Embassy Suites By Hilton Houston Downtown At 1515 Dallas St.

[lockmat]

This thing is so short, I almost wish it was never even built.

Link

[kdog08]

I wouldn't mind having 4 or 5 of this sized building to occupy the surface parking lots in this part of downtown. I certainly would love taller buildings but infill is sweet too.

[UrbaNerd]

What's with the lack of windows? The narrow ends seem to have more cladding than glass! And of course, the thing does not have the "top tier", as someone discussed above. IDK, but this thing might be giving the Mercer some competition as one of the ugliest new buildings in town...

[Highway6]

What's with the lack of windows? The narrow ends seem to have more cladding than glass! And of course, the thing does not have the "top tier", as someone discussed above. IDK, but this thing might be giving the Mercer some competition as one of the ugliest new buildings in town...

Looking at the photo, each floor plate is your standard double loaded corridor. They don't have the floor plate size to get fancy.

The hallway is running parallel to La Branch and Main with rooms on each side running parallel to Polk and Dallas. On the narrow end of the building, you are seeing the end of the corridor plus the long sides of the two end rooms.

Think of the typical hotel room.. It's a long narrow rectangle. Your door is on one short end, your windows on the other. On the two long sides are all your furniture.

This isn't a luxury hotel.. No corner suites with windows on 2 sides.

Also, On the opposite side of the building facing the park, One of the matching flat window-less sides is going to be your emergency stairwell, which is typically found at the corners.

This building will be boring and still 100x better than the Mercer.

Actually, on the narrow side of the building, it appears the middle 1/3 will be glass. Obviously hallways arent that wide. I'm guessing the corridor will balloon out at the ends to give an expanded viewing area... which will be nice. It could be a lot worse.

[UrbaNerd]

Yeah, it COULD be a lot worse. IIRC, there were more windows on the renderings on the narrow ends. We'll just have to accept the fact that they have made some changes, and wait for the final product.

[Highway6]

Renderings are not contracts with the people. Haifers put way too much stock in renderings.

Most renderings happen very early in the design process for the purpose of getting a client and investors excited, and to come up with a rough idea of what the finished product will look like. 6-12 months down the line when you're dealing with code issues, permitting issues, details, and getting construction documents out the door.. nobody cares about making sure the renderings are updated.

Haifers should accept the fact that changes are guaranteed to happen and that 99% of finished projects will never match the renderings you see when a project is announced.

Edited July 18, 2010 by Highway6

[Highway6]

I'm wrong about the viewing area at the ends of the corridor. It appears that the corridor will be windowless and that the two end units will indeed be suites, splitting that center curved window on the narrow end.

[mfastx]

I wouldn't mind having 4 or 5 of this sized building to occupy the surface parking lots in this part of downtown. I certainly would love taller buildings but infill is sweet too.

Yeah but this isn't even complete infill. This only infilled about half of a small block, there's still going to be surface parking on this lot.

[AtticaFlinch]

Yeah but this isn't even complete infill. This only infilled about half of a small block, there's still going to be surface parking on this lot.

You're right. It certainly would have been better to leave the entire lot a parking lot. All or nothing, I say. It's the internet way.

[wernicke]

The pyramid structure they put on the roof looks totally retarded. Pretty lame building in my opinion.

[livincinco]

Seems like everyone prefers the five empty parking lots in the picture instead. We're lucky that anything is getting built downtown right now. This is a benefit to that part of town regardless of whether is meets your standards.

[scarface]

I don't know about you all, but this is pretty close to the renderings if you ask me. Everyone's getting so worked up over an unfinished project. Just wait for the final product like Highway 6 said and the chips will probably fall in to place. It probably won't be as bad as you all think.

[TheNiche]

Yeah but this isn't even complete infill. This only infilled about half of a small block, there's still going to be surface parking on this lot.

Consider it an opportunity for a future developer to obstruct your view of this pillar of architectural mediocrity.

