Embassy Suites By Hilton Houston Downtown At 1515 Dallas St.

[photolitherland]

I dont know if this has already been posted but whatever, here ya go anyways.

From the Nashville Business Journal

November 24, 2008

Houston Embassy Suites Hotel set to break ground in March

Houston Business Journal - by Jennifer Dawson Reporter

American Liberty Hospitality Inc. plans to break ground in March on a 262-room Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Houston after securing construction financing.

Amegy Bank and two other lenders in Texas provided more than $30 million in construction financing for the 19-story hotel at a time when bank funding is very difficult to come by.

Houston-based American Liberty Hospitality, which has been working on the project for two years, will build the full-service hotel at 1515 Dallas Ave. at LaBranch. The property is expected to open in fall 2010.

The hotel site is located near the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hilton Americas-Houston and Discovery Green park. The proposed hotel's proximity to the convention center garnered tax breaks for the developer.

The City of Houston has an ordinance in place that gives back 50 percent to 100 percent of Houston's portion of the hotel's occupancy tax on an annual basis over seven years. The ordinance is designed to encourage the building of hotels within walking distance of the George R. Brown.

Nick Massad, president of American Liberty Hospitality, says the project will help attract more convention business to Houston.

The new all-suite hotel will have 6,000 square feet of meeting space, a rooftop swimming pool, restaurant and a street-level caf

Edited December 1, 2008 by photolitherland

[Pumapayam]

I dont know if this has already been posted but whatever, here ya go anyways.

From the Nashville Business Journal

November 24, 2008

Houston Embassy Suites Hotel set to break ground in March

Houston Business Journal - by Jennifer Dawson Reporter

-----------------------

19 stories! what da hell!

Yup, it's been posted, heard, and discussed already, without all the direct copy and paste issues from the Houston Chronicle.

[houstonmacbro]

I dont know if this has already been posted but whatever, here ya go anyways.

From the Nashville Business Journal

November 24, 2008

Houston Embassy Suites Hotel set to break ground in March

Houston Business Journal - by Jennifer Dawson Reporter

American Liberty Hospitality Inc. plans to break ground in March on a 262-room Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Houston after securing construction financing.

Amegy Bank and two other lenders in Texas provided more than $30 million in construction financing for the 19-story hotel at a time when bank funding is very difficult to come by.

Houston-based American Liberty Hospitality, which has been working on the project for two years, will build the full-service hotel at 1515 Dallas Ave. at LaBranch. The property is expected to open in fall 2010.

The hotel site is located near the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hilton Americas-Houston and Discovery Green park. The proposed hotel's proximity to the convention center garnered tax breaks for the developer.

The City of Houston has an ordinance in place that gives back 50 percent to 100 percent of Houston's portion of the hotel's occupancy tax on an annual basis over seven years. The ordinance is designed to encourage the building of hotels within walking distance of the George R. Brown.

Nick Massad, president of American Liberty Hospitality, says the project will help attract more convention business to Houston.

The new all-suite hotel will have 6,000 square feet of meeting space, a rooftop swimming pool, restaurant and a street-level caf

[lockmat]

I really like the building but it would have been nice to have some curvature to mirror the road and give it a closer feel while at the park, but i won't complain too much; it's nice.

[tigereye]

For reference, here's a rendering of the area from the Discovery Tower thread, which includes a rendering of Embassy Suites.

I can't help but notice ONE thing this rendering: What appears to be a second Convention Center Hotel (w/attached skybridge to GRB)

To be honest, I think this is a leak on that second Convention Center Hotel. We know the city has a desire to see this project through. And its kind of hard to dismiss how much detail was put into this building on this rendering, especially when you consider the rendering also coreectly depicts renderings for the other under-construction projects. I would have dismissed it if Gensler had depicted as a darkened opaque box like some of the other buildings. But the fact that they have illustrated so much detail on that second Convention Hotel leads me to believe this is a leak of a project we dont know much about......yet!

Discuss.

[HtownWxBoy]

I can't help but notice ONE thing this rendering: What appears to be a second Convention Center Hotel (w/attached skybridge to GRB)

To be honest, I think this is a leak on that second Convention Center Hotel. We know the city has a desire to see this project through. And its kind of hard to dismiss how much detail was put into this building on this rendering, especially when you consider the rendering also coreectly depicts renderings for the other under-construction projects. I would have dismissed it if Gensler had depicted as a darkened opaque box like some of the other buildings. But the fact that they have illustrated so much detail on that second Convention Hotel leads me to believe this is a leak of a project we dont know much about......yet!

