Heritage Plaza

[houstonfella]

I can't say it is ugly or beautiful. It is there. I do remember and think that if it were built on another block, that I'd like it better. Seems to hide a magnificent view of downtown's other buildings somehow. Oh, well, let's don't worry about it. :closedeyes:

[troyboy]

I can't say it is ugly or beautiful. It is there. I do remember and think that if it were built on another block, that I'd like it better. Seems to hide a magnificent view of downtown's other buildings somehow. Oh, well, let's don't worry about it. :closedeyes:

Sorry I'm "worrying" about it. My mistake, I thought this was an architecutural forum and I was positing in a thread that was discussing archietecture. I apologize for my misunderstanding.

[torvald]

Sorry I'm "worrying" about it. My mistake, I thought this was an architecutural forum and I was positing in a thread that was discussing archietecture. I apologize for my misunderstanding.

i don't think that was said towards you fella...

your comments are welcome, of course.

[gto250us]

The Houston Business Journal mentioned that Ken Lay had his office on the 50th floor, which I think is the top. His desk was positioned to face the old Enron building, probably to remind him of his glory days.

Nobody lives at the top of the Heritage Plaza building. The highest floor is 51 and it is vacant, along with 50. Ken Lay had an office on 49. I think is step-son has a company on that floor. One floor below, on 48 are the law offices of Learach Coughlin who are running the class action suit against Enron.

[Montrose1100]

I can never decide how I feel about this building. I think the concept is interesting. I think it might look better if the glass were a different color.

What color would look better on it? Its grown on me so much that I can't imagine it any other hue or tint.

A black & mysterious at night.

A deep blue if viewed above the horizon line, even in broad daylight.

A medium blue in the morning

Reflects & blends cloudwhite to skyblue at noon.

A dull color when it rains.

A lighter blue at sunset, then continues tinting darking past sunset. And if the clouds turn pink, orange, and red at dusk, so does the facade.

Although, I think the same could be achieved in a green.

[texastrill]

I think it looks more like a Mayan or Aztec temple

And thats why its my favorite in Houston.Second in Texas,behind Dallas' Fountain Place.

Please understand I'm from FW,I really dont get to look at buildings like these.

[houstonfella]

Sorry I'm "worrying" about it. My mistake, I thought this was an architecutural forum and I was positing in a thread that was discussing archietecture. I apologize for my misunderstanding.

I meant for me "I'm not going to worry about it." Just a phrase. Certainly not mentioned for your post. I'm sorry about how I worded my post. I meant, I wish it would have been built in another block somewhere downtown, but I can't worry about that now because it is done. It isn't ugly. And, yes, troyboy, you are definitely important to the forum with your comments and thoughts.

[MidtownCoog]

I never realized there were visible support beams behind the glass. They run at an angle.

You get a good view of them from 1100 Louisana once you get past the 25th floor.

[EspersonBuildings]

I want the Venture Inn building on Main, gut it and make it my home!

Now that would be cool!

[ChannelTwoNews]

An article from the Houston Post on the groundbreaking... Apologies for the quality of the print.

[DMac]

Sitting here @ Julia's place in the city and just returned from a walk about the Heritage Plaza. Could find no graphics for an address on either the Bagby or Dallas/Brazos entrance. The main entrance faces Dallas/Brazos @ an angle. The foot print for the bldg. as it occupies the entire block {except for a very small section on the N/E quadrant, which houses the old historical Farm Credit Banks (3)} is Bagby to the west, Brazos to the east, Dallas to the south & Lamar to the north.

Went into the lobby and headed straight for the bldg. directory. Only 36 names w/floor and suite #'s were listed for a 55 story bldg. Now I realize that there will be some % of vacancy but w/only 36 tenants listed, they either occupy some huge square footage for office space or multiple floors.

Also noticed the vast open areas of both square and cubic footage for lobby/mezzanine areas. I'm sure same applies to upper levels. Do not know short history of bldg. but the only noticeable graphis are Heritage Plaza. And as I stood outside on the east side of Brazos look'n up, that is 1 very tall bldg. Yesterday I went up to the 59th floor of Wells Fargo to the observation area and @ that elevation you get a very good perspective of heigth.

