Mister X
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Everything posted by Mister X
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Yes, lets save that beat-up loser mentality for another day. Because even a 40 story tower would be great news.
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Fernz, if you can't post a rendering (tall order at this stage I imagine), could you describe another existing building somewhere in the world that has a similar appearence. So we could get an idea. New skyscraper proposals for downtown always get me acting like a 8 year old on a sugar high. Angled walls sounds intriguing! Is the location, Main, Walker, Fannin, Rusk? (got that off the Montagu Hotel thread) On the satellite image, there looks to be several existing buildings on the lot.
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There's not enough profit in it. -
You set yourself up for this, wxman. Anyone who starts out saying "I don't want to sound like a racist, BUT..." will always come out sounding like a racist. Especially when he follows up the sentence with his "insightful" observations about "foreigners". Lumping nationalities or races with particular activities will get you into trouble every time. Best to keep an open mind about stuff. No one blames you or cares whether you like soccer or not. Just like Galveston tourism, soccer will survive with or without the support of all the people YOU know in the Woodlands. My 12 year old nephew and his friends who live in the Woodland love soccer (a lot more than I do), so I know it's not a city vs. suburb thing. I think it's a generational thing not a cultural thing. I didn't grow up playing or watching it so it took me longer to get in to it. But the kids watching it now (all races and nationalites) could really turn the MLS into something huge in a few years. Cool new stadiums built in the downtowns of major metro areas will only help the sport. I bet everyone in the MLS is hoping this downtown stadium happens in Houston. It will make the entire league look better and seem like a force to be reckoned within the American sports world. Especially when the winning Dynamo starts stealing people away from the losing Astros.
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Another thing to like about soccer is that there are a lot less commercial interuptions than the other big sports. The action is continuous. I'm surprised ESPN covers soccer at all since they can't break in every other minute to sell Viagra.
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I thought Houston's USFL team was called "The Houston Gamblers". A silly name based on some Kenny Rodgers song called the Gambler. I thought I remembered hearing that Kenny Rodgers was the owner, but it was so long ago it's all just a blur now. I hated the name Texans when I first heard it. I wanted them to name the new NFL team the Apollos and wrote posts in every chat room I could find on the internet to try to convince people that the name Texans was a stupid , and unoriginal name for a football team. Right around the time the name was made official (I can't remember if it was before or after) I saw a documentary on the History Channel about the cowboys from Texas in the 1800's that would head the cattle drives from Texas to the railroads in Dodge City, Kansas where the cattle was then shipped to the east via railroad. ANYWAY, these rough house cowboys would come into the town every year and tear up the entire town (booze, prostitution, gambling, shooting people who looked at them crooked, ect.) The town put up with it to some extent because these cowboys spent a lot of money and drove the economy. So what you say? Well, these special cowboys with the bad ass reputation were known as "The Texans" to the locals. "Oh $hoot, the Texans are coming to town, hide the children!" The Texans were feared and welcomed at the same time. So after that I didn't hate the name "Texans" anymore. Plus now that I have had a few years to live with it, the name Texans probably sounds tougher than Apollos, and in football thats an asset. Of course, unless you know the minute details about your American history or watch too much t.v., you would just think that the football team from Houston just couldn't think of an original name. But everytime I think of the name Texans, I think of cowboys - only meaner, rougher, and wilder than your regular everyday cowboy. Now, if they'd only play that way. I still don't know what to think about the name "Dynamo". I mean, it sounds a little silly, yet it does bring up imagery of power and excitement, which is something I think is appropriate for the city of Houston. I keep thinking the name will grow on me like the Texans did. Or like soap scum grows on my shower door - it's not so bad once you get used to it.
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It's odd how soccer can get under your skin if you give it a chance. I had absolutely no interest in soccer until I started watching the Dynamo last year because nothing else was on t.v. I tuned in and thought I would watch for a few minutes just to see what the big deal was. At first I thought it was boring. The teams would get close to scoring and build excitement and then they would just miss the goal. I thought - God, how long can this go on! - Nothing's happening except a bunch of men running around in circles. Then finally, the Dynamo scored and the crowd went nuts. So I watched a little longer and slowly started to realize that the excitement of soccer is the all wrapped up in the anticipation of scoring. The longer you have to wait, the more your nerves are on edge, the more exciting it is when a team scores. Sort of like waiting for a cool project to break ground in Houston - years after the announcement was made. So now I watch whenever I get the chance. And evidently the 20,000 people that fill the stands must get a kick out of it. I hear soccer is doing well in Houston. Build the downtown stadium! It will be the classiest one in the MLS and give Houstonians another reason to be proud of their city and of their downtown.
