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After perusing their web site, I've realized that I like most Of Randall Davis' buildings.

And I fear I am the only person on this board with good taste.

Gargoyles dude.

Everybody thinks they have common sense and good taste...

I have to ride the elevator to the 24th floor to check in? And then board it again to go to my floor. Ridiculous.

I think it's a great idea!

Today they have been removing the sidewalk on the North edge of the lot. They are picking up sections of the sidewalk (which is less than a year old) with a forklift and putting on a dump truck. Hopefully it means they're about to break ground.

Have you seen the back sides of his buildings. The jail on the bayou is more appealing. And that's not saying much. It's like Randall forgets you can see all four sides of a midrise! Argh... The humanity!

Forget about the backside of his buildings...have you seen the front side?

I'm surprised no one has complained yet that all the beautiful young people in the renderings appear to be light-skinned Caucasians. As a geezer-in-training, I could complain that they are all young with great bodies. But, I won't. :-)

Good point. Expect our "community leaders" to stage a protest soon.

That is great news!

Nice renderings!

Kirby is a MAJOR thoroughfare with countless number of high-density developments including many high rises. Zero chance this gets tied up in court.

I agree. But that doesn't mean that emotional neighboors won't sue.

Why does the plaza need to be sunken? Why not have it at street level and activate downtown? What is this obsession with underground spaces?

I'm confused by the decision to delay the project immediately after deciding to expand it. Do they have two very conflicting reads on the market, or is the delay to give them more time to accommodate/fund the larger project?

Delay? Was there ever a groundbreaking date given?

Hey I don't like Randall's much either, but let's not forget that it exists.

Plus Fiesta.

Plus Phoenicia.

These two (plus Camden superblock)definitely are. They are comparable to DG and OPP, look at how they transformed downtown!

This is terrible news.

Question: has this project received its approval for the Incentive money? If it has, this is bad news. If it has NOT received approval, then, I get why there is no start date.

I don't think it's bad news. They probably need to get equity and/or debt before moving forward, they need construction drawings and permits.

Granted, it's possible by the time they are ready to go, demand downtown has waned and they put it on hold. After all, Camden did sit on its Midtown land for about 12 years.

Where are they going to put the new Cracker Barrel?

Next to the Zone D'Erotica!

Honestly, do you think Southampton and Boulevard Oaks are lacking deed restrictions? Both neighborhoods have strict deed restrictions and the neighbors enforce them actively (especially quick to catch spec home builders trying to break the strict height limitations).

The main issue is that Bissonnet at one time fell under those deed restrictions but when the City declared it a major thoroughfare, it changed the rules mid-game allowing for insane proposals like adding a 21 story apartment tower with a couple of hundred units in the middle of what is essentially a healthy, single family neighborhood.

That's the first time I hear of that argument. I didn't think the deed restrictions could be overturned without majority of owners agreement. Otherwise, it constitutes taking and the owners should've fought to get compensated by the city at the point that happened; if was not the developer who took away the deed restrictions (assuming that actually happened)

What do Santa Claus and a mouse have in common? They both have a beard, except for the mouse.

From what I have heard is they are scaffolding the building to access the exterior brick face for removal. The Netting is to protect pedestrians from any small debris that may fall. The owner elected to scaffold the face instead of using those climbing decks that were used on Texas Ave. Felt it will be safer.

Good for them, it means they are salvaging the brick. Skanska is a very environment conscious developer.

It's good to have cheap hotel options.

Midway is easily one of the best developers in Houston right now.

Funny, everyone hates the neighbors... you know, the ones who live in Houston and pay astronomical property taxes on their properties. Meanwhile, the developers live in the City of West University Place and don't have to worry about an outside developer building a 20+ story tower next to their single family house.

Sure, their case was stupid. Their homes aren't going to be horribly devalued (well, the ones directly backing up to them will probably suffer short term) because the neighborhood is healthy and has a great location. However, allowing this tower sets a precedent. Will a new tower be proposed on the vacant lot on Greenbrier @ Bissonnet? Will an outside developer decide that the lot that houses Picnic, Raven, and an antique store would make a good place for another tower? Will Rice sell the Hillel House to make a quick buck? Do the owners of the single family homes that still line Bissonnet start thinking about cashing out because their neighborhood has in fact changed for the worse (more traffic, less trees, more transient neighbors (renters vs. owners, etc...?)

I think this is what the folks who live on Albans, Wroxton, North, and South worry about. Do any of you really think the houses that line Woodway, Chimney Rock, Kirby, or San Felipe command the same premium as those further away from those streets do? Do you think a house on Wroxton Court that backs up to a 21 story tower will be as valuable as one 5 blocks away? If you've invested a few million into a historic home on South Boulevard, do you now worry that when you go out to your back yard there will be a tower hovering above you rather than live oak trees?

This is what the closest residents were worried about. As a citizen of the City of Houston, I'd support them over some carpet bagging developers just looking to cash out on a neighborhood's popularity by potentially harming it over the long run. That's what this case is about to me.

All valid points. If you're worried about that, either mobilize to get zoning on the ballot, or don't buy an expensive house in a desirable neighborhood without deed restrictions in Houston - but don't sue to stop someone from doing something that complies with current laws.

Okay, I just had a solution that would solve two county problems

Domed penal colony. "Astrojail" We already used it to house thousands after katrina.

The county could consolidate all of their jails to the dome.

Bingo!

An invisible skyscraper near the international airport? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea....

The exposed concrete is probably my favorite thing about this building; its an honest expression of its structure.

The masonry veneer at the ground floor looks cheap to me because it looks poorly detailed and out of place.

 

I completely agree. Not many people do exposed concrete because of the risk involved. Not much you can do if you have a bad pour. If you patch, it will always be evident.

 

Google "Tadao Ando houses" for some of the best examples of exposed concrete in residential construction:

 

 

This HAS to be the most photographed demolition in Houston history... right? Not by the amount of people like with the Macy's demo, but at least the most photos taken over time.

 

 

you're probably right, but the Astrodome may beat the record.

Belfiore is Kirksey's