[VelvetJ]

Ha Haaaaaaaaaaa, yet ANOTHER one for Houston. While I love the fact that my years old complaint about designs for Houston are continuously being proven out, I still hate that it's happening .

While it may not be as bad as the infamous 'Mercer', I think I am safe in calling it the 'Mercer' of Downtown.....for now, because a design that is worse could be in the works.

And while I have read the expected old reliable responses to bad designs in this city of "just be greatful something was built", or "a better design would have been more costly, which justifies this design", I still have to go back to the question I have been asking for years at this point. Would this building have even been CONSIDERED for downtown Chicago? Even CONSIDERED for Buckhead Atlanta? Even CONSIDERED for Downtown Los Angeles? How about even considered for Downtown Dallas? Yet, here it is in Houston. Not Tulsa. Not Corpus Christi. Not Downtown Amarillo. It sits in the downtown of the 4th largest city in the country. What is it about our city in particular that developers believe that such designs are ok for us and not say..... Chicago? Seriously. I suppose it all goes back to the tone that is set in this city, that apparently says such things are ok. WHY IS THAT?

The Niche, to be quite honest I'm surprised you didn't somehow find a way to defend this thing . You know I love u.

*note* I am in no way suggesting other cities do not have ANY badly designed buildings, nor that every single structure that rises in Houston should be a billion dollar spectacle. Oh, and nor am I suggesting every single building in Houston is mediocre like this Embassy Suites thing. I have to cover all of the extremes to try to be as clear as possible.

[TheNiche]

Ha Haaaaaaaaaaa, yet ANOTHER one for Houston. While I love the fact that my years old complaint about designs for Houston are continuously being proven out, I still hate that it's happening .

While it may not be as bad as the infamous 'Mercer', I think I am safe in calling it the 'Mercer' of Downtown.....for now, because a design that is worse could be in the works.

And while I have read the expected old reliable responses to bad designs in this city of "just be greatful something was built", or "a better design would have been more costly, which justifies this design", I still have to go back to the question I have been asking for years at this point. Would this building have even been CONSIDERED for downtown Chicago? Even CONSIDERED for Buckhead Atlanta? Even CONSIDERED for Downtown Los Angeles? How about even considered for Downtown Dallas? Yet, here it is in Houston. Not Tulsa. Not Corpus Christi. Not Downtown Amarillo. It sits in the downtown of the 4th largest city in the country. What is it about our city in particular that developers believe that such designs are ok for us and not say..... Chicago? Seriously. I suppose it all goes back to the tone that is set in this city, that apparently says such things are ok. WHY IS THAT?

The Niche, to be quite honest I'm surprised you didn't somehow find a way to defend this thing . You know I love u.

*note* I am in no way suggesting other cities do not have ANY badly designed buildings, nor that every single structure that rises in Houston should be a billion dollar spectacle. Oh, and nor am I suggesting every single building in Houston is mediocre like this Embassy Suites thing. I have to cover all of the extremes to try to be as clear as possible.

Not all buildings are intended to be stunning. I'm well beyond that expectation.

It is funny, though...even before getting to your "note", I'd considered each of those angles to rebut. And now that you've identified and conceded all of those counterpoints, I can succinctly conclude that your "note" is a justification to dismiss your thesis.

[Jax]

In case anybody is trying to remember what the rendering looked like (I was)...

[photolitherland]

I was going to post my photos on here but I see that has already been done...

[Urbannizer]

I was going to post my photos on here but I see that has already been done...

Sorry, you stopped posting stuff and what not here, so I did'nt expect you to. I did provide a link to your photos to where you origanlly posted them.

[livincinco]

Ha Haaaaaaaaaaa, yet ANOTHER one for Houston. While I love the fact that my years old complaint about designs for Houston are continuously being proven out, I still hate that it's happening .

While it may not be as bad as the infamous 'Mercer', I think I am safe in calling it the 'Mercer' of Downtown.....for now, because a design that is worse could be in the works.

