Urbannizer Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Erm, HOK has this listed as an ongoing project. Can anyone confirm? 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Mixed use development in the medical center? That main tower is huge! Supertall? Could this be that big mixed use project we've been hearing about? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 Did some quick searching, the developer(s) who own the land are the ones behind Springwoods Village/Cityplace. Variance request was made back in January. http://swamplot.com/developers-of-springwoods-village-working-out-kinks-for-something-near-the-med-center/2014-01-17/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 hmmm, plausible-er and plausible-er... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 O.O wait what.....wait... wait.. what? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TowerSpotter Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Houston deserves something like this! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) this reminds me of a grand mixed use development in China or something. maybe because the cross-bracing and shape of the main tower look similar to this.. the Ghangzhou West TowerEdit: i did some counting on the rendering.. i counted at least 50 floors, not including the base/podium or the top 5 or so floors in the "crown" which im not sure are habitable floors. even if its not a supertall, this would be like the Williams Tower of the TMC. Edited July 9, 2014 by cloud713 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston? Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Do you have the links to this and to the Chevron tower? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Wow, this would be an amazing addition to the Medical Center neighborhood. I think a large retail/restaurant component could be a big hit in that area. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehoustonion Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Is there a height limit for the Medical Center? This building is tall on approach to Hobby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) I would be very surprised if that is a supertall. More likely an 800-900' building. Look no futher than Uptown for the extreme height differences between the Williams Tower and all the 20-30 floor buildings around it. Still quite interesting. Hopefully this has traction, but...well... back to being pessimistic Looks very conceptual. I like the pedestrian path that "spills" onto the bike/hike trail along the bayou. Edited July 9, 2014 by arche_757 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 That would be very, very neat. I am curious as to whether the proposed height restrictions in the medical center are accurate. I have always thought that might be something of an urban myth (similar to the Texas Commerce Bank building being limited to 75 floors by the FAA) and that there just has not been demand by hospitals to build anything taller. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I think it only looks conceptual because it looks so awesome and we are not used to it. Looks like an East Asian project. Looks more like a finished product to me. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 That looks cool, l like the design. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Owl Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Now that is an amazing design. Wow. So nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) This project impresses me and makes me have faith in HOK. Dare I say this one could be a "game changer"? Lol Edited July 9, 2014 by cloud713 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nate4l1f3 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I wonder how much this beauty will be scaled down at the end of the day? That tower would look great downtown. Not trying to be negative.. just don't wanna get my hopes up 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Well the renderings make the bayou look like some fabulous inner city canal with steps leading down the banks like that river in India.It's an odd location, but will add to the skyline immensely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brijonmang Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 The Transbay Tower is coming to Houston? That is an ambitious master plan, but it looks great. Hopefully we can get some more info on this before too long. Thanks for all the updates today Urbannizer! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Its a wonder taller buildings haven't happened all ready in the TMC. Not saying we should have a bunch of 50 story towers, but surprised the height hasn't been pushed upwards due to the density and lack of available land in the TMC proper. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) The site.. As I was driving into the city from 288 I was realizing how massive this will look if it happens. You'll probably be able to see it from highway 6. The school on site was still advertising for enrollment.. Edited July 9, 2014 by cloud713 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Its a wonder taller buildings haven't happened all ready in the TMC. Not saying we should have a bunch of 50 story towers, but surprised the height hasn't been pushed upwards due to the density and lack of available land in the TMC proper. You are absolutely right. I thought the same thing. Technically I don't think this land is part of the Med Center. It's easy to imagine a cluster of tall buildings adjacent to the shorter skyline of the Med Center, like the highrises in Arlington Va by low-rise Washington. As an aside, what's with the glow emanating from the top of the tower in all the renderings. It looks like a giant flashlight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Well the renderings make the bayou look like some fabulous inner city canal with steps leading down the banks like that river in India.It's an odd location, but will add to the skyline immensely. Its the closest available land to the med center. Thats not an odd location at all. Its right next to several med center buildings The Shriners hospital is right across the street. