SpaceCity Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 http://archservintl.com/orion_print_for_web_page.jpg Any updates on this project? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feufoma Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 I've seen Orion advertised in The Wall Street Journal (local insert) and Texas Monthly. The developer is serious and I've heard that a high percentage of reservations have been made. I'll bet that it breaks ground in the first or second quarter of 2005. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YakuzaIce Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 Some Pics of the model taken by chayves4u I think 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 That is such a funny design, with the pinkish color and the Earth Wind & Fire top. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 I think it looks cool, especially it being a twin. It sure isnt a boxy type as aeveryone complains of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted September 5, 2004 Share Posted September 5, 2004 I like it. It looks like some expensive skyscraper that would be built in Hong Kong or dubai or something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chayves4u Posted September 6, 2004 Share Posted September 6, 2004 Yeah, this project reminds me of something that would go up in Dubai.BTW, where did you get that rendering, SpaceCity? Is the website up yet? I'll have to check it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted September 6, 2004 Share Posted September 6, 2004 Gotta love buildings with wacky tops: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceCity Posted September 7, 2004 Author Share Posted September 7, 2004 I really like the interior of the apartments. The exterior is a little guady for my taste, but to each his own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitx Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 holy moly dude...that is garish...the interior is like any other apartment interior and the exterior, well, saying it looks like something that would be built in a pseudo-western city like dubai is not a compliment... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Anyone know when groundbreaking is? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 December, they said ( or was that the Shamrock? ) Or was it spring 2005? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firstngoal Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 holy moly dude...that is garish...the interior is like any other apartment interior and the exterior, well, saying it looks like something that would be built in a pseudo-western city like dubai is not a compliment...<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Not really. The interiors - despite the photo - are not like any other high-rise I've seen in Houston. Check it out at the sales center and see for yourself (and no, I'm not on the sales team).You see it as garish - I really don't have a problem with this project. It is much nicer than some of the other condominium projects we've seen go up in this city (the Mercer, the Mark, Randall Davis projects all come to mind). This said, I am concerned more about how the project meets the ground than how it looks on the skyline. I do hope that the project will be sensitive to the banks of Buffalo Bayou and not turn its back to this historically important waterway... unlike other recent projects on its banks (i.e. - the Hobby Center).Unfortunately, I would say that there have been much more interesting and innovative projects built in Middle Eastern cities (and throughout the world) than in Houston, Texas as of late. Check out the most recent edition of Urban Land - you'll see what I mean... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 December, they said ( or was that the Shamrock? ) Or was it spring 2005?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think december is the shamrock, so ill just go with the spring 2005. Thanks for the date. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Not really. The interiors - despite the photo - are not like any other high-rise I've seen in Houston. Check it out at the sales center and see for yourself (and no, I'm not on the sales team).You see it as garish - I really don't have a problem with this project. It is much nicer than some of the other condominium projects we've seen go up in this city (the Mercer, the Mark, Randall Davis projects all come to mind). This said, I am concerned more about how the project meets the ground than how it looks on the skyline. I do hope that the project will be sensitive to the banks of Buffalo Bayou and not turn its back to this historically important waterway... unlike other recent projects on its banks (i.e. - the Hobby Center).Unfortunately, I would say that there have been much more interesting and innovative projects built in Middle Eastern cities (and throughout the world) than in Houston, Texas as of late. Check out the most recent edition of Urban Land - you'll see what I mean...He's got a point. It is a tad garish, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of the new condo towers (the Mercer springs to mind, bringing with it a headache) are not exactly style kings. I'm not a big fan of the color, but for once it isn't beige, which is a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmdalal Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 He's got a point. It is a tad garish, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of the new condo towers (the Mercer springs to mind, bringing with it a headache) are not exactly style kings. I'm not a big fan of the color, but for once it isn't beige, which is a good thing.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>anybody know the website of orion? or the sales team whereabouts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YakuzaIce Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 Here is the website I believe.http://www.orionhouston.com/But it won't do you much good since it has been under construction for like 5 months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20sGirl Posted October 15, 2004 Share Posted October 15, 2004 I think it looks awful- like some nouveau riche dreamland. The entry way is so overblown with the fake "island waterfall and rocks.." Looks like something Donald Trump or our own Tilman Fertitta would have built (but without the neon). Yikes!I don't know about you guys, but when something has this many bells and whistles it makes me wonder what they're hiding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceCity Posted October 25, 2004 Author Share Posted October 25, 2004 Since the website has taken months to be "under construction" when will this garish thing be built? