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^^ You were close, the Flying Saucer/St. Germain used to be the known as the Kress Building. It is directly across Capitol from where Woolworth's Darling's used to be. It still adds a layer of history to it for you because it was there when Woolworth's/Darling's were standing. 

That's probably why I was mistaken on the location. So, we parked in the lot where Darling/ Woolworth once stood.

That's a shame.

BTW - did you see the people standing on top of the walkway awning of the corner building? They're watching the parade.  (1st photo, last post ^^^ ) ...had no idea it was that strong. 

Again... never been able to find that Gulfgate blueprint. I'll probably will run across it when I'm not looking for something else. That's how it goes, a great deal of the time, in research. And the search continues.

That's too bad, those flat roofs come with their own debilitating issues. It's unfortunate to see so many mid-century modern designs in that area of Houston suffer such neglect, or fall. Yeah, I agree, the market has gone crazy. There are faults running through that area, as well, from ground water extraction... they are north of WB, cross I-10/ Beltway and into Spring Branch. 

The building where FS is is taller than that.

Oh yeah, thanks IronTiger... I stand corrected. Thats the St. Germain. So Woolworth's is no longer there. Another sad story, lost Houston architectural history. My mom speaks of going there, as a teen, good memories for her.

Nice street scene. There is so much going on. It's interesting to see what people spot in the picture.  The traffic signal/ light pole stood out, to me...It  is amazing, all that detail. I had never heard of the Darlings store, before. Nice bit of history. Thanks. I've been in that building, the Flying Saucer. It's always a treat to visit it. Another layer of history to add to its story. 

And that map, thanks for the link. Wow. I will spend countless hours studying that thing. It's priceless, again, the detail. Gotta love it.

Bravo... great work, Gnu. I was getting a little obsessive, too. Had to walk away, nothing was matching up. 

It's of the Beige School.

I'm noticing some very nice architectural details on second look at the actual photo. That main entrance is desirable, archway and canopy. see the rendering. I would have used a sculpture out front though. No pink bedding plants (rendering). Those look like cypress trees, and I hope redbuds. Please, no more crepe myrtles and oaks. Lets diversify. Italian cypress would do nicely, worked in somewhere, here. Yes, growing weary of the warm, yellow shade of beige, but I still like to see a cool grey-beige stucco accompanying dark green Italian cypress trees. Nice contrast. Overall, I think it's going to be good. 

link:  http://search.har.com/engine/10710-Piping-Rock-Houston-TX-77042_HAR6727104.htm

 What a beautiful landscape layout. Walnut Bend has always held such nice residential designs. Hopefully this one will fall into mid-century appreciative hands. Unfortunately, it has seen some slight interior remodeling. Not good, but easy rectified with the correct, period worthy interior architecture selections.

I've enjoyed reading this topic, thanks to all... I can't recall ever seeing any of the spooky style, growing up in the Bayou City. I would guess the Montrose area, with its little pockets of hidden coves and narrow, winding streets would be a place to find any survivors. 

The landscape architecture/ pool ^^^ seems to out-shine the architecture, IMHO. With the exception of those old-looking handrails. The apartment style falls short, looks plain, not modern. About the EaDo, yeah, I'm bringing it up again, it Still sounds nasty. Putting "station" on the end just sounds bizarre. That EaDo Station design looked harsh to me, but somehow "looked in place" with the stadium. I would like to have seen a group of tall pines around the walkway, perpendicular to it, with more overall landscaping. Maybe a water feature.

Bigger pic

 

SO what style is this apartment complex/ high-rise? Mediterranean, Prairie Influences, Italian? The roof-line looks Spanish. I'm confused. I'll save my comments on it's desirability for after my drive-by, visual experience. 

I agree Arne's is in jeopardy because of the increasing value of the land but wouldn't it be a pity to loose the place. Architecturally the building is a cipher but the stuff inside and the way it is piled in there is a hoot. I've bought everything from chew toys for my dog to Cinderella themed plates, napkins, and table decorations for my daughter's 4th birthday party to a 6 quart pressure cooker for my kitchen (for a fraction of the price at a department store, BTW) at Arne's. My wife just got a new dog and bought all kinds of accessories for the pooch there for half what they would have cost at P--co.

