Office Tower At 1111 Travis St.

[Nate99]

Not bad at all.

[ClutchCity]

3 office towers all going forward in downtown at around the same time... Must be those dang EaDo Station apartments again!(;

[Texasota]

Hm. It looks like that might be a parking garage facing Main. Hopefully it has ground floor retail...

[Houston19514]

Hm. It looks like that might be a parking garage facing Main. Hopefully it has ground floor retail...

 

What makes you think that the parking garage faces Main?  I'm trying to figure out what angle we are viewing and cannot find any very strong clues.

[TowerSpotter]

Its no a complete box! It has a curve to it! I love it.   

[H-Town Man]

Hm. It looks like that might be a parking garage facing Main. Hopefully it has ground floor retail...

 

Gotta up that ratio. Right now Main averages 1.17 parking garages per block between Texas and Dallas. If Hilcorp/Hines puts their garage on Main, it will be 1.33 garages per block. Main Street will pretty much be an international paragon of what happens to your signature downtown street when you don't have zoning.

[Subdude]

OK I think this is looking northwest, from Green Street, and the ghost building front left is the Humble Building.  The curve side opens up a plaza at Dallas and Travis.  It wouldn't make any sense on the northwest facing three parking garages.  

 

I'm really wondering about the America block; doesn't Hillcorp own that as well?  I foresee a parking garage however.

 

 

[H-Town Man]

A strong factor in garage location would be Main Street Square and the difficult driving conditions there. Something on Travis would be much easier.

 

I suspect the buildings and streets in the rendering might just be stock and have nothing to do with what exists there.

Edited October 31, 2013 by H-Town Man

[august948]

What makes you think that the parking garage faces Main?  I'm trying to figure out what angle we are viewing and cannot find any very strong clues.

 

Would that redering be showing the corner of Lamar and Travis or Dallas and Travis in the foreground since you can't see the rail line?

 

[TowerSpotter]

The renderings on skyscraperpage reveal the other side.

 

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6322560&postcount=5593

Edited October 31, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[H-Town Man]

It's a garage on Main with ground floor retail. It's about as tasteful a garage as you could want (and Main Street has become, in many ways, a showcase of tasteful parking garages), but you'll still be looking up to see cars as you stroll down Main.

 

 

[infinite_jim]

What makes you think that the parking garage faces Main?  I'm trying to figure out what angle we are viewing and cannot find any very strong clues.

It could be a view from the HPD with Dallas St. crossing in front, looking northeast.

[august948]

It's a garage on Main with ground floor retail. It's about as tasteful a garage as you could want (and Main Street has become, in many ways, a showcase of tasteful parking garages), but you'll still be looking up to see cars as you stroll down Main.

 

Maybe they can arrange to only allow Italian sports cars park in the areas visible from Main.

 

Edited October 31, 2013 by august948

[H-Town Man]

Ok, now please tell me I'm wrong. I'm thinking that's a garage on the Main Street side above the retail, but those floors look awfully level for a garage. That's clearly a garage entrance on Dallas St. though. Could it be that there is some kind of a thin conference center along there, with the garage sandwiched in between it and the building? 

 

[august948]

Ok, now please tell me I'm wrong. I'm thinking that's a garage on the Main Street side above the retail, but those floors look awfully level for a garage. That's clearly a garage entrance on Dallas St. though. Could it be that there is some kind of a thin conference center along there, with the garage sandwiched in between it and the building? 

 

 

 

Could the parking be underground?

[Subdude]

The garage entry is on Dallas and the exit on Lamar.  The ramps might very well be in the middle, so the floors look flat from Main.  It's interesting that the "front" is on Travis.  I would have expected Main.  

[H-Town Man]

The garage entry is on Dallas and the exit on Lamar.  The ramps might very well be in the middle, so the floors look flat from Main.  It's interesting that the "front" is on Travis.  I would have expected Main.  

 

Okay, but look at that glass section on the corner of Dallas and Main, going up a few stories. Does that look like the corner of a parking garage? And notice how the exterior above the garage entrance on Dallas looks very different from how it looks as you go toward Main.

[tigereye]

Unusual that they would turn the plaza/main entry space towards the Americana Building and not towards Main Street? Maybe there are long range plans to re-do/build something new on the Americana site? (DISCLAIMER: That last statement is just my guess - I have zero actual information regarding that block or intended developments elsewhere around the Macy's site)

Hilcorp does own the Americana site. And everything has closed on that block except for the Subway. Gone are Zero's, Popeyes, JCI.

Also, note the tunnel across Travis to the Macy's garage is shown in the site plan.