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112 Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 I think it looks awful- like some nouveau riche dreamland. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuangXiaonian Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 It is so cool!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20sGirl Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 And when someone posts something like THIS, it makes ME wonder the same thing. But I guess then that I'm not surprized....<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Oooo, looks like I hit a nerve. I still think it's an overblown design. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 Developer nets partner, schedules groundbreaking Asbury Place Development, the developer of a proposed pair of high-rise condominium towers, has secured a financial partner that will manage construction of the luxury units. Orion Tarragon, a new development partnership between Asbury and Tarragon Corp., is scheduled to break ground on the first building of the Orion condominiums near Memorial Park in December for completion in the second quarter of 2007. The 50-50 Orion Tarragon partnership went into effect Nov. 1. Tarragon, a publicly traded development firm, will finance, develop and manage construction of Orion. The Asbury Place group is handling sales, marketing and design of the project, which is located on Asbury Place between Westcott and Shepherd near Memorial Drive. "We originally had not intended to bring a partner on, but we thought with the size and complexity of this, we needed a firm that had a lot of experience in the financing and construction," says developer Robert Day, who started the Asbury group. "It's kind of grown into a massive, complex project." The buildings will cost close to $250 million to construct, and the units' total sales value will reach $425 million, Day says. Designs call for units in the two 37-story towers to span an average of 3,500 square feet and carry a $1.1 million median price. The first building, slated to have 180 units, has already sold 99 units for a total of $80 million, Day says. "The sales had outpaced what we thought they were going to be," says Day, who has a development firm based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "I think it will be an overwhelming success. Houston is ripe for this project." Day says a partner was not needed to move forward with the project, but by bringing in Tarragon, they will be able to construct both towers within a year of each other. The second tower will likely break ground this time next year, which will allow the exterior of the second building to be finished by the time residents begin moving into the first tower. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 WOW. Great news for houston! Now we have to wait for Shamrock to start construction. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112 Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 Oooo, looks like I hit a nerve. I still think it's an overblown design.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Naaa. I was just messing around. It was innuendo week, remember? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
111486 Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 WOW. 99 units alredy sold at a median price of 1.1 million? Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 8, 2004 Share Posted November 8, 2004 WOW. 99 units alredy sold at a median price of 1.1 million? Damn.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Now, I don't use this phrase lightly, in this hollow place, but "Bling Bling M.F." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUCAJUN Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I think december is the shamrock, so ill just go with the spring 2005. Thanks for the date.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>isaw the groundbreaking ceremony on abc13 news today. is there going to be a second tower? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h-townrep Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 ORION Emerges: New Luxury Vertical Residences to Change the Face of Houston SkylineWednesday December 8, 4:49 pm ET HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2004--Groundbreaking ceremonies, scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 12:30 p.m., will usher in the advent of a significant addition to the Houston skyline. Appropriately named ORION, the first of two 37-story residences will be located on Memorial along the Buffalo Bayou at Asbury Place. Each tower, with stunning views of River Oaks and Houston's vibrant downtown, will include 180 luxury residences priced to over $5 million. The foundation for the $425 million project will be poured during the first quarter of 2005, with vertical construction beginning in the spring. The first tower is slated for completion in the late spring of 2007 with the second tower breaking ground next winter. ORION will be developed by ORION Towers Tarragon LLC, a New York-based real estate company, a partnership between Asbury Place Development and Tarragon Corporation (Nasdaq:TARR - News), which has an investment portfolio valued at more than $1.2 billion. "As a native Texan, I am thrilled to be working here again and to be affiliated with such a magnificent project," said Jim Cauley, president of Tarragon South Development Corp. "Tarragon specializes in this type of development and we are pleased to bring ORION to Houstonians." ORION's 10-acre setting will be made even more desirable by way of gardens, flowers, lush foliage and parks within parks. Its close proximity to the many pleasures the city has to offer -- theatres, museums, world-class golf courses, major sports arenas, shopping and fine dining -- offer ORION's residents a highly desirable location. "ORION is the legacy of River Oaks -- it's the River Oaks for the next generation of those seeking Houston's finest living," said David Spiers, co-developer of ORION. Backed by a team of some of the nation's most accomplished designers, engineers and builders, ORION is destined to be