lockmat Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 via Swamplot, could this be the project they announce? Or will it be a 4-story apartment building on the old Turnberry site? lolHines Hines Latest from The Business Journals Follow this company , the homegrown mega-developer of office buildings and all things related to commercial real estate, plans to announce its newest Houston project April 4 at the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors’ Society of Industrial and Office Realtors Latest from The Business Journals Follow this company Commercial Expo 2012.http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2012/03/30/latest-hines-project-in-houston-gets.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nate Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 via Swamplot, could this be the project they announce? Or will it be a 4-story apartment building on the old Turnberry site? lolYou probably wouldn't choose to announce an apartment building at a meeting of industrial and office brokers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 YAYYYYY!!!!!!!!! Man, Houston is on FIYAH!!!! So much development EVERYWHERE. The only thing I don't like about a skyscraper in this location is it gets lost among the other buildings. It would be shadowed by Chase and or take away from Chase's prominence. Anybody feel that way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 (edited) YAYYYYY!!!!!!!!! Man, Houston is on FIYAH!!!! So much development EVERYWHERE. The only thing I don't like about a skyscraper in this location is it gets lost among the other buildings. It would be shadowed by Chase and or take away from Chase's prominence. Anybody feel that way?Ummm, I'm not so sure. MainPlace imo actually kinda gets lost in the shadows. We need a more visible tower to go up. Ok, maybe not need, but it'll be nice. Plus, chase is so big, I think surrounding it with shorter buildings will only magnify it.We need to find an admin on Linkedin, someone low on the totum pole, that will spill the beans! ;p Edited March 30, 2012 by lockmat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Ummm, I'm not so sure. MainPlace imo actually kinda gets lost in the shadows. We need a more visible tower to go up. Ok, maybe not need, but it'll be nice. Plus, chase is so big, I think surrounding it with shorter buildings will only magnify it. One thing I don't like about the Houston skyline from certain angles is that it doesn't appear very dense. there are a bunch of towers that can be seen from west on Buffalo Bayou but it looks like there is a lot of space between them. So even if a building is in the shadows, I think it only enhances that view, even if it's not the most prominent. I guess Main Place is a bad example though because it can't be seen from that angle. Also I just realized that Chase doesn't look like much from this angle either. Houston Skyline Panorama by J-a-x, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I agree, Jax, on the gaps issue. That's why I like the view from the SE side of town so much, it looks more dense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Yep. I have a nice view on my roof from the west but I'm kind of bummed I can only see a tiny sliver of MainPlace. Hopefully the net building to go up will make an impact on my view! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 (edited) One thing I don't like about the Houston skyline from certain angles is that it doesn't appear very dense. there are a bunch of towers that can be seen from west on Buffalo Bayou but it looks like there is a lot of space between them. So even if a building is in the shadows, I think it only enhances that view, even if it's not the most prominent. I guess Main Place is a bad example though because it can't be seen from that angle.I think alot of this is just the street grid being in alignment with the view. Edited March 30, 2012 by woolie 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I think alot of this is just the street grid being in alignment with the view.It is 100% because of the street grid aligning with the view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) You probably wouldn't choose to announce an apartment building at a meeting of industrial and office brokers....Taking that into consideration, it seems likely that this would be for a big project. You wouldnt pick this conference to unveil a simple 20-story building?!? This seems more like a "Splash" making announcement. And also, if it is indeed the Texas/Capitol/Main lot, I would expect any project Hines does here to have ground floor retail and restaurants due to the site's close proximity to Metro's planned "Central Station" and the convergence of 3 light rail lines. Edited March 31, 2012 by tigereye 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Taking that into consideration, it seems likely that this would be for a big project. You wouldn't pick this conference to unveil a simple 20-story building?!? This seems more like a "Splash" making announcement.And also, if it is indeed the Texas/Capitol/Main lot, I would expect any project Hines does here to have ground floor retail and restaurants due to the site's close proximity to Metro's planned "Central Station" and the convergence of 3 light rail lines.I wonder if the rendering will be drastically different than the previous rendering we saw a few years back for a Hines building on this site. that one was pretty bland and generic so hopefully the city's new direction will force Hines to make this building more dynamic.I'm not sure how the magnolia is doing but a mixed-use Office, Hotel (maybe a few end condos at the top), Retail building on this lot would be perfect. I know Hines has done these type of projects in other cities. Couple that with the fact that the city is BEGGING developers to add hotel space, even to the point where they are offering attractive incentives for those who do.Unfortunately, they are not getting a whole lot of takers and had to develop the Hilton on their own and are now looking to develop a second hotel on the other side of Discovery Green, which was another city of Houston development.Like the old saying goes :If you want things done right, do it yourself" and the city of Houston is all in on this philosophy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'm skeptical to be honest. Why would Hines compete with itself when the paint so-to-speak on MainPlace isn't even dry yet? Unless Mainplace is near capacity already, I find it hard to believe that Hines would unveil a glistening new tower a few blocks away. But then again I'll admit