[cloud713]

Not a bad looking tower, but strange about the garage facing main. I guess they wanted the corporate entrance to be on the other side/separate from the pedestrian retail activity.

[wxman]

Wow. Looks like the city bird is once again the 'Construction Crane'. Loving this..

[monarch]

This particular site on Main Street, has got to be one of (if not the) hottest site (s) in the State of Texas.  I was a bit leery that they were anticipating a 23 story building upon this site, but to think of placing a another garage upon this site facing Main Street, is simply ASININE at best.

 

Surely Mayor Parker, and the Downtown Management officials can do better than this....  you've got to be kidding!

Edited November 1, 2013 by monarch

[cloud713]

This particular site on Main Street, has got to be one of (if not the) hottest site (s) in the State of Texas.  I was a bit leery that they were anticipating a 23 story building upon this site, but to think of placing a another garage upon this site facing Main Street, is simply ASININE as best.

 

Surely Mayor Parker, and the Downtown Management officials can do better than this....  you've got to be kidding!

i agree, but at least it doesnt look like a garage. the ground floor retail needed to face Main, and you cant blame them for not wanting the corporate entrance being on the same side as the pedestrian activity along Main. it would be weird if retail was in front of a corporate building next to the entrance. besides, it has already been pointed out how inaccessible places along Main Street are. i doubt Hilcorp wants a bunch of pedestrians/bums hanging out in their out door space in front of the building, which would happen if it faced Main with all the pedestrian activity. the main entrance facing another street kind of makes sense.. 

[monarch]

i agree, but at least it doesnt look like a garage. the ground floor retail needed to face Main, and you cant blame them for not wanting the corporate entrance being on the same side as the pedestrian activity along Main. it would be weird if retail was in front of a corporate building next to the entrance. besides, it has already been pointed out how inaccessible places along Main Street are. i doubt Hilcorp wants a bunch of pedestrians/bums hanging out in their out door space in front of the building, which would happen if it faced Main with all the pedestrian activity. the main entrance facing another street kind of makes sense.. 

 

cloud713, I love you guy....  but sometimes your "fixation" as per retail, seems to be a bit over the top.

 

I once lived downtown Houston, and I simply loved the place.  During the short time that I lived there (3+years) I systematically witnessed a broad amount of retail just basically disappear....  right before my eyes.  It broke my heart that last time I visited Macy's downtown upon one of my return visits from Afghanistan.  I walked in, only to view a strange array of basically cheap looking clothing / accessories.  I felt that I had ventured into K-mart (not that there is anything wrong with K-mart).  But I'm sure that you may catch my drift....

 

As I have stated as per my aforementioned post "this particular site upon Main Street, is probably the best / hottest site within the state".  And if a new edifice is going to be positioned as per this site, then it should with out a doubt.... be first class in every category.  Upon this particular site, we should never be fixated upon the garage.... no matter where it's located.  The office aspect as per this edifice should stand out completely.  Just as "BG Place" as well as the now proposed "609 Main".  In my view, the garage aspects of these particular edifices, are positioned as they should be.....

 

Should any retail be proposed, then the retail aspect should definitely be highlighted in the broadest terms.  Especially upon this particular site, in lieu of the  "Downtown Management's" newest plans  centering upon Dallas Street becoming Downtown's signature retail avenue.  I think that this particular initiative can be a reality for Downtown Houston.  But it needs to be done upon a thoughtful as we as a consistent basis, or it shall end up just like "Houston Pavilions" disaster....

[Moore713]

cloud713, I love you guy....  but sometimes your "fixation" as per retail, seems to be a bit over the top.

 

I once lived downtown Houston, and I simply loved the place.  During the short time that I lived there (3+years) I systematically witnessed a broad amount of retail just basically disappear....  right before my eyes.  It broke my heart that last time I visited Macy's downtown upon one of my return visits from Afghanistan.  I walked in, only to view a strange array of basically cheap looking clothing / accessories.  I felt that I had ventured into K-mart (not that there is anything wrong with K-mart).  But I'm sure that you may catch my drift....

 

As I have stated as per my aforementioned post "this particular site upon Main Street, is probably the best / hottest site within the state".  And if a new edifice is going to be positioned as per this site, then it should with out a doubt.... be first class in every category.  Upon this particular site, we should never be fixated upon the garage.... no matter where it's located.  The office aspect as per this edifice should stand out completely.  Just as "BG Place" as well as the now proposed "609 Main".  In my view, the garage aspects of these particular edifices, are positioned as they should be.....

