monarch

2 hours ago, tigereye said:

I’m going to disagree here. Sure, most sports venues in DFW might be a better quality design on their own as an individual building. But Houston actually has a much better master plan for all of the venues as a whole. MMP, Toyota Center, and She’ll Energy Stadium are all situated within a few blocks of each other. Discovery Green is directly in the middle of all of this, like a uniting force between all of these venues, something I used heavily during the Final Four Fan Fest (air conditioned main hall). And soon a whole freeway will go underground, stitching these areas together. With the potential for mixed use development by the Astros (and maybe the Rockets) all of the elements are coming together to build an active sports, convention, and entertainment district that not many cities in America can boast having. 

Also having NRG Stadium 7 miles away (still technically inside the loop) connected by rail is a much better setup then Arlington is for the Cowboys and Rangers being 20 miles from Dallas, 15 miles from FTW with no mass transportation at all. Arlington taxpayers will pay for new sports venues but paying for mass transit options is too big of an ask, which seems beyond ludicrous. 

Nope urban core is better, more centrally located for everyone in the region.

 

^^^ i see you, and i can certainly comprehend your sentiment here @tigereye  however, my initial statements were never a lesson in HOUSTON SPORTS VENUE GEOGRAPHY.  my initial sentiment was, is... always regarding the actual QUALITY, PLANNING, and CONSTRUCTION of the actual VENUES themselves.  you have initiated a very eloquent illustration of the GEOGRAPHICAL attributes regarding houston's said venues.  however, the geographical or CLOSENESS of the venues inside HOUSTON PROPER, doesn't necessarily mean that these venues are indeed qualitative and world class.  their not.

IMO, all of our current sporting venues SUCK... except for the SHELL ENERGY STADIUM.  the new ownership of SHELL ENERGY STADIUM, harbor no issues with taking the full initiative, and maintaining their respective WORLD CLASS stadium with full qualitative... EVERYTHING.  the stadium is simply MAGNIFICENT.  brilliant in design, construction, and overall quality... and is obviously aging quite gracefully.  now THIS... is what my initial sentiment regarding houston's sporting venues is all about...

^^^ i was always wondering just where on earth, did the MANN EYE CLINIC acquire sooooooooooooo MUCH MONEY to plan and construct such an ambitious/stunning development?  i guess my thoughts and concerns were hereby warranted after all...

3 hours ago, steve1363 said:

Not sure why you think this?  Stadiums have their useful life.   The Ballpark in Arlington is a fine stadium but the city of Dallas didn't plan for their scorching hot summers!  Mark Cuban will likely build a new basketball arena when the American Airlines stadium lease expires.   Texas Stadium was built after the Astrodome but has already been demolished.  Erwin Center in Austin has already been replaced... the list goes on and on.

You are certainly entitled to criticize all the Houston sports venues but comparing Houston to Dallas doesn't really support your argument. 

^^^ dude, if it's proving to be this difficult for you to comprehend anything here, then maybe you should just give up or journey into another thread.  actually, upon reading your post, i really do not even know just what you are speaking of.  (whos talking about the "useful life" of stadiums here?)  (who told you that i was "comparing houston to dallas" here?) actually, we are speaking about VENUES and HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENTS here... and the very fact that theirs seem to always be far superior and totally outclasses anything we have in houston.  once again, THIS IS NOT NEUROSURGERY dude.  just because YOU don't support my argument, doesn't necessarily mean that i don't have an argument.  right?

2 minutes ago, HOUCAJUN said:

Maybe Houston should relook at venue locations in the future and head for the suburbs to get things done sooner. I personally prefer having venues in the city core but what is Houston's Arlington and Frisco? I believe Jerry World was originally planned for Fair Park but failed then Arlington bailed him out. Less red tape.

^^^ actually, THE FUTURE IS NOW IN H-TOWN.  IMO, it's not about locating newer larger state-of-the-art venues in our many suburban areas.  IT'S ABOUT PLANNING THEM CORRECTLY TO FORTIFY HOUSTON PROPER.  IMO, this is what has happened to NRG STADIUM, and subsequently, TOYOTA CENTER.  they were not planned correctly in the first place.  this is ultimately why they have AGED so FAST and look the way they look.  the city of dallas always seems to METICULOUSLY planned their respective venues beforehand, to make certain that they age as gracefully as possible.  

