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i noticed the crane on the southbound feeder sunday. the building has to be 8 or 10 stories at least. the construction co is harvey.

More on the JPMorgan Chase Center here: http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/Building/2757/JPMorgan_Chase_Center.php http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/HAI/Images/Buildings/1/ChaseCenter-Jan08-002a.jpg TEXAS TOWER LIMITED ACQUIRES JPMORGAN CHASE CENTER IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON Hines Chosen to Manage and Lease Property (HOUSTON) – Texas Tower Limited, owner of the 75-story JPMorgan Chase Tower, announced today the acquisition of the adjacent JPMorgan Chase Center in downtown Houston from JPMorgan Chase. The 20-story building is located at 601 Travis on the block bounded by Capitol, Travis, Texas and Main streets. The purchase price was not disclosed. Hines and Clifford Chance US LLP of New York represented Texas Tower Limited in the transaction, while Mark Russell at Studley represented JPMorgan Chase. It was also announced that Hines has been hired to manage and lease the 1.1 million-square-foot property, which includes approximately 450,000 square feet of office and retail space. Paula Bruns and Liz Shaw of Hines will handle leasing. The Center, which was completed in 1982, was designed by I.M. Pei & Partners and developed by Hines. Over the years, JPMorgan Chase has used the location as a data processing and operations center. The bank is consolidating to 712 Main and 1111 Fannin, retaining just 26,000 square feet at the Center. Upon Chase’s departure, 250,000 square feet will be available for lease. In addition to JPMorgan Chase, The Bank of New York Mellon leases office space in the Center. Connected to the extensive downtown Houston tunnel system, JPMorgan Chase Center contains 12 levels of parking, six levels of office space, and on the ground level, an auditorium and retail space. An exercise facility is planned for the top floor of the building. The parking garage, which is leased by JPMorgan Chase Tower, is utilized by the tower’s tenants and by people visiting downtown Houston for various daytime, evening and weekend events. In Houston, Hines manages 26 properties totaling approximately 13 million square feet.

Cool! I wonder where exactly was this office building? Found the article in the newspaper The Southwest Citizen dated August 31, 1950. Well, I wonder if the building is still there? Depending on the money of the land, it was probably demolished and a new building took it's place? Does anyone remember this company, or business? Oil Co. To Build Office Grounds for the new $250,000 Triangle Refineries modern covered office building at Kirby and Nottingham were broken Monday by J.B. Saunders, President, West University Place official and other company officers. The building contract calls for completion in six months, when the company ill move from its present offices in the Neils Esperson Building. From 75 to 100 employees will work in the two-story building, which will cover 16,500 square feet. The structure will be reinforced with concrete and masonry. Salmon colored bricks trimmed in natural stone will set off an all grass front. There will be 50 offices in the new Triangle Building. Mahogany and walnut panel with deep carpets will decorate executive rooms, which open onto a landscaped patio. The building also will have a kitchen, employee lunchroom, dining terrace and covered parking area. Musak will provide music in all the offices. The building was designed by Lenard Gabert and contra ted by Fretz Construction Company. J.B. Saunders, President of Triangle Refineries, Inc. takes the first dirt from the site of Triangle's new office building. Watching are K. Schroter, Whitt F. Johnson, WUP Secretary, W.C. Buschardt, Jr., WUP Councilman, H.H. Raborn, Vice-President, and C.D. Tinsley.

Looks like George Hermann acquired this local electric company called Woods Electric Company. As the name states, the founder of the business was named ____ Woods. (Forgot his name, I'll need to look into this!) A little confusing. This was not the Baker-Meyer building in Market Square? I wonder if this was next door then. A Meyer business was, eventually, located in this same building. Maybe Joseph Meyer had two locations next door to each other? From the newspaper The Houston Post. dated April 21, 1907. In Bankruptcy. Two petitions, one involuntary and the other voluntary filed. In the Federal Court. The proceedings involve the Woods Electric Company of Houston and the Emanual Schwartz of Hallettsville. The petitioning credits in the involuntary case against the Woods Electric Company and the amounts due each are: George Hermann, $500; F.W. Heitmann Company, $26.66, and Fuller-Cook Hardware Company, $10.20. In the petition it is alleged that he directors of the company met on April 12 and adopted a resolution admitting the company's insolvency and its inability to pit its debts. This admission is alleged as an act of bankruptcy and upon it the petition as filed. The company, of which George H. Hermann is President and J.J. Settegast is Secretary, is engaged in trading and mercantile pursuits in Houston--

