La Colombe d'Or Hotel Expanding With Residential High-Rise

[Urbannizer]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/La-Colombe-d-Or-to-take-luxury-to-new-heights-9191635.php

 

 

Quote

With Old World charm and five guest suites, some with sitting areas and private dining rooms, La Colombe d'Or has hosted celebrities, politicians and international figures. In the mid-1990s, the owner built a ballroom next to the mansion that he lined in 300-year-old oak panels from a French chateau for weddings and elaborate corporate affairs.

Now the hotel is expanding with a more modern bent: a luxury residential tower.

Steve Zimmerman, the hotel's longtime owner, and real estate development firm Hines said Monday they will partner on what will be a 34-story building to be called the Residences at La Colombe d'Or.

With 285 high-end apartments, the building is scheduled to break ground during the second quarter of next year.

The new tower is being planned for a site just behind the original mansion in place of a parking lot and the ballroom, which Zimmerman says will be replaced on another site nearby at some point in the future. The owner plans to save the existing wood paneling and fixtures to reuse in the new ballroom. The hotel will remain in place.

As part of the new development project, the hotel and restaurant will undergo a $10 million renovation and expansion. 

The high-rise will connect to the hotel through a series of amenity areas, including an art gallery and outdoor plaza with fireplace. Another 14,000-square-foot outdoor greenspace is planned for the northernmost portion of the site.

 

 

Site:

[cloud713]

Wow, Montrose continues to grow vertically..

[monarch]

^^^ @Urbannizer wonderful / exciting revelations!

montrose district is poised to become beautifully gentrified and dynamic....

[houstontexasjack]

The residences at La Colombe d'Or. Pure SoDoSoPa.

[KinkaidAlum]

Holy moly, so close to the new Hanover. 34 stories will put it in the 400 foot range!

[Subdude]

Wasn't this idea first mooted about a decade ago, back before the financial crisis?

[thatguysly]

Nothing like taking away the some of the views from the Hanover tower quickly.

[swtsig]

3 hours ago, Subdude said:

Wasn't this idea first mooted about a decade ago, back before the financial crisis?

 

not sure but Hines has been involved for a few years now.

[Twinsanity02]

That is right next to the new apartment tower. Seems as if they will interfere with each others views.  I guess they can wave out the windows to each other.  

[BigFootsSocks]

1 hour ago, swtsig said:

 

not sure but Hines has been involved for a few years now.

Is this their "Proposed Montrose Residential" that's appeared on a few marketing borchures?

[nate4l1f3]

Here it is

[nate4l1f3]

21 minutes ago, nate4l1f3 said:

Here it is

Weird.... Hines deleted the post

[jmitch94]

I'm glad they are keeping the old mansion. 

[KinkaidAlum]

Was hoping for something more sleek. This looks like The Southmore 2.0

[Montrose1100]

Generic Residential Highrise, but all relative.

[bobruss]

I imagine the tower will be to the far western edge of the lot and the Hanover tower is in the far eastern end of the block so it won't be like they're right up against each other but it will make for cozy bedfellows. They'll be able to have water balloon fights on the balconies.

I always thought Montrose would be lined by towers one day all the way to Hermann Park. With the Museum district right there and now all of the hot restaurants and proximity to downtown and the med center its a no brainer. Its going to be similar to a midtown manhattan feel someday.

[Urbannizer]

11 hours ago, KinkaidAlum said:

Holy moly, so close to the new Hanover. 34 stories will put it in the 400 foot range!

 

For reference, 3400 Montrose is  328' feet.

[EllenOlenska]

I don't dislike it, but let's hope it pulls an opposite-Alessandra.

[Naviguessor]

If you want a view of Downtown, you better choose Hanover, for the sure thing. 

[shasta]

If uptown doesn't want the light rails (since they've rejected it multiple times), I say place the light rail down Montrose and Washington. They will have the density to justify it.

Possibly look to do something up Allen Parkway/Kirby and segment the inner city that way. let uptown remain the continuous parking lot that it desperately wants to remain.

