por favor gracias

I actually like the location of the building, but agree about concerns with the local streetscape. That said, I think a vibrant streetsscpae could still be implemented with a few tweaks to the building's first level or two...but I understand that's not exactly realistic. I just think its current location really balances the skyline well. Just my two cents.

I think someone should page this guy...he might know something we don't.

Nice catch Mab, thanks!

Thanks for the info, Mike.

Dude fell 20 feet and landed on the drivers side. He's gotta be pretty messed up.

You would think so, but according to the chron he had "no major injuries." Sounds like he was very lucky in that regard.

I'm going to miss the Solvay building when it's demolished. I think it adds a lot to the color scheme in the immediate area.

This is one of my favorite projects in town right now. Love it!

Annnd... the one access they have also has a very steep driveway ramp, which means that some of us have to come in slowly and at an angle.

Don't you just love those? Especially the driveways where you have to almost stop to avoid the initial bump, then up an incline...then it evens out for about a foot...and then up one more incline (just for the hell of it, I suppose) before it evens out "for good" en route to the often inclined "lanes" of the parking lot itself.

Seems like that's "the standard" now.

Thanks for all the updates Larry!

I am no hippie, but I just keep thinking of our sprawl and how nature is being forced farther and farther away.

Not that there's any shame in being a hippie whatsoever, but it shouldn't take one to be very concerned about just that. Thank you.

Lot of "Houston" in that first picture.

huh? why would you look at your shoes when snobby fake women from Dallas say ignorant crap like that? Dallas is no better looking than Houston..     

Yeah, if someone from Dallas said something like that to me, I'd be like LULZ #lookinthemirrormyfriend.

Both cities have their share of VERY nice areas, but no one is mistaking either one for San Francisco or Paris in the natural beauty department.

I went by there at about 5:00 this evening, and the traffic flow into and out of the underground parking garage was well marked and relatively seamless. There were a lot of people in the store, but it wasn't packed. I'll second that the place is huge and very impressive. And monarch, I looked a few of those red snapper right in the eye...I think you'll like what you see.

washave-2007-2015,

I think there should be a hell of a lot more zoning than there is, but it's not completely black and white. No zoning has some benefits, no doubt...but overall, I think there should be much better planning. I see your point, but I don't mind this development because it looks terrific (and so does the landscaping on the front side), and it blends in well with the Museum Tower. There's nothing particularly flashy that stands out more than other buildings, but it's still very nice.

I don't see your point about basically "requiring" natural beauty to have a good view. Man has made some pretty spectacular skylines, and Houston's is one of the best in the world. The views from the Park Plaza area looking towards downtown are spectacular, but I think it was Bob Hope who once said that the view from the Warwick Towers facing towards Hermann Park and the med center was his favorite view on Earth. So there is that.

In an alternate timeline, it's not to far-fetched to image us as a city full of canals if maybe the city started 100 years earlier

I've thought about that, too. I like how we're fixing the areas around Buffalo Bayou, but I would really love to see the Bayou City invest more into all of our main bayous to make them more appealing. As great as this city is, it has so much more game-changing potential.

Bummer, but thanks for the info!

Beautiful

Wow, not one of those people or automobiles moved all day!

And not one pothole or uneven surface...and just look at that tidy, pedestrian friendly intersection on FONDREN...

I hope so....I really like those renderings. The balconies, stairs, archway, etc. feel very European.

Would love to get Lupe Tortilla downtown

Noticed a crane base on site as I drove by yesterday. Couldn't get a pic but thought I'd share the info...

Thanks for the update, Golyadkin.

Or you could be innocently walking below when the crane operator has to pee...yikes!

Note to self: Don't ever "piss off" a crane operator.....come to think of it, it may be a good idea to befriend your local crane operator.

a 500sf unit in that ugly beige tower on westheimer goes for $1,700.

Wow.

Is Marathon pink granite?

Marathon is the tall brown building a little further down Augusta between St. James and Yorktown. San Felipe Plaza is the slightly taller "pinkish" building at San Felipe and Augusta.