wxman

It's not improbable you nincompoop. The buildings pancaked didn't they? And not necessarily neatly either I might add. Did you not see planes fly into the buildings at over 400 mph? Survivors inside those builds commented on how violantly those buildings swayed--some saying they thought the building was going to topple upon impact. I'm not a structural engineer but I assume that structure was compromised beyond repair at the point of impact, even if the towers had remained standing due to bent beams and twisting of the towers. Did you not see the collapse of the buildings? They did exactly what you said was improbable. If those planes, which by the way were wide body 767's, no small jet, had hit only the top 2 or 3 floors, I would agree that it would be more improbable to cause a complete collapse of said structure. But those planes compromised the structural integrity (fire proofing) around floor 76 (nor sure of the exact floors). Using floor 76 as the example, there was still a 34 story building above impact. That's 34 stories of steel, glass, furnture ect. Once those support columns, the ones that remained in tact, gave way, there was no way to stop the cascade with that kind of weight above it. Look at the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_64RigP1Fk The clips at 40 seconds, 1:10, 1:35, 3:06 among others make it clear that this was not a "neat, unform" pancake collapse. The top of the building was nearly decaptitated. Look how the top of the building appears to fall off the rest of the tower, leans over if you will, before subsequently collapsing. So I'm not really sure what your point is. Using the word ''improbable'' makes you seem like a conspiracy theory wack job who is certain the building were brought down by dynomite verses packed jetliners. Let me guess, you also think Elvis is alive because you saw him in Vegas?

I found out some 'disturbing' information about this project. One of the CEO's of the company paid between $375,000 and $500,000 to have a 40 inch diameter tree moved on the property and have it replanted next to his window. The person, a contractor/friend, told me that and I can assure you, he is in the know... If that is true, shame on them. They make a huge stink about their profits tanking with oil prices but they have money for this.

Looks like perhaps a new rendering of Terminal D? Also, I wonder if they see more foreign flag carriers on the horizon? Perhaps a direct flight to Johannesburg? http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Airport-chief-sees-Houston-growing-as-6153583.php?cmpid=btfpm March 24--Houston's thriving immigrant community and diverse economy will help the city's airports continue to expand despite an oil slump that may temper the boom in business travel, Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz told business leaders Monday. Delivering the annual State of the Airports address, Diaz said he remains confident the airport system's unprecedented growth over the last two years would continue, with Bush Intercontinental, Hobby and Ellington airports all poised for major changes. "Houston is without a doubt the most diverse city in the nation, and the Houston Airport System has made that possible," Diaz told a crowd at the Royal Sonesta. "We will continue to connect Houston to the rest of the world." Houston's airports set a record in 2014 with more than 53 million passengers passing through. Internationally, 9.8 million travelers went through Bush, double the rate in 2000. Last year alone, travel to Asia and Africa increased 55 percent, and travel to Europe increased 10 percent. This is in large part thanks to a string of new international nonstop flights added at the airport, including six new markets last year. Among the flights added are a nonstop Korean Air flight to the Seoul area, and Scandinavian Airlines nonstop to Stavanger, Norway. "Right now, the city of Houston is within reach of a very unique and very powerful opportunity," Diaz said. "Houston is poised to become a key global gateway destination, with international passengers flowing through Houston on their way throughout the Americas and to various destinations in the U.S." The airport has consistently touted Houston's powerful economy when attracting new carriers. Diaz said even with a tumble in oil prices, he expects to attract more flights. He noted the large number of immigrants in the Houston area, and the health of the medical, aerospace and petrochemical industries locally. "People ask me, why is it so easy for me to find airlines?" Diaz said. "What they want to hear is how powerful is the economy, how many passengers can you generate, what quality passenger?" He said a drop in oil prices could dampen demand for first class and business class travelers. But, he added, passengers looking to visit family in other countries could find lower prices for coach seats, thanks to added competition. The next area he would like to add is nonstop flights is Africa, Diaz said. International flights are expected to continue growing. Hobby will open a $156 million, five-gate international terminal in October. Southwest Airlines, which is primarily funding the project, will add several flights to Latin America. The airport will have a 3,000-space parking garage to accommodate the1 million passengers expected to be added annually. Bush will have a new Terminal D by 2020. The City Council approved the funding and phasing plan for the terminal project in June. Construction is slated to begin in 2017. Diaz said one hurdle to Houston's role as an international player is the aging terminal at Bush for international passengers. The airport system also completed its Federal Aviation Administration application for Ellington to become a commercial spaceport. Diaz also touted the free WiFi service now available at all terminals at Bush and Hobby, automated kiosks to expedite the process for international travelers, and the NextGen federal project that the airport adopted to improve on-time arrivals.