3 minutes ago, HOUCAJUN said:

UOfH wishes it had the funding and fund raising capabilities of UT. Being in the Big 12 and arguably the most notable university in Texas help creates a facility like this. UH has a long way to go to get to this level.

 

^^^ in my most earnest view, UH has become a construction powerhouse.  they do not have to emulate anything like TEXAS, they are moving along at the speed of light to enable and fortify whatever they can imagine.  although, I LIVE AND BREATHE EVERYTHING UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, i am constantly amazed, delighted, and overjoyed at the numerous accomplishments via the university of houston.  they are becoming a serious force to reckon with.  GO COOGS!   

5 minutes ago, HOUCAJUN said:

I do understand where you're coming from but the Cowboys' fan base and history is the reason why they can build these facilities. The Texans are still a young franchise relative to the others in the league. If the Oilers would've stayed, I think you would have a point on venue size etc... No other franchise in the league has the caliber of facilities the cowboys have. As for the Astros, this new development is long overdue and way late to the party among other things. I'm still baffled at the idea that Jim Crane can pull off building a 4star hotel before the W hotel gets started. I'm scratching my head on this.

^^^ i absolutely concur.  you have just gathered my entire point, dallas has already long completed their respective W HOTEL.  yet, we in H-TOWN, are still scratching our heads...

^^^ everyone knows that TILMAN FERTITA is all about the money... right?  therefore, maybe he should venture forth to austin, tx, and visit the brand spanking new ($400mm+) MOODY CENTER... directly on the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS campus.  the MOODY CENTER is one of the most magnificent and spectacular sporting/concert venues in the entire world... interior and exterior wise.  this particular facility, was just voted THE #1 HIGHEST GROSSING VENUE IN THE WORLD.  subsequently, MOODY CENTER is now nominated as the SPORTS FACILITY OF THE YEAR.  (oh, and did i care to mention, that it's located on a university campus?)  you see, this is what can actually transpire when you construct something RIGHT the FIRST TIME.  (and stop being so afraid and ultra-conservative like the houston venues) i have journeyed up to austin and frequented a few games this past season.  MOODY CENTER is utterly amazing in all facets.  talk about absolutely beautiful.  HOOK'EM!

4 hours ago, steve1363 said:

What are you talking about?  Source?

You are being a bit dramatic.   As I've stated in previous posts DFW copies everything Houston has which is why they can improve on our innovations ( e.g. Astrodome >> Texas Stadium,  NRG >> Cowboys Stadium,  Jones Hall >> Meyerson Center).  Anyway Dallas only hosted 1 Super Bowl and it was a complete and utter failure and debacle.  The NFL has not sniffed going back to DFW since.   As far as the new baseball stadium it is mostly memed for looking like a warehouse on the outside and a replica of MMP on the inside.  Who cares about an entertainment complex in the middle of nowhere?

^^^ i'm being "a bit dramatic"?  actually, from the way that i see it... I'M BEING COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY DRAMATIC.  YET, VERY FACTUAL.  therefore, should you not be able to actually comprehend just what i am speaking of, then why on earth, are you replying/quoting me?  THIS IS NOT NEUROSURGERY.  don't you think that i'm astute enough to actually compare the houston sporting venues to the facilities in dallas?  THEIR FACILITIES TOTALLY OUTCLASS OURS in every facet. 

i am completely aware of the AT&T STADIUM super bowl debacle.  this was due to the unexpected ICE STORM disaster that basically tore AT&T STADIUM from the NFL SUPER BOWL rotation.  yet, their stadium still outclasses NRG STADIUM by miles because houston did not construct it's stadium correctly in the first place.

have you been to THE STAR lately?  the COWBOYS new training facility totally outclasses anything that the TEXANS could  have ever dreamed of.  the TEXANS practice in a freaking air bubble for GOD'S sake.  talk about embarrassing.  yet, the McNAIRS have been talking about improvements to their antiquated facility... and subsequently, have not done shit yet.  the COWBOYS have not won anything significant in decades.  yet, they harbor the very best athletic facilities in the entire league.  yet, people wonder just why they are so very wealthy.  heck, they make a whole lot of money because their respective facilities are so very superior.