 

Should any retail be proposed, then the retail aspect should definitely be highlighted in the broadest terms.  Especially upon this particular site, in lieu of the  "Downtown Management's" newest plans  centering upon Dallas Street becoming Downtown's signature retail avenue.  I think that this particular initiative can be a reality for Downtown Houston.  But it needs to be done upon a thoughtful as we as a consistent basis, or it shall end up just like "Houston Pavilions" disaster....

There it is again that need to mis-represent the Houston Pavillion  only failed from  mangement stand point, the bars and  entertinment venues  and restraunats all have done quite well. Even the limited retail has manganed to hang in there. The area is one of the most people heavy I have seen in Donwtown Houston..Could it step it up of course, but we all know that will requaire downtown Houston to address a number of other problems first...The low residentcy rate the first redevepoment plan called for a DT population of 16,0000 by now, but the econ crashed and goals fail off.. the total popluation  minus that absurd  adding of the prison population is actually around 3,000 even if you count the new units that are being built and planned then we are looking at another 2,000 in less than 2 years. I would like to see this tread continue, This is what is needed to substain the area and by deflaut draw in more retail and venues

[asubrt]

Just to clarify, is this building being constructed for a specific tenant company (a la Chevron), or is it competing for tenants along with 609 Main, Stream/Essex, Capitol Tower, etc?

[King Owl]

Just to clarify, is this building being constructed for a specific tenant company (a la Chevron), or is it competing for tenants along with 609 Main, Stream/Essex, Capitol Tower, etc?

 

it's built for HillCorp.  I believe they're taking the whole building, but not sure

[Subdude]

What seems awkward is that the plaza area opens up to the intersection of Travis and Lamar, where there are parking garages on the other three corners.  To me it would make more sense to be oriented to HPD and the hotel, or even better, the Green Street entrance at Main and Dallas.  Very odd this one. 

 

 

[arche_757]

I will say - it is unfortunate that they had to tear down a re-workable building to build something this size.  Not like there aren't empty blocks just down Main Street.

[H-Town Man]

the ground floor retail needed to face Main, and you cant blame them for not wanting the corporate entrance being on the same side as the pedestrian activity along Main. it would be weird if retail was in front of a corporate building next to the entrance.

 

No reason why a corporate entrance can't be on the same side as the retail.  It takes a little effort though...

 

[cloud713]

I will say - it is unfortunate that they had to tear down a re-workable building to build something this size. Not like there aren't empty blocks just down Main Street.

Agreed, if only this tower were taller/had other components of mixed use like residential then it would be a grand slam. Still a fantastic building, but I feel the same that it could of been repurposed. There were ideas being floated around a couple years ago about consolidating the macys on the bottom 4 floors and having office space on the top 6 floors with new windows and a central atrium with a large skylight.

H-town man, that actually.. Looks pretty nice...

[Gator80]

For this site the building is a disappointment.

[infinite_jim]

It's conventionally Houston in it's site design (which is to say it appeals to those driving down Travis). I'm sure the more urban-scaled Main St. side will satisfy most once construction is done and the retailers have moved in. My only disappointment is the parapet height is ~340', only 20' taller than 1300 Main (which means I probably won't see anything except for the roof line/mechanical roost).

Edited November 1, 2013 by infinite_jim

[LTAWACS]

This particular site on Main Street, has got to be one of (if not the) hottest site (s) in the State of Texas. I was a bit leery that they were anticipating a 23 story building upon this site, but to think of placing a another garage upon this site facing Main Street, is simply ASININE at best.

Surely Mayor Parker, and the Downtown Management officials can do better than this.... you've got to be kidding!

It makes one wonder if those behind this actually know what they're doing.

[foxmulder]

I'm just happy to have some indication that there are actual plans for this site. 

That doesn't mean a thing...Astroworld Site had "actual plans" too...

[Texasota]

True. But it's at least a step up from nothing at all.

[Montrose1100]

True. But it's at least a step up from nothing at all.

Or if they kept the Macy's building and just turned it into a parking garage.

[Moore713]

Or if they kept the Macy's building and just turned it into a parking garage.

And that is the kind of boring thinking that has keep downtown with a bad rep..lets turn prime poperty into a damn parking spot..sigh.. I was looking at the area yesterday and it dawn on me even if this project fell though this would be a prime place for a second discovery green type and would not harm the retail plan for Dallas st

[ZKB9]

And that is the kind of boring thinking that has keep downtown with a bad rep..lets turn prime poperty into a damn parking spot..sigh.. I was looking at the area yesterday and it dawn on me even if this project fell though this would be a prime place for a second discovery green type and would not harm the retail plan for Dallas st

That might kind of cool, actually. I remember in some other thread somebody raised the idea of a sunken plaza, that might be cool here.

