sevfiv Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I actually blame it on the Pierce Elevated. yep - wherever greyhound may be, they'll always make it to the pierce elevated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 I actually blame it on the Pierce Elevated.It's Hobo Haven under there.The elevated may be a popular gathering place for vagrants, but the real problem is still with Greyhound. We've got a lot of elevated freeways, and if you transplant the source of the vagrants nearer to other prospective gathering places, like Interstate 10 and the Buffalo Bayou, they'll be more likely to gather en masse in those areas.Sure, there will always be a population of them in Midtown, but at least the concentrated nature of the problem will be solved. Moreover, a lot of the retail and car rental businesses that cater to low-income travelers that come in via Greyhound will move elsewhere, freeing up new retail space in northern Midtown for upscale yuppie businesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Dream-Why is your signature dedicated to Montrose 1100?I don't remember this, and that was a year ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torvald Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 I have confirmed through sources in the know: there are no current plans to demolish the building. The activity that has been going on is also not part of any redevelopment project. The building's status may or may not change in the near future, but I can say nothing else, so don't ask.hooray! happy to hear it... how old is the digiclock on the roof? i love that damn thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 def con 1 through 5 determined how close we were to world war three during the cold war, at least in the movie "war games" with mathew broderick. i'm not sure if that was actual military terminology or not. it may have been short for defensive condition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squatterkid Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Hey y'all. I'm back, sort of. I live in California again. I just ran across these pictures I took a awhile ago and thought I might share them, as I recall someone expressing a like for the Central Square sign. Well, here they are. Second one is from the roof of the Central Square, looking north. With my neighbor and enemy, the 22 story inpenetrable fortress that is the Days Inn. I can not believe they put that head on the lawn of the Savoy. The first words out of my mouth "Only in Houston." -sean 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 welcome back! thanks for posting the pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 welcome back! thanks for posting the pictures!We miss you SqautterKid. Come back and do some more squatting. We love your posts and especially your pictures. Goodluck in Cali. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 (edited) I've got something for all you architecture lovers out there...take a look at what is tucked away in Central Square. Gotta love those bannisters. Can't say where I got this...just be happy with what you've got. There'll probably be many more to come. EDIT: Incidentally, the only way that anything at all will ever happen with this building is if either a non-profit or an architecture firm decide to make it their pet project. Morris tried, but the owner was just too much of an asshole for their taste/pocketbook. Edited July 31, 2006 by TheNiche 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 niche, you tease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 niche, you tease.Hopefully I'll be able to throw you another bone soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 (edited) it just pains me to see it sit...and sit...and sit. it just keeps getting worse on the inside, and now that there's the reinforced boards on the first-level windows, the rot inside is surely baking into something really disgusting, from the basement up. it's one of those buildings from which you don't want to be down-wind Edited July 31, 2006 by sevfiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 it just pains me to see it sit...and sit...and sit.it just keeps getting worse on the inside, and now that there's the reinforced boards on the first-level windows, the rot inside is surely baking into something really disgusting, from the basement up. it's one of those buildings from which you don't want to be down-wind The exterior (where bums sleep) smells like a dog recently gave birth. The lobby and 2nd floor aren't as bad as you'd think. No noticable odor, at least...doesn't mean that there isn't mold. Didn't see the basement, but I know that it has flooded and that the sumps weren't functioning at the time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 The exterior (where bums sleep) smells like a dog recently gave birth.The lobby and 2nd floor aren't as bad as you'd think. No noticable odor, at least...doesn't mean that there isn't mold. Didn't see the basement, but I know that it has flooded and that the sumps weren't functioning at the time...the first floor wasn't terrible (but it did smell), but it had rained recently, which made everything nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted August 1, 2006 Share Posted August 1, 2006 it would be fantastic if it could look like this again (instead of having bad stewardship ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 it would be fantastic if it could look like this again (instead of having bad stewardship ) Wow. Thanks for posting the postcard. To blame it on the owners for 'bad stewardship' is kind of unfair (no matter how much I despise the current owner). The cost of even obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy would be a hellish endeavor, and at the price that the owner wants, it isn't happening anytime soon. Until it is occupied, the best they can even afford to do to be good stewards is to keep the bums out and to check it regularly. You'd be surprised at what their operating costs are, even as it is. Unfortunately, that entails the third-world accoutrement (i.e. barbed wire and such). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 To blame it on the owners for 'bad stewardship' is kind of unfair (no matter how much I despise the current owner). The cost of even obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy would be a hellish endeavor, and at the price that the owner wants, it isn't happening anytime soon. Until it is occupied, the best they can even afford to do to be good stewards is to keep the bums out and to check it regularly. You'd be surprised at what their operating costs are, even as it is.who are the owners? the hcad description isn't very telling.and i think it is completely fair to blame the owners (stewards) of the property (which isn't in great condition, and very much in the abandoned category).if it is not their responsibility to keep it up, then who gets that honor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 who are the owners? the hcad description isn't very telling.and i think it is completely fair to blame the owners (stewards) of the property (which isn't in great condition, and very much in the abandoned category).if it is not their responsibility to keep it up, then who gets that honor?As I recall, the HCAD listing accurately shows the owner's contact info in Bronxville, NY. I don't recall his name, however. But he is a fairly recent owner and purchased it in the condition that it is in.The fact that a building is abandoned has much less to do with the choice of an owner (especially in this case because the owner bought it as a derelict building) and everything to do with the fact that its highest and best uses (office or residential) do not command prices/rents high enough to justify the enormous investment necessary to bring the building back up to par. The floorplans and views aren't very conducive to high-end residential because many views are impeded by the parking garage or solid concrete walls. Also, there are still too many large chuncks of office space in downtown office towers that are of higher quality and with better locations. The parking garage would have to be restriped with fewer spaces, so their parking ratio would also be a limiting factor.The only way in which the owner is being a bad steward is by asking too high a price for it. In that respect, he is an as***** because he's keeping it on the market longer than necessary. In every other respect, however, the 3rd world accoutrement is there largely to prevent bums from infiltrating the building and turning the interior into a true rat hole. I'd have been especially concerned about the possibility of arson if I were him. There's still a fair bit of fire load on many floors.I'm hesitant to apply some sort of arbitrary "stewardship" clause to an already-dubious "social contract". Unless the building actually poses a risk to the public health, I see no reason to force an owner to do something with it that makes no financial sense. Its one thing if the City were to require that he maintain the skin of the building so as to prevent spalling concrete from raining down upon pedestrians below, but "stewardship" ordinances may have unintended consequences. For instance, the building will be rehabbed relatively quickly once the market supports it, but what do you think would happen to the building if the owner's holding costs became excessive in the interim?Wrecking ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 The fact that a building is abandoned has much less to do with the choice of an owner (especially in this case because the owner bought it as a derelict building) and everything to do with the fact that its highest and best uses (office or residential) do not command prices/rents high enough to justify the enormous investment necessary to bring the building back up to par. then "HDW 2000 1392 3RD AVE LLC" shouldn't have taken it on by buying it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 then "HDW 2000 1392 3RD AVE LLC" shouldn't have taken it on by buying it I think he's just an investor, nothing more. Got it for a legitimately good price and has been trying to flip it just about ever since. Arbitrage. Its all about the $$$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Recalling the lost information from the Lucian Hood III posts, architect Lars Bang had established a firm and Lucian Hood, Jr. later joined it. They had designed the office building in the Rice Village and the Big Doughnut shop, now the Marquies, on Bissonnet, west of Kirby, once shown on this site, and many other buildings and houses.off topic, but did Bang+Hood design the office building on Bolsover in the Village? (green tile, just demolished) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 A resident of 1016main told me an interesting story the other day while we hung out on his balcony. One afternoon, a military helicopter landed on the roof and 4 soldiers or SWAT did a roof sweep and then proceeded to sweep the building. They had assualt rifles but he said no shots were fired, or at least from what he could hear. About 5 minutes later they reappeared on the roof and took off. So we could only speculate that the military/police are occasionally using the building for training excercises and if so, does the property owner know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memebag Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 So we could only speculate that the military/police are occasionally using the building for training excercises and if so, does the property owner know?More importantly, which nation's military?