Montrose1100

Plans to redesign Jones Plaza are still on the table, but it will be a while before we see any work going on.

 

Meanwhile, the Central Library Plaza will be renovated. Work begins sometime this year.

 

I didn't like Jones Plaza even when I was a child and saw it on the Houston Chronicle. I'm looking forward to the renderings.

Agreed a large mixed use development on that corner of westheimer and post oak would be awesome. As well as the corner across post oak with the gallery furniture shopping center. Someday in the future when the market warrants it...

I bet in our lifetime Post Oak Blvd. will become an Urban Canyon of high-rises and mixed-use development, both sides, from 610 to 59.

Remember those maps that came out a few years ago saying Houston will be apart of two giant metros. The "Gulf" one went all the way to New Orleans, and of course the Texas Triangle. I don't think we'll see it in our life times but who knows. I think the development will be pushed out even further but look how expansive the LA Metro is. We will have these satellite cities that will continue to grow and be their own centers of entertainment, shopping, and employment (The Woodlands, Sugar Land). And they will eventually have "suburbs" of their own. Which they already kind of do. When I worked in the Woodlands more than 60% of my co-workers commuted from Conroe.

Based on the rendering will there be apartments facing the street on the same levels as the garage?

DZ Discovery Zone on FM 1960. It blew Chuck-E-Cheeses out of the water (I think it's a candle store now). Marco's on Kuykendahl in the strip center where Klein Bank was. Was my favorite tex-mex place as a kid.

Also the tall hospital that use to be on Allen Parkway. I remember every time we would drive to see my dad we would pass it. I can also recall there being some kind of tall crops on FM 2920 @ Kuykendahl. Maybe corn? Oh and how could I forget Charlie's Hamburgers? Man those were SO GOOD. We use to eat there after seeing a movie at the theater which is now a fitness place on West Grey.

Edit: Enron Field... I remember my first game there. I got some nachos and tripped down the stairs and got a 3rd degree burn on my arm. The scar is still visible under my left arm. 

The level of detail in London is unsurpassed in Boston or San Francisco, and I like to simply experience the sequences of spaces, intricate and eloquent.  After Lincoln's Inn Fields, you should check out the Architectural Association in Bedford Square, then wind your way north through the public squares of Camden, a couple miles, to the Regent's Canal of North London, wander the Grand Union tow path, and pick your way up Highgate Hill.

 

Canary Wharf is about as sterile as Uptown Houston, last I visited;  nothing special. 

I know Canary Wharf isn't the best examples of modern architecture in London, but I like them as a specific 90's time pieces (same with the Millennium Dome). Reminds me of my younger years. I remember London exploded with developement in the 90's and One Canada (at the time), was in at least one shot of every movie filmed in London. Mainly Spice World and Tomorrow Never Dies. I remember watching the fireworks on the 31st of 99' around the world and London seemed like the show case of the whole planet. Anyways sorry for the trip down memory lane.

Thanks for the suggestion. A quick bing image search of Highgate Hill yielded some interesting places! Regent Canal looks quaint and almost too charming.

^I'm always intrigued by Texans who take it upon themselves to try Tex-Mex places in locales where that type of food is more than likely not nearly as good as we expect here.

 

If I may suggest a day trip out from London?  Perhaps Cambridge, Oxford or Bletchley?  All are a day trip (I believe?) and we of course know the first 2 as centers of higher learning, but Bletchley is where all the technical innovations of WW2 took place and I believe there is a pretty fascinating museum there?

 

I'm not sure of your interests, but I know from my experiences overseas I enjoy the smaller towns when possible away from the bigger cities because they offer a slightly different perspective on life that the larger places don't.  Just a thought?

The only reason I'll try Tex-Mex places or any disgusting chain (Friday's, Chillis), outside of the country is to see if they have Ranch Dressing. It has been a quest I've had since I was 12. Speaking of food I think that's why we try those places when in the UK due to the lack of taste in most dishes. It's not a stereotype if it's true.

