Jump to content

Aris At Market Square: 32-Story High-Rise At 409 Travis St.


Mab

Recommended Posts

There is really no reason to turn down the development when you think about it. This city is building building building!

 

Sure there is. It's a historical district. Have you ever seen developers grovel before the commission? It's pretty good tv. Their meetings are aired every other Wednesday I think on one of the public access channels. I think HCC tv or city of Houston tv, something like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This isn't an $800,000 house in the Heights. This is a massive, expensive, important project downtown. Even if the commission ends up having some problems with it, I don't see them stopping it.

 

I hope they don't. But the commission denies or delays COA's very often. They deny them to home owners in the Heights and developers along main street. Like I said I hope they don't, but just because you feel it's important plays no bearing on whether a COA is approved. Nobody is putting a gun to Hine's head and forcing them to build inside a historical district. They are choosing to build there and thus are under the jurisdiction of the commission.

 

http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/HistoricPreservationManual/new_construction.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If, for the sake of argument, HAHC denies or defers it, that will delay it a maximum of 6 weeks. it will easily pass planning commission on appeal.

 

I sincerely doubt it will get that far though. This is a many-multi-million dollar project. HAHC is as subject to political pressure as anyone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am glad there's a commission and I am glad that Hines is trying to cooperate and be respectful of the environment.

 

Remember, an entire block fronting Market Square was destroyed in the 1980s by a developer who did the demolition in the middle of the night without permits. We then were "gifted" the wonderful Kim Son Garage instead of having a block that looked similar to where Warren's Inn is located.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sure there is. It's a historical district. Have you ever seen developers grovel before the commission? It's pretty good tv. Their meetings are aired every other Wednesday I think on one of the public access channels. I think HCC tv or city of Houston tv, something like that.

This is true!

I remember watching Tilman Fertitta at the podium getting the third degree when he was trying to get the Downtown Aquarium approved. Boy did they not like that guy!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Remember, an entire block fronting Market Square was destroyed in the 1980s by a developer who did the demolition in the middle of the night without permits. We then were "gifted" the wonderful Kim Son Garage instead of having a block that looked similar to where Warren's Inn is located.

 

LINK? Would like to hear more about this.

 

TY

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have vague memories from the 70s of Market Square being surrounded by a lot more cool old buildings.  Especially on the west and (I think) the south sides.  I remember the "Kim Son" garage replacing some of them.  However, the Chronicle also put in a garage in that era, but I don't recall what it replaced.  Anyone know?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have vague memories from the 70s of Market Square being surrounded by a lot more cool old buildings.  Especially on the west and (I think) the south sides.  I remember the "Kim Son" garage replacing some of them.  However, the Chronicle also put in a garage in that era, but I don't recall what it replaced.  Anyone know?

 

Is the Chronicle's garage really that "new"?  It looks like it's about 200 years old.  That thing really needs to be torn down.  One of the biggest filthiest eyesores in downtown Houston.   Gawd, I hate the Chronicle.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Works for me. Where is block 35? If it's that empty block on lower Main I'll faint.

 

http://downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2012-04-09/Downtown_block_numbering.pdf

 

Block 35 is bounded by Louisiana, Preston, Milam, and Congress. Half the block is surface parking, the other half is a 5-ish story parking garage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Moar renderings.

9730445165_3730c292fe_b.jpg

9730446349_4914d7dd3d_b.jpg

Here's the best part, another apartment tower is planned, and International Tower is 46-floors.

 

 

Rendering porn! Thanks for the info Urbannizer.  And that other apartment tower is news to me.  Looks like Market Square is really starting to make a return on investment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the Travis St. elevation what's the little 3 storey bldg with balconies north of the bldg?

Also looks like a complete structural redesign in that there's more and thinner columns compared to before.

 

I think we have a thread about it somewhere on here - I don't remember exactly what it is supposed to be. I'm sure someone out there remembers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we have a thread about it somewhere on here - I don't remember exactly what it is supposed to be. I'm sure someone out there remembers.

Well it's to the north of Frank's/BigBad bldg so maybe it's part of this development. Like a faux bldg that's actually a utilites alleyway with a facade-fence. Edited by infinite_jim
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...