tigereye

Isn't this the same site as the Hapmton Inn/Homewood Suites combo hotel?

are you confusing it with the Alexin construction? I didnt see any equipment on the superblock this morning

That is the case. I'm at this spot everyday catching the train. No activity at Camden McGowen, except for cars still parking there. Alexan Midtown is now a giant hole in the ground.

City will likely be outbid if their not gonna pay more than its worth.

I would like to see the city move HPD & Municipal Courts from Reisner though. That land could be a prime spot for more residential development and coupled with potential development at the post office site next door, could really turn around the near Washington/Franklin corridor. Of course, all that hinges on what happens with I-45 and it's future. As for the new Municipal Courts, I'd like to see it replace the run down block in between the Civil Justice Center & Family Law Center (San Jac, Fannin, Franklin, & Commerce), which would mean rail access. HPD's new headquarters could go on one of the nearby parking lots east of the Civil & Criminal Center, which would mean easier freeway access to them via 59/10/future Hardy Toll Road ramps.

As a Midtown resident with a short Downtown commute, I walk and hop the train at McGown stop (by Camden McGowen Station & Alexan Midtown) then pass SkyHouse, Block 334, GreenStreet, HilCorp/Macy's site and get off at Main St Sq, 1 block away from BG Group Place and JW Marriott/811 Main renovation.

Aside from saving a few commenters who unsuspectingly nearly walk into pat of Southbound Red Train (yes, same intersection girl was killed at) it's a cool commute passing all these development in a 10-15 minute commute.

Did you get a peak at them? What kind of design should we expect?

Since the developer is Alliance, I'd guess it'll look like Block 334 and their other complex on Main in Midtown.

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It looks like the hardy yards are ~50 acres, KBR is 136 acres, and astroworld was around 75 acres.. I think astroworld would be the best location of the 3 for a botanical gardens IMO, but I'm sure the owners want too much money for the land, and HLSAR bought half the property already. KBR just seems in too shady of an area and too isolated, and hardy yards would be better suited as a mixed use development. As much as I enjoy golfing im thinking the course off 45 that spans both sides of the bayou, with a little bayou wrapping around the west side of the course would be the best setting for a garden. Right off 45 for easy access. They'd just have to plant some really tall skyrocket junipers or some big trees along the north side to block any refineries from view., heh. The only reason Gus wortham isn't in the middle of no where is the light rail line they're building out there.. But I don't see many people taking what's likely to be the least utilized light rail line in the system all the way out to the gardens.

I'll take the KBR site.

A Botanical Gradens at that site could be a catalyst to jump start Buffalo Bayou redevelopment further eastward from Downtown. Both projects would compliment each other perfectly IMO

IIRC, the original 2000's plan for eastward development of Buffalo Bayou called for a Bontanical Gardens & amphitheater. They keep that plan and make the Botanical Gardens a reality at KBR.

EDIT: Found it.

http://www.buffalobayou.org/pdf/East_Sector.pdf

i assume that skywalk connects to the marriott? this is trammel crow's project, right?

My thinking is, the skybridge will connet to this project from Marriott Marquis BUT the main purpose of it will be to connect Marriott Marquis to the Hess Tower (which in turn connects it to the rest of dowtown via the tunnels and skybridges) by taking the skybridge that connects to their parking garage.

If that happens, it would establish a link of the tunnel system all the way to GRB via skywalks and the Park Shops.

Not sure anyone feels about that though lol

My sources tell me those 2 blocks will be for a 102-story supertall mixed use office building & Ritz hotel developed by Donald Trump.

If a supertall were to be built downtown, where would should it be built?

I was thinking that the Louisiana-Walker-Milam-McKinney block that was intended for the Bank of the Southwest Tower would be an obvious choice, although for something of this scope I could see the developers wanting to utilize two blocks for parking or retail.

That's the exact block I would want a supertall on. That block would have the tower in the middle of both the northern skyline viewpoint from 45 and the western skyline view from Buffalo Bayou.

Is there a Whataburger downtown?

Yes - in tunnel at 1000 Main.

In the spirit of going head to head with the Hilton, they should put a Lupe Tortilla in this one.

If you're gonna have a Pappasitos on one end, you should have a Pappadeaux on the other end lol

Unfortunately I haven't heard of any plans to remove the cheesy red "smokestacks".

I say keep the smokestacks and install LED lights the the vents.