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That's such a great list. Thanks for making it, editor. It's so handy to have a quick reference to all the cool stuff going up in the Houston area. It eliminates the need for new people (and regulars) at the forum to have to struggle to familiarize or remember the details (such as floor count and location) of the ever growing list of projects. Any chance that the list could be a 'sticky' at the top of the 'view new posts' or 'going up' page? I noticed that they do something like that over on dallasmetropolis.com on their 'Urban Development' page. That would really be handy at HAIF when topics cools off for a while and then become popular again. Everybody can easily stay up to date on everything. For example: I forgot the updated floor count of the Turnberry and was all prepared to go back and re-read this thread, when I clicked the 'Houston Projects List' and there is was in a nice easy to read grid. Thanks again for creating and updating the list. X
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I can't vote either. I can't imagine anyone 'loving' this building. And why would anyone hate it - it pulls it's weight in DT. There are prettier and uglier buildings in this city. This one is somewhere in the middle - probably just below the 50% mark. But that's not enough to say I hate it. It just needs a shampoo or something. However, I would give this building a few extra points simply because of its mid century moderness. I'm a big fan of that style, but it's just kind of hard to pull off in anything over about 7 floors unless you are the Seattle Space Needle. If you add an "it isn't hurting anyone" button, then I can play this game too.
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I agree that it is hard to imagine Uptown or Post Oak ever becoming truly pedestrian friendly. There is just too much that would have to be rebuilt in every direction. But, if nothing else, an entry plaza or something special facing Post Oak would have more curb appeal than just another parking lot like the ones in front of all the other minor strip centers in town. BLVD Place seems special, after all, not every mixed use development in Houston will be blessed with a rail line right in front of it (eventually), and the front should look special. A project of this magnitude will certainly make a significant impact on uptown and might even start a trend on Post Oak. Like Juniper said - it's 95% there. But I can live with what they are doing. I mean, I don't think the front is ugly or anything, and I know that attracting drivers off the street HAS to be a top priority for the developers. The overall coolness of these buildings (design and style) and the layout of the complex far out weighs any problem I have with the narrow parking lot facing PO. But it would be so nice to see this place set a new standard for street aesthetics in Houston even if the rest of Uptown never becomes pedestrian friendly. My 3 cents
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I know it's just a rendering and shouldn't be taken too seriously, but is that a 50 story tower in the middle? I like these renderings better than the old ones. It looks more "space age". I like it, it's fun, clean, colorful and modern. Just wish they'd lose the narrow parking lot that faces post oak. That parking lot almost seems like a superficial add-on. It's too small to provide any real benefit or convenience. It's almost like they had to go out of there way to make the front of this development look less pedestrian friendly. I don't mind the buildings being set back from the street, but a nice extra wide sidewalk with some beautiful fountains and shade trees would be fantastic where that narrow parking lot will be. The part that faces San Felipe (I think) looks great though. So when's groundbreaking?
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I have to disagree about California beaches being too cold to swim in. At least in the L.A. area. I mean, the water isn't a comfortable temp like in Texas, but people ajust to it somehow once the initial shock wares off. I lived in the L.A. area for about 10 years. And went to the beach quite often. In fact, I lived in a beach house in Sunset Beach (just north of Huntington Beach) for 2 years. I remember the water always being full of people on the weekends in the summer. It took me a long time to build up the courage to walk out into what I thought was going to be unbarable cold. I would get about knee deep and turn around because it was so cold and I had been spoiled by the comfort of Texas beaches my whole life. Everyone always told me that you get used to it after a while, but I didn't believe them. But those waves looked like too much fun so I eventually ventured out there and discovered that my friends were right. You really will get used to it after a while. I prefer Texas beaches however, because they feel great instantly. I love Galveston, but my favorite beach is in the North Padre Island area (outside Corpus Christie, south of Port Aransas) The temp is perfect. The water is usually slightly better looking than Galveston. It can be on the brownish side sometimes but usually, it's a lovely bluegreen most times I've seen it. The waves are usually pretty decent and the crowds are not out of control. Plus, it's just sort of a family tradition to rent a condo down there every summer - which like Galveston, I associate a lifetime of happy memories. All this talk is going to make me need a beach fix soon. This is one of the reasons I love Houston, when I need a beach, I can get to one quick without spending any real money.
