wxman Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Wow, this is a class act. Loving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I still say they should build a top golf and public sports complex on the roof for the urban dwellers.. But I'm digging these plans. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 FInally getting the city we always dreamed of, great planning by the city! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Not to be a downer, but when I see shovels in the ground for this and the Marriott, then Ill be happy, until then Im just hoping for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 And from what the HBJ reports this is supposed to break ground in April with the Marquis? They lump them together, but that is great news that they are getting things together so well!http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2014/01/30/houston-first-ghcvb-talking-about-best-strategy.html?page=all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Thanks Triton, and agree with cuevas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) So giant screens playing sports visible from street level are allowed, but jumbotrons arent. Edited January 31, 2014 by Howard Huge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 So giant screens playing sports visible from street level are allowed, but jumbotrons arent. Â Hoping this is one of the changes the retail task force told Houston they need to make.. I remeber a part in the report where they flat out told the city limiting signs heights and billboards need to be changed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Not to be a downer, but when I see shovels in the ground for this and the Marriott, then Ill be happy, until then Im just hoping for the best. Hoping the fools can show real vision for once.. They are suppose to vote on it, but like discovery green their will always be those who are convince it will be a big waste of money.. even discovery green had it distractors on the boards who were sure no one would want to go to a park in downtown Houston... Some people just lack vision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 opening the grb to panoramic views of downtown houston, shall be a state of the art... Â and yet novel approach. Â the new hotel on top of the garage / tower shall be the official icing upon the cake. Â Â this new concept as per the grb... Â shall catapult downtown houston into the tourism stratosphere. Â oh boy, it's on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014  http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Big-changes-could-be-coming-to-downtown-5190503.php#/1    Anna Wintour seems to be enjoying herself. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I hope they budgeted $55mm for the Jeff Koons Balloon Dog in the first picture. There's a lady in Deerbrook Mall that will make them for $5 per. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Lol at Anna Wintour.  I mean really?  That north block has been earmarked for parking for a long-time; nice to see them think of using the airspace for a hotel.  Even with the four new nearby hotels planned to come onstream in the next few of years (Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place, Marriott, Green Street) I think that the GRB still might be only on the cusp of having enough nearby hotel rooms to support really large conventions.   I like the idea of narrowing Avenida de las Americas and using it somewhat for public space.  I might add, though, in a tiny little voice, that as ever I have some reservations about remodeling; specifically glazing a large chunk of the GRB facade.  Yeah, yeah, it looks all modern and cool and stuff, and I recognize that the GRB has never been exactly beloved from an architectural standpoint.  When it was first built a lot of people, myself included, thought it was a bit of a white elephant.  However, after a quarter century I think it seems to have come into its own as a nice example of 1980s post-modernism.  Building Discovery Green, for whatever reason, really helped how it fit in with the environs, compared to the previous sea of surface parking.  I can live with refacing Two Shell because I don't think it is of any particular architectural merit, but GRB is different.   Oh well, in twenty years, when Houstonians are decrying how we let ourselves deface such a perfect example of 1980s architecture, I'll log in from the old folks home and say "I knew it!"      3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I too have mixed feelings about the GRB. I don't know about the materials used, I dont know about the Ship references (color, shape, and smoke stack things), but with all that said - it isn't bad or offensive. I think this proposal would be great if they could ensure they don't ignore the building's existing features... I tend to not like buildings if they have parts from different eras and it is obvious. But the if the GRB can still look like a seemless, complete package after the work is done, I think it is worth the risk.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchFan Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) I kinda like the GRB, but it always seemed to be a rather blatant copy of the earlier & more-famous Centre Pompidou in Paris: Â Â Â Edited January 31, 2014 by ArchFan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I kinda like the GRB, but it always seemed to be a rather blatant copy of the earlier & more-famous Centre Pompidou in Paris: I don't see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I too have mixed feelings about the GRB. I don't know about the materials used, I dont know about the Ship references (color, shape, and smoke stack things), but with all that said - it isn't bad or offensive. I think this proposal would be great if they could ensure they don't ignore the building's existing features... I tend to not like buildings if they have parts from different eras and it is obvious. But the if the GRB can still look like a seemless, complete package after the work is done, I think it is worth the risk.. That's the thing though.  How can they not ignore the building's existing features? After they graft on a new facade how can it look like a seamless, complete package?  I'm not saying GRB is one for the ages, but it's a really good period piece, the best in Houston, so it's a shame to mess it up.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 That's the thing though.  How can they not ignore the building's existing features? After they graft on a new facade how can it look like a seamless, complete package?  I'm not saying GRB is one for the ages, but it's a really good period piece, the best in Houston, so it's a shame to mess it up.   ugh, now I am critical about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 That's the thing though.  How can they not ignore the building's existing features? After they graft on a new facade how can it look like a seamless, complete package?  I'm not saying GRB is one for the ages, but it's a really good period piece, the best in Houston, so it's a shame to mess it up.  