kjb434

The cost is typicall for the Luxury Highrise market. The Shamrock tower has a much lower price point than this though.

$500 is correct. These are extremely high end condos. Each one has an outdoor kitchen with a large balcony patio along with the condo.

Great idea HeightsGuy. Parking is a much needed feature at the Reliant Stadium. It would be cool to have a parking garage in there. I'm just wondering who will put up money to do this. They'll have to charge for parking to pay for it. Probably $8 or $10 for large events.

If development along the north of Westhemer at Post Oak can be built up to the sidewalks like in an urban setting, pedestrian bridges can be built for accesss. Or, if the money was there, a short tunnel under the roads can be built like in downtown. I think if the developers and retail managers would get together with the Uptown District; they can produce a cohesive pedestrian friendly atmosphere. Another option with the intersection of Post Oak and Westheimer would be all direction cross walk. This concept is used in many major urban centers typically with one street intersections. In this configuration, no right turns on red would be allowed and a 20 to 30 second time phase would be added into the street signal to allow pedestrians to walk. This would allow petrians to walk diagonally across the intersection. Being there on busy days, i always see people walking around outside anyway. This will facilitate it a little more.

If the HCTRA is spearheading this, then the F-2 alignment will be inline to be built definitely. The only thing that can stop it now is to have studies show that the road will not support any anticipated traffic, but there are currently studies showing the road is needed. The studies also qualify for use it TxDOT would pursue federal funding. I'm on the side for building the Grand Parkway, but I also believe full disclosure and public meetings are a must. At least with TxDOT in charge, public concerns are made and can be incorporated. This was recently seen with the commencement of construction of Spur 527 into downtown. Outbound traffic was allowed to continue to use the spur under construction which was not part of TxDOT's plan. TxDOT also assisted the city in mitigating traffic as best as it could. No one can truly argue the construction couldn't move forward because the spur was already past its lifespan and must be replaced. I believe SOS must show a sizeable presence at every commisioners and HCTRA meeting that comes up. The presence must be of one of cooperation and understanding. I have mentioned before of working with the alignment of the GP and new development in MUD 368 where the western terminus of the F-2 alingment is at Boudreaux and SH 249. Our consultants and the board of MUD 368 have been anticipating this section of the alignment for well over 3 years. The district is pushing on some issues it knows it can win such as sound walls and barriers along the alingment that is near residential areas. The district also sees some benifit with proposed commercial development at SH 249 and Boudreaux Rd which will benifit the residents of the district. Lets hope that HCTRA and the commisioners keep in touch with the residents of Spring and members of SOS to achieve the best possible solution.

The world's fair became a losing proposition by the mid 80's. The concept was really cool and was very much needed in a world where many of the economies ran on themselves. Each exhibit displayed the marvels and history of all the countries involved. In todays world, the economies of the world have started to and are becoming fully blended with each other. Technology and products in our everyday lives coming from various countries diminshed the concept of the fair. And with the World Showcase exhibit at EPCOT in Disney World Florida, the backers for each world fair exhibits now put their money towards the world showcase. Every country or region is sponsered by that country or regions tourist and world relations bureau. What ever they may call themselves. Back to the Dome: I do admit the dome has a LOT of history, but what is most important is the memories we have of the dome. The facility is aging quickly and with the lack of use the managing authories are not keeping it up. The issue of tearing down a landmark building such as this is not new. The Lousiana Superdome in New Orleans is in a threat to be torn down too. The facility their is built upon the same principle as the Astrodome. They were both built as multi-use facilities, but a problem in the end was that the facilities were too big for many uses. Now you are seen many cities building several different venues to handle the primary user and then the facilities are rented to others who pay for it. Now we have MinuteMaid, Toyota Center, and Reliant. In New Orleans, the Hornets and the local hocky and arena football teams use a new facility next door to the Superdome. The Saints are threatening to leave unless they get a new Stadium to compete with other franchises. Being from Louisiana, the Superdome has many memories like the Astrodome must have for local Houstonians. Superdome still hold the worlds record for worlds largest expanse of unsupported roof structure. Over 600ft diameter of unsupported concrete and streel beam roof. And actually, the roof keeps the walls from falling down. The Astrodome has the feat of being the first multi-use dome facility in the world and the largest at the time. If someone was willing to keep the facility up and make use of it, I'm all for it. It must be a private business venture that accomplishes this and not local authorities. Trust me, if money can be made re-using the dome, then it will. Money may rule the fate of this facility. If no-one wants to renovate the dome, don't see it lasting long. The management agency will not want to keep this building just for posterity.