From the Chronicle this morning.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Super-Bowl-driving-major-projects-5371617.php?cmpid=btfpm

moon tower inn on canal and frenetic theater on navigation may be evidence of an eastward movement of former montrosian counter-culture. one caveat, gay subculture, which had a strong influence on montrose identity, is mostly assimilated now. in the past, you might have been able to say that gay bars/clubs/restaurants would begin to pop up in the next hip area. i don't know if that will be the case in current culture. the movement of the unhip hip, along with artists and musicians; however, might be a signpost pointing east/southeast.

i've got my eye on a mid-century office building on navigation for starving artist flats. the east side needs some warehouse parties and live music events that do not cater to the douchie crowd. anyone remember downtown grounds? the industrial east side is ripe for some dive venues.

no, montrose is not over.

yes, the good ol free for all days are over for montrose.....that spirit may be moving east, if it still exists at all.

If you want Bohemian in EaDo, it's "Super Happy Fun Land" on Polk. Only thing more Bohemian in town is Notsuoh's upstairs after hours.

And speaking of Polk, I know many that have moved to that area (Cullen & Polk) ...definitely is gaining a Montrosian vibe there.

Also - Agreed with whomever said the change began with then end of WestFest. But Montrose is not over. It will still have some spots like Lola's, Number's, Mango's, Catbird's, Boondock's, & Poison Girl. But with its gentrification, it'll also have some yuppie spots like Royal Oak, Hay Merchant, Anvil, & Doc's mixed in. It's hipster meets yuppie ...and that just means more variety for everyone, which keeps the area active as ever.

And this is why Midtown for me is awesome. I'm smack dab between both neighborhoods and Downtown.

Houston was on ABC's "Scandal" this week. Skyline shots were used and their President was supposed to head here for a Gun Debate (cause Texas lol)

Unreal whats gone up around Disco Green since its inception.

 

Its not just Disco Green. Projects a lining up all around the Rusk/Capitol corrider and I think its becuase of the rail lines.

 

6 Houston Center, Old Texaco renovation, 609 Main, New Convetion Center Hotel, Hyatt Place/Homestead dual hotel, Trammel Crow reisdental high rise, HSPVA, Nau Center ....its clear, the Rusk/Capitol corrdor is the new Downtown hotspot.

http://twitter.com/ThaChadwick/status/436948497984536576/photo/1

Is this the base of the cranes?

There may be more of a view of 500 Crawford from the ballpark (and vice-versa) now that the Astros are moving the Community Leaders billboards from above left ....coincidently after construction starts on 500 Crawford.

http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2014/01/14/astros-to-relocate-signs-in-left-field-2/

The corner of Milam and Capitol had been a staging point for interior pieces that they were hauling out with Bobcats and wheelbarrows. Just shot this today where they have a big excavator making a big hole right there. It may have been just digging up the foundation of the walls that were in that little courtyard.

Anyone know the status of the mural and if it will be disassembled & moved/saved?

I really hope there's some way it could be saved.

The lot is empty and billboard is removed. I'd bet a nickel they'll have construction fence up this week. Hopefully skyhouse leaves their webcam on so we can still watch the progress.

Agreed. That was first thought that crossed my mind when I saw empty lot this morning as I rode train to work. That lot is heavily used by Reliant employees at Travis Tower nearby. Sucks for them ...looks like this is a go.

Unusual that they would turn the plaza/main entry space towards the Americana Building and not towards Main Street? Maybe there are long range plans to re-do/build something new on the Americana site? (DISCLAIMER: That last statement is just my guess - I have zero actual information regarding that block or intended developments elsewhere around the Macy's site)

Hilcorp does own the Americana site. And everything has closed on that block except for the Subway. Gone are Zero's, Popeyes, JCI.

Also, note the tunnel across Travis to the Macy's garage is shown in the site plan.

I would love for 3 Allen Center to get a new facade since it has the most impact on our skyline of the Allen Center buildings. But hopefully all three Allen Center buildings & the DoubleTree get new facades that compliment each other, kind of like 4 Allen Center (1400 Smith) now compliments it's younger siblings in the Chevron complex.

The one under Chase Tower was changed to a Maggie Rita's several months ago.

But the Ninfa's Express there still remains. It's across the hall inbetween the Pizzeria & Alonti's.

It still looks like the older version before being scaled down. I don't think this rendering is accurate just like the first rendering.

EDIT - Link added: http://m.pinterest.com/pin/335518240960212731/

The Pinterest link posted earlier also contains a shot of the PDF for this building, where Stream/Essex describes it as a 41-story building.

I am eager to see if this building will show well from Memorial Drive/West view where all the tv cameras setup for sporting events, skyline shots, etc.?

In that same PDF shot I referenced above, Stre/Essex shows a concept of this view ...albeit from the air and not from Buffalo Bayou/Sabine St bridge.

Isn't that 5 Allen Center site?!?