TxDave

I never realized, even when living in Houston, that there was a difference between UH and UHD - I just assumed that they were different venues for the same University.

If the University of Houston System is actually providing a different product on the two campuses, they should be branded separately.

I am not aware of how vast the differences are, but if UHD is actually graduating enough students at an academic level that truly diminishes the perception of UH, a stronger differentiation is in order.

This situation is somewhat unique to the UH System due to the close proximity of all of its campuses, but there are certainly ways to provide a top tier education at the main campus while also serving the missions of the satellite campuses.

In the current economic climate, I don't see how this project could happen anytime soon. But, I will provide a contrary opinion in that I really don't care for the rendering - just looks tall and awkward to me.

In reality I would rather see the mid-century building that is currently on the site retrofitted to new uses (granted, easier said than done). I would like to see development of new towers focused on the many vacant lots that are currently available downtown, rather than existing structures that provide some historical background and fabric for the neighborhood.

I am likely on the losing end of this battle, but the economic slowdown does provide sufficient time for a change in plans and opinion.

How about University of Houston "City Center" (or Center City)?

Generally not significantly different from 'Downtown', but emphasizes the city/urban aspect as well as center/central aspect.

Also may help eliminate confusion with the primary flagship UH campus, which some may consider to be "downtown" as well, but probably not the "center" of the city.

Actually, nova is right. Unless they make a lot of changes, it looks nothing like the renderings. Looks like a tin box

I am not familiar with all of the HOB locations, but many look like a "tin box" shack - especially its prime location on Sunset in LA. That look reinforces the HOB brand.

I am still extremely disapointed by all of this. The River Oaks Center's understated style and elegance made it one of my favorite areas of town. My biggest sorrow is the loss of the Black Eyed Pea - such a comforting restaurant - I even enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving dinner there one year.

That said, now that the demolition has occurred (and cannot be reversed), is the replacement building 'worthy' of the overall center? The images look stylish and appear to be a reasonably modern fit for the center (time will tell).

One of the great things about the River Oaks Center is the mix of styles and periods (construction dates) of its buildings - this replacement building could help continue that trend. The important thing is to prevent the whole center from being replaced by new buildings all at once, effectively creating any generic shopping center.

This is a great looking park! Could someone get some aerial pics from the upper floors of the Hilton (I have a 4 year old pic from the Hilton overlooking Discovery Green, but I cannot post pics). Please share anything you have - thanks!

This is such a prime location - it is only a matter of time until these under-performing properties are replaced by something more functional and profitable (and hopefully more pedestrian friendly!)

Houston is under-represented by the major hotel chain downtown. If the 1000+ rooms at Hilton Americas are not enough, it would be good to have another large alternative (e.g. Marriott, Starwood, etc.). However if this is truly the case, the citizens of Houston should not need to provide any funds for the development - this is their opportunity to collect on the investement in GRB & the Hilton

The Fort Worth Zoo is geneally recognized as the best in Texas (as well as many nearby states),

It's quality really diminishes zoos in neighboring cities (especially Dallas but also Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma, etc.)

It makes me question the need to captivate wild animals, if not in a top quality setting.

That article said that the Sheraton was to be made into a "luxury" hotel? I thought that Sheraton Hotels have always been classified as "luxury." AARP classifies them as "upscale."

"Upscale" is probably the appropriate term for Sherarton - they are very nice, but Starwood has the Westin, W, and St Regis brands for the "luxury" niche

As long as the condos will sell, they make an easy way to fund the accompanying hotel construction. Given recent shakeouts in the housing markets, these condos are harder to move, but not impossible in the right project

That hotel seems to continually be redefining and shifting its ground floor services and amenities, but the impressiveness of the 30 story atrium never changes. As long as the rooms stay current and stylish, the Hyatt should remain popular

But if you want to talk about libraries, UT has a far better library than all the libraries in Houston combined, and it is open for the Austin public to enjoy.

Comparing University libraries to municipal libraries is apples and oranges, but since it is the University of Texas library it is available to the entire state, and we can all claim it with pride

Is this the same corner where there used to be several casual dining restaurants such as Steak & Ale and The Mason Jar?

You totally missed my point. I said that since I dont care about other cities its seems that things happen faster there than here.

