Texas Tower (Block 58) By Hines, 47-Story Office Tower

[bobruss 5044]

Curious if the FAA height is posted yet, so we can have a better understanding of where this stands in the pecking order.

[rechlin 3029]

If we could find a higher resolution version of the stack diagram (I can't post it here because image posting still seems to be broken; somehow ekdrm2d1 and blakevirgilio figured out how, but I've tried Chrome, Firefox, and Edge and none will post photos), we could know for sure, but the low resolution version posted by blakevirgilio appears to say something like 720 feet if you squint.  Also, Block 42 looks like it says 520 feet on that same diagram.  Wish we could get a better copy of the image!

[rechlin 3029]

2 hours ago, CrockpotandGravel said:

On desktop, drag the image from whichever page to your post on HAIF. The image will be seen by everyone. That method also works for web addresses or links. Put the link in the search bar, highlight it and then drag to your editing field on HAIF. It's a workaround for now until the admin fixes the board.

Thank you!  Now if only I could "like" your post!

 

This is the image I was referring to:

 

 

[jmitch94 2106]

What is this a render for ants! Seriously those numbers are microscopic.  

[UtterlyUrban 1689]

Gerald Hines (and the company that bears his name) = the best developer of the last 50 years (and possibly the next 50.

[hindesky 51354]

Barricades are surrounding the entire block. 

[KinkaidAlum 2867]

Somebody mentioned earlier in this thread that it would be 735 feet. That person has seemingly been spot on with reports about this project so far.

[bobruss 5044]

If you can  zoom in on the dimension at the the top of the drawing on the left it appears to read 737 or 735.

But Ive been known to miss a few things so check it out.

[brijonmang 5612]

See post below for photo...

 

 

Edited July 23, 2018 by brijonmang

[brijonmang 5612]

I can't delete my last failed post so here it is again with an embedded photo.

[houstontexasjack 2418]

1 hour ago, bobruss said:

If you can  zoom in on the dimension at the the top of the drawing on the left it appears to read 737 or 735.

But Ive been known to miss a few things so check it out.

The last digit looks like a 7. The middle could be a “3” or an “8.” A “3” would put it right around PAC’s 735’ statement.

[Twinsanity02 1329]

Emporis Houston has been this building as 735 feet in height.

[Gator80 57]

So this one is shorter than 609 then? Disappointing for such a prominent site. Props to Hines but it has become clear that they do not intend build in Houston to the heights that they were 35 years ago. 

[MarathonMan 1189]

When this building goes up it’s going to block one of the best views (from the north) of 609 Main.  I wonder why Hines oriented 609 Main so that it’s best, most dramatic side (facing Chase) is mostly blocked from view by taller buildings while the plain back side is wide open toward MMP.  I would have flipped it 180 degrees.

[Naviguessor 2306]

The slope of 609, points up to the top of the Chase Building.  I am pretty sure that that is intentional and makes 609 coherent within the skyline.  But, I don't see that this will much block the view of 609. 

[kennyc05 336]

Will One Mrket Square if built block the view of this this tower?

[Avossos 2356]

I know everyone likes having full views of significant towers... but every tower that goes up is designed to be the best, for its own purpose. If this tower went up with intentions not to block something else, it isn't being designed right... I bet we will have new interesting perspectives as our skyline continues to change... that's a good thing!

[TexasGeneral 116]

Equipment on site is tearing up the parking lot this morning. 

[Alec 504]

3 hours ago, Avossos said:

I know everyone likes having full views of significant towers... but every tower that goes up is designed to be the best, for its own purpose. If this tower went up with intentions not to block something else, it isn't being designed right... I bet we will have new interesting perspectives as our skyline continues to change... that's a good thing!

 

Avassos, you're the Pangloss to HAIF's Candide. Never stop believing.

[bobruss 5044]

3 hours ago, Avossos said:

I know everyone likes having full views of significant towers... but every tower that goes up is designed to be the best, for its own purpose. If this tower went up with intentions not to block something else, it isn't being designed right... I bet we will have new interesting perspectives as our skyline continues to change... that's a good thing!

