marc

Out of fear of responses, i will try to be delicate regarding my opinion regarding the "unreal, clean, fake, manufactured, world of white people." When it comes to Houston and LA (in which i currently reside) and other US cities i suspect we all are aware of White Flight. I think what some of these suburban developers are trying to achieve is a hearkening back to a time when neighborhoods were clean, lawns were mowed, and there were very few vagrants, etc. This is a reality of Houston's past, albeit maybe distant past. We are talking about an era of the 50s which is now roughly 60 years ago! My family has lived in Houston for generations, and like some of you, i hear the stories of how H-town has changed dramatically- both for the good and bad....according to them. Having said that- i prefer a more "urban" feel. And i understand that some of us prefer a little more grit in our lives, versus others who enjoy a more pristine existance. What i LOVE about Houston, (and LA) is that one can choose from both. I think of Montrose and similar districts where there is just as much culture as there is grit. And yes, there is also a certain amount of culture in TW and even , i know its hard to believe, Katy. What is the culture? Apart from that which i am not a part of, the pristine cookie cutter artificiality of some of the newer suburbs has become a culture all of its own. And i suspect, until there is a more evening of the distribution of wealth in our country, the newer areas which have a larger tax base and income level will be prodominately, well, ....white. That is just the reality of 2007 America. This will probably NOT be the case in say, 2027 America. Stick around, and we' ll see! Like the case of townhomes. Many developments in the suburbs of Houston will have a similar feel to them, because i think they are going for a concept which cannot be achieved in more "real" settings. In other words, if people wanted more "realness" they would have stayed put in the areas where it is apparant an attrition rate has developed. The thing that bothers me, and i feel, does a HUGE disservice to OUR generation is that those with money (and for many years, were, well, mostly white people) did not stay in existing neighborhoods and upgrade. They did not assimilate with the newer residents who, in Houston's case, tended to be Black or Hispanic. That, imo, is a big shame on us. Consequently, the stereo-types perpetuate racism. Think about it. So, if someone speaks properly, listens to classical music, enjoys more open, clean spaces, likes to shop in expensive looking "plastic" places etc., that automatically makes them "white?" Hmmm. So, conversely, what does that say about non-White people? Not a very good commentary at all about non Caucasians. See what i mean? Do some of these places look DisneyLandish? Yes. But maybe that's what some people want from their neighborhoods. In a day and age where "reality" is shoved down our throats, maybe a little make believe (besides amusement parks) is what some of us is looking for. OK, let the tirades begin. m.

Nice. Has construction started? And is there a definate completion date? M.

As sense of literary history humor. I love it. Anyway, although similar in appearance, i like that finally, FINALLY, we have a couple of highrises which won't fit into the cookie-cutter mold. As said before, this is going to be a bold statement (along with Turnberry) on UT's skyline. Keep em coming. I just hope our housing market doesn't bust like most of the country is doing. m.

IF the real thing is even close to the renderings, this park is a definate improvement over what we had before........uhhhh..........parking lots. Personally, i think this is just what DT needs to attract more urbanites. Some of you squawk about how the park isn't what it COULD be, about how the projects DT are going too slowly. Well, have patience. The vision will be realized, but it takes time. AND, if in a couple of years we see that the DT park is not the success it is planned to be, i am sure the powers that be will tweek it to attract more patrons. At least i would like to think that. m.

Thank God. m.

How is Midtown for shopping? And, i know UT has many things........expensive as they are.........BUT, in route i could shop off of Richmond and Westeimer, right? m.

I think it is still called that............. before it was edited, the above post asked if Penzoil Place was still called that. m.

It is one of H-town's icons harkening back to the 70's oil boom days. Its cousins reside in Chicago and New Orleans. Thirty years of architectural technology and tastes could see this icon (which sits at the forefront of Houston's popular skyline) reclad. How would you reclad it? WOULD you even touch it at all? Would you add storeys? All glass? Different colored granite, marble etc.? Add a spire or incorporate the antenna into a spire? What would you do?Me? I would like to see it clad in dark, almost black panels. (the color of Penzoil) Then i would add a golden-tinged bracing on the four corners running up the sides to make a pryramid bracing effect at the top which towered over the skyscraper for about 100 ft. (bracing effect, no an actual solid pyramid) I would put a golden dome inside the Pyramid-brace and that would house a restaurant and night club. Then i would add a golden spire to the top which rose another 100 ft. I wish i knew how to download pix. onto this to show you it is not as hideous as it sounds. I was going with the them of "Golden Coast" (or Third Coast) which is a buzzword for the TX coastal regions these days. Anyway, i know this would give it a more Arabic look, but in my own drawings, it looks pretty cool. Any suggestions on 1. How could i download the pix. to show what i mean? 2. What would be your ideas for a reclad? 3. Have i committed a sacreledge to even suggest tampering with One Shell's facade?m. B)uhhh.........sorry it is a Friday.......this topic is in the WRONG place. I stil want to post it......but i will find a more appropriate place. Sorry, sorry, sorry. We broke out the JD at lunch. > m.

