Howard Huge Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 How did Downtown Houston end up with so many contiguous parking lots? How long has our city been around? I find it incredible that for so many decades these city blocks were not used for something either more esthetically pleasing or more profitable. Thank God we are slowly making our built environment more livable. With our track record it's nothing short of a miracle that Discovery Green and the surrounding areas have literally blossomed into something functional and beautiful.With the plethora of surface lots in downtown, Ive often pondered the same thing myself.My assumption has always been that, knowing Houstons history of demolishing historic structures, several of those lots probably used to be old circa 20's or 30's buildings. Im pretty sure there has to be some sort of map or grid of downtown that shows what old buildings used to be up on what lots, maybe even with pictures. If anyone knew where to find out it would probably be a poster/s on this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonartstudent Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 With the plethora of surface lots in downtown, Ive often pondered the same thing myself.My assumption has always been that, knowing Houstons history of demolishing historic structures, several of those lots probably used to be old circa 20's or 30's buildings. Im pretty sure there has to be some sort of map or grid of downtown that shows what old buildings used to be up on what lots, maybe even with pictures. If anyone knew where to find out it would probably be a poster/s on this site.go to www.historicaerials.com - they have aerial shots as far back as 1957 - it's definitely changed a lot but that's probably the best place to see about any block in particular that you want to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Oh yeah, I forgot that i walked off the dimensions the other day after the 5k. Not completely accurate, but it helps a little I guess.84x37One Park Place: Length (not including breezeway on north side): 84 stepsOne Park Place: Width (not including garage): 37 steps55x32Embassy: Length 55 stepsEmbassy: Width (entire structure) 47 steps, (room quarters only) 32 stepsEmbassy is not really even a very tall building either, so I think it's gonna look like some of the old towers downtown has around, but newer of course.These are steps from my 6'2" stridesThanks. That helps me visualize the size at least.m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citizen4rmptown Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 it seems there is no space remaining on the east side of the block in the rendering, but in the photo there is lots. I wonder if they changed the size, but regardless, I wonder what they'll do with it? Parking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 it seems there is no space remaining on the east side of the block in the rendering, but in the photo there is lots. I wonder if they changed the size, but regardless, I wonder what they'll do with it? Parking? taking a second look at the rendering it seems there might be an entrance and exit from La Branch to a check-in area and possibly a small parking lot in front of that facing Lamar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 quote name='fatesdisastr' date='Monday, February 15, 2010 at 8:18 PM' timestamp='1266286736' post='357221']taking a second look at the rendering it seems there might be an entrance and exit from La Branch to a check-in area and possibly a small parking lot in front of that facing Lamar.yeah, I guess so. It's just really hard to differentiate between the property and the street and/or the one next to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 it seems there is no space remaining on the east side of the block in the rendering, but in the photo there is lots. I wonder if they changed the size, but regardless, I wonder what they'll do with it? Parking?Yea I was thinking about where the parking structure would be after looking at the recent pic taken. Does anyone know how much parking hotels require? Like would they need 1 parking space per room or maybe 1 per every 2 rooms? 3 rooms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttuchris Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 It looks like the rendering is from the NW and the cam is looking from the SW. There does seem to be some sort of plaza/drop-off area on the south side of the building. Regardless, this has been cut back. The rendering is 22 stories, but it is now only going to have 19. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Yea I was thinking about where the parking structure would be after looking at the recent pic taken. Does anyone know how much parking hotels require? Like would they need 1 parking space per room or maybe 1 per every 2 rooms? 3 rooms?Would you mind reposting your question in "Development and real estate" ? That way people not interested in this project can still see and respond to your more general question. I'm interested, too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T 2 THA C Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 This area by the Stadiums have come along way since 2008. I remember thinking when they would finish Disco Green. Now 1 Park Place finished, Disco Green finished, Disco Tower almost finished, and the Embassy Suites on its way. Lost at least two parking lots and still have no trouble finding parking @ Rockets games conventions etc!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citizen4rmptown Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Good progress... