Office Tower In Downtown At 1111 Travis St.

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

dibs on the 8th floor parking garage at the Pavilions... A coworker and I will be there, drinks and cameras in hand... LOL

[ricco67]

I don't see that happening. That's still too close.

Views for this are going to suck.

[infinite_jim]

Definitely a lack of public places to view this and it will still be dark at 6:10 am. I'll be honest I could get a close up view but am declining for general health reasons. I do have a view of the Travis St. urban canyon so I'll probably snap a few pics of the dust up through the dawn light.

Edited August 16, 2013 by infinite_jim

[Joke]

I have zero knowledge of demolition, so apologies if these are dumb questions.

 

I work next door to the Macy's (29th floor of the 1000 Main builiding, right across Lamar). Any chance that I'll be able to go into my office that Sunday morning to watch the demolition? Or will they require evacuation of all the buildings in the 9-block area?

[ricco67]

It's a fair guess they won't allow anyone within a block facing the demo to be able to look outside the glass windows facing it.

[Howard Huge]

I dont feel like digging through the thread, what will be going up here again?

[Nate99]

I dont feel like digging through the thread, what will be going up here again?

 

Hillcorp is building a tower, I think.

 

No renderings, scant details, IIRC

[Howard Huge]

Hillcorp is building a tower, I think.

No renderings, scant details, IIRC

Thank you, sir.

[fatesdisastr]

Anyone else planning on making it to demo morning bright and early on Sept 22nd?

[Howard Huge]

Anyone else planning on making it to demo morning bright and early on Sept 22nd?

Yes.

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

we're having a huge party just outside the blast zone. There WILL be cameras set up with a clear view of the explosions (see, now THAT is a performance... cheering, jumping, and explosions...LOL), and brunch afterwards  

[Howard Huge]

we're having a huge party just outside the blast zone. There WILL be cameras set up with a clear view of the explosions (see, now THAT is a performance... cheering, jumping, and explosions...LOL), and brunch afterwards

Who's "we"?

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

a lot of people I work with

[HoustonMidtown]

Swamplot reports that it will be imploded at 6:10 am that day.

 

http://swamplot.com/metro-taking-cover-now-that-macys-implosions-impending/2013-08-15/

 

 

Edit: Metro has to remove light posts, wire, etc. Could cause minor problems.

 

HBJ also confirms Sept 22

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/08/16/downtown-houston-macys-demolition-set.html

[TowerSpotter]

CBS says the Owner plans retail for the site.

 

houston.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/crews-to-raze-macys-downtown-houston-store/

Edited August 19, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[lockmat]

CBS says the Owner plans retail for the site.

houston.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/crews-to-raze-macys-downtown-houston-store/

Your link didn't work for me but this one says the same, with no specifics of the retail.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9210794

Edited August 19, 2013 by lockmat

[TowerSpotter]

Should work now

 

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/crews-to-raze-macys-downtown-houston-store/

[Howard Huge]

Should work now

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2013/08/19/crews-to-raze-macys-downtown-houston-store/

SPLASH!

Good find, spotter

[Urbannizer]

Whats next for Macy's downtown Houston site? Officials, Developers Remain Quiet

http://m.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/08/officials-developers-remain-quiet-on.html

[cloud713]

for some reason i could of sworn i read somewhere that an energy company was building a 29ish story tower at that site? dont take it as fact though, i think it was just in the comments of one of the forums i read.  i may be getting it confused with a different lot on main street. who knows.

Edited August 21, 2013 by cloud713

[Houston19514]

No.  You are not confused.  (Except perhaps the 29 story part)  An affiliate of Hilcorp owns the property.  Rumor was that Hilcorp had shown its employees renderings of a "regular looking office building over 20 stories high."   We were also told here that it would be 23 stories, elliptical shaped.   Take the rumors for what they are worth.  ;-)

Edited August 21, 2013 by Houston19514

[jt16]

It's owned by hildebrand ventures, whose owner also owns rapidly growing Hilcorp Energy.