And while I have read the expected old reliable responses to bad designs in this city of "just be greatful something was built", or "a better design would have been more costly, which justifies this design", I still have to go back to the question I have been asking for years at this point. Would this building have even been CONSIDERED for downtown Chicago? Even CONSIDERED for Buckhead Atlanta? Even CONSIDERED for Downtown Los Angeles? How about even considered for Downtown Dallas? Yet, here it is in Houston. Not Tulsa. Not Corpus Christi. Not Downtown Amarillo. It sits in the downtown of the 4th largest city in the country. What is it about our city in particular that developers believe that such designs are ok for us and not say..... Chicago? Seriously. I suppose it all goes back to the tone that is set in this city, that apparently says such things are ok. WHY IS THAT?

The Niche, to be quite honest I'm surprised you didn't somehow find a way to defend this thing . You know I love u.

*note* I am in no way suggesting other cities do not have ANY badly designed buildings, nor that every single structure that rises in Houston should be a billion dollar spectacle. Oh, and nor am I suggesting every single building in Houston is mediocre like this Embassy Suites thing. I have to cover all of the extremes to try to be as clear as possible.

I frequently stay at the Embassy Suites in Buckhead and I promise you that its design is every bit as mediocre. This isn't a Houston thing, it's an Embassy Suites thing.

[Mister X]

I frequently stay at the Embassy Suites in Buckhead and I promise you that its design is every bit as mediocre. This isn't a Houston thing, it's an Embassy Suites thing.

This is very true. But in Velvet J's defense: since when did knowing what the hell you are talking about ever matter at HAIF. Suggesting that all those other cities don't allow ugly buildings to be built is asinine.

Check out this beauty in dt dallas

For all you haters out there, just be glad that a 19-story building like ES can't make that big of an impact downtown other than infill and to remove a part of a surface lot. But I would also suggest waiting until this building is finished to make your judgments.

[totheskies]

Yeah, once again... it's not the original design. But you know what?? It's being built and is going to add 300 hotel rooms to the downtown inventory. It hasn't been cancelled. That's a lot more than some metros can hope for right now. So I am thankful.

[mfastx]

You're right. It certainly would have been better to leave the entire lot a parking lot. All or nothing, I say. It's the internet way.

I know you're being sarcastic, but I definately prefer this over a complete surface lot. It's just a bummer that Embassy Suites owns the whole block, so no other building (in the near future) will be built on the remaining surface lot.

[mfastx]

Consider it an opportunity for a future developer to obstruct your view of this pillar of architectural mediocrity.

IIRC, the rest of the block is owned by Embassy Suites, so they would have to buy the parking spaces from them in order to build anything. I would rather they build on the five other surface lots in the picture now though lol.

[RedScare]

Ha Haaaaaaaaaaa, yet ANOTHER one for Houston. While I love the fact that my years old complaint about designs for Houston are continuously being proven out, I still hate that it's happening .

While it may not be as bad as the infamous 'Mercer', I think I am safe in calling it the 'Mercer' of Downtown.....for now, because a design that is worse could be in the works.

And while I have read the expected old reliable responses to bad designs in this city of "just be greatful something was built", or "a better design would have been more costly, which justifies this design", I still have to go back to the question I have been asking for years at this point. Would this building have even been CONSIDERED for downtown Chicago? Even CONSIDERED for Buckhead Atlanta? Even CONSIDERED for Downtown Los Angeles? How about even considered for Downtown Dallas? Yet, here it is in Houston. Not Tulsa. Not Corpus Christi. Not Downtown Amarillo. It sits in the downtown of the 4th largest city in the country. What is it about our city in particular that developers believe that such designs are ok for us and not say..... Chicago? Seriously. I suppose it all goes back to the tone that is set in this city, that apparently says such things are ok. WHY IS THAT?

The Niche, to be quite honest I'm surprised you didn't somehow find a way to defend this thing . You know I love u.

