Jump to content

2112

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 491
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Great shots, cityliving! 

Is there an updated opening date they’re targeting for this? Or is it still TBD? 

I think this is turning out to look really nice. Though I suppose once the fences all come down we’ll get a better idea of how it feels at street level. Hopefully much more inviting than its predecessor.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 6/26/2023 at 10:39 AM, bookey23 said:

Bayou Place is such an eye-sore. I pray that that's next on the development list for the Theater District

Replace it with something tall enough to provide substantial afternoon shade in the summer and you'll increase the value of the park.

Edited by Nate99
  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Nate99 said:

Replace it with something tall enough to provide substantial afternoon shade in the summer and you'll increase the value of the park.

Not a bad idea.  I'm not loving the square so far but maybe by the Fall it will be more appealing.  Bear in mind that the performing arts groups don't really perform downtown in the summertime.  The season kicks off in September.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Nate99 said:

Replace it with something tall enough to provide substantial afternoon shade in the summer and you'll increase the value of the park.

I agree with this, but I also think that the shade will get much better when those trees mature.

Also, my number one hope for Bayou Place redevelopment would be *some* form of street engagement along new & improved Bagby. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, steve1363 said:

Bear in mind that the performing arts groups don't really perform downtown in the summertime.  The season kicks off in September.

The library has miniature concerts every week at noon year-round.  I wonder if this plaza could do something like that, except on a daily basis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 5 weeks later...
40 minutes ago, tigereye said:

Did they nix the cascading water feature along Smith St? Looks like a pile of steps now without an enclosure for water. 
 

Really hope that this wasn’t a cost saving move.

I think it's still there.  Zoom in and you can see what are probably the jets or inlets where the water comes in to the feature.  The layout is pretty much as was shown in the renderings.

  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, hindesky said:

I think they plan on opening at the end of Sept. Workers were on site on Saturday when I took this pic.

BVwydGK.jpg

evbemIU.jpg

Symphony’s opening weekend is 9/29 - 10/1.  Perhaps they are coordinating with the grand opening of the park?

I don’t like those big bumper stickers on Jones Hall!  Take them off!

Edited by steve1363
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/17/2023 at 5:42 PM, steve1363 said:

The fountains were running today.  I’m not digging those yellow “foul pole” colored lamp posts.  Let’s paint them dark green or black, and please get rid of those tacky banners on Jones Hall!
 

20230917_154437.jpeg.389aab853526a1eb724f8f789794b74a.jpeg

Got to see the fountains lit up tonight and snapped a pic. Looks like a nice inviting area. Even Jones Hall added some LED light rope on its roof. 
 

https://x.com/thachadwick/status/1703997631825895521?s=46&t=zrFvaO6tbFH7POh1WfkjuA

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote

 

Houston First Corp. has scheduled the long-awaited opening of the Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts downtown for this week.

A grand opening event will be held Sept. 21, and the performing arts square will be open to the public starting Sept. 22.
 

During the square’s opening weekend, Houston First has scheduled a number of activities, including lawn games and live entertainment. However, the highlight will be interactive performances of “Bees,” which features human-sized bees busying themselves in the creation of a community alongside children in attendance. The performance was created by renowned Australian theater company, Polyglot Theatre.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/09/19/lynn-wyatt-square-opening-downtown.html

Should we be concerned there is no restaurant yet?

Edited by steve1363
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Grand Opening ceremonies were this morning at 9 am. Security guard said they had lots of people including the mayor and Oscar and Lynn Wyatt. They also had the horses and cowboys from the Wyatt Ranches. They replaced the blue tarps with grey ones. One person told me they need another six months to finish the project.

IELItjP.jpg

zyh2CAn.jpg

plFJwyW.jpg

6U3ngHY.jpg

3Si0X33.jpg

8rlpYIO.jpg

PD9B5Vb.jpg

txuEPFq.jpg

 

 

 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"The downtown square long known as Jones Plaza, named for Houston powerbroker Jesse Jones, has seen many iterations over the decades. It was built in the mid-'60s in conjunction with Jones Hall, but in recent years had become an eyesore.