5400 Westheimer Formally Enbridge Building/Duke Energy Building/Bechtel Building/Spectra Energy Building. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18297392/5400-Westheimer-Court-Houston-TX/

wow!! This week I discovered the Westheimer Furniture Company was (once) located at 600 Travis Street in the heart of downtown! The only 600 Travis I know is the Hines building. I wonder if there are any images of the original 600 Travis building? Something to search for! Also, did the Westheimer family own the whole building in the early 1940s or did they lease space? Edit: I assume this was the company's business office? Or did they sell furniture here? From the newspaper Labor Messenger dated December 25, 1942. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years Westheimer Furniture Company 600 Travis / C. 4-2731

I was just wondering, how far apart are these two developments and do you all thing these two sites could change the perception of Houston as a urban walkable city? Which development do you think has the greatest potential for development? Some say that the KBR site should become a park, but I believe that there could be a much better use for the site. KBR Site Regent Square

The old Chappell Jordan Clock Galleries at 2222 Westheimer Rd will be demolished to make way for a furniture showroom and office. AB Modern will build here. https://abmodern.com/ https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2021001032

Looks like Lovett is surprisingly remodeling, and not tearing down, an old warehouse near washington, on Sawyer/Edwards, right along the railroad tracks. http://www.lovettcommercial.com/Detail.aspx?idwebarea=36&webid=159 Im sure it's not news to many, but it now looks like the are actually doing some construction there. Anyone have any pictures or know any additional info such as possible tenants?

The Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects, Houston passed the following Position Statement at its regular meeting on April 10, 2007. The statement will be presented to the Mayor and City Council tomorrow, April 17, by AIA Houston member Peter Boudreaux, AIA, of Curry Boudreaux Architects. AIA Houston POSITION STATEMENT April 10, 2007 RE: The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation Site Lease / Potential Sale The American Institute of Architects, Houston does not support the sale and demolition of the buildings of the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation located at 3550 West Dallas. The Center and the City of Houston are in disagreement over the validity of the site lease, where the Center's architecturally significant facilities are located. Invalidation of the lease may result not only in the destruction of the homes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities but also the demolition of these historically important works of Houston architecture, which anchor a visible site in heart of the city. The current buildings and prominent site comprise first-class urban design and environmentally propitious use of open land, both concepts AIA Houston supports in general. The Center buildings are important examples of the architectural trend called the New Brutalism. They occupy a significant place in the history of Houston architecture, particularly in the wake of the recent demolition of the Houston Independent School District Headquarters on Richmond Avenue. The New Brutalism was a modernist architectural movement inspired by the work of Le Corbusier that flourished internationally from the 1950s to the 1970s. New Brutalist buildings usually are formed with striking repetitive angular geometries and are often constructed of rough, unadorned poured concrete. Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry designed the Center for the Retarded (1966), as it was originally called. The Cullen Residence Hall (1978) is the work of S.I. Morris & Associates. These architects are significant in Houston's history and these particular buildings are especially important because they represent a high standard of design in service to a community that has been traditionally under served. The buildings are in good condition and will serve their function for a significantly long future. Together Barnstone & Aubry designed several brilliant Houston buildings such as Rothko Chapel (1971); Guinan Hall, Univ. of St. Thomas (1971); Media Center, Rice University (1970); and 3811 Del Monte (1969). Both architects individually are also well-known for their work. S.I. Morris headed a string of firms (including Morris*Aubry), the successor of which is Morris Architects. The full body of Morris work touches almost all of segments of Houston architecture from the Astrodome (1965) to award-winning skyscrapers, to public buildings such as the Central Library (1975) to small houses. Transactional costs for the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation to build a new facility will take away from monies and services that this special needs population urgently requires. The Center for the Retarded, a non-profit organization, invested $7 million (1960's dollars) in the buildings, which probably cannot be recouped (in today's dollars). The $26 million estimated sale price of the land would fund only a portion of the needs for a new facility of comparable size and quality. The cost of comparable new facilities would mirror the inflation rate of the land and construction cost. Loss of this site and its buildings would entail a substantial net loss to the Center and adversely affect its ability to maintain its present level of service. Therefore, because of the outstanding architectural significance of this campus, the Board of Directors of AIA Houston recommends that the City of Houston renew its lease with the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation so that the Center may remain in its current location and continue to provide essential services to the citizens of Harris County. Hanover Square

