CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Originally posted August 19, 2018 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 and 3, with my comments and posts included. Renderings of Bridge Market at The Shops at Houston Center in downtown Houston, 1200 McKinney St. The renderings are from the website of BCV Architecture + Interiors. Edited October 30, 2019 by CrockpotandGravel 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted August 20, 2018 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 and 3, with my comments and posts included. The renderings and plans for Bridge Market at The Shops at Houston Center could be old. Some of the other renderings I found in BCV Architecture + Interiors online portfolio dating back to 2014. The renderings don't have a date in their file info either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted August 26, 2018 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 and 3, with my comments and posts included. On 8/20/2018 at 12:38 PM, CrockpotandGravel said: The renderings and plans for Bridge Market at The Shops at Houston Center could be old. Some of the other renderings I found in BCV Architecture + Interiors online portfolio dating back to 2014. The renderings don't have a date in their file info either. Those renderings for Bridge Market at The Shops at Houston Center may not be old after all. Those may be plans for redeveloping the space. I searched the Internet Archive through the Wayback Machine and this project wasn't on the site in 2017. It wasn't on the website either as recent as February of 2018. Source:https://web.archive.org/web/20180224024241/http://bcvarch.com:80/marketplaces Now:http://bcvarch.com/marketplaceshttps://web.archive.org/web/20180926101539/http://bcvarch.com/marketplaces (archive link) This project must have been uploaded to the site in the last six months. Maybe plans of this redevelopment will be announced by the end of the year or early next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted August 26, 2018 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 and 3, with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. On 12/19/2018 at 11:49 AM, swtsig said: Brookfield is unveiling their plans for Houston Center 1/15, just FYI The Houston Center website has a new look, promising new changes to go with the look of the website. The heart of downtown Houston is changing. Planning is underway for a major redevelopment of Houston Center’s landmark 4.2M square foot office and retail campus. Brookfield Properties is making a significant capital investment that will raise the bar in the total tenant experience. Houston Center will be a modern and dynamic mixed use office campus with the amenities to retain and attract top talent. Please check back in January 2019 for the unveiling of the redevelopment plans. http://houstoncenter.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. On 1/16/2019 at 9:50 AM, DrLan34 said: More information: https://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Downtown-s-Houston-Center-prepares-for-makeover-13536779.php "Construction will begin next month and is expected to take nearly two years to complete." Renderings of the Houston Center at 909 Fannin in downtown from the brochure posted previously in the forum here, which were hotlinked from this Houston Chronicle article. They're also uploaded to the website for Houston Center here:http://houstoncenter.com/project/ (archive link) Additional renderings and layout from the brochure not posted in the forum (lo-res images because the brochure is a scanned document): Tenant Conferencing Room Overhead view of Sky deck, Terrace, and Central Plaza Proposed changes to 2 Houston Center and LyondellBasell Tower (direct link to full-sized, non-compressed image) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. On 1/16/2019 at 10:32 AM, DrLan34 said: Film to watch here: http://houstoncenter.com/ Brochure: http://houstoncenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/HC_brochure-01.19.pdf Screenshots of additional renderings of 2 Houston Center from the video linked above: Sky Deck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. On 1/16/2019 at 11:43 AM, mattyt36 said: Page 4 of the PDF DrLan posted mentions nothing specific with regard to the Shops, which is strange when combined with lack of renderings. I would've thought that would be one of the most prominent components given its uniqueness, but maybe they don't see much opportunity there. I can't copy and paste but maybe someone will have better luck than I. Synopsis: -New central plaza and greenspace -Renovation of LBT and 2 HC lobbies -Reclad pedestrian bridges -"Reshaping the retail and dining experience throughout Houston Center" -New shared space design -Conferencing and co-working venues https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32092-houston-center-redevelopment/?do=findComment&comment=584031 On 1/16/2019 at 1:55 PM, H-Town Man said: Open up The Shops at Houston Center more, I can't even tell what they're doing to it (do we know if the Villalobos renderings above are part of the project?). https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32092-houston-center-redevelopment/?do=findComment&comment=584040 On 1/16/2019 at 3:23 PM, mattyt36 said: If so, why keep under wraps at the grand unveiling and the initial distribution of the marketing materials? It usually works in the opposite direction. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32092-houston-center-redevelopment/?do=findComment&comment=584052 On 1/16/2019 at 8:08 PM, tigereye said: Considering the the amount of leases Brookfield let expire causing closures, I’d say a renovation of the Park Shops is still likely. But I am surprised at the lack of details on this side of the project. Also, in the below render, you can see a sliver of the Park Shops, which looks to be at least reclad in a new material. The squared up design is similar to the renders on the Gibran Villalobos site. On 1/16/2019 at 10:39 AM, Urbannizer said: https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32092-houston-center-redevelopment/?do=findComment&comment=584069 The updated brochure above and renderings shows upcoming renovations to the portion possibly called Bridge Market at 1200 McKinney St. That portion includes the 130,000 SF third level of The Shops at Houston Center’s existing food court and interior retail mall. Plans for Bridge Market proposed retail, food hall & market , beer garden or a patio deck bar. That wasn't reported when Brookfield Property made the announcement. But the renderings and brochure show that Bridge Market in downtown Houston is moving forward. Plans for Bridge Market may probably be announced in the fall or at the top of 2020. Edited October 30, 2019 by CrockpotandGravel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. On 6/17/2019 at 11:38 PM, Urbannizer said: Here's a rendering that shows us the final design concept for The Shops at Houston Center, provided by Transwestern Leasing flyer is up as well: https://s3.amazonaws.com/transwestern-property/Flyers/37331b8a-1391-e911-80f5-caa232701e1a.pdf (archive link) https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32092-houston-center-redevelopment/?do=findComment&comment=594127 Updated renderings (some posted from the Houston Chronicle article in January but are higher-res below) of The Shops at Houston Center in downtown Houston, 1200 McKinney St. This is the renovation project officially announced by Brookfield Property earlier this year. Previous renderings and more about in past posts in this thread here, here , here, here, here . McKinney St - Perspective ViewCentral Plaza along McKinney St.Central Plaza at McKinney St. View of Central Plaza from Terrace 2 Houston Center entrance, McKinney & Fannin LyondellBasell Tower lobby LyondellBasell lobby co-working Houston Center Skydeck Edited October 30, 2019 by CrockpotandGravel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. Site plan for Houston Center Levels 1-4 ( includes 1 Houston Center , 2 Houston Center , 4 Houston Center, and Fullbright Tower) From the updated brochure materials posted above. Existing ground floor site plan Proposed ground floor site plan Proposed Site Plan - Level 2 (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) Proposed Site Plan Level 3 (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) Proposed Site Plan - Level 4 (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) Edited October 30, 2019 by CrockpotandGravel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content.Proposed site plans for Houston Center Levels 1-4 ( includes 1 Houston Center , 2 Houston Center , 4 Houston Center, and Fullbright Tower)From the updated brochure materials posted above. Proposed Site Plan - West Section (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) Proposed Site Plan - East Section (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Originally posted June 18, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. Proposed Site Plan of future restaurants and retail. This is the proposed Bridge Market (possible name) replacing The Shops at Houston Center at 1200 McKinney St in downtown Houston. Brookfield Properties didn't announce this part of the project during their presser in January. This has been discussed in this thread (posts linked below). (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) On 6/18/2019 at 3:30 AM, CrockpotandGravel said: Proposed Site Plan - Level 2 (direct link to full size & non-compressed image) The above site plans show the layout for the possibly named Bridge Market replacing The Shops at Houston Center at 1200 McKinney. This includes the proposed food hall , market , and beer garden or patio deck bar for the renovation of Houston Center. (direct link) Bridge Market consists of 49,500 SF and a 1,800 SF outdoor patio. The food hall and market includes a grocer section and a produce market (discussed briefly on page 3 of this thread), a main restaurant, several food stations or food stalls, a wine bar, and possibly two bars. The grocer section includes several aisles of shelves, an area dedicated to oils and cheeses, takeaway sections for groceries, seafood, salami, meats, and beverages. The site plan shows the following restaurant concepts for the food hall & market: - a pasta and pizza concept - a seafood concept - a crudo concept - a meat concept - a gastronomy concept - a pizza lab - a pasta restaurant - a dessert shop - an ice cream stall - a beverage stall - a mozzarella retail shop and lab - An Italian concept possibly named Cucina & Crudo Wine Bar - possibly named Piazza Main Bar - possibly named Bar Terra Main restaurant with wine room - possibly named Terra Restaurant Past posts about the possibly named Bridge Market are here and here. (this is no longer showing on BCV Architecture + Interiors' website, but the linked posts include an archive page) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrockpotandGravel Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) Originally posted August 7, 2019 in this thread before all of my content were removed from the entire forum earlier this month due to a mod's "error". Reposting this throws off the flow of the thread (i.e. out of order), still, it may be helpful for visitors to see what was previously discussed or shared before. Archive links to this threads of all posts from pages 2 , 3, and 4 with my comments and posts included before mods deleted all of my content. More on Brookfield Properties' Houston Center renovations in downtown Houston. From Houston Business Journal in late July: The lobbies of LyondellBasell Tower and 2 Houston Center will feature tenant lounges, which will be flanked by these conference facilities: LyondellBasell Tower: six bookable tenant conference rooms with A/V capabilities — three of which are scalable for a combined seating capacity for up to 231 people — situated around a social staircase – an architectural feature to encourage employees to sit, relax and congregate, per the release. 