[cloud713]

No.  You are not confused.  (Except perhaps the 29 story part)  An affiliate of Hilcorp owns the property.  Rumor was that Hilcorp had shown its employees renderings of a "regular looking office building over 20 stories high."   We were also told here that it would be 23 stories, elliptical shaped.   Take the rumors for what they are worth.  ;-)

 

oh yeah, thats the same one im talking about. the design sounds intriguing but i wish the height was a bit taller. ah well, hopefully it will be a gem.

[KinkaidAlum]

Maybe downtown will get a River Oaks Donut!

[fatesdisastr]

Maybe downtown will get a River Oaks Donut!

 

Not to get off topic but their blueberry donuts are crazy delish. Okay now back to our regularly scheduled topic

[Triton]

Where's a good viewing angle for this demo? Again, this demo is occurring sometime around 5 or 6am? I want to be there when it happens... 

[Naviguessor]

Biznow mentioned today that Hines may be involved in this project. Is this true or has it been previously discussed? That's got to be a good thing.

[Triton]

Sooooo.... Houston Greenstreet it is??

[TowerSpotter]

Biznow mentioned today that Hines may be involved in this project. Is this true or has it been previously discussed? That's got to be a good thing.

 

I just read the whole thing earlier today and re-read again but don't see anything about Hines being involved with Macy's redevelopment. 

[MaggieMay]

Where's a good viewing angle for this demo? Again, this demo is occurring sometime around 5 or 6am? I want to be there when it happens... 

I doubt there will be a good viewing angle with public access.  The "perimeter" will no doubt be published before the event, but everybody will be kept a block or two away.  There will be highrises a few blocks away with good views; those who work in those buildings & have weekend access might get lucky.  Still, not for the public. 

 

With luck, there will be a camera (or cameras) for internet viewing.  But you'll be able to hear it.....

 

The fluctuating rumors on what will replace the store really irritate me.  It was doing business well enough & was only closed by the landlords.  If the land stays empty for long or becomes a parking lot, I will be miffed.  Especially because I wait for light rail 5 mornings a week, right between the deconstructed Foley's & the empty monument to Bobby Sakowitz's bad decisions....

Edited August 22, 2013 by MaggieMay

[arrodiii]

The "perimeter" will no doubt be published before the event, but everybody will be kept a block or two away.

They have already published what the perimeter will be:

 

http://swamplot.com/metro-taking-cover-now-that-macys-implosions-impending/2013-08-15/

[Naviguessor]

I just read the whole thing earlier today and re-read again but don't see anything about Hines being involved with Macy's redevelopment. 

Oops, Tower.  Your right.  It wasn't mentioned in Bisnow. However, is was referenced in HBJ.

 

Qte:

Unconfirmed reports suggest Houston-based developer Hines may be involved with the next structure on the site. However, the company would not comment either way on the subject.

Unqte:

 

Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/08/officials-developers-remain-quiet-on.html

 

Thanks for fact checking me.

[TowerSpotter]

Oops, Tower.  Your right.  It wasn't mentioned in Bisnow. However, is was referenced in HBJ.

 

Qte:

Unconfirmed reports suggest Houston-based developer Hines may be involved with the next structure on the site. However, the company would not comment either way on the subject.

Unqte:

 

Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/08/officials-developers-remain-quiet-on.html

 

Thanks for fact checking me.

 

haha, that explains that. Anyways Bisnow says there is a rumor that a Class-A office building would replace Macys, maybe your right Naviguessor, Hine's might be involved. 

 

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/four-ways-to-backfill-retail/

 

 

"Demolition and redevelopment is especially likely inside the Loop. The biggest example now is the former Macy's Downtown. It added 791k SF of vacancy to the market in Q1, but now it's being torn down. (Rumors say it's being developed into a Class-A office building, but no one's confirming it.) Randy points out it doesn't have to become a new use; consider BLVD Place's redevelopment."

