Houston Methodist North Campus Expansion: Walter & Centennial Tower

[Jax]

I can't believe we don't have a thread for this! (or do we?)

Here are a few photos I took yesterday.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/gallery/1237377429/gallery_3613_2_91212.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/gallery/1237377429/gallery_3613_2_195305.jpg

[lockmat]

Are they still going to build this? I know the research institute is already built (the small one in view), but they haven't this big one, right?

http://www.kpf.com/project.asp?S=1&ID=299

 

Moderator edit:  Here's the campus.  This is the building in the middle.

 

[Triton]

Very nice! No, they havent built that gem yet. There's just an old building there from what looks like the late 70s/80s.

[wernicke]

Appears to be on the site of TWU's old air control tower-esque building that Methodist acquired a couple years ago...

[Golyadkin]

Yeah, that and the park around it.

[infinite_jim]

I was in the area last weekend, does anyone know what the parcel directly south from the phase I bldg is intended for?

The site I speak of has been cleared and it has a couple of boolean merged cylinders in the above rendering. It also looks like the existing bldg on the site is being demo'd by the looks of it's empty fenestration.

[Stephen]

I was in the area last weekend, does anyone know what the parcel directly south from the phase I bldg is intended for?

The site I speak of has been cleared and it has a couple of boolean merged cylinders in the above rendering. It also looks like the existing bldg on the site is being demo'd by the looks of it's empty fenestration.

I don't know what it is, but per the HCAD map, that's part of the St. Luke's parcel. http://www.hcad.org/iMaps/Tiles/Color/5355C3.pdf

[Simbha]

It looks like this is a no-go - for now. According to this article by Nancy (and posted by Editor on a different thread): http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/sarnoff/7595071.html

A building project for Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center has been shelved amid an uncertain economy and health care policy changes.

The 1.8 million square-foot project was designed for a site at the corner of John Freeman and Bertner. Ground breaking was scheduled for the first quarter of next year.

Too bad. It's a nice looking complex. Perhaps it'll be built in the future.

I wonder what this means for the overall expansion of the TMC. Obviously, 1.8 million square ft is a lot, but what about other expansion efforts? Are they halted too?

[infinite_jim]

I was in the area last weekend, does anyone know what the parcel directly south from the phase I bldg is intended for?

The site I speak of has been cleared and it has a couple of boolean merged cylinders in the above rendering. It also looks like the existing bldg on the site is being demo'd by the looks of it's empty fenestration.

Per Stephen, yes it looks to be on parcel 2A-10 or as you said to the south on the St Luke's parcel.

Here's what I think is the existing bldg I mentioned before:

http://www.cardcow.com/289886/texas-childrens-hospital-houston/

Edited June 6, 2011 by infinite_jim

[cloud713]

What is the construction going on south of the existing shorter hospital building next to this site? Does it have anything to do with this Methodist expansion? I like the flow of the planned buildings.

[plumber2]

What is the construction going on south of the existing shorter hospital building next to this site? Does it have anything to do with this Methodist expansion? I like the flow of the planned buildings.

That would be St Luke's on going deconstruction of their orginal 1954 buiding. Thay have started and stopped this project several times in the past years. Now that they have a new owner they may get the thing finally deomolished.

[ClutchCity]

It looks like it's hitting it's stride again after a short breather! First the Hotel/Apartment project, then MemorialHermann, and now Methodist are all proposing new towers that should begin shortly! I also forgot St. Lukes is planning some growth plans although if I recall correctly they are mainly just replacing old space. The primary hospitals as well as TMC's efforts to get some for profit businesses in the area are going to create some good years ahead. Combined with the residential boom that is beginning to happen in the area and the Texas Medical Center is again going to be a very busy part of town!

http://www.chron.com/business/medical/article/Houston-Methodist-to-build-Woodlands-hospital-5513231.php#photo-6371297

[Urbannizer]

 

 

[Naviguessor]

Yet another design direction from Methodist.  Sorry that the initial rendering will not happen.  Really liked how it continued the design theme and flowed from the Research Institute. 

[cloud713]

ugh.. seriously. the wave was so sleek and sexy. this just looks out of place (and appeared to be taller). though i guess i cant complain that something is being built there.

[BigFootsSocks]

It says Phase 1. How many other phases can we expect and when can we expect them?

[Naviguessor]

It appears as though Phase II could pretty easily mirror Phase I.  But, wouldn't be surprised if another theme is hatched.  Frankly, The Mary Gibbs Jones building does have to go. 

[KinkaidAlum]

Did Notre Dame lend Touchdown Jesus to Methodist for the Lobby?

[Purdueenginerd]

lol. Unsportsmanlike-Conduct Jesus

 

10 yard penalty: Repeat first down. 

[Sky-guy]

I really like this.