Another bldg. w/vast open areas @ ground level anyway is B of A. Whew, I do mean vast. But soime of it functions as a working environment of a bank. Latter this morn I will be trodding on north to Chase to tour there observation area @ 70th floor, so I'm told.

[gto250us]

Most of the building was occupied by Texaco and later Chevron. Chevron moved out in 2003 or 2004 which left most of the building vacant. Last year EOG moved in to several of the foors in the 30's. I think later this year Deloit is moving into several floors. At that point most of the building will be occupied. Last year the Plaza (ground floor) and the sky lobby were remodeled. Floors 2-12 are parking and a new parking garage is being built at the opposite corner of Bagby & Dallas which will be connected to Heritage Plaza by a tunnel.

[editor]

Building in HDR, originally uploaded by I-SEEN-IT.
This picture shows off the abilities of digital photography and glass curtain walls. The clouds just continue across elements from air to earth and back to air.

Thanks to I-SEEN-IT for the photo from the HAIF Flickr group. It's his first attempt at HDR (high dynamic range) photography.

[Boris]

That looks great.

What software has the HDR?

[Talbot]

I love HDR. It looks awesome.

[editor]

Sabine St. Skyline, originally uploaded by photine.

Looks like some big company is burning the midnight oil at Heritage Plaza.

Photine posted this picture in the HAIF Photo Pool on Flickr.

You can add you photos to the group.  Just click here:  HAIF Houston Photo Pool on Flickr .

[TheNiche]

Looks like some big company is burning the midnight oil at Heritage Plaza.

Actually, that kind of situation where they light up several contiguous floors at once typically signals a recent vacancy. My guess is that was formerly Chevron's space before they moved into the former Enron buildings.

[houstontiger]

Looks like a shot of Deloitte's new space, probably under construction at the time

[rsb320]

What's up with those purple lights? Is that the bat bridge (Waugh)? Cool shot.

[TheNiche]

What's up with those purple lights? Is that the bat bridge (Waugh)? Cool shot.

That's the Buffalo Bayou Partnership's doing, the Sabine-to-Bagby Trail. The lights are purple-blue only during new moons.

[kylejack]

Actually, that kind of situation where they light up several contiguous floors at once typically signals a recent vacancy. My guess is that was formerly Chevron's space before they moved into the former Enron buildings.

Nah, Chevron has been totally out of there for quite some time. I ought to know, I supported all the Chevron printers.

[kylejack]

That's the Buffalo Bayou Partnership's doing, the Sabine-to-Bagby Trail. The lights are purple-blue only during new moons.

Right, and its a gradual shift. Completely white during full moons, and gradually shifts back to blue for the new moon. For anyone that hasn't been down there, you really ought to check it out. Its a cool spot to walk at night. Nice landscaping and paths. Its well-lit and patrolled by HPD in their golf cart periodically. There's a beautiful footbridge that comes up behind the Hobby parking garage. My ma lives in Sabine Street Lofts and I walk the path to get there sometimes.

[laanba]

Thanks so much for featuring my photograph HAIF. I was actually going for one of those night time shots with the blue sky, but the clouds came in and messed everything up. In the end I was happy with what I got anyway in the end.

[gto250us]

This morning, 18 Feb 2010, the parking areas at the corner of Dallas & Brazos, in front of the Heritage Plaza building were blocked off. During the morning and into the afternoon trucks full of movie equipment and dressing room trailers moved in. Anybody know what may be going on. Julia Roberts and George Clooney may show up.

[kylejack]

Maybe more Safety Point shooting? I know they're still shooting in town.

[gto250us]

What is "Safety Point"?

[kylejack]

Some movie about the guy who invented the retractable syringe.

[Subdude]

Some movie about the guy who invented the retractable syringe.

Now that sounds like an exciting story.

[citizen4rmptown]

Maybe more Safety Point shooting? I know they're still shooting in town.