"Who cares about an entertainment complex in the middle of nowhere?"  well, apparently, JIM CRANE does... did you watch the video?  he now wants to emulate the rangers gorgeous entertainment complex here in downtown houston.  

^^^ our fair city of houston, tx, is constantly ESPOUSING TO THE ENTIRE WORLD that "we are the fourth largest city in america".  yet we constantly allow for the greater dallas metropolitan areas to constantly OUTCLASS us with their WORLD CLASS sporting facilities/venues... along with their WORLD CLASS hospitality developments.  everyone of their state-of-the-art sporting venues, totally outclasses anything that the greater houston areas have to date.  EVERYONE!  heck, isn't dallas supposed to be the more conservative city?  houston always seems to be coming from behind and playing catch-up to the dallas metro areas.  heck, as we all know, THEY REALLY DID NOT NEED A BRAND NEW BALLPARK FOR THE RANGERS... RIGHT?  yet, here we are, they now harbor a brand spanking new state-of-the-art venue, along with a MAGNIFICENT NEW mixed-use baseball entertainment district with gorgeous new hospitality facilities.  yet, here is the TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ASTROS owner JIM CRANE, espousing/dreaming/planning to the media about finally bringing forth concepts/renderings and possibly "breaking ground sometimes at the end of the year".  as long as i live, i shall never comprehend this fact.

PRIME EXAMPLE of just what i'm speaking of:  the city of houston, utilizes taxpayer funds to construct a state-of-the-art retractable roof football venue for their newly proposed HOUSTON TEXANS football team.  finally, this gorgeous new facility is completed and is introduced as a marvel of engineering to the entire nation/world.  (heck, although, i LOVED the overall design of the new venue) I REALLY HATED THE FACT THAT I KEPT THINKING THAT THE NEW VENUE WAS CONSTRUCTED MUCH TOO SMALL... TO HEREBY REMAIN VIABLE, WITH THE EVER EVOLVING NFL SUPER BOWL ROTATION.  subsequently, dallas comes along and constructs their HUGE EXPENSIVE MAGNIFICENT NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FOOTBALL VENUE and TOTALLY OUTCLASSES THE HOUSTON FACILITY.  hereby, making it appear smaller and meek by comparison.  therefore, currently, the NFL is expressing that in order for houston to hereby remain viable in the SUPER BOWL ROTATION, NRG STADIUM IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY REIMAGINED AS A FOOTBALL VENUE.  why on earth, couldn't they just construct the DAMN FACILITY right in the first place...?  

^^^ i've stated it once.  therefore, i'll gladly state it again, "TOYOTA CENTER has got to be the UGLIEST NBA BASKETBALL ARENA in the entire league and on the planet".  the HOUSTON SUMMIT (constructed in 1975... and is now LAKEWOOD CHURCH) was an architectural jewel.  whenever, the HOUSTON SUMMIT was hereby constructed in circa 1975, it was without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous state-of-the-art arenas in the entire world.  i recall being a kid and visiting the HOUSTON SUMMIT for the very time, i was completely amazed with the arena itself, along with GREENWAY PLAZA.  therefore, i just cannot comprehend just why on earth, would houston allow for the SUMMIT to be replaced downtown by such an alien monster looking eyesore.  IMO, the TOYOTA CENTER exterior just reeks... and always looks head-to-toe filthy.  (can someone please explain just why that is?)  i was also one of the patrons that thought... once TILMAN became owner, that he would dive head over heels into completely modernizing and renovating this monstrous eyesore.  especially, since opening his most gorgeous/magnificent POST OAK HOTEL in UPTOWN, HOUSTON.  maybe, it's just me, but i'm inclined to believe that once the ASTROS reveal their long anticipated downtown mixed-use development, then TILMAN shall harbor no choice but to announce something forthcoming for the TOYOTA CENTER.  how on earth, would he be able to look ASTROS owner JIM CRANE in the eye?  i would be beyond embarrassed...       