The other thing that it does is adds new colors, textures and shapes to the skyline and what makes the skyline more interesting is that play of one building off of another. Layering gives the skyline more depth and intensifies the overall fabric of our architectural still life. I keep hoping for more growth in the gap you see coming up 288 into town between the Chase grouping and the Wells Fargo grouping. I'd love to see more density in the middle gap. Of course you'd lose the Pennzoil but gain more density of buildings.

[Avossos 2356]

1 hour ago, Alec said:

 

Avassos, you're the Pangloss to HAIF's Candide. Never stop believing.

 

1 hour ago, bobruss said:

The other thing that it does is adds new colors, textures and shapes to the skyline and what makes the skyline more interesting is that play of one building off of another. Layering gives the skyline more depth and intensifies the overall fabric of our architectural still life. I keep hoping for more growth in the gap you see coming up 288 into town between the Chase grouping and the Wells Fargo grouping. I'd love to see more density in the middle gap. Of course you'd lose the Pennzoil but gain more density of buildings.

 

Just did some research on Pangloss... now, I don't believe everything that is ever done, is right or as it should be. but there are a few things to draw from that I could agree with Dr. P... There are positives to consider when analyzing all sides of this. For one, there is a history of smaller, older towers, getting "lost" in the sea of larger towers... There positive (Dr. Pangloss should agree) that we are raising the bar or making forward progress.

 

I do not think so positively though... Historic buildings, if architecturally significant, should not be destroyed... We need them, especially here. Some projects or developments are misguided and do not consider a greater good. Protections, and even zoning, are mechanisms that could increase the greater good, despite people feeling like their rights are infringed.

 

My point for this is, like bobruss said, there will be some positives with varying the skyline and added new materials. I do wish we would get a different colored tower or something not just glass... all and all it would be hard to feel discouraged because a 50 story designer tower is much better than a parking lot.

[Highrise Tower 36555]

6 hours ago, TexasGeneral said:

Equipment on site is tearing up the parking lot this morning. 

[Reporter 288]

Home made rendering made just for fun. Not official.

[lockmat 2340]

nice

[bobruss 5044]

Nice job Reporter! If you could move it just a little more to the right I think you would have it in the perfect spot. It appears to be hugging the west side of the block in the floor plan on page 32. Good work.

[HtownWxBoy 199]

Great addition to that section of Downtown ... will be a great view approaching the city from the east. 

[Nate99 7795]

[Reporter 288]

At this rate, I think this building will be finished by the end of the summer. These guys don't fock around.

[Triton 12043]

4 hours ago, Reporter said:

Home made rendering made just for fun. Not official.

 

 

Great use of my photo.

[Reporter 288]

Thanks for putting on the internet so I could 'borrow' it.

 

Edited July 25, 2018 by Reporter

[Highrise Tower 36555]

Fence is going up

[brijonmang 5612]

Just got sent a picture of a rendering for block 42 and unfortunately I can’t post it yet but I can say with confidence I think you all will like it. It matches the massing of the top down view blakevirgilio posted a few pages back. The wall facing market square is all glass with a little angle setback at the base of the glass. I’ll post it when I’m given the ok. 

 

[lockmat 2340]

On 7/19/2018 at 11:47 AM, blakevirgilio said:

Here are more images:

 

 

 

 

48 minutes ago, brijonmang said:

Just got sent a picture of a rendering for block 42 and unfortunately I can’t post it yet but I can say with confidence I think you all will like it. It matches the massing of the top down view blakevirgilio posted a few pages back. The wall facing market square is all glass with a little angle setback at the base of the glass. I’ll post it when I’m given the ok. 

 

 

 

Besides the massing it is a good representation of what it looks like? Thanks for the description. 

 

I think it's a really good idea they found a way to have one of the main sides facing the park.

[brijonmang 5612]

33 minutes ago, lockmat said:

 

 

Besides the massing it is a good representation of what it looks like? Thanks for the description. 

