La Colombe d'Or Hotel At 3410 Montrose Blvd.

[thatguysly]

I agree that Austin and Dallas get much better designs and lighting on their new construction. Nothing about the majority of these towers stand out. Just another boring blocky pillar. It's a shame that Montrose is getting some of the most plain designs.

Edited August 31, 2016 by thatguysly

[HoustonIsHome]

11 hours ago, Dakota79 said:

Also - I agree that it looks like the Southmore 2.0.   Can't we please please get a tower with more pizzaz?  Austin gets them. Dallas gets them.  

Frankly we do not deserve it because we do not crave it.

 

Austin attitude: let's keep it cool and hip.

Dallas attitude: let's keep up surg the joneseseses.

 

Houston attitude:

1. If you want pizazz why don't you take your own money to build it. Or

 

2. At least it's not a surface lot.

 

 

Low bar indeed

[Houston19514]

2 hours ago, thatguysly said:

I agree that Austin and Dallas get much better designs and lighting on their new construction. Nothing about the majority of these towers stand out. Just another boring blocky pillar. It's a shame that Montrose is getting some of the most plain designs.

 

What are the Dallas buildings with stand out architecture?

[Sellanious Caesar]

I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion but I like it. It's a home run on my checklist;

 

1. Replaces a surface parking lot

2. Adds verticality (34 floors)

3. Preserves an older structure 

4. Adds to the cluster of buildings near it

5. Most importantly, it infills, which is key for the long term vision of seeing DT and UT spill into each other in the middle by way of Greenway Plaza, Upper Kirby, Allen Parkway/Neartown, and now Montrose too. 

 

Not every tower will be an architectural masterpiece, actually most won't be, even in cities like ATX, DAL, MIA, CHI, or NYC. But I love its height and the infill. I'll take it!!

Edited August 31, 2016 by Sellanious Caesar

[Urbannizer]

Not many high-rises out there by Munoz + Albin so this is good to see. Bring it on Southmore 2.0 I'm sure more will like it once they show us more than just a building elevation.

 

There's some boring new high-rises out there, but Houston has received some cool designs over the past few years just as Austin and Dallas has. We also build taller than the two. 

[bobruss]

We now have three buildings downtown that are quite impressive in the Pennzoil, the Republic Bank, and 609 Main. 

They all have very unique and definable designs. WE have three of the tallest buildings in Texas and we have a medical center with some remarkable designs and UpTown Galleria with the Williams Tower, Billiton and now the Amegy building that blows many cities away. I don't see much in Dallas that is really that special and sure Austin has the Frost bank Building with its wizard of OZ roof and the Austonian, and the future high-rise  that looks like the balance game of blocks that you remove, but not one of them compares to what we have here.

Now give me the new tower going up in L.A. Thats a beautiful building but don't go knocking Houstons towers especially against Austin or Dallas. 

[Montrose1100]

What a rollercoaster. First Light Rail and then a Texas city comparison. 

 

Good of points about the project. Is it generic? Yes. Is it ugly? Not IMO. 

 

Do HAIFers have a right to complain it's not as dazzling as Museo Plaza? Absolutely. I'm just thanking my lucky stars it's not a Randal Davis project.

[EllenOlenska]

And I'm about as close as Davis has to a defender on here. And I'm being negative!

[Dakota79]

Hey- I am glad to have the in-fill.  I also agree that it beats any and every Randall Davis.  I would just like to see some cool top on a few more of these buildings.  Hines has proved that the tenants are willing to pay for it.  I just want a new 90 story trophy tower and I don't feel like that's too much to ask!  (Kidding, kind of)

 

[thatguysly]

3 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

 

What are the Dallas buildings with stand out architecture?

 

There are a couple shorter ones near the "bridge park" downtown with the scrolling lights. Austin is better but most of the new ones near AA Center stand out better then this design. The W is good and the Westin hotel. The Westin here isn't bad but it's lost off Memorial.

[thatguysly]

2 hours ago, bobruss said:

We now have three buildings downtown that are quite impressive in the Pennzoil, the Republic Bank, and 609 Main. 

They all have very unique and definable designs. WE have three of the tallest buildings in Texas and we have a medical center with some remarkable designs and UpTown Galleria with the Williams Tower, Billiton and now the Amegy building that blows many cities away. I don't see much in Dallas that is really that special and sure Austin has the Frost bank Building with its wizard of OZ roof and the Austonian, and the future high-rise  that looks like the balance game of blocks that you remove, but not one of them compares to what we have here.

Now give me the new tower going up in L.A. Thats a beautiful building but don't go knocking Houstons towers especially against Austin or Dallas. 

 

I agree with the new ones in Houston that you like as well.  My main gripe has been the block pillars of the newer residential towers. I want more like the one off Waslayen and less like Hanover Montrose, the new one near Kirby, the new one one Montrose, or the other recent ones that are almost indistinguishable. 