It all depends on the permit process, weather and access. Don't forget that McCue was rebuilt while this building was being constructed. The project also has a tighter constraint to build in versus 1200 post oak, montebello, and ville d'est

A nice chunk of the Foley's is administrative and operations.

That top ten is funny.

I agree, the Northline area is due for major revitalization. Just short of carpet bombing the area an rebuilding it is needed (scarcastic). Any developer that ventures in just like Gulfgate would want something that will last. With the history of Gulfgate and don't forget Meyerland Plaza done by they developer, it looks like Northline is in good hands.

I'm so happy that this is being built. I grew up in South Lousiaiana were cathedrals and catholic churches were the center of the city. In my home town of about 30,000 we had a co-Cathedral like Houston. We shared the head of the diocese with a neighboring town. The cathedral in our city was designed to be very old looking with many influences of french cathedrals. A strange coincidence that the cathedral in my home town and the one in Houston are both St. Joseph. I like the italian style that the one being build in Houston will carry with the bell tower off to the side. The new building seems to have a lot of modern touches. This offends some people, but i like it. It helps bring the church into modern times. In 100 or 200 years from now it will be old and a classic too.

Just west of Uptown Park across the blvd and south of the Montebello. Its underconstruction right now. Would love to see a tall hotel between Motebello and Ville d'Est

I hope these types of ventures push forward. I'm glad to see metro take the position of working with developers to attract development in the area. Developers are much more likely to develop a potentially risky project if incentives from agencies of public are available. Also, since metro is being run more and more like a competent business instead of a public agency, it looks good for the future.

I aggree completely with you GovernorAggie. I really get aggrevated when neighborhood groups will protest something that is inevitable. If the groups would be prepared to work with the agencies, they can get more what they want in a good compromise. The village of Spring Valley had initial complaints of the Katy Freeway expansion in their area, but they worked with TxDOT to achieve a common goal. A few people protested that they wanted no widening of freeway. That goal is obviously impossible to achieve, but understanding the project, they can work issues out. The Grand Parkway is the same way. The concept of this facility has been on the metropolitan planning commission's Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan for years. The construction was inevitable. If residents and business would attempt to understand the project, the reasons for it being built, and who is planning it, they can work with them and get a good solution. Residents in Fort Bend and Western Harris County have been approaching it this way. Portions of the unbuilt GP in southern Fort Bend County will pass through environmentally sensitive area. The residents and supporters of the wetland areas have been suggesting alternative alignments and path that don't completely bypass the sensitive portions of land, but instead just minimize the impacts. Don't get me wrong, they did propose a complete bypass option, but the cost and effectiveness of the new roadway would not justify the alignment. The same issues are being addressed in western Chambers County. Just wait until Montgomery and Harris County decide to extend the Hardy Toll Road to just south of Conroe. It's already in the planning phases. Developers that have already build in the path of the proposed road have alread taken into account the alignments and have left room for the road.

My company manages and assiste developers in MUD 368 just east of SH 249 along Tomball road. A 5 level stack is planned between the grand parkway and SH 249 in this area. The aligment is known through the MUD currently and we are designing the developments around there to accompany the proposed parkway. One ramp will pass over a church parking lot at 249. The alignment will parrallel just south of Boudreaux Road in this area. Developers that have good relations with TxDOT, GPA, the City of Houston, and Harris County know where the primary location of the parkway will be placed. It is the responsibility of the engineer working with the developer to prevent issues like a proposed freeway that will destroy the development. Typicall a developer will not buy land that is under consideration for a freeway. Some will on purpose to force the government to pay more for the land. In the spring area, the parkway will not bypass and go to the Woodlands. The bridge for the parkway is currently being built over Spring Creek by Riley Fuzzel Road. This bridge is being design to accomadate the parkway in the future. The bridge is being built as a flood and traffic improvement project along Riley Fuzzel Road across Spring Creek. But this was to get the money to construct the bridge early and go through the lengthy proccess of getting approval by the Army Corps of Engineers for crossing a major stream. Also, the Grand Parkway in Chambers county south of I-10 to FM 53 is currently under construction. The freeway in this area is meant to pull truck traffic out of residential areas. A new industrial development of warehouses, port facilities, evironmental servicing firms are moving in as part of a planne port expansion to the Chambers County side of Baytown. This leg of the Grand Parkway will be a great benifit to the area.