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Nevermind indeed. We could be up all night trying to figure out what makes department store clerks in wooded areas (not you wxman) so negitive on Galveston but there's no point. It's not like anyone is going to stop enjoying it. The beach parties and new construction will go on with or without wxman's blessings. You posted an apology before I hit the reply button...so I decided to delete my own original brilliant post. Damn. It was good too. But now it would read as if I were trying to add fuel to the fire when all I want is the insults and death wishes to Galveston to stop (and hopefully be removed before they cause any more flame wars). Now that that unpleasentness is behind us, people can go back to making suggestions about how to improve our beloved Galveston without trashing it - verbally.
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That's exactly my point. Wxman's over the top mean spirited comments about Galveston is what started all the following posts that were later deleted. So I don't understand why that post was left to continue to offend people who love Galveston. I wouldn't wish a hurricane on my worst enemy and I wouldn't be calling places 'crap holes' unless I expected some retaliation.
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I don't understand why this post wasn't deleted with the other ones. Is this not flaming? If I said what Sri Lanka needs is another tsunami - would that post be o.k.? I just want to be clear about what kind of language is allowed around here so that I don't OFFEND anyone.
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Well, at least it's good to know that there are enough people interested in changing the building codes so that maybe these types of developments in Midtown could be a thing of the past one day. I was beginning to think that HAIFers were the only ones who even cared about it. I would love to see people picketing that awful CVS once it opens and really getting the word out on a large scale that changes in buiding codes are needed and pedestrian friendly building guidelines ought to be enforced in Midtown. If the Midtown planning committed is organized enough to interact with companies like CVS to make suggestions and come up with their own renderings of what they want, then why don't they have any enfluence with the city? Does anyone know if this organization is actively putting any pressure on the city or has started any real attempt to get building code laws changed? And if they have, what is the likelyhood of success? Forget about campaigns to get better lighting on downtown towers, I think the first goal of everyone interested in urban developement in Houston should be making Midtown pedestrian friendly - especially on the rail line. When I think of the enormous potential Midtown has to become a true urban neighborhood with its great location, tight street grid, and rail access - it makes me a little ill to think that more CVS's could happen in the near future. Where can I sign a petition? What can I do short of throwing rocks at people who will be driving in to the new CVS parking lot? (just kidding about the rocks)
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You're right. I sometimes forget that what is written as harmless sarcasm or dark humor, offends much more deeply than I ever intended. I can't do that kind of humor as cleverly as they can do it on 'Family Guy', so I'll try and choose my words with more care in the future. I went back and read that post later in the day and realized that it came off sounding much more harsh than I wanted it to. I never meant to advocate suicide, maybe just ending misery. That's why I apologized to everyone (which includes woolie) for it. I should probably remove it, but I figured it would serve as a reminder to myself to leave it so that everyone can see what an ass I can be sometimes when I hit the 'submit post' button before thinking, and not to do it again. When several respected members of this forum (which includes you) raise objections to that kind of language, I better listen. Again, I'm sorry to everybody I offended.
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The way I see it is that even if only a fraction of the urban developments that have been announced in the last few years actually become a reality, it's still a move in the right direction and something to be joyous about. The annoucements alone are reason enough to be optimistic after decades of corner gas stations and strip malls. But just think of the number of projects and tear downs that will have to happen in this city before it really starts to look truly urban. Sure we may end up with pockets like Regent Square, West Ave, Sonoma, or BLVD place. And that will be fantastic. But I think the only thing that will ever make Houston a true walkable urban environment is to fill every street in the loop from DT to UT with these types of projects. That sounds as unrealistic to me as turning Galveston into a white sand, blue water beach within 10 years. I think it's unrealistic to expect that the current urban trend we see happening is going to transform Houston overnight. If it happens at all it will take decades to really change the Houston landscape in any significant way. Unless you can handle Houston for what it is today and learn to appreciate the positives, this city will be an agonizing place to live. If your just here waiting for the city to change right before your eyes, you're in for a very long wait. It took decades of good and bad ideas just to get it where it is today. Luckily, I don't have a real problem with it. I'm pretty much cool with Houston as is. Any urban improvements that come along (just like woolie said) are just icing. My pet hope is that the city will one day begin to see the potential in Midtown and create some new zoning laws, building restrictions, or incentives to make Midtown and maybe East of Downtown an extention of Downtown. Forget about Uptown and the rest of Houston. A suburban atmosphere fits the rest of Houston just fine in my opinion (sans the freeway blight of course). As far as urbanism goes, the city's core (DT, MT, East of DT, and maybe the Montrose Area) deserve all the attention. I guess thats why a possible setback of High Street doesn't upset me that much. I already think of that area as a suburb. A beautiful suburb full of gorgeous highrises, but still a suburb. A setback for a project like High Street if it were to be in Midtown would have hurt. And yes I agree with everyone about the Main/Elgin CVS. It's an atrocity. Much worse than a possible High Street setback.
