Sunstar

If it's contributing to flooding downtown then I agree it needs to be removed. The building had some unique character to it, but I also think turning that whole section along the Bayou from Fannin to Elysian into green space would be quite nice. I'm guessing they were never able to purchase the Centerpoint property on McKee since I don't see it incorporated into their plan.

I was hoping they could somehow incorporate 1119 Commerce into the design, it's a cool old building they way if backs right up to the Bayou.

The renovations of older buildings for new hotels has been a huge boon for downtown IMO, and I hope the trend continues. I agree revenues are mainly business driven, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I suspect there has been an incremental increase in our tourism numbers over the past 10 years or so, and that will likely continue, but I don't know of anything we can add above what we already have that will suddenly catapult us into the ranks of Austin/San Antonio, let alone NYC or SF. It kind of is what it is. The further densification (not sure that's a word) of downtown and other neighborhoods will help. I also think projects like the next phases of the Buffalo Bayou and the Memorial Park Master Plans will also help from a beautification standpoint. But several of our major attractions like Nasa and the San Jacinto Battlefield, which in most cities would be huge tourist attractions, are hindered by being too far outside the city with no reliable means of getting to other than rental car or Uber/Taxi.

If it's not revenues, something must be driving new hotel developments downtown. It seems like a new one opens every new week, with more being announced all the time. Perhaps the revenues aren't enough to entice some of the higher end brands to to open up here, but they will soon be in a tiny minority.

Oh nuts, I missed them! 😃

I totally forgot this was a thing. Thanks for the post.

I can’t wait to see this sucker lit up. It’s going to look great!

I wish someone would lease out their old space on Main Street, it’s a nice location and it’s sad to see it all boarded up.

It’s this one

Wow, so much stuff gone now. The foreground across the Bayou appears to be what is now the Wortham Center and Sesquicentennial Park. That would be Preston street bridge. Possibly taken from the roof of the Tennison Hotel? The Bayou was seriously concreted back then. Guess they got tired of all the flooding.

Noticed the CVS sign is up. Not sure how long it's been up.

Good call, I never thought of it being a no longer existent building.

Trying to find a good thread for this image. In this picture you can see Annunciation Church, Union Station and I think the Anderson Clayton building. Not sure what neighborhood that is in the foreground. I'm guessing Quality Hill.

It's the Ballet center made transparent.

That appears to be the third option. But what's the purpose of the structure at 610 and Hempstead?