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http://www.surgehomes.com/

A new building is in the talking stages for the MFA. It would mainly house the 20th century and contemporary collections. The museum has 3 sites in mind. One is at the current garage location on Fannin. Another is across Binz from the garage and a third is north of the Mies wing off Main. There are any number of world-class architects worthy of the job. I'd like to hear any suggestions you might have regarding the selection. Here's a few of mine: Renzo Piano [Menil Collection; Cy Twombly] Yoshio Taniguchi [MOMA and the new Aisa Museum in Houston] Zaha Hadid [Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, Cincinnati] Rem Koolhaas [seattle Public Library] Those are but a few of my choices for architect. If you could add any pictures with your choices, that would be great. As always,

https://houston.eater.com/2018/9/20/17883368/dantons-seafood-montrose-relocating-mockingbird-bistro Do we know of anything "cooking" at this site? I could easily see a mid/high rise going in at this site.

Now that South Main and The Citadel are nearing completion, Allen Harrison will soon move forward with their next project which is planned for the Museum District. https://www.museumparkna.org/event-3361584

85-unit affordable housing complex to sit behind Hanover Hermann Park https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/housing/20190917/housingdept.pdf

8-story residential @5014 Caroline

http://swamplot.com/where-youll-see-the-new-42-story-highrise-on-hermann-dr/2013-08-09/ Another 40+ story tower for Houston? And this one is supposed to having a twisting facade?! Great time to be in Houston!

A 'feasability study' has been submitted to the FAA for a 370' ft building at 1500-1598 Calumet St. https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=407159141&row=2

I was at the MFAH yesterday looking at the Ife exhibit and got into a conversation with one of the attendants. She told me about a new MFAH wing/building slated to start construction in early-2011. I hadn't heard this before. According to her, the new facility will house modern and contemporary art. When I expressed surprise about this - given that the CAM is right there - she indicated that the CAM didn't "want to play ball" so the MFAH is going forward with this plan. The purported site is next to the Presbyterian church - where the surface lot across Binz now stands. Can anyone confirm this? Sorry if I'm behind the times. I didn't see this posted anywhere else...

Swamplot is reporting that Hines is buying up property near the relatively new Asia Society Texas Center to construct a 20 to 22 story apartment tower. Swamplot article

I passed by 1200 Southmore today, and it is demolished. The detached garage remains, but I'm sure it is next. Most of you will remember this property as being the Patrician Bed & Breakfast Inn for many years. In more recent years, it was the location for Novalash. According to information I found, the three-story Colonial Revival style mansion was built in 1919 for George Smith King (1876-1965), a prominent attorney and judge, and the chairman of the Jefferson Davis Hospital Board. It was later purchased by Pat Thomas, who restored the home to it's former grandeur, and ran the Patrician Bed & Breakfast. According to the website, you could enjoy your breakfast in the large dining room or in the sunny solarium. According to information, the Patrician "is centrally located between downtown Houston and The Texas Medical Center. Walk to Hermann Park, Houston Zoological Gardens, Clayton Genealogical Research Library, Rice University and The Houston Museum of Fine Arts." The home was originally built for Mr. George Smith King, b. 1876 in Rusk County, Texas, d. 27-Aug-1965 in Houston, Texas. George earned his law degree at the Univ of Texas where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He served as District Attorney in Nacogdoches Cnty until he moved to Houston in 1905. He married Lollie Dee Chapman, married 01-Jun-1899 in Nacogdoches, Texas. "They say you can't go back again, but they don't know the Chambers family who recently revisited an important place in their history and their hearts - home. Lollie Dee King Chambers lived at 1200 Southmore for most of her young adulthood. It was there that many cherished memories were created with her parents, sister Geane and other relatives who resided in the home from time to time. She was married there - in front of the home's fireplace - and lived there with her husband Gene Chambers, and their two young children until 1941, when Daddy kicked us out, she chuckles. My mother often talked about the house her father, George King, built in 1919, says Bob Chambers. She always wondered what had happened to it.. Knowing how much the house meant to her, Chambers set out to see if it was still standing. Much to his surprise, the current owner, Pat Thomas, knew exactly who he was and was delighted to meet a descendent of the original builder. When I told the owner I was George King's grandson, she couldn't believe it, Chambers says. She enthusiastically invited us in, and we had a long visit.. Thomas bought house in 1991 and has lovingly restored it into The Patrician Bed Breakfast Inn. Familiar with it's history, Thomas was anxious to know more: I was hoping one of the family might come by one day. She got her wish, but it didn't stop there. As a gift to their mother for her 88th birthday, Bob chambers and his sisters, Deleste and Neva, planned a memorable homecoming at the house for much of the extended family. Seeing the house in all its newfound glory was nothing less than thrilling for Lollie Dee Chambers. It sure is different today, she says. That was the music room; my mother kept trying to make me play the piano, but she finally gave up. Lollie Dee continued to talk of old times, saying her grandfather who had fought in the Civil War later lived there with the family. There was a chicken coop in the backyard... and the servants' quarters were behind the house, Chambers remembers. After much reminiscing and an elegant dinner, guests pushed back the tables and started dancing, each making sure they had a turn with the birthday girl. The immediate family took the opportunity to spend the night in the home, and then all 25 guests returned for a brunch the following morning. As they shared the fond memories of the home more than 60 years since they lived there, the Chambers family members were pleased that it hasn't lost its charm. And it's definitely had a life of its own, as a convalescent home, and art gallery and the late Mickey Leland's congressional headquarters. Pat Thomas says that with her thriving bed and breakfast, things continue to bustle around the home. It is more like staying in a home here, she says, smiling. Make that a cozy, old-fashioned home with a rich history." RO Monthly November 1996 From the General Register of the Students and Former Students of the University of Texas - 1917 : George S. King, Sigma Alpha Epsilon; left half football; Attorney-at-Law; county atty. 4 yrs, Nacog- doches Co.; mem. Odd Fellows; W. O. W. 707 Kress Bldg. and 1118 California Ave., Houston, Texas.