largeTEXAS

If we can just hold those vacant lots for a little while longer, design guidelines will likely be passed for the area. THEN builders can go ahead. There are many groups working very hard to get these design guidelines passed. It will definitely help.

This project's going to be premier. Look for a big name firm to do design work.

Very soon there will be hip condos available for under $150,000. Patience.

Houston Retail,

Ever thought about running for office? You're the best.

Other cities takes on civic design:

NY Times

Uncle Sam, Visionary Builder?

By NICOLAI OUROUSSOFF

Published: September 19, 2004

Exploring the tension between democratic values and a fear of instability: Richard Meier's federal building in Central Islip on Long Island.

Mack Scogin Merrill Elam's courthouse in Austin, Tex., in the "Civic Spirit" show.

IN an age when government buildings are viewed more as terrorist targets than emblems of democratic values, the federal government's "Excellence in Architecture" program may seem an anachronism. Created in 1994, less than two years into the Clinton presidency, the program sought to raise the abysmal standards of design set in the 1970's and 80's, when American architecture was at a low point and government projects were typically built by politically connected corporations.

The program focused on what was then a novel idea: to seek out and hire the best talent. Organized by the General Services Administration, the agency that oversees government building projects, the program cut through some red tape and brought in teams of respected architects, planners and designers.

"Civic Spirit: Changing the Course of Federal Design," on view through Nov. 10 at the Center for Architecture in Manhattan, traces the history of that ambitious 10-year undertaking. The exhibition suggests what can happen when a government bureaucracy operates with a modicum of aesthetic awareness. Of the 19 projects in the show, many are first-rate;some rank among the great examples of American civic architecture

This article leaves me with a lot of questions. First, does Houston believe it can get as many conventions as say Las Vegas, San Antonio, Orlando, or San Diego? We built this huge convention center and add thousands of new hotel rooms, now what? Well, we have to try and fill the GRB and the hotels. In order to do that, though, Houston has to offer more.

Sure we're making strides in downtown's revitalization, but it needs much more to compete with the first tier cities. The artice pointed out that business travelers want "fluff" in the city they travel to. I agree, who wants to go to a convention in Detroit? Well, many still view Houston in a similar light.

I want to ask Jordy what the city's plan was following the convention center expansion and the explosion of new hotels? They MUST have seen this coming.

Frankly, Houston doesn't have enough to draw tourists. It is much better than it used to be, but it still needs a well-rounded destination center in order to draw visitors. I think many of us agree downtown is it. Well, what can downtown offer tourists right now? They can catch a ball game and have dinner and drinks. They can go to the aquarium. Then what? There are no museums, virtually no shopping, no real attractions. No one wants to spend their trip driving all over a city looking for something to do. Downtown needs more entertainment, more attractions, way more shopping, and, most importantly for all this to occur, more residential. Downtown will get there, but it might be too late for some of these hotels. It's a shame because that fact will cast a shadow over the progress the city center has made.

Great news! Glad to hear this will be a mixed-use project. Midtown is catching the mixed-use bug, I love it. Let's keep it going.

Went by yesterday. They have a sign in the window and chairs and tables inside. Looks pretty close to opening.

Don't know, but there is a new cafe going in on the ground floor right next to the entrance.

Who's the architect? What else have they done.

Thanks WestGrayGuy. That green space is a perfect park space. With a little work it would be a very delightful little square. For now, I love it being a little patch of green.

I like the design of the Vistas. I do agree that it is too tall for the area though. Everything else is under four stories, then this pops up. For continuity of the neighborhood it should be shorter.

By the way, what's happening with the block of green space a couple of blocks over? It's nice, will it stay?

I thought the point was to escape the outside weather! 

Is disappointing, but maybe not surprising, that no cafe-style restaurants have opened on "Main Street Square".  I know that was the plan, but restaurant owners apparently don't see the site as being all that attractive.  I suspect part of the problem is limited parking access at that location.  Houston Retail said at one point that some street-level retail would be carved out of the First City garage.

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In time, Main St. Square will be the destination we all hope it will be. It'll take some time, but it will be fantastic soon enough.

Westheimer

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Lower Westheimer, though messy, has a certain early 20th century charm to it. Totally different from the type of urban developments created in New Orleans - totally different era.

Now, downtown has potential of becomming a great urban paradise like the French Quarter. We obviously don't have as many old structures as New Orleans, but the scale is similar. So, support downtown, it might start to look and feel much more ecclectic and hip in the coming years. We too could have our version of the French Quarter (only better, hopefully).

I love what they've done so far. The yellow window panes are a big plus IMO. I hope the ground floor has plenty of retail space.

I have photos, just don't know how to post them. If anyone could help it would be appreciated.

It's a renovation of a tiny red brick building that is unfortunately surrounded by the new court parking garage. It should be a fantastic hotel when complete, though.

Houston Retail,

Let's make sure Camden's feet are held to the fire on this one. It's got to have pocket parks and be designed to last. Wide sidewalks and real windows - none of those press-on style, fake windows. This project has to be done right.

Work has started on one of my favorite downtown buildings. It will be called the Palace Hotel, located at (I think) Congress and LeBranch. Beautiful building, but surrounded by a huge parking garage.