Convention Center Redevelopment, Office Building & W Hotel

[Sunstar]

By L.M. SIXEL

Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Houston celebrated with fireworks when it kicked off the expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center and construction of the attached 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston hotel four years ago.

The 700,000-square-foot addition, which nearly doubled the center's exhibit space, would finally make Houston a player in the lucrative convention industry. That, in turn, would create jobs and generate other economic benefits, city leaders promised at the groundbreaking.

But was the city's investment in the center really worth it

[Houston19514]

The Chronicle has published a lot of ignorant articles over its history, and this one has to be near the top of the scale of ignorance. The addition to the convention center was not completed until late 2003 and they put out data showing attendance at convention center events dropped between 1999 and 2003, BEFORE the addition was even completed. And from that they conclude that the expansion of the convention center was not worth the expense. Sheesh. Do these people even read the garbage they write?

[Subdude]

Well in all fairness, the article is just reporting on a study done by the Brookings Institution, and I don't see where they are concluding that the expansion wasn't worth the expense. Regardless of any conclusions, it is a valid question if convention center expansions are a worthwhile use of taxpayer money. I can't see blaming the Chronicle for that.

[ssullivan]

Most big conventions are booked several years in advance. Conventions being held now may have been scheduled in 2002 or 2003. As the study mentioned, it's not unusual for it to take several years after construction of a new or expanded facility is completed before business really ramps up. I still say give the GRB time. There are conventions that haven't been to Houston in over 10 years because the GRB was too small that will likely come back.

[Houston19514]

Well in all fairness, the article is just reporting on a study done by the Brookings Institution, and I don't see where they are concluding that the expansion wasn't worth the expense.  Regardless of any conclusions, it is a valid question if convention center expansions are a worthwhile use of taxpayer money.  I can't see blaming the Chronicle for that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Read the article:

"But was the city's investment in the center really worth it

[LTAWACS]

"You can only be the new destination for a while," he said. "If you don't do that over time, we'll go into decline like Dallas and Atlanta."

Link

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Truer words have never been spoken.

[mojeaux131]

I don't need to post a picture (actually, I'm not sure how to do it, ha ha), but I'm of the opinion that the George R. Brown Convention Center is an ugly, ugly building and I would like very much if it disappeared. Just the goofy, childish colors are enough to bother me. Bright white, blue and red? It reminds me of a giant toy tugboat. Even if they just redid the external color scheme, I would feel a lot better. Yeah, the new park will be great, and people can go there and enjoy Discovery Green and gaze in horror at the great white thingie, the gigantic styrofoam ice chest.

[mls1202]

I have to agree with you. Now that we are going to have this flagship park in downtown, GRB just doesn't seem like a very good anchor. I guess the optimist could look at it as a buffer between the park and 59.

[Guest Marty]

I was thinking the same thing the other day when i saw the rust/water stains on the south side of the building on 59.

[houstonmacbro]

I don't need to post a picture (actually, I'm not sure how to do it, ha ha), but I'm of the opinion that the George R. Brown Convention Center is an ugly, ugly building and I would like very much if it disappeared. Just the goofy, childish colors are enough to bother me. Bright white, blue and red? It reminds me of a giant toy tugboat. Even if they just redid the external color scheme, I would feel a lot better. Yeah, the new park will be great, and people can go there and enjoy Discovery Green and gaze in horror at the great white thingie, the gigantic styrofoam ice chest.

Remember when it was built, that area was vacant. I think the bright colors helped attract folks and say "Hey, I'm here." I have been thinking the same thing as you about the colors and Tonka Toy looks of the place. We really do need a class convention center, like the one in DC or even Javitz in NYC.

Jacob Javitz center, NYC

DC Convention Center, Washington, DC

[woolie]

Personally I've always had an affinity for the GRB. It always looked like a cross between a giant Lego set and Centre Georges Pompidou.

It's not the best conference center in the world, no, but it's an OK citizen for its class.

[musicman]

I don't need to post a picture (actually, I'm not sure how to do it, ha ha), but I'm of the opinion that the George R. Brown Convention Center is an ugly, ugly building and I would like very much if it disappeared. Just the goofy, childish colors are enough to bother me. Bright white, blue and red? It reminds me of a giant toy tugboat. Even if they just redid the external color scheme, I would feel a lot better. Yeah, the new park will be great, and people can go there and enjoy Discovery Green and gaze in horror at the great white thingie, the gigantic styrofoam ice chest.

If the GRB is the most "horrorific" building you've seen in Houston, then I'd say we're in pretty good shape. Architectural design is always subj to opinions.

[Pumapayam]

Personally I've always had an affinity for the GRB. It always looked like a cross between a giant Lego set and Centre Georges Pompidou.

It's not the best conference center in the world, no, but it's an OK citizen for its class.

It is a convention center, boxy and versatile. Really no different than the Reliant Center minus a few curves.

It serves its purpose and keeps the architecture simple. A new coat a paint or a power wash every few years is all it needs.

[RedScare]

The architects would be pleased that you think of a toy tugboat when you see the GRB. It's design was meant to evoke images of a ship.