I have to disagree sub. It is extremely post modern but certainly not the best example. You might be right, later down the line we might regret the upgrade, but not for a few more decades. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky-guy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I think it'll be fine as long as they don't touch the other side of the building facing 59. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Have you ever heard anyone say, "My jaw dropped when I saw the George R. Brown Convention Center?" Have you ever heard that sentence? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Have you ever heard anyone say, "My jaw dropped when I saw the George R. Brown Convention Center?" Have you ever heard that sentence? This is not meant to express an opinion on whether it should be altered, btw. I just thought it was a funny sentence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Have you ever heard anyone say, "My jaw dropped when I saw the George R. Brown Convention Center?" Have you ever heard that sentence? Well, not in a good way, no.   Look, I didn't say that it was a prize piece or the best example of the style one could find.  But it is a pretty decent and emblematic example of post-modernism, certainly one of the best in Houston (along with Bank of America) that has survived this long.  If it were the Wortham Theater, for instance, which looked dated the day it opened, I'd yell "Remodel away!"  But does a structure need to be best-in-class to merit preservation?  Of the list of 1960s "modernizations" that I posted in the Two Shell topic, I doubt that any were considered prime examples of their respective genres.  Some, like the West Building, I would categorize as positively dumpy.  Still, what replaced them was in almost every case worse and ultimately detracted from the economic value of the buildings and the architectural character and heritage of Houston.  Again, I'm not saying that every remodeling is a mistake, just most of them.  I'm just afraid the GRB would fall into the latter category.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Well, not in a good way, no.   Look, I didn't say that it was a prize piece or the best example of the style one could find.  But it is a pretty decent and emblematic example of post-modernism, certainly one of the best in Houston (along with Bank of America) that has survived this long.  If it were the Wortham Theater, for instance, which looked dated the day it opened, I'd yell "Remodel away!"  But does a structure need to be best-in-class to merit preservation?  Of the list of 1960s "modernizations" that I posted in the Two Shell topic, I doubt that any were considered prime examples of their respective genres.  Some, like the West Building, I would categorize as positively dumpy.  Still, what replaced them was in almost every case worse and ultimately detracted from the economic value of the buildings and the architectural character and heritage of Houston.  Again, I'm not saying that every remodeling is a mistake, just most of them.  I'm just afraid the GRB would fall into the latter category.  I think what makes the remodel attractive is I don't see the color blue. Mixing Red, White, and Blue is very hard to pull off, and eliminating it brings it up to speed. I'm happy though they are keeping some of the elements of the original design (As I said before). The current glass wall on the GRB is pointless, it opens up to a blank wall on the inside, and this redo makes it flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Well, not in a good way, no.   Look, I didn't say that it was a prize piece or the best example of the style one could find.  But it is a pretty decent and emblematic example of post-modernism, certainly one of the best in Houston (along with Bank of America) that has survived this long.  If it were the Wortham Theater, for instance, which looked dated the day it opened, I'd yell "Remodel away!"  But does a structure need to be best-in-class to merit preservation?  Of the list of 1960s "modernizations" that I posted in the Two Shell topic, I doubt that any were considered prime examples of their respective genres.  Some, like the West Building, I would categorize as positively dumpy.  Still, what replaced them was in almost every case worse and ultimately detracted from the economic value of the buildings and the architectural character and heritage of Houston.  Again, I'm not saying that every remodeling is a mistake, just most of them.  I'm just afraid the GRB would fall into the latter category.   You are right that very few renovations are seen long-term as improvements. I disagree about the Wortham, I've always kind of liked it, and it got some good national reviews when it opened. And the George R. Brown isn't terrible, there's actually a rather flattering photo of it on wikipedia. But I think convention centers are pretty much destined to be transformed, reshaped, repurposed. They're just way too big and pragmatic by nature to ever be given the amber treatment as period pieces, much like airports or perhaps sports stadiums.  Plus, this renovation leaves much of the original 80's facade intact, and it's not like you need the whole thing left intact to get the point, the front facade has that sickening repetitiveness and a-centeredness that one normally associates with college dorm hallways. We'll have a section of 80's style and a section of 2014 style, it'll be like one of those Gothic cathedrals that was built and reworked across different periods! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchFan Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) I don't see it I've been in both buildings more than once, and the similarities (and differences, too) have always struck me. Â I've heard the Pompidou Centre described as resembling an oil refinery or a building turned inside-out, with the ductwork being exposed on the outside and painted bright colors. The GRB has similar ductwork, but it is mostly in the lobby, as I recall, not on the outside. Â OTOH, the exteriors of both buildings are painted with bright primary colors and have ventilation ducts that are very ship-like. Â When GRB was built, I had already seen the Pompidou Center and immediately saw that the latter had influenced the people who designed the former. Â I couldn't find a pic online of the GRB lobby, which has lots of brightly colored ducts. Â But, at least the 2 pics I attached here show the "ship smokestacks" they both share. Edited January 31, 2014 by ArchFan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I've been in both buildings more than once, and the similarities (and differences, too) have always struck me. I've heard the Pompidou Centre described as resembling an oil refinery or a building turned inside-out, with the ductwork being exposed on the outside and painted bright colors. The GRB has similar ductwork, but it is mostly in the lobby, as I recall, not on the outside. OTOH, the exteriors of both buildings are painted with bright primary colors and have ventilation ducts that are very ship-like. When GRB was built, I had already seen the Pompidou Center and immediately