Covenant House Texas expanding services https://www.tmc.edu/news/2019/08/covenant-house-texas-expanding-services/ The organization has launched a capital campaign—Building for Life, Homelessness to Hope—that aims to raise about $25 million over the next three to five years, Executive Director Leslie Bourne said. In July, Covenant House Texas purchased an office building across the street, on Lovett Boulevard. The structure will be a key component of a campus reconstruction and expansion project. To bring attention to this daily crisis, Texas Medical Center President and CEO William “Bill” McKeon will oversee Covenant House Texas’ largest annual fundraiser on Nov. 21. As honorary chair of the 2019 Sleep Out: Executive Edition, McKeon hopes to raise $1 million by seeking the commitment of Houston business leaders—many of whom will spend the night outside to more closely connect with the reality of homelessness. “We’re here to draw awareness to some- thing we drive by every day and don’t see,” McKeon said during a spring luncheon with young adults on campus, noting that youth aren’t top-of-mind for many people who think about or encounter the homeless.

New Travis courthouse could be part of massive development http://www.infactdaily.com/newsread.cfm

I found this proposal while skimming LoopNet a while ago. Supposedly, someone wants to build a small medical office building with retail & a garage at that location with the aim of opening by early 2013. The brochure hints at a Phase Two that would be an "event center, bar/lounge" that would have retail. http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/ParcBinzOne.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/ParcBinzOneA.jpg Links ----- LoopNet Listing Promotional Brochure

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6280447.html The U.S. Postal Service is selling the downtown post office after 47 years of sorting and delivering mail from the 16-acre operation. Whoever buys the property at 401 Franklin must build a replacement processing facility for the postal service, as well as provide a retail location near the existing site where consumers can mail packages and buy stamps.

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2012/07/inner-loop-tract-slated-for-huge-mixed-use-project/ Gensler is the architect.

There was discussion about this 1.87-acres of land in the Hanover River Oaks thread. Fresh on Loopnet, listing created yesterday. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2801-Kirby-Dr-Houston-TX/21177891/ Approximately 4,500 SF building with three drive-thru lanes on 1.87 acres of land.In the highly desirable Upper Kirby District between Westheimer Rd and Richmond Ave. Available January 2021. Will consider dividing building. Do not disturb occupant.

Does anyone remember (or have pictures) of the old Medical Arts Building downtown (circa 1929), just north of Houston Center? As I recall, it was an early Art Deco skyscraper. When I saw it in the early 80s it was filthy and neglected, but the design and detail were memorable. It can be seen in the upper part of the photo, while under demolition: Anyone have a better picture or any info? It was quite an attractive building.

I found this old business advertisement dated June 1950. Does anyone remember this company? What ever happened to it? I wonder if they got bought by a bigger company and merged? --Congratulations 1950 Graduates-- John G. Holland Construction Co. General Contractors 1602 Old Spanish Trail / KE-3651 Google Earth found the building! 1953 aerial view: 20 years later in 1978, the Shell Technology Center was built and had an address of 1500 Old Spanish Trl. *What is that building on the upper right corner? I assume it was apart of the Shell campus?

https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/coronavirus/2021/03/05/houston-area-womens-center-looks-to-expand-efforts-with-supportive-housing-project/ https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/c48a167c25b34b91aab2aedd56636624?cover=false

The one along Holly Hall crosses freight tracks owned by UP or Houston Belt & Terminal, but the frequency of trains is very low and almost never during the daytime. At night, small trains drop off and pick up cars at the Grocers Supply Co. distribution center on Holcombe, which is where the line currently ends, but that is the only user of the tracks of which I'm aware.

Noticed this remodel on TDLR. Former Star of Hope Mission administration office.

http://swamplot.com/new-houston-methodist-admin-midrise-will-give-multicolored-child-care-center-a-neighbor-to-look-up-to/2018-11-02/

I went to school at AI of Houston across the street. That was 7 years ago. At that time I think there were plans for apartments. 🤔

Anyone have info or pictures on what the (now extinct) APC building was supposed to look like if it had ever been completed as planned?

Does anyone have anything on this apparently they bought a block of land in Downtown for 55 million Nevermind* found little more information Skanska has purchased four land parcels, including one full city block, totaling about 14,200 square meters in downtown Houston, USA. The seller is a private citizen. The total investment amounts to USD 55 M, about SEK 520 M.Located adjacent to Discovery Green, these four sites are in Houston’s Central Business District and Skanska plans to develop a mix of office, multi-family and retail for the local community.