Discuss.

I wouldn't be surprised... especially b/c of, like you said, the detail put into it. I know the city would like a second convention center hotel and with the way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if it happens... it may get delayed a bit b/c of the recession... I guess only time will tell.

[tigereye]

I wouldn't be surprised... especially b/c of, like you said, the detail put into it. I know the city would like a second convention center hotel and with the way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if it happens... it may get delayed a bit b/c of the recession... I guess only time will tell.

I agree about the recession part. I just cant picture the city going after another Convention Center given the economic circumstances and just how much trouble it took to get Hilton Americas built. But still none the less, its surprising to see it rendered with so much detailed information, which is a dead give away that something is definitley up. And it is Houston, I wouldnt be surprised if city officials were actually still pursuing the project inspite of the recession. All I gotta say is if the city can pull off construction of another multi-million dollar Convention Center, then surely the city and county can pull together to get the Dynamo stadium done across 59 from the DG/GRB campus.

And let me be the first to say...if this is a leak hinting at the design for a second Convention Center Hotel, that's one UGLY ASS design which should compliment a bland designed GRB and the equally ugly Hilton Americas PERFECTLY. Who the hell is designing these things?

[totheskies]

I agree about the recession part. I just cant picture the city going after another Convention Center given the economic circumstances and just how much trouble it took to get Hilton Americas built. But still none the less, its surprising to see it rendered with so much detailed information, which is a dead give away that something is definitley up. And it is Houston, I wouldnt be surprised if city officials were actually still pursuing the project inspite of the recession. All I gotta say is if the city can pull off construction of another multi-million dollar Convention Center, then surely the city and county can pull together to get the Dynamo stadium done across 59 from the DG/GRB campus.

And let me be the first to say...if this is a leak hinting at the design for a second Convention Center Hotel, that's one UGLY ASS design which should compliment a bland designed GRB and the equally ugly Hilton Americas PERFECTLY. Who the hell is designing these things?

I would be pretty weird. Now that downtown's shopping venues have moved from "life support" to "critical condition", I'm hoping that we're in the running for a W hotel. It would be be perfect there b/c it's right by the park, and in between the two... hopefully three major sports venues.

[Houston19514]

I would be pretty weird. Now that downtown's shopping venues have moved from "life support" to "critical condition", I'm hoping that we're in the running for a W hotel. It would be be perfect there b/c it's right by the park, and in between the two... hopefully three major sports venues.

It would be great to get a W downtown, but it will not be at this convention center site. W does not do large "convention center hotels". This is planned to be a large hotel on the scale of the Hilton Americas (in the range of 1000-1500 rooms). Think Marriott, Grand Hyatt, Sheraton or Westin.

[wernicke]

I would definitely hope for something more architecturally interesting for one of the last lots adjacent to DG... the hodge-podge of bland buildings surrounding DG is just begging for something big and modern.

[citizen4rmptown]

If the rendering is still identical to this, than yeah, it looks like there is a garage on the right side that could have a pool on top. Man it would be cool if it was up on the 22nd floor though.

If they do build it according to the rendering it'll be neat.

Although the front and back facades wont be facing the park,

The sides will, which is pretty cool considering its glass sides

which will Ultimately add a more modern feel to the park like Discovery Tower

will on the opposite side

[H-Town Man]

If they do build it according to the rendering it'll be neat.

Although the front and back facades wont be facing the park,

The sides will, which is pretty cool considering its glass sides

which will Ultimately add a more modern feel to the park like Discovery Tower

will on the opposite side

Is this blank verse?

[totheskies]

It would be great to get a W downtown, but it will not be at this convention center site. W does not do large "convention center hotels". This is planned to be a large hotel on the scale of the Hilton Americas (in the range of 1000-1500 rooms). Think Marriott, Grand Hyatt, Sheraton or Westin.

Whatever hotel chain takes the bait, we really need to go with an "ultra modern" design... something that doesn't fit in with the surroundings. That rendering (showing what appears to be a carbon copy of the Hilton Americas) is horrible. We don't need another Hilton, or anything that looks like it.