*note* I am in no way suggesting other cities do not have ANY badly designed buildings, nor that every single structure that rises in Houston should be a billion dollar spectacle. Oh, and nor am I suggesting every single building in Houston is mediocre like this Embassy Suites thing. I have to cover all of the extremes to try to be as clear as possible.

Yep. Only Buckhead could get an Embassy Suites as cool as this...

BTW, does Los Angeles even HAVE a downtown?

Edited July 19, 2010 by RedScare

[TheNiche]

IIRC, the rest of the block is owned by Embassy Suites, so they would have to buy the parking spaces from them in order to build anything.

Nope. The parking for Embassy Suites is wholly contained within its garage, and the adjacent lot is owned by Dallas-based investors doing business as MIPS Parking, LLC.

[lockmat]

Nope. The parking for Embassy Suites is wholly contained within its garage, and the adjacent lot is owned by Dallas-based investors doing business as MIPS Parking, LLC.

Where did you get this ownership information? the media? a govt. website?

thanks

[UrbaNerd]

Nope. The parking for Embassy Suites is wholly contained within its garage, and the adjacent lot is owned by Dallas-based investors doing business as MIPS Parking, LLC.

Oh, that's interesting. The irregular shape would also allow for an interesting scenario of whatever gets built there. Hopefully, it's tall enough to block the view of the ES from DG.

[mfastx]

Nope. The parking for Embassy Suites is wholly contained within its garage, and the adjacent lot is owned by Dallas-based investors doing business as MIPS Parking, LLC.

Well I'm glad to hear that, I thought Embassy Suites owned it because they included surface parking on that side of the block on their site plan. If the don't own it, how are they allowed to tear it up during construction?

[TheNiche]

Where did you get this ownership information?

HCAD

Well I'm glad to hear that, I thought Embassy Suites owned it because they included surface parking on that side of the block on their site plan. If the don't own it, how are they allowed to tear it up during construction?

If you look carefully at the building footprint, it comes to within inches of the property line with the surface parking lot. That's no coincidence. Besides, if they had owned the whole block then it would have been absolutely crazy not to have used the extra land in such a way as would've allowed them to build a shorter and fatter structure, which would've ended up costing them less per key.

They most likely did a land lease for their construction staging area just like they leased the land under the new hotel from the Harris County Houston Sports Authority.

[Houston19514]

HCAD

If you look carefully at the building footprint, it comes to within inches of the property line with the surface parking lot. That's no coincidence. Besides, if they had owned the whole block then it would have been absolutely crazy not to have used the extra land in such a way as would've allowed them to build a shorter and fatter structure, which would've ended up costing them less per key.

They most likely did a land lease for their construction staging area just like they leased the land under the new hotel from the Harris County Houston Sports Authority.

TheNiche is correct about the staging area ownership, but the HCHSA does not own the land under the new hotel. The land was leased from a limited partnership (ALH PROPERTIES NO FOURTEEN LP) apparently owned by a local family.

[TheNiche]

TheNiche is correct about the staging area ownership, but the HCHSA does not own the land under the new hotel. The land was leased from a limited partnership (ALH PROPERTIES NO FOURTEEN LP) apparently owned by a local family.

I stand corrected. That's 1515 Dallas St., not 1515 La Branch.

[VelvetJ]

This isn't a Houston thing, it's an Embassy Suites thing.

While I would not suggest Embassy Suites be recommended for any design awards, I thought the initial rendering was acceptable. I had no complaints. Then the reality of the altered Houston design began to become more clear like so many other structures in our recent past, and I realized it was time to post at this site. There are a number of their hotels that are what I would call acceptable, so while it may indeed be a Embassy Suites thing, for me it is more than just that, it's a Houston thing as well.

