jimenez Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Great pics Jimenez, I really like the last photo with the sun setting and lights on in the buildings. I got another pic of downtown it's not that good because i took it from a balcony from Minute Maid Park Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 (edited) It looks like they completed another floor today. Anybody know what floor they're up to now? They are moving really fast. Look at the picture taken on the 20th. That floor appears to be completed just this afternoon (from my vantage point).Duh, I just counted floors from the photo. 18 complete, going on 19. 13 more floors, plus the turbines - sweet. I calculate that it'll be about 10ft shorter than OPP. Edited April 23, 2009 by rsb320 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Owl Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I noticed last night on my way home from work that they started putting the glass cladding on the building. One floor has gotten the glass installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I noticed last night on my way home from work that they started putting the glass cladding on the building. One floor has gotten the glass installed.I posted this question before on the Development and Real Estate thread, but apparently the moderators have decided to remove that thread from "Going Up" as ridiculous as that is.... so I'll ask it only to people who happen to read this thread - Does anyone have suggestions or answers why glass curtain facades are hung at different times in different construction sites? Sometimes after a building is topped off, sometimes when the building is only half its final height, etc. In fact, please let that question apply to any facade, not just glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Nice photos. Can't wait to see the blue skin once the building tops out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff8201 Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 I posted this question before on the Development and Real Estate thread, but apparently the moderators have decided to remove that thread from "Going Up" as ridiculous as that is.... so I'll ask it only to people who happen to read this thread - Does anyone have suggestions or answers why glass curtain facades are hung at different times in different construction sites? Sometimes after a building is topped off, sometimes when the building is only half its final height, etc. In fact, please let that question apply to any facade, not just glass.I would imagine it's different timing methods by different Contractors. Various factors may apply such as the glass (or whatever facade's) availability and contractor's availability to do the work. Typically I think in most cases they like to do the "heavy" construction first before adding a more fragile element like glass. Usually you will see at least a dozen floors built out before the exterior is even started. There's more timing issues with the building such as having the structural build out far enough ahead for the particular project so that the glass installers don't "catch up" and then have to wait on the builders while they twiddle their thumbs as the owners lose money. Also there's timing of all sub contractors working around each other. You have the structure going up, plumbing has to be ran, pipe's anchored to and running through the concrete. Telephone, Networking, and TV cable has to be ran, or at least conduit set to be fished through later. Electrical conduit has to be ran, bus bars extended, temporary work lighting installed... sometimes there can be too many cooks in the kitchen. Hope this gives you some ideas to answer your query. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Geoff nailed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Some photos from Saturday: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolitherland Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I just downloaded hess tower and mainplace on google earth and thought you guys would want to see a new perspective on these towers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 They haven't made as much progress this week as last, probably because of the rain. It looks like they have half of floor 19 done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I just downloaded hess tower and mainplace on google earth and thought you guys would want to see a new perspective on these towers.Very nice, thanks. It seems Minute Maid will have a very good view of MainPlace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 They finished pouring floor 19 this morning. The concrete pumper thingy was repositioned and getting ready for floor 20. They've also put some glass on some lower floors of the north side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77006 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Down at Discovery Green and took a picture of Discovery Tower.. thought I'd share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 From Saturday: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Jax, if that was taken Saturday and that floor was completed yesterday morning, that shows how fast they are moving on this thing. Much of the vertical rebar is up for the floor above the top floor in the picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestUdweller Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Isn't rebar and concrete the easiest and quickest part of putting up a tower? They just have to let it dry and then start on another floor. Not complaining about the fast pace (I love it), just saying.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 The parking garage is coming along as well. Does anyone know if this garage will have street-level retail? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) Here are some photos from today, now between the 20th & 21st floors Perspective from The Lake House at Discovery Green Porte-cochere These are actually from a week or two back, but they should give you an idea about how the facade will appear on the east side Edited May 12, 2009 by ChannelTwoNews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 May have missed a previous conversation about this, but why has this thread not been renamed "Hess Tower" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonranger Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 May have missed a previous conversation about this, but why has this thread not been renamed "Hess Tower" ?Cause that name blows?Why not just call it Hess Discovery Tower?1000 times better, and actually a fantastic branding opportunity for Hess IMO. To associate Hess with theme of "discovery" etc...and to the park itself....good PR / sponsor park events etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I