Montrose1100

On 12/18/2022 at 1:14 PM, toxtethogrady said:

I'm getting the strong sense this one will look like the buildings next door...

Wouldn't mind it. Good infill. Just wish we had some idea.

I'm all for highway improvements. Bury them below grade, improve the connections, reduce unnecessary mergers, and promote driver's education. Also, add 10 foot walls to the center.

However, I'm also for mass transit. The best way to reduce congestion on the highway is to give a percentage of drivers a better option. More mass transit = less drivers on the road. Anyone who drives (and would continue to, despite a commuter rail option), would certainly agree to funding it to get more vehicles off the road? That' what I've never understood about the nay-sayers. "I'd never use it". Then don't? Wouldn't your driving experience be more enjoyable with x-amount less vehicles around you?

45 needs improvement. It's a sh** design.

Enjoy this project very much. Having friends in both Hanover buildings - can't wait for the retail spots to open up and become a destination.

The park, the streets & sidewalks, stunning development.

1 hour ago, 004n063 said:

That is one pretty room.

Not usually one for the southwest cowhide & turquoise theme. First time seeing a modern interpretation being pulled off without all the clichés. 

13 minutes ago, hindesky said:

Can the mods change the name of this topic to "Handies Douzo at 4005 Montrose Blvd" since it now has a sign? @Urbannizer @Highrise Tower @Montrose1100

Done.

Please submit a report/request instead of tagging us. Thanks Hindesky.

1 hour ago, Twinsanity02 said:

Anyone know which is the largest parking garage in the city? I would guess the one adjacent to the Chase tower downtown. It appears to have the most levels, but do not know if it is the highest in volume of cars.

If it's one thing the TMC needs, is parking spots. My guess would be one of the Allen Center Garages, the Braeswood Garage in the TMC, or the Orange Garage in the Galleria. Chase Tower Annex/Garage isn't all parking - has offices on top.'

This one is a beast for sure.

Like that this brick and beige stone has become the de facto design for the north/west Museum District. Is it a homage to the First Presbyterian?

The best & most important part of the before & after is people.

Reminds me of the Ritz planned for BLVD Place last cycle here in town. Hope this tops 98 Red River, give Texas a better looking tallest.

18 hours ago, SMU1213 said:

They bailed either right before or after covid.

That's a shame. An equinox in this or general location would do wonders. The one in ROD is at the corner of traffic and rush hour. So many people want to join but hate the location (that live in Montrose/Midtown).

On 9/12/2022 at 1:27 PM, trymahjong said:

Rev. Ed Young of Houston’s Second Baptist Church recently called his hometown “the most dangerous city in America” as he urged congregants to oust “left-wing progressives” from local office. Democratic county leaders insist crime is down and they are pumping money into law enforcement. And their Republican challengers are staking their campaigns on the opposite assertion: crime is out of control and democrats are to blame.

 

Well, I know what I'll be doing.

Report Tax Exempt Status Abuses to the IRS

On 9/9/2022 at 1:33 PM, samagon said:

 

it's not just about the views, it's about the impact to those living near, and the impact to the wildlife of the area.

removing freeways you don't have to worry so much about how it will negatively impact those living in the immediate area, or the impact to wildlife, do you? ignoring as well the possibility of the greenway that DT Houston has suggested might happen. the West, South, and East of downtown is very well served as far as that goes.

as far as views being opened up, literally, the only views that will be better will be between W. Dallas and 59 interchange, basically, the stretch of the Pierce Elevated. 

the downtown connectors for the west side of downtown are going to be more impactful to views than the current freeway structures. the illustration from TXDoT that shows the elevation next to Sabine street lofts, the new structure is going to be even higher than the existing structure. and that cutaway is cleverly placed away from any flyover ramps, which will make the elevation even higher. good times.

https://www.txdot.gov/content/dam/project-sites/nhhip/docs/segment-3-pm4-exhibit-01-overall.pdf

on the plus side though, at least the west side of downtown will receive better local connectivity with Houston getting connected to Allen Parkway, and the sunlight that will get into that area of BBP should be greatly increased. so good for those living in close proximity to that area of downtown.

on the east side of downtown, yes, we'll have a section of freeway that is below grade, but for the distance that will be below grade, we'll have an uninterrupted view of the back side of the convention center, or a great view of the back side of the baseball stadium. .. otherwise the interchanges between 59/45, and 59/45/10 will all be well above grade, so no real improvement there. 

Wish they would get rid of the Giant looming flood flights , and update to something shorter and more modern. Nothing ruins the Sabine Street view like the giant power lines and flood lights.

On 8/30/2022 at 8:26 AM, august948 said:

He doesn't have the option of sending them south.  The current administration has already allowed them in.  Gotta do something, there's been a curious spike in illegal crossings since the Biden administration took over.

