strickn 194 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) http://www.trinity.edu/mkearl/death02/deat...e/01Define.html is likely to get a "modern" neighbor.The site is on Memorial Woods Drive, 77024, facing the Katy Freeway directly west and south of its interchange with 610. Kirksey has designed a 16-storey speculative office building and 1,500-space parking garage on what is currently First Baptist Houston's west lot.First Baptist's homepage suggests, "Parking off-site is one of the easiest ways that HFBC members can support the church's ministry. Doing so opens up on-site spaces for visitors, families with young children and individuals with physical limitations. Refer to the online map for available parking options, shuttle routes, and drop-off/pick-up locations."From the day we moved to this location (April 17, 1977), finding room for parking has been a challenge. In fact, the first published "master plan" for this site specified a parking garage on the west parking lot. Since that time, financial constraints and questions concerning feasibility have thwarted at least three attempts to construct a parking garage. This opportunity is the first that brings no additional financial obligation to HFBC and actually returns funds to HFBC in the form of lease payments to the church and the elimination to the church of parking leases and shuttle fees.In April of 2007, representatives of the Gerald Hines Company met with Pastor Gregg and several Deacons to explore the possibility of commercial development on our west parking lot which would include a parking garage containing about 1500 spaces. Following the meeting, Hines paid for a feasibility study including traffic, engineering and architectural issues.In a presentation to the Deacons in August of 2007, Hines asked for a vote of approval to investigate the economic viability of such a project. Now, in January of 2008, they are asking for a congregational vote ensuring the "surety of the proposal." In other words, if Hines can locate the tenants, Trustees of HFBC have the authority to enter into a ground lease.Garage construction would begin no earlier than January 2009 and take approximately 1 year to complete, while the office tower will begin upon 40% pre-leasing.Fun-to-learn-from bunches of renderings, site plans, floorplans and graphical timeline in http://www.houstonsfirst.org/pdf/hines.pdf , so I won't merely post the pictures. Latest design & info as 9/2015: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/First-Baptist-owned-land-to-get-office-tower-6504225.php Edited September 15, 2015 by Urbannizer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pumapayam 160 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Nice design, especially with the parking garage in the back, although it would have be nice to maybe to a blend of the parking garage structure and building together and maybe get a few more stories out of it, like a 20 or 22 story building with a parking garage attached on the rear side. But this works.Maybe the rest of the surface lots will have the same treatment eventually.Great post. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 http://www.trinity.edu/mkearl/death02/deat...e/01Define.html is likely to get a "modern" neighbor.What am I missing here w/ this site? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pumapayam 160 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 What am I missing here w/ this site?Read further down, and you will see this link to a .pdfhttp://www.houstonsfirst.org/pdf/hines.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) Read further down, and you will see this link to a .pdfhttp://www.houstonsfirst.org/pdf/hines.pdf Thanks. I saw that, I'm just wondering what that other link has to do with this.Also, looks like this wont be finished until 2010 at the earliest. Or maybe later? Edited March 19, 2008 by lockmat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
musicman 193 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks. I saw that, I'm just wondering what that other link has to do with this.read the whole sentence that the link is in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Great Hizzy! 34 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 The building design is similar to what's going up in the Energy Corridor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strickn 194 Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 Nice design, especially with the parking garage in the back, although it would have be nice to maybe to a blend of the parking garage structure and building together and maybe get a few more stories out of it, like a 20 or 22 story building with a parking garage attached on the rear side. But this works.Maybe the rest of the surface lots will have the same treatment eventually.Great post.Well, they're envisioning only 400K gross square feet, so if a tenant interested in the building's naming/signage rights for that kind of visibility were to prelease as much as 120K rentable square feet, Hines would have met its 40% cutoff and might be in a position to expand the tower.What I particularly like is that, since this deal has to meet a congregation's approval, the whole reasoning is explained much more fully than real estate projects typically care to let the public understand. I say that not in terms of "eye candy" but of planning method, I guess.And thanks, Puma... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KinkaidAlum 2916 Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 I am never a big fan of stand alone office towers adjacent to freeways. I'd hate to officed in a building like this one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jeebus 101 Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 I am never a big fan of stand alone office towers adjacent to freeways. I'd hate to officed in a building like this one.Lunch and lunchtime errands are always the biggest issue with these type buildings. You're so isolated that you either have to bring a lunch, buy something from the typical cafe on the first floor, or burn 2 hours driving to a "near-by" restaurant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Highway6 394 Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Lunch and lunchtime errands are always the biggest issue with these type buildings. You're so isolated that you either have to bring a lunch, buy something from the typical cafe on the first floor, or burn 2 hours driving to a "near-by" restaurant.First 15 minutes of your daily afternoon commute will all be within site of your office if you have to head out West on 10 to go home.. that would suck.I agree.. traffic always sucked when i worked 10 between kirkwood and DairyAshford. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pumapayam 160 Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 First 15 minutes of your daily afternoon commute will all be within site of your office if you have to head out WestSo true! Even now, everyone leaves the office in a general 30 minute window at the end of the day, and the people exiting the garages and trying to enter the freeway is such a slow process. But this location may fair a bit better since the new overpass that leads to the HOV lanes is improved and gives easy traffic free access home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 A new 16-story tower being built by Hines is planned to be built on First Baptist Church's parking lot at the south side of the Katy Freeway, just outside the Loop. The congregation of the church actually voted to allow this building to be built. For more info, click here to be directed to Swamplot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PuroAztlan 2 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Wow, move over Burj Dubai 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 5298 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Seems like a pretty daring move by Hines. Are they sure Houston can absorb 16 stories in this climate? We only gained 94,000 jobs last year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wxman 899 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Seems like a pretty daring move by Hines. Are they sure Houston can absorb 16 stories in this climate? We only gained 94,000 jobs last year.Forgive me, but are you being sarcastic? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I'm pretty sure there's a thread on this already. Although I think the renderings are new? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I searched HAIF and found nothing. Sorry if there is one... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 (edited) I searched HAIF and found nothing. Sorry if there is one...It's cool. I just mentioned it for the sake of combining them. I actually couldn't find it either.Here it is: http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=15366 Edited March 25, 2008 by lockmat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 5298 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Forgive me, but are you being sarcastic?Sarcastic? Why would you think that was sarcasm? We are talking about a 16 story building in a city that has seldom built anything so tall outside of downtown. Not only is the height a concern, but I would hesitate to try something that architecturally daring in the fastest growing city in the United States. It's wider than it is tall. And it's not like the location, near the corner of I-10 and 610, offers much visibility.Hard to believe that the same firm that built a 64 story tower on Post Oak Blvd. would throw caution out the window like this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LTAWACS 182 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Seems like a pretty daring move by Hines. Are they sure Houston can absorb 16 stories in this climate? We only gained 94,000 jobs last year.Given the rate of stagflation they better hurry up and start drilling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PuroAztlan 2 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Forgive me, but are you being sarcastic?Why in the world would we be sarcastic about this awe-inspiring monument of modern architecture? Santiago Calatrava himself would marvel at its earth-shattering brilliance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ricco67 484 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Why in the world would we be sarcastic about this awe-inspiring monument of modern architecture? Santiago Calatrava himself would marvel at its earth-shattering brilliance.now to clarify for some of us small bus passangers:Are you being sarcastic or are you being geniune in your feelings about this? I have to agree that the statements are a bit over the top. It sounds like something *I* would say if I was sarcastic about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 I read it as pure sarcasm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GovernorAggie 21 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 And it's hilarious! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheNiche 939 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Given the rate of stagflation they better hurry up and start drilling.Construction costs have stabilized. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
editor 1031 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Merged topics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxer 0 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Here's another shot of it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 wow, cool. It slightly reminds me of discovery tower; the top does. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 wow, cool. It slightly reminds me of discovery tower; the top does.The top is actually quite nice. The rest of the building is blah imo, but that light blue is cool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infinite_jim 945 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Nice one.It's too bad none of the renderings give much in terms of scale w/r/t the high rise retirement bldg, but for this area the building scale appears good on paper. This will potentially drive up the land value of that small cluster of class B buildings off of Post Oak Rd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxer 0 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Nice one.It's too bad none of the renderings give much in terms of scaleIn the bottom left you can see the edge of the church; it's not much but should give some idea of how big it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmoneybangbang 2 Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 wow, cool. It slightly reminds me of discovery tower; the top does.The top does look like Discovery Tower and like a few of the taller buildings in the Westchase District; they all share the exact same top design. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VelvetJ 19 Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 While it could be a whole lot worse, I see this design and I feel nothing. I like the skin but overall I think this is just blah.Come on Houston, give me a slanted roof or a large asymmetrical design. There is more to life than basic boxes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maxer 0 Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 The reason you don't see more variety is there are probably only 5 people responsible for 85% of all the large building designs in the city. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jc281 3 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Risqu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fortune 913 Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Here is some recent information about the building.http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2012/09/developer-may-build-office-tower-on-church-land/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheNiche 939 Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Good to see some positive news on this one, considering that it had gone sideways for over four years.(God damn...has it been that long? What the hell happened!?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 5142 Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) Is there really a meaningful difference between "on hold" and "seeking tenants"?In any event, something tells me the crack reporters at the Chron just now learned of this proposed project. Edited September 17, 2012 by Houston19514 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChannelTwoNews 2973 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Sounds like the land deal was finalized...http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Deal-to-build-tower-on-church-land-benefits-city-3900764.php 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 45613 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Still in the works, also bumped up by one-floor. "and there are plans to build a 17-story office tower on land owned by First bapist Church near I-10 and the West Loop." http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Hines-bets-big-on-its-hometown-4890024.php#/0 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 45613 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) New Design: Edited October 14, 2013 by Urbannizer 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 45613 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Website: http://memorialpointhouston.com/index.html 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Billboard on site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Billboard on site. It has been there a few months, or did they put a new one? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Ah. Probably the same one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 This has to be dead, right? I noticed they took down the sign 4 weeks ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
allthingshouston 6 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Long time reader, first time posting. I work for a company associated with this project. It is officially dead. I believe the church decided to use the land to build their own parking garage on it. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Purdueenginerd 1509 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 thanks for sharing. Welcome to the board Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobruss 5100 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 So if I understand this they are going to build a big ugly garage on the corner of 610 & 10.That should look real nice. I hope someone dissuades them from doing that. Surely theycan come up with a better plan. Money is not a problem for them. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.