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 If that tall building happens it will be like Transco was to Uptown - and still is. I'm still quite suspect... until I see some announcement about this happening I'm not holding my breath. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OkieEric Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I think the school actually owns its land still - in 2008 it shows a change to "Taeken Ltd" whereas all of the other parcels are 7200 Main Corporation. I could be wrong though I live in Old Braeswood and would be thrilled if this is built, maybe because I'm not going to be in the shadow. Not sure all of my neighbors would agree, though. The area south of TMC really needs something to kick start it and wow, this would be it. I've been tracking this plot for a couple of years now so excited to actually see a rendering of some sort. Even if this isn't what gets ultimately built at least it shows some ambition 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towerjunkie Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Please happen, please happen, please ACTUALLY happen! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 this particular concept look's as though it was PLUCKED right out of dubai, uae. it's has clean lines, filled with hyper ambition, and would solidify the houston med center region.. as world class. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I agree with my friend Arche that this building is definitely still in it's early stages, but it's clear what the concept is and hopefully it keeps it's form. The site plan is very bare so another sign that it is in early Design Development. I wouldn't be surprised if we see several plans for this site coming down the pipeline all looking a little similar, but with different towers and midrises. The biggest takeaway from this is that we are looking at a true Mid-use urban core. No bs surface parking, no extra streets trying to create something that isn't there. This is pedestrian focused from the word go! This could be the next phase of developments we start seeing as Houston matures as a city and more developers get bolder in their ideas of what is possible in Houston. HOK used to be so daring as a firm and has lost a lot of it luster, but this Houston boom can really spark them to innovation once again. As for TMC, I'm not aware of any height restrictions. I mean it's pretty unrealistic for hospitals to go super tall or even past 20-30 stories and most of those upper floors are usually offices. I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see a major change in philosophy about this surrounding area and it starts to take a life of it's own in a true urban context. All the resources are there to create it! It just needs a few more projects to kick it off. As far as the main building. I really like it. I like it even more because the exoskeleton is very visible instead of being covered by a curtain wall like many buildings here, including that building that cloud posted. Still a long way to go for this one lol It's a great start though 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernz Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Well said Luminare. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Allen Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Wellllllllll, I said in another post that I didn't care where a new Houston supertall emerged, as long as it does.. Funny. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
democide Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Reminds me of the proposed two tower project for downtown Dallas, and the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco like someone mentioned earlier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 brijonmang hit it right on the nail. This totally reminds me of the Transbay Tower in San Francisco. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky-guy Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I like the green roofs on the shorter buildings. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I'm not sure why people think this is a "supertall"? Doesn't that mean 300m +? In other words a building the size/height of JP Morgan Chase Tower? 1000' + in height? This thing appears to be about 50 floors tall (did a really rough count on two of the renderings). I'm betting 800-900' as shown with the crown. Even if this gets built and everything is only 20 floors tall, this will still be a very nice project for an area such as the TMC. And I think height for hospitals has been held at around 15-25 floors for cost purposes. But there is almost zero available land in the TMC left - at least the actual zoned TMC areas (which like Subdude I feel this is probably just outside of that area). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 No bs surface parking, no extra streets trying to create something that isn't there. This is pedestrian focused from the word go! I'm not seeing this as pedestrian-oriented. My guess is that the entire low-rise podium structure and the small structure at Main and Greenbriar would be for parking, which in turn makes me think the unconnected tower on the Greenbriar side is planned residential, and the rest office and hotel. All that said, this still strikes me as conceptual. A project of this scope - like Allen Center downtown - would take years to develop out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I'm not sure why people think this is a "supertall"? Doesn't that mean 300m +? In other words a building the size/height of JP Morgan Chase Tower? 1000' + in height? This thing appears to be about 50 floors tall (did a really rough count on two of the renderings). I'm betting 800-900' as shown with the crown. Even if this gets built and everything is only 20 floors tall, this will still be a very nice project for an area such as the TMC. And I think height for hospitals has been held at around 15-25 floors for cost purposes. But there is almost zero available land in the TMC left - at least the actual zoned TMC areas (which like Subdude I feel this is probably just outside of that area).yep, you are right.. 