dbigtex56 Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Hate to use the cliche' phrases but this is an eyesore and a blight. Its only useful function seems to be as an impromptu urinal for those who have no where else to go (wordplay intentional.) Surprising how one dreary block can contaminate the surrounding area. The Melrose Building is on a high traffic street; this is not a good setting for such a creepy and nasty artifact. Shouldn't downtown be held to a higher standard? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 It's odd, but I've never noticed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porTENT Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I've always kinda liked this building, it needs some love as a candidate for renovation. How long has it been vacant? Interior conditions.. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 This was downtown's first modern skyscraper. When it was first built in 1952 it must have looked like a vision of the future. Originally the spandrels were turquoise, which would have helped it stand out more. They were replaced with brown panels in the 1970s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted May 14, 2010 Author Share Posted May 14, 2010 This was downtown's first modern skyscraper. When it was first built in 1952 it must have looked like a vision of the future. Originally the spandrels were turquoise, which would have helped it stand out more. They were replaced with brown panels in the 1970s.How strange - both the Melrose and the Prudential buildings were built in 1952, and are nearly the same height (93.88m, 21 stories vs. 95.1, 21 stories, respectively.)Prudential (Houston Main) BuildingMelrose Building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Oh the dear old Melrose. What a crappy hand it has been dealt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted May 14, 2010 Author Share Posted May 14, 2010 Oh the dear old Melrose. What a crappy hand it has been dealt.. Yes....gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em If only the Melrose would serve as a cautionary tale for those who would recklessly update a building, and thereby seal its fate. Whatever charm this building possessed has been 'improved' out of it, and neglect has finished the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porTENT Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 (edited) The brown panels are "bronze-colored aluminum."No info on last tenets, or how long it's been neglected.. Edited May 17, 2010 by porTENT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Yes....gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em If only the Melrose would serve as a cautionary tale for those who would recklessly update a building, and thereby seal its fate. Whatever charm this building possessed has been 'improved' out of it, and neglect has finished the job. Witness 806 Main. I would love to get inside the Melrose, although you just know it is going to have some sort of strange mid-century funk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Does anyone know if the 806 Main hotel conversion is underway?I never realized that the Melrose was vacant. How long has it been empty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbaker Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Does anyone know if the 806 Main hotel conversion is underway?I never realized that the Melrose was vacant. How long has it been empty?Judging by the condition of the street level exterior, I would guess since the 1980's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bach Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Taxes are paid up, and owner feels it's worth more than anyone is willing to pay. Only covers 1/4 of the block, and very difficult to convert it to anything, and expensive to tear it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrage Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Witness 806 Main. I would love to get inside the Melrose, although you just know it is going to have some sort of strange mid-century funk.Me too, thats what intrigues me about that building. No telling what relics from the past are inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 bumping - could they convert to condos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 In theory, but I could see this being one of those buildings doomed because ceiling heights are too low.  I think the renovation of Texaco and construction of 6 Houston Center might turn up the heat to do something with it.  Poor sad Melrose Building.  As a side note, I really like mid-century buildings like this (and First City and Exxon) that utilize balcony-like extensions to provide shade and reduce cooling costs.  It seems like such a logical solution for a hot climate.  1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 besides the pictures attatched or googled - does anyone know what the interior is like? Is it solid sealed? Or where urban pioneers and explorers able to get in and squat like days inn, savoy ect I will try to ride my bike to and take some pics this weekened - seriously never knew about this building until someone bumped a 6AC thread elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Always loved this building. Could be really cool with some tlc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Since the demise of the Sheraton and the re-development of the Texaco building, this has become the urine-iest building downtown.  Maybe the owner is saving the development of the area for his grandkids. What are the ceiling heights in 806 Main?  They just spent a substantial amount of money on the adjacent garage to reconfigure the entrances to accommodate the new light rail line down Rusk, but with the Skanska temporary ramp thing on an active demolition project, I'm not going to assume that is indicative of anything in the medium term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 besides the pictures attatched or googled - does anyone know what the interior is like? Is it solid sealed? Or where urban pioneers and explorers able to get in and squat like days inn, savoy ect I will try to ride my bike to and take some pics this weekened - seriously never knew about this building until someone bumped a 6AC thread elsewhere. I was able to make it into the Texas State Hotel and Sheraton buildings, but this one seemed to be sealed pretty tight.   If I'm not mistaken, there was a dry cleaners or something similar on the ground floor in the early 1990s, but the rest of the building was closed off even then. I would bet that if they replaced the brown spandrels with the original turquoise that there would be more preservationist interest in the Melrose.   