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O.K., O.K., I apologize to everyone for being such a btch today. I'm very fond of Houston and sometimes I go overboard and defend this city as if I were defending my own mother. I should have made my point without getting personal. It wasn't woolie saying he wanted to leave Houston that set me off - it was Houston being compared to dismal, decaying, Detroit, or for even suggesting that Houston was headed for a similar destiny. That idea just seems so messed up when I look around and feel the buzz, excitement and optimism in this city today. I expect a retaliation from Red (someone who I almost always agree with) and that will be it for today. xxxooo
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Actually, whining must be a 3 way street now that you've joined the party. And no one is forcing you to read my post. If you can not handle my whining perhaps you should find another forum as well. I hear lipserver.com is looking for new members too.
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Alright, maybe my post was a little ugly. Don't kill yourself woolie. You guys may know more about oil and gas economics than I do, but this city has still got a few good years left before it turns into Detroit. Negitive comments about Houston and dooms day senerios always bring out the btch in me. Don't let it add to your problems. Houston is no flawless urban paradise and I doubt I will ever live to see it be, but it survived the last oil bust and has been growing at a faster pace than most cities in this country for the better part of its existance. There have been countless projects announced in the last 30 years that haven't been built or were scaled down. Yet somehow this city has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. High Street looks nice, but life will go on with out it. I wouldn't be freaking out over a delay or cancellation just yet. Someone else will announce something else tomorrow and MAYBE it will get built maybe not but Houston is smoking right now - be happy. When woolie moves, ten more will be here to take his place.
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Why don't you just put a bullet through your head and end your suffering? But seriously, this would be a much nicer city to live in if all the discontents with too much time on their hands were living in other towns. Woolie is full of crap. His school and his girlfriend might make him stay in a city he would rather leave, but they don't make him come to this forum to whine about his personal problems with delayed or cancelled projects. It's obvious that he's got Houston under his skin and isn't mature enough to know how to handle a setback or two. Grow up or move on. It's business as usual in Houston. Adults adapt and compromise. Babies just cry until someone shoves a pacifier in their face. Not enough cranes in the city limits for you? Move to N.O. then you will really have a good reason to throw a cybernetic temper tantrom hissy fit.
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GreenStreet: Mixed-Use Development At 1201 Fannin St.
Mister X replied to MontroseNeighborhoodCafe's topic in Downtown
I love reading posts like this from folks like Niche. It makes me all goose pimply to think something cool may be in the works. The winking emoticon is always encouraging coming from an insider. Spill it Niche. What have you heard? I know you can't reveal secrets, but it never hurts to ask. -
GreenStreet: Mixed-Use Development At 1201 Fannin St.
Mister X replied to MontroseNeighborhoodCafe's topic in Downtown
And let's not forget all the new foot traffic that the Park Tower tennants will bring to HP AND the Park Shops. That's an advantage that the Park Shops didn't have when it opened. Another residential tower or two anywhere near downtown should seal the deal for the success of HP. -
Cooler still, would be if they built it like a mini Qwest Field in Seattle. I love that stadium because of the way the opening behind the northern endzone frames the Seattle skyline with that terrific scoreboad in the foreground. I also love the dramatic effect the extra steep stands give that stadium. I've never been there, but it looks so cool on television. If a soccer stadium were to be built on that site east of MMP and perhaps angled a bit so an opening faced due west (not WNW so that it directly faced MMP), it would be at least as cool as Qwest. Not to mention - the best stadium in the MLS. Having 3 large stadiums and a 1 large convention center within walking distance of one another would be awsome. With the theatre district and HP so close, DT Houston would be the undeniable entertainment center of Texas.