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MarathonMan

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Everything posted by MarathonMan

  1. MarathonMan
    I think the recent work here was to install drainage pipes to prevent standing water in “Lake Midtown”. If I had to guess, that is what the permit in the photo above references. The drains are in and the back hoe and dozer on-site have been idle for the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, the fact that they haven’t removed the equipment hints that they may be about to start using it again. . . to actually build this place. On the other hand, why would they install drainage unless they don’t intend to do anything with the site for a long time? Who knows?
  2. MarathonMan
    I like this one.
  3. MarathonMan
    It’s certainly his best effort. The texture of the facade and the shape of the tower are intriguing. And the height of the residential portion relative to the podium makes the podium less intrusive.
  4. MarathonMan
    The problem is with the design of the podium. Of course you have to have parking in a building. Catalyst wraps the parking garage with retail and residential units. The parking is all but invisible. Aris has GFR, plus the facade on the parking levels makes them look like occupied floors, which camouflages the parking and visually connects the ground level with the residential levels. Both of these buildings “flow” nicely from the ground up. RD has an unquestionable affinity for chunky, stark, vault-like podiums that make his buildings incohesive.
  5. MarathonMan
    I disagree that those of us writing unflattering reviews of RD’s buildings are internet whiney boys or arm-chair quarterbacks. Architecture is a combination of form and function. There is an element of art in every building and some architects/developers simply do a better job artistically than others. I don’t profess to be an expert on the design, engineering or economic constraints that impact the final product. I understand that profit is the primary driver and impacts the aesthetics of a building. But, as a consumer of the “public art” that is ultimately created once the cranes are down and the landscaping is in, I think I am as qualified as anyone to offer an opinion on a building’s look. And I think that projects like Aris Market Square and Catalyst are much more pleasing than The Cosmopolitan, Marlowe and Astoria with their hulkingly conspicuous parking podiums that offer zero interaction with their surroundings.
  6. MarathonMan
    Yes, the early rendering’s exterior is much more cohesive.
  7. MarathonMan
    This building is, by far, Randall Davis’s best effort to date. However, the exterior seems off to me. The way the glass/stucco portion transitions to all-glass looks weird — like it wasn’t thought out very well. The two sections don’t blend together with any fluidity. What do y’all think?
  8. MarathonMan
    It completely astounds me that this hasn’t happened. This is one of the most prime locations in this city.
  9. MarathonMan
    I don’t think it’s people jockeying for lane position that slows 59 down here. 59 inbound gets stacked up past Kirby every day because two lanes become dedicated to the Spur 527 exit, effectively bottlenecking the “through lanes” on 59, a major freeway, from five lanes to three at the spur. It’s the most insanely stupid design of a freeway I’ve ever seen! It looks like they address the issue in the redesign.
  10. MarathonMan
    I really wish Randall Davis would design/build a parking podium that is less conspicuous. Yes, it may cost more, but it would be soooo worth it aesthetically.
  11. MarathonMan
    Why are we talking about HISD schools on this thread???
  12. MarathonMan
  13. MarathonMan
    These renderings are beautiful! A development that is architecturally unique, innovative and striking! Uncommon in Houston. I was in New York City recently. There are scads of new, beautiful buildings there that would literally define the skyline of any other city. In New York, though, they are “run of the mill”. The Caydon renderings, along with Kirby Collection and 2929 Wesleyan, give me hope that we may be inching slowly in that direction.
  14. MarathonMan
    I don’t mind the lighter brick when it’s new. I don’t like it once it gets stained.
  15. MarathonMan
    Running by this building today, I noticed that several sections of brick (under various windows) are gone from the north and west sides of The Southmore. They either fell out or were removed. Strange. Anyone know what the issue is?
  16. MarathonMan
    They mean business! Concrete trucks lined up for blocks.
  17. MarathonMan
    Tower crane going up today!
  18. MarathonMan
    This is definitely on pace to deliver before Dolce Living down the street.
  19. MarathonMan
    No. They’re definitely moving equipment in.
  20. MarathonMan
  21. MarathonMan
    Nope.
  22. MarathonMan
    Block 346 — staging.
  23. MarathonMan
    Block 330 is getting prepped for Camden’s 20 story residential highrise adjacent to Toyota Center. Sidewalk scaffolding is going up. Block 346 is fenced off for staging/construction management. This project will be good for south downtown!
  24. MarathonMan
    I have a feeling that was a joke... The Camden project has been going on for awhile! Will they ever finish???
  25. MarathonMan
    Crane base is going in.
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