an iconic landmark for Houston. A number of prestigious firms have been assembled to give ORION its distinctive look: Architectural Services International; Manhattan Construction Company; CBM Engineers; and Keiji Asakura, ASLA Landscaping. These widely respected firms share a client list that includes the IBM Tower in Singapore, Bush Presidential Library, Reliant Stadium, Washington National Airport, United States Capitol Visitors Center, The Pacific Design Center, Toyota Center and Botanic Garden. ORION has been designed by world-renowned architect Ede I. Nemeti, president and chief operations officer of Architectural Services International Inc. The building's facade will feature a magnificent soaring Pegasus between art deco spheres, while its finishes, services and common areas have the look and feel of a world class five-star hotel. Generous balconies are complete with Viking Gas equipped summer kitchens and views to the park, River Oaks, downtown, the Medical Center and the Galleria area. Many residences have views in two directions and some with 180 degree sweeps. "Ede Nemeti has designed and built internationally recognized projects in 24 countries. ORION unites his signature touch with leading developers and designers to create the highest standards of living," said Robert Day, co-developer of ORION. "These residences will draw buyers seeking the finest construction available and the exciting lifestyle that comes with living in the heart of the River Oaks area." Two gleaming structures will feature elegantly proportioned residences complete with innovative design features and the latest in Smart House technology, representing a benchmark in luxury vertical palaces through unparalleled space, design, innovation and sumptuous amenities. Owners may choose from six floor plans encompassing 1,687 to 8,200 square feet and ranging from two to five bedrooms. Each residence is filled with daylight and is complimented by well thought out appointments -- glass railings, generous balconies, European-style loggias, French doors, gorgeous baths clad in travertine marble, captivating cityscapes, private and semiprivate elevator foyers, 11-inch ceilings couffered and vaulted with recessed lighting, Delacassa cabinetry, Viking appliances, custom-cut granite counters and an outdoor summer kitchen with a Viking gas grill. Within ORION's pampered environs, owners will find a number of sophisticated building amenities and personal services, including an around-the-clock manned front desk, common area monitoring systems, five-star concierge services, 24-hour valet parking, luxury hotel-style property management services, a residents-only ORION Clubhouse offering the features and service of a grand private social club, a business center, library, Olympic-size pool, landscaped terraces, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an aerobics studio. ORION's sales center was recognized by The National Sales and Marketing Council Awards and placed in the following categories: Best Brochure over $500,000, Best Color Ads, Best Sales Office, Best Signage, Best Attached Community Urban and Best Logo Design. The award-winning sales center is located at Eight Asbury Place, Houston, Texas, and is open daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Private appointments to tour the center can be made at 713-880-1616. Rendering and interior photos available upon request. About Tarragon Corporation Tarragon Corporation is a leading homebuilder specializing in the development and marketing of residential communities in high-density, urban in-fill locations in Florida, the Northeast, Texas and Tennessee. Tarragon also owns and operates an investment portfolio of approximately 14,000 apartments and 1.4 million square feet of commercial space, valued at more than $1 billion. To learn more about Tarragon Corporation, visit www.tarragoncorp.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact: Stevens/FKM, HoustonAngie Knust, 713-867-3224aknust@fkmagency.comorJessica Chapman, 713-867-3180jchapman@fkmagency.comNights: 713-974-9133 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yaga Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Good news! The Memorial/Allen Parkway area just west of Downtown is developing quite a cluster of towers. But then again, this is one of the most attractive areas of the city. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elecpharm Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 It's official.Tarragon JV Breaks Ground on $425M Residential TowersBy Jennifer D. DuellLast updated: December 9, 2004 07:18pmHOUSTON-New York City-based Orion Towers Tarragon LLC, a partnership between Asbury Place Development and Tarragon Corp., has broken ground on Orion, a $425-million residential project in the River Oaks neighborhood.Situated on 10 acres along the Buffalo Bayou at Asbury Place, Orion will consist of two 37-story towers. The first tower will have 180 residences while the second one will be designed with 150 to 180 condos, says Robert Day, co-owner of Asbury Place.Day tells GlobeSt.com that 106 units already have been pre-sold for a total of $100 million, including the $5.3-million penthouse. The first tower is slated for completion in the late spring 2007. The second tower will break ground in winter 2005.Orion is Tarragon and Asbury Place's first condominium project in Houston although they've worked together on a condo project in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Days says he pursued a relationship with Tarragon to built Orion because "a financial powerhouse" was needed for the development.Day says Asbury Place purchased the acreage from Fred Welling and Ede Nemeti earlier this year. "With such a phenomenal piece of land, we knew we had to build the most spectacular high-rise towers that Houston had ever seen," he says.Tarragon and Asbury Place have contributed $30 million in equity to Orion. Although several lenders have lined up to provide the partnership with construction financing, the partnership has not yet selected one.Orion was designed by world-renowned architect, Ede I. Nemeti, president and COO of Houston-based Architectural Services International Inc. The building's facade will feature a Pegasus between art deco spheres. The project team includes the Tulsa-headquartered Manhattan Construction Co., locally based CBM Engineers and Houston landscaper, Keiji Asakura.The towers will have six floor plans with two- to five-bedrooms, ranging from 1,687 sf to 8,200 sf. Each condo will have a balcony, European-style loggia, French doors, travertine marble-clad baths, private and semiprivate elevator foyers, Delacassa cabinetry, Viking appliances, custom-cut granite counters and an outdoor summer kitchen with a Viking gas grill. Orion's amenities will include a around-the-clock manned front desk, concierge services, 24-hour valet parking, hotel-style property management services, residents-only clubhouse, business center, library, Olympic-size pool, fitness center and aerobics studio. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
