Urbannizer Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Allen-Center-adds-energy-tenants-nears-full-5862849.php#/0 "We're up to 95 percent leased," said Paul Frazier, senior vice president of the Houston region for Brookfield. "We've brought in some new companies. We're planning on making some improvements to the complex." Brookfield is coming up with a concept to redesign an expansive plaza between the three buildings into an inviting parklike area, Frazier said. The existing berms would likely be flattened out to open up the space and make it more visible from the street. "When you think about all the residential construction that's going on downtown, it's going to be more of a 24/7 CBD (central business district) and we want to be ready for that," Frazier said. "We want to change that up and make the area more usable. We see people being able to enjoy it even on the weekends."Brookfield also plans to enhance the retail amenities with more food and beverage options at its properties, which span 6.7 million square feet in Houston. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Have they (hopefully), dropped the plans to renovate the facade of 1 Allen Center? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I've always thought that The Allen Center plaza could easily be turned into our version of The Rockefeller Center. It would take some work but it already has two restaurant essentially facing the plaza and The Doubletree hotel. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Anyone have an update on this? I've been made to understand that it is full steam ahead. No re skinning of Allen One but a full re configuration of the first two floors 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted February 23, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 23, 2015 Anyone have an update on this? I've been made to understand that it is full steam ahead. No re skinning of Allen One but a full re configuration of the first two floors 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 beautiful and hyper ambitious! this is just what this area needs.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Not quite the super-sized bold "Allen Center" letter rendering, but that'll do pig... that'll do. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 This works. It ties the buildings together better, both visually and functionally, without being the jarring "what happened here???" reaction that Two Shell's suddenly dark lower floors cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) Not quite the super-sized bold "Allen Center" letter rendering, but that'll do pig... that'll do. I always found the letters to be distracting! Not to mention I felt that the design wasn't fully committed to either fully inside the buildings or bringing the buildings relationship closer to the street. This design looks like a full commitment to pay respect to the street and creating some nice public spaces yet they are at a human scale. This would be very nice if this gets built! Edited February 24, 2015 by Luminare 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) I always found the letters to be distracting!Not to mention I felt that the design wasn't fully committed to either fully inside the buildings or bringing the buildings relationship closer to the street.This design looks like a full commitment to pay respect to the street and creating some nice public spaces yet they are at a human scale.This would be very nice if this gets built!With all the new construction ongoing Downtown, their kind of at a point where they have to freshen up the complex. All the Art Guys exhibits in the world won't help this complex keep pace.BTW - The Tunnel of Love exhibit was great only to scare folks as they leave lolLike the reno plans. Better street presence. Edited February 24, 2015 by tigereye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Thanks! If these are in fact the final plans when would they start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 This looks promising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I just thought about how cool it would be if that new two story glass portion in front of Allen 2 was a flagship Apple Store. It would definetley have the client base to support it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I just thought about how cool it would be if that new two story glass portion in front of Allen 2 was a flagship Apple Store. It would definetley have the client base to support it.During office hours... And a much smaller store... Maybe. But it's too close to the parking district. Perhaps in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Any new info on this? It sounds like tenants are about to start moving around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 tenants are always moving around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Some breaking news in this thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Any new info on this? It sounds like tenants are about to start moving around.What he means is street-level tenants are being moved downstairs to the tunnels by August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Correct, it sound like brookfield has finalized all the details with tenants as far as relocation and or closure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Brookfield has its eye on a wide swath of renovations, first and foremost updating Allen Center. Paul tells us it’s in the early stages of designing a $50M revamp there that’ll kick off this time next year. (It’ll upgrade green space, which is the largest private green space in the CBD and larger than