Usually when we visit Europe our family members over there take us to surrounding villages and note worthy places. However, after seeing every Roman Catholic Church west of the Rhine River we've grown a bit tired of the country side. It will be Strictly London & Cologne while we are there, as we didn't get as much time in the city centers as we'd like to have before.

I truly appreciate all your suggestions. I'll definitely have to check out Foyles, Simpson's Tavern, Harrod's, and the Science Museum.

Most of my interests include drinking, cocktails, and light beers (also Architecture of course). I bought that mega chip for my digital camera that holds like 7,000 pictures.

This is a few years away as of now. They also didn't mention where these would be built. In the same spot or a different location?

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/City-plans-hugely-important-new-justice-complex-5094942.php?cmpid=albtfp

You think they'll chop that old jail next to the Civil & Criminal Courthouses? I kind of like the current HPD Building, it's like Exxon's in NYC but on a much much smaller scale.

Based on the color scheme I'm not too crazy about it, but I will reserve any harsh judgments until the final product is presented. Shame about the previous rendering with the residential balconies didn't make it. Like the roof top idea.

Good Day HAIF. I know there are some well traveled individuals on this site so I would like your personal recommendations on this city.

I'll be there at the end of February for 4 nights, across the street from the Tower of London. I already have a few touristy places I'd like to see that I missed last time I was there. Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge & Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace.

I've seen Trafalgar Square, Texas Embassy, Parliament (Big Ben Clock Tower, Westminster), St. Paul's, Piccadilly Circus, Tate Modern.

So, any places that are an absolute must see? Also, if you have any great restaurants/pubs/bars/clubs that you recommend I would truly appreciate it!

I was gonna bring up the sears tower actually. I recall early photos of the highrise showing it stuck out big time on the skyline. Kudosfor posting that. It took several years for the skyline to catch up.

 

WTC in the 1970s before the construction of battery city

*World Financial Center

Its the light tan and light blue colors, IMO. I don't know, I like this one, but something about it just screams "I'M FROM 1995!"

Haha! I don't know what your're talking about but that tower is state of the art. It will become the crown jewel of Houston architecture in the new millennium, literally taking the crown away from the Memorial City Memorial Hermann.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4knuoIAWweA

I know I shouldn't like this song, but I really do. The Music Video is ok...

Some of yall are taking my comment a little too literal. The fact the design is anything outside of a simple box is enough to boost better development downtown. This building is beautiful and is going to really be set apart as something to really look at when its built. I think out of towners during the Super Bowl will be even more impressed. JMO

Only if they're from Dallas.

Looks pretty good to me but this will be almost invisible to most because it's location.

Completely. I drive pass this area on San Felipe every morning and the only buildings visible are the Schlumburger & Marathon buildings.

Debbie dev - lookout weekend

I dig it. 

Just wanted to share 3 songs I've been listening to on repeat all day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKHZcQF9g1g

"Dreams" - Taken by Trees

Pretty mellow and relaxing. I like the music video, puts me in a good mood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXwYJyrKK5A

"What you know" - Two Door Cinema Club

This is the one I blast in the car really loud. The music video kinda sucks IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TLCkIGV2mw

"Sunlight" - Bag Raiders.

Big guilty pleasure. I jam to this one after a glass of wine when i'm home by myself. Music video is kinda weird but oh well.

If the Tower doesn't get built, I will ring a church bell and claim it the day that no-zoning died in Houston.

This building alone is going to take Houston to another level

I applaud your enthusiasm but It's not like we're getting a masterpiece of art. It will go nicely with BG Group Place.

"or lack there of".

Just kidding, they look sleek. 

That's the one

If they went that far north would they repay the city back the millions?

