editor Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Part of the corner, above Dominos has been removed. I just noticed today. Maybe work is commencing.Can anyone downtown confirm, and take a picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 After work. I haven't noticed anything removed over Domino's (only further to the left along Main) but I will look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Domino's has moved out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 It looked like they had the sidewalk blocked off with yellow tape yesterday. I was going to look again this morning, but the train was so dang packed I couldn't see out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 There is a large dumpster on the sidewalk. Looks like some serious interior demolition work going on. Hopefully, they have finally gotten back to work on the conversion to a hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Yes, former Domino's and the Christian Science Reading Room are all tore up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Yes, former Domino's and the Christian Science Reading Room are all tore up.Thank god. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Interesting. In the tunnels, there was once a staircase that went in to this building, I'm guessing that once they closed it up, they must have walled over the stairwell/elevator area down there, because I can't even tell where it used to be at this point, but a hotel could certainly make good use of the connection.Hope it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I was in Miami a few months ago and we stayed at a Kimpton. The guy working the front desk, upon seeing my license, said they were opening a downtown Houston hotel in the near future to join the one in Dallas already open.It's been rumored that this is the location. I hope it's true because the Kimpton brand is top notch. I've stayed in Kimptons in NY, LA, and Miami and all were very well run, fun, quasi-hip places. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestGrayGuy Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 Fingers crossed for Kimpton. Have stayed at Hotel Monaco San Francisco, 70 Park avenue NYC, Ink 48 NYC and the Eventi NYC. All were excellent and will be an excellent addition to downtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I was in Miami a few months ago and we stayed at a Kimpton. The guy working the front desk, upon seeing my license, said they were opening a downtown Houston hotel in the near future to join the one in Dallas already open.It's been rumored that this is the location. I hope it's true because the Kimpton brand is top notch. I've stayed in Kimptons in NY, LA, and Miami and all were very well run, fun, quasi-hip places.http://www.houstontx.gov/housing/publiclegal/806main.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 So what is a Tier I hotel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 So what is a Tier I hotel?Kimpton brand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Houston is a target market per their website, but then again so are a lot of other cities. http://www.kimptonhotels.com/development/future-development.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Kimpton brandOK. Thanks I think. But more generally. Is it a 4-star, 5-star? What does the term actually mean in this context? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 (edited) I stayed at a Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria and also a Lorien in the same place. Nice places, both Kimpton. Edited June 28, 2012 by kylejack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 There is a large dumpster on the sidewalk. Looks like some serious interior demolition work going on. Hopefully, they have finally gotten back to work on the conversion to a hotel. They had the doors open on Rusk when I walked by today. I grabbed a quick shot. It looks like the whole street level is gutted with lots of activity going on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Amazing news!!! So great to hear/see all of the restorations going on in Houston now! BTW... what the HELL were people thinking in the 50s and 60s? It's like their only goal was to make buildings look as fugly as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I don't guess I knew, or remembered, that this 100+ year old building was Houston's first skyscraper office building. Good to see it being saved (and revealed). I went in there one time to get a watch battery from some jeweler. It was kind of funky and reminded me of the old Cody's/Skybar building on Montrose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 There was a low rent gym on like the seventh or ninth floor of the building that I actually wanted to join, but the owner told me about the building's pending bankruptcy and how they were going to have to shut down. That was the only time I ever went in there. From the neglected tenant directory in the lobby, it looked like a pretty rag-tag list of folks in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burgower4 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2012-07-06/2012-06-20_-_HR_Presentation_Part_1.pdfIt say the hotel will be a JW Marriott brand 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonartstudent Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 It also says there are residences available at the old YMCA building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 http://www.downtownh...tion_Part_1.pdfIt say the hotel will be a JW Marriott brandWow, they are still listing Hardy Yards as a potential development site? I guess it is, but I wonder how far out it's still a possibility? My guess it's still a good ways away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 http://www.downtownh...tion_Part_1.pdfIt say the hotel will be a JW Marriott brandThat would be good. Marriott has apparently been getting more and more into the downtown market in recent years. Courtyard and Residence Inn followed by adding Hotel Icon to their Autograph Collection. Don't be surprised if the new convention center hotel ends up with a Marriott badge (e.g. Marriott Marquis)But we still need Kimpton downtown (and one Uptown as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Interesting coh write up http://www.houstontx.gov/housing/publiclegal/806mainsummary.