urbanize713

Here is an update. Common Bond is starting construction tomorrow!

1 hour ago, thatguysly said:

Too bad there is a substation there next to the Hilton and Toyota Center. That would be another great spot for development.

Can it be moved? any of the blocks along 59/69 would be way better than where it currently is. 

Anyone know what is being done to it? It is surrounded by scaffolding covering the sidewalk on all sides.   

Saving judgment until it is complete but so far this seems to improve with every picture update. 

Texas Tower really pops in this pic. Solid work!

29 minutes ago, MidCenturyMoldy said:

There's a lot of blue reflective glass in this photo.

811 Main is more Green. In person at least, lol.

Maybe a bit of a hyperbole, but between Texas Tower, the JPM/600 Travis remodel, and Pennzoil, Houston will have 3 of the most unique building lobbies on 3 continuous blocks.   

2 hours ago, Ross said:

You can thank the combination of Garnet "Not in my Neighborhood" Coleman and the Midtown RDA for piling up lots of land East of 288. Coleman is vehemently against gentrification, and thinks that he is the only thing standing between the Third Ward and a bunch of new people buying townhouses there. Personally, I want Coleman to just go away. I am annoyed that tax dollars have been used to accumulate several million square feet of land that is sitting there doing nothing and not contributing to the tax base. A quick search on HCAD shows 474 properties owned by the Midtown RDA. That's ridiculous. Maybe Coleman will work with Rice to use some of that land.

https://kinder.rice.edu/2016/05/25/third-ward-looks-to-shift-the-gentrification-conversation

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112888084

How does that even fit the description of a TIRZ? Isn't it suppose to promote improvements within the district? 

This is pretty much done.

For comparison

11 hours ago, kennyc05 said:

Damm this thread has been negative for the past couple of days 😐😐😐

Quite the negative spiral. Went from the developer, to the building, to midtown, to the general state of society. 

Is that part of the crown going in now? 

Fence is down. Project is looking good!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ_0arWlob3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

23 minutes ago, LBC2HTX said:

Just a matter of time. There’s a certain stench that permeates from their offices when the elevator door opens. That said, one shell has done a good job of staying competitive after Shell left.

Do they occupy the middle floors that noticeably have not switched over to LED bulbs? I have always wondered this, lol. 

On 9/17/2020 at 3:06 PM, AREJAY said:

I think the 300K is to renovate one of the GFR spots inside this tower - Meaning the WF catty-corner at 2801 Kirby will likely not be around too much longer. 

Well Fargo sign is now up on the bottom floor of the tower and if I noticed correctly has also been removed from the one story building across the street. 

Interesting, based on the latest pics this will be built like 111 W 57th in NYC where the two smaller sides are basically solid allowing for the skinny/thinner construction. 

As for the lot it is my understanding that the architect for Hess tower convinced Hess to build the garage on a portion of the block and save the rest for future development. However that is only based on rumors/hearsay. Maybe others on here can confirm if true. 

Once completed, what is the over/under of instagram selfies/pics on that stairway every weekend ?

3 hours ago, kennyc05 said:

I think this project broke ground this morning.

You are correct.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ1QWNJUms/?igshid=8ce1m3xgse9t

The Greek Orthodox Church really adds another dimension to that last pic! 

Just now, clutchcity94 said:

Museum Park 

It is clearly MidMuse, duh.

(sarcasm) 

That looks like a significant improvement!

I am glad you mentioned both systems are good and bad. However, age is important for one reason, technology. More specifically vehicles. By the time personal cars came around NY had been established for 200 years. The decreased demand for train travel  even led to destruction of one of NY's greatest public spaces, Penn Station. 

As for Houston's parks? I agree with you. They are getting better every day and we are getting even more. In fact I live in front of Midtown park and I can say it meticulously  maintained and used by many that live around it! Unfortunately there is also a homeless problem but that is not unique to Houston.