marc

Maybe someone could go on site and ask?? I will be in Houston in 3 weeks, so if no definative answer by then, i will see what i can see. And yes- i would HOPE that something so small would not be put on such prime real estate. I know zoning is lax in Houston, but good grief! AND, i was wondering, as far as we are concerned- it is still to be around 40-45 stories?? perhaps around 600'? If so, that is going to look awesome (depending of course, on the design) in that perfect area. m.

geez- maybe i am unclear on something. Isn't this forum, for the most part, not only about achitectural information, but one's opinions as well? Perhaps, you should re-exmine the purpose of a forum. Just a thought. I know i am defending subdude, but, i sort of think the point being made is that millions have gone into a project- and one would think, with all the publicity this COULD get- albeit HOUSTON could get, it sort of misses the mark in terms of lasting for posterity. I can probably bet a substantial amount of money on the fact that decades or generations from now- this particular structure will not be showcased as a trendsetting movement. And yes, this is my opinion. And yes, i am a bit bitter that i was not consulted on the matter.

oops........that was a no brainer. Long day yesterday at work. Sorry.

Why those names? I mean, the disco part??

Although i am glad it replaced a parking lot, and i am well aware of the more Neo-Romanesque look it has to it, i am a bit disapointed by this multi-million dollar cathedral. Look at Cali's Crystal Cathedral. I do believe our architects can come up with something modern and reverent in style while harking back to a more traditional basis. Too much bland stone for my taste. Honestly, even though i feel we need to crank up DT's building arena, i would have rather it taken say five more years in order to crank out something spectacular that would be featured in magazines worldwide. Like some others in the forum, i too favor Gothic and Neo-Gothic cathedrals. Having traveled to England, France, Germany and Vienna, i have seen an extensive number of Gothic architecture. (as many of you probably have too) I guess i just wish the architect had a bit more imagination. I certainly don't mind stone.......especially when it comes to austere/ reverent invoking structures, i just wish there was a bit more...... busyness to it. And that dome! In this day and age (check out Berlin) architects can design domes of glass and steel. If they wanted a more modern look without all the Medieval/Renaissance facade frills- why not keep the stark looking stone (with virtually no detail) and put in a glass dome- or a copper dome- or a golden dome? Finally, before i climb down my ladder from the soap box- without the cross mounted at the top- i do agree- could be an extension of the Justice Building on the North end. Disapointed. Maybe the inside will redeem the entire project.

Actually the hallmark to this is the inside. The perspective is stunning. True, you will feel like you are in more of an ancient Egyptian temple, but it is impressive none the less. ALSO- if visiting Our Lady, make sure you check out the mausoleum underground.

Just a bit of vision. That is all i am asking here. If the Houston 2025 vision even meets half of planned amenities and residential space, DT is going to resemble the lake front of Chicago. Although i, myself, am not fond of the name Discovery Green, at least it isn't Space City Central or Oil Boom National, or some other BS lame name. BUT, i think the potential is tremendous. This DT park coupled with the Buffalo Bayou improvements, added to the Pavilions project is going to allow for more residents in the DT area. That plus the light rail projects will only make DT more attractive. Look at the plans- the vision is bold and ambitious, and i for one, have hope for the next 10 years. True, we already have Memorial and Hermann parks, but i think this is a chance to create something iconic and then build around it. Give it time- then, if all goes as planned, maybe Gehry or Calatrava would build some sort of landmark something in the vicinity, and maybe THEN it will become a "world class" park. Keep in mind, Hyde, Gorky and Central parks were once on the drawing boards too. IT TAKES TIME. Just a bit of vision. Just a bit.

Inches?

Great. now i can't teach my students about northern TX in geography class. Oh well, too bad. I guess they will just have to learn more about HOUSTON and Austin. Thanks. I have suspected this all along.

Point made. i do agree that Memorial and Hermann parks are wonderful. Maybe i got a "little" carried away. It just sounded like you were complaining. Sometimes when i read these posts i get frustrated with the griping because, "Houston never gets anything decent....yada,yada, yada" OR when it does, the its, " Oh this will never fly" etc......... SO, i was just expressing my frustration. mia culpa.