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Interesting coh write up http://www.houstontx...mainsummary.pdfMe thinks there is a bit of a typo in the third paragraph...."The property sits on .03 acres...." I think that would be a little more than 1300 sq. feet - which seems a tad small of a footprint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 (edited) There is a very narrow vacant ~10 story office building that is immediately south of 806 Main. The main entrance to it was open one day a few months back when I walked by, couldn't make out what was going on inside apart from the ground floor being a fairly open floor plan. I have heard exactly nothing about it, and it has been empty as long as I've been walking past it.With the refurb of 806, it makes you wonder if a structure like this is a more attractive option to renovate or if it is basically doomed to sit empty since you can't tear it down. Maybe if the hotel does well enough, they could take it too and add rooms or meeting space.EDIT - it was the Battlestein's department store building. Edited July 18, 2012 by Nate99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 (edited) I've been watching that building too. Was hoping it might be incorporated into the hotel. Edited July 18, 2012 by Houston19514 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Chron article seems to confirm that the hotel will be a JW Marriott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatline Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 I saw a tweet that the loan application got tagged at the City Council hearing. Anybody have an update? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Share Posted July 29, 2012 I saw a tweet that the loan application got tagged at the City Council hearing. Anybody have an update?I doubt there will be any update until next week's Council meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 Interesting coh write up http://www.houstontx...mainsummary.pdfI also like how the Embassy Suites has the big E on top yet it be fuddles me as to why they have never put it up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 They've got a big hole at the corner of Rusk and Main now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Anyone know when this will open up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 They've got a big hole at the corner of Rusk and Main now. Yep, lots of work underway. I was going to snap a pic today, but didn't have time. Maybe after work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Yep, lots of work underway. I was going to snap a pic today, but didn't have time. Maybe after work.The other day I could see a bundle of large pressurized gas cylinders hoding what I preumed to be some kind of welding/cutting torch gas. Possible it could have been some kind of construction phase fire protection/extinguisher system. They're definitely busy, but I can't imagine how long a full refurb on an old building like this would take. How long did the Inn at The Ballpark take? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 Looks like they are prepping the Main Street side facade for the installation of a construction elevator. A bunch of windows are knocked out and a non-cotinuous vertical strip of facade has been stripped off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 (edited) The hole they made. During the workday those doors are open and there's lots of workers going in and out. Edited August 14, 2012 by kylejack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted August 14, 2012 Share Posted August 14, 2012 The market is strong in this city. Developers know that the more people they can get to stay in the core of the city, the more it will draw retail. Such a promising development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 I was told once that the original facade was more or less intact under the newer facade panels. It will be interesting to see how true this is, and how much restoration treatment will be necessary. Once 806 Main is restored, the disco glass facade on the Kirby Building will be one of the last remaining traces of the great wave of Main Street "modernization". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I was told once that the original facade was more or less intact under the newer facade panels. It will be interesting to see how true this is, and how much restoration treatment will be necessary. Once 806 Main is restored, the disco glass facade on the Kirby Building will be one of the last remaining traces of the great wave of Main Street "modernization". Based on what I saw when I was taking pictures near the site, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. Here are a few snaps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Anyone know anything about Wexlers? A guy who saw me take this pic said that it was a clothing store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 There's a Wexler's Jewelry, but that was incorporated in the early 1970s so it might not be the same. The covering up of the original facade on 806 Main was completed in about 1965. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nole23 Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pleak Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Sweeeeeet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 old rendering. but nice to see it again anyway. if that's the final product, it'll be one of my favorite buildings in all of Houston 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 old rendering. but nice to see it again anyway. if that's the final product, it'll be one of my favorite buildings in all of HoustonAgreed. That looks pretty sharp. To go from what is there now to that would completely transform that block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 They are even showing restoration of the old clock that was at the corner. I must say I'm impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 (edited) It is really interesting and sad to see the progression of this building. Love that new rendering. This is going to be a GREAT addition to downtown! Comparing this old picture with the new rendering, it appears 6 floors were added to the building at some time. Edited August 26, 2012 by editor Image 404 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Construction elevator has arrived. I walk by the place all the time, so I'll do what I can to chronicle the refurb. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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