When did they change the movie title from "Retractable" to "Safety Point"?

According to the movie site, the shooting locations look like the Civil District Court on Caroline, and Irma's restaurant on N. Shenevert. No mention about Heritage Plaza.

http://www.safetypointmovie.com/volunteer/

Also, if it were about Safety Point, then either thats not what gto250us is talking about, or he heard wrong. Julia Roberts and George Clooney aren't starring in this film.

[musicman]

When did they change the movie title from "Retractable" to "Safety Point"?

there is no confirmed name. lawsuits have already surfaced with safety point. as for a star. GEO CLOONEY is not even a wish. but if you know anyone with HIV from the 80's they may be an extra

[kylejack]

When did they change the movie title from "Retractable" to "Safety Point"?

According to the movie site, the shooting locations look like the Civil District Court on Caroline, and Irma's restaurant on N. Shenevert. No mention about Heritage Plaza.

http://www.safetypoi....com/volunteer/

Also, if it were about Safety Point, then either thats not what gto250us is talking about, or he heard wrong. Julia Roberts and George Clooney aren't starring in this film.

I thought he was just throwing out some names, not saying what he heard. At any rate, they also shot on Arlington in the Heights, and a scene near or in Hermann Park of some people watching a homeless man get hit by a train or something like that, so I guess the site doesn't list all of the shots they got.

[citizen4rmptown]

there is no confirmed name. lawsuits have already surfaced with safety point. as for a star. GEO CLOONEY is not even a wish. but if you know anyone with HIV from the 80's they may be an extra

Well, until further name changes, it should stay as "Safety Point", as IMBD(internet movie data base), has the title as safety point. And IMBD is a good source, so any future name changes to happen, they should be visible there.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1582248/

I thought he was just throwing out some names, not saying what he heard. At any rate, they also shot on Arlington in the Heights, and a scene near or in Hermann Park of some people watching a homeless man get hit by a train or something like that, so I guess the site doesn't list all of the shots they got.

Well the site(now the site has been closed), listed only future shooting sites, so I presume they wouldn't list past shooting sites.

[editor]

http://www.realert.com/headlines.php?hid=74248

"Goddard tried to sell Heritage Plaza three years ago. Market pros thought the property might command as much as $430 million, or $374/sf - a valuation that would have shattered pricing records for Houston office properties. But the market turned down, and Goddard pulled the listing."

[dbigtex56]

http://www.realert.com/headlines.php?hid=74248

"Goddard tried to sell Heritage Plaza three years ago. Market pros thought the property might command as much as $430 million, or $374/sf - a valuation that would have shattered pricing records for Houston office properties. But the market turned down, and Goddard pulled the listing."

Forgive me, but 'iconic'?

If there was an award for "Cheesiest Post-Modern Kitsch In Architecture", Heritage Plaza would be a serious contender.

[TheNiche]

Forgive me, but 'iconic'?

If there was an award for "Cheesiest Post-Modern Kitsch In Architecture", Heritage Plaza would be a serious contender.

Whether you like it or not, it is an icon.

Even on this, an architecture forum, it is an icon. It is the forum's owner's icon!

[JJVilla]

It's a unique building for sure, definetly like it. Better than all those beige boxes we have these days.

[asubrt]

The sale closed today.

http://blogs.chron.com/primeproperty/2010/12/downtown_skyscraper_heritage_p.html

[Houston19514]

Brookfield LOVES downtown Houston. They keep buying up more and more of it. I wonder if there is any chance they might fix that ugly parking garage the prior owner built.

[editor]

Whether you like it or not, it is an icon.

Even on this, an architecture forum, it is an icon. It is the forum's owner's icon!

Good point. I didn't even realize that. I made it into my icon, therefore it's iconic!

[Jrnavid]

When at least when I see this, I know Im in Houston. The Mayan Pyramid up top was a massive risk for the architect but I dont know what it is about it that intrigues me......

[editor]

When at least when I see this, I know Im in Houston. The Mayan Pyramid up top was a massive risk for the architect but I dont know what it is about it that intrigues me......