[cloud713]

Why did they scrap the wave design?! this has been bumming me out since earlier. I really liked the fluid design.

[cloud713]

I really like this.

Are you being sarcastic? Have you seen the side profile view of this tower? It's as wide as it is tall and the side is just plain facade.

[Naviguessor]

Yeah. I'm Bummed too. Was looking forward to this announcement too.

[H-Town Man]

Great design, and kudos to the Methodists for not being scared to put up an image of Jesus and the inevitable ire it will draw.

 

[Naviguessor]

H-Town. The provocative mural not withstanding, what is it that you find great? Or at least better than the initial design.

Looking for a conversation not an argument.

[Triton]

I like it

 

[phillip_white]

I wonder why they changed this.  The initial design was so sleek and sexy.  The curves complimented the surrounding buildings and streetscape.

 

moo. 

[H-Town Man]

H-Town. The provocative mural not withstanding, what is it that you find great? Or at least better than the initial design.

Looking for a conversation not an argument.

 

Well, I definitely like the side view more than the rendering Triton posted. Like the articulation of floors - reminds me of mid-century modernism.

 

I don't think the mural is provocative. What does it provoke, other than the recollection that Methodism is a Christian denomination?

[Luminare]

idk what some of you are talking about but the first building was boring looking. Not to mention that was clearly a conceptual model. By the way I don't want people complaining on here that all we do is boring plain glass buildings, but defend the boring first rendering as "sleek, and sexy". What is "sleek, and sexy" is this latest iteration. It is visually more interesting than the other and is a more refined design. Stop falling in love with conceptual renderings guys (for any building). All they are there for is to display possibilities, not actuality. 

Edited May 29, 2014 by Luminare

[WshfulThnkn]

The new rendering is really ugly.  It sucks!

 

Cheap Las Vegas Hotel.

[mollusk]

IIRC, the mural resembles the mosaic that was originally on the Fannin side of Methodist a couple eons ago.

[Luminare]

The new rendering is really ugly.  It sucks!

 

Cheap Las Vegas Hotel.

 

[Naviguessor]

What I liked about the initial concept that it blended and flowed so well with the Research Institute, which is a handsome, well executed quality building. It took the RI's scale and blended it elegantly into the taller structure which would more match Methodist's Outpatient Building which faces Main, which has to be seen as The institution's identity in the skyline. This is what is so sexy. Didn't seem boxy to me. The new rendering doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with the rest of Methodist's collection of buildings. In fact it seems to compete with them. Doesn't it?

[BigFootsSocks]

Thought the view Triton posted was the garage at first. This sucks. Also Luminare the first rendering was nothing like what HAIF complains about. No idea where you pulled that one from

[cloud713]

idk what some of you are talking about but the first building was boring looking. Not to mention that was clearly a conceptual model. By the way I don't want people complaining on here that all we do is boring plain glass buildings, but defend the boring first rendering as "sleek, and sexy". What is "sleek, and sexy" is this latest iteration. It is visually more interesting than the other and is a more refined design. Stop falling in love with conceptual renderings guys (for any building). All they are there for is to display possibilities, not actuality. 

you do realize the Research Institute (the shorter wave building) already exists, right? what would make you think the first renderings were conceptual when they blend perfectly well with what is already there?

Thought the view Triton posted was the garage at first. This sucks. Also Luminare the first rendering was nothing like what HAIF complains about. No idea where you pulled that one from

yeah dude... :/ thats the rendering i was referring to in my post about the building being as wide as it is tall and the side facade being completely bare.

[arche_757]

I don't quite understand the hostility towards this, and the open praise for the silly looking 6 Houston Center?  Neither are great architectural works, yet both are better than other buildings that have been built in this town over the years.

 

Also, why would any religious imagery in a Methodist afliated institution cause an uproar?

[Luminare]

I don't quite understand the hostility towards this, and the open praise for the silly looking 6 Houston Center?  Neither are great architectural works, yet both are better than other buildings that have been built in this town over the years.

 

Also, why would any religious imagery in a Methodist afliated institution cause an uproar?

 

I don't know why either. If I was the reason for it then I'm sorry, but not for my comment. I think it's a fair assessment that I made stating that many always complain that we build the same all glass buildings, but because this one a little more curvy then all the sudden it's the best thing ever.

 

You are right it wouldn't have been any different than any other building in the area or in Houston at all. This one at least now has an identity of its own instead of being some curvy glass tower.

 

Quite frankly though it's not that big of a deal. I didn't know so many people were so attached to that rendering.

 

Lets also talk about it relating to the research institute. If both were serving the same function like (research building 1 and now we are building research building 2) then ok I can by that, but this one is a completely different building. It's also not like the research institute was blazing a new trail in Architecture even for the Medical Center. It's quite tame imo and very conservative so I don't see why this new building which is double the floors has to play it safe as well.

