Embassy Suites By Hilton Houston Downtown At 1515 Dallas St.

[kdog08]

..........unfortunately, all those great amenities do not make the building more appealing.

I'm with totheskies on this one. Hopefully these amenities will help guests spend more money in downtown Houston! They had me at the free cooked to order breakfast.

[DrLan34]

Courtesy Shuttle to downtown destinations... i'm liking this.

[Jax]

It's not half as nice as the rendering, but it could be much worse.

[Howard Huge]

It's not half as nice as the rendering, but it could be much worse.

That seems to be a running theme in Houston construction, save for Hines 47.

['Stonian]

I agree with you Jax! My great disappointment with this building is that they got us all excited with the rendering that was initially released only to drastically delete it's most aesthetic features. In essence they over-promised & under-delivered! Imagine getting promised a Lexus (or at least a fully loaded Toyota Avalon) and end up only getting a base-model Corolla. Now there's nothing wrong with a brand new Corolla, it's just less what we expected lol

As I've stated before, had they simply put out the true rendering & built this Embassy Suites as is, then I dont think we'd have half the complaints and "ugly" comments as we're having here. Truth be told, the final product is in line with a typical Embassy Suites and not any uglier. So whoever is comparing this to that Sheraton in DT Dallas is going way overboard.

[Highway6]

I agree with you Jax! My great disappointment with this building is that they got us all excited with the rendering that was initially released only to drastically delete it's most aesthetic features. In essence they over-promised & under-delivered! Imagine getting promised a Lexus (or at least a fully loaded Toyota Avalon) and end up only getting a base-model Corolla. Now there's nothing wrong with a brand new Corolla, it's just less what we expected lol

As I've stated before, had they simply put out the true rendering & built this Embassy Suites as is, then I dont think we'd have half the complaints and "ugly" comments as we're having here. Truth be told, the final product is in line with a typical Embassy Suites and not any uglier. So whoever is comparing this to that Sheraton in DT Dallas is going way overboard.

Guess what... You aren't buying the Corolla or Lexus here.. You (The People) aren't buying anything.

Changes always happen in the design process for any number of reasons. Renderings take time, Time is money. Clients don't give a hoot about updating the renderings months and months down the line to update and appease the masses.

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.

[KinkaidAlum]

Actually, if you're a property owner, you did spend $ to help build the Embassy Suites. The E.S. received upwards of $5 million in tax breaks and incentives to build in that location.

[Highway6]

Actually, if you're a property owner, you did spend $ to help build the Embassy Suites. The E.S. received upwards of $5 million in tax breaks and incentives to build in that location.

Changes nothing.....

[dbigtex56]

Changes always happen in the design process for any number of reasons. Renderings take time, Time is money. Clients don't give a hoot about updating the renderings months and months down the line to update and appease the masses.

The original promotional poster for Tenneco Tower shows a different entryway than was actually built.

[20thStDad]

Come on guys, complimentary cooked to order breakfast?? Forget all the rabble about ugly, hook me up with a waffle stuffed with a 9 egg omelet with a pound of bacon in it!

[Houston19514]

Actually, if you're a property owner, you did spend $ to help build the Embassy Suites. The E.S. received upwards of $5 million in tax breaks and incentives to build in that location.

Actually, I'm pretty sure the subsidy was only relating to hotel occupancy tax, not involving property tax at all.

[Subdude]

It's not half as nice as the rendering, but it could be much worse.

"It could be much worse" is hardly something to rally around. If the design is rubbish it should be criticized. This is an architecture board after all.

[TheNiche]

Imagine getting promised a Lexus (or at least a fully loaded Toyota Avalon) and end up only getting a base-model Corolla. Now there's nothing wrong with a brand new Corolla, it's just less what we expected lol.

That's not an analogy that I think that most people will be able to relate to. And it's a weak analogy. Nobody promised you anything.

['Stonian]

Niche, go back on vacation for a few more days please..., I was enjoying your absence! You're right, no one promised me anything. Bad analogy or not, you get my point. I understand that the developers of the Embassy Suites owe me absolutely nothing & that they are free to build whatever the hell they want on their land (well atleast in Houston they are). In the same vein, I'm free to criticize, be disappointed, give whatever analogy I choose & expect more for my city. Thank you Sir.