 

Im very fond of that old building. The old wooden floors in the back section are nice. So is the ghost sign on the southern exterior wall. Hope it survives the gentrification intact. 

Oh, I forgot about the RR tracks. That industrial bldg. reminded me of the tower design of the way out S. Main airport. I'm just suggesting maybe around the same time period, they were both built. Yeah, Westheimer is a good guess. Clinton Dr. crossed my mind, as well. That land was rural farmland mixed w/ industry.

Interesting photo. I couldn't decipher the sign, either. It's too distorted. There are three people, a man looking down the main road, by the courts, a man looking up, behind the white, long industrial bldg. and a lady with a dog behind Mary's, near a clothes line. She's looking at the plane, too. I would guess that's somewhere along I-10, by the shadows, as well. From the 1920's- late 1940's, those motor camps were everywhere, on the outskirts of town. I see them a lot on Sanborn maps. But, that service station looks like it would be an early 50's style, very boxy, sharp corners. 

My mom infrequently shopped at the Lewis & Coker on Southmore & Richey, Pasadena location. NW corner, in a shopping strip. 1950's, built sometime after 1953, per GoogleEarth. It was big, but not as colossal as Weingartens. A Washateria is there now. I vaguely remember those poles that kids like to swing around, out front, supporting the canopy. 

oh wow! I never knew that was still standing. Thanks for pointing that out. Too bad about the little center with the circle drive. It was a nce design detail. I like the glass panes and details on the side entrance and roof.

There was a half-priced books in an old bldg. I used to frequent in West U. I loved walking through, checking out the details of the place, 1990's, I think it was. I think it would be west of the tapas restaurant, now. Had old display windows & a back loft, balcony, staircase, and a tiny smaller room to the left. Reminded me of those '50's ladies clothing stores at Gulfgate. 

can you say mixed-use development with transportation hub?  so much potential for this property!  rail lines nearby could easily connect to light rail through uptown and/or the rail leading downtown to the hardy rail yards.  light rail line from here down washington avenue to downtown.....many, many opportunities for a transit system pivot point.

 

1. adaptive reuse of existing mall structure maintaining some retail capacity (or increased)

2. integration of new and proposed suburban rail and intercity light rail lines

3. add residential (affordable) components

4. add entertainment (or public use) component(s)

 

i would wager that there are MANY entities peeing their pants over this location.

 

https://www.ted.com/talks/ellen_dunham_jones_retrofitting_suburbia  check out this ted talk on "retrofitting suburbia".  it will give you hope for the plight of malls across the country.

I think you are on to something here... it seems to be all the rage now. Mixed-Use Development, and the best part is it's location - boarders 610 Loop, is close to I-10, and (best part) has minimum interaction with Hwy 290.   

I like it. It's more interesting (IMO) than the other examples of Embassy Architecture. Those diamond facade things soften it up. And the green space/ landscape design is an added plus. Wonder what it will look like at night. 

That hotel wasn't a bad design. I remember it as a colorful sort. It was just hard to get a good look at it,  stood too close to 59. Reminds me of similar styled, sixties hotels at Galveston.  I never heard of the chicken story before sevfiv's post.  

I've spent the last summer months using GoogleEarth to grab photos of Houston's old neighborhoods. I've collected quite a few photos. Many streets show a blank lot, where the street view shows the previous structure. I'm fond of trying to identify buildings in old photos. I also look at old streets and how they've changed, along with the land and structures.  The 1920's - 40's is my favorite time period. I've heard the the Julia Ideson library has shoe boxes full of old photos, just waiting for researchers.

Whoa...That looks like a lake, not a sand pit. I don't remember it being that large. Looks like the part with the island needs to be cleaned up. And those grocery carts are supposedly very expensive. What is that, a road or a concrete wall in the background? or both? Post 29. 1st pic.

Another sign on the building is for Joseph Finger, the architect who designed Houston's City Hall as well as other local buildings in the Art Deco style..

 

The small metal decorations and the light fixtures on the edge of the canopy in the old photo are interesting details.

I was going to say, I've never seen those dome light fixtures hanging under canopies. I agree... nice details. 

***** & Pacific Tea Co. is to the left.