[tigereye]

Another image revealing more of the design to a possible second Convention Center Hotel. What's interesting to not, older images on the Discovery Tower site depitct only OPP but now newer renderings are depicting the Embassy Suites hotel (which we now know is a go) and the second Convention Center Hotel.

I'm starting to believe this is in fact a leak on that project.

Another image revealing more of the design to a possible second Convention Center Hotel. What's interesting to not, older images on the Discovery Tower site depitct only OPP but now newer renderings are depicting the Embassy Suites hotel (which we now know is a go) and the second Convention Center Hotel.

I'm starting to believe this is in fact a leak on that project.

Also note...in the upper left corner. a vague form of what would be Dynamo Stadium

[rsb320]

Ah ha. Good eye.

Even though this is a very early rendering of the new convention hotel, I'm curious why the outdoor space on the rooftop faces away from DG.

[Pumapayam]

I can't help but notice ONE thing this rendering: What appears to be a second Convention Center Hotel (w/attached skybridge to GRB)

To be honest, I think this is a leak on that second Convention Center Hotel. We know the city has a desire to see this project through. And its kind of hard to dismiss how much detail was put into this building on this rendering, especially when you consider the rendering also coreectly depicts renderings for the other under-construction projects. I would have dismissed it if Gensler had depicted as a darkened opaque box like some of the other buildings. But the fact that they have illustrated so much detail on that second Convention Hotel leads me to believe this is a leak of a project we dont know much about......yet!

Discuss.

OMG, Brand New Information!

I can't help but notice that ChannelTwoNews already mentioned that.

Discuss.

Also note...in the upper left corner. a vague form of what would be Dynamo Stadium

You must have been reading the Discovery Tower thread and forgot that we read that too?

I tease, I tease!

[tigereye]

OMG, Brand New Information!

I can't help but notice that ChannelTwoNews already mentioned that.

Discuss.

You must have been reading the Discovery Tower thread and forgot that we read that too?

I tease, I tease!

To be quite honest, Ive stopped paying attention to the Discovery Tower thread since its no longer interesting to me......the threads that are interesting to me are the ones with proposed buildings not yet finalized. Discovery Tower is under construction, so the thread will be boring until the building is in its finishing stages.

And with the way the Embassy Suites thread is going, after groundbreaking, it will become boring to me too. I guess I might as well start a thread for the "Second Convention Center Hotle" to keep me occupied. LOL!

[bkjones98]

I like the design very much and think it will compliment OPP and the park nicely.

What he said.

[Pumapayam]

What he said.

So bkjones, you're down with OPP!

Yeah, you know me!

[Subdude]

Another image revealing more of the design to a possible second Convention Center Hotel. What's interesting to not, older images on the Discovery Tower site depitct only OPP but now newer renderings are depicting the Embassy Suites hotel (which we now know is a go) and the second Convention Center Hotel.

I'm starting to believe this is in fact a leak on that project.

Also note...in the upper left corner. a vague form of what would be Dynamo Stadium

Also an expanded GRB.

[Houston19514]

Also an expanded GRB.

I think that is parking (or least mostly parking). That is something that has concerned me. They appear to be leaving themselves no space whatsoever to ever expand the GRB (unless they can go up).

Edited December 4, 2008 by Houston19514

[kylejack]

I think that is parking (or least mostly parking). That is something that has concerned me. They appear to be leaving themselves no space whatsoever to ever expand the GRB (unless they can go up).

They're probably more likely to bulldoze the park.

[LTAWACS]

They're probably more likely to bulldoze the park.

Sad but true... Perhaps they can expand/build the GRB OVER 59... that would be cool.

[maceo9903]

I absolutly detest GRB! I think it is the ugliest thing in Houston (and that is saying something!). I whish they would/could give it a facelift to make it look more like a world class venue. I know that is unlikely since it was recently renovated with the same ugly ass exterior, but one can dream.

[kylejack]

Sad but true... Perhaps they can expand/build the GRB OVER 59... that would be cool.

Nooo, that's where I live.

[LTAWACS]

Nooo, that's where I live.

I'm sure our engineers can integrate your place into the GRB.