It probably just seems that these projects take longer because you are watching with such anticipation (like watching the toaster).

My experience in multiple cities has shown that the time between announcement and activity (if any) varies based on numerous factors including: the aggressiveness of the developers, the actual probability that anything will happen (initial buzz factor), and of course changing market conditions.

Some of these projects get built right away while others never happen at all. That helps keep these boards interesting, albeit sometimes disappointing.

Let me ask. Are designs ever re-animated? I mean, theoretically, could someone else come along, buy the designs and build the tower even though it was cancelled by the original builder?

Someone could probably build that building, but I imagine that there are a lot of egos involved in any project of that size. Any new developer and architects would likely want to design and build something of their own.

Texas Eastern was the original owner/developer of Houston Center. They owned all the land all the way to Hwy 59 and donated the land for the GRB to the city. Original plans for Houston Center covered all of that land, I believe, including what became the Hilton Americas, and what is now becoming Discovery Green and One Park Place. The original plans for Houston Center included covering a whole bunch of blocks of streets, with a new "outdoors" a couple levels above street level, sort of like they did above San Jacinto between 1 & 2 HC, but extending for many blocks (at least that's what I was told on an architectural tour of downtown Houston a few years back.)

Somewhere I have an old postcard showing the original vision for the Houston Center development. It was supposed to be an innovative design with open sidewalks and plazas built over streets for 20+ blocks of east downtown to near the current George R Brown Conventtion Center. The best and only example of this "innovative" concept is in 1 Houston Center and 2 Houston Center and the large street crossovers. The 1970's space age entrances and outdoor plazas give an idea of what could have been - if you have not seen it, I would recommend checking it out.

In the 1980's Houston Center added the Park Shops and the (former?) Chevron Tower. The original concept was not carried through, but instead the new buildings were connected only by skyways. Apparently the idea died or became too expensive, but Houston's innovative idea remains in the original towers.

My dad, who graduated from Reagan in 1938 told me that Reagan, Milby and Lamar were all three built at the same time as part of a single bond election. Reagan & Milby being carbon copies of each other and Lamar of course being quite different because of it's location at the foot of River Oaks Blvd.

Reagan looks great! And Lamar seems to be well maintained, but how is Milby?

You have to be a fool to drool for a W.

It's a damn hotel, people!

People do not choose their travel destination by hotel.

Exactly! Houston has plenty of world class hotel rooms available. Any visitor can find something to their liking - from luxury to budget options.

The "brand name" is not important when the product is good.

So glad to see a rendering of it! That is nice and I like how it just stands out from the other towers. It looks so futuristic to me. Nice add to the skyline.

nice looking building to fill in a gap in the skyline which han't seen much activity recently

The bar scene is waning.

One thing I remember about Houston was the transience of the club scene. The "cool" place to be was always moving around town. Houston's style always kept something new on the cutting edge.

If the downtown bar scene is waning, where is the next hot spot?

There really is just no overwhelming (or even underwhelming) need for tunnel or skywalk access. A quick glance at the current tenant list shows most of the tenant mix to be evening and weekend draws. House of Blues will not have daytime events. Neither will Red Cat. Lucky Strike will not draw a lunch crowd. And, a person trying to decide between Yao's and the Subway in the tunnel is...well...just weird.

The obsession with the tunnels appears to be by those who do not work downtown. People use the tunnels because there are fast food eateries there. Those that prefer a less hectic lunch do not go to the tunnels. There is not a mindset that, "if it aint on the tunnel loop, I aint goin". HP is located within a few blocks of a large number of office towers and a rail stop. It is easily accessible above ground. Besides, the remarks about the weather are only talking about the worst 3 months. The other 9 months, the weather is good walking weather. Even on a rainy day, it is only a factor if it rains DURING lunch, a phenomenon that is relatively rare.

After all of this, you did successfully change my opinion.

When I worked downtown Houston, we used the potential viewing,

Are the pics typical?

I agree with Red too - the tunnels are not neessary but impressive.

But for anyone planning Pavilions, I would like as many connections as possible.

Houston Pavilions should be stable enough to stand on its own, wherever people come from

I think you have convinced me.

I thought the tunnels were necessary to draw in customers,

But I think you are right, people want something unique & different, they don't want to be immediately sucked into a profile.

They need to be schmoozed first