^^^ absolutely GORGEOUS/BRILLIANT development.  congrats to austin, tx for having the will and insight to approve such a magnificent monument to the future of their respective and beautiful city.  i just cannot say enough about this amazing development...  

7 minutes ago, Caribomoa said:

I saw on Construction Journal that the W Hotel expects to break ground this coming June. Anyone have any info on this? I figured it was a matter of time for this leading into the 2026 World Cup.

https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/d462eda1bba046efa4b70f91e376b3d6.html

^^^ possibly positioning for the WORLD CUP HOUSTON...

2 hours ago, texan said:

I actually don't mind the location. I think activating more sides of the ballpark than just the front is better for downtown.

^^^ i see your point here.  however, is it better overall for business?  the back of the ballpark often resembles a no-mans land.  no one thinks to journey back there unless they are employees/players entering the rear entrance to the ballpark.  just my two cents...

^^^ landscaping here is really gorgeous...

^^^ this is going to be a BIG/AMAZING development...

^^^ why on earth, would they construct a brand new TEAM STORE waaaaaaaaaaaay in the BACK of the complex?  shouldn't it be at the FRONT of the complex for all to see and patronize it?  STRANGER THINGS...

^^^ although, extremely BRIGHT, the LED system seems really cool from what we can see...

^^^ money must not be any object here.  my goodness...

11 hours ago, LosFeliz said:

Houston is hosting the Final Four again this year. It's on the rotation for Super Bowls and gets surprisingly high praise for hosting big events. And while we might not get big dollar tourists, we do get very wealthy medical tourists as well as international business travel. There's no reason why we don't have a 2-3 bigger brands like a Ritz, Fairmont, Mandarin, Waldorf, etc...

I also know SEVERAL people who have traveled to Houston for our museums. These are the types that go to the Kimball in Fort Worth but skip Dallas and come to Houston for the Menial Collection and MFA but have no interest in Austin. They're a rare breed but now they at least have more options than the ZaZa which while fun, is pretty cheesy. The Colombe d'Or hotel addition is getting $700 a night these days. I'm not sure if they're getting healthy room occupancy rates, but if they are, more will come. 

I've lived in 4 of the 5 biggest cities. Houston is far from the ugliest. But part of the reason the perception exists is its become a sport to dump on the city. A New Yorker would punch you in the face if you called it ugly, but have you walked by an alley in the lower East Village on a hot August night where the smell of garbage and vomit can make you see haze? Have you taken a wrong turn in LA and found yourself with blocks on end of homeless camps that block sidewalks and sometimes even the roads? Have you been to Southside Chicago or Gary, Indiana? If you have and you say Houston has a decay issue...

 

^^^ much obliged, per your well rounded and quite compelling input @LosFeliz I SEE YOU.  i have had the most wonderful privilege of working / living abroad for quite some time.  i have harbored the opportunity to visit some of great cities in the world and lodge and patronize some of the best hotels in the world.  therefore, i share in your sentiment that "houston is far from the ugliest".  fact is, and maybe i'm a bit biased here having grown-up in beaumont, tx,.  (moved to houston in the 80's during college) I HAVE NEVER ACTUALLY VIEWED OUR FAIR CITY AS UGLY... NEVER.  yes, it may be a bit discombobulated and messy in some areas/districts... but ugly?

actually, and this is just my opinion/theory here, is that the "UGLY" moniker derived from visitors to our fair city that just cannot fathom the extreme HEAT/HUMIDITY... that we are so famous for during our long summers.

this is the primary reason that i posted the content above, i just do not get it, our fair city has soooooo very much to offer this crazy / perilous world.  actually, we have it all here... and then some.  there are so very many sports celebrities that call houston home.  whenever we host a world event... super bowl, final four, downtown car track racing, rodeo, you name it, they come from all over the nation / world... and the reviews are always wholesomely MAGNIFICENT.

yet, here we are, discussing on this most inclusive forum, as to why we just cannot get over our fair city's putrid hospitality hump... and acquire some of the very decent hotels of the world... that other cities far less than houston have had for years / decades.  i just can't seem to comprehend this...  