Usually your posts are informative. Why so bitter about this project? You don't see the potential??

Exactly.

Houston is a world class city and needs world class projects. Yes, Houston has several beautiful parks that already exist, and could perhaps, be spruced up..............BUT this one is going to get more exposure because of its location AND will allow for the developement of residential towers and commercial endeavors. We could delicate flower about the cost of almost anything being built and weigh the pros and cons all day. But i think we are missing the point. World class cities must embrace world class projects. This is one. Accept it. It is going to boost DT interests which is part of the Houston 2025 plan. Take a look at all the infrastucture being either redesigned or updated. City planners have a vision for DT. Let's just sit back and watch it unfold, shall we. :closedeyes:

Exactly. That's funny.

I don't know if replying to my own reply is against the rules, but I had another thought occur to me on this subject. It seems ironic that in posting after posting on this site, everyone complains about the lack of urban-style development and growth in the center city, but when something does happen everyone complains about the type of development that is taking place.. It seems that we can't have it both ways; either we leave lots of open green space and put up with the resulting sprawl or we go dense with urban walking environments by building vertical and digging underground to conserve space. Houston is getting bigger by the day and it

Hopefully on your way to Austin from Houston or vice versa.......it is always good on a 290 road trip!

Maybe they looked at the wrong post. Try repeating it. Otherwise........good luck, you are on your own with this one.

[ I'd have to agree about the quality of the views, but then that is offset by the fact that, as you pointed out, we aren't very dense. Do Houston's views make up for our general lack of a walkable pedestrian-oriented environment with a good selection of shops at the street level, as is common in NYC and Chicago? That'd be very much a matter of individual preference. Yeah, too bad we are at a stage in Houston that we have to choose between one or the other. Lack of density means, as you said, lack of urban amenities and niceties- whereas creating density packed in like NYC and Chicago means sameness. The only draw would be the warmer weather and the very affordable housing market. Alas, we cannot have it all.

Thanks Niche for the insight. You seem to be in the know...........want to take a stab at how this Turnberry Tower may look? I have seen other Turnberry projects and am inspired, BUT i am afraid it may end up just being a taller tan/beige/yellow/earthtone highrise which seems to have become very popular in that area. What do you think? Also, regarding the post earlier; i also wonder if those urbanites are attracted to Houston high rise living because of the facets you described in addition to the fact that we are not so dense yet, and most highrise residents still have stellar views of the city without having to look straight across into another highrise. I do love looking at the goings on in NY and Chicago, BUT i wonder if the charm of highrise living gets a bit stale when one's view in across at another window instead of the lakefront or river or over the city itself. Make sense? Houston may not have a lakefront or mountains per se, but she still is very green and provides some really spectacular views of parks and foliage. The lack of density may be a bonus for those wanting highrise living???

Scamrock..........that's funny.

Unfortunately...........nuthin. I cannot find anything more current than the April 2006 announcement. I hope it is not scrapped. Maybe they are just biding their time to see how the market holds. I HOPE.

Hey oh, What was the building in the second pix.? Looks like it could be in NY or Chicago.

[Yeah, but what are their preferences, especially at the local level? Not every single one of them is going to want to live in a highrise as compared to another kind of home of similar value, and of those that do, how many can afford it? In other words, how large is the market? These are questions to which I don't have answers. Intuitively, I'm strongly inclined to believe that it'll justify more product, but it is impossible to say how much without some pretty hardcore consumer research. Maybe, in addition to all that, marketers are also trying to provide comparable urban styles to those people moving to Houston from more urbanly dense cities. I know some would probably be attracted to Houston's massive urban sprawl (i.e. shopping malls, one's own lawn etc.) but i wonder if most are attracted to the amenities offered by more urbanly dense areas, i.e. Galleria, DT and TMC. What do you think? I know people are leaving places like Cleveland, Detroit, Pitts. and are moving SW. Houston is one of the cities benefitting from this trend. Maybe that's why there is such a market now for highrises all over the city??

yes, it is great to see Houston booming again. Things happening all over our great city. Puts a smile on our faces.

You are an idiot. m.