 

I think it's a really good idea they found a way to have one of the main sides facing the park.

 

I think it’s (the massing image you posted) a good representation of the building. I only have one picture that’s black and white and it shows the glass curtain wall which I matched with the Market Square side because of the bend in the facade. The other material might be limestone or marble or slate...some kind of stone. It’s a brick/paver pattern but the pieces are larger than brick. 

[Nole23 1455]

Does it have ground floor retail? Asking for a friend...

[brijonmang 5612]

11 hours ago, Nole23 said:

Does it have ground floor retail? Asking for a friend...

Hard to say.  The first floor does appear to be taller than the others though, so maybe that's due to it having some retail space?

[bobruss 5044]

13 hours ago, Nole23 said:

Does it have ground floor retail? Asking for a friend...

 

 "We will again take those standards to an even higher level with a larger, activated lobby, expanded user experience and by fully realizing the direction in which tenants and their employees are going, by striving to meet the needs of the ever-changing workforce in ways the Texas market has never seen.”

 

This is a quote from their press release so without having to read too much into it they seem to be alluding to more GFR.

[Urbannizer 45228]

21 minutes ago, bobruss said:

 

 "We will again take those standards to an even higher level with a larger, activated lobby, expanded user experience and by fully realizing the direction in which tenants and their employees are going, by striving to meet the needs of the ever-changing workforce in ways the Texas market has never seen.”

 

This is a quote from their press release so without having to read too much into it they seem to be alluding to more GFR.

 

That quote is referring to the office building, but I believe Block 42 will have GFR. I remember someone saying the two and 717 Texas will all tie in together at ground level.

[harementire 10]

I am looking forward to this. Another great project.

[Highrise Tower 36555]

On 7/25/2018 at 2:15 PM, Reporter said:

At this rate, I think this building will be finished by the end of the summer. These guys don't fock around.

 

Reminds me of Caydon.

[Timoric 1564]

-

Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[kbates2 1404]

3 hours ago, Timoric said:

Good Q&A about this building and MegaTrends for Downtown Houston in general from Ralph Bivin's website - take away the high end market (legal and others) want newer buildings with better lighting, so if you build the right complement of features you can lease those places up and attract new tenants nationally and from aging 80's class A with short ceilings etc. That space is tighter than the 20 percent vacancy rate indicates on the surface.

 

http://realtynewsreport.com/2018/07/23/hines-new-skyscraper-and-the-future-of-downtown-houston-qa-with-tim-relyea-of-cushman-wakefield/

 

"Nine new high-rise office buildings, containing 6 million SF have been completed since 2008 and construction is under way on Skanska’s 750,000 square foot building and construction recently commenced for a new 1 million-SF building the former Houston Chronicle site."

 

Somebody help me out here:

 

1) Hess

2) BG Group Place

3) Hillcorp

4) 609 Main

5) ?

6) ?

7) ?

8) ?

9) ?

[Twinsanity02 1329]

I suspect this statement is including Medical Center and Uptown. Why he switched from talking about downtown to other areas I do not know. He is not a scientist so his statements may show excessive flexibility.

[Naviguessor 2306]

With this upshifting of high end clients, creating a vacancy in the mid range, for lower end clients which will create a vacuum of space in older, but still large commercial buildings, I think that's it inevitable, that some buildings will be converted to residential and/or hospitality options, as downtown living and tourism become more appealing.  I know that most of us would like to see this happen to the Exxon Building (which would be really cool if it did follow in the Humble & Texaco Building's footsteps).  But, I wonder what other buildings are likely to completely vacate and thus be susceptible to transition. 

[Subdude 1606]

1 hour ago, kbates2 said:

 

"Nine new high-rise office buildings, containing 6 million SF have been completed since 2008 and construction is under way on Skanska’s 750,000 square foot building and construction recently commenced for a new 1 million-SF building the former Houston Chronicle site."