DO IT! When i HAD to move to LA a few years back, i kept my car and was a bit disgruntled with my Valley options. BUT in the last couple of years, North Hollywood, or NOHO (keep the dirty comments to a minimum please > ) has become a pedestrian's Mecca. I sold my car in January thanks to the VERY popular and efficient Red and Orange Lines. There are condo highrises, upscale apts. and townhomes, pedestrian friendly Commons areas and quaint cafes opening up all around me for about a 1 mile radius. It is awesome! When i DO move back to my beloved Houston, i have already decided that DT is my next home. Love what's going on there! I know DiscoGreen got some ridicule when it was first announced, BUT, with all the developers falling over themselves to build in that area, i think we are going to witness something awesome and inviting in that area in the next few years. m.

Very Calatrava-isk looking. Which, of course, i like. I don't know, i think our convention center harkens back to a time that reminds me of the Lloyd's of London building or the Centre Pompidou etc. Sort of Blade-Runner looking. I wonder how much the remodeling cost would be if its facade got a current makeover? AND, is there really a market for it? I mean, would more people flock to the Convention Center if it had a cool facade? What do you all think? m.

Driving around a park and walking/strolling around a park ARE two different things. Depending on landscaping, a relatively small space can seem larger because of stepbacks and such. When driving around it, one goes from a point A to point B perspective, whereas, winding pathways, trees blocking expansive views of the borders and certain structures can create an illusion that the park is larger than it really is. True it isn't Central Park size, but then again, does Houston need something like that DT?

i have faith in Houston's vision. I do believe H-town was burned in the 80s. This, of course, took time to recover from. But even during the bust times, Houston still grew in size, population and jobs. New freeways were added, existing mass transit expanded and remote outskirts became part of the metropolitan urbanity. Houston has also diversified in at least two major fields which promote growth......and more to our purposes here, highrise development. Houston's medical field and MC is arguably one of the best in the world. We already see the changes that area has experienced in the past decade. Houston has also diversified its major holdings. Yes, oil (petrolium and by products) are a major industry, but not the only one. Houston has vowed to become the energy capital of the US- and is jumping on the "green" energy train as well. The plans ExxonMobile, Shell and BP have for alternative energy sources is staggaring, and i KNOW Houston is going to benefit from that future trend. Add the fact that our civic leaders are pushing for more urban living inside the inner loop, ie. DT, UT and MT. IMHO, that is spelling and can only spell one thing--------------------} more vertical living which means more highrises and skyscrapers. i do not see a slow down or collapse of the medical industry. I do not see a slow down or collapse of newer, cleaner, cheaper alternative fuel sources and marketing. And finally, regardless of our take on the war, Houston is going to profit from it. (i leave you to be the judge of that). As far as booms go (i.e. Atlanta, NY, Chicago, LV and Miami) i think Houston is doing pretty good. m.

^^^^^^ I thought that would get some of you guys to fall off of your collective chairs!!!!!!!!!! What's SO WRONG about saying the B word? I have never seen anyone so scared and scarred by the late 80's bust as you HAIFers. Maybe i am trying to invoke the construction, architectural Houston gods to SHOW US SOMETHING. Talk about cautious..........sheesh. Should we recompile a list of what's happening and will happen regarding Houston construction over the next 3 years? Would that sway you at all? Oh ye of little faith. The signs are there OR do you feel i am jinxing it just by saying it? m.

Excellent job with the rendering considering what you had; i agree. i am pleased that FINALLY developers have latched on to the virtual mecca of possibilities that that part of DT offers. Not only is it going to alter Houston's skyline from that angle, BUT it will also add to the density seen from all angles. Bring on the cranes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shall we say it.............Houston is boomin' again. m.

I would love to see some friendly competition over the next decade between DT, UT and MT. A race to build for either density or height, architectural style or famous architectural imprint: BUT instead of between rival US ciites, it is between areas in Houston! That would be cool. Only in Houston. m.

The rendering is very cool. I hope the final product won't be tweeked too much and look different. This really has a contemporary feel to it and the garden area near the top is awesome. I wonder how visible it will be from the North and West sides. And to add what someone else already said- maybe someone could compile a Houston 2012 photo....not just DT, but UT and MT as well. m.

Yes, i concede, like the awkward, ugly step-brother coming into the family, the JP Morgan Tower has some sort of place in my heart when i think of Houston. I just cannot actually define where it is! Seriously, though. I know it fits in with Houston's skyline (as TheNiche has pointed out to me earlier), i just really have never warmed to it. My heart still belongs to the Williams Tower and BoA Building: for 2 totally different reasons! m.

Amen and Amen.........FINALLY someone has been brave enough to say the B word we all have been so hush hush about. I know the Boom/Bust of the 80's scarred us a bit, but c'mon, that was over 20 years ago. > Although the buildings are not as massive going up in terms of height, i do look around H-town and every side of our fair city has major projects, cranes, hardhats etc. going on. I tend to think of it as "the boom of the early 21st century" as i am sure historians will label it. Although i pine for a new supertall (i just like skyscrapers A LOT) i am seeing that the density is paying off in terms of making Houston look more and more urban. I searched and found a pix. of DT Houston circa 1978- really only One Shell Plaza and Penzoil Place were dominate with other midrises from the 30's-50s sort of creeping out behind. Then i looked up a pix. from DT Houston 1986/7. GOOD GOD! What a difference a few years make. Almost instant city in its transformation. SO, because H-town has so many high and midrises currently, the present-day transformation may not make as big an impression, but i still think the transformation will be noteworthy by, say, 2010-2011. But then again, this seems to be the trend with, not only US, but other cities around the world. I cannot wait to start buying skyline photos of these cities after 2010-2011! m.

