mollusk Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 mmmmm... I love the smell of fresh fenestration in the morning... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Wooohooo!!! Finally! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 The new windows were going in today. 2014-09-21 11.32.47 by marclongoria, on Flickr 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barracuda Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I hardly believe my eyes... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asubrt Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 So glad to see this happening... this was one of the worst eyesores in the city. Is the plan just office? Is it for a specific company or is it a spec renovation? Also when was it last used before becoming abandoned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Does anyone have a quick link to the most recent rendering released? Is it supposed to be flat glass all the way up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 This is the only rendering that I've seen.http://swamplot.com/will-central-square-plaza-look-like-this/2013-01-24/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 http://www.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=18185832&PreviousLinkCode=10850&PreviousSourceCode=1lww2t006a00001&&LinkCode=10850&SourceCode=1lww2t006a00001 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Nice! I hadn't seen these. Even better than the initial ones. http://www.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=18185832&PreviousLinkCode=10850&PreviousSourceCode=1lww2t006a00001&&LinkCode=10850&SourceCode=1lww2t006a00001 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Nice! I hadn't seen these. Even better than the initial ones.I agree! The last renderings I saw where quite ugly, these look clean and more modern. If your going to destroy this funky building's facade, at least do it with a little grace and civility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Here are some updated photos from today. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 2014-09-25 18.41.18 by marclongoria, on Flickr 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 A very pleasant surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Between this and 800 Bell, I suppose the latest, greatest fad is to use the sunscreens for a little bit of extra square footage. It's our current equivalent of the various methods of recladding that were used on buildings like 806 Main right about the time these were being built. I hate losing the genuine Rat Pack vibe. I've got to say, though, I like this remodel much better than what's proposed for 800 Bell, which IMHO is more of a remuddleing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Between this and 800 Bell, I suppose the latest, greatest fad is to use the sunscreens for a little bit of extra square footage. It's our current equivalent of the various methods of recladding that were used on buildings like 806 Main right about the time these were being built. I hate losing the genuine Rat Pack vibe. I've got to say, though, I like this remodel much better than what's proposed for 800 Bell, which IMHO is more of a remuddleing. Central Bank is a dump and unused - anything is better than what it is. Anything! 800 Bell is a fine tower built with a 60s vibe and style. No need to muddle with that, but its going to happen. I guess its better than a tear down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Central Bank was recently an unused dump, sure. However, there was a time when it was occupied and reasonably well maintained. At that time and under those conditions, it was aesthetically pleasing, even if not fully in keeping with more recent design trends like glass on every possible wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Central Bank was recently an unused dump, sure. However, there was a time when it was occupied and reasonably well maintained. At that time and under those conditions, it was aesthetically pleasing, even if not fully in keeping with more recent design trends like glass on every possible wall. Obviously this goes without saying for a lot of buildings similar to Central Bank, in countless cities nationwide. Personally I have long felt it was an interesting building that was primed for a good re-use. Unfortunately it has just been the subject of property neglect and very prominently located property neglect to boot. Its still unused. And still a dump (in its current condition) even if it is being worked on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I like the resurrection. I'm going to miss the sunshades and the flagstone veneer. Properly maintained, they were pretty. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rechlin Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Glass is going up, but it looks like someone already managed to smash a couple of the windows! (click for larger view) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 jeez. I wonder if it was vandalism or they put their expansion joints in wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Glass is going up, but it looks like someone already managed to smash a couple of the windows! (click for larger view) With their safety record, the overnight security guard could have been joyriding the forklift... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 jeez. I wonder if it was vandalism or they put their expansion joints in wrong.Id say vandalism, you can see the center of impact on both windows, someone one the street threw a rock or a brick at them. Assholes.When this happens, does the building company just take the loss as "incidentals", like, this kind of thing was already covered in the budget and there are already extra windows laying around just in case?Or is there already some kind of insurance against vandalism, theft, earthquakes, fire, flood etc, on a structure that is being worked on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Thats a good question. I'd imagine the land owner has the insurance for this kind of thing. The contractor, if its significant enough will issue a change order (assuming a lump sump contract). The owner probably turns it over to the insurance company. If it's Time and Material, It muddies it a little bit, but I imagine insurance claim is still possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Damage during construction would typically be covered by a builder's risk policy, which owners usually require GCs to carry. I suspect that there wouldn't be a claim turned in for two panes of glass - if it even makes the deductible in the first place, it would be by such a small amount as to make it not worthwhile. I doubt that it was just a couple rocks thrown by some street punk, though, unless said street punk is also a pitching prospect who just has control issues. It takes quit a bit to compromise curtain wall glass. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Central Bank Revitalization by marclongoria, on Flickr 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Hmmmm... Looks like they still need to tint the ones that broke. Nice progress though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Hmmmm... Looks like they still need to tint the ones that broke. Nice progress though.They need to replace the whole panels still. It's multi layered facade and only the outer layer cracked. They peeled most of the broken glass away but you can still see the jagged pieces around the edges. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but they've got about half of the wall taken out behind the shroud. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Guess that means the small Central Square sign is going bye bye. It'd be cool if they kept it and moved it into the lobby or something. Dont even repaint it. Keep it dilapidated and faded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purpledevil Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 As long as the clock stays, I'm good. Can't wait to see that thing lit up and rotating. The younger crowd has no idea how noticeable and bright that clock was when illuminated. Hopefully, they'll fix it so that the colon doesn't remain lit when it's showing the temperature like it did before it was shut off. The sign on the wall never had the word "Square" that I remember. Like the clock, it said "Central Bank" originally. When it was changed, the word "bank" was removed from both, the clock got an off color labelscar with the word "Square" put in place under "Central", and the wall lost the "Bank" portion and became simply "Central"......not that any of that means a hill of beans, lol... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Saw them working on the sidewalk area on Webster just the other day. This project looks so promising... hopefully these homeless bums don't try to ruin it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 The sign on the wall never had the word "Square" that I remember. Like the clock, it said "Central Bank" originally. When it was changed, the word "bank" was removed from both, the clock got an off color labelscar with the word "Square" put in place under "Central", and the wall lost the "Bank" portion and became simply "Central"......not that any of that means a hill of beans, lol... I drove by it today. Youre right the "sqaure" sign is different looking. Never knew that. Never noticed it before either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purpledevil Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) Yessir, it's not quite the same font(?) as the original word Central. Worse yet, when they replaced the word "Bank" on the clock, they never bothered to paint the clock. I haven't paid attention to the back in a longtime, but it used to have a lablescar that clearly said "BANK" underneath and a little below where the current "Square" part now is affixed. It gets better. If they ever light the clock up, as is, the Square is noticeably brighter than the Central. The time colon was stuck on all the time, regardless of whether it was displaying time or temp, and the below zero "-" next to the temp would come on when the time displayed.That was some 25 years ago now. I can only imagine the problems the clock likely has now after all this time dormant. For all I know, it's rusted solid in place. I haven't personally seen it move in years, and it may very well not do so anymore. I don't remember even Ike moving it from the current position. The clock's face has been towards 45 all of this time. I hope against hope that the developer will go that extra mile and go all in on the restoration of the clock, but common sense tells me that it, like The Savoy sign, is a goner.Edited auto-correct mishap. Edited October 10, 2014 by Purpledevil 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumbleweed_Tx Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 They were working on the third row of Windows on the Travis side this morning 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I couldn't snap a picture, but they've got the glass wrapped all the way around to the back side by the parking garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Theyve pulled off the entire facade that had "Central" Written on it. You can see a portion of the lateral system (the cross braces) for the structure are still intact. Curious if they'll still put windows there or alter the design. The New windows are now rather visible from I45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 It's the same way where they started removing the facade on the back side where the colorful paint splatters are. Can't they just add bracing to some interior columns and remove the exterior bracing? Theyve pulled off the entire facade that had "Central" Written on it. You can see a portion of the lateral system (the cross braces) for the structure are still intact. Curious if they'll still put windows there or alter the design. The New windows are now rather visible from I45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I havent seen it from that side in a while. But the answer is, not necessarily, bracing out the outside will add stiffness to the exterior framing of the structure. If you put it on the interior you may remove capacity--- It all kind of depends on the design though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Theyve pulled off the entire facade that had "Central" Written on it. You can see a portion of the lateral system (the cross braces) for the structure are still intact. Curious if they'll still put windows there or alter the design. The New windows are now rather visible from I45. This rendering shows the windows in place without changing out the cross braces. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I went by today, and although I miss the tile, the new facade did seem pleasant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Purify Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Anyone around to take pics of this building? I'm out of town, so I'd love to see if any progress has been made during the last three weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post phillip_white Posted October 24, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 24, 2014 Anyone around to take pics of this building? I'm out of town, so I'd love to see if any progress has been made during the last three weeks. LOTS of progress has been made! This one good enough for ya? 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Purify Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 LOTS of progress has been made! This one good enough for ya? 2014-10-23 17.52.00.jpg Awesome. Thanks, phillip_white! This is SUCH a huge change for midtown. Once this is finished, 800 Bell is redone, and the Days Inn magically disappears, rooftop views from midtown (and Pierce Elevated views) are going to be SO much better. If only 2016 Main wasn't such a monstrosity...but I digress. Great pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I like 2016 main. lol. Old 60's style Condos... Plus John Travolta in Urban Cowboy got laid there... 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Triton Posted October 25, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 25, 2014 Central Bank Revitalization by marclongoria, on Flickr 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatesdisastr Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Gorgeous shot Triton! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggity Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 All the windows facing 45 looked like they've been removed. The framing is still there though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brijonmang Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Courtesy of Bobruss: Central Bank by brijonmang, on Flickr Central Bank by brijonmang, on Flickr 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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