JoninATX 170 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 About time! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 I hope that the city goes to the mat on this one. The folks who own this building should be ashamed. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Looks like someone decided to turn up the heat on this project 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I guess that I don't understand what is going on in the pictures. What is the fire department doing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 They were spraying the side of the building with the water cannon. They were finishing up when I walked over - I don't know how long they were there Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downtownian 616 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) "KHOU 11 met with the owners on Tuesday. They didn’t want to go on camera, but did say they have nearly completed an $85 million dollar hotel renovation plan. However, they said they are still trying to get financing." http://www.khou.com/news/future-remains-uncertain-for-dangerous-downtown-building/456267629 Edited July 13, 2017 by downtownian 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 2 hours ago, downtownian said: "KHOU 11 met with the owners on Tuesday. They didn’t want to go on camera, but did say they have nearly completed an $85 million dollar hotel renovation plan. However, they said they are still trying to get financing." http://www.khou.com/news/future-remains-uncertain-for-dangerous-downtown-building/456267629 I hope they are right and wish them luck, but a nearly completed plan without financing isn't anywhere near complete. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I mean I have a nearly complete plan for a subway on westheimer but unless I found a suitcase full of cash it's a pointless plan 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4038 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Geez.. i like to dabble in photography and explore, but I can't say I've done much urban exploration, or know anyone into urbex to go with me to check this building out.. im not stupid enough to go alone, so I haven't ever been, but this has always seemed like it would be an amazing place to check out. Though after reading these posts about being held hostage and the place being deemed "dangerous", the allure of exploring this has worn off a bit.. Haha. And yeah.. the owners development plans being close to "finalized", with no sign of financial backing is pretty comical. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tumbleweed_Tx 1791 Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 the windows have been removed from the bottom few floors. it's either a work in progress or crackheads. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobruss 4986 Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 No, this is great news and I hope that some of my letters and emails to all city office holders and Bob Eury helped stir the city into a more aggressive approach. I saw images of it in swamplot today. Its going to improve the skyline view from the Pierce elevated going north. It won't be quite the eyesore thats its been for far too long. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kbates2 1341 Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I would have to change my underwear. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kbates2 1341 Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I think uptown is very luxurious just not very "hip". 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ToryGattis 202 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 With 8 foot ceilings, I can't see how it could be any luxury brand hotel. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4624 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 11 hours ago, ToryGattis said: With 8 foot ceilings, I can't see how it could be any luxury brand hotel. I doubt 8 foot ceilings would keep it from becoming a luxury hotel. See, for example the renovation of the Statler Hilton in Dallas. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EllenOlenska 1180 Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 I just jumped up and touched my ceiling pretty easily and I'm comfortable here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonIsHome 1626 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Scaffolding was going going up when I walked by yesterday. Took pics. Will try to post later 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Isn't the old Savoy a Holiday Inn (regular) now. IHG has a ton of non-HI brands, but referencing Holiday Inn with a "triple branded" option seems like they would use them all up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4624 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 42 minutes ago, Nate99 said: Isn't the old Savoy a Holiday Inn (regular) now. IHG has a ton of non-HI brands, but referencing Holiday Inn with a "triple branded" option seems like they would use them all up. IHG has at least a dozen different flags. They currently have a Holiday Inn and a Holiday Inn Express downtown. That leaves them with 10 flags to choose from, without duplicating. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Houston19514 said: IHG has at least a dozen different flags. They currently have a Holiday Inn and a Holiday Inn Express downtown. That leaves them with 10 flags to choose from, without duplicating. Right, I was essentially wondering why the article didn't refer to IHG instead of "Holiday Inn". Plenty of brands to choose from, but probably no Holiday Inn varieties. Edited August 2, 2017 by Nate99 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 They should make the first hexatruple branded property at the old Astro world site - bring 6 flags back to Astro world 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonIsHome 1626 Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Any word on what the scaffolding is for? Maybe they are getting rid of done if the graffiti and boarding up some of the windows. I noticed a lot of shattered glass around the building Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phillip_white 1911 Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Most of the windows appear to be removed from the south side of the building. I haven't seen it from the north, but I would imagine those are gone too due to how clear it is looking through. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 4 minutes ago, phillip_white said: Most of the windows appear to be removed from the south side of the building. I haven't seen it from the north, but I would imagine those are gone too due to how clear it is looking through. Weird. I wonder what's going on here? