talltexan83 117 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 The first picture shows a linear park (across from the new convention center garage/hotel) all the way to Minute Maid. Any chance that could actually happen? That would be another great addition to the area... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wxman 883 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Wow, love it! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4624 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 The first picture shows a linear park (across from the new convention center garage/hotel) all the way to Minute Maid. Any chance that could actually happen? That would be another great addition to the area... I think the answer is "No." The block closest to Minute Maid is slated to be a parking garage (with possibly some mixed-use elements and ground-floor retail) to be jointly developed by Houston First and Annunciation Church/Incarnate Word Academy. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4038 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 The first picture shows a linear park (across from the new convention center garage/hotel) all the way to Minute Maid. Any chance that could actually happen? That would be another great addition to the area...Isn't the northern half going to become a parking garage for the church/school? And the southern green block is the one the city was trying to market as a great site for mixed use. So no, I doubt it would happen. Not sure I would want such prime property that's straddled on both sides by new light rail lines to be turned into green space anyways..I still say take out a lane of traffic on Crawford from Toyota Center to MMP and convert that and the sidewalk along that side into a wide visually appealing green way pedestrian walkway with vegetation, shade, a few seating areas, ect.. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 11783 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 (edited) Edit: Earlier comment deleted. Anyway, to expand upon my thought from the previous page, it appears this has not lost floor count. Most likely still 40 stories. Edited March 2, 2015 by Triton 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 I'm really looking forward to this area being "done" for the currently under construction/proposed stuff. The highrise density feel that stopped at Hess will extend nearly all the way to MMP depending on the route that you take. If the Le Meridien goes too, you'll have another net plus with blight being removed. Not holding out any hope for 6HC at the moment, but that would be something of a finisher for what was, 10 years go, an extremely sketchy art of DT. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 lol why does it matter if there's a skybridge or not? People from both buildings have legs...they can walk down a floor or two and cross the street... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) lol why does it matter if there's a skybridge or not? People from both buildings have legs...they can walk down a floor or two and cross the street...Because that one connection would tie the GRB to the rest of the tunnel system. Conventioners who are staying say, at the Hyatt, would be able to take the tunnels all the way to the GRB when it was pouring buckets outside or, failing that, when it was "too humid" for their northern blood.That connection has almost nothing to do, IMO, with people "crossing the street" and everything to do with connecting the GRB to the tunnel system for conventioners. That fact is marketable by Houston First as they are attempting to gain more conventions. Edited March 3, 2015 by UtterlyUrban 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Idk, the way I see it, Houston is trying to build a "legitimate" downtown, and without starting an another tunnel argument, the one way you do that is by getting people onto the streets, not underground. The tunnels are cool, don't get me wrong, but that's all they should be; a novelty. Houstonians need to get use to walking; a lot of us could really use it. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Idk, the way I see it, Houston is trying to build a "legitimate" downtown, and without starting an another tunnel argument, the one way you do that is by getting people onto the streets, not underground. The tunnels are cool, don't get me wrong, but that's all they should be; a novelty. Houstonians need to get use to walking; a lot of us could really use it.Issues of tunnels or street aside, I do believe that you are missing the point of this particular connection. It is not really FOR houstonians. It is FOR folks from out of town. And, frankly, I think that Houston First will have a big marketing opportunity to gain more conventions if they could connect the GRB to the tunnels. And this connection is likely the last remaining "easy" way to do it.Personally, I live and work downtown. I like the tunnels. I like the streets. I like the optionality that the tunnels give me as a downtown resident. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 808 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) http://zieglercooper.com/confidential-urban-residential-development/ comparing the ZC renderings against the Gensler master plan, the densities appear similar, but there are subtle differences. For one thing, the Gensler image looks denser... Edited March 3, 2015 by toxtethogrady 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ArchFan 323 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I know, I get puzzled when so many people say "it's too hot, too humid ... no one could possible survive the horrible experience of sweating a bit". As if no one walks during the summer months in New Orleans, or any time of the year in places like Singapore or Jakarta or Acapulco. How do people survive there? ;-) 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Issues of tunnels or street aside, I do believe that you are missing the point of this particular connection. It is not really FOR houstonians. It is FOR folks from out of town. And, frankly, I think that Houston First will have a big marketing opportunity to gain more conventions if they could connect the GRB to the tunnels. And this connection is likely the last remaining "easy" way to do it.Personally, I live and work downtown. I like the tunnels. I like the streets. I like the optionality that the tunnels give me as a downtown resident.Yeah but, people out of town know how to walk to...walking isn't a Houston-exclusive. If they're here for business they'll be able to walk. I get your point, but if this is a condo/apartment, then it will be FOR Houstonians. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Montrose1100 3718 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I thought it was to connect the Marriott and GRB to the 4 Seasons, and Houston Center Shops (as well as the rest of Houston Center). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tigereye 1843 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 It is interesting to me that the new renderings have removed the sky bridge. Why? Not sure what to make of it but notice that the sky bridge from Marriott Marquis to GRBCC is also missing and that's definitely happening. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4038 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I'm not sure I understand the importance of this "tunnel connection". The tunnels are more for locals.. Why would out of towners care to learn our somewhat confusing tunnel system when they could take the LIGHT RAIL? And with the addition of the newest hotel on top of the office, Houston First will have 3 hotels directly connected to the GRB. Presumably a 4th hotel would come/be directly connected as part of the 4 block southern expansion. All they ever really wanted were the 4 hotels connected afaik. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I'm not sure I understand the importance of this "tunnel connection". The tunnels are more for locals.. Why would out of towners care to learn our somewhat confusing tunnel system when they could take the LIGHT RAIL? And with the addition of the newest hotel on top of the office, Houston First will have 3 hotels directly connected to the GRB. Presumably a 4th hotel would come/be directly connected as part of the 4 block southern expansion. All they ever really wanted were the 4 hotels connected afaik. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UtterlyUrban 1677 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) I'm not sure I understand the importance of this "tunnel connection". The tunnels are more for locals.. Why would out of towners care to learn our somewhat confusing tunnel system when they could take the LIGHT RAIL? And with the addition of the newest hotel on top of the office, Houston First will have 3 hotels directly connected to the GRB. Presumably a 4th hotel would come/be directly connected as part of the 4 block southern expansion. All they ever really wanted were the 4 hotels connected afaik.This is a matter, IMO, of marketing the convention center to out of town planners and conventioners. "Out GRB center has multiple connectivity options: walk, rail, sky ridges and tunnels........" It is one reason why they added a skybridge from the Hilton to the GRB and are doing it again with the Marriott. Conventioners could walk across the street, right? But the bridge is "better" for marketing.The rail is a good option for some, especially is you are staying at the new JW (which is also tunnel connected BTW and is attracting a lot of my out of town co-workers rather than the Hilton which is not.... They don't want to have to deal with the vagrancy of weather).But there isn't an easy rail connection for the Hyatt, etc over in the financial district. There, it's the tunnels as an option and with this bridge, they can make it all the way to the GRB. Yes, they will walk twice as far and take 400 rights and lefts. Doesn't matter. It's an option and a good marketing tool. I know a lot of out of towners (business travelers) who stay at the 4 Seasons and loath having to stay at the Embasy or Hilton. Why? It has zero to do with the hotel and everything to do with "having to walk outside, dripping sweat or poured on" to the office. Some dislike the heat or rain so much that they either take a cab 5 blocks or they use the hotel shuttle. So much for a "walkable" city, right? Seems like many business folks prefer a tunnel connected hotel over one that isn't. Edited March 3, 2015 by UtterlyUrban 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mollusk 2392 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Gerbil tubes predominate on that end of downtown, particularly from San Jacinto on east - which is a good thing for visitors, since it's easier to keep one's bearings in them. Connecting up the convention center hotels to the Park Shops and ultimately, somehow, Green Street seems like it would be helpful for all concerned. And yes, I know that people walk the streets in NOLA and Oslo, but I don't remember hearing a whole lot of tunnel complaints other than getting lost in them from noobs and (***Nancy Grace voice***) "Whut about the street life" from Urban Design Types - both of which can be helped out by the sort of thing that the Capitol Tower renders show. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mollusk 2392 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 the vagrancy of weather Is that when the rain is, um, foul? Or does it mean that the weather's like (grinning puffy brown triangular emoji)? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4038 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 This is a matter, IMO, of marketing the convention center to out of town planners and conventioners."Out GRB center has multiple connectivity options: walk, rail, sky ridges and tunnels........" It is one reason why they added a skybridge from the Hilton to the GRB and are doing it again with the Marriott. Conventioners could walk across the street, right? But the bridge is "better" for marketing.The rail is a good option for some, especially is you are staying at the new JW (which is also tunnel connected BTW and is attracting a lot of my out of town co-workers rather than the Hilton which is not.... They don't want to have to deal with the vagrancy of weather).But there isn't an easy rail connection for the Hyatt, etc over in the financial district. There, it's the tunnels as an option and with this bridge, they can make it all the way to the GRB. Yes, they will walk twice as far and take 400 rights and lefts. Doesn't matter. It's an option and a good marketing tool.I know a lot of out of towners (business travelers) who stay at the 4 Seasons and loath having to stay at the Embasy or Hilton. Why? It has zero to do with the hotel and everything to do with "having to walk outside, dripping sweat or poured on" to the office. Some dislike the heat or rain so much that they either take a cab 5 blocks or they use the hotel shuttle. So much for a "walkable" city, right? Seems like many business folks prefer a tunnel connected hotel over one that isn't.i still dont get why its so important for conventioneers..is the Hyatt even considered a "convention hotel" sponsored through Houston First or whatever?no offense but it just doesnt sound like a very beneficial marketing tool for conventioneers. there are literally thousands of rooms about to be directly connected to the GRB. why would they choose to stay at the Hyatt??youre getting off on a different tangent here now.. are we talking business travelers going to offices in the skyline district, or are we talking conventioneers who will theoretically already be staying in the convention district? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Lol how the hell do you market a sky bridge? Has there ever been marketing for that?This is a residential tower filled with residents of Houston who I'm sure will have no trouble walking outside, just like the millions of New Yorkers do without their sky bridges, and it seems to be working out pretty fine over there 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonIsHome 1626 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I love the tunnels but walking a block or two to access them isn't going to kill anyone. Well I hope not.The original plan for this area did show the area connected by skybridges, people movers, the works. But that plan is 40 plus years old. I think houston is going in a new direction. Cool, but I'm sure that would be super costly and complicated to implement and maintain today especially since the area is no longer uniformly the houston center. Anyway, back to this building, I think the renders are super sexy. Awesome complement for the MM, both sexy 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4624 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I know, I get puzzled when so many people say "it's too hot, too humid ... no one could possible survive the horrible experience of sweating a bit". As if no one walks during the summer months in New Orleans, or any time of the year in places like Singapore or Jakarta or Acapulco. How do people survive there? ;-) Or Orlando, the number 3 convention city in the US. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Having been to conventions in other cities with skybridge/tunnel systems for conferences (Atlanta), I probably only knew about the tunnel system or the skybridges because they connected to the hotel I was in. Of course this was all before Google Maps telling us what lay outside the convention center bubble 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrLan34 1944 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2015/03/20/tax-incentive-program-no-longer-taking.html?page=all Planned 11. Untitled: 40-story, 314-unit building with 12-story garage podium being developed by Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. Construction should start in the second quarter. Edited March 23, 2015 by DrLan34 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 11783 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2015/03/20/tax-incentive-program-no-longer-taking.html?page=all Planned 11. Untitled: 40-story, 314-unit building with 12-story garage podium being developed by Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. Construction should start in the second quarter. Read that article earlier. I think most of that info is simply from the development map. Biz Journals sometimes just rehashes material from other sites like the Houston Chron. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Howard Huge 2398 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2015/03/20/tax-incentive-program-no-longer-taking.html?page=allPlanned11. Untitled: 40-story, 314-unit building with 12-story garage podium being developed by Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. Construction should start in the second quarter.Mouth watering 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post swtsig 2929 Posted March 23, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted March 23, 2015 Read that article earlier. I think most of that info is simply from the development map. Biz Journals sometimes just rehashes material from other sites like the Houston Chron. i asked specifically about this development recently and was told it is moving forward. 16 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Would the construction trailers for the Marriott be moved to another site, or would they set up shop in the interior of the new building somewhere? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Neat-o 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fkp5 476 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Great. I'm glad that most residential projects still appear to be going forward in downtown. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 11783 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 i asked specifically about this development recently and was told it is moving forward.YES! I'm at the edge of my seat for this one! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LTAWACS 152 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2015/03/20/tax-incentive-program-no-longer-taking.html?page=all Planned 11. Untitled: 40-story, 314-unit building with 12-story garage podium being developed by Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. Construction should start in the second quarter. Where? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3904 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 The block bordered by Rusk, Walker, La Branch, and Crawford. It's 1 block "north" of discovery green. http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2010-04-07/Block_Numbering.pdf 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Howard Huge 2398 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 i asked specifically about this development recently and was told it is moving forward.Bet.When SW says it's a go, it's a go. This has been my most anticipated groundbreaking since 609, I can't WAIT! 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Montrose1100 3718 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 It's really great to see the tiny plot turn into a tall and modern apartment building. I'm glad it didn't just turn into retail as previous maps suggested. Makes you wonder if only the super garages going up in the parking district had left a little room for future development... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Triton 11783 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Bet.When SW says it's a go, it's a go. This has been my most anticipated groundbreaking since 609, I can't WAIT!Not since Residences at Market Square? That was my last one. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Howard Huge 2398 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Not since Residences at Market Square? That was my last one.Not to take away from Uncle Gerry, that building is gonna be awesome, but something about this one is just sooooo......New York, sooooo.....sexy, I can't explain. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 808 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Needs to be skinnier to fit in New York. And maybe twice as tall. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cloud713 4038 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 heh.. not everything has to be 432 Park Ave. but yes, this is quite the urban structure. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avossos 2282 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Isn't this suppose to start this quarter? There was a pretty heavy construction trailer(s) situation in this space last time I looked 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigFootsSocks 3179 Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 I would assume it won't start until the Marriott finishes with a majority of their work 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
astros148 516 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Is this expected to start this year? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3026 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Is this expected to start this year?Yep, some time this month hopefully. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate99 7729 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 When they move the Marriott construction office trailers, we'll know something is up. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmitch94 2020 Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 Man if this gets build that side of downtown will look and feel so different than it did just a year or so ago. There will be so much more height. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 808 Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 I know, I get puzzled when so many people say "it's too hot, too humid ... no one could possible survive the horrible experience of sweating a bit". As if no one walks during the summer months in New Orleans, or any time of the year in places like Singapore or Jakarta or Acapulco. How do people survive there? ;-) I was on travel in Miami last week. The ultimate land of hot and humid...except that the thunderstorms form in the early afternoon and dissipate most of the heat. The same effect happens in Houston as long as the winds come off the Gulf. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nativehoustonion 588 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 This is off the topic but I have been to Phoenix and it was 125 degrees and got stuck because the planes could not take off. My lips were bleeding and forget this dry heat. It was so hot I will never go there again. Humidity I'm used to and friends cannot believe my age because your skin is always soft and smooth. We do get tired of the weather in August. But late September we finally get a cool front and in October when we have a lot of festivals. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ArchFan 323 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I like Phoenix and I definitely don't want to come across as a basher of that city. But ... I have to say, Phoenix is the only place in the US where I have boarded a plane to Houston in the summer and felt relief when stepping out into the Houston climate. Feeling the air here gave me thing feeling of plunging into a warm tub of water. Kinda pleasant, actually. And definitely not as hot. On a side note -- I once went to a conference in Palm Springs in August ... a lot of people were late arriving because the airport had to close because of the temps (~118 F) . Plane wings get less lift at those temps and need longer runways, longer than their airport had. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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