tigereye

Didn't dig too deep but this is what I saw

Only the middle one of the three it seems.

Correct: Only the middle of the 3 blocks will have an expanded courtyard.

The fencing in the front (main st) entrence is for construction of a decorative fountain.

I guess it's time to cue up the ole Ron Paul "It's Happening" gif...

http://twitter.com/GreenStreetHou/status/368450858377154560/photo/1

Hines new tower is 49 floors, and if this rendering is anything to go off of, it will be 50 floors. if this one happens Houston will have 3 towers over 700' rising simultaneously.

heres the new rendering again so it people see it when they open the page.

If somehow both 609 Main & International Tower get built, I'd imagine the skyline will literally have a "ski slope" look on the east edge from the 45 North view.

And they said Houston was flat. We'd have a mountain of steel & glass lol!

Never seen this rendering ....BOTSW Tower with Downtown skyline.

So by April 1st a collection of new spots are opening up in NoDo. They include Goro & Gun, Captain Foxheart's, Bad News Bar, Batanga Tapas, Spirit Lounge and Clutch City Squire Bar. This inaddition to OKRA, Hearsay, La Carafe, Dean's & Warren's

Dare I say it ....is Downtown coming back alive again?!?

I will be there (since I work nearby and end my work day at 5pm)

The invite says San Jac between Dallas & Lamar will be the hub of activity. I wonder if this is a preview to their plan ...refocusing development toward the street on the Dallas & Lamar sides of Pavillions.

Generall speaking, Chevron issued an RFP for Architectural services (which have been awarded), and MEP (which have been awarded).

The new building will be in the CBD, replacing an existing building. None of the documentation I've seen refers to it as Allen Center... the proposed location is several blocks from any of the existing Allen Center buildings.

Im betting its the old YMCA site. That would sort of constitute replacing an existing building (even though its now demolished). From a location standpoint, that site for Chevron makes the most sense since its located next to Chevron's spaces in 1400 Smith & 1500 Louisiana (former Enron Center North & South)

According to the article, it looks like a new office TOWER is going in that location.

...The owner of the building is planning to tear down the 10-story structure and develop an office tower in its place, Mayor Annise Parker said Thursday afternoon, addressing the store's closure and announcing a new plan to increase retail in downtown....

It maybe worth noting that 1110 Main Partners owns the Macy's Block, as well as the Macy's Garage & the Americana Building on the the adjacent block. That's 2 city blocks in the center of Downtown. And only Subway is left open now (everything else has been closed)

One can only wonder what they'd need 2 city blocks for...

BANG!

RT @MarkBermanFox26: Major news from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. They are in process of acquiring 48 of the 92 acres that was home to Astroworld.

IIRC, the Independent Arts Collaborative is supposed to be built here.

just noticed something in the rendering... what are those "box office" looking structures in front of the GRB? it looks like they are placed in the middle of the street and that the street has been turned into a pedestrian promenade of sorts. has that been part of the convention districts plan?

Not exactly.

IIRC, the districts plan for Avenida De Las Americas was to create dedicated Bus Lanes for drop off on the East side of the median (closer to GRB) while leaving the western portion of the median for vehicular traffic.

Looks to be around 30-33 floors. However, it doesn't look large enough to be a 1,000 room hotel so the massing must not be right. I like the sleek look, and hope they go taller rather than fatter like the Hilton...

Yeah, I question the massing. This site is too narrow for a building that wide in its NE/SW orientation to fit ...unless this hotel spans over Rusk to Capitol.

Rida Development was selected to build the new hotel.

http://www.visithoustontexas.com/blog/index.cfm/2012/9/25/Rida-Development-to-Build-New-Convention-Center-Hotel/

I know it's only a preliminary rendering, but I would've preferred the NW/SE Tower orientation mirroring Hilton Americas, not the NE/SW orientation depicted.

Thanks to LT, we now know we're lookin at a 7 building that takes up the entire site. I still think its possible the upper units near Preston/Crawford end may get views to atleast the infield & home plate ...but some new advertising signage is now in the way. Almost reminiscent to the Wrigley Rooftop/Tribune Co Battle with Spite Signs.