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phillip_white 1911 Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 5 minutes ago, UtterlyUrban said: Weird. I wonder what's going on here? I did some digging: http://www.khou.com/news/local/exclusive-look-inside-dangerous-vacant-downtown-hotel/456536135 Quote He said they are beginning to clean the graffiti from the exterior and will be placing large cinder blocks at the entrances to the property. The contractor told KHOU 11 News if work progress continues at this rate, the building will be completely gutted and cleaned by the end of the summer. SFK Development, Inc. owners say they are nearly 90 percent finished with a hotel development plan for the building. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adr 1909 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Most of the windows and the exterior facade itself is in the process of being removed as we speak/read/write/post/forum/whatever. 7 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kbates2 1341 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Note to self: be a security guard now. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 33 minutes ago, kbates2 said: Note to self: be a security guard now. Four "shifts" to cover 24/7/365 with 20% for overhead still gets you $110k per guard. There seems to be some heavy inefficiency working in that calculation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KinkaidAlum 2829 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Also, if you cannot afford $550,000 for security then you might not want to purchase a high rise with plans to redevelop it into a hotel. Not. Buying. It. 3 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 50 minutes ago, KinkaidAlum said: Also, if you cannot afford $550,000 for security then you might not want to purchase a high rise with plans to redevelop it into a hotel. Not. Buying. It. Can't tell if the recent news is positive to the situation, but the earlier quotes from the ownership group did sound like they were in way over their heads and close to begging for money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timoric 1556 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) - Edited July 11, 2019 by Timoric 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EllenOlenska 1180 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I like it as is actually. And I'd rather it stay derelict and graffiti bespected than destroyed. It should be turned into a hotel. It would look clean with new glass and light fixtures. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timoric 1556 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) - Edited July 11, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 39 minutes ago, Timoric said: It reminds me sort of the Post Office in Detroit where all my people live, where you could see the flash of gun fire - was so tall, not sure they ever tore that one down. The Michigan Central Station? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timoric 1556 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) - Edited July 11, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Makes me sad to see that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twinsanity02 1288 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 Elegant old building Quote Link to post Share on other sites
samagon 3252 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 20 hours ago, Nate99 said: The Michigan Central Station? HGTV should branch out into real estate and buy this building. Create a new show called ultimate fixer upper, unleash all their fixers to build a whole bunch of condos each of them styled in their own fashion. 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 That show would make huge ratings too. Especially if the people on the show had to pay for the condo space (like $50k or something), I could see that making money Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KinkaidAlum 2829 Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 The good news about Michigan Central is it is still standing and near Corktown, one of the only areas of Detroit that isn't a hell hole. Lots of empty lots but few burned out/abandoned buildings/tire dumps so there's maybe future potential? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Tumbleweed_Tx 1791 Posted October 24, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted October 24, 2017 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 4994 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Wow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BeerNut 2571 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 implosion ready... 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 11784 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 13 hours ago, BeerNut said: implosion ready... Sounds good to me. If no one is ever going to renovate this thing or keep claiming they are, it should just be taken down. Can't believe I'd prefer a parking lot over this crap. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sanjorade 270 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Turn it into a cool art gallery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 1 hour ago, Sanjorade said: Turn it into a cool art gallery. Agreed...... as soon as the owners flatten the current shell, the empty lot that remains would make a great art gallery enclosed in a lovely new building. 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KinkaidAlum 2829 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 People flock to take their social media-filtered posts at Austin's graffiti wall/park. Lets one up them. Hipsters would love it and it could help lure Amazon II. It's on the light rail too! Win-Win-Winning. (sarcasm) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 I can only figure that there is some sort of tax dodge involved for the owner of this thing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobruss 4986 Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 I'm just pleased that its been cleaned up. IT looks so much better. I just drove on Pierce elevated from 45 south yesterday for the first time and it still stuck out only because I was blown away by how much better the skyline looked now without the eyesore. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3026 Posted December 30, 2017 Share Posted December 30, 2017 They finally cleaned it up!?!? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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