ChannelTwoNews Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I'm curious as to what everyone thinks of it. It was the last big project of note during the 80's, and it's been through several name changes throughout it's tenure. It just seems so odd that it isn't connected to the tunnels (The food court below doesn't count), and that they're only now establishing retail above ground... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Texaco Heritage Plaza is one of my favorite buildings anywhere. I think it's beautiful. While it does not have a "tunnel" connection, it is connected to the downtown tunnel system by way of a skywalk. There are a number of buildings downtown that, for one reason or another, either chose to or were forced to use skywalk connections rather than tunnel connections.Texaco Heritage PlazaActually, compared to a lot of other downtown buildings, the name changes have been pretty minor. So far I believe, it has been known only by two names and the change between these two was pretty minor:(1) Heritage Plaza(2) Texaco Heritage Plaza(and I presume a third name change, or at least a reversion to the original "Heritage Plaza" name will be coming soon)Compare that to, for example:Allied Bank Plaza --> First Interstate Bank Plaza --> Wells Fargo Plaza orTexas Commerce Tower --> Chase Tower --> JPMorgan Chase Tower orRepublicBank Center --> NCNB Center --> NationsBank Center --> Bank of America Center 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 It's no great beauty, but it's good that we were able to pick up at least one example of a post-modern-style skyscraper before building shut down after the bust of the 1980s. It's good to have some contrast with the older-style "glass tube" buildings (eg Wells Fargo, Enron) and still older concrete boxes (eg Allen Center, Shell). Probably when this was built no one would have guessed that it would be 15 years before there would be more downtown highrise contruction. I think this was known back in the 1980s for being Houston's premiere empty skyscraper for a long time. The original developers must have lost a ton of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted February 2, 2005 Author Share Posted February 2, 2005 Texaco Heritage Plaza is one of my favorite buildings anywhere. I think it's beautiful. While it does not have a "tunnel" connection, it is connected to the downtown tunnel system by way of a skywalk. There are a number of buildings downtown that, for one reason or another, either chose to or were forced to use skywalk connections rather than tunnel connections.Texaco Heritage PlazaActually, compared to a lot of other downtown buildings, the name changes have been pretty minor. So far I believe, it has been known only by two names and the change between these two was pretty minor:(1) Heritage Plaza(2) Texaco Heritage Plaza(and I presume a third name change, or at least a reversion to the original "Heritage Plaza" name will be coming soon)Compare that to, for example:Allied Bank Plaza --> First Interstate Bank Plaza --> Wells Fargo Plaza orTexas Commerce Tower --> Chase Tower --> JPMorgan Chase Tower orRepublicBank Center --> NCNB Center --> NationsBank Center --> Bank of America Center<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yeah, I remember writing the sourcing for some of the emporis material quoted. I think I finally added ChevronTexaco Heritage Plaza (for the year or two it was named that). They finally removed the massive granite Texaco logo from the Smith Street entrance once they moved.I still think it's odd that it's connected to the Doubletree opposed to the parking garage across from it. Though, I'm sure everyone remembers how prominent the building's presence was during the Rendez-vous Houston concert, before it's completion. Not that many buildings have a 22 story screen constructed onto the framework during construction, just to make a concert better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 What Emporis material? I didn't quote any Emporis material... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted February 2, 2005 Author Share Posted February 2, 2005 What Emporis material? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jookyhc Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Obviously, it's been a while since anyone posted on this thread, but since I'm new, I hope you'll forgive me. I'm a big fan of the Heritage Plaza building, and I'm amazed at how many people don't realize that the top of the building is modeled on the concept of an Aztec temple. I've spent some time on the 50th floor of 1100 Louisiana in an office that lines up perfectly to look at that detail, and it's just terrific. It might be a little gimmicky for some tastes, but that is, far and away, my favorite skyscraper in town. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 ^Perhaps that's because it's actually patterned after MAYAN temples. Not Aztec. ;-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jookyhc Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 yes...perhaps...Yaknow, and when I was posting this I thought "I'm not sure if it's Aztec or Mayan, so I'll just pick one." Aaaand I guess I picked wrong. Thank you for your ever so constructive criticism. Now I know and I won't make that mistake again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirzania Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Looks like Heritage might actually house some new companies now. I hope someone moves in, I'd hate to just see it sit empty. It's a beautiful building.From the article: "Atlanta-based Goddard Investment Group on Wednesday purchased the 53-story tower and two acres of adjacent land for between $125 million and $130 million, according to sources.The sale coincides with its largest tenant vacating nearly half of the space in the 1.15 million-square-foot property. That will leave it about 70 percent vacant by year's end."Read more... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 6 million square feet of empty space downtown. That's the answer to those who ask why there haven't been any new skyscrapers downtown lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3275255ING sold out the Heritage tower and the adjacent land. The new owner will build a parking garage on the land. ING previously stated that it had plans of building a highrise residential tower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I just read this on the Chroncile. Houston is declining, declining. Damn, I'm really afraid now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Not good. Not good at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Pro, read the entire article, not just the first sentence. I was there last year when they removed the granite Texaco "T" out front.Looks really funny without it now. But considering Chevron moved their people to Enron II, is this really that big news? It's just shifting the pieces of a chess game.Otherwise Enron II would be empty. But the new Drubi's may take a hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Well, I jump the gun. But still, that's a big lost to downtown. 6 million square feet vacant? Wow! It's going to takes some years for downtown get back on its feet. And I thought downtown was doing so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirzania Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Houston is declining, declining. Damn, I'm really afraid now. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'm terrified. I'm in the energy business. ChevronTexaco is a huge player. If they pull out of Houston and go some place else, what does that say to the rest of the gas business? ... After this year, I'm not moving back to the East Coast, I don't care how "close everything is." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirzania Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3275255ING sold out the Heritage tower and the adjacent land. The new owner will build a parking garage on the land. ING previously stated that it had plans of building a highrise residential tower.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Repost of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 That artilce is only half the story.As usual.They moved, people! They moved about six block away. They did not cease operations!And Chevron is moving more people from San Ramon to Enron II. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerLoopOnly Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 This move has been in the works for a LONG time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerLoopOnly Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Come to think of it, Heritage Plaza could make for some great residential space. There is an on site garage and there are great views of Buffalo Bayou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirzania Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Your ideas intrigue me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. When do your plan for the rennovations to begin, InnerLoop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestGrayGuy Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Holy Worst Case Scenario Batman!Instead of a residential tower a parking garage?!!?!?!My stomach turns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerLoopOnly Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Better than a surface lot I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I'm for real. This news have gotten me walking bowlegged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InnerLoopOnly Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Why? All Chevron is doing is moving employees from one building to another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 The only news here is that the building is changing hands. Nothing else changes. In fact, Houston is gaining ChevronTexaco jobs from NO, and CA. There are a few more energy companies relocating to Houston as well. Including, Citigroup (startup not relocation) and Constellation Energy from Baltimore. Let's take a deep breath guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 And Enbridge is growing like crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I wasn't all that thrilled about the location anyway. New (residential) highrises would look better, IMO, behind the newer, taller commercial highrises, like in southern downtown, the Historic District and near MMP.And frankly, I never really took ING all that serious concerning the condo proposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/st...23/daily34.htmlChevron is vacating 800,000 sf of office space, while filling up a 1.2 million sf building that previously sat empty. I don't understand why a net absorption of 400,000 sf of office space is a death knell to downtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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