It's sad that the neon outline was allowed to degrade into nothing.

When I moved to Houston, about 30% of it was illuminated nightly. Then for a big downtown celebration (the last Power of Houston maybe) it was all turned on, and it was glorious. Then... it was gone.

Occasionally, one segment would light up every few months. Maybe when some janitor accidentally flipped the wrong switch looking for the lights in a storage room. But I only saw the whole thing once.

[Triton]

Anyone notice the new Heritage Plaza lights? It's basically just white light on the top sides of the building so far. Not sure if they will blanket the rest of the top with lights. Hoping people can get better pics

edit: posted this in the right forum, right? I was thinking maybe Photographing Houston but idk

Edited October 27, 2012 by Triton

[kbates2]

Saw them the other night, I personally hated them. Gorgeous building that is one of our most beautiful at night. I didn't think it needed a change.

[Metro Matt]

I like those cool white lights a whole lot better than the warm white Christmas lights they normally turn on during the holidays. Wish they would turn on the "eagle" that used to outline the top in white neon. There was a time after they turned it off they just lit the small top portion of the roof in white neon. It looked dumb,

Edited October 29, 2012 by Metro Matt

[Specwriter]

IMO the outling of buildings with neon, LEDs, or whatever is just wrong. It is banal. The "ziggurat" of the Heritage Plaza building should be uplit like the "tempieto" of the Esperson Building. This would better show the geometry that makes the building interesting in the first place.

Running strings of light around the tops of tall buildings is just unimaginative. Perhaps a stage set designer could come up with better ideas - or a third grader.

[Metro Matt]

IMO the outling of buildings with neon, LEDs, or whatever is just wrong. It is banal. The "ziggurat" of the Heritage Plaza building should be uplit like the "tempieto" of the Esperson Building. This would better show the geometry that makes the building interesting in the first place.

Running strings of light around the tops of tall buildings is just unimaginative. Perhaps a stage set designer could come up with better ideas - or a third grader.

The whole building isn't outlined with lights, just the shoulders. I agree they do need to at least flood light that whole top feature if they're going to outline the shoulders.

Those are probably LED's spaced really close together on a string or difused in plastic tubes made to look like glass neon tubes. I highly doubt they would go back to the old neon. Its not as energy efficient & its a safety hazard with the high voltage transformers used to power the neon. The downside of using LED's is their life expectancy can be cut drastically short if allowed to over heat, over powered, or just not designed properly. Neon actually burns brighter as ambient temperature gets hotter. LED's are the opposite, they in theory like cooler temperatures below 80 degrees & burn much brighter the colder it is. In places where it stays hot all the time LED's are not a wise choice. Texas kinda falls in between that fine line.

Edited November 3, 2012 by Metro Matt

[(Otto Mation)]

Bill Jacomet has added a photo to the pool:

Click here to view this photo at the HAIF Photo Pool on Flickr

[TheSirDingle]

Source: https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/office/yet-another-iconic-downtown-tower-is-getting-a-new-look-101024

Quote

Brookfield is at it again. Though it is still handling renovations at Houston Center, Allen Center and Total Plaza, it is now gearing up renovations at Heritage Plaza...

 

Brookfield plans to completely redo its entrance with a new exterior glass curtain wall facing Dallas and Brazos streets. The updated lobby would include a live plant wall and a “social stair” with seating to encourage tenants and visitors to congregate and socialize there. The sky lobby with exterior patio on the 13th floor would be revamped, including adding new conference space and seating. The ground-floor conference center would be upgraded, as would the elevator lobbies...

 

Construction on Heritage Plaza, which has 1.1M SF of office and 29K SF of retail space, will begin in October and is expected to be complete in January 2021. Kirksey is designing the renovations, and O'Donnell/Snider Construction is the general contractor.

 

 

Rendering: 

 

Looks like we got another one 🥳

Edited September 27, 2019 by TheSirDingle

[mollusk]

OKfine... I get it, I'm less than hip.  But what IS it with the "social stair" fad?

[hindesky]

https://farrowpartnership.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/why-we-love-social-steps/