the green space in New York’s Rockefeller. Other areas of focus will be the lobbies and building entrances.) Brookfield’s also contemplating improvements to 1600 Smith’s lobby/common areas, Paul says—it’s close to hiring an architect, and will probably launch work next year. It’s also eyeing a major renovation of the Downtown Club at the Met, which hasn’t gotten a refresh in 15 years, and Brookfield’s adding a fitness center into 1201 Louisiana soon, including locker and bike rooms.Read more at: https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/office/here-are-3-major-buildings-brookfield-wants-to-revamp-47167?utm_source=CopyShare&utm_medium=Browser 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Nothing says third-tier downtown like bragging that your office center has a larger green space than New York's Rockefeller Center. I'm sure those New Yorkers are jealous of our large expanse of inert green space. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 So I got a haircut at SuperCuts today (Mary did a good job). Well anyways, word is all street level tenants will be moved by October 8th for construction. If you're wondering, SuperCuts will be moving to the Allen Center Tunnel food court (old AT&T spot) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Brookfield has its eye on a wide swath of renovations, first and foremost updating Allen Center. Paul tells us it’s in the early stages of designing a $50M revamp there that’ll kick off this time next year. (It’ll upgrade green space, which is the largest private green space in the CBD and larger than the green space in New York’s Rockefeller. Other areas of focus will be the lobbies and building entrances.) Brookfield’s also contemplating improvements to 1600 Smith’s lobby/common areas, Paul says—it’s close to hiring an architect, and will probably launch work next year. It’s also eyeing a major renovation of the Downtown Club at the Met, which hasn’t gotten a refresh in 15 years, and Brookfield’s adding a fitness center into 1201 Louisiana soon, including locker and bike rooms.Read more at: https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/office/here-are-3-major-buildings-brookfield-wants-to-revamp-47167?utm_source=CopyShare&utm_medium=Browser Remodeling permits pulled for Three Allen Center last Tuesday. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 The Dallas Street side entrance to Allen One is being closed as I type this post. Traffic is being re-directed to the entrance on Smith and next to the Doubletree. We ever get final renderings on this? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Still (kind of) surprised Crescent hasn't made any announcements of their redevelopment plans for Houston Center. They had hired an architectural firm and there were renderings made. Maybe they don't want to jump the gun like with 6HC.. Heh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 The Dallas Street side entrance to Allen One is being closed as I type this post. Traffic is being re-directed to the entrance on Smith and next to the Doubletree. We ever get final renderings on this?Pic https://twitter.com/thachadwick/status/667845895791255552 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Any updates here? It's somewhat surprising no formal announcement has been made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 (edited) Any updates here? It's somewhat surprising no formal announcement has been made.Last update I had was that street level businesses (like SuperCuts) being relocated to the tunnels in January Edited December 19, 2015 by tigereye 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted March 7, 2016 Share Posted March 7, 2016 It's been a few months, any progress being made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) It's been a few months, any progress being made?All street level businesses were moved in January. There's work being done on the Dallas side. Edited March 8, 2016 by tigereye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunstar Posted March 16, 2016 Share Posted March 16, 2016 Looks like they are starting to make progress: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted May 6, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted May 6, 2016 About time! http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Allen-Center-70s-era-downtown-icon-prepares-7397650.php#photo-9952861 http://allencenterhouston.com/ Quote The owner of downtown's Allen Center, a 1970s-era office complex known for its skybridges and glass-enclosed entry at the corner of Smith and Dallas, announced a $48.5 million renovation of the property Friday from the grounds of its 7-acre site. Dramatic changes will be made throughout the development, but the signature piece of the renovation will be the exterior landscaped areas between One and Two Allen Center. The space between the two buildings, a rare patch of green in downtown Houston, is largely obscured from the street by a skywalk, high berm and other features. The new design opens up the space by removing the bridge and berm and reconfigures it as a nearly one-acre tree-lined lawn. A performance venue will anchor the space on the western end. As for the buildings, One Allen Center will receive the most dramatic renovation. As the "front door" to the complex, the current entryway is clad in glass, a feature added after the building was developed. It, along with the heavy brick podium upon which the tower stands, will be rebuilt into a more open, modern and bright space. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Incredible project. I'm surprised nobody is commenting on this. I know the term game changer has been used on this forum quite a bit on HAIF, but this could be another case, at least for downtown or this side of downtown. The East side has DG and the north Market Square. This along with Exxon's urban campus could be a good anchor for this area. The fact they're defining this as a "public" park and allowing the surrounding employees to use the space is a big deal. Hopefully this leads the way in terms of landscape architecture for future downtown and other urban developments. I don't think every development needs a green space but for a campus of this size downtown it brings a lot of value. The only downside is that besides the warm bodies the Hyatt-Regency across the street provides, it makes for a deplorable structural and visually interactive neighbor. I wouldn't mind seeing them tear that thing down one day. This goes perfect with a video I just watched...Houston, Leading with Landscape. Anyone work on this side of downtown? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 On 11/18/2013 at 11:34 PM, Urbannizer said: Renderings of the plans for the Allen Center complex, thanks to TowerSpotter: http://www.odell.com/portfolio/category/on-the-boards-2/ I like the new plan better. I hope they still plan on making changes to three allen center, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 I still can't figure out what the heck Crescent is waiting for with the Houston Center redevelopment..? i dig this new design. And the new One Allen Center entrance somewhat reminds me of that mid century atrium/pavilion that was torn down on Main for a parking garage. Normally I don't like too much ground level green space in urban developments, with large setbacks from the street. But since this development is more of a massive complex, and the space is being treated like a public park, I like it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 If only they would of also announced plans to clad the giant parking garage/do something to break up the monotonous wall.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted May 9, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted May 9, 2016 http://houston-texas-us.blogspot.com/2016/05/allen-center-to-get-people-friendly.html 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rechlin Posted June 23, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted June 23, 2016 Seen on reddit /r/houston from /u/jb4647: 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Renders seemed to indicate the back skybridge would remain and the skybridge fronting Smith would be demolished to make way for the stage. The exact opposite seems to be happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 They are first redoing the back skybridge and believe they are removing the ground supports. Once complete, they will permanently remove the Smith Street bridge consistent with renderings. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 kbates2 is correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted August 25, 2016 Share Posted August 25, 2016 http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2016/08/25/broker-allen-center-isn-t-afraid-to-take-a-risk-or.html Quote The Allen Center's multimillion-dollar renovation will bring more green space to Houston's concrete inner core. But if Nick Hernandez has anything to say about it, the $48.5 million facelift will also bring food and retail tenants with a regional draw. Hernandez, of Houston-based Transwestern, is marketing the complex's roughly 38,000 square feet of retail space, some of which will sit among soon-to-come art installations, terraces, performance space and a bar on roughly one acre of green space. The renovations, which should be complete in the fourth quarter of 2017, will also include the removal of a second-story skybridge to open up the property’s green space. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 On 5/6/2016 at 10:32 PM, lockmat said: I like the new plan better. I hope they still plan on making changes to three allen center, too. Third rendering down - to the left of the bluish-gray Doubletree Hotel - is that the mythical 5 Allen Center we see? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I wonder if the Hyatt will do anything to renovate their interior, as well as the side facing Allen Center. Currently it's a cut out cove for smokers with no entry door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 15 hours ago, Subdude said: Third rendering down - to the left of the bluish-gray Doubletree Hotel - is that the mythical 5 Allen Center we see? Looks like it. Good observation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lectro Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Does anyone know what is going on with 3 Allen Center? I saw a mock up in front with white and light grey cladding. Is that for just the lower levels or are they going to re-clad the whole building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunstar Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 On August 26, 2016 at 7:27 AM, Subdude said: Third rendering down - to the left of the bluish-gray Doubletree Hotel - is that the mythical 5 Allen Center we see? Dont be totally shocked if it makes a surprise comeback. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinsanity02 Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 For Real? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 2 hours ago, swtsig said: Dont be totally shocked if it makes a surprise comeback. I would be shocked if it makes a comeback soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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