The part i meant about under wraps is the aesthics, expected construction date, condo types, costs. It is just in a extremely early state. If they have extended the Cordish or if they are planning to, I hope work goes forward to finish the proposed phase two.

My only complaint about the Dominion is the color and that fact it is rental apartments. If the color was darker and the units were condos are least planned to turn into condos i would be reall happy. But i'm am happy with the increased interest in developers to build up instead of horizontal.

To Sooner&RiceGrad: The crane that was brought in is overkill for the kind of construction needed for the picture you have placed. While the design is still a mystery to me, it will definitely be taller than 5 or 6 floors. I'm thinking on the order of 8 or 10 for this facility.

I'm glad to see all the replies! And to add to bachanon's statement out all the infrastructure upgrades that occurred to downtown and midtown: Every street that has been rebuilt had the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water lines, and other utilities completely replaced. Downtown Houston and parts of Midtown have new utilities services that allow for the expansion to occur. Studies have already been developed that are showing the interest in urban living in this area from current Houston residents. The study also recognizes a trend through the country of increased urban residencies. Just look at San Diego, Portland, Miami, and even Dallas. Houston has had some of this development occur, but in the form of mostly townhomes. Right now the pace of mid-rise construction is picking up. It just needs to be followed by a some high-rise construction to show the effect the is full swing. I don't this the population increase that Central Houston Inc. is hoping for is not to hard to achieve. I think that most of the downtown and midtown future development will occur on the concept of you build it and they will come. The most important aspect that i think needs to be addressed is the price point of most of the new residential development in downtown and midtown. They cannot be only luxury high-rise facilities. The Shamrock has already shown that a facility can be proposed with various price points from reasonable to the ungodly expensive is possible. Just as soon as those promises are changed into contracts we will see it happen in that facility. I just can't wait until more proposals for residential high-rises come out. There is already one that is being kept under wraps fairly well that is being proposed to be built next to the Bayou Place. You can see it in the Downtown 2025 sketches. The city has a approve that the developer can build it. I think it is in feasibility right now.

Check the link below for a vision of downtown houston created by a consortium of Public and Private entities. Downtown Houston 2025 Plan The proposed park in front of the George R. Brown is a part of this with the progression of residential high-rise development with ground level retail. The goal is to make downtown a residential place along with commercial office space. Once people start living downtown, retail will start moving in more and more. Then downtown becomes more a desination for visitors and residents alike. The mayor would like to make the 2025 timeline faster and occur earlier. Last night on the public access channel for Houston, the presentation that presented the plan was aired along with a video of the proposal. All the materials are available in the above link.

The compaq center logo was removed this past weekend. Some major progress is being made on the project.

cool, another landmark in the Houston sky.

I saw the commercial too, but I saw it last night. I guess its reall serious now. I know they build the offices and entry driveway, but even that doesn't mean it is a go. But now they are advertising, it would be fairly embarrasing to pull out now.

could it be that one synagogue will replace the other when it is finished? Many churches have to expand because of lack of facilities. And just renovating is not always the answer.

Also, in the US the rules regarding safety of construction workers in these construction projects along with the pay (which isn't that bad) increases the cost. In Asia where skyscrapers are being built left and right, the labor for construction is also fairly cheap. Also, in high-rise construction the skills needed aren't usually filled by immagrant workers that take low pay as in single family construction. This also increased cost also. Also know that it is not uncommon for a high-rise to devleper to go through several rounds of reservations for units before construction. As we see with the Shamrock Tower where they achieved a 70% reservation which is fairly good and promises well for the tower. The Monaco had a high pricepoint and realized they didn't attract or the market wasn't there for it. hopefully when they adjust the floorplans and units counts along with the prices they will get a higher reservation rate. The website does have more floorplans for the tower now. prior to the new floorplans, they only had 4 per floor.