2 Houston Center: two boardroom-style meeting rooms with A/V capabilities; two huddle rooms for more informal break-out meetings, which seat six to 14 people per room; plus "ample public seating areas for tenants to collaborate," the release states. The fitness center will be located in LyondellBasell Tower and will be open to all Houston Center tenants. It will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the new central plaza greenspace below, fitness equipment, locker rooms with towel service, a secluded space for private workouts and access to on-demand virtual fitness classes, per the release. https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2019/07/25/first-look-more-renderings-of-houston-centers.html Edited October 30, 2019 by CrockpotandGravel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2019 Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) You didn’t throw off the flow. Glad to see the Shops at Houston Center take on new life. I personally think 4 Houston Center might be a worthy renovation into residences someday. It’s a big bulky building, but would afford some nice indoor/outdoor space for residential, as well as more loft-like floor/ceiling heights. Watching the decent (and sorta hokey) Brookfield promotions video of the proposed work...er... I think I see Brandon Taubam (former Asst. GM for the Astros). He looks ...happy. Seems to have landed on his feet. Edited October 30, 2019 by arche_757 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nate99 Posted November 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted November 11, 2019 18 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 36 minutes ago, Nate99 said: Wasting no time! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 It's really looking great so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastdwntwn Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Timeline of the project for the LBT. Please find below a timeline (anticipated start and completion dates) on major project milestones that may impact LyondellBasell Tower (LBT). Anticipated completion of the full Houston Center project is late 2020. Skybridge between LBT and 4 Houston Center – anticipated completion by January 2020 Skybridge/east stairwell connecting Fulbright Tower and mezzanine level – the new stairwell is expected to be open for public usage by late November 2019. Note: The stairwell will be open and safe for public usage, but the stairwell finishes will not be 100% complete at this stage. Removal of escalators in LBT – this milestone is contingent upon the opening of the stairwell (anticipated by late November 2019). Assuming all goes accordingly, escalator removal is expected to occur by late 2019. LBT main building entrance – this date is contingent upon the timing of the curtain wall installation. New retail door openings will be installed on the South side of the building and will serve as a temporary entrance in order to facilitate the removal of the existing East side entrance. Installation of the South side retail doors is projected to occur by late March 2020. Parking garage - The plaza work overall will be ongoing until the end of 2020. Structural and waterproofing work will not be completed until the final stage of the project, anticipated in mid to late 2020. LBT lobby areas – Terrazzo floor installation phasing is commencing next week (early November 2019). Anticipated completion and reopening of the full lobby is late 2020. Fitness center and conferencing center – expected completion by late 2020. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hindesky Posted December 1, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 1, 2019 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 Hmm wish those panels were white like in the renders. That would have been more striking. It definitely already feels more open and approachable, but the white would have been a nice approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 13 minutes ago, Luminare said: Hmm wish those panels were white like in the renders. That would have been more striking. It definitely already feels more open and approachable, but the white would have been a nice approach. Interesting... I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw they were not going with the white. I didn't think it went with the upper part of the building, at all. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 1 minute ago, Houston19514 said: Interesting... I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw they were not going with the white. I didn't think it went with the upper part of the building, at all. Agreed. I never had a problem with the existing look of the complex, so I was dubious of the value of trying to update it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, Houston19514 said: Interesting... I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw they were not going with the white. I didn't think it went with the upper part of the building, at all. I actually liked the building as it was as well. That time period in architectural history and design has always interested me, but the bottom portion definitely needed an update to what our standards for pedestrian design are today. With that being said, I think it would have been interesting it was white because I think the contrast between the two would have been rather interesting. Right now with it being the color it is it makes the building float in a very uneasy way?! If that makes sense. The white would have been a good way to ground the building while at the same time making it more approachable. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 Personally I would have voted for stone of some sort on the spandrels, as well as having the base facade forward of the upper curtain wall rather than lined up with the indentations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 On 10/30/2019 at 4:19 AM, CrockpotandGravel said: I can't wait for this to be finished. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted January 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2020 Latest design for The Shops at Houston Center 18 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 much much better! I would personally go to town on that brick wall with a sledgehammer if I could. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 This part of downtown is getting a very Millennium Park/Central Park vibe to it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nate4l1f3 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Will the side facing the Four Seasons change at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 11 hours ago, Urbannizer said: Latest design for The Shops at Houston Center For comparisons sake. Here it is as of now in 2019: Yeah...would be a significant improvement. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 This change will make Sears -> Ion look like a fresh coat of paint 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 12 hours ago, Urbannizer said: Latest design for The Shops at Houston Center I appreciate what they are trying to do. Four Houston Center has always been fortress-like from the street, in line with the original vision for the complex, so opening it up to the street makes sense. That said, the renovations are so unconnected in style with the original structure that they seem like they were just tacked on the facade. Instead of just trying to look generically modern, I would have made more of an effort to integrate with the building. At a minimum, matching the brick facing would have not made it look like so much of an afterthought. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 (edited) I kinda like that it looks like two completely different buildings. It helps break up the block and make it feel less like one massive thing. Edited January 14, 2020 by Texasota 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 I agree. It needed a fresh update and I think once the project is complete it will make better sense. That mall has never drawn a crowd. This will be more inviting and open it up to the visitors to downtown. 4 hours ago, Texasota said: I kinda like that it looks like two completely different buildings. It helps break up the block and make it feel less like one massive thing. I also see where Subdude is coming from but my hope is that the materials in transition make sense and create an inviting entry to the retail. Only time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 It will more blend and match the environment being created across the street, which also stands out from the buildings behind and above. So, I expect that, in context, that the streetscape will make sense, hold the attention and the supporting structures just be background. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 My concern is that misguided modernizations are almost always regretted in retrospect. A perfect example is the "modernization" of buildings on Main Street during the 1960s. Plenty of buildings had new "modern' facades slapped on them - in some cases mainly at street level, and in other instances (Lamar Hotel, West Building, 806 Main) entirely new facades. Without exception the results were horrendous. Just about every one of them has been demolished, whereas if they had kept the original character (Rice Hotel) I think the odds would have been better that they would have survived. The Houston Center redevelopment design strikes me as looking just as slapped-on, and I'd wager that sometime in the near future people will be saying "What were they thinking?". 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 16 hours ago, Subdude said: I appreciate what they are trying to do. Four Houston Center has always been fortress-like from the street, in line with the original vision for the complex, so opening it up to the street makes sense. That said, the renovations are so unconnected in style with the original structure that they seem like they were just tacked on the facade. Instead of just trying to look generically modern, I would have made more of an effort to integrate with the building. At a minimum, matching the brick facing would have not made it look like so much of an afterthought. 49 minutes ago, Subdude said: My concern is that misguided modernizations are almost always regretted in retrospect. A perfect example is the "modernization" of buildings on Main Street during the 1960s. Plenty of buildings had new "modern' facades slapped on them - in some cases mainly at street level, and in other instances (Lamar Hotel, West Building, 806 Main) entirely new facades. Without exception the results were horrendous. Just about every one of them has been demolished, whereas if they had kept the original character (Rice Hotel) I think the odds would have been better that they would have survived. The Houston Center redevelopment design strikes me as looking just as slapped-on, and I'd wager that sometime in the near future people will be saying "What were they thinking?". In general I agree with your premise, but it really does come down to context. In this case its the absence of context. Where prior renovations to classical style facades into abstract modern facades was a stripping of context which, once taken out or replaced, looks like a mistake in hindsight, this is the complete opposite where if this gets updated again 20 years from now its added context on top of an abstract form which in hindsight one sees how lifeless the prior version was before the alteration and the instead its the alteration that will most likely be remembered more fondly for its efforts. A reduction of detail to abstract is really hard to achieve very well, just as its really hard to condense something complex and make it really simple. The opposite is true for detail. While the detail that gets added might not by itself be successful the continued process of adding detail is what is admired and later appreciated. Just look at cities over history that gradually replaced their building stocks from very low detail buildings to more elaborate detailed buildings and its those