My posting here was about the Embassy Suite design because that is the subject of this thread, however those who are familiar with me know what my gripe has been and what it continues to be. Houston, a city once known for it's architecture, to the point of people would travel from around the world to see it, has had a UNUSUAL AMOUNT of mediocre/bad building designs particularly in the past 15-20 years. While other cities have had badly designed buildings to rise in the past 15-20 as well, it has been my observation that my home city seem to have had MORE than it's share. For every badly designed building that has gone up in Chicago, we have had 3. Even in Houston itself, for every MainPlace, we have had 2-3 bad/mediocre one's to counter. Why has this been the case? I'm not sure if I have really gotten a satisfactory answer. It has always seemed to turn into little jabs, or excuses here and there, or long drawn out answeres from a few who apparently love to read their own words.

So, my argument can be nit-picked and taken to extremes by some who live at this sight, but the Embassy Suites in downtown looks as if it will become part of the ongoing saga in Houston. Oh well, until the next 40 story beige stucco box to rise at the corner of Post Oak and Westheimer.

[TheNiche]

For every badly designed building that has gone up in Chicago, we have had 3.

That sounds about right, considering the differential in our rates of growth.

No, actually I agree with you. I personally find a lot of our architecture to be trite, cliched, derivative, uninteresting, mediocre and/or bad. And though more was spent to gussy up the Bank of America Building than Five Houston Center, and even though the Bank of America Building has received tremendous recognition--honestly--I put each in the same category.

Uninteresting buildings have been around since prehistoric times. They will certainly be around until humanity's end.

I shrug.

[RedScare]

For every badly designed building that has gone up in Chicago, we have had 3. Even in Houston itself, for every MainPlace, we have had 2-3 bad/mediocre one's to counter. Why has this been the case? I'm not sure if I have really gotten a satisfactory answer.

Perhaps because no one is sure they agree with you. There are 3 tallish buildings under construction in downtown currently, and 2 get high marks. Yet, you focus one the one that may or may not be attractive (it is currently shrouded in tarps), and declare "Houston" bad/mediocre. You, like a few others on here, have a nagging habit of complaining about one building, then suddenly making a giant leap and exclaim that all of Houston sucks. Then, you'll throw in a blanket statement that Dallas, Atlanta or Chicago doesn't suck...without giving examples...and wonder why Houston can't be like them. Truth is, if you nitpicked those cities and skylines like you did your own, THEY would suck as well. Your problem is that you are simply a downer. You look for reasons to be disappointed, and it is not hard to find them in any city. Every city is full of forgettable architecture, but you only look for it in your own hometown. Sounds like you spend too much time on Skyscraper Page.

Let's see some examples, so we can keep score.

['Stonian]

Well VelvetJ I agree with you WHOLEHEARTEDLY!! (& I am sure of it!) Niche is "in"famous for spitting out a bunch of nonsense in most of his posts. One the one hand he agrees with you then, he goes off on some tangent about why the 56 story B of A ICON building is comparable to the 27 story 5 Houston Center. (BTW: I love 5 HOU CTR!) Most of Niche's posts leave me wondering if dude has any social skills or if he's one who just loves to hear himself talk. And don't even get me started on Red Scare.., He's never seen a building in Houston he doesn't like. He'd justify the architectural significance of the old dilapidated run down DAYS INN downtown if given the opportunity. He's the ultimate HOMER..., in Red Scare's mind developers in Houston can do no wrong as far he's concerned.

Houston is my hometown as well, and to be honest, although I currently reside in Atlanta, I couldn't care less if Atlanta, Chicago, or Dallas throw up trashy eyesore buildings. I nitpick Houston's skyline because I CARE!!! No one said all of Houston sucks, but if I see another 1-sided Mercer go up then you better believe I'm gonna vent & raise a stink about it. Not that I can change anything to make the developers adhere to their renderings, but I'm certainly free to state my opinion on HAIF.

Furthermore, I did not expect the Embassy Suites to be an architectural masterpiece, but even after only seeing the crayon colored cartoon-ish rendering I was pleasantly surprised that they had chosen a decent design only to be severely disappointed to see them cut out most of the features that made ES "decent". While most of the building is still covered under tarps as they complete the stucco facade, it is abundantly clear that this design is greatly altered from the rendering. At this point I'm just hoping the finished product doesn't turn out as awful as I suspect it will.