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 A resident of 1016main told me an interesting story the other day while we hung out on his balcony. One afternoon, a military helicopter landed on the roof and 4 soldiers or SWAT did a roof sweep and then proceeded to sweep the building. They had assualt rifles but he said no shots were fired, or at least from what he could hear. About 5 minutes later they reappeared on the roof and took off. So we could only speculate that the military/police are occasionally using the building for training excercises and if so, does the property owner know? It's just training by one of HPD's SWAT units. The owner gets a little money for it when they use it, and they've been using it for at least a couple years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceAge Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 (edited) off topic, but did Bang+Hood design the office building on Bolsover in the Village? (green tile, just demolished)That was the Texas Gas Building at 2472 Bolsover. Lars Bang remembers Alfred Finn as the architect. Stephen Fox called Finn a local yokel once. The building was extremely well built and easily maintained. It should have been worked into the new scheme. It had all the features everyone wants today except the pseudo Mediterranean facade. It had the parking along the front, the sidewalk restaurants and retail on the first floor and offices above. All the floors were beautiful terrazo. I have about 30 photos, including the restrooms, from several years ago. Many architectural firms were located there. Another example of a substantial building with character and integrity replaced with a poorly designed monotonous piece of generic nothingness. Edited November 3, 2007 by SpaceAge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 I have about 30 photos, including the restrooms, from several years ago. Many architectural firms were located there. Thank you for the reply - as for the photos...new thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxmulder Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 It's just training by one of HPD's SWAT units. The owner gets a little money for it when they use it, and they've been using it for at least a couple years.Ah i had a friend who went in to "explore" it a few weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfre81 Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Just mindblowing how this building (well, technically a complex with the parking garage and whatnot) that occupies an entire city block just outside the CBD is used for nothing but an occasional SWAT drill.Not worth saving, not worth tearing down. What a catch-22.Squatters breaking into the site of a rich oil fatcat club killed off by the bust in the '80s and drinking their leftover Remy Martin makes an interesting slice of Houston history, at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Just mindblowing how this building (well, technically a complex with the parking garage and whatnot) that occupies an entire city block just outside the CBD is used for nothing but an occasional SWAT drill.Not worth saving, not worth tearing down. What a catch-22.Just 3/4 of the block, but yes, it is funny how between having a screwball owner and some difficult floorplates to work with, this thing is in perpetual limbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 FWIW the magnolia trees off the east side of the bldg are magnificent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robhan Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I live not far from these buildings and sometimes to me they are eyesores and other times they have potential. Maybe some big bucks type could make them a comination commerical and residental, or hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrawnConnery Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 (edited) . Edited December 28, 2008 by PrawnConnery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Neat photos - where did you find them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secretsquirrel Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 (edited) ss Edited April 19, 2009 by secretsquirrel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 The Central Square , originally uploaded by Secret5468. The paint continues to peel. Thanks, Secret. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasondm4 Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Recent pictures of the interior and exterior of the central square building. Enjoy 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Those are great -- thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan the Man Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I like the clock in the second photo. Thanks for posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorAggie Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Is it just me or do these scenes look Silent Hill-ish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sargento03 Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 <div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href=" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2567/4019684078_3773310420.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href=" >The Central Square </a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/secretsquirrel5468/">Secret5468</a>.</span> </div>The paint continues to peel. Thanks, Secret.<div class="blogger-post-footer"> This photo is part of the HAIF photo pool on Flickr. You are welcome to add your photos to the pool for the entire group to see. Visit the pool: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/haif/pool/">HAIF Houston Photo Pool on Flickr</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7480774850351202792-5504080587780050903?l=haif-potd.