arche_787

It is a shame the Buccaneer was demolished!  Had it survived another ~10 years it may have ended up being salvaged into a hotel/condo as you say Reefmonkey.

I have long thought that Galveston could support a few of these type of projects, but it’d take a George Mitchell, or similar type of person - someone with deep pockets and a vision.

On 3/25/2019 at 2:31 PM, nate4l1f3 said:

Was thinking how it would help if a rendering was pegged at the top of every page on these developments. Wouldn’t have to be multiple renderings just 1. 

This would be a great feature.

Well... not trying to argue... but buildings across the country are all very similar from a commercial construction perspective.  Hotels are all the same, condos the same, these stick-frame 4/2 apartments.  It’s cheap, it’s effective, and meets code compliance.

i think this has become more noticeable because of the proliferation of these all over cities.  We’re in the midst of a National apartment building boom - for better or worse.

in a way it’s good.  We are building density with buildings that will be easily replaced by more substantial structures.

Glad you cleared that up!  Urbanizer has been carrying this forum for years with his inside scoop in real estate developments.  I had little doubt he probably posted these a long time ago, and I’m glad he did.  But it is hard to go dig thru page after page of some of these bigger topics, particularly if you’re on a mobile device.

I’m sure this is posted elsewhere in this thread..  link to DC Partners site:

http://dcpartnersusa.com/properties/the-allen/

http://theallendevelopment.com/

Who is the architect?  Any clue?

On 3/25/2019 at 2:15 PM, AnTonY said:

 

The SeaWall is one of those enigmas where it was best for that time period, but is due for replacement with more refined methods thanks to understanding gained over the decades. Sort of like the changes in how Houston interacted with its bayous (from concrete channels to greenway parks). They protect the island at the cost of rapid beach erosion, thankfully, those jetties allow East Beach to continue growing. And San Luis Pass naturally ebbs and flows due to tidal location.

 

Galveston sand dunes were actually up to 20ft in height, but they were removed for fill and beach access when the city was being built.

The Seawall is an imperfect structure, however, a 20’ sand dune would be eroded by a catagory 4-5 hurricane.

Forr what it’s worth the Seawall is an impressive construct.  That and the grade raising is why Galveston was not destroyed in: 1915, 1961 (Carla), 2008 (Ike)... I’m missing another few dates from post Grade Raising.

You couldn’t adequately protect a modern city with sand.  The Japanese build tsunami barriers around all their coastal cities.  A storm surge may not be as instantly dramatic, but it still can rip structures from foundations.

Of course!  Thanks!

i knew there was something.  I think I’m crossing my Uptown 40 floor building streams?!??  Seems there’s one tower with 40 floors and a SketchUp massing model that’s just not really sophisticated.  Same property that Monarch -aka- G-Class (?) assumes/is hopeful for a future W Hotel.

I saw this.  I’m puzzled why the writers would hone in on low/mid-rise apartments though?

Couldn't one make this same argument about.... any typology here in the States?

In a nutshell these buildings are all alike because of the economics surrounding such a development.  X’ -X” by Y’ - Y” multiplied by (X) = $$$$$ a month based on $X PSF...

If we ever shift back towards a more vernacular based design perhaps we would start to see some different architectural trends emerge on a regional/local level?  Would certainly be more interesting.

Possibly?  I’m thinking they could utilize some sort of separate occupancy that’d allow the co-mingled kitchen(s)?

What does the restaurant do for restroom access?  If it is a separate space then they would have to provide for the patrons in lieu of the hotel - not with the hotel.

Will have to research this via Marriott’s design site sometime when I have time.

Pardon my ignorance, but is there an actual rendering for said high-rise?  A 40 floor building is costly, and presumably the developers needed a rendering for/to assist selling this to their lenders (much less the public).

I’ve seen the SketchUp model, but surely that was not the actual rendered building?!?

They will need to partner with someone who has an inkling of what they're doing for this project to really succeed, as it is evident they do not.  I think the best we can really hope for is another Bayou Place style development.  And that stinks for the location, particularly given the quality developments around town that have sprouted over the past ~10 years.