ricco67 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) Well, from what I've seen on that show I mentioned, they can be rather discrete in appearance and can be fairly short. I'm sure as energy costs go up, I wouldn't doubt that it would pay for itself quickly. Perhaps even current buildings might place a few on roofs in the future. Leno's turbine.EDIT: correcting general stupidity with current stupidity and "woo-hooing" page 9! Edited March 8, 2008 by ricco67 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Of course it will be expensive to get those things up there. But it would also be expensive to put a crown, neon lighting, or any other window dressing on top of a building that would otherwise be an indistinctive box. I generally think that, as building trinkets go, this idea is more marketable than most -- so depending on how much more it costs vs. the other options, and what the present value of the future energy savings is, it just might a pretty good idea. If this is the first of its kind (and I have no idea if it is), I bet there are some other green-minded developers out there who are just a little jealous that they didn't think of it first.I agree. You could consider it a decorative crown that actually has some practical value. I'm sure it will get them quite a bit of free publicity also. I think there is already a tower in Dubai that has done something smiliar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 H-Town is gonna be disappointed. Seems as if we're going to get a 350 to 400 foot tall glass box. It's nice. Very safe. Nice infill overall I suppose... It's not the great architecture I would hope for, but if this image comes to reality, along with an Embassy Suites on the south side and maybe another convention center hotel in the empty block next to Discovery Tower, I guarantee you H-Town Man will not be disappointed. Chicago built its downtown texture with glass boxes less exciting than this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 The building is very safe in terms of the architecure. The color scheme is appealing to me, especially juxtaposed against the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 (edited) Yeah, I think this deep sea blue color it has is what keeps it so attractive, despite the 'lack of acrchitectual creativity.'Although from this angle, it looks like that indentation on the southeast side corner breaks up the blandness of the boxiness.btw, what's the source of this new picture anyway? Edited March 7, 2008 by lockmat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 btw, what's the source of this new picture anyway?www.discoverytowerhouston.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 www.discoverytowerhouston.comcool, thank you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 The first full-page ad was in this week's Business Journal. And a closer view of the rendering itself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Discovery Tower has been added to Google Earth. Very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 There goes another surface lot! Two construction trailers are sitting on the one right next to it, also fenced up over the past week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Great Pics! Thanks ChannelTwoNews! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducks Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 There goes another surface lot!Yep....and there goes the cost of my garage spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Let's see...3 spots about to go away....Yeah. I figure parking downtown is going to go up a few bucks in the next few months. With some of the new garages being built (for the buildings) what is going to be the net gain of parking spaces? Does anyone hazard a guess on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new major on the block Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 The first full-page ad was in this week's Business Journal. And a closer view of the rendering itself Its funny how the two buildings in that rendering both resemble Anadarko tower in The Woodlands. Its as if the both have half of the design. One has the concrete and glass and the other has the large setbacks at the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Yep....and there goes the cost of my garage spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 The better and more desirable a city is, the more expensive it is to live and work in, plain and simple. If we want downtown improved, prices for everything (office rent, real estate purchase, parking, food, entertainment, etc.) are going to go up. There is a reason it's more expensive to live and work in Manhattan and San Francisco than in Omaha and Fargo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston2010 Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Heard a little rumor that the sky bridge connection is off the table....ever heard the story of the "See Through" tower (i.e. Heritage Plaza, or whatever it was called when it was first built)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Heard a little rumor that the sky bridge connection is off the table....ever heard the story of the "See Through" tower (i.e. Heritage Plaza, or whatever it was called when it was first built)?You're saying the recession will hit and this won't be occupied? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 (edited) Heard a little rumor that the sky bridge connection is off the table....ever heard the story of the "See Through" tower (i.e. Heritage Plaza, or whatever it was called when it was first built)?I'd always thought the Phoenix Tower was the "See Through" tower. Anyway, there was also a 31% vacancy rate to contend with when Heritage Plaza was completed. The market was simply overbuilt and there wasn't nearly as much demand for Class-A office space as there is at this point. The vacancy rate today is nowhere near that number and the demand for that type of office space in the downtown district does necessitate construction. Edited March 13, 2008 by ChannelTwoNews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Heard a little rumor that the sky bridge connection is off the table....ever heard the story of the "See Through" tower (i.e. Heritage Plaza, or whatever it was called when it was first built)? Never heard of that... Would you please explain? It's good/bad that there will not be a skybridge connection. Good for the street traffic. Bad for those who actually have to walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I don't think not having a skywalk is a big deal, it just means that they have to hit a different elevator button and walk an extra 100 feet (or so) to get across the street.But I have to admit, it would be nice if they included that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston2010 Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Any broker in town will tell you that a building not on the tunnel system is not Class A, and therefore, Class A tenants will not sign leases in the building until it is Class A. For years, the Heritage building (yes, it was a recession, but there was another equally large factor at play) was empty partly due to not having any tunnel access.I don't think not having a skywalk is a big deal, it just means that they have to hit a different elevator button and walk an extra 100 feet (or so) to get across the street.But I have to admit, it would be nice if they included that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Owl Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 The tunnel system isn't a factor in the Houston Center area. I work in One HC, and the skywalks are nice to be able to walk over to the Park shops to eat or shop, and to the parking garages, but if Discovery Tower has a skywalk to their parking garage, then all people would need to do is walk to 5 HC to get into the skywalks to make it over to the Park shops. Not that big of a deal, in my opinion. Plus Discovery tower will have retail, so maybe there will be some dining options right there in the building without having to leave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I'm in the Market Square & Theater district. Even though Calpine has tunnel access, I use the street level unless its freezing or pouring. And, hell, if I worked right by that park, I'd be out there every day. It's awesome! Good point about the Class A issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Why can't Houston get a 1,000 footer or a 1,500 footer like Philly (the 1500 footer was recently announced). Instead, our Downtown gets thirty-story towers. Up the ante a bit and put in some fifty-story towers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I want a bunch of little towers. With nice street levels. The US has moved on from supertalls. Let Dubai have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Why can't Houston get a 1,000 footer or a 1,500 footer like Philly (the 1500 footer was recently announced). Instead, our Downtown gets thirty-story towers. Up the ante a bit and put in some fifty-story towers.Honestly, I would rather see 5 20 story buildings built downtown as part of a 'neighborhood' instead of 1 100 story building built in isolation. Wasn't the late 70's and early 80's about building these tall grand skyscrapers that added nothing at the street level?I'm so glad Houston has matured past this type of thinking and is actually now more concerned with building a city. Let cities like Dubai chase their tails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wernicke Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 Honestly, I would rather see 5 20 story buildings built downtown as part of a 'neighborhood' instead of 1 100 story building built in isolation. Wasn't the late 70's and early 80's about building these tall grand skyscrapers that added nothing at the street level?I'm so glad Houston has matured past this type of thinking and is actually now more concerned with building a city. Let cities like Dubai chase their tails.I agree... but at the same time it would be nice to have a skyline-defining, modern supertall on the east side. Here is Philly's: http://www.acctower.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 (edited) Honestly, I would rather see 5 20 story buildings built downtown as part of a 'neighborhood' instead of 1 100 story building built in isolation. Wasn't the late 70's and early 80's about building these tall grand skyscrapers that added nothing at the street level?I'm so glad Houston has matured past this type of thinking and is actually now more concerned with building a city. Let cities like Dubai chase their tails. You haven't seen where Philly's tower is: American Commerce Center "This Changes Everything" Website: http://www.acctower.com/ Location: 1800 Arch St. Height: Office Tower-1500'/452m Spire l 1210' Roof l 63 Stories l Hotel-473'/144m Usage: Mixed-Office/Hotel Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox (http://www.kpf.com/) Developer: Walnut Street Capital (http://www.walnutstcapital.com/) Groundbreaking: Summer 09'? Features: 1500' Spire 26 Story Hotel 2 Roof Gardens (473' and 6th Floor Accessable) 3-6 Stories of Ground Floor Retail Underground Parking (Dedicated Bicycle Parking) LEED Certified Images The thing includes a hotel and will only be 63-stories. And seriously, if anyone who says the US has moved past supertalls, they obviously haven't seen what has been proposed/under construction in Chicago, New York, Philly, Miami, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. Edited March 15, 2008 by Trae Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewMND Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 Well the Gateway tract on the west side is supposed to be around 50 stories, I think. The ones most likely to build a supertall in Houston are the energy/oil companies, but with gas prices the way they are, apparently they don't want to flaunt their wealth with supertall trophy buildings. I'm torn, I'd really love to see a supertall in Houston, but I don't know if want it to be at the expense of getting to lose more surface parking lots on the east side. For right now, it seems either a supertall, or building smaller buildings on parking lots on the east side, but not both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 15, 2008 Share Posted March 15, 2008 (edited) Eh. Spires don't count Trae. I consider top to be roof of top leasable floor. 