Le Meridien (Melrose Building) At 1121 Walker St.

[Avossos]

So sad... That building looks amazing. Wish we could have kept more of our history. The melrose building should be cool.

[Montrose1100]

I know this is off topic but what would you guess the cost of building that same style with the original materials and plans nowadays? Of course with modern fire protection etc. I know the Marriott was redone in a reasonable fashion but would brick and ornate details really be that expensive?

[Texasota]

If you're happy with how the Marriott turned out, then no. Actually doing a good job would be significantly (impractically) more expensive.

[H-Town Man]

I know this is off topic but what would you guess the cost of building that same style with the original materials and plans nowadays? Of course with modern fire protection etc. I know the Marriott was redone in a reasonable fashion but would brick and ornate details really be that expensive?

 

Very, very expensive. First, most architects are not trained to design in historical styles. Walk through your typical architecture school and look at the projects and everyone is trying to be the next Frank Gehry or Calatrava. Whereas back then, people really got an education in the historical styles, the proportions, the endless vocabulary of all the different details, etc.

 

Then, all the companies and infrastructure that existed to supply ornament for a building like that are no more. Where are you going to get cast stone (let alone real carved stone) pieces like that nowadays? Not as cheaply as when there were dozens of buildings going up in every city placing orders. And how much are your stone carvers going to cost if you decide to go that route? Will they work as cheaply as the half-starved Italian immigrant stone laborers did a hundred years ago? Probably not.

 

All that said, it can be done. Look at the new Old Parkland buildings by the Trammell Crow family in Dallas. That is first rate historical architecture. It's all very big and inflated, as one can expect from our era, but the details and proportions are there. And Rice built bona fide historic-style buildings for the Baker School and Jones School of Management 15 years or so ago. But the people who build this kind of stuff have deep pockets and are generally owner-occupants. A developer building an investment property is unlikely to splurge on history.

 

The best way to have historic architecture, it must lastly be said, is not to tear down historic buildings.

[Montrose1100]

If you're happy with how the Marriott turned out, then no. Actually doing a good job would be significantly (impractically) more expensive.

The interior is beyond. The exterior, I just have to say "That'll do pig... that'll do".

 

Very, very expensive. First, most architects are not trained to design in historical styles. Walk through your typical architecture school and look at the projects and everyone is trying to be the next Frank Gehry or Calatrava. Whereas back then, people really got an education in the historical styles, the proportions, the endless vocabulary of all the different details, etc.

 

Then, all the companies and infrastructure that existed to supply ornament for a building like that are no more. Where are you going to get cast stone (let alone real carved stone) pieces like that nowadays? Not as cheaply as when there were dozens of buildings going up in every city placing orders. And how much are your stone carvers going to cost if you decide to go that route? Will they work as cheaply as the half-starved Italian immigrant stone laborers did a hundred years ago? Probably not.

 

All that said, it can be done. Look at the new Old Parkland buildings by the Trammell Crow family in Dallas. That is first rate historical architecture. It's all very big and inflated, as one can expect from our era, but the details and proportions are there. And Rice built bona fide historic-style buildings for the Baker School and Jones School of Management 15 years or so ago. But the people who build this kind of stuff have deep pockets and are generally owner-occupants. A developer building an investment property is unlikely to splurge on history.

 

The best way to have historic architecture, it must lastly be said, is not to tear down historic buildings.

Well I know it would be a very distinct group of people who are not trained per say, but knowledgeable? I know the time has long passed when people were able to draft and design their own homes, but there must be specialized craftsmen and women who know the ins and outs of past styles. Very expensive, I guess is the answer to my question. 

 

I'm sure getting carved stone with today's technology and precision wouldn't be hard necessarily, just purchasing the stone in large quantities (shipping, construction, you name it). 

 

Stucco and Styrofoam are the only feasible options today to replicate this? Brick is sill used. It would be a wet dream to have The Sterling Hotel built like the original proposal, but it would be more realistic and ideal to have smaller buildings that occupy lots Downtown to mimic the charm and characteristics of that time. Rather than a blasphemous Renoir Lofts .

 

A shame at the price of practicality and profit we have lost so much passion and interest. Such is life.

 

Anyways, Back on to the Le Meridien. It's refreshing to see this building saved and used in a good way. 

[ricco67]

wasn't this the building that the original coney island restaurant was in?

[H-Town Man]

No, pretty sure that was the West Building on Main Street where BG Group Place now stands.

 

[Urbannizer]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/bayou-city-history/article/The-Melrose-Building-is-one-of-Houston-s-6668309.php#photo-9040608

[cspwal]

The only part that you can see from this side of the paywall

 

Nice historic photo of, and I liked the explanation of how they did it

 

 

 

Right now, it's a sad-looking skyscraper at the corner of Walker and San Jacinto. Been that way for quite some time actually.

 

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/bayou-city-history/article/The-Melrose-Building-is-one-of-Houston-s-6668309.php#photo-9040608

[Nate99]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/bayou-city-history/article/The-Melrose-Building-is-one-of-Houston-s-6668309.php#photo-9040608

 

In my head, I read the caption in the 1940's news reel narrator's voice.

[Subdude]

The 1950 downtown photograph is incredible in the amount of detail it shows.  You can imagine how futuristic the Melrose Building must have looked at the time.

 

 

[LarryDierker]

Was it the third tallest at the time of the photo?

[bobruss]

I think the original James Coney Island was not on Main Street but on either Walker or Rusk east of Main

street. I remember going there in the 50's. The chairs were reminiscent of the old wooden school desks

where the desk folded up from a side position.

[Houston19514]

I think the original James Coney Island was not on Main Street but on either Walker or Rusk east of Main

street. I remember going there in the 50's. The chairs were reminiscent of the old wooden school desks

where the desk folded up from a side position.

