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SpaceAge

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  1. SpaceAge
    (copy from 50s Med Center Hotel) So as for Tiki Restaurants, we had Trader Vic's in the Shamrock Hotel, the Poly-Asian on South Main, and Don the Beachcomber in Woodlake where Amazon is now located. Don the Beachcomber was the most recent. I think it was built about 1972 and demolished about 1980. It was a round, onion shaped building with a pond at the entry. You crossed a bridge lighted by gas fired torches upon entering. The center of the roof had an opening with more gas fired flames. Inside, the concave walls were lined with bamboo and other lush tropical landscaping complete with trickling waterfalls and singing birds. I remember being most fascinated by the fireflies that appeared to fly around and light up intermittently. It was like a bit of Disney in Houston. The Book of Tiki states they had 16 locations.
  2. SpaceAge
    It looks like a lot of the original school remains when comparing the two photos. I attended Robert E. Lee High School and have heard that Westbury and Lee had the same layout. In the newer photo, I see the following areas of the existing school remain: office auditorium and possibly drama, chorus and band rooms court yard space across from auditorium that extended to the library library cafeteria snack bar area girls locker room gym boys locker room The removal of the long, monotonous three story classroom building is the major change. I cannot remember one interesting architectural feature or pleasant space at Lee. It was a terribly unpleasant, institutional facility. There must have been a lack of funds and/or imagination in HISD in the early 1960s. The elementary schools were still being thoughtfully designed but the junior and senior high schools were bare bones. I have seen Lamar High School, which is only about 15-20 years older, and the differences in quality are astounding. I wonder if the air conditioners work any better today. When ours went out, which was often, it stayed down for several weeks. They always said they had to wait on a part. Trucks must have only operated once a month back in the late 1970s. The year before I got to Lee, the radical Lee students staged a protest strike and marched the streets around the school due to the lack of air conditioning. It was on all the local news stations and the school reputation was damaged for years. Johnny Rebel- The Westbury Mascot It is very much like the Lee mascot. The football games between Westbury and Lee must have been confusing with both sides waving the same flag.
  3. SpaceAge
    We went to the Bill Williams near Richmond often, also. That location was beautiful. It was a resort on the river with giant oak trees all around the restaurant, motel, and pool. The fortune-telling lady in the glass box was creepy. I thought she was real at first. We were never allowed to waste any money on the machines. Do you-all remember the wash basins/sinks located in the foyer of the restaurant? There was a tile counter with several basins, soap and towels. I think that was an excellent idea. All restaurants should have that. That way you were clean and ready to eat as soon as you were seated. They placed orange plastic giraffes in our iced tea and had the best rolls with real butter and honey. Bill Williams, Jimmy Walkers, Captain John's, Kaphan's, and Christies were/ are my favorite restaurants.
  4. SpaceAge
    It seems the Weingarten family has found a stinging way to retaliate for the offensive treatment they long received from the River Oaks community.
  5. SpaceAge
    I was surprised also, but the old Foley's building was reused. Another floor was added to the existing structure. Prehaps the open nature of the existing building aided in the ease of its reconfiguration. It was difficult to see into the construction area but I am sure the frame of the existing building remained. I remember they first removed the large bunker type planting boxes around the exterior that gave the building a below ground look and started the additions from there. Has anyone ever noticed that sometimes when a building is renovated, one wall of the existing building remains standing as to be incorporated into the new structure. The remaining wall gets cut down bit by bit and by the time the building is almost finished, the old wall section has disappeared. I have seen this happen several times: once was at the mexican restaurant on Westheimer @ Walnut Bend and another example was on South Shepherd near Westheimer. Is this some type of ploy to save money on building permits or property taxes?
