Tumbleweed_Tx 1954 Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 looks like they're gutting the interior and starting over again- probably an asbestos abatement. There's a chute on the north side of the building for the waste... all the curtains are gone, the windows open. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LarryDierker 3430 Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Took the train into downtown last Saturday for beer fest and the last stop was Downtown Transit Center due to construction. As we walked past the Savoy the trash shoot was loud as a lot of junk was going through it. and there was a dust cloud in the air from all the trash. My friends were like wtf?, but I knew ,having read haif religously since i don't know when. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infinite_jim 945 Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Took the train into downtown last Saturday for beer fest and the last stop was Downtown Transit Center due to construction. As we walked past the Savoy the trash shoot was loud as a lot of junk was going through it. and there was a dust cloud in the air from all the trash. My friends were like wtf?, but I knew ,having read haif religously since i don't know when. Did it look like this? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClutchCity 233 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 (edited) Was driving down Travis this morning and noticed someone surveying the surface parking lot that takes up the other half of the Savoy's block. Anyone have an idea it's for? Why would they need to survey the whole block for renovations on the already existing building? Edited August 23, 2013 by ClutchCity 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChannelTwoNews 2973 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Was driving down Travis this morning and noticed someone surveying the surface parking lot that takes up the other half of the Savoy's block. Anyone have an idea it's for? Why would they need to survey the whole block for renovations on the already existing building? An expansion of the base/lobby area? All I'd seen before was just regarding the current tower, but maybe there are plans to modernize the entry area that haven't been mentioned yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KinkaidAlum 2916 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Parking garage with amenities on top would be my guess. Full-service Holiday Inns usually have things like banquet rooms, meeting facilities, pools, and full service restaurants and there's very little room in the original building for those things. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infinite_jim 945 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) Edited September 22, 2013 by infinite_jim 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3493 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Wow based upon the variance request Im assuming this project is a for sure thing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infinite_jim 945 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 That's new glass they're installing. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4095 Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Will the building not be getting a new glass curtain wall? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3493 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I mean as long as this thing is brought back to life that's all I care about. Just happy to finally see these abandoned buildings on the southern part of downtown get revitalized. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Texasota 3332 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Yeah, I'm not sure *every* tower downtown needs to be solid glass. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Subdude 1619 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Yeah, I'm not sure *every* tower downtown needs to be solid glass. I would very much agree. Drastic remodeling to appear "modern" rarely seems to be a good idea in the long run. Better to stick with the period charm. In evidence I offer 806 Main, the Lamar Hotel, the West Building and others that were modernized in the 1960s. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4095 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I agree every tower doesn't need a shiny new glass curtain wall, but this building doesn't look that great with all the exposed concrete IMO. Maybe ill be surprised.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Subdude 1619 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I expect they'll give it a nice new paint job, or more likely, give it the fake stucco treatment. That always seems to be popular with hotels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonBoy 271 Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Hopefully not! ^ all glass is sweet but not ALL the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 45613 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mfastx 560 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Doesn't look like too much is going on, besides new windows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infinite_jim 945 Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Doesn't look like too much is going on, besides new windows.The limestone clad pilasters on the street level have been removed. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Doesn't look like too much is going on, besides new windows. I think someone or an article the other day said all the work done so far was on the inside. I need to find out what block this is. Seems a little strange that construction has started but no rendering has been made public. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4095 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 I think someone or an article the other day said all the work done so far was on the inside. I need to find out what block this is. Seems a little strange that construction has started but no rendering has been made public.ha, i was just doing some searching on google earlier trying to find a rendering of this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aarosurf 167 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 A rendering would be nice - I'm hoping they will spruce up the outside. The colors are dull the way it is now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Subdude 1619 Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Do you suppose they will keep that odd little balcony to nowhere? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ArchFan 326 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Yeah, I wonder what those 2 extruding slabs were for. Really bizarre, since they extend out from the masonry wall, not from an openable window or door. So ... resting site for birds? Tempting spot for suicide-prone people? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aarosurf 167 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Looks like that's where the proposed bldg (above the parking garage) would have "sky connected" to the existing bldg. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Howard Huge 2410 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Its a perch for your "Spider-man" and "Batman" types... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Howard Huge 2410 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 More new windows. lol 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Purpledevil 295 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I wonder if they've pulled out the old school shuttle bus/van from the garage yet? I'd love to get a hold of that beast and restore it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3493 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Anyone have a for sure update on this? After reading about the Old Central Square building somehow not being renovated, I want to make sure this doesn't pop up in a Swamplot article as well in the next few weeks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 12117 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I think Swamplot has it wrong. I even emailed him with no response. (the gentleman who writes the article). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Purdueenginerd 1509 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 I agree. I suspicious of the swamplot article. Why would they gut a building without a Purchase order for future plans? Unless theyre trying to make the building more appealing to developers... thats my only thought... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 5142 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 ^ Swamplot is quickly losing their credibility. They've always been a little heavy on the snark, but lately seem to be letting the desire for snark override the presentation of facts. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 45613 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 It seems as if the guy also doesn't check HAIF much anymore, because he can find new information on projects (and use that info to dig up more) here and post it on his website. We need a Curbed Houston or HAIF blog. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ClutchCity 233 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 It seems as if the guy also doesn't check HAIF much anymore, because he can find new information on projects (and use that info to dig up more) here and post it on his website. We need a Curbed Houston or HAIF blog.Or you could be a real estate reporter like Houston19514 suggested the other day! I mean the last HBJ weekly article I got from was a cut and paste of GHP's 2014 regional job forecast presentation. I mean it's $100 a year and that's the best they can do! You could do a much better job Urbannizer. Swamplot seems to be the bottom of the barrel now just posting whatever will get the most knee jerk reactions, and Nancy never follows up on a project so they either die and no one knows about it or they are just miraculously done(unless it's Exxon then it's aerials for days). You're information is always a lot better, Urbannizer. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downtownian 646 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Or you could be a real estate reporter like Houston19514 suggested the other day! I mean the last HBJ weekly article I got from was a cut and paste of GHP's 2014 regional job forecast presentation. I mean it's $100 a year and that's the best they can do! You could do a much better job Urbannizer. Swamplot seems to be the bottom of the barrel now just posting whatever will get the most knee jerk reactions, and Nancy never follows up on a project so they either die and no one knows about it or they are just miraculously done(unless it's Exxon then it's aerials for days). You're information is always a lot better, Urbannizer. Agree. Urbannizer, you should either start a blog and sell advertising similar to Swamplot or become a reporter. If you started a blog, I would read it daily. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 45613 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Maaaaaybeee, I dunno. Not always in Houston. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
downtownian 646 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I went to the Main Street TIRZ meeting this evening. Largely uneventful as they only have a budget of $9mm and have to make repair and small upgrades to the entire length of downtown Main Street (although the landscaping will look nice). In this photo of their South Downtown streetscape, there is a rendering of the renovated Holiday Inn. Not sure if the actual hotel rendering is from the actual owner: 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4095 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 wtf.. they left those stubs sticking out on the right side that was supposed to be for a skybridge to the old building or something? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2392 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) I went to the Main Street TIRZ meeting this evening. Largely uneventful as they only have a budget of $9mm and have to make repair and small upgrades to the entire length of downtown Main Street (although the landscaping will look nice). In this photo of their South Downtown streetscape, there is a rendering of the renovated Holiday Inn. Not sure if the actual hotel rendering is from the actual owner: Ah, I wanted to take a photo but wasn't sure if that'd be okay. I was the only one there tonight that wasn't a resident or works downtown. Edited February 4, 2014 by lockmat 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonBoy 271 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I was hoping they'd make if the "Holiday Inn: Savoy Houston." Bummer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avossos 2402 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 It doesn't look super official. Changes are possible Quote Link to post Share on other sites
democide 168 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Official or not, this is one ugly hotel, but from what I read on here it will be a cheap (perhaps even the cheapest) hotel option in downtown. I like that type of honesty so alright. But I wish they imploded it along with the building on the right (Days Inn). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
asubrt 779 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 But I wish they imploded it along with the building on the right (Days Inn). Careful, statements like that will have the preservationists on this board at your throat in no time. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Subdude 1619 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I'm frequently among the preservationists on the board, but in this case I don't think the Savoy has any particular architectural value that would merit its preservation. It's nice and all that they are re-using the existing building, but if they had chosen to demolish it wouldn't have been much of a loss. I kind of like it better with the revised paint scheme. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 5299 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Careful, statements like that will have the preservationists on this board at your throat in no time. Nah, as one of the "preservation twins," I can say it wouldn't be a big deal if either of these were imploded, and if it were the Days Inn, I'd help swing the wrecking ball myself. The thing about us preservationists, we don't just want to preserve buildings because they're old, but mainly if they are historically significant or contribute to the architectural landscape, like the Astrodome (world's first domed stadium) or 806 Main (Houston's first skyscraper) or the recently demolished Prudential Building (landmark example of an early modern skyscraper / Houston's first highrise outside of downtown). 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 8048 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 The Days Inn is quite something. I doubt that it will even make visually interesting urban decay as it rots away. It's freaking huge too in a sea of mostly empty lots. Maybe they'll eventually build tall buildings all around it and hide it from everyone. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Naviguessor 2368 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 ^^ It would make an interesting Bat Colony as the rendering suggests. Actually...I am sure it already is one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aarosurf 167 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I'd be very surprised if this is an actual rendering, considering it looks like it was done with MS paint. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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