buildings with more detail that get more attention and are more likely to survive each change out of building stock. Houston is also a really special case because as soon as it was just starting to add a lot of classical detail and detail in general it was right on the doorsteps of Modernism which...well we know what happened with that for good and bad. This is actually an interesting opportunity for the city as a whole to start adding new layers of detail, so as a city we can establish a better and more unique context. This particular building you can literally find this look and style of building all over the place. Its just not unique enough to justify it remaining as is, and on top of that its initial premise as a building as failed which only further begs the question of if it should remain. The problem with this building is that its so massive that the only way to make it successful in the time being is to chip away at it piece by piece and adding new layers to it piece by piece. I'm actually going to be more interested not what this layer of "modernization" does, but what the next 2 or 3 on top of this will look like. Then it might be something really interesting. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 (edited) Funny - they're substituting in white and grey just as brown is starting to return (as breathlessly revealed by the fishwrap the Chron yesterday). Edited January 15, 2020 by mollusk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 On 1/15/2020 at 7:35 AM, Subdude said: My concern is that misguided modernizations are almost always regretted in retrospect. A perfect example is the "modernization" of buildings on Main Street during the 1960s. Plenty of buildings had new "modern' facades slapped on them - in some cases mainly at street level, and in other instances (Lamar Hotel, West Building, 806 Main) entirely new facades. Without exception the results were horrendous. Just about every one of them has been demolished, whereas if they had kept the original character (Rice Hotel) I think the odds would have been better that they would have survived. The Houston Center redevelopment design strikes me as looking just as slapped-on, and I'd wager that sometime in the near future people will be saying "What were they thinking?". It would be interesting to see a modern, street level friendly approach in the style of the original buildings. I agree, as I'm not fond of erasing history, regardless if anyone thinks it's ugly nor not. However, given the upper portions of the towers remain intact, I approve of this. So long as they don't completely erase the identity... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 On 1/14/2020 at 3:48 PM, Subdude said: I appreciate what they are trying to do. Four Houston Center has always been fortress-like from the street, in line with the original vision for the complex, so opening it up to the street makes sense. That said, the renovations are so unconnected in style with the original structure that they seem like they were just tacked on the facade. Instead of just trying to look generically modern, I would have made more of an effort to integrate with the building. At a minimum, matching the brick facing would have not made it look like so much of an afterthought. Perhaps once it is built the contrast between the new and old won't be as stark as rendered. There's good reason to hope for this result given the renderings and reality of the renovations to One Houston Center and Two Houston Center. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerNut Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 Is that open air seating I spy on top? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nate99 Posted January 27, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2020 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Nate99 said: This is turning out way better than I expected... 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 I agree. I was concerned they were going to transform them too much. As a 70s kid, I've always liked these two black boxes. I actually think these street level improvements compliment the architecture quite well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Me too, Avassos... but I'm still going to miss that round escalator pod (I know, space limitations, ADA, etc., etc.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 The end product should work out much better for the area, I think HC was supposed to be some massive mall complex that was cut way short. I'm not sure if the original designs would have held up better had that vision come to pass, but this has some real potential. Add some more residential and whatever else they're doing with the Skanska stuff, and you have the DG walking area radius looking like a really great neighborhood. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 I don't know if this has been answered or not, but will JoS. A. Banks remain a ground floor tenant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Wow that is awesome. I wonder when the fortresses on Louisiana & Smith will follow suit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strickn Posted February 12, 2020 Share Posted February 12, 2020 From other threads, Brookfield is the owner who has been renovating Total Plaza, Allen Center and Heritage Plaza (though that one's not quite along Louisiana & Smith) too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted February 12, 2020 Share Posted February 12, 2020 3 hours ago, strickn said: From other threads, Brookfield is the owner who has been renovating Total Plaza, Allen Center and Heritage Plaza (though that one's not quite along Louisiana & Smith) too. I wish they would renovate the Heritage Plaza Parking Garage. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 19 hours ago, Houston19514 said: I wish they would renovate the Heritage Plaza Parking Garage. Haven't seen it in a while... is it in bad shape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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