[TheNiche]

Niche, go back on vacation for a few more days please..., I was enjoying your absence!

What are you talking about? I haven't been on a purely recreational trip in years. ...ugh, you made me contemplate my existence. More tequila is called for.

You're right, no one promised me anything. Bad analogy or not, you get my point.

No.

I understand that the developers of the Embassy Suites owe me absolutely nothing & that they are free to build whatever the hell they want on their land (well atleast in Houston they are). In the same vein, I'm free to criticize, be disappointed, give whatever analogy I choose & expect more for my city. Thank you Sir.

I am free to criticize your criticism.

['Stonian]

Well try a little constructive criticism every now & then instead of the mumbo-jumbo rambling nonsense you often spit out bruh.

[C2H]

That's not an analogy that I think that most people will be able to relate to. And it's a weak analogy. Nobody promised you anything.

It made sense to me!

[dbigtex56]

Imagine getting promised a Lexus (or at least a fully loaded Toyota Avalon) and end up only getting a base-model Corolla. Now there's nothing wrong with a brand new Corolla, it's just less what we expected lol

That's not an analogy that I think that most people will be able to relate to. And it's a weak analogy. Nobody promised you anything.

Well try a little constructive criticism every now & then instead of the mumbo-jumbo rambling nonsense you often spit out bruh.

It made sense to me!

It made sense to me, too.

More tequila is called for.

There's your answer.

[TheNiche]

There's your answer.

Tequila is always a viable answer.

[dbigtex56]

Tequila is always a viable answer.

Ole'!

[Subdude]

Guys, keep it on topic.

[scarface]

Yep, another perfect opportunity for Houston, wasted. I drove by the building to see what everyone is so upset about. Not only is the back of the building facing the park, but also the crown where the lighted E is supposed to go. The renderings made it look like it was going to be a light on both sides.

[asubrt]

Well the outside may be ugly, but the inside sure looks interesting:

http://blogs.chron.c...hain_hotel.html

[lockmat]

Well the outside may be ugly, but the inside sure looks interesting:

http://blogs.chron.c...hain_hotel.html

First thought that it's busy, not necessarily over busy though.

[wernicke]

This is probably the ugliest building to go up downtown in the last 30 years... the worst part is it's prime location on the park and the fact that the city subsidized this crap.

I mean if you're going to incentivize building something right on the CBD's most attractive feature, you should be able to demand a certain level of quality in design...

[LegacyTree]

The interior design is much like the new Hyatt Regency's.

[DrLan34]

On a positive note, i was driving down 59N, then exited 45N and took a cruise by downtown.... At least the "better" side of ES faces the highway which makes for better skyline shots. I'm not saying this is ideal but it is probably better that the back is facing the park rather than the highway.

[Highway6]

Not only is the back of the building facing the park, but also the crown where the lighted E is supposed to go. The renderings made it look like it was going to be a light on both sides.

I mean if you're going to incentivize building something right on the CBD's most attractive feature, you should be able to demand a certain level of quality in design...

Oh snap... Have either of you two called the Architecture Police yet ?!?! I believe "Not matching renderings" is a Class C Felony now.

[Urbannizer]

Pics taken earlier this month. Look closely at the rendering and the building in the 1st pic, you can see where they stopped.

Link

[lockmat]

It looks like a face without eyes, a mouth and ears; the shape but no details.

[scarface]

Pics taken earlier this month. Look closely at the rendering and the building in the 1st pic, you can see where they stopped.

Damn that's sad! Almost brought tears to my eyes. Just wasted!

[barracuda]

That is one ugly building.

[Subdude]

I nominate this for the 2010 Houston Ugly Building Award. (Previous winners include the Mercer and the downtown Civil Courthouse). We should mock up a little trophy and send it to the developer. The facade looks like a cheap subsidized housing project from the 1970s.

[TheNiche]

I nominate this for the 2010 Houston Ugly Building Award. (Previous winners include the Mercer and the downtown Civil Courthouse). We should mock up a little trophy and send it to the developer.