[RedScare]

I think that is parking (or least mostly parking). That is something that has concerned me. They appear to be leaving themselves no space whatsoever to ever expand the GRB (unless they can go up).

There are two empty blocks to the south. The bigger constraint is available hotel rooms for attendees. The GRB is already large enough to handle all but the top 5 or so conventions. With the recession shrinking attendance, they could probably handle all but the biggest 1 or 2...IF they had the hotel rooms.

Of course, you could go to Reliant, which has 50% more exhibit space than GRB, and more than every city except Las Vegas, Orlando and Chicago.

[Subdude]

I think that is parking (or least mostly parking). That is something that has concerned me. They appear to be leaving themselves no space whatsoever to ever expand the GRB (unless they can go up).

I'm not worried about it for now. It's a nice scale model in the picture, but I can't think it represents any actual enforceable plan as much as kind of wishful thinking filling in all the blocks, sort of like the old Main Street Plan, or the Buffalo Bayou Plan.

[roadrunner]

I wouldn't really get excited about that model. Obviously the other buildings are in there for marketing purposes. I wouldn't expect that side of downtown to look like that in the next 30-40 years.

[Houston19514]

I wouldn't really get excited about that model. Obviously the other buildings are in there for marketing purposes. I wouldn't expect that side of downtown to look like that in the next 30-40 years.

I think your time-line may be way too long. Did anyone think even 20 years ago that the east side of downtown would look as good as it does today?

[marc]

I wouldn't really get excited about that model. Obviously the other buildings are in there for marketing purposes. I wouldn't expect that side of downtown to look like that in the next 30-40 years.

That's a bit pessimistic don't you think? 30-40 years? Really? Think about how DT looked in 1970 versus today. Almost totally unrecognizable.

m.

[fatesdisastr]

That's a bit pessimistic don't you think? 30-40 years? Really? Think about how DT looked in 1970 versus today. Almost totally unrecognizable.

m.

agreed.

[LTAWACS]

We should build more.

[roadrunner]

That's a bit pessimistic don't you think? 30-40 years? Really? Think about how DT looked in 1970 versus today. Almost totally unrecognizable.

m.

That picture has 4 new residential buildings, a new stadium, an expansion to the GRB, and a new convention center hotel all in a 5-7 block area. Even if downtown were to add 4 new residential buildings, I would be surprised if they are all along Crawford between the park and MMP. Add that to the current state of the economy, which will most likely wipe out any thought of new residential development downtown in the next 5 years, not to mention compelely alter the development environment in America. I don't expect Miami and Vegas like development anymore, especially not in Houston

And don't forget that when Houston grows, it grows all over the place at a realistic and steady pace.

It may sound pessimistic to some of you, but maybe I've just learned not to set unrealistic expectations. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a negative nancy.

[CHiPs]

We should build more.

I agree.

[RedScare]

I wouldn't really get excited about that model. Obviously the other buildings are in there for marketing purposes. I wouldn't expect that side of downtown to look like that in the next 30-40 years.

All of the stuff there now...with the exception of a smaller version of GRB...has been built in the last 9 years.

[ChannelTwoNews]

If I could, for a moment, just head back to 1987 for some perspective.

The oil and financial industries were in crisis, vacancies for office space (counting all classifications) in the core were in the mid-to-high 20% range, and the GRB had just opened. Had a pretty decent party too with fireworks, a concert, tours and a big ribbon cutting ceremony that meant a heck of a lot more since the state of the local scene was so dire. It was also, apparently from the articles published in the Post then, a nice finger in the eye to the chair of the Democratic Party who had snubbed Houston in favor of Atlanta due to concerns about the facility not being able to open on time for the 1988 DNC. Even after the city had offered a $5 Million insurance policy from Lloyds of London to assure them that it would be ready.

At the time, essentially the only development that was pitched on that side of downtown would've been a 40+ story, $100 Million Dollar convention center hotel that would've opened in the early 90s.

Guess where it was to have been built: A majority of what is now Discovery Green, from what is now the Crawford Promenade, all the way to Avenida de las Americas, wiping out Lamar and McKinney south of what was then Crawford Street. It was, at the time, known as "The Superblock" and was never intended to be a park. It was a placeholder property donated by Texas Eastern and there were always plans to build office space and a hotel regardless if it were the city's development or another outside entity.