  6. SpaceAge
    The store formerly housing Mervyn's at Memorial City mall was built for Lord & Taylor in 1977. Lord & Taylor closed in 1989 and Mervyn's relocated from the former Globe store across Gessner. The former Globe/Mervyn's became Oshman's until it was demolished in 2005. Lord and Taylor returned to Memorial City in a new structure on the south side of the mall in 2002 but only lasted about two years this time. That store is now occupied by JC Penny. The first Lord & Taylor at Memorial City was a handsome 1970's suburban department store. Much of its upscale detail was removed when Mervyn's took over. Recently the building was further degraded with the application of a press-on artificial stone veneer in an attempt to blend it with the rest of the redecorated old mall. It will be unfortunate for Houston to loose another piece of its retail heritage. Until recently, Lord & Taylor was known for the outstanding design of their stores. The noted industrial designer Raymond Loewy designed seven suburban stores for Lord & Taylor in the 1950's. When Lord & Taylor came to Houston in the 1970's, they opened four stores which were located at the Galleria, Memorial City, Greenspoint, and West Oaks Malls. Only the Galleria location survived after the 1980s. The present Foley's at Memorial City is a new structure which was built in the former parking area east of the former Montgomery Ward's store which was demolished and replaced with a Target store. Dillard's relocated from Town and Country Mall to the reconfigured and added-to former Foley's store at the east end of the Memorial City Mall. This 1970's Foley's was one of the early versions of the open concept department store. It originally had few walls and the departments were seperated only by fixtures, furniture, and draperies. It was very open and mod with an early 1970's molded white plastic scheme. The apartment complex is to be located east of the north-east parking garage, across the street from the mall, at the site formerly occupied by the Holiday Inn and the mini-storage facility which fronts on I-10. NORTH is up on this map:
  7. SpaceAge
    It looks like it's going to be just another apartment complex across the street from a mall. Only the press- on facades have been altered to protect the investors. Things do not seem to be turning out nearly as interestingly as originally described. Remember the Holiday Inn that was on that site? It was huge. It had many buildings spread across the immense site. Later in its life it was divided into several smaller motels that were eventually replaced, temporarily, with mini storage units. The apartment complex behind them has already been demolished and replaced once. They were less than 20 years old when replaced. We may see several more redevelopments of this area in our lifetimes.
  8. SpaceAge
    I am glad the future students have an opportunity for a new facility. For the same cost, a creative architect could come up with a solution that surpasses the utilitarian with a truly interesting result. It is a waste of money to settle for 70% when they could achieve more for the same funds. If they don't aspire for much they more than likely will not receive much. As for the old location on Bissonnet at Loop 610, it seems the Episcopalians have been successful in turning the former Incarnate Word into a highly sought after school.
  9. SpaceAge
    Yes, what misguided architect is responsible for this waste of money? Incarnate Word should be in a good financial condition after selling their former facility on the West Loop at Bissonnet. It was about 35 acres of prime realestate which is currently valued at about 38 million dollars. They sold it in the early 1980s and should have invested the proceeds to fund the institution far into the future. This proposed new building is another example of poor judgement.
  10. SpaceAge
    Thanks for posting all the beautiful photos of this great building. Yes, MacKie & Kamrath were the architects on both First Pasadena Bank (1962) and Science and Research (1969). S&R was my favorite building at UH. I was lucky to have about five classes there. I always took my Fortran punch cards there to be entered into the computer to see if I had punched all the holes correctly. It would take 15 to 30 minutes on every attempt so I would often get an icecream sandwich and eat it while sitting on the floor in the lobby, just soaking in all the details. S&R was only eleven years old then but it seemed much older. It has the same stained glass details shown above in the stairways. I can still remember the smell of the floor tiles and rubber edging in those hot stairways. This was my favorite classroom. I remember seeing a reduced floorplan for First Pasadena Bank and there is much more to it than just the tower. There is a large half circular portion around the rear and sides of the tower. This portion may have a basement with cafeteria. A filmmaker has indicated she will soon be producing a documentary about the bank building. This building is absolutely wonderful and needs to reclaim its position as the symbol of Pasadena. The city should buy it for their city hall. From the 1969 Cole's Directory, the building was leased mostly by doctors, attorneys, and insurance agencies. The architecture firm of Ressler & Applebaum were there. They were founded in 1963 and are now known as RA Architects. Perry Ressler is deceased. Hy Applebaum, first certified in 1958, continues the practice.
  11. SpaceAge
    From 1969 Cole's Directory: John's Pancake House 3833 O.S.T. Houston, Texas 77025 713-747-2136 near int of 6000 Scott St. Car Dealer Songs: Da-vis....Chuck Davis.....Chuck Davis Chevrolet, oh yea,...Chuck Davis Chevrolet! Buy your Chevrolet from Persia, Mike Persia Chevrolet (sung to the beat of indian drums) This same tune was use for Joe Conte Chevrolet here also, at a later date. I remember these songs sounding very spooky at night on the AM car radio when the signal would fade in and out. Tommy Vaughn's had an eerie echo too. It could have been all the ear infections I always had...time for a lance!