saw that the latter had influenced the people who designed the former. I couldn't find a pic online of the GRB lobby, which has lots of brightly colored ducts. But, at least the 2 pics I attached here show the "ship smokestacks" they both share. Night and day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Improvements to the GRB will begin later this year (4Q 2014), construction on the new garage will also begin around that time.http://downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2014-03-05/140303_Downtown_Houston_Development_Map_11x17.pdf 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted March 14, 2014 Share Posted March 14, 2014 Hooray for Superbowl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) This is going to be perfect for downtown! We just need to continue to connect Midtown with Downtown Edited March 20, 2014 by j_cuevas713 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 cannot wait for a re-do of GRB...hate that they modeled it after a cruise ship to help symbolize that we are the Port Of Houston and port of the Gulf...super dated, super cheesy so re-model away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 cannot wait for a re-do of GRB...hate that they modeled it after a cruise ship to help symbolize that we are the Port Of Houston and port of the Gulf...super dated, super cheesy so re-model away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol, they seriously modeled it after a cruise ship? i thought everyone just made fun of it/called it a giant cruise ship in the middle of downtown because it vaguely resembled one. if the former is the case then im glad they are cladding over some of the structure, but unfortunately i doubt the back will get remodeled. and im still waiting for a TopGolf on the roof of GRB, dammit! how come no one else thinks that would be a good use of space/makes it happen? heh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 From the Chronicle this morning. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Super-Bowl-driving-major-projects-5371617.php?cmpid=btfpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota79 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Unfortunately I haven't heard of any plans to remove the cheesy red "smokestacks". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timoric Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) - Edited July 8, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Unfortunately I haven't heard of any plans to remove the cheesy red "smokestacks".I say keep the smokestacks and install LED lights the the vents. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Using google for these articles officially doesn't work for me anymore. I've tried multiple times over the paste week or so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Just worked for me! Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Using google for these articles officially doesn't work for me anymore. I've tried multiple times over the paste week or so works for me. bing coincidentally does not work for me, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I wonder if I've just done it too many times, it's my phone or chron just hates me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 The 2017 Super Bowl not only will drive thousands of football fans to Houston, it will put a hard deadline on projects from office and hotel construction to a light-rail extension, a local developer said Wednesday. Which light rail extensions are they talking about? The ones under construction now will be done way before the Feb. 2017 date. Uptown? University? Another line? Wishful thinking? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I wish they were talking about the university line. I also didn't like the tone of Ed Emmett and Steve Raddack about Houston First and the convention bureau. Those two should just spend their time working on the dome and commuter trains from the burbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skwatra Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I wonder if I've just done it too many times, it's my phone or chron just hates me  searching for the chron url did not work for me this time, it usually does. then i did a search for 'chron grb superbowl' and it was the first link, and that gave me the full article  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Not to get off topic but is it just me or are the "seven office projects planned for downtown are expected to be completed in time for the big event." an overly optimistic number? I can think of 5 which is already a staggering number but does the Chron actually have any concrete information 5AC and IT will get built? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) The 2017 Super Bowl not only will drive thousands of football fans to Houston, it will put a hard deadline on projects from office and hotel construction to a light-rail extension, a local developer said Wednesday. Which light rail extensions are they talking about? The ones under construction now will be done way before the Feb. 2017 date. Uptown? University? Another line? Wishful thinking? Possibly talking about portion of the East End line that is suppose to pass over or under the Pacific Rail Line. - Altic to Magnolia Park. Edited April 3, 2014 by DrLan34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Not to get off topic but is it just me or are the "seven office projects planned for downtown are expected to be completed in time for the big event." an overly optimistic number? I can think of 5 which is already a staggering number but does the Chron actually have any concrete information 5AC and IT will get built? I would not count on Chron knowing anything special. The folks around here generally figure stuff out before they do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Unfortunately I haven't heard of any plans to remove the cheesy red "smokestacks". Those definitely should be removed. I personally don't like the building at all. It just looks out of place in downtown and then that big ugly freeway that sits at the back roof of it. Maybe its just the design of the building but I just don't like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJxvi Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 I bet the Super Bowl would be totally ruined if they don't get that light rail extension done... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Unfortunately I haven't heard of any plans to remove the cheesy red "smokestacks". And I certainly hope there aren't any!  They go with the building!    As an aside, hotels I can see, but what difference should the Super Bowl make to timing of office, light rail and residential projects?  What possible difference could it make?  Talk about way overkill.  1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 (edited) light rail= transit= helps people visiting without cars get around residential= helps create a vibrant downtown= makes houston more appealing= PR, basically Edited April 3, 2014 by Texasota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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