I say all of that to say this...

I'm not a Polyanna when it comes to development or anything, nor do I know anything specific about the blocks where the residential or hotels would be located, but 30 years or more is a bit far-fetched, given what can happen in just over 20.

Edit: Or yeah, what Red said.

Edited December 5, 2008 by ChannelTwoNews

[RedScare]

That picture has 4 new residential buildings, a new stadium, an expansion to the GRB, and a new convention center hotel all in a 5-7 block area. Even if downtown were to add 4 new residential buildings, I would be surprised if they are all along Crawford between the park and MMP. Add that to the current state of the economy, which will most likely wipe out any thought of new residential development downtown in the next 5 years, not to mention compelely alter the development environment in America. I don't expect Miami and Vegas like development anymore, especially not in Houston

And don't forget that when Houston grows, it grows all over the place at a realistic and steady pace.

It may sound pessimistic to some of you, but maybe I've just learned not to set unrealistic expectations. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a negative nancy.

Most of those buildings have already been proposed, and many have been discussed on this forum. The new hotel is being discussed. The parking garage is a natural addition if the hotel is built. The building north of Discovery Tower is a hotel proposal, IIRC. The stadium is in serious discussions. For all I know, the other two buildings are also proposed projects, as opposed to pipe dreams, as you suggest.

Development is all about trends. In the 70s, the trend was moving away from downtown. Now, the trend is moving toward it. While we have likely seen the last of easy credit, it does not mean that the trend toward downtown will end. More likely, it merely slows...and not by 30-40 years...more like 3-4 years.

[Houston19514]

That picture has 4 new residential buildings, a new stadium, an expansion to the GRB, and a new convention center hotel all in a 5-7 block area. Even if downtown were to add 4 new residential buildings, I would be surprised if they are all along Crawford between the park and MMP. Add that to the current state of the economy, which will most likely wipe out any thought of new residential development downtown in the next 5 years, not to mention compelely alter the development environment in America. I don't expect Miami and Vegas like development anymore, especially not in Houston

And don't forget that when Houston grows, it grows all over the place at a realistic and steady pace.

It may sound pessimistic to some of you, but maybe I've just learned not to set unrealistic expectations. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a negative nancy.

You are sure doing a good job of it, for not trying. ;-)

30-40 years for 4 new residential buildings, one hotel, and a small stadium (which I don't think is quite correct, but let's go with that for the moment). And you think that should likely take 30-40 years? In Houston Texas? There's a LOOOOOONGGGG distance between the out of sight building (and overbuilding) seen in Las Vegas and Miami and the VERY slow building that would be required to add 4 residential buildings, one hotel and a small stadium (oh and the addition of a parking garage to the convention center) in 30-40 years.

Let's look at the past 30-40 years, shall we?

In the past 30 years, in that general area of downtown.

-- The huge GRB Convention Center (built and added-to).

-- Hilton Americas (equivalent to the hotel in your list)

-- Discovery Green

-- One Park Place

-- 5 Houston Center

-- Discovery Tower

-- MinuteMaid Park

-- Rehab of vacant International Trade Center into Inn at the Ballpark

-- Fulbright Tower

-- 4 Houston Center and The Shops at Houston Center

-- Four Seasons Hotel and condos

-- 1 Houston Center

-- Toyota Center

-- Toyota Center parking garage

-- Hilton Americas/GRB Parking garage

-- Holiday Inn Express

-- Lofts at the Ballpark

-- Stanford Lofts condos

I'm sure I'm leaving some out. And as Redscare already pointed out, the vast majority of this list was accomplished, not in 30 years, but in 9 years!

Let's see, that's 1 huge hotel, 1 large hotel, and 2 small hotels.

1 large and 1 smaller stadium/sports facilities

1 huge convention center

1 shopping mall

3 residential buildings (plus the condos in the Four Seasons)

5 large office buildings

and Discovery Green.

Makes the 4 residential buildings, one hotel and 1 small stadium in 30 years, let alone 40 look like a major underachievement. (FWIW, I believe that 2 of the buildings you are counting as residential are actually slated to be hotels.)

[lockmat]

Has anyone else noticed what looks to be a gigantic beach type pool on top of the convention hotel?