 

I don't know....if y'all really like the other rendering then that's cool. I just have to disagree with that.

Edited May 29, 2014 by Luminare

[monarch]

 

this original HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL concept, is a design TOUR DE FORCE!  something that houston methodist hospital has become known for, as per the last decade or so.  not to mention, this particular concept is definitely worth the estimated cost of $540 million dollars... that shall now be utilized as per this very latest concept noted below.  the latest concept, that is indeed dull, and quite uninspiring to say the least.  trust me, we are not trying in earnest to become brash / crude, as per our approach to houston methodist hospital progress.  it is just that houston methodist, has so indeed spoiled us over these decades.. with their state of the art edifice design concepts, never before seen throughout the houston medical landscape.

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2014 by monarch

[BigFootsSocks]

I don't know why either. If I was the reason for it then I'm sorry, but not for my comment. I think it's a fair assessment that I made stating that many always complain that we build the same all glass buildings, but because this one a little more curvy then all the sudden it's the best thing ever.

 

You are right it wouldn't have been any different than any other building in the area or in Houston at all. This one at least now has an identity of its own instead of being some curvy glass tower.

 

Quite frankly though it's not that big of a deal. I didn't know so many people were so attached to that rendering.

 

Lets also talk about it relating to the research institute. If both were serving the same function like (research building 1 and now we are building research building 2) then ok I can by that, but this one is a completely different building. It's also not like the research institute was blazing a new trail in Architecture even for the Medical Center. It's quite tame imo and very conservative so I don't see why this new building which is double the floors has to play it safe as well.

 

I don't know....if y'all really like the other rendering then that's cool. I just have to disagree with that.

You're making connections where there are none. Just because some of HAIF complains about the same type of glass box building (which they have a point) it doesn't mean that the old rendering is the savior of Houston's architecture. Everyone here against the new rendering is saying the first one LOOKED better. You're also being ignorant of other's opinions. What you might think looks great others might think looks like utter shiet, and vice versa. Don't just assume your viewpoint is higher than everyone else's.

[BigFootsSocks]

 

 

 

 

It seriously looks like a parking garage. This sucks.

[LarryDierker]

It seriously looks like a parking garage. This sucks.

 

To me, it looks kinda like a hospital.

[BigFootsSocks]

To me, it looks kinda like a hospital.

Cliche and overused. Next!

[Howard Huge]

It seriously looks like a parking garage. This sucks.

Wait a minute, thats NOT the parking garage for the cool wavy building?

[BigFootsSocks]

Wait a minute, thats NOT the parking garage for the cool wavy building?

Actually they're both parking garages for the newly announced megatall going up in TMC.

[lockmat]

It looks a low rise that would go up in DC or Boston, I dig it.

[Sellanious Caesar]

It looks a low rise that would go up in DC or Boston, I dig it.

I like it too. It's befitting of TMC.

Guys, it's a hospital. Architectural wonders are better suited for Downtown, Uptown, or even Greenway.

[KinkaidAlum]

Well, I definitely like the side view more than the rendering Triton posted. Like the articulation of floors - reminds me of mid-century modernism.

 

I don't think the mural is provocative. What does it provoke, other than the recollection that Methodism is a Christian denomination?

 

The building is ok. I like the nod to mid-century modernism as well, but think the side view makes it look massive. Scale seems "off." That said, I do prefer the previous render.

 

As for Jesus;

 

1) Touchdown Jesus. The Catholics should sue the Methodists.

 

2) Jesus is depicted as "white." Historians and the AME should sue.

 

3) Jesus doesn't appear to have feet. Did the Methodist Hospital accidentally amputate them? Jesus should call Terry Bryant and sue.

 

4) Jesus, the name. Sounds Mexicany. Tea Patriots should sue for his birth certificate.

[H-Town Man]

As for Jesus;

1) Touchdown Jesus. The Catholics should sue the Methodists.

2) Jesus is depicted as "white." Historians and the AME should sue.

3) Jesus doesn't appear to have feet. Did the Methodist Hospital accidentally amputate them? Jesus should call Terry Bryant and sue.

4) Jesus, the name. Sounds Mexicany. Tea Patriots should sue for his birth certificate.

Well, I guess if none of those lawsuits happen, they all must have decided to turn the other cheek.

[mollusk]

This is not a game changer.

[Montrose1100]

The building is ok. I like the nod to mid-century modernism as well, but think the side view makes it look massive. Scale seems "off." That said, I do prefer the previous render.

The First rendering (of the new look), actually grew on me after looking at the details. The second rendering, showing the other angle, made me frown. The design is actually quite fabulous and reminds me of the jetsons. The bulky corner though kinda stinks.