Since they just added onto it a few years ago, don't expect it to go away anytime soon.

[Jeebus]

I've always liked it. Hasn't it been mentioned who designed it on HAIF before?

[Vertigo58]

I've always liked it. Hasn't it been mentioned who designed it on HAIF before?

I'm sure it has been mentioned maybe a moderator an dig it up somewhere?

The GRB was originally designed to look like a ship. There are many articles that explain the nautical appearance, smoke stacks, etc.

One weekend I was with a group of people coming back from the International Festival and I filmed the construction for about 10 minutes. I thought someone might care to see one day?

Here is the the real irony, just last night on channel 20 one of the last Robocop movies did quite a bit of filming of the interior shortly after completion. I can't recall the year of the movie late 80's? but it was nice enough to be worthy of being filmed (even though it was supposed ot be Detroit).

So guess what your wish came true because in the film it gets all smashed up thanks to ROBO !

[WesternGulf]

I have always had these feelings about the GRB. Inside and out. The reaffirmations are even worse when I see the park u/c in front of it. I always thought it would grow on me but the more I see it I always wonder what was the architect thinking with such a high profile building. The building is not even forward thinking for the year it was built in and I never understood those red circle vents on the outside of it. The most frighteningthing aspect is how they cloned the original design just a few years ago.

[citykid09]

I was going to make a thread about this the other day because I was thinking how people will come to the park and look over at that ugly building. I think it would look nice if it was bricked.

[westguy]

No brick. There's too much cladding already.

[Vertigo58]

No brick. There's too much cladding already.

THANK YOU on that one!

That whole side of downtown is resembling a huge prison - red-brick-mania!

Its out of control...Yucko!

[nmainguy]

Personally I've always had an affinity for the GRB. It always looked like a cross between a giant Lego set and Centre Georges Pompidou.

It's not the best conference center in the world, no, but it's an OK citizen for its class.

I'm with Ian.

[nmainguy]

I've always liked it. Hasn't it been mentioned who designed it on HAIF before?

Golemon & Bolullo Architects. Mario Bolullo was chief designer.

http://www.stoaintl.com/stoa/profile.htm

[dbigtex56]

Personally I've always had an affinity for the GRB. It always looked like a cross between a giant Lego set and Centre Georges Pompidou.

It's not the best conference center in the world, no, but it's an OK citizen for its class.

What fun!

Every example of an architectural 'type' goes through that awkward phase - and that's where GRB is now. Mid-80's "post modern" is at its nadir of popularity. It's too old to be chic, and too new to be retro.

Regardless, it's not going away soon, so we may as well like it.

[Subdude]

I used to really dislike the thing, but I have to admit it has grown on me to the point where I would consider it almost tolerable, if for no other reason than it is such a 1980s period piece. If it were bricked up it would look like a Super-Target, so I'm not sure that would be a good idea. Modernization rarely works.

[woolie]

[houstonmacbro]

I'm sure it has been mentioned maybe a moderator an dig it up somewhere?

The GRB was originally designed to look like a ship. There are many articles that explain the nautical appearance, smoke stacks, etc.

One weekend I was with a group of people coming back from the International Festival and I filmed the construction for about 10 minutes. I thought someone might care to see one day?

Here is the the real irony, just last night on channel 20 one of the last Robocop movies did quite a bit of filming of the interior shortly after completion. I can't recall the year of the movie late 80's? but it was nice enough to be worthy of being filmed (even though it was supposed ot be Detroit).

So guess what your wish came true because in the film it gets all smashed up thanks to ROBO !

Funny. It (RC3) was on last night.

[mojeaux131]

I'm glad there are others who agree. For what it's worth, I think it's fine as a convention center (function), and I know it's not going away anytime soon, but it's just so damned ugly. It's an important building and it's done good things for the city, but I'm sure as shoot not gonna fall into the "may as well like it" trap. Subdude's "1980s period piece" comment made sense to me, though.

[gonzo1976]

So guess what your wish came true because in the film it gets all smashed up thanks to ROBO !

That was "Robocop 2." And if I recall correctly, the exterior scenes leading up that image there were filmed outside the Wortham Center.

[Guest Marty]

I like the design it could use a little TLC

[TxDave]

I still kinda like the GRB.

Its style is certainly unique, and it is difficult to make such a large building appealing in any way that will stand the test of time.

If you start changing it now, you will likely have to continually change it as trends change with time.

Alternatively, you can accept it for what it is (an extremely functional building that is unique and not unattractive to everyone), and wait for history to accept its real value

[musicman]

consideration must be given to the time when it was built. We were struggling with an economic downturn and funds for projects like this were limited. The Wortham is also from the same era. I know the City wanted a world class facility but had to make concessions on its exterior which is why it is so plain. People complained about that 20 yrs ago too.

[Vertigo58]

What fun!

Every example of an architectural 'type' goes through that awkward phase - and that's where GRB is now. Mid-80's "post modern" is at its nadir of popularity. It's too old to be chic, and too new to be retro.

Regardless, it's not going away soon, so we may as well like it.