 

I jope the new one planned next to BHP Billiton gets built,. That one has a unique crown and would stand out on the skyline. Hanover River Oaks will be a great addition as well. 

Edited August 31, 2016 by thatguysly

[Luminare]

If we ever want to take a stand for better design and better architecture it has to start with the people. Lets be honest guys Houston isn't a very trendy or fashionable town. Just look around you. Its a market of comfort, convenience, basic. Its the kind of market that you would find in a small town. Not in a big city. This is an aspect that Houston still needs to mature. We don't act like a big time city, nor do we present ourselves like a big time city. You go to big time cities like New York, LA, Chicago, etc... yeah you have your typical business class and vacation goers who dress terrible to mediocre to average corporate like here, but when you go to those cities people care about how they represent themselves. When I was in Germany I frequently went to Berlin. Everyone that lives in that city creates a style unique to them and it gives them a sense of style and design consciousness.

 

Once again, Houston severely lacks this mentality and after being back for about 4 weeks its been interesting looking at it from this new viewpoint. When the people start to think big time and stylish....this then filters to every aspect of the city. Its a bit cliche, but its true where if you want to change the world...you start with you first. If we want to have better designs, better mentalities about design, better quality, more contemporary looks and feels then it starts with the people! Until that happens we will keep getting the same bland, vanilla, basic, and kitschy aesthetics. If you tomorrow you step outside in that basic tshirt and shorts just because that is standard go to the grocery store attire then its only continuing the problem. We can't expect developers and even us architects to bring the style to houston. Houston and its people have to develop that on its own. Ask why we only get bland or kitschy stuff and its because they don't see an identity to work off of to bring cool designs in the first place.

[nate4l1f3]

Again, Hines Instagram account erased this post 40 minutes after it was posted.  What could that mean? Maybe they weren't suppose to release it? Wrong building? Old design? Idk

[KinkaidAlum]

2 hours ago, Luminare said:

If we ever want to take a stand for better design and better architecture it has to start with the people. Lets be honest guys Houston isn't a very trendy or fashionable town. Just look around you. Its a market of comfort, convenience, basic. Its the kind of market that you would find in a small town. Not in a big city. This is an aspect that Houston still needs to mature. We don't act like a big time city, nor do we present ourselves like a big time city. You go to big time cities like New York, LA, Chicago, etc... yeah you have your typical business class and vacation goers who dress terrible to mediocre to average corporate like here, but when you go to those cities people care about how they represent themselves. When I was in Germany I frequently went to Berlin. Everyone that lives in that city creates a style unique to them and it gives them a sense of style and design consciousness.

 

Once again, Houston severely lacks this mentality and after being back for about 4 weeks its been interesting looking at it from this new viewpoint. When the people start to think big time and stylish....this then filters to every aspect of the city. Its a bit cliche, but its true where if you want to change the world...you start with you first. If we want to have better designs, better mentalities about design, better quality, more contemporary looks and feels then it starts with the people! Until that happens we will keep getting the same bland, vanilla, basic, and kitschy aesthetics. If you tomorrow you step outside in that basic tshirt and shorts just because that is standard go to the grocery store attire then its only continuing the problem. We can't expect developers and even us architects to bring the style to houston. Houston and its people have to develop that on its own. Ask why we only get bland or kitschy stuff and its because they don't see an identity to work off of to bring cool designs in the first place.

 

So, if I dress like I'm heading to a Berlin Love Fest or some German gay porn scene, we'll get better large scale architectural products? 

[Houston19514]

 

2 hours ago, Luminare said:

If we ever want to take a stand for better design and better architecture it has to start with the people. Lets be honest guys Houston isn't a very trendy or fashionable town. Just look around you. Its a market of comfort, convenience, basic. Its the kind of market that you would find in a small town. Not in a big city. This is an aspect that Houston still needs to mature. We don't act like a big time city, nor do we present ourselves like a big time city. You go to big time cities like New York, LA, Chicago, etc... yeah you have your typical business class and vacation goers who dress terrible to mediocre to average corporate like here, but when you go to those cities people care about how they represent themselves. When I was in Germany I frequently went to Berlin. Everyone that lives in that city creates a style unique to them and it gives them a sense of style and design consciousness.

 

Once again, Houston severely lacks this mentality and after being back for about 4 weeks its been interesting looking at it from this new viewpoint. When the people start to think big time and stylish....this then filters to every aspect of the city. Its a bit cliche, but its true where if you want to change the world...you start with you first. If we want to have better designs, better mentalities about design, better quality, more contemporary looks and feels then it starts with the people! Until that happens we will keep getting the same bland, vanilla, basic, and kitschy aesthetics. If you tomorrow you step outside in that basic tshirt and shorts just because that is standard go to the grocery store attire then its only continuing the problem. We can't expect developers and even us architects to bring the style to houston. Houston and its people have to develop that on its own. Ask why we only get bland or kitschy stuff and its because they don't see an identity to work off of to bring cool designs in the first place.