I was gonna nominate Mai's.

Edited September 21, 2010 by TheNiche

[20thStDad]

Come on guys, all it needs is some snazzy lighting scheme at night and you know you'll love it.

[mfastx]

Come on guys, all it needs is some snazzy lighting scheme at night and you know you'll love it.

Yes, that would make it slightly better. Kinda like the Memorial building at I-10 and Beltway 8.

[Subdude]

Come on guys, all it needs is some snazzy lighting scheme at night and you know you'll love it.

Don't bet on it. It would just be putting lipstick on a pig.

[kdog08]

So does this look better than a surface parking lot?

[Subdude]

So does this look better than a surface parking lot?

Yes, of course, but if you are trying to imply that we should therefore be grateful and not mind the pig, I don't buy it. Being better than a surface lot doesn't provide an excuse for overt ugliness.

[TheNiche]

Yes, of course, but if you are trying to imply that we should therefore be grateful and not mind the pig, I don't buy it. Being better than a surface lot doesn't provide an excuse for overt ugliness.

Pigs taste yummy.

[kdog08]

Yes, of course, but if you are trying to imply that we should therefore be grateful and not mind the pig, I don't buy it. Being better than a surface lot doesn't provide an excuse for overt ugliness.

Never suggested we should be grateful but it was one of those things could be worse kind of situations. We got a crap looking building. Oh well. I care more about the building contributing visitors who will hopefully patronize and contribute money to Houston's downtown. Maybe I am the only one who cares about this building being successful instead of looking pretty.

[20thStDad]

Come on guys, all it needs is some snazzy lighting scheme at night and you know you'll love it.

I forgot to use my super sarcasm font. Ok there it is.

[C2H]

Those pics that urbanizer posted show the true scaling back of this project. If the final design of this building was a person, it would look like the equivalent of their head being chopped off and only leaving the shoulders.

[Highway6]

I just don't see the point in b1tchin at the final product. Mediocre buildings get put up all the time in houston, and there are plenty of mediocre buildings downtown.

It seems to me that most Haifers think that if a building gets highlighted with its own thread, its should be and will be spectacular. We're spoiled.

Reality check - It's just a chain hotel guys, one that was hardly slated to be spectacular to begin with. I'm sure there are countless economic reasons why it had to be scaled back.

Pros - Removed a surface lot that so many haifers like to complain about.

Increased hotel rooms downtown

Provided work for an architecture firm, a contractor, engineers, and countless Houstonians when that's hard to come by these days

Cons - It's mediocre.

Move on.

[Geoff8201]

Too bad they couldn't just stick to the rendering and the original height. When you can't do it right, it's sometimes best to do nothing at all...

Overall I don't think it's super horrible, I like the exterior materials, but not the way they are used. It's another box trying obviously and desperately not to be a box.

[Howard Huge]

Whats up with the same ugly beige crap that they also used on the pavilions. Hideous.

[mfastx]

Reality check - It's just a chain hotel guys, one that was hardly slated to be spectacular to begin with. I'm sure there are countless economic reasons why it had to be scaled back.

I think a lot of people are dissapointed because it is so far from the rendering, which was spectacular (OK maybe not spectacular, but pretty solid IMO).

[Highway6]

...because it is so far from the rendering....

You sadden me.

[mfastx]

You sadden me.

And you me as well. I consider this to be far from the rendering because they completely omitted the only aesthetic aspect to the bulding, which was the crown. Obviously you think that since they built basically the same structure minus the most dynamic feature, that it's "close" to the rendering, well, you sadden me.

Edited September 22, 2010 by mfastx

[Highway6]

And you me as well. I consider this to be far from the rendering because they completely omitted the only aesthetic aspect to the bulding, which was the crown. Obviously you think that since they built basically the same structure minus the most dynamic feature, that it's "close" to the rendering, well, you sadden me.

You're 100% wrong on my thoughts. I'm tired of beating a dead horse, so I won't mention them again... my thoughts on renderings and expectations have been documented enough in this thread ( #717).

Edited September 22, 2010 by Highway6