Looking at the pic, looks like this building is topping out. Is that correct?

I knew that was too good to be true...

Simple but elegant. Love it.

Can we take the FAA discussion to the planes thread? I want to know about THIS building, not the elusive height restrictions.

Do you have a press release or any links that we can read further? I also think the parallel layout is far more efficient than what IAH has now. And whoever thought it was a good idea to put the plane-train people mover thingy up above was not thinking clearly. I've rarely seen that thing half full and it's difficult to access. For giggles one day I decided to ride it from terminal A to D. I never made it. I couldn't even find that damn thing. I think they should have just renovated the train downstairs. I think most people expect the train to be down below anyway like it is at most airports (Atlanta, Denver, ect)

Doubtful. I suspect that even IF the building broke ground on Jan 1, 2016, you wouldn't have a very tall building in a year's time. What you guys think? Maybe 20 stories up by the time Super Bowl gets here?

Eff United.

Very sad. I hope they find those two thugs and execute 'em.

If my count is accurate, they have about 4 more floors to go before topping out.

Anybody else notice that they took the crane down from the new Weslayan tower (top right)? Looks very gray...

Holy crap, that last pic is awesome. Look at the birds (cranes) in the air. Wow. Truly impressive. That's my city right there!

Wow, love it!

So the office tower is 29-stories plus 8 stories of parking to make for a 37-story tower?

Wow, IAH is going to be a gigantic airport beyond 2035 with the addition of 2 runways as well as a significantly larger terminals A, B, C, D and possibly E. That said, will Houston ever be a two-hub city like LAX or ORD? I would love to see Delta move in but the proximity to ATL, I doubt that would ever happen.

This is supposively going to be a 58-story building. That'll take every bit of 2 years to complete...if not longer. So why not start construction when costs are going down in the anticipation that prices will stabalize in the 80 to 100 dollars a barrel relm by then?

Pardon my ignance, but is dirt moving on the site or has construction began? I haven't really been keeping up.

So was Buenos Aires the announcement or are we still waiting on the US announcement later on today? The reason I ask is because Friday is almost over for New Zealand.

Found this: Looks like it'll be an Auckland-Chicago announcement. Drats! http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/63986409/air-nz-expected-to-open-new-us-route "They've kept this one pretty tightly under wraps," McKearney said. "If I was a betting man I would put my money on Chicago." There has long been talk of Air New Zealand opening up a South American route but that was unlikely to be announced on Friday, he said. "I think South America will definitely come, but I don't think that will be the pending route that they're talking about."

How do you know this? I read something a few weeks back that it had come down to IAH or ORD for Air New Zealand...

You think it would be possible for IAH to become a dual hub like O'Hare? I think it would be awesome to have Delta has a hub at IAH....maybe as their latin hub or something.

It would look WAY out of place in midtown. I don't know that I'd want this along Post Oak either. It has a very downtown/corporate look to it. I just wonder if this building will be the capstone to this building boom---much like Heritage Plaza was in 1989. The last signature tower if you will before everything folds up due to collapsing oil prices.

Sweet, just in time, too! I'm flying down there in July. Hope they pick Houston!!