 

[cloud713]

That might kind of cool, actually. I remember in some other thread somebody raised the idea of a sunken plaza, that might be cool here.

Ha, that was probably me. I thought it would be a neat idea and someone showed that a firm made renderings for one similar to what I described. It would be cool but I would rather see a tower here. Besides, they have this vision of 100% retail/ect around the main/Dallas intersection so I doubt they would want a park there. There was a plan for a sunken plaza along Dallas near Austin I think, in the mixed use/downtown retail PDF plans posted on the downtown Houstons websites development section

[Moore713]

That might kind of cool, actually. I remember in some other thread somebody raised the idea of a sunken plaza, that might be cool here.

 

I had not thought about a sunken plaza, did,nt the old foley building use to tie into the tunnels as well, so you could  exit the tunnels right into the plaza.. it would do what Houston has been trying to do for years tie the tunnels and the streets together

[KinkaidAlum]

100% underwhelming. We lose Foley's and gain a suburban-looking office tower with a garage facing Main Street Square. When I heard it was going to be 23 floors, I was hoping it would be some sort of architectural marvel but this thing is a total "moo."

[Moore713]

100% underwhelming. We lose Foley's and gain a suburban-looking office tower with a garage facing Main Street Square. When I heard it was going to be 23 floors, I was hoping it would be some sort of architectural marvel but this thing is a total "moo."

yeahh your in the minority of people who think that train wreak of a building was worth saving.. I would take this glass building over that windowless box anyday

[KinkaidAlum]

I've got no problems being in the minority. Following the herd is overrated.

 

Also, did you see me mention the architecture of the Foley's building anywhere in my post? No, you didn't. I actually thought the building itself was ugly. However, having worked downtown for many years, I can tell you how nice it was to have a Foley's right down the block. I got a lot of stuff done on lunch breaks and it allowed me to avoid the Galleria. It was nice seeing little old ladies riding the bus/train downtown to shop and the window displays during the various Holidays was a helluva lot better to look at than a parking garage.

 

 

[Moore713]

I've got no problems being in the minority. Following the herd is overrated.

 

Also, did you see me mention the architecture of the Foley's building anywhere in my post? No, you didn't. I actually thought the building itself was ugly. However, having worked downtown for many years, I can tell you how nice it was to have a Foley's right down the block. I got a lot of stuff done on lunch breaks and it allowed me to avoid the Galleria. It was nice seeing little old ladies riding the bus/train downtown to shop and the window displays during the various Holidays was a helluva lot better to look at than a parking garage.

want makes you you thing that the ground floor will not have reatail ?

[H-Town Man]

want makes you you thing that the ground floor will not have reatail ?

Still a parking garage even if it has retail.

If zoning had been approved the last time it was voted on a couple decades ago, Main St. would have 2 parking garages between Texas and Dallas instead of 7 (8 with this one). Makes you think.

[monarch]

100% underwhelming. We lose Foley's and gain a suburban-looking office tower with a garage facing Main Street Square. When I heard it was going to be 23 floors, I was hoping it would be some sort of architectural marvel but this thing is a total "moo."

 

 

I absolutely concur KinkaidAlum.  It's almost as if this big green glassed amateur just stood up.....  and turned it's ass upon Main Street.

 

If it wasn't so shocking / sad.....  if would be hilarious!

Edited November 2, 2013 by monarch

[lockmat]

want makes you you thing that the ground floor will not have reatail ?

Still a parking garage even if it has retail.

If zoning had been approved the last time it was voted on a couple decades ago, Main St. would have 2 parking garages between Texas and Dallas instead of 7 (8 with this one). Makes you think.

This is downtown Houston, it will be an extremely rare occasion when something will be built without a garage.

Plus, you can't even tell its a garage. It actually probably looks better as a garage than BG Group.

Also, i don't know much about architecture but people are always complaining about scale. Doesn't the building set back from the garage give it a better pedestrian scale? Infinitejim?

[LTAWACS]

Developer: Hines

Architect: Ziegler Cooper

Very underwhelming, bland, and disappointing.

[nativehoustonion]

I think it is a nice design.  What do you want a Egypt pyramid?  Or you want another Williams Tower there?

[H-Town Man]

This is downtown Houston, it will be an extremely rare occasion when something will be built without a garage.

I didn't say anything would have been built without a garage. But zoning could have required that any new developments on Main put their garages on Fannin or Travis.