  12. SpaceAge
    The 1969 Cole's Directory shows Bissonnet ended at 4300 (the Bellaire city limits) and became Richmond Road. Jay's Prescription Shop was located at 5122. We got our prescriptions at Madings Drug Store in the Bellaire Triangle at 5430. Don's Bellaire Record Shop was at 5008 Near-by was: 5000 LaRose Cleaners 5002 Fosters Uphlstring 5004 Antique Dreams 5007 Buteras Delux Meat Mkt 5008 Dons Bellaire Record Shop 5011 Moyas Barber Shop 5012 Stewart Service Station 5106 Napko Paint Store 5110 Fosters Interiors 5112 A Gees Chinese Oven No 1 5114 Tulane Fabrics 5116 Tic Toc Cleaners 5118 H & H House of Beauty, JJ Watson Plumbing Co, V. Woodard Cos Ofc 5120 Allied Finance Co. 5122 Jays Prescription Shop 5124 American Nut Sales, Dr. C M Ashmore 5126 Reppond Elect Co. 5130 Plaza Cleaners 5202 Tele Radio Inc. 5206 Coin op Wash & Dry 5208 Felix Mexican Restaurant 5301 Wilkins Fine Furniture 5301A Southwestern Savings Association This was 5301-A Richmond Road (Bissonnet) in 1962. Kirksey Architects lead their client, Amegy Bank, in the destruction of this fabulous landmark in late 2004. 5303 Bellaire Barber Shop 5305 Imperial Credit 5307 Jr. Miss 5309 Chez Lee Beauty Salon, Christian Science Church 5311 Footes Cafeterias 5312 Griffs Burger Bar 5313 USA Recruting Serv, R M Hardison Co, James T Melton, U S Marine Corps, Dr. L F Melchior (This must be the wonderful two story MOD office building that is now in danger of a Styro-Stuccoing thanks to Amegy Bank and Kirksey Architects) 5317 Chapman Young World 5321 Goodyear Srv Stores 5400 Bellaire Srf Shop, E. Garcia, Triangle Barber Shop 5408 Studers Photos Inc. 5414 Fabric Mart 5418 Village Shoe Store 5422 Brooks Ones A Meal Sandwich Shop 5424 Benjamins Clothiers 5430 Madings Drug Store
  13. SpaceAge
    http://www.citywideofficespace.com/tmaps/A121080-013mt.jpg 1001 East Southmore Avenue Pasadena, Texas This is Pasadena's only skyscraper and it may be in danger. It has a chainlink fence around it and looks empty. Does anyone know its status? According to Stephen Fox in the AIA Houston Architectural Guide, it was designed by MacKie & Kamrath with Lloyd Borget and Doughtie & Porterfield and built in 1962. It is described as a distinctive 12-story tower consisting of a glass-curtained shaft that appears to project forward from a brick-faced spine containing the stairs, elevators and toilets. It would be tragic for Pasadena to loose this landmark. It is the only positive image I have of Pasadena architecture.
  14. SpaceAge
    Very interesting. The design kept the center axis theme consistent from the front to rear property line. He established a concept and stuck with it. It's unfortunate the 1980's looking landscape destroyed some of the strength of the original concept. I wonder what type of plantings the grid featured? A transitional approach of intermitent turf, gravel and trimmed groundcover might work.
  15. SpaceAge
    Will some of you that saw the plans answer this? What was the date on the plans? The screen porch extension appeared well detailed and original to me. The similar in plan house on Willowisp has had the porch glazed and a window air conditioner added. Looks like the flood potential for this house and Willowisp is similar as they are located near the same ditch. The flood map link above shows a high risk of flooding. Better budget for flood insurance as a yearly expense. I guess all the Mods in California have to budget for earthquake insurance. I'll take flooding over earthquakes any day. As for determining values by location, Buffalo Bayou seems to be one of the major factors in Houston. Generally, the closer to the bayou, the higher the value.
  16. SpaceAge
    Click on the address on the first post for more photos. The plan is similar to the former Jenkins residence at 10911 Willowisp he designed in 1956. Seems a trademark of their office was the low hanging light fixtures which this house has at least four. It is a beautiful house but the back yard is compromised by the extra long extension of the living area.