Now that I think about it, if you stand in front looking straight at it. The GRB appears as the movie set of Titanic as it was being built in Mexico I think off Baja Peninsula. So now we have a duplicate Titanic as tourist spot.

[Montrose1100]

I like the GRB. It looks nice, industrial a little... kinda the same like the Mickey Leland Terminal @ IAH.

edit: Just found out it was the same architect!

Edited April 18, 2007 by Montrose1100

[Houston19514]

I like the GRB too. I admit it took a bit of time for it to grown on me. It helped a lot when I learned it was designed to reflect the image of ships.

[Houston19514]

THANK YOU on that one!

That whole side of downtown is resembling a huge prison - red-brick-mania!

Its out of control...Yucko!

But what's this about that whole side of town being "red-brick mania?" Ummmm, Hilton Americas, Toyota Center, Five Houston Center, the buildings going up in Discovery Green, ... not a red brick in any of those buildings...

[T 2 THA C]

I also like the GRB, I remember when ESPN was set up @ Discovery Green during the Super Bowl. I also remeber volunteering after Katrina and hearing many evacuees talking about how nice Downtown was and the GRB.

[jmancuso]

thank you!

the GRB is an assault on the eyes. there is bad architecture and then there's that damn thing.

[Vertigo58]

But what's this about that whole side of town being "red-brick mania?" Ummmm, Hilton Americas, Toyota Center, Five Houston Center, the buildings going up in Discovery Green, ... not a red brick in any of those buildings...

Guess I should have been more specific. Take a cruise around old Chinatown and head north on St Emanuel then go around Dowling street and be sure to see all new townhomes being built around MinuteMaid Park. ALL RED BRICK. There is a huge townhome complex being built as we speak near the ballpark parking lots and its all red brick. I imagine exconvicts will feel it all too familiar.

I would give names like Alcatraz Townhomes, Sing-Sing Village, The Big House Apartments, my fav is Electric Chair Lofts

[Guest danax]

It's not classically beautiful and it does look like something that a kid would play with in the tub, but it has huge whimsical value, and so I like it. Same with the new courthouse and the Fed. We have enough "serious" brutalist architecture to offset it and, as dbigtex observed, what is unpopular now might one day be a world recognized classic.

And the front seems like a loading area at an airport terminal, and I wonder if that was intentional.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

It's not classically beautiful and it does look like something that a kid would play with in the tub, but it has huge whimsical value, and so I like it. Same with the new courthouse and the Fed. We have enough "serious" brutalist architecture to offset it and, as dbigtex observed, what is unpopular now might one day be a world recognized classic.

I couldn't have put it better Danax. I'm guilty of liking all three buildings too. I guess we just have bad taste

OH well

[lockmat]

Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Greg Ortale is leaving for a comparable position in Houston.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stor.../08/daily8.html

Anyone familiar with the output of their bureau? Lets see what he brings here.

[lockmat]

flickr photos of the ventelation stacks getting repainted.

I like the GRB

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27812467@N06/...3923697/detail/

[Vertigo58]

Now those are rare photos. Not everday we get to see that up close.

That or those would make a great super model photo shoot back drop (hint local photographers).

That roof should be used for outdoor soiree's like in Fall/Winter to Spring. It can be done. Have the whole skyline as a backdrop. It could be another Skybar....more hints.

[arisegundo]

Guess I should have been more specific. Take a cruise around old Chinatown and head north on St Emanuel then go around Dowling street and be sure to see all new townhomes being built around MinuteMaid Park. ALL RED BRICK. There is a huge townhome complex being built as we speak near the ballpark parking lots and its all red brick. I imagine exconvicts will feel it all too familiar.

I would give names like Alcatraz Townhomes, Sing-Sing Village, The Big House Apartments, my fav is Electric Chair Lofts

Lazy architects taking a visual cue from the stadium, I guess. A bit ironic that several genuinely old brick buildings were knocked over to make room for new buildings with 'retro' brick facades.

[pestofan]

It reminds me of a giant toy tugboat.

It reminds me of that song the Harlem Globetrotters use, which is about its namesake. ("Sweet George R. Brown")

Edited July 17, 2008 by pestofan

[Mister X]

I was never too sure whether I liked the GRB or not until after they built Discovery Green in front of it. Now I like the GRB just fine. That reflection pond does wonders for everything around it.

Edited July 17, 2008 by Mister X

[mojeaux131]

Those pictures are nice. Even a turd like like GRB will sparkle with enough glitter on it (that would be the park).

[Deut28Thirteen]

I dont like the GRB from 59. Its horrible from the back. It does look decent from the park though. I would tear it down and put a better looking and larger one esle where and expand the park.

[mojeaux131]

I dont like the GRB from 59. Its horrible from the back. It does look decent from the park though. I would tear it down and put a better looking and larger one esle where and expand the park.

And I would gleefully help you.

[lockmat]

I was never too sure whether I liked the GRB or not until after they built Discovery Green in front of it. Now I like the GRB just fine. That reflection pond does wonders for everything around it.

The ship now looks like it belongs. What's a ship without water?!