 

 

On 9/1/2022 at 3:36 PM, editor said:

Graphs with no sources are meaningless.  Especially ones like the above, which purports to show information for 2021 and 2022.  2021 information hasn't been fully tabulated yet.  2022 isn't even over.  So I hope you understand that to me, it seems like the chart is fake.

The Department of Homeland Security's most recent statistics show a decrease in the most recent year for which numbers are available: 2020.

2009: 889,212

2010: 796,587

2011: 678,606

2012: 671,327

2013: 662,483

2014: 679,996

2015: 462,388

2016: 530,250

2017: 461,540

2018: 572,566

2019: 1,013,539

2020: 518,597

Source  (page 91)

DHS stats show the most active period was 1995-2001, when between 1.3 and 1.8 million people were apprehended each year.

While I appreciate your enthusiasm for the subject, let's not use HAIF to spread misinformation lies.  If you got it from social media, there's a non-zero chance it was planted there by people who are gullible, greedy, or do not have America's best interests in mind. 

Statements of fact should be backed by sources.

This is a chart I made from the DHS numbers.  Note that it looks nothing at all like the magic hockey stick chart of unknown origin that was posted previously.

Hey Y'all,

I don't know how accurate the source chart/numbers from CNN are, but the title says apprehended, *not* Mexico or Northern Triangle. It's to show the dramatic increase in crossings via persons originating from Nicaragua and anything south (especially Venezuela).

Vs the raw numbers from the DHS site which look like a total number of persons, rather than excluding any country of origin.

Anyways, back to the "scandal" of Hidalgo at hand.

Take a drive down Richmond (starting at Kirby and heading West), and you'll get a sense this is very "Houston".

I'm all for color and culture, but not every building needs to be a loud, eye-catching fuchsia. Allow the sky, trees, and flowers to frame structure. 

At least the pool is facing the south/west. Know some folks in La Colombe D'or and the pool isn't great after lunch time. Nice views though. 

16 hours ago, strickn said:

If your concept is that a public building can perfectly well be a cartoon of a private single-family home if the postmodern style calls for it, then to start with, people need something else from this at the level of artistic license:  just asserting it doesn't absolve the artist from picking a more sensible style in the first place.
 

Michael Graves already gave Allen Parkway another cartoon house job in the form of a Federal Reserve sub-branch, and that choice poorly suited both the utility and the dignity of a public-sector institution.  This jamatkhana has utility and dignity but the classic criticism of postwar Houston urbanism is that it is too disjointed and hermetically sealed from its surroundings.  If your building is open air but treats everything offsite as a blank slate both artistically and urbanistically, it is still disjointed.

It's yet another fortress along Allen Parkway. I understand what you're saying, but it's fashionable for Houston.

1 hour ago, samagon said:

it's somewhat brilliant, come in for service. instead of a complimentary bottle of water, or a stale coffee, you can get a drink.

Potential Customers are more likely to make impulsive decisions if their wheels are greased. 

17 minutes ago, cityliving said:

For those of you who seem confused, the ugly building that I was referring to in my photograph is this monstrosity, known as the Service Corporation International building.

Not confused about what building you're referencing. Confused as to why you think this little infill building is worthy of ruining your photo. The patchy repair jobs on Memorial and giant garages in the background are more distracting. 

On 6/16/2022 at 10:56 AM, Amlaham said:

 

Really hope we get a different name because I feel like Toyota, a Japanese car, doesn't really represent our city (nothing against the car).

The largest automaker in the world, who also sold more vehicles than any other in the US, doesn't represent our car-centric & international city? You know they also build the Sequoia & Tundra in Texas, right?

Feel like Toyota Center is more fitting than Minute Maid Park. Particularly since Coca-Cola closed their offices in Sugar Land to move them to Atlanta.

But I agree with you that something Space related would be cool. Doubt it would happen. Hopefully it won't be "Landry's Center". 

Maybe 20-30 years ago Sheraton was nice. Have you been to the Sheraton Brookhollow? Lordy.

Shame they're not changing the exterior. But the interior is what really matters. Looks like a cool bar.

17 hours ago, Luminare said:

Funny thought. I wonder if that concave curtain wall will melt cars below like the famous car melting building in London.

Unlikely, since it faces north. 

17 hours ago, Brooklyn173 said:

I'm wondering if the dark glass cladding on the lower levels will remain. It sort of looks like a late add on to the current building.

It looks to remain in the renderings.

1 hour ago, Avossos said:

Why is this a “trophy” building? I like the building and I like what it means for the area. I even like the campus vibe of the master plan… just not sure why everyone is so giddy about the architecture.

Because the bar is low. We're the architecture limbo champions. 

46 minutes ago, editor said:

From today's dead tree edition of the Houston Chronicle:

State representative Steve Toth thinks the plan to widen I-45 won't really do much to fix traffic for people who live in that area, and a loop freeway is the solution.  My between-the-lines reading is that he thinks the latest I-45 widening project will only aid through traffic, and not help his constituents.

Where would they even propose this? Spring Creek?

They should extend the Woodlands Parkway to meet up with 249.