  17. SpaceAge
    It has been open at least twice in the last ten or eleven years. I was fortunate to see it while still in its original condition. It was vacant and we were allowed to give it a close examination. It was a handsome and elegant modern mansion. The next time I saw it I was shocked. All of the handsome light brown brick that was in perfect condition is now covered in styrofoam and stucco complete with large amounts of styrofoam molding and trim. The central entry was Mediterraneanized. The glass pavillion, over 1,700 square feet, still appeared mostly in its original condition. Hopefully the styrofoam was applied with glue and can be easily removed. I never encountered Barnstone while at the U of H in the late 1970's but have been told by one of his former students that he was not merely a socialist but a communist and often espoused his views in class prompting heated discussions.
  18. SpaceAge
    Click on the "HISD HQ" link above to see the drawings and the model that freshman woodshop made. The building footprint is in the shape of an 'H'. They should have set up the parking spaces to spell out the 'I S D' in cars.
  19. SpaceAge
    Which high school drafting class designed the new HISD administration building? What a disgrace to Houston and especially at such a visible location. It has about as much architectural significance as a Holiday Inn Express. The HISD has displayed a serious lapse of stewardship of our publicly owned buildings. Their renovations and additions to existing schools are inferior in design and quality. Many of their decisions to demolish significant local landmarks and replace them with soulless boxes are troubling and robbing Houston of significant architecture. We should require more. HISD is throwing away our tax dollars in more ways than one.
  20. SpaceAge
    A link to the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department list of trail lengths: Houston Parks and Recreation Depthttp://www.houstontx.gov/parks/parktrail-boundaries.html This link lists other area trails: Houston Parks and Recreation Bayou Trails
  21. SpaceAge
    Marshall's has only taken about half of the old Target space so there is the old Marshall's and about half a Target, contiguous space, left at that center with some additional space in back. It's a good location. The rear access is a big asset. This seems like a good idea!
  22. SpaceAge
    First you have to spell the name correctly. The show was on KTRK 13 and they simply added an 'i' between each of the call letters. That's an easy way to remember it. KiTiRiK Try Google. Check 13. They have kept a few things from those days. They still have the robot from the Cadet Don Show. Her son was two years ahead of me in high school. Everyone knew his mother was a hot celebrity. MeeeeeOwwwwwwwwwww!
  23. SpaceAge
    Astro: The Hilton Motel will not replace the Bali Hai but it will be just south of the Bali Hai. The Bali Hai complex is a fine and skillful example of the combination of Modern and Tiki styles. This is far more sophisticated than most of the complexes shown in THE BOOK OF TIKI by Sven Kirsten. The Bali Hai has true swank value but has not been maintained very well. It is a risk to build theme oriented residential buildings and nobody is brave these days. Everything is safe and boring now. The Hilton Motel looks completely devoid of any architectural value. And that style eight or ten stories will be a perfect match for the other newer apartment complexes in that area......WRETCHED. As for the Googie Apts, you must mean McCue Road. McKee is downtown. Looks like the Marquee Apts are listed at 2306 and 2525 McCue in an old directory. There is another collection of well maintained MOD apartment complexes on Del Monte at Sage.
  24. SpaceAge
    It is next to the Bali-Hai Tiki Modern apartment complex. I am very concerned for their future. They have some great details like real bamboo trim around the doors and windows and the most awesome gas fired tiki torches. This era of architecture will be completely lost soon.
  25. SpaceAge
    Forest Hill Info. From Houston Architectural Guide- Second Edition page 170 1724 Alta Vista Avenue (1912) Cooke & Co. The architect W. A. Cooke designed this expansive Mission bungalow, faced with stucco and red roof tiles, for his family. It is located in Forest Hill, planned in 1910 by the Kansas City landscape architects Hare & Hare as the first subdivision in Houston with a curvilinear street plan. Forest Hill was laid out across Brays Bayou from what was then Houston Country Club (now Gus S. Wortham Park). The Cooke House was one of three large houses built there; these did not presage Forest Hill's future, however, and during the 1920's they came to be surrounded by much more modest houses. page 171 1766 Pasadena Avenue (1911) Lang & Witchell This Colonial Revival house was the largest built in Forest Hill. Designed in the Houston branch office of Dallas's most proliffic architects, it sits on a small hillock looking out to Brays Bayou.
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