 

Somebody help me out here:

 

1) Hess

2) BG Group Place

3) Hillcorp

4) 609 Main

5) ?

6) ?

7) ?

8) ?

9) ?

 

The Houston First/Partnership building is another.  I'm trying to figure this out myself.

[thatguysly 1254]

36 minutes ago, Naviguessor said:

With this upshifting of high end clients, creating a vacancy in the mid range, for lower end clients which will create a vacuum of space in older, but still large commercial buildings, I think that's it inevitable, that some buildings will be converted to residential and/or hospitality options, as downtown living and tourism become more appealing.  I know that most of us would like to see this happen to the Exxon Building (which would be really cool if it did follow in the Humble & Texaco Building's footsteps).  But, I wonder what other buildings are likely to completely vacate and thus be susceptible to transition. 

 

As long as they don't end up like that vacated building downtown that no one wants to tear down or renovate. I agree it will be interesting to see how cities across the country deal with the issue of aging towers 40+ floors in height that have no architectural appeal.

[TexasGeneral 116]

5 hours ago, kbates2 said:

 

"Nine new high-rise office buildings, containing 6 million SF have been completed since 2008 and construction is under way on Skanska’s 750,000 square foot building and construction recently commenced for a new 1 million-SF building the former Houston Chronicle site."

 

Somebody help me out here:

 

1) Hess

2) BG Group Place

3) Hillcorp

4) 609 Main

5) ?

6) ?

7) ?

8) ?

9) ?

Seems like he has to be thinking central Houston, not just downtown.

5. BHP

6. Amegy 

7. 3737 Buffalo Speedway

8. 2229 San Felipe

9. 3009 Post Oak Blvd

[allthingshouston 6]

I believe he meant to say 9 existing built in the CBD since 2008 and 2 U/C which the combined total is 6 million SF.  In order of size and rounding size:

1. Block 58 (former Chron site) 1.1 million SF U/C

2. 609 Main 1.1 million SF

3. 811 Main (formally BG Group Place) 972,500 SF

4. Hess Tower 845,000 SF

5. Capitol Tower 778,300 SF U/C

6. Hilcorp Energy Tower 406,600 SF

7. GreenStreet (Retail & Office) 305,000 SF

8. NRG Tower (at GreenStreet) 263,200 SF

9. Partnership Tower 115,000 SF

10. 1712 Pease (small bldg 2009) 20,000 SF

11. 1201 Congress (small) 5,700 SF

[Houston19514 4918]

On 7/30/2018 at 10:07 AM, Twinsanity02 said:

I suspect this statement is including Medical Center and Uptown. Why he switched from talking about downtown to other areas I do not know. He is not a scientist so his statements may show excessive flexibility.

 

Rather odd.  Not sure what areas he was including/not including.  I'm not sure there are even 9 in Downtown/Medical Center/Uptown, are there?  On the other hand, if one expands it to the whole city, there were far more than 9.

[jgriff 751]

On 7/30/2018 at 11:40 AM, thatguysly said:

 

As long as they don't end up like that vacated building downtown that no one wants to tear down or renovate. I agree it will be interesting to see how cities across the country deal with the issue of aging towers 40+ floors in height that have no architectural appeal.

I agree, I’m very interested in how this will play out also. I just don’t see much need for new office space in the future. Communication technology has become so easy to implement and so ubiquitous that I’m starting to really see large effects on our office presence. Just in the last year much of our building has been hollowed out. We haven’t let people go, there’s just no reason for them to come to the office anymore. We don’t even get up to walk down the hall, all business is taken care of via IM and telepresence technology. I’m in control of the floor plan for about 40 peolple. I’m asking the ones who don’t come to the office anymore to give up their space to save us money. Maybe I’m reading too much into this but I can really see a future where traditional office buildings are a rarity. There may come a day when 50+ story office buildings are a thing of the past or at least very rare. I can work just as well from my couch as my office already. I would not be surprised if I stop going to work almost completely within a year. If we don’t lower our real estate costs this way our competitors will and they will put us out of business.