It would have been better had they not even released the rendering and just built the crap as is, then there would have been no expectation that a decent hotel was going to be built right next to downtown's premiere urban park.

Just my 2 cents Red & Niche..., You guys have put in quite a bit more than your 2 cents!

[RedScare]

And don't even get me started on Red Scare.., He's never seen a building in Houston he doesn't like. He'd justify the architectural significance of the old dilapidated run down DAYS INN downtown if given the opportunity. He's the ultimate HOMER..., in Red Scare's mind developers in Houston can do no wrong as far he's concerned.

Boy, you missed me by a mile, but I'll let you run with it. FWIW, I am not defending the crappy Embassy Suites hotel, merely stating that it is not unlike any other city's crap, such as the picture of the one in Atlanta that I posted. Further, one 19 story building has no effect on Houston's reputation. And, further still, I am actually mocking the lack of architectural knowledge of the other posters, not bragging on my own. Not that any of this matters. It's not like internet opinions of me or you matter in real life...

[RedScare]

Oh, but I do plead guilty to being a Houston homer. Quite proud of it, actually. And, it has nothing to do with buildings or developers, and much more to do with people like Niche and crunchtastic and Porchman...people with brains and opinions based on information and knowledge, as opposed to myths and urban legends...that live in this great burg.

[TheNiche]

Well VelvetJ I agree with you WHOLEHEARTEDLY!! (& I am sure of it!) Niche is "in"famous for spitting out a bunch of nonsense in most of his posts. One the one hand he agrees with you then, he goes off on some tangent about why the 56 story B of A ICON building is comparable to the 27 story 5 Houston Center. (BTW: I love 5 HOU CTR!)

The height of a building does not exempt it from criticism.

If we are to use use VelvetJ's system of having two categories for "Mainplace" and "bad/mediocre" to describe aesthetic quality, then--in my opinion--the Bank of America Center and 5 Houston Center get lumped in the latter category.

(BTW: You love this? And you're complaining about ugly buildings!? Just sayin'.)

['Stonian]

Red, I don't think I missed you by a mile. Although I rarely post comments, I've been reading this board for years and know your HAIF personality. Believe it or not I do appreciate the fact that you're a Houston Homer, because I am also! Hell I used to think I was the only one until I discovered this website. But please note: Not all of us homers live in H-town, some of us are out on location spying out the competition ;-)

You defend Houston at all costs and that's commendable, but you also run the risk of not being taken seriously when you can never admit "OUR" faults. This town has a long history of being controlled by developers and allowing these same developers to throw up whatever type of hideous structures they desire to with zero regard for aesthetics just to save a buck.

I'm tired of wasting gas having to drive round-about ways around town to avoid some of these abominations when showing off my hometown to friends/relatives visiting from out of town! When I take them to Discovery Green I don't want them asking "What the hell is that 'thing' on top of yall's Embassy Suites?" I'm tired of making up stories to justify some of this nonsense!! (i.e. I-10 Memorial Hermann bldg & Westin Hotel, Mercer, Legacy @ Memorial--you know the "new" ugly biege box that's now blocking downtown's "money shot photo", that recycling plant @ corner of SW Freeway 59/Fountainview, to name a few)

And honestly that's what it seems you, Niche, and a few other HAIF posters are always doing...., MAKING UP STORIES TO JUSTIFY SOME OF THIS CRAP! But I know better and I'm not afraid to admit that sum of our buildings look like shyt!

['Stonian]

Niche, that's just like you to go find and post the most unflattering angle of 5 Houston Center to make your point. I wouldn't expect anything less from you. We all know that pic is not a proper representation of 5-HC.

[porTENT]

Not a proper representation? I'm sorry what angles do you approve of?

Edited July 21, 2010 by porTENT

[AtticaFlinch]

I tend to agree with you, PorTENT. That photo is taken from this very website. It even says so on the bottom of the photo.