You think a suburb of the 4th largest city in the country would have garbage hotels and casinos like Gulf Port, Mississippi (which is in the poorest state in the country) and close to Mobile, which is the 120th largest city in the country.  I don't.  I think it would be a construction boom and while you wouldn't have the Bellagio, you would have nice hotels, and nice casinos.

 

Vegas is already past peak water.  Detroit might be an extreme example... Akron?  Buffalo?  Something more like that.  Still viable, smaller, less growth, but still nice enough for those who live there.  But it won't be able to sustain the current level of growth.

 

Also, while Vegas does attract lots and lots of people from around the country, lets don't obscure the fact that Los Angeles feeds a very healthy percentage of Vegas' tourists from out of state.

 

I think we both agree about the same thing, but to slightly lesser degrees.

26% is a very healthy percentage.

But compare the estimated $4 billion that Texans spend on gambling out of state. $3.8 billion of that is spent in Las Vegas. Those are 2007 figures so forgive the old data.

http://www.texas-gaming-association.com/topics/texans-are-paying-to-improve-other-states/

What I'm saying is that the Casinos will always thrive in Vegas, regardless if Galveston opens up shop or not.

Edit: So basically the city might lose population but will always be the center of gaming entertainment in the country.

I don't agree.  Vegas is built on fake.  It is fake.  It has prospered (like many other desert sub belt cities) due ot the influx of retirees from colder climates.  Those retirees are from the Baby Boomer generation or the generations before and I don't see Gen-X or Millinials moving to places like Vegas when water shortages (see Lake Powell and just how low it is) will cause rapid stagnation of those "booming" economies.

 

Don't get me wrong, Vegas may be nice, but I don't see their model of city building as realistic.

 

Here in Texas we will have the same problems with water and growth.  But in Houston we'll be able to eventually desalinate and produce potable water from the Gulf, rather than rely on the Trinity, Colorado and Brazos rivers.

Of course it's fake. So is the castle in Disney World, but people still go.

I agree with you that the city it's self will experience very slow growth once they reach their peak water supply. However, it will still be a major tourist destination. If Galveston opened up to gambling they would get a couple 2nd rate casinos and hotels like Atlantic City, nothing as glamours or drawing like the super hotels in Vegas. Vegas would not turn into Detroit, it would be the huge casinos in Louisiana that would. Coushatta, Delta Downs, and the casinos in Lake Charles would be empty. 

In fact I would hope Galveston got at least 2nd rate hotels. They could get complete garbage like Gulf Port, Mississippi.

*If* this is indeed planned, it has the possibility of being:

 

- The tallest in Houston and in Texas (duh)

- The tallest west of the Mississippi

- The tallest outside of NYC and Chicago

- The 5th building at or above 100-floors in the U.S

- The 1st building at or above 100-floors outside of NYC and Chicago in the U.S

- The tallest mixed-use tower in the U.S

- In the top 5 or top 10 list of tallest mixed-use towers in the world.

It would be the 3rd tallest in the Americas (if it were 1,400ft.).

Water, or lack thereof rather, will ultimately limit Las Vegas' growth and prosperity.  Besides, their economic model is largely based on tourism and that is a really tough segment of the economy to base a thriving city off of.

 

I think post-Baby Boomer America will watch cities like Phoenix, Miami, Vegas (who have large Baby Boomer populations) suffer somewhat due to that.

 

Vegas will dry up and die if LA ever allows gambling.  I know that the lobby from Nevada is very strong against that, but if California and Texas ever move towards allowing open gambling all around places like Vegas will shrink.

Honestly, I see Vegas as the Detroit of the 2000s.  Maybe without the riots, but it will shrink and look very odd in 2099.

Vegas will always be a destination. I had an absolute blast going there for a friend's bachelor party. Even if Texas opens up to gambling, it won't be Vegas suffering, it will be Louisiana and perhaps Oklahoma (depending on if it's only allowed on Galveston).

Vegas has history and there is a ton of stuff to do there besides gambling. It's also a huge family destination.