1200' is OK, and good for Philly which is far more developed than Houston, but here I'd rather have 4x300' before 1x1200. My new place (moving in mid april) has a peek at the skyline, and yeah, it'd be nice to have a couple extra points, but I'd rather downtown/midtown become more desirable as mixed use neighborhoods with all surface parking completely filled in. Edited March 15, 2008 by woolie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spades Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Why can't Houston get a 1,000 footer or a 1,500 footer like Philly (the 1500 footer was recently announced). Instead, our Downtown gets thirty-story towers. Up the ante a bit and put in some fifty-story towers.It took Philly forever to build structures this tall. Philly's skyline has been short for some time now until recently. It's honestly about time Philly started to build structuers this tall. Philly was patient and Houston will have to be as well and it looks like they are. You don't need to build supertalls for nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 It took Philly forever to build structures this tall. Philly's skyline has been short for some time now until recently. It's honestly about time Philly started to build structuers this tall. Philly was patient and Houston will have to be as well and it looks like they are. You don't need to build supertalls for nothing.Not only that, but it would appear there is a VERY good chance this tower will never be built. Anything announced now with a projected ground-breaking of "Summer '09", followed by a question mark, appears to be less than a certainty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyc_tex Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 It took Philly forever to build structures this tall. Philly's skyline has been short for some time now until recently. It's honestly about time Philly started to build structuers this tall. Philly was patient and Houston will have to be as well and it looks like they are. You don't need to build supertalls for nothing.I believe the reason Philly has such a short skyline is because they had a law on the books disallowing any buildings to vertically exceed the height of the William Penn Statue on the city hall building. By the time they changed that, many of the major corporations had relocated when skyscrapers took off in the 70's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I believe the reason Philly has such a short skyline is because they had a law on the books disallowing any buildings to vertically exceed the height of the William Penn Statue on the city hall building. By the time they changed that, many of the major corporations had relocated when skyscrapers took off in the 70's.That is correct. I used to live in Philly before I moved to Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Some photos from earlier today... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 great perspectives, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hldjhn987 Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 KHOU had a special last night on green buildings including Discovery Tower and the new BP building under construction.http://www.khou.com/video/news-index.html?...32927&shu=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 You haven't seen where Philly's tower is:That Tower & Comcast have raped the Philly Skyline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 I don't particularly care for their new tallest. Doesn't really seem to fit with the rest of the skyline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 There is a pretty good hole there now... saw it yesterday when down at Discovery Green... going to look great seeing a office tower rise right next to the park w/ One Park Place going up, also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Is there any word on potential tenants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston2010 Posted April 16, 2008 Share Posted April 16, 2008 Not until they work out a tunnel / skybridge connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyphen Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 (edited) Lakeside, right across the street at McKinney and Austin (I think)?I meant to post this in Going Up! Will a mod please move it? Thanks! Edited May 14, 2008 by skyphen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 Lakeside, right across the street at McKinney and Austin (I think)?what do you mean by lakeside? Isn't that the La Quinta spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyphen Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 what do you mean by lakeside? Isn't that the La Quinta spot? I don't know, that's why I'm asking! I noticed there's a big hole in the ground there this past weekend at the art car party that I somehow missed the first time I went, in my excitement, I guess. The same side as the lake. Lemme see... Checking the map, I guess this would be on McKinney and LaBranch, not Austin. Whatever it is it looks to be taking up an entire city block, or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I think he's referring to Discovery Tower. Is this your hole ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyphen Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 I think he's referring to Discovery Tower.Is this your hole ? haha, yes, judging from the treeline in the reflection of that bldg, yes, that must be it. thanks. and it's "she". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 Some photos from this afternoon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Few more photos from this afternoon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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