 

Here's what James Coney Island has to say on the matter:

 

Nestled on the ground floor of the Beatty-West Building on Walker and Main in downtown Houston, the first James Coney Island opened its doors in 1923

 

[bobruss]

So I guess your right but I did have the side street right and I believe you entered on Walker side.

[Twinsanity02]

Great old photo. Can see the old Foley's/Macy's building. Have no idea what building is just north of them. How is the Melrose redevelopment coming along?

[mollusk]

The building immediately north of Foley's is was the Lamar Hotel, famous for Suite 8-F.

[Twinsanity02]

What a beauty she was. Painful to think of the loss. I suppose there was no way ( or desire) to save her. What a loss.

[rechlin]

They have now closed off the sidewalks and lanes adjacent to the building in preparation for construction:

The ten 55-gallon drums (not visible; behind the van in the photo) appear to be from soil testing of the adjacent parking lot. They are labeled "soil cuttings" and "IDW purge water".

[monarch]

^^^ great work rechlin!

[Nate99]

Demolition crew back on site...

 

[UtterlyUrban]

I am wondering what they will do to the north facade above the garage. It is just two blank walls now. Will they add windows? Did I read that this building is now some kind of official "landmark"? If so, they may not be able to change that blank facade?

Curious to see renderings from a different direction.

[BigFootsSocks]

I really really hope that a blank walled parking garage is considered a historic landmark. It's just so...Houston

[Nate99]

Lifting stuff out of the basement...

 

[tigereye]

In case anyone forgot about this, here's an update.

https://twitter.com/thachadwick/status/701922419586367492

[rechlin]

They are now building the construction elevator:

[monarch]

^^^ are they planning on having this luxury development open / operating in time for the super bowl.... anyone??

[Nate99]

11 hours ago, monarch said:

^^^ are they planning on having this luxury development open / operating in time for the super bowl.... anyone??

That would be mighty ambitious.

[Houston19514]

13 hours ago, monarch said:

^^^ are they planning on having this luxury development open / operating in time for the super bowl.... anyone??

The hotel is expected to open in April, 2017.  So, no.

[ChannelTwoNews]

38 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

The hotel is expected to open in April, 2017.  So, no.

Le Meridien's website says October 2017, so even more of a no.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/directory/hotels/all/list.html

[Gator80]

Photo from earlier today. 

[Urbannizer]

Some greenery on the roof, from reddit:

[Montrose1100]

Interesting. Do you think those rocks are safe from the wind tunnels during Hurricanes? (must be if they've been there for decades).

[H-TownChris2]

3/20/16 by Chris Rojas, on Flickr

3/20/16 by Chris Rojas, on Flickr

[hindesky]

[peppermint2]

thank you all for updating!!  I am really interested in this project but I am not at Houston so the pictures are really helpful - looking forward to getting more information about this building :)))

[Nate99]

[lockmat]

Sorry for the poor quality but the green facade on a few of the floors on the east side is really cleaned up. If you look closely it's tile.

 

 

It will be interesting to see how the rest of this block is developed. I'm also curious if the connected garage will ever be demolished (wishful thinking) or if they're at least going to clean it up.

[rechlin]

The garage was heavily renovated and cleaned up about a year ago, so I doubt there are plans to take it down anytime soon.

[Urbannizer]

 

[lockmat]

I'm not so sure how this finished product will look. Up close those green tiles look like they're from Builders Square and don't even look like they were installed that well.

[UtterlyUrban]

1 hour ago, lockmat said:

I'm not so sure how this finished product will look. Up close those green tiles look like they're from Builders Square and don't even look like they were installed that well.

I fully agree.  If they decide to keep them, maybe they have a "plan" for them.  Time will tell, I guess.  

[lockmat]

They removed the glass from a lot of the windows.

[hindesky]

[rechlin]

Looks like they are back to taking soil samples again in the adjacent parking lot.  They were actively drilling in one corner and have another section of the lot coned off for additional samples.  These are both different corners from where they were taking soil samples last time (last year if I remember right).  Wonder if the rumors of a parking garage going here still have merit?

 

 

 

[UtterlyUrban]

I am very curious about those green tiles.  Looks like they cleaned them.  Maybe they will stay?  Hmmmmm.  I might write the developer a note.  They should consider removing those tiles and replacing them with a nice dark beige.  They could be really radical and go with a light beige if they wanted.  I mean, everyone uses beige. Green?  Why be so radical?   We need more awesome buildings like the Embassy Suites and Hampton Inn thing.  Those babies are lovely.  Green tiles?  Sheesh. 

 

 

[UtterlyUrban]

double post.

 

 

Edited July 22, 2016 by UtterlyUrban

[lockmat]

I don't hate the color, actually I really like it. It's the fact that they're bathroom tiles that kills me. Maybe if they polish them up or put some artsy paintings they'll look better.

[lockmat]

3 hours ago, rechlin said:

Looks like they are back to taking soil samples again in the adjacent parking lot.  They were actively drilling in one corner and have another section of the lot coned off for additional samples.  These are both different corners from where they were taking soil samples last time (last year if I remember right).  Wonder if the rumors of a parking garage going here still have merit?

 

Are you serious, a garage was rumored? If that's the case and there are no future plans to build on top of it, it will totally cripple the potential these surrounding blocks have.

 

[Naviguessor]

13 hours ago, lockmat said:

I don't hate the color, actually I really like it. It's the fact that they're bathroom tiles that kills me. Maybe if they polish them up or put some artsy paintings they'll look better.

Maybe some hearts and angles.   Fleur de lis, perhaps, to make sure people know that it's a French brand.