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Is it in the residential incentive perimeter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 IIRC, the turquoise tile is still behind the brown spandrels. Â I haven't walked by it lately, but I also think I remember seeing at least one of the spandrel panels missing, and there was not a gooey mess of mastic left behind. Â Bronze aluminum, as described by a poster above, would have been pretty simple to apply without causing a whole lot of collateral damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 This building could be very cool redone. I'd like to see it made into condos or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 IIRC, the turquoise tile is still behind the brown spandrels. Â I haven't walked by it lately, but I also think I remember seeing at least one of the spandrel panels missing, and there was not a gooey mess of mastic left behind. Â Bronze aluminum, as described by a poster above, would have been pretty simple to apply without causing a whole lot of collateral damage. Â There is one visible, and it does appear to be covered in goo... Â 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specwriter Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 There is one visible, and it does appear to be covered in goo. Â Not much goo really and it is much easier to clean glazed tile than natural stone like limestone. Gimme a drum of mineral spirits and a big rag - I'll get after it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Who owns this building? Can someone tell me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Who owns this building? Can someone tell meGulf apartment llc or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 ^ Hmmmm, that name seems encouraging. Also somewhat encouraging is that they bought it just 3 years ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Building is currently for sale: http://www.loopnet.com/lid/15073342 for about $12M. Just spoke with someone close to the current owner who said the building is about to sell to a "hotel or apt developer" who, he says, will rehab the building and seek historic designation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 That's great news.  The small footprint needn't be a disadvantage.  Skinny condos are quite fashionable now. http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/05/22/small-footprints-tall-towers-skinny-condos-take-manhattan/   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted February 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 3, 2015 http://www.houstonconventiondistrict.com/Home.aspx  Le Meridien. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Scoop! Spectacular. From where is that confirmed? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fkp5 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited)  Le Meridien.  Wow, this is great news! Edited February 3, 2015 by fkp5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 initially, i was thinking omni brand as per this particular development. Â however, le meridien is simply the perfect choice high above the GRB. i have lodged at many of these hotels throughout the middle east, and i really enjoy their courteous staffers / services. houston, is getting it's groove back.... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTHONYHTOWN Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 AWESOME!!!! This one will make us forget about the other disappointment. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 So, what does this news about le Meridian mean?Will the hotel be constructed as part of this current construction or, will construction start some years hence (after the office/garage construction)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 considering the plan is to have the hotel opened by mid 2017, i would say they are constructing the whole tower at once. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 AWESOME!!!! This one will make us forget about the other disappointment.  One would think. But nobody clings to disappointment like HAIFers. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 is there a link to the Le Meridien info? should that be put in the thread title now? i feel like a bunch of people arent noticing it and there should be more excitement about this. hahabut in all honestly..this is the most mixed use building to ever go up in Houston.ground floor retail/restaurantsintermodal transit center1,900 space parking garageoffice building podiumand a freaking LE MERIDIEN to top it all off.the only thing that could make this sweeter is if the le meridien had residences too. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Le Meridien! That will be quite a nice addition to the Downtown area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston? Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) I can't wait to see the final rendering! Edited February 3, 2015 by Houston? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Right? I assume they will have it when they make the official announcement. Le Meridiens are usually pretty cool looking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 The one in NOLA opened in December I believe? If the interiors look anything like those this will be a home run. Also, who would have thought that two of the more rare hotels flags would be flying directly next two the GRB. Great times in Houston. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernz Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 but in all honestly..this is the most mixed use building to ever go up in Houston.If you don't count the Galleria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 If you don't count the Galleriamoo, that only has retail, hotel, and office.This has retail, hotel, office, and intermodal transit center. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I'm sorry I guys. I didn't realize it until earlier today that the proposed Le Meridien may not be connected to this proposal. There's a chance that the Le Meridien will be a new building altogether for Downtown. The hotel brand for this proposed hotel will be announced officially this Spring, but in the meantime I'm going to split all post on the Le Meridien brand into a new thread.HC2415.pdf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fkp5 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 This is even better news with it being a new construction. Do you know where this may be going in downtown? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 yeah. the new convention center hotel(s), AND a whole new Le Meridien? sweet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I'm sorry I guys. I didn't realize it until earlier today that the proposed Le Meridien may not be connected to this proposal. There's a chance that the Le Meridien will be a new building altogether for Downtown. The hotel brand for this proposed hotel will be announced officially this Spring, but in the meantime I'm going to split all post on the Le Meridien brand into a new thread. HC2415.pdf  Maybe this is finally coming to life: http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/27262-city-selling-dt-block-101-for-development-capitolruskcrawfordamericas/?p=483552 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 yeah i was wondering about that site. it will be interesting to see who is going to nab the site next door to/south of OPP, west of Embassy Suites (assuming it hasnt been bought already and is available for sale). thats one of the last remaining properties with decent sight lines of discovery green, unless someone builds something on the same block as ES. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Personally, I don't think that this will be a new structure in downtown. I think it will be in the Houston First planned hotel space. If it really is yet another hotel on another parcel, I would be surprised. There are a lot of hotel rooms coming on line within a year or two in downtown. Probably something like 2000 new rooms (JW, holiday inn, Marriott Concention, Houston First, Greenstreet, humble apartments, Hampton inn or whatever it is under construction now, the mysterious aloft hotel..... Did I miss any?).... That is a lot of new capacity. I am struggling to think that developers will plan yet another one.....Le Meridien will go into the Houston First building.... That's my prediction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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