[shasta]

If uptown doesn't want the light rails (since they've rejected it multiple times), I say place the light rail down Montrose and Washington. They will have the density to justify it.

Possibly look to do something up Allen Parkway/Kirby and segment the inner city that way. let uptown remain the continuous parking lot that it desperately wants to remain.

[KinkaidAlum]

 

4 minutes ago, shasta said:

If uptown doesn't want the light rails (since they've rejected it multiple times), I say place the light rail down Montrose and Washington. They will have the density to justify it.

Possibly look to do something up Allen Parkway/Kirby and segment the inner city that way. let uptown remain the continuous parking lot that it desperately wants to remain.

 

I'd like to see an old-school street car running down West Dallas from downtown to Shepherd. It would service Regent Square, the future Allen, a handful of massive apartment communities, and the office complex near the AIG/Wortham Towers. It would also allow downtown residents to get to the Whole Foods on Waugh without a car. 

 

I'd like to see the death trap lane of death on West Alabama also become a street car line. I'd run it from The Breakfast Club (stopping one block short of the light rail) to the area near the West Alabama Ice House. It would connect Montrose, the Menil, and HEB with the light rail line.

[bobruss]

You could run it from downtown out Alien parkway to Montrose and down Montrose to Bissonnet then all the way out to Alief.

[HtownWxBoy]

5 hours ago, Twinsanity02 said:

That is right next to the new apartment tower. Seems as if they will interfere with each others views.  I guess they can wave out the windows to each other.  

 

My thoughts exactly. 

[cloud713]

4 hours ago, shasta said:

If uptown doesn't want the light rails (since they've rejected it multiple times), I say place the light rail down Montrose and Washington. They will have the density to justify it.

Possibly look to do something up Allen Parkway/Kirby and segment the inner city that way. let uptown remain the continuous parking lot that it desperately wants to remain.

 

Not trying to get this off topic, but since you insist on bringing up rail.. "Uptown" doesn't want the light rail, or Culberson doesn't want the light rail..?

[Nucleareaction]

4 minutes ago, cloud713 said:

 

Not trying to get this off topic, but since you insist on bringing up rail.. "Uptown" doesn't want the light rail, or Culberson doesn't want the light rail..?

 

At this point, I believe neither wants it: Culberson doesn't want rail going down Richmond, and Uptown management doesn't want rail down post oak. I believe the reason for the latter is that businesses would "be hurt by the construction", and the fear of the bus lane is that its a precursor to rail. The controversy being: why do they want to pour rail-ready concrete for the bus lane if it's just a bus lane?

[cloud713]

41 minutes ago, Nucleareaction said:

 

At this point, I believe neither wants it: Culberson doesn't want rail going down Richmond, and Uptown management doesn't want rail down post oak. I believe the reason for the latter is that businesses would "be hurt by the construction", and the fear of the bus lane is that its a precursor to rail. The controversy being: why do they want to pour rail-ready concrete for the bus lane if it's just a bus lane?

 

Culbersons district also includes a portion of Post Oak. He's the reason they had to go forward with BRT instead of rail..

[BeerNut]

1 hour ago, cloud713 said:

 

Culbersons district also includes a portion of Post Oak. He's the reason they had to go forward with BRT instead of rail..

 

[Dakota79]

11 hours ago, Urbannizer said:

 

For reference, 3400 Montrose is  328' feet.

I can't imagine how tall that will look!  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.  We are the step-children of cool high-rises. Look at what is going in on Bammel - it already looks like a 1990's dated design and he hasn't even started. None-the-less, I am glad for the vertical construction over the 8 story wraps.

[monarch]

2 hours ago, Dakota79 said:

I can't imagine how tall that will look!  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.  We are the step-children of cool high-rises. Look at what is going in on Bammel - it already looks like a 1990's dated design and he hasn't even started. None-the-less, I am glad for the vertical construction over the 8 story wraps.

 

^^^ @Dakota79 imo, the aforementioned design is only conceptual.  somehow, i really doubt that the HINES corporation shall allow for themselves to be somewhat responsible for constructing a residential DARK TOWER.  

[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