think Hess Tower soiunds fine, imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Cause that name blows?Why not just call it Hess Discovery Tower?1000 times better, and actually a fantastic branding opportunity for Hess IMO. To associate Hess with theme of "discovery" etc...and to the park itself....good PR / sponsor park events etc...Ignoramus, I asked why the thread had not been renamed Hess Tower yet as Hess negotiated THAT NAME. NO ONE CARES what you think it should be, got it?'Save the day' and go beg Hess and T.Crow to reconsider/renegotiate on your own time since you are such a savvy marketer. Until then, does anyone with a brain know why this thread has not been renamed that. Even if the name could be "1000 times better" being something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Take it easy man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff8201 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Whoa JWW, take a chill pill! Attacking him for his opinion, and misunderstanding your question is wrong on so many levels. Personally I think the name Hess Discovery Tower does sounds better based on its location, but that's just my opinion too. Extra dollars get spent on Extra letters, so I can understand why the owner would totally throw that opinion out the window and just name the building he is moving into what he pleases.In response to your question, I haven't seen any posts by the mods in this thread, so perhaps they aren't looking at this thread as often to know to make the change. I'm sure if they were they would certainly remind you not to call your fellow Haif'ers Ignoramuses based on an opinion. I'm sure a simple PM to one of them would clear the need for renaming the thread right up, if you feel the thread title has become outdated or inaccurate. I'm gonna request right now that when the title gets changed that for familiarity's sake the mods add a thread description stating: "Formerly known as Discovery Tower". Thank you drive thru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Here's the parking garage from 5/10/09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 May have missed a previous conversation about this, but why has this thread not been renamed "Hess Tower" ?Whoa JWW, take a chill pill! Attacking him for his opinion, and misunderstanding your question is wrong on so many levels. Personally I think the name Hess Discovery Tower does sounds better based on its location, but that's just my opinion too. Extra dollars get spent on Extra letters, so I can understand why the owner would totally throw that opinion out the window and just name the building he is moving into what he pleases.In response to your question, I haven't seen any posts by the mods in this thread, so perhaps they aren't looking at this thread as often to know to make the change. I'm sure if they were they would certainly remind you not to call your fellow Haif'ers Ignoramuses based on an opinion. I'm sure a simple PM to one of them would clear the need for renaming the thread right up, if you feel the thread title has become outdated or inaccurate. I'm gonna request right now that when the title gets changed that for familiarity's sake the mods add a thread description stating: "Formerly known as Discovery Tower". Thank you drive thru.Geoff, "attacking him for his opinion, and misunderstanding your question" is "wrong on so many levels" ??? Do I even respond to that? I do.not.care.what.anyone.thinks.it.should.be. Hess will not be owning the building, either, so that comment of yours made no sense. "I'm sure if they were they would certainly remind you not to call your fellow..." - Thank you for projecting an opinion for a moderator, but, again, I could not care less what you think. In case you need it explained to you, I did not call a "fellow Haif'er" an ingnoramus due to his opinion ; I called him an ignoramus because he is not answering the question and is repeating the hackneyed waste of time of throwing out an opinion of the name of a project when that had nothing to do with my question. Stop wasting people's time by giving an extraneous answer that does not answer the question. That's the moral of this story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonranger Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Geoff, "attacking him for his opinion, and misunderstanding your question" is "wrong on so many levels" ??? Do I even respond to that? I do.not.care.what.anyone.thinks.it.should.be. Hess will not be owning the building, either, so that comment of yours made no sense. "I'm sure if they were they would certainly remind you not to call your fellow..." - Thank you for projecting an opinion for a moderator, but, again, I could not care less what you think. In case you need it explained to you, I did not call a "fellow Haif'er" an ingnoramus due to his opinion ; I called him an ignoramus because he is not answering the question and is repeating the hackneyed waste of time of throwing out an opinion of the name of a project when that had nothing to do with my question. Stop wasting people's time by giving an extraneous answer that does not answer the question. That's the moral of this story.Whatever pal. You need to step off. I don't have to answer your question. I posted some thoughts on this thread on the naming of this building and if I want to do that I will, at any time.Your over the top response to my harmless musings was rude and offensive, but lets just leave it at that as I've better things to do than go back and forth on this.Good evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metro Matt Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 (edited) Hess Discovery Tower sounds 1000 times better IMO. Oh wells... Edited May 13, 2009 by Metro Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff8201 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Geoff, "attacking him for his opinion, and misunderstanding your question" is "wrong on so many levels" ??? Do I even respond to that? I do.not.care.what.anyone.thinks.it.should.be. Hess will not be owning the building, either, so that comment of yours made no sense. "I'm sure if they were they would certainly remind you not to call your fellow..." - Thank you for projecting an opinion for a moderator, but, again, I could not care less what you think. In case you need it explained to you, I did not call a "fellow Haif'er" an ingnoramus due to his opinion ; I called him an ignoramus because he is not answering the question and is repeating the hackneyed waste of time of throwing out an opinion of the name of a project when that had nothing to do with my question. Stop wasting people's time by giving an extraneous answer that does not answer the question. That's the moral of this story.Your frustrations are