On Thursday, Houston First Corp. celebrated the long-awaited rebirth of the plaza, newly named Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts, during a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following a four-year, $26.5 million renovation — including a $10 million donation from its namesake philanthropist Lynn Wyatt — the 1.5-acre park opens to the public on Friday."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/lynn-wyatt-square-jones-plaza-18378767.php#photo-24259508

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

42 minutes ago, tigereye said:

So what’s next on the agenda? 
 

Bayou Place demolition and redevelopment? 
 

Tranquility Park renovation? 
 

Fish Plaza renovation? 

Jones Hall is still upgrading even though this weird article calls it a “theater” and says it’s home to Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet - which it hasn’t been for many years.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/09/21/jones-hall-renovations.html

IMG_0606.jpeg.0f58ef2fcbd38fbf17cb25ab67ebc193.jpegIMG_0607.jpeg.df57532bfb8c83d19aa32679872e86b2.jpegIMG_0608.jpeg.6792569c8e679feb64c94c4b6dd49603.jpegIMG_0609.jpeg.289784fbd8deca8cad2998489c553bd8.jpegIMG_0610.jpeg.8a77999f237179f1ff58ce0dba2339e4.jpegIMG_0611.jpeg.4046f1bcc5915728b734e6f34299cc74.jpegIMG_0612.jpeg.1e034e389752dbaca3212a677801b221.jpeg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, steve1363 said:

Jones Hall is still upgrading even though this weird article calls it a “theater” and says it’s home to Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet - which it hasn’t been for many years.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/09/21/jones-hall-renovations.html

 

OMG. Every time I think Houston journalism has hit rock bottom, they find a way to be even worse.  That is truly pathetic.  (To be exact, the opera and ballet moved out of Jones Hall more than 36 years ago!)

 I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing this year’s improvements to Jones Hall.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Went to Jones Hall today.  Maybe I’m still down about losing ARPA-H but I was just not overly impressed with the renovations.  Granted, there is still construction going on.  

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/jones-hall-renovations-houston-symphony-18394096.php

I did like the new orchestra shell and the ceiling:

20231001_141348.jpeg.7e6d8e0bba3e13a906b1749e8b6c832a.jpeg

I was not overly impressed with the new seats.  They just don’t have that plush velvet elegant feel of the originals.  They don’t look “new” at all.

20231001_141407.jpeg.6d19f0eac94959c1191ed5a5ff2530d0.jpeg

But what bothered me the most was the work done to enclose the hall by removing several doors along the sides.  Maybe it’s just me because I know they were there but I can see the “ghost images” of the old doors and the work seems unworthy of a prestigious symphony hall.  You be the judge.

20231001_141339.jpeg.a84910f68e59724e49579560025c587b.jpeg

I realize the renovations are not complete so I will reserve final judgment until then.  The acoustics were fine but I would prefer to hear from the symphony musicians regarding that.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Is there any chance these repairs lead to Tranquility Park getting the much-needed renovation? I seem to remember hearing that a parking lot below Tranquility Park was totally flooded during Harvey and that's why it's in its current state. I could be misremembering though...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Yes, and yes, I think the waterproofing on the garage is shot (or something to that effect). I know it’s in their plans and they’ve floated a few renovation ideas. Some good, some .. But I don’t think they’ve announced a particular one, or a timeline on renos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Lynn Wyatt Square is mostly open. Nice little park. Looks like mostly adolescent live oaks, from what I can tell, so the shade canopy should start to get pretty good this spring, and should be great in a few years. Just hope we don't get too many summers like this last one.

20231124_145732.jpg

20231124_145736.jpg

20231124_145740.jpg

20231124_145745.jpg

20231124_145747.jpg

20231124_150335.jpg

  • Like 4
  • Thanks 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some patches of yellow flowers (daisies?) up top notwithstanding, the vegetation here seems to be pointedly "natural," in contrast to the more manicured and color-coordinated flower gardens of Market Square park or Trebly Park. 

Personally, this is more my speed. I like "gardens" that can (theoretically) flourish relatively unassisted.

20231124_150655.jpg

  • Like 7
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...