Jump to content

Market Square Tower: 40-Story High-Rise For Downtown


Urbannizer

Recommended Posts

6 hours ago, H-TownChris2 said:

Man...I remember taking the picture of them installing the crane base as if it were yesterday...time flies...

I was thinking the same thing about 609 Main. Feels like the demo of the previous building was just yesterday and now the crown is almost finished. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, jmitch94 said:

I was thinking the same thing about 609 Main. Feels like the demo of the previous building was just yesterday and now the crown is almost finished. 

 

And in about ten years when downtown gets its next office tower, this oil bust will feel like yesterday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Market Square Tower is not the tallest residential building in Houston but is the tallest residential high rise in Downtown Houston to date with the tallest pool in Texas. Market Square Tower is over 500 feet and has 41 stories and One Park Place has 37 stories. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 6/28/2016 at 5:29 PM, Houston19514 said:

 

I'm not sure it's even the tallest residential building downtown.  Emporis has Market Square Tower at 498 feet and One Park Place at 501 feet.  (FWIW, Emporis has 2929 Weslayan at only 468 feet.  The Huntingdon still reigns as the tallest residential in Houston, at 503 feet.

2929 Weslayan is 533 feet, The Huntington is 503 feet, Market Square is 502 feet,and One Park Place is 501 feet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This building really got a free pass on the preexisting ugly garage. If they had built this development from scratch with that block vacant, and the entire block came out looking the way it does, it would be the worst atrocity downtown since the Embassy Suites.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

This is interesting.   A friend of mine told me that he spoke to a leasing agent for this place and, if he heard correctly and I heard correctly, the leasing agent said that they were bringing a "grocery store" to the building.  If this is what the leasing agent supposedly was referring to, that was a bit of a stretch but likely good in a pinch and better than nothing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, adr said:


From the link..

 

Quote

September 20th, 2016

We are pleased to announce that CVS/Pharmacy will be coming soon to Market Square Tower. This new urban store concept will offer grab & go prepared foods, fresh produce and healthier snack options…right at your doorstep! Stay tuned for more updates.


"Grocery store" does seem like a bit of a stretch, but there will be some options, none the less. Maybe Aris will get a legit grocer? Seems like they hoped to sign one.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

People want "more urban"... well, more urban isn't a large standard grocery store. This CVS sounds like it'll be like Duane Reade on 100 Broadway in NY. That place is really nice. Even has a decent salad bar, full service pharmacy, small grocery selection (but much larger than a normal Walgreens/CVS), gifts, etc...

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is.  It has more grocery items than a usual CVS, but not that much - and critically it doesn't have produce, which this store is supposedly going to have.  I wonder what the hours are going to be - the CVS on main isn't open after 5 on the weekends, which would be crazy for a grocery store

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, cspwal said:

There is.  It has more grocery items than a usual CVS, but not that much - and critically it doesn't have produce, which this store is supposedly going to have.  I wonder what the hours are going to be - the CVS on main isn't open after 5 on the weekends, which would be crazy for a grocery store

Your point is well taken, but, Actually, it's even more crazy for a drug store in these days of 24-hour drug stores.

 

I am excited to see this new concept and I am hoping it's more than a pile of apples and bananas, pre-made sandwiches, and some Raman.  While that is good in a pinch, this side of downtown needs an urban grocery.  Something small but jam packed.  Wipe out all of Pheoncias upstairs.  Wipe out that big bread conveyor belt. Wipe out the dessert  counter and the hot dinner counter.  Wipe out the back side cash registers that I have never seen used.  What's left?  The pizza counter, the prepared foods counter, cheese, meets, fish, produce, eggs, dairy, salad bar, booze, soft drinks, coffee, and some packaged foods.  Would all of that have fit into the space in this tower?  IDK.  Hopefully it will fit into Aris.  

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, UtterlyUrban said:

Your point is well taken, but, Actually, it's even more crazy for a drug store in these days of 24-hour drug stores.

 

I am excited to see this new concept and I am hoping it's more than a pile of apples and bananas, pre-made sandwiches, and some Raman.  While that is good in a pinch, this side of downtown needs an urban grocery.  Something small but jam packed.  Wipe out all of Pheoncias upstairs.  Wipe out that big bread conveyor belt. Wipe out the dessert  counter and the hot dinner counter.  Wipe out the back side cash registers that I have never seen used.  What's left?  The pizza counter, the prepared foods counter, cheese, meets, fish, produce, eggs, dairy, salad bar, booze, soft drinks, coffee, and some packaged foods.  Would all of that have fit into the space in this tower?  IDK.  Hopefully it will fit into Aris.  

The back cash registers at Phonecia are used during weekday lunch hour, which is always packed.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, cspwal said:

Downtown needs something like the Midtown Randall's (which already seems more cramped than your typical grocery store) but more packed with stuff.

Maybe, too me that is "too big" for an "urban" store.  Angels on the head of a pin though.

 

i do remain surprised that a grocer other than Pheonica has not announced plans to move into downtown yet.  With all the new residents, their likely only needs to be one more.....

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From far away, I really don't like the look of this building.  But, I do think that at street level, I am going to like it a lot.  I think I wrote this before on this thread.  Regardless, I am thinking that the developer has really done a terrific job on the first several floors blending the architecture of this new building into the history around it.  I'm betting that the casual pedestrian walking directly in front of this building will think that it "feels right".

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would love many more buildings that just scream history when you see them. I really love historical buildings and it'd be super cool if we could get a cool Robert A.M. Stern building up in here, as we don't have too many older skyscrapers. In my opinion, there's nothing more beautiful than a tastefully done historically building, and I appreciate the fact that the architects are attempting to blend their buildings in. (I believe that the Aris' base is pretty respectful as well, it looks like it could disguise itself as an older building, other than the glass shard, but I find the conflicting styles interesting and attractive.) This next part is a bit unrelated, but hey, this is an architectural forum. In my opinion, there's nothing better than a tastefully done cornice on a historic building! I wish a developer could build a few midrises/highrises in a neo-historic fashion, though that might not be too economical.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/25/2016 at 6:27 PM, hindesky said:

Rooftop pool glass wall looks massive from the ground.

d2cyW4c.jpg

PMcpKBZ.jpg

 

Lower level pool is still under construction.

fUwVa96.jpg

 

Sidewalk pavers.

 

fdVLHM1.jpg

 

Im liking the details on the lower levels. What's with the missing "panel"/section near the top in the first couple of pictures?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, cloud713 said:

 

Im liking the details on the lower levels. What's with the missing "panel"/section near the top in the first couple of pictures?

I believe it was the tie-in spot for the tower crane.

tie-in-lg.png

Edited by hindesky
  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The initial rendering did little to make me think this thing would turn out so well. The street level looks substantial unlike so many of the other apartments that have gone up this cycle that look like they'll last 8 years before they start to mold out and fall apart. I agree with the setbacks too. They're sexy. What a pleasant surprise compared to the Hotel Alessandra/Randall Davis bait and switch. 

Edited by KinkaidAlum
  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a strong reference to the deco period with all of the detailing and setbacks. Very reminiscent of the mid twenties style that made such a statement in New York with the Chrysler, Paramount, and American International and in Houston one of my favorites.  The Gulf Building.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to Market Square Tower: 40-Story High-Rise For Downtown
  • The topic was locked
  • The topic was unlocked

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...