cloud713 4010 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) my bad, Marq*E. i agree, a suburban entertainment destination isn't the most ideal draw for downtown, but it was more to give an idea of the type of attractions (maybe geared more towards the young professional crowd with just a lesser amount geared towards family oriented stuff, since as you mention, the demographics of the area aren't really family friendly, but we still want to appeal to tourists), and at the time i couldn't think of any better/more urban examples. i guess the question here is, are we trying to make downtown a destination, or do we just want it to be another average neighborhood? its not just about the people living downtown, its about making downtown an attraction in itself. i don't think many tourist travel to Houston to visit the tourist Mecca that is the Heights. or any other random ITL neighborhood with average amenities. not that they come to Houston to visit places like the MarqE or Main Event. its just something entertaining for the whole family, for those staying at the hotels downtown or living in the inner city. as for not being able to support that type of thing or not being room, GreenStreet is basically an urban format MarqE. with that said i guess they could push what little retail remains out onto Dallas St and make GS more of an entertainment destination.on a side note. anyone ever been to a WonderWorks? a surprisingly fun filled learning experience for the whole family.http://www.marqehouston.comhttp://www.wonderworksonline.com Edited April 21, 2015 by cloud713 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quietstorm 1258 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) I believe that the success of Discovery Green disproves the assertion that DT isn't 'family oriented'. Many of the scheduled events in addition to the water features, seasonal ice skating and play areas are definitely child/family focused and packed with children and families on weekdays (school field trips) and weekends. What I love about DG is the multigenerational appeal of the place.  There is something for everyone and speaks to one of Houston's strengths....its diversity.  IMO, Discovery Green is vibrant because it doesn't cater to one single group (e.g, young professionals). Edited April 21, 2015 by quietstorm 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Montrose1100 3614 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) my bad, Marq*E. i agree, a suburban entertainment destination isn't the most ideal draw for downtown, but it was more to give an idea of the type of attractions (maybe geared more towards the young professional crowd with just a lesser amount geared towards family oriented stuff, since as you mention, the demographics of the area aren't really family friendly, but we still want to appeal to tourists), and at the time i couldn't think of any better/more urban examples. i guess the question here is, are we trying to make downtown a destination, or do we just want it to be another average neighborhood? its not just about the people living downtown, its about making downtown an attraction in itself. i don't think many tourist travel to Houston to visit the tourist Mecca that is the Heights. or any other random ITL neighborhood with average amenities. not that they come to Houston to visit places like the MarqE or Main Event. its just something entertaining for the whole family, for those staying at the hotels downtown or living in the inner city. as for not being able to support that type of thing or not being room, GreenStreet is basically an urban format MarqE. with that said i guess they could push what little retail remains out onto Dallas St and make GS more of an entertainment destination.on a side note. anyone ever been to a WonderWorks? a surprisingly fun filled learning experience for the whole family.http://www.marqehouston.comhttp://www.wonderworksonline.comDowntown has options geared towards to the young professional crowd. Awesome restaurants and bars! Edit: sorry cloud I'm not exclusively picking on you. Edited April 21, 2015 by Montrose1100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KinkaidAlum 2758 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 UHD is a 4 year college and rumored to be adding housing soon. When the new light rail lines open, I'd expect a small bump in the number of UH and TSU kids who hit up downtown. Rice is just too small to make much of an impact, especially considering how few Rice students venture outside the hedge bubble. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Texasota 2793 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Honestly I would argue that the biggest thing Downtown is missing is legitimate museums, but since that's mostly a short trip down the light rail line I don't expect that to change much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4010 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 ha, no worries Montrose. while the restaurants and bars are great, i was thinking more entertainment/relaxation options, to get away from the office or whatever, like maybe a small (indoor?) Pitch and Putt course with a few holes going back and forth across part of a block, an underground Gun Range (connected to the tunnel system would be legit, depending on the location of said development), a smaller scale Dave & Busters type arcade bar concept, but instead of winning crappy prizes, you can exchange your tickets for drinks (please don't steal this idea, lol. hell, if anyone can make it happen I'm down to go in on it with them. i realize it could be a pretty legit bar concept in practically any semi urban environment, heh). then obviously something like a small scale modern movie theater.eh. Texasota. IMO Sunset Coffee Building was downtowns one chance at having any sort of a real museum. unless its arts or something, but i quite like the way our Museum District is clustered currently. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonIsHome 1620 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I like our cluster of museums too, and they are easily accessible via PT, but I just wish it was closer. As for UHD, it is an open admissions college where very few attendees graduate in 4 yrs, there are no legitimate teams and no on campus residents. In other words it is very transient. It is like any other commercial building downtown and when I mentioned a 4 yrs college downtown I was thinking more of atmosphere than merely getting a degree. Bars we are good on. Restaurants in many areas are still required. After two pm many areas are dead zones for food. But yeah, we need more for the everyday, man, woman or child. take ATL for example. They are a smaller metro, smaller downtown, far less downtown work force but in downtown or the environs there is the Georgia dome, huge Georgia aquarium, Olympic park and MLK museum, and a huge university presence. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobruss 4962 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I think a satellite museum for the MFAH would be great downtown in the theater district, or over by the convention center. Perhaps in the first floor of the Stream Essex building if that ever gets built. It would be a great tease for the main Museum and give convention visitors easy access to a sampling of the arts. I also think that they could share with the Menil and the Natural Science Museum and have a rotating schedule dividing up the year between them for rotating shows. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobruss 4962 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Speaking of exhibitions there is a group show opening tomorrow night at Williams Tower featuring some of Houston best. I'm included and I'd love to see some Haifers there. I'll be showing a large new work on paper intitled "Sprawl". 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gene 2967 Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Speaking of exhibitions there is a group show opening tomorrow night at Williams Tower featuring some of Houston best.I'm included and I'd love to see some Haifers there. I'll be showing a large new work on paper intitled"Sprawl". WOW awesome and congrats....i can walk across the street to it! can you give me more details? time/where to check in etc? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 766 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) It's a race to the top with Hampton/Homewood. As opposed to a leisurely stroll to the bottom with Block 334. Edited April 22, 2015 by toxtethogrady 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7676 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Â Â 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4010 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 is it just me or is this one going up pretty fast? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monarch 3697 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 is it just me or is this one going up pretty fast?project, incorporates a strong amount of workers both day and night. Â money talks..... 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Timoric 1545 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) - Edited July 8, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Montrose1100 3614 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) What is the biggest hotel in Houston? Either current or under construction, room count.Hilton Americas is the largest at 1,200. Hyatt Regency held the title before that with 947 since it was built. Edited April 24, 2015 by Montrose1100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4010 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) edit. just saw Montroses edit. Edited April 24, 2015 by cloud713 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmitch94 1979 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 project, incorporates a strong amount of workers both day and night.  money talks.....Do they work on this at night? And just being curious about how many workers are on this project during a day?  Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monarch 3697 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Do they work on this at night? And just being curious about how many workers are on this project during a day?  the last item that i referenced in regards to the workers, were that there were over a thousand + employed as per this project.  yes, they are working day / night shifts.  i am not abreast of the personnel shift allocations. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
por favor gracias 614 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 ^^^ If only TxDot would do the same... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Howard Huge 2391 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 edit. just saw Montroses edit.Edit: Just saw Clouds edit about Montrose's edit 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmitch94 1979 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 ^^^ If only TxDot would do the same...Tell me about it. When I go home from campus (UH) I have to go through the entirety of 290 construction. God those lanes are narrow, it also does not help that I drive a Ram 1500... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
por favor gracias 614 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 They've been working on just the 290/610 area for at least 5 or 6 years now. Ridiculous... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luminare 6011 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 They've been working on just the 290/610 area for at least 5 or 6 years now. Ridiculous... ummmm no? I drive this everyday. If you are talking about the 290 to 10 ramp yeah that was done about a year ago, but the bulk of the work has been done over the past year. I know it doesn't sound as ridiculous as 5-6years but this has only been going on for 1 1/2 - 2 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phillip_white 1842 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 I remember the interchange at 290/610 being worked on when I first moved to Houston 3 years ago. ummmm no? I drive this everyday. If you are talking about the 290 to 10 ramp yeah that was done about a year ago, but the bulk of the work has been done over the past year. I know it doesn't sound as ridiculous as 5-6years but this has only been going on for 1 1/2 - 2 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
por favor gracias 614 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 The part of 610 between Ella and 290 has had ongoing construction since at least 2009 (and I think 2008). I remember a buddy of mine moving to North Dakota in 2009, and then calling me in 2011 and asking if that area was still under construction...and when I said "yeah," I could practically see him over the phone shaking his head. It's still not even close to being finished. The 610/I-10/290 interchange had its groundbreaking during the mega-drought in late July, 2011. The 290 to I-10 ramp was just completed a few months ago. http://www.guidrynews.com/11Gazette/21311August1Gazette.pdf Traffic has been backed up to and from 45 just about every day for hours because of this crap...there is absolutely no legitimate reason why it should take this long to finish this project, and many others around town for that matter. Sorry for derailing this thread...just wanted to clarify that. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3150 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 There's this thing called "reality" when we're dealing with an infrastructure project on this scale though. Actual construction of the mainlanes didn't begin until 1-1.5 years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luminare 6011 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 The part of 610 between Ella and 290 has had ongoing construction since at least 2009 (and I think 2008). I remember a buddy of mine moving to North Dakota in 2009, and then calling me in 2011 and asking if that area was still under construction...and when I said "yeah," I could practically see him over the phone shaking his head. It's still not even close to being finished. The 610/I-10/290 interchange had its groundbreaking during the mega-drought in late July, 2011. The 290 to I-10 ramp was just completed a few months ago. http://www.guidrynews.com/11Gazette/21311August1Gazette.pdf Traffic has been backed up to and from 45 just about every day for hours because of this crap...there is absolutely no legitimate reason why it should take this long to finish this project, and many others around town for that matter. Sorry for derailing this thread...just wanted to clarify that. This part is non debatable That whole section of 610 from 290 to TC Jester and to Ella has been under continuous construction for a few years but that was part of the 610 reconstruction and subsequent prep construction for the 610/290 buildout. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmitch94 1979 Posted April 27, 2015 Share Posted April 27, 2015 Aaannnd we'er back on topic... now! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 766 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 They've been working on just the 290/610 area for at least 5 or 6 years now. Ridiculous... Dallas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmitch94 1979 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 You can actually see this from the web cam for the new UH basketball facility. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hindesky 44379 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 It's getting tall. 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hindesky 44379 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Edited May 2, 2015 by hindesky 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monarch 3697 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 Â HINDESKY! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Triton 11634 Posted May 2, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted May 2, 2015 Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel by marclongoria, on Flickr 11 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luminare 6011 Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I keep getting this image of triton and hindesky race all over town trying to get to each spot before the other 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 11634 Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Nah, I just enjoy bike riding and these places happen to be along my route. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post astros148 516 Posted May 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted May 3, 2015 13 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Urbannizer 43510 Posted May 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted May 3, 2015 5/2 by Michi on SSP.       13 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Purdueenginerd 1483 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Triton, I wonder if we've ever cycled by eachother in the past. I always see on Strava all the riders that I pass. I did about 45 miles this weekend. Perhaps you were out there as well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Howard Huge 2391 Posted May 4, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted May 4, 2015 5/2 by Michi on SSP. 11 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 766 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Do the tall floors at the lower level count as one floor or two? That's a massive building and it's still got several floors to go. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tumbleweed_Tx 1737 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 they count as one floor... it's where they are putting the ballrooms Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monarch 3697 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Do the tall floors at the lower level count as one floor or two? That's a massive building and it's still got several floors to go.can you just imagine how imposing this hotel tower is going to become, once is surpasses hess tower? Â wow, just wow! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4457 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 can you just imagine how imposing this hotel tower is going to become, once is surpasses hess tower?  wow, just wow!  I don't think the Marriott Marquis is planned to surpass the height of Hess Tower. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4457 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 can you just imagine how imposing this hotel tower is going to become, once is surpasses hess tower?  wow, just wow!  I don't think the Marriott Marquis is planned to surpass the height of Hess Tower. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monarch 3697 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 I don't think the Marriott Marquis is planned to surpass the height of Hess Tower. well, actually it may not harbor much of a choice, especially since the hess tower stands at 29 floors (490'ft).  marriott marquis, is now projected to rise at 30 floors (we shall soon see the actual ft total).  but i'm clearly betting that the marriott wins..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 4849 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) It will lose, unfortunately. Taller floors for office than hotel. Michi's second pic above suggests about 6 floors of Marriott per 5 floors of Hess. Edited May 5, 2015 by H-Town Man Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4457 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) well, actually it may not harbor much of a choice, especially since the hess tower stands at 29 floors (490'ft).  marriott marquis, is now projected to rise at 30 floors (we shall soon see the actual ft total).  but i'm clearly betting that the marriott wins.....  I'll take that bet.   Edited May 5, 2015 by Houston19514 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4010 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) . Edited May 5, 2015 by cloud713 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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