300 meters. i originally threw out "supertall" before i counted the individual floors of the tower (i got around 60, counting the podium and the crown). if it gets built, this will likely be about the same height as Williams Tower. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Money Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I count about 52 floors on top of a 3 story podium, with an 8 story crown. Using Transbay Tower as a model (which I'm sure HOK did) to predict height, this bad boy is probably going to be in the 900'+ range! A large chunk of the land (I think excluding the parking lot on the north end and the school on the south end) is owned by 7200 Main Corporation, which is also Coventry Development Corp. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Erm, HOK has this listed as an ongoing project. Can anyone confirm? Do you have a link? I can't find it anywhere. Thanks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OkieEric Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) pg. 125 of this document http://issuu.com/hokmarketing/docs/tall_buildings___portfolio On pg. 128 you can zoom in and make out a few store names so definitely some sort of retail component Edit: Just googled again and 7200 MAIN MIX-USE DISTRICT, Houston, TX, U.S comes up on a LinkedIn profile as something a summer intern worked on in 2013 at Gensler, not HOK? Edited July 14, 2014 by OkieEric 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBooze Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Huh!!!!!!! Please say it ain't so...... Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Elizabeth, I'm coming to see you baby. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) pg. 125 of this document http://issuu.com/hokmarketing/docs/tall_buildings___portfolio On pg. 128 you can zoom in and make out a few store names so definitely some sort of retail component Edit: Just googled again and 7200 MAIN MIX-USE DISTRICT, Houston, TX, U.S comes up on a LinkedIn profile as something a summer intern worked on in 2013 at Gensler, not HOK?The very fact that this building is listed in the HOK Tall Buildings "magazine" gives a lot more creadance to it than it simply floating around on here. By the way good looks at the Chevron Tower + Shell Woodcreek + BP Emergency Respone/Computer Center in that document. Worth scrolling through. That linkedIn profile was for someone who was/had experience as a 2013 Intern for Gensler. It is possible she also worked with HOK at some point. That work presented in Issuu is not an Intern's work. I was an intern for a big name firm once and believe me, while you may work on high profile projects the silly projects they give you after-hours are nothing like designing a multi-million square foot highrise center. Edited July 14, 2014 by arche_757 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 This is what the LinkedIn profile says for 7200 Main: Project 3: 7200 MAIN MIX-USE DISTRICT, Houston, TX, U.S. - 3D print modeling and programming comparisonshttp://www.linkedin.com/in/xilingweng So Gensler has a 3D Model for the site. Maybe a design competition was held? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 The particular renderings here are HOK material. Probably a sealed/limited invite competition that HOK won over Gensler and probably a Kirksey or Page or Ziegler/Cooper or some one else of that scale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 What is that Mixed Use Development on Pgs. 136-37 of the HOK book in the link above? It looks a lot more conceptual (and thus much further from development), but the book did say that it was to be located in Houston. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) That tower looks at least 50, maybe 60 stories. It's difficult to count. The building right next to it is 35 stories and it's nearly double the height. If built, I think this would be the most spectacular highrise in Houston - no contest. Also, this site requested a variance back in January http://swamplot.com/developers-of-springwoods-village-working-out-kinks-for-something-near-the-med-center/2014-01-17/ Edited July 14, 2014 by lockmat 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TowerSpotter Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 What is that Mixed Use Development on Pgs. 136-37 of the HOK book in the link above? It looks a lot more conceptual (and thus much further from development), but the book did say that it was to be located in Houston.Nothing serious. Pickard Chilton also has its conceptual renderings of this. It suppose to be an outline for a 50 year-plan. Metronational seems to be the client, I guess this means they will develop the area throughhout the years.Pickard Chilton:http://www.pickardchilton.com/mobile/urban_mp.htm 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 yeah i was about to go insane thinking I was the only one to notice that MetroNational master plan lol. WTF is that??? That would be stellar! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alternativemike Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I live close to this and work even closer - if even a fraction of this is what's planned or developed on that site, it will be a huge addition to the area. This could be a real gamechanger. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towerjunkie Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I want to be excited but then there's that whole let down when we never hear a word about the project again. If and I must emphasize IF this is built, it will be a wonderful and exciting piece of architecture that would more than likely spur some more interesting designs for Houston. Who knows this might even create a larger demand for buildings in the medical center! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I recall this was posted up in "Going Up" back in July: I am curious as to what near the TMC might permit such a tower to get built. It would be impractical as a hospital. I have heard the TMC wants to lure biotech and other private sector companies to the area. Might we see demand for such a tower from those sectors? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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