noted, however, the main reason I jumped in was because there are a lot of Guests who see these new projects going up, and in searching for information about them they find their way to these forums. Many of them see replies worded such as yours and rethink any prior thoughts about joining the forum. We lose potential contributing members, as well as develop a reputation as not being a friendly forum. Whether you don't care or do, That's the other moral of the story.And in referring to Hess as the buildings owner was a brain flub on my part. I meant the leasing tenant of the building.I think our points are made and this thread can get back on topic. If you want the last word on the matter you can have it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Whatever pal. You need to step off. I don't have to answer your question. I posted some thoughts on this thread on the naming of this building and if I want to do that I will, at any time.Your over the top response to my harmless musings was rude and offensive, but lets just leave it at that as I've better things to do than go back and forth on this.Good evening.Your frustrations are noted, however, the main reason I jumped in was because there are a lot of Guests who see these new projects going up, and in searching for information about them they find their way to these forums. Many of them see replies worded such as yours and rethink any prior thoughts about joining the forum. We lose potential contributing members, as well as develop a reputation as not being a friendly forum. Whether you don't care or do, That's the other moral of the story.And in referring to Hess as the buildings owner was a brain flub on my part. I meant the leasing tenant of the building.I think our points are made and this thread can get back on topic. If you want the last word on the matter you can have it.So, does anyone who is not an invalid know why this thread is not named 'Hess Tower' currently? Same simple question...Also, on the commercial real estate leasing side, how much effect on this project's comps was made due to the single-tenant leasing deal to Hess here? Did prices rise much (any)?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 ...probably b/c the thread creator, ethanra, hasn't changed it, and the mods tend to leave thread titles alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Is Hess Tower the official name? Or is it Discovery Tower that just happens to be leased out by Hess? How does the naming thing work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 From my understanding, if someone signs up for a significant portion of the building, they might negotiate to rename the building. Sorta' like Heritage tower was "Texaco Heritage Tower" at one point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 ...probably b/c the thread creator, ethanra, hasn't changed it, and the mods tend to leave thread titles alone.Thank you, Lockmat...Is Hess Tower the official name? Or is it Discovery Tower that just happens to be leased out by Hess? How does the naming thing work?As far as I have read, 'Hess Tower' will be the official name of the building. I'd really like to have a discussion on the Development and Real Estate thread about this to get other HAIF readers into that conversation - I'm interested to learn specifics and common prices on naming rights.From my understanding, if someone signs up for a significant portion of the building, they might negotiate to rename the building. Sorta' like Heritage tower was "Texaco Heritage Tower" at one point.I would assume someone/some entity could have a building named after him/it just by paying a fee (not sure what the title is for "naming fee") and not even be a tenant of the building....probably unlikely but I would think there is a certain price that a party pays to advertise whatever name they choose. Anyone remember the price/deal AIG paid for the name/signage rights on the high rise on Allen Parkway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 So, does anyone who is not an invalid know why this thread is not named 'Hess Tower' currently? Same simple question...Also, on the commercial real estate leasing side, how much effect on this project's comps was made due to the single-tenant leasing deal to Hess here? Did prices rise much (any)??Hess hadn't leased it when the thread was first started and most folks that were active on this thread probably still don't realize that the tower's name is going to be tied to Hess.I'm willing to bet that Hess received a discounted rent on a square foot basis for having taken the whole building, making the terms of this lease incomparable to the terms offered for other multi-tenant office buildings nearby. Leasing activity downtown has turned sour, and already had been going that direction at the time that the Hess lease was signed. Also, Hess will be relocating from other downtown locations into its new tower, so the net impact on absorption won't ultimately be earth-shattering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I would assume someone/some entity could have a building named after him/it just by paying a fee (not sure what the title is for "naming fee") and not even be a tenant of the building....probably unlikely but I would think there is a certain price that a party pays to advertise whatever name they choose. Anyone remember the price/deal AIG paid for the name/signage rights on the high rise on Allen Parkway?Aside from stadia, I'm not especially familiar with any deals where corporations have ever desired to put their logo on a building that they don't occupy. It would seem to me like they would only create confusion and also as though it wouldn't generate as much bang for the buck as traditional outdoor advertising.The terms for naming rights are pretty fluid. Sometimes a building owner will offer naming rights for free to a tenant whose lease is coming up during a down market as an incentive to keep them from looking for cheaper space elsewhere. Sometimes a big tenant will demand naming rights as part of the deal as an up-front concession. Other times, naming rights are sold off, either to the high bidder or as a hybridized source of cash flow but also as a tenant retention strategy. You might talk to an office broker if you're seeking detailed anecdotes, but I've heard of all kinds of situations coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Looks like they finished another floor today. I can't remember, that's either 20 or 21.I know a lucky person who will be moving into this building whenever it's finished, WTH it's called. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Hess hadn't leased it when the thread was first started and most folks that were active on this thread probably still don't realize that the tower's name is going to be tied to Hess.I'm willing to bet that Hess received a discounted rent on a square foot basis for having taken the whole building, making the terms of this lease incomparable to the terms offered for other multi-tenant office buildings nearby. Leasing activity downtown has turned sour, and already had been going that direction at the time that the Hess lease was signed. Also, Hess will be relocating from other downtown locations into its new tower, so the net impact on absorption won't ultimately be earth-shattering.I would bet, as well, that Hess received discounted rent for becoming a single tenant. I agree that the terms of that lease, if the discount went down as we both believe, would make this project incomparable; I am just wondering about other class A rent per foot VERY nearby the discovery green after this deal was signed. You are right about little impact on absorption in the central business district (I think Hess moved from 5 Allen? And added between 100,000 and 200,000 sq ft to their offices with this deal?), so I guess I would be referring to comps solely in eastern downtown.Aside from stadia, I'm not especially familiar with any deals where corporations have ever desired to put their logo on a building that they don't occupy. It would seem to me like they would only create confusion and also as though it wouldn't generate as much bang for the buck as traditional outdoor advertising.The terms for naming rights are pretty fluid. Sometimes a building owner will offer naming rights for free to a tenant whose lease is coming up during a down market as an incentive to keep them from looking for cheaper space elsewhere. Sometimes a big tenant will demand naming rights as part of the deal as an up-front concession. Other times, naming rights are sold off, either to the high bidder or as a hybridized source of cash flow but also as a tenant retention strategy. You might talk to an office broker if you're seeking detailed anecdotes, but I've heard of all kinds of situations coming up.I'd love to find examples outside of sports arenas ("stadia") where non-tenants buy name rights - I will post this on the Development and Real Estate Thread. I am sure, as I bet you are, as well, that companies would definitely do it if the price were "right"..but, as with most things, it's just finding that right price. Google would definitely love to slap their name on Williams Tower for $1mm, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolitherland Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 A photo I took today going south on 59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 A photo I took today going south on 59 thats a great picture, i need to make another downtown trip. i miss it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Nice view of the skyline. I like the impact that Disco Tower will have on the west side of the skyline. Should look really cool with wind turbines rotating up top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolitherland Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) Photos I took today Edited May 19, 2009 by photolitherland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Nice night shots again.Does anyone know if the reason why DT is going up so much faster than MainPlace is because DT already has the entire building leased out? MainPlace has some, but not nearly all, right? And if so, are they just taking their time with construction to buy theirselves time to find some more tenants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I would guess that Main Place is just larger and more complicated to build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Nice night shots again.Does anyone know if the reason why DT is going up so much faster than MainPlace is because DT already has the entire building leased out? MainPlace has some, but not nearly all, right? And if so, are they just taking their time with construction to buy theirselves time to find some more tenants?I would guess that Main Place is just larger and more complicated to build.I'd really like to know this, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Nice night shots again.Does anyone know if the reason why DT is going up so much faster than MainPlace is because DT already has the entire building leased out? MainPlace has some, but not nearly all, right? And if so, are they just taking their time with construction to buy theirselves time to find some more tenants?I agree, low light photos with a nice camera/tripod setup look amazing.Great photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolitherland Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Heres another more artsy fartsy photo I took last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Heres another more artsy fartsy photo I took last night.I think you've found your niche...artsy fartsy construction photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff8201 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Nice night shots again.Does anyone know if the reason why DT is going up so much faster than MainPlace is because DT already has the entire building leased out? MainPlace has some, but not nearly all, right? And if so, are they just taking their time with construction to buy theirselves time to find some more tenants?I would guess that Main Place is just larger and more complicated to build.M guess as well. Take into consideration that Mainplace has a much larger footprint, and a combined garage element (sloping floors integration of foot traffic patterns and vertical transportations for both elements), and has just gotten to the point recently where the concrete structural buildout is a repetitive floorplan, where as Discovery Tower has been a repetitive floor plan all along.And great night photos as well. I could see these framed, hanging in the common areas of Discovery Tower... never know... keep up with the artsy, it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) M guess as well. Take into consideration that Mainplace has a much larger footprint, and a combined garage element (sloping floors integration of foot traffic patterns and vertical transportations for both elements), and has just gotten to the point recently where the concrete structural buildout is a repetitive floorplan, where as Discovery Tower has been a repetitive floor plan all along.And great night photos as well. I could see these framed, hanging in the common areas of Discovery Tower... never know... keep up with the artsy, it works. I think that's a very logical explanation. I suspect we will see it start to rise at a faster pace now. Ooops, this is the DG thread, not MP. Edited May 19, 2009 by rsb320 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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