 

When are you going back to Germany?

[Montrose1100]

9 minutes ago, KinkaidAlum said:

 

So, if I dress like I'm heading to a Berlin Love Fest or some German gay porn scene, we'll get better large scale architectural products? 

For the sake of research, yes, mandatory dress code.

 

Lum, did you turn into a city data pre-teen while over there?

[Luminare]

1 hour ago, KinkaidAlum said:

 

So, if I dress like I'm heading to a Berlin Love Fest or some German gay porn scene, we'll get better large scale architectural products? 

Sounds fun! Any ideas what this dress code should be  I think we can skip on the porno get ups or we could go with the traditional lederhosen. Why not?

[Luminare]

1 hour ago, Montrose1100 said:

For the sake of research, yes, mandatory dress code.

 

Lum, did you turn into a city data pre-teen while over there?

Well just looked at myself. Indeed I'm 12 years old and I'm new here.

[Houston19514]

23 hours ago, thatguysly said:

 

There are a couple shorter ones near the "bridge park" downtown with the scrolling lights. Austin is better but most of the new ones near AA Center stand out better then this design. The W is good and the Westin hotel. The Westin here isn't bad but it's lost off Memorial.

 

Oh, so it's LED lighting you want. 

[Nate99]

In my own little universe, I infer that highly style conscious people wish to be dressing up for some unspoken mass costume party that all partcipants take very seriously.  It makes for an odd dynamic when a whole city does it, but I've definitely observed it too. I personally find it creepier than jorts and all white New Balance cross trainers, so here I am in Houston, wearing khakis.

 

 

Edited September 1, 2016 by Nate99

[Gary]

Lum, I personally love the fact that Houston has a small town feel to it, and keeps being too sophisticated in check. It's what makes it quirky... Austin's anthem applies.

 

Edited September 1, 2016 by Gary

[HoustonIsHome]

The land mass is so huge there is more than enough room for both. 

 

But I will admit we do need more on the sophistication end.. 

 

I think the south west should stay as is. To me it is the nitty gritty multicultural Houston that we know and love. 

 

But the inner loop should be sophisticated.  Or rather the western part of it. 

 

Don't be building any of that luxury stuff in the south west. That will disturb the quirky fabric. Keep that luxury in Kirby, river oaks, museum district,  midtown,  downtown.  

 

 

[BigFootsSocks]

So like, a seperation by wealth? A Segregation, if you would. 

[HoustonIsHome]

No necessarily a separation, but a concentration. 

 

I don't mind A spat of sophistication here and there,  but we need to continue focusing on the Houston H concentration of development. 

 

Instead of random high priced developments all over the place,  focus mainly on that red Line corridor of Downtown,  midtown,  museum district to TMC,  and west from Midtown,  Montrose, River Oaks, Upper Kirby, Greenway, Highland Village,  ROD to Post Oak AND The developments that span up and down uptown. 

 

Around the H should be the more upper moderate type developments in the Heights, east downtown,  Afton Oaks, ect.

 

The greater SW, leave as is. Couple blocks past the beltway is a while other works to me.  Crazy that the urban fabric continues for 10 plus miles in each direction

[houstontexasjack]

Do we have any information on how well the market is absorbing all the new luxury apartment inventory?  I'm happy to see these projects move forward, but wonder if the number of ultra high end projects will push the merely super high end and just "high end" into more affordable territory.

[shasta]

An Oklahoma fan, on another board, posted I'm in Houston, in the galleria area- does Houston have mass transit to NRG for the game tomorrow.

 

Well, you could have connected had they "actually" built the University and Uptown lines that were voted on and approved a decade ago...freakin geniuses that run Houston.

[Montrose1100]

19 minutes ago, shasta said:

An Oklahoma fan, on another board, posted I'm in Houston, in the galleria area- does Houston have mass transit to NRG for the game tomorrow.

 

Well, you could have connected had they "actually" built the University and Uptown lines that were voted on and approved a decade ago...freakin geniuses that run Houston.

Could have stayed Downtown. Can Uber or take a taxi. Or if they drove they can park. Metro does have buses too.

[Twinsanity02]

Are those lines completely dead? Even the university line?

[Nucleareaction]

1 hour ago, Twinsanity02 said:

Are those lines completely dead? Even the university line?

No, just stuck in development/legislation hell. Richmond has yet to have major work done on it because the city doesn't want to have to destroy it all over again for the rail. They also re-designed the University line to skip over 59 and thus out of Culberson's district. The Uptown line is being developed for buses at the moment, but there is outcry that the structure of the new bus lanes is more substantial than a bus would need - the true intention being a rail line that goes where the bus line is being built.

[Texasota]

"more substantial than what a bus would need"

 

This really is the biggest problem with BRT- you do true BRT and the same people who killed the light rail complain. I support BRT, but it's way too often used as an excuse to do nothing.