Edited August 22, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[Houston19514]

Biznow mentioned today that Hines may be involved in this project. Is this true or has it been previously discussed? That's got to be a good thing.

 

Sadly, Hines' "involvement" in no way guarantees a good project.  They were involved with the hideous new parking garage on Main Street just a few years ago.

[Naviguessor]

Nope.  Never any guarantees.  However, over all, Hines' track record is hard to beat.  In Houston, anyway. 

[Houston19514]

^  Agreed, when it's  Hines' project and they are the owner and developer.  But when they are just "involved" (i.e. being project manager), they have no control of the design quality and all bets are off.

 

Having said that, from what we've heard out of Hilcorp (which isn't much I admit), I think we can expect a quality project.

[Triton]

Well whoops! I drove down there at 6am thinking it was this morning. I was really confused when I saw a woman with a stroller walking next to the building and then the light rail passing it by like nothing... Thought the date was August 22nd. September 22nd makes more sense though since it's a Sunday morning rather than a work day. Either way, good thing I only live 5 minutes away so it wasn't as humiliating. hahah!

[fatesdisastr]

Well whoops! I drove down there at 6am thinking it was this morning. I was really confused when I saw a woman with a stroller walking next to the building and then the light rail passing it by like nothing... Thought the date was August 22nd. September 22nd makes more sense though since it's a Sunday morning rather than a work day. Either way, good thing I only live 5 minutes away so it wasn't as humiliating. hahah!

 

Haha I certainly know that I appreciate you sharing your humiliation and embarrassment with us. It sounds like something I would do sadly as well. Gave me a good laugh.

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

I have been scouting locations for my 'And Boom Goes The Dynamite" party being held on that morning.

 

the ONLY good place to see it is... ooh.... ack.... I think I'm having cardia.... accc... choke.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

(sorry, can't tell.. I'm ok...lol)

[rsb320]

It looks like it has been wired with explosives.

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

24 days until 'and boom goes the dynamite'  

[HoustonMidtown]

24 days until 'and boom goes the dynamite'  

 

LOL @ Cleveland !!

[infinite_jim]

Demo of the exterior overhangs is in full swing now.

[Jax]

Today on my way home from work at the Metro station.

 

 

[Triton]

And we still don't have a rendering of the building replacing it?

[j_cuevas713]

Im sure they will come sure enough but its still tough to see this go. The good thing is that it can only get better not worse. Nothing is worse than a parking lot.

[Urbannizer]

9/12 by the Houston Chronicle

 

[Subdude]

Im sure they will come sure enough but its still tough to see this go. The good thing is that it can only get better not worse. Nothing is worse than a parking lot.

 

This is the potential downtown development that I worry about the most, and the lack of renderings or any detail on their plans doesn't give me any confidence.  Any downturn in the economy and we can expect a lot of plans to be scuttled "temporarily" in favor of surface parking.  That is what happened on the adjacent block (now Reliant).  Same thing on the block that was supposed to have held the Bank of the Southwest tower.  The existing structure was torn down and never replaced. 

 

If they don't develop something a surface lot will harm any plans to develop Dallas St as a retail "district". 

[Nate99]

Interesting looking at the Travis St. side. You will notice that they have cables threaded through the wall, I'm guessing that they are providing some tension inward so it will collapse in to itself once the BOOM happens.

 

[j_cuevas713]

This is the potential downtown development that I worry about the most, and the lack of renderings or any detail on their plans doesn't give me any confidence. Any downturn in the economy and we can expect a lot of plans to be scuttled "temporarily" in favor of surface parking. That is what happened on the adjacent block (now Reliant). Same thing on the block that was supposed to have held the Bank of the Southwest tower. The existing structure was torn down and never replaced.

If they don't develop something a surface lot will harm any plans to develop Dallas St as a retail "district".

You make a very solid point which I agree with. The only optimism I hold on to is how fast developers are jumping on starting new projects. Its at such a feverish pace that I personally believe we could hear somethibg as soon as this is torn down. Its a prime piece of real estate.