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Very Good Progress, I did`nt realize they were moving pretty fast until now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Wow! I am impressed with the progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Thanks to ES's small size, it will start to grace the southern skyline in just a couple months. It seems like they average almost 1 floor a week! that is fast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citizen4rmptown Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Thanks to ES's small size, it will start to grace the southern skyline in just a couple months. It seems like they average almost 1 floor a week! that is fast In a half of year to a year from now, when I'm at Discovery Green, and OPP, ES, and Hess Tower are all done, Im actually going to miss the ongoing, never-ending construction that has occured there since it opened. But who knows, maybe that new convention center hotel will actually happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Has anyone determined where the parking is? There is still a lot of land on the lot but I can't see that being used for surface parking. Maybe a two story parking structure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 taking a second look at the rendering it seems there might be an entrance and exit from La Branch to a check-in area and possibly a small parking lot in front of that facing Lamar. I could be wrong, but I thought downtown couldn't have logo's on the buildings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonartstudent Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I could be wrong, but I thought downtown couldn't have logo's on the buildings.I believe hotels are exempt...look at the Hilton right next door as an example Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 They are pouring another floor tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I think buildings should be allowed to have logos at the top... It would make for a more interesting skyline... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I think buildings should be allowed to have logos at the top... It would make for a more interesting skyline...I'm with you on that. I think that is what makes downtown seem so bland (in my opinion). The city allows all of these billboards and tall signs out side of downtown which I think make the city visually cluttered (thats what needs to be minimized). Why not allow them downtown and liven it up down there. Kind of like Times Square. I want to say the same about METRO, they don't allow advertisement because I they think its tacky. I personally think that it would be cool to have advertisement on sides of buses trains and stations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I'm with you on that. I think that is what makes downtown seem so bland (in my opinion). The city allows all of these billboards and tall signs out side of downtown which I think make the city visually cluttered (thats what needs to be minimized). Why not allow them downtown and liven it up down there. Kind of like Times Square. I want to say the same about METRO, they don't allow advertisement because I they think its tacky. I personally think that it would be cool to have advertisement on sides of buses trains and stations......and I personally think it would be cool to brand a corporate logo straight onto your forehead.Hopefully that sounds absurd to you. What have we become, culturally, when a whole generation not only mistakesmarketing for beauty, but longs for the visual blight of ads to 'liven up' public spaces? 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 What have we become, culturally, when a whole generation not only mistakes marketing for beauty, but longs for the visual blight of ads to 'liven up' public spaces?What is architecture, in practice, but an attempt by a developer to enhance the marketability of an otherwise commoditized asset? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegacyTree Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 What is architecture, in practice, but an attempt by a developer to enhance the marketability of an otherwise commoditized asset?Post-Modern architecture in practice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Nick Massad Jr. ... says downtown (especially near the George R. Brown) is seriously under-roomed considering it has three markets––sports, conventions, and corporate travel. (Most hotels have two.) He says we have 4800 rooms downtown; compare to Austin (5700), San Antonio (12k) or even the Galleria (8k). The hotel will be 19 stories, 262 suites, 80 underground parking spaces, a street-level restaurant, and 6k SF of meeting space. Nick says it took1.5 years to plan and arrange financing, and it’s only happening because of the city’s occupancy tax rebate....every inch of the 17k SF lot is being built, which made building the two stories below grade a challenge.Nick wants to build another hotel with some retail in the area, but it would be at least three years from now.http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commercial_real_estate_news_story.php?p=7355 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtticaFlinch Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 (edited) What is architecture, in practice, but an attempt by a developer to enhance the marketability of an otherwise commoditized asset? Deleted non-G posts be damned. I think I've found a solution that would satisfy both your evil secret lair needs and citykid's signage-as-character needs: Edited March 3, 2010 by AtticaFlinch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Deleted non-G posts be damned. I think I've found a solution that would satisfy both your evil secret lair needs and citykid's signage-as-character needs: LOL! That is a little too much character. But what would Times Square be without the ads? NOTHING! Its really a site to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 .....and I personally think it would be cool to brand a corporate logo straight onto your forehead.Hopefully that sounds absurd to you. What have we become, culturally, when a whole generation not only mistakesmarketing for beauty, but longs for the visual blight of ads to 'liven up' public spaces?What else would you have us do to liven up our skyline? Surely there should be far more interesting architecture in our great downtown other than plain boring old boxes. UGH!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citizen4rmptown Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 As of yesterday, 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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