that I am not well ''versed'' in this subject. Mainplace is the tallest office building to be built in Houston in a LONG time. I doubt we will see another building of the same magnitude. Then again, I've been wrong before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I'm skeptical to be honest. Why would Hines compete with itself when the paint so-to-speak on MainPlace isn't even dry yet? Unless Mainplace is near capacity already, I find it hard to believe that Hines would unveil a glistening new tower a few blocks away. But then again I'll admit that I am not well ''versed'' in this subject. Mainplace is the tallest office building to be built in Houston in a LONG time. I doubt we will see another building of the same magnitude. Then again, I've been wrong before.It would take a couple years for a project announced tomorrow to have tenants move in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) Everyone likes tall buildings, but I'm really of the position that we need more midrise and small highrise structures downtown. The streetscape is so discontinuous, there are large parking lots even in the center of all the very tall highrises. I think we already have enough 40+ story buildings downtown, and I would be surprised if there is *ever* another 60+ story building in Houston. That era is over.In dream land, downtown would have more 6-10 story small office buildings, and apartment buildings of roughly the same size, clustering around the vast disused but LRT-adjacent areas. There are office buildings of this size strung along every freeway in town. I just wish more of them were in part of an urban fabric, not just bumps surrounded by gated employee parking. I suppose most of these were built in the 70s and 80s before the current "urban revival" around the country...... but I go to a place like the Memorial City development and think "If only this effort was used to build a real urban fabric, not just a thin veneer around a typical, totally controlled suburban development." I know it can be done, even in contemporary America -- Portland, modern Los Angeles... Also, as long as I'm in Sim City God Mode, I would demolish the Pierce Elevated. Anyway end rant. Edited March 31, 2012 by woolie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Everyone likes tall buildings, but I'm really of the position that we need more midrise and small highrise structures downtown. The streetscape is so discontinuous, there are large parking lots even in the center of all the very tall highrises.In the 64 square block area from Prairie to Polk, and from Bagby to Fannin, there are only 2 parking lots. One of them is the subject of this thread, and is hardly considered "in the center" of all the highrises, being east of Main Street. There is only one surface parking lot in the middle of the highrise cluster...but apparently that one lot REALLY bothers you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 In Sim City's god mode, you could build a steep hill along the route of the Pierce Elevated, tunnel through it, and then after that you could submerge the middle of the tunnel into a lake...or a vast ocean supposing you wish to create a beachfront park along the edge of downtown Houston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 That would be much cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) Large parts of downtown are surface lots, even areas directly adjacent to current or planned LRT stations. I travel frequently and can't help but make comparisons. Downtown has a fantastic skyline, but beyond that... I'm not criticizing this project, just grumbling about the overall state of things. Edited March 31, 2012 by woolie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) Large parts of downtown are surface lots, even areas directly adjacent to current or planned LRT stations. I travel frequently and can't help but make comparisons. Downtown has a fantastic skyline, but beyond that... I'm not criticizing this project, just grumbling about the overall state of things.There is a huge difference between the above statement and this one...there are large parking lots even in the center of all the very tall highrises.Certainly, I agree there are numerous surface lots surrounding Minute Maid in the northeast quadrant of downtown, and in the southest quadrant, even as far west as Travis. But, when you couldn't resist the delicious temptation to drop into the bottomless pit of hyperbole, I felt compelled to correct your egregious error. There is only one surface lot in the center of the skyline district.By the way, while grumbling about the "overall state of things", have you stopped to consider that Houston's hideous parking lots are actually full, while many of those beautiful buildings and parking garages in the other cities are half empty? I'll bet you a month's salary that Atlanta would trade its empty buildings for our full surface lots in a heartbeat. Edited April 1, 2012 by RedScare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) I spend so much time daydreaming because it's my every day surroundings. I've been interested in these urban issues since I was a kid, and I pay close attention to the streetscape. I love to walk and ride my bike around midtown and downtown, and stare out the train windows several times per week. It's why I live where I do, and why I read this forum.Speaking of empty buildings -- Houston's economy has always been on a different cycle than the rest of the country; we're up right now, but we've been down before. And back then, there were even more surface lots.Anyway, I'm not going to derail this thread any more. I've been drafting a post in my head about these issues for a while; I'll keep them collected until it's a cogent narrative, and stop spilling them into random threads. Edited April 1, 2012 by woolie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Forget about Downtown and Midtown. You should ride your bike more westward, into Southampton/Boulevard Oaks. There are more pedestrians, its prettier, and I think that the presence of people like you and I pisses off the NIMBY property owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Forget about Downtown and Midtown. You should ride your bike more westward, into Southampton/Boulevard Oaks. There are more pedestrians, its prettier, and I think that the presence of people like you and I pisses off the NIMBY property owners. Haha, well, my username refers to my wild hair and great big bushy red beard. I love the stares when I'm in "the right kinds of places." Although I usually get hassled by the police when I'm out taking pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister X Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) Remember this? It's a little 2007ish but maybe its time has come. Edited April 1, 2012 by Mister X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 If the building depicted in the rendering above were built that would be incredible. One of the more architecturally interesting things in the Houston skyline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I also like the building above, but the streets of lava are much more impressive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 just under 50 stories... should be well received on here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 (edited) I'm gonna guess an approximate mirrored tower of 811 Main St., by Pickard Chilton again. The massing seems to work w/r/t the Chase tower and it's exactly a block away from 811 Main.This will certainly be more exciting if it's taller than 811 Main but material choice is a no-brainer considering it's historic nab. Another glass skyscraper would look nice from the east side of town but as in other's assumptions the western flank of the grid is almost complete and Brookfield holds those cards atm. Edited April 1, 2012 by infinite_jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 just under 50 stories... should be well received on here.NICE. So it grew, eh? Last I heard, which was well over a year ago, Hines was planning on a 34 story tower. Just under 50 would put it in the 650-700 foot range depending upon how many garage floors and if there's some sort of crown on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 just under 50 stories... should be well received on here.Is this assumption or something you heard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Dude, don't doubt swtsig 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Is this assumption or something you heard?strictly based on what i've seen which could definitely be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Well, today's the big day! Any guesses on how big the new building will be? I'm going with 40 stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisPHous Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I'll Price is Right you and say 41 stories with street level retail on all sides of the building Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 haha, the project won't be announced until at least 4pm. The expo is from 4-8pm at the Westin Galleria 3rd floor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) nm Edited April 4, 2012 by Houston19514 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Well, today's the big day! Any guesses on how big the new building will be? I'm going with 40 stories.Sweet, early "Christmas" for me! For some reason I was thinking the announcement was tomorrow. I'm going with 53 stories. Retail space for a restaurant. No spire and let's throw in some condos while we're at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) My Price is Right: 25 stories office (no residential, no hotel), one side of retail. Edited April 4, 2012 by woolie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 My Price is Right: 25 stories office (no residential, no hotel), one side of retail.pooIs the garage beside or underneath? If underneath, is garage included in the 25? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 If that is true...What an utter disappointment and a waste of "I can't wait till Wednesday" mentality. Sure is a let down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 48 stories with garage in the bldg. glass curtain wall. BIG improvement over the one time drive-thru McDonald's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 If that is true...What an utter disappointment and a waste of "I can't wait till Wednesday" mentality. Sure is a let down.I think that was his prediction, not an actual report on information. Not sure about Kinkaidalum's comment either. Guess we'll have to wait for an actual report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) EDIT: http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-15-11-what-recession-hines-plans-another-new-office-tower-at-block-69-for-downtown-houston/Based on this article last year and the way Hines speaks of the site's potential, my prediction: 50 stories, curved glass curtain wall facade with a crown, ground floor retail with tunnel connection, and on-site garage. Edited April 4, 2012 by tigereye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 It was just my prediction. I'm a pessimist We'll know in 30 minutes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Well then, since you are going to be pessimistic Woolie haha, I'll go with at least a 38 stories. Ground retail and restaurant with a glass facade. A LEED Gold rating and no residential.Please Rod Roddy, from the afterlife, call me down as the next contestant on The Price Is Right (fingers crossed!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 kinkaid is right - 48 stories, 36 office over 12 garage. can't recall retail component. architecture is interesting, a lot of sharp lines if that makes any sense - or at least per the rendering i've seen. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I was kind of hoping over 50. Wasn't the economy on the decline when MainPlace was announced? It's on the rise now, but I guess Hines is playing it conservative. Or maybe they are announcing TWO 48 story towers! muahahahaaaa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Please be above 50! Is there a live blog for this, like an Apple event? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Please be above 50! Is there a live blog for this, like an Apple event? You would think someone there would tweet it at the very least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolie Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Pics or it didn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) 48 stories with garage in the bldg. glass curtain wall. BIG improvement over the one time drive-thru McDonald's. kinkaid is right - 48 stories, 36 office over 12 garage. can't recall retail component. architecture is interesting, a lot of sharp lines if that makes any sense - or at least per the rendering i've seen. I take it the new skyscraper doesn't remotely resemble the old original Hines proposal?!? This has a garage below but doesnt look like its 48 stories... http://swamplot.com/secret-hines-tower-land-in-hand/2008-05-19/ Edited April 4, 2012 by tigereye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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