Yes, i do like it from the other side as well. Actually, as some of my past posts indicate, i really wish our "city's tallest" was shaped differently. I understand it harkens back to a different era, BUT, i still think it could be more architecturally interesting. The view of DT from the new park encourages me on a couple of levels. First, with the new Hines' additions, i think the view will even be better. Second, i think more and more people will view DT from that position, which could, lead to more ideas on how to "spruce" up that side of DT. It reminds me of what those in the Chrystler building thought of UT Manhattan in the 30's. Yeah, great view.........not much to see....skyscraperwise, i mean. Make sense? Anyway, thanks for the pix. Maybe someday they will reclad the thing in photovoltaic glass, add a spire, and give us something to be proud of DT. m.

Is it just me, or does the JP Morgan tower's facade look dingy? m.

Oh, i DEFINATELY think H-town could use flash and glitz. I don't even mind it being in that location. I just think it sort of odd that a medical admin. building would convey such an image. I would think it more appropriate around Houston Pavilions, Hardy Rail Yard or City Centre. Make sense? By the by, i think it is interesting that we have a Hardy Rail Yard restructure project just as NY is having an Atlantic Rail Yard restructure project. Only, i don't think we have commissioned FG for ours. m.

Cool. Architect or engineer student? i wonder why the height of the spires is not given. That seems odd to me; especially when other buildings' spires and antenna heights ARE given. Weird. Anyway, good luck. Do you think the newest MH tower is the highest the MC will go? Or are they able to go even higher? (i mean in terms of FAA regulations, need for something that tall, etc.) m.

Yes, i hope that rendering is a FANTASTICAL concept and not close to the real thing; otherwise, it is going to be a joke. Not only will it stand out because of location, it is also going to be too flashy and glitzy for anything this side of LV or AC. Good grief! Maybe some highrises going up in what used to be Town and Country will offset it if it is too hideous. I really am looking forward to an ariel shot of that entire corridor around, say, 2010 from the GP all the way to MC. It should be awesome. m.

hmmmm. Interesting topic. And some of you are really open and honest. I suppose that is the beauty of these forums. An ability to either be completely open and honest or completely deceitful. Probably depends on the subject at hand. I look at American society's view of the gay community as a version of the struggles African Americans have had over the decades and generations. Same ____, different issue. Prejudice is prejudice regardless of race, religion, lifestyle etc. As you all know, most prejudice stems from fear. Fear of the unknown, and then add a couple of bad (isolated) experiences with that object of prejudice, and then all of a sudden stereotypes abound aplenty. ANYWAY, one thing i find very intriguing about the gay community is its lack of understanding of its own power. i will explain. i know there are Gay Pride Parades and such, but unfortunately due to the freedom exhibited during such a gathering, it is not really taken seriously by much of mainstream USA. But think of the force behind the movement- Being gay cuts across all social barriers. I personally know gay Atheists and gay Christians (and by Christian, i mean TRUE Christians who follow CHRIST by exhibiting grace, peace, love and mercy (check out the Biblical Gospels) towards self and others; not religious bigots who hide behind their version of what God says to promote their own hatred, misunderstanding and fear). I know gay people: guys and gals, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, every religion known to humankind, and pretty much every race. I know blue collar gay guys as well as white collar. i even know a gay Episcopalian priest (remember, i live in LA at the moment ) My point is- LOOK at the network force that cuts across most boundaries which divide most social classes here in the US. If the gay community ever really embraced this power- all of us would see some different attitudes and legislation. Furthermore, i suppose what REALLY baffles me is the abounding prejudice towards homosexuality. Especially, when psychologists and socialogists can detect that all humans go through a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" toward the same sex, during certain stages of their lives. AND the fact that medical science shows that sexuality (genitalia, i mean) doesn't develop until the last stages of fetus growth prior to birth. Now, let me get to the social aspect. OK, so i sort of understand the misinformation regarding religious communities. Many OLD TESTAMENT passages talk about the abominations of being gay. BUT those same passages also talk about the abominations of "yoking a donkey with an ox". Good grief- those who do believe in a higher power (God); do we really think God, the Creator of all that is, cares about these things? But what i don't get, at all, are those who have no religious affliliation or don't really follow any type of religious creed AND still bash gay people. Ummmm, what is the purpose? I mean, where do their ideas of dislike/fear/hatred come from? Anyway, this is becoming a novel and i didn't intend it to- For those of you who were so open and honest about this- good for you and good luck! Those who like to party- be safe. Those who want a deep, monogomous relationship- i wish you a true partner. Those of you still struggling- just know, not everyone out here "hates" you. Social change always takes time. Be patient. walk with Light, marc.