['Stonian]

well since you asked.., How about an angle taken from Discovery Green that highlights the 3 or 4 story raised section with the curved roof on top. Yeah.., how about that one

[TheNiche]

Niche, that's just like you to go find and post the most unflattering angle of 5 Houston Center to make your point. I wouldn't expect anything less from you. We all know that pic is not a proper representation of 5-HC.

Good architecture does not have an unflattering angle.

Even at it's best, 5 Houston Center looks like the sort of spec office building that gets built in Westchase. It does not integrate well with the downtown skyline. You can contrast it with Calpine Center, which was completed not too long after 5 Houston Center and has a similar color scheme and pattern, but is far and away the more tasteful building...from any angle.

[TheNiche]

well since you asked.., How about an angle taken from Discovery Green that highlights the 3 or 4 story raised section with the curved roof on top. Yeah.., how about that one

The only redeeming quality about that photo is having Discovery Green in the foreground. And I don't like One Park Place, next door, either.

['Stonian]

Niche, Exactly what do you like? If anything??

[crunchtastic]

what's a Houton HOMER? Is it an acronym? I've never heard of one before.

I'm a little inclinded to think that a person who feels compelled to drive out if his way to keep his out-of-town friends from seeing a hotel building next to the park has issues. Seeing as how you had to drive through 200 hundred potholes and past a few dozen homeless people to get there, I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and suggest that your friends have already started devleoping their opinion of downtown Houston before they are assaulted by the appalling architectural mediocrity of a mid-priced hotel chain.

Edited July 21, 2010 by crunchtastic

[RedScare]

My friends do not attribute the poor architecture in Houston to me just because I live here. They would never say, "What the hell is that 'thing' on top of yall's Embassy Suites?" Instead, they would say, "What the hell is that 'thing' you are wearing, Red?" My friends are like that. They attribute to me those things that I control, and attribute to others those things that others control.

Your friends are wierd.

[RedScare]

what's a Houton HOMER? Is it an acronym? I've never heard of one before.

Come on, crunch. You know what a homer is. A hometowner. You're a Houston homer, too.

[TheNiche]

Niche, Exactly what do you like? If anything??

You brought up what you try to show visitors and what you try to hide from them...so let's put it this way... My tour of Houston for visitors entails driving from the airport via US 59 to point out the absurdity that is La Luz Del Mundo (because bad architecture can still be funny, which is good), then cutting around downtown via I-10 and I-45, exiting McKinney, and hanging a right on Smith St. to go to the Spec's taj mahal. Going home, I head back up Louisiana St., hang a right on Texas St., and head toward home via Harrisburg, taking Eastwood Street the rest of the way (ideally being stopped for a passing freight train just long enough to feel justified in turning my motor off).

If my guest is going to be in town for a couple days, I'll try to take them on the Galveston Bay loop on the first day, involving SH 225 to Barbour's Cut, then Bayridge Dr. through Morgan's Point, La Porte, and then again from Bayview through Bacliff and San Leon for Gilhooley's, then Galveston for the beach, and then across to Bolivar and to Smith Point at twilight, and then back to Houston via I-10 and back to SH 225 over the Fred Hartman bridge. And then the second day is a jaunt down US 59 to Bellaire Blvd. for a hot pot dinner and then over to Hillcroft for Indian sweets. If they're into the arts, then a visit to the Menil Collection or Hermann Park & the Museum District are waypoints. If they're into shopping, then the Galleria is a waypoint. If they're outdoorsy, then Memorial Park gets added.

Think about these routes. There are lots of ugly things. Some of them are unremarkable and will not be remembered; other things are pretty because they're ugly, or provide opportunity for contemplation. And in other cases, what's along the way are true gems...whether they exist in the rough or are placed upon a pedestal, in light or in dark. The bottom line is this: I don't try to sell Houston for more than it is. I offer my guests an authentic experience. There's warmth and charm in authenticity, and some people can appreciate that; those that cannot are not my guests.

I realize that I have not answered your question directly--but it has been answered, I assure you.

Edited July 21, 2010 by TheNiche