27 minutes ago, wxman said:

Tongue-n-cheek comment here but...

Houston consistently ranks as one of the ugliest cities in America. I'd have to agree. What would draw people to Houston outside of business? The Space Center? Galveston? The Museum District? Those are very lame, mediocre "attractions" at best. I'm sorry but Houston has a horrific reputation for its traffic, sprawl, endless highways, graffiti, urban decay, and outside the skyline (which interestingly enough I think is one of the better ones in the US), it's a nasty place with stifling humidity. The beaches are probably the worst in all of North America. There's no mega-attractions here that people just have to see. We're a big city with not much to offer unless you like to eat out. 

I'm not saying this to shit on Houston. I'm from here. This place is home and I'd get super defensive really fast if somebody else crapped on it the way I have but Houston has made absolutely no effort to draw tourists here or to change its reputation. I doubt Houston will ever be a trip given away on the Price-Is-Right. 

If I was an investor or a developer, Houston wouldn't be a place I'd be looking to build a luxury brand. 

^^^ much obliged @wxman for the very appealing, compelling, and intriguing sentiment.  i'd have to say that you are indeed correct upon most points.  however, may you please for the sake of GOD AND COUNTRY... please, point out just what is soooooo appealing about dallas over houston?  heck, i get austin, tx.  austin, IMO, is just so very beautiful with it's san francisco type rolling hills... along with lake austin and the such.  heck, i can even understand flat san antonio with it's alamo historical sentiment... along with it's gorgeous fan friendly riverwalk.  however, what is sooooooo appealing about dallas?  why do they keep winning over houston...?

^^^ houston is the FOURTH LARGEST city in USA.  yet, we literally have to BEG for a brand like the "W".  yet, we still cannot seem to get one.  houston is the largest city in the state of texas.  yet, austin/dallas both have their respective "W" brands... and san antonio is preparing to construct their "W" brand within the broadway corridor district.  yes, that's THREE W HOTELS within the major markets of texas... and houston just cannot seem to get one.  heck, if it wouldn't have been for TILMAN FERTITTA planning and constructing his very own SUPER LUXURY POST OAK HOTEL, we wouldn't even have this one.  i have literally been repeating myself for over a decade now while residing in our fair city of houston... "something is really the F*&K wrong with this city's hospitality picture".  i am simply torn with the same old tired and worn out excuses since they never really make any real sense.  our fair city seems to keep growing larger and more progressive.  yet, we seem to keep acquiring lesser and lesser.  meanwhile, austin/dallas/san antonio seem to keep acquiring more and more prestige within its overall hospitality industry.  HAIF houston... harbors some really smart/intellectual/dynamic/progressive minded patrons here.  we all are acutely aware of this very fact.  however, none of us (at least not yet) can really provide a comprehensive answer/sentiment to what is wrong with the houston hospitality scene.  somehow, i just can't seem to get it... what the F*&K is happening here...?    

2 hours ago, Big E said:

Huh. Forbes doesn't consider the St. Regis or Four Seasons to be 5-star? Interesting.

^^^ the brand names alone, does not necessarily mean that the overall property has indeed earned the right to be called a "5-STAR" property.  it's all about patron amenities, customer service, location, restaurants, you name it... it has to have it all, to earn the ranking.  "5-STARS" do not rain down from heaven...

^^^ thank you @Paco Jones  for we have been eagerly awaiting this wonderful news.  hopefully, one of the below flags shall fly above this newest star of the TMC-3 development.

1 hour ago, strickn said:

Then may I introduce to you the one and only Mac Pro?  Got a good feeling about you two...

^^^ surely, you don't think that you are the ONLY one that has one of these?  everyone of my components are APPLE.  EVERYONE!

^^^ i absolutely LOVE this magnificent development.  i cannot seem to take my eyes away from that STUNNING TOWER.  WOW!