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div> great picture. i hope somebody does something useful w/ this building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 http://thewholesalepropertylist.com/high-rise-in-downtown-houston/Highlights:Nine ElevatorsThree EntrancesSpectacular Views of Downtown HoustonIndividual HVAC UnitsOne block from Light Rail Servicing the Medical Center and DowntownOnly a few blocks from the popular Houston Theatre and Museum DistrictOne block from Randall’s Signature Supermarket and Shopping CenterAbout the Property:Central Square Plaza was previously known as Central Bank Building. Central Square Plaza is uniquely located at the entrance to Midtown Houston and has a fabulous view of Downtown Houston. Both the Midtown and Downtown Houston are experiencing a renaissance creating a strong demand for residential units. This has led to the creation of several new developments and the conversion of existing structures that had not previously been utilized as residential property. We believe that Central Square Plaza is uniquely situated for such conversion.The Numbers:ARV: $62,500,000Repairs: $26,384,112Asking Price: $12,000,000Bottom Line:Great repositioning opportunity with $20M or more of profit potential! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 eh, my guess is nothing for a long while. But maybe I'm just being a pessimist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbaker Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 eh, my guess is nothing for a long while. But maybe I'm just being a pessimist.If you click on the Central Square flyer it says "one of the eye sores in this location has been the Grey Hound Bus Station, which has just gone up for sale as they are relocating." Can anyone confirm this to be true? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 nice find... should really help the area if trueIf you click on the Central Square flyer it says "one of the eye sores in this location has been the Grey Hound Bus Station, which has just gone up for sale as they are relocating." Can anyone confirm this to be true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 (edited) If you click on the Central Square flyer it says "one of the eye sores in this location has been the Grey Hound Bus Station, which has just gone up for sale as they are relocating." Can anyone confirm this to be true?I did read somewhere that a new facility was built on the east side and the Mexican bus station would be relocated there...and maybe the Greyhound? My memory is failing me. edit: found it http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7281999.html Edited November 18, 2010 by roadrunner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I did read somewhere that a new facility was built on the east side and the Mexican bus station would be relocated there...and maybe the Greyhound? My memory is failing me. edit: found it http://www.chron.com...ss/7281999.htmlYou sure know how to cheer me up in the morning! The article sounds like it opened last Tuesday... but I've still seen buses operating out of both the Greyhound and Americanos terminals in Midtown. Anyone else have info on this? This would be HUGE for the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 If you click on the Central Square flyer it says "one of the eye sores in this location has been the Grey Hound Bus Station, which has just gone up for sale as they are relocating." Can anyone confirm this to be true?Central Square calling the Greyhound station an eyesore, lmao! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I did read somewhere that a new facility was built on the east side and the Mexican bus station would be relocated there...and maybe the Greyhound? My memory is failing me. edit: found it http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7281999.htmlI didn't see the greyhound buses but the mex company is part of greyhound. Either way... it's a disgracing eyesore. Right across is some game rooms, a seedy nightclub, an immigration attny, a 24-hour check cashing place, and a taco stand. ugh.The good news is that midtown is cleaning up a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownproud Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 i don't read the article to say that the west gray location is closing (although i would certainly welcom that news). it appears to me that this east side station was operating out of the west gray location while the demo and rebuilt was being completed, and now that it is, they have moved back to the east side location. i thought i read that metro was planning to move everything north of town. it's been a while since ive heard anything about that, so i thought it was dead. i could be mistaken though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) i don't read the article to say that the west gray location is closing (although i would certainly welcom that news). it appears to me that this east side station was operating out of the west gray location while the demo and rebuilt was being completed, and now that it is, they have moved back to the east side location. i thought i read that metro was planning to move everything north of town. it's been a while since ive heard anything about that, so i thought it was dead. i could be mistaken though. yeah, that's what I got out of it too.I recall that northside transit hub as well.I've also been party to rumors about the bus station closing for years, I just ignore them and eagerly await it imploding, and sucking that mc donnalds into whatever abyss it goes in to. Edited November 19, 2010 by samagon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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