111486 Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 I know the Orion will be 37 stories, but how tall will it be in feet? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 Great news for Houston. Now let's hope Shamrock Towers get built. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YakuzaIce Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I know the Orion will be 37 stories, but how tall will it be in feet?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>If you take the same floor heights as the Huntigton considering they are both upscale, thus higher ceilings. Then with the around 30 foot crown, it would put the height around 580ft. Which would also make it the tallest res. towere in Texas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I think it looks awful- like some nouveau riche dreamland. The entry way is so overblown with the fake "island waterfall and rocks.." Looks like something Donald Trump or our own Tilman Fertitta would have built (but without the neon). Yikes!I don't know about you guys, but when something has this many bells and whistles it makes me wonder what they're hiding.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>This is the first I've seen of this and, 20's girl, I agree with your analysis. However, I like it. I think it's unique, yes, garrish and pompous, and my tastes are usually more minimalist, but this reminds me of some of the buildings from one of my favorite styles, so-called Art Deco.I think we've all noticed the similarities between city skylines. Nothing but long, tall Sallys, flat rectangles of varying heights. Time for a change.1500 Louisiana (Enron now Chevron, right?) is my favorite newer building downtown. I think its gorgeous, our crown jewel. The gleeming curves are straight out of the fantasies that every kid who grew up in the 50s and 60s thought of when we imagined 21st century cities looking like.A new style could be emerging, and Houston could be on the cutting edge.I think the Orion is cut from the same cloth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I saw a commerical for the Orion Highrises buildings this morning on Abc13. It should a rich woman step out of a Maybach car and in to her luxury highrise Orion estate in RiverOaks. Those buildings are going to look amazing when they are built. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjb434 Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I saw the commercial too, but I saw it last night. I guess its reall serious now. I know they build the offices and entry driveway, but even that doesn't mean it is a go.But now they are advertising, it would be fairly embarrasing to pull out now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I just saw an article that said construction has started. And in just a few months we will see it going up (Spring). The secound Orin will start I think they said in 2006 or 2007?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjb434 Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 cool, another landmark in the Houston sky. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
111486 Posted January 19, 2005 Share Posted January 19, 2005 The website is now up. The music is really funny. How lucky will those rich bastards be lving up there.Orion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VelvetJ Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 According to the site, the average ceilings will be 9 feet 8 inches, so I'm thinking these buildings will definitely hit the 500 ft mark when everything is considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Nice! Im loving this little piece of Dubai in Houston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Nice! Im loving this little piece of Dubai in Houston!<{POST_SNAPBACK}>It's nice when, not only the residents get to enjoy it but everyone does, due to it's external beauty. Bland condo towers inspire no one.If this turns out to be successful, I think it could spawn imitations in less swank locales and, who knows, could light a fire for a architectural style-fest/competition that might elevate our fair city to, if not the level of Dubai, at least to being one of the most futuristic skylines in the country. Once someone takes a chance in terms of style and is successful, the less bold jump in.I really like this 21st century/Art-Deco offshoot style. I think it has potential to be popular as it combines the already popular art-deco with a fantasyland, dreamworld look.The building reminds me of an Estes model rocket I remember as a kid in the 60s, the Trident. Anyone else get into those things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I wasn't alive during the 60s, but I did like the rockets that you could build in the early 90's, that came in the little packages. Don't know if we're talking about the same thing though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Who thinks both of them will get built? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 The song on the website was the same one as on the commerical. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Hey that music sounds tight. I like it. It's a hip jazz type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowbrow Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Kenny G "jazz".I love jazz and you couldnt get me to listen to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Kenny G jazz sucks. It sounds boring and cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbanLandscape Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 Kenny G jazz sucks. It sounds boring and cheap.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>It doesn't just sound that way, it is. It's not even jazz. It's not really music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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