[TheNiche]

That picture has 4 new residential buildings, a new stadium, an expansion to the GRB, and a new convention center hotel all in a 5-7 block area. Even if downtown were to add 4 new residential buildings, I would be surprised if they are all along Crawford between the park and MMP. Add that to the current state of the economy, which will most likely wipe out any thought of new residential development downtown in the next 5 years, not to mention compelely alter the development environment in America. I don't expect Miami and Vegas like development anymore, especially not in Houston

And don't forget that when Houston grows, it grows all over the place at a realistic and steady pace.

It may sound pessimistic to some of you, but maybe I've just learned not to set unrealistic expectations. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a negative nancy.

Actually, if the office leasing market turns sour (which it seems is already happening), then land prices may revert to a level reflecting that residential is the highest and best use of many sites. This was the case as recently as about 2005. The only real barrier to further residential development at that point would be capital markets. And if Finger's project does particularly well, then you might see similar copycat projects in the same area.

Condos aren't the least bit likely, so I concur with your assessment of Miami/Vegas-style development. I can't imagine that new residential development downtown will be anything excpt rental apartment units...with possibly a few really high-dollar townhomes on the far peripheries.

[Houston19514]

Has anyone else noticed what looks to be a gigantic beach type pool on top of the convention hotel?

I had noticed that "blob" too. I wouldn't make too much of it.

[Houston19514]

There are two empty blocks to the south. The bigger constraint is available hotel rooms for attendees. The GRB is already large enough to handle all but the top 5 or so conventions. With the recession shrinking attendance, they could probably handle all but the biggest 1 or 2...IF they had the hotel rooms.

Of course, you could go to Reliant, which has 50% more exhibit space than GRB, and more than every city except Las Vegas, Orlando and Chicago.

Yeah, I'm aware of the two blocks to the south. But those blocks are not as deep as the current structure, I don't think and don't really allow for a very significant expansion... plus how LONG can you reasonably make the building? Not a big concern and certainly not on the short-term list, but I suspect when they built the Albert Thomas Convention Center they never thought they would need room to expand it, either...

Clearly, the concern at this time is hotel space. Again, I am talking about long-term... at least 10, probably 20-30 years down the road.

[rsb320]

Has anyone else noticed what looks to be a gigantic beach type pool on top of the convention hotel?

I noticed trees and outdoor space, and in looking closer, see what looks like a pool. As I said previously, why does this area turn its back on DG?

[swtsig]

I had noticed that "blob" too. I wouldn't make too much of it.

or that the exterior design of the new convention hotel is actually very similar to the hilton? i wouldn't put much stock in this particular rendering... seems to be more of a placeholder than an actual design.

and anyone who thinks it will be 2040 or 2050 before we see a handful of residential towers, a new hotel, and a soccer stadium is out of their mind.... hell, i will guarantee that most of those go up by 2020

[lockmat]

why does this area turn its back on DG?

what do you mean? Are you saying if there is an outdoor area on the hotel that it should be on the side of DG?

or that the exterior design of the new convention hotel is actually very similar to the hilton? i wouldn't put much stock in this particular rendering... seems to be more of a placeholder than an actual design.

It is similar, but different enough IMO. I'm guessing it's most likely a place holder as well, especially since the design is so similar. It's fun to speculate though.

[Houston19514]

I noticed trees and outdoor space, and in looking closer, see what looks like a pool. As I said previously, why does this area turn its back on DG?

Actually, I'm not sure it really makes much difference. Think about it... the pool area of that design is probably at least six stories high. For people out around the pool, the only way they would see anything of Discovery Green from there would be if they went and stood at the edge and looked down over the railing.

[rsb320]

Actually, I'm not sure it really makes much difference. Think about it... the pool area of that design is probably at least six stories high. For people out around the pool, the only way they would see anything of Discovery Green from there would be if they went and stood at the edge and looked down over the railing.

That's where I'd be, with my cocktail, looking down at the park to see the remote boats, ice skaters and people watching (stalking), etc.

[LTAWACS]

Because they can charge more for a room with a view.

[Vertigo58]

As you drive into downtown from 288 this building looks Grand!

The gables add a touch of real class & elegance!

Now we look way more cosmopolitan and modern, people. High five to the architects!