been doing in NY and other international cities where they are pretty skinny, but very tall. Seems like that would be a money saver in and of itself?
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