Will be interesting to see if the new advertising at MMP will be moved in light of Marvy's new addition next door.

Just for reference, this is the view from the roof of Ben Milam (the current roof doesn't go too far from Texas Ave., though):

That view ....could be blocked by these new billboards.

But with the ballpark view being a possible selling point to high end units near the top, does Marvy's project have enough clought to convince Crane to dismantle the new billboards in favor of a Wrigley Field-like neighborhood view in left?!?

Sigh ....it's for a Day Care for JP Morgan Chase.

http://www.bizjournals.com/mobile/houston/print-edition/2012/03/16/q-a-with-michael-mair.html?page=all

Noticed today developer Skanska has fenced off the southern half a of a Downtown surface parking lot at Main & Bell today with a construction fence the clearly signifies their presence.

While we all know they own the Houston Club building, I dont ever recall seeing/hearing anything about them at this site. Is there something new coming soon? And what is it?!?

A recommendation to renovate the Dome for "multi-purpose use" without detailing what exactly those multi-purposes would be makes me wonder. What exactly would they have come up with that makes sense after nobody else has been able to make the numbers work for years now?

Here's an idea.

A new Reliant Arena isn't needed at all. The Dome could be the new Reliant Arena. And it could be larger or even smaller as well. Ever heard of the Saitama Super Arena?!? It uses movable seating sections which can change the seating capacity from as large as 37,000 seats to small as 9,000 seats. Use the floor for exhibition space as well. A true multipurpose convention & entertainment venue hosing a multitude of events.

http://www.saitama-arena.co.jp/e/facility.html

13 Celsius as well, but that's not exactly the same atmosphere as Leon's or the Celtic Gardens, Geographically, I think the Maple Leaf is closer to Baldwin Park than Celtic Gardens as well, and is similar ambiance.

I wouldn't assume they don't know how to read, the ones that stand on corners with their cardboard signs should know how to read (since they at least know how to write).

It's funny you mention 13° Celsius. The owners of that place (Ian Rosenberg & Mike Sammons) are opening this area of Midtown's newest spot, "Mongoose vs. Cobra," at 1011 McGowen, directly across the street from Leon's Lounge.

It would be great to actually read the article you referenced but I am not a subscriber to the publication!

Swamplot chimes in with more details that you CAN read about lol

http://swamplot.com/whats-brewing-at-astroworld-chunk-of-former-amusement-park-site-sold-to-unidentified-developer/2012-04-20/

Issue goes to vote on May 16th.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Council-rips-study-painting-Hobby-expansion-as-3486551.php

But it sounds like City Council has been bought off by lobbyists for United

But if the mayor was whom set the quick vote date upcoming, doesn't that possibly mean she is in favor of SWA/Hobby International?

Could set up an interesting clash at City Hall.

48 stories with garage in the bldg. glass curtain wall. BIG improvement over the one time drive-thru McDonald's.

kinkaid is right - 48 stories, 36 office over 12 garage. can't recall retail component. architecture is interesting, a lot of sharp lines if that makes any sense - or at least per the rendering i've seen.

I take it the new skyscraper doesn't remotely resemble the old original Hines proposal?!? This has a garage below but doesnt look like its 48 stories...

http://swamplot.com/secret-hines-tower-land-in-hand/2008-05-19/

EDIT:

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-15-11-what-recession-hines-plans-another-new-office-tower-at-block-69-for-downtown-houston/

Based on this article last year and the way Hines speaks of the site's potential, my prediction: 50 stories, curved glass curtain wall facade with a crown, ground floor retail with tunnel connection, and on-site garage.

You probably wouldn't choose to announce an apartment building at a meeting of industrial and office brokers....

Taking that into consideration, it seems likely that this would be for a big project. You wouldnt pick this conference to unveil a simple 20-story building?!? This seems more like a "Splash" making announcement.

And also, if it is indeed the Texas/Capitol/Main lot, I would expect any project Hines does here to have ground floor retail and restaurants due to the site's close proximity to Metro's planned "Central Station" and the convergence of 3 light rail lines.

New Renderings from Lake Flato.

http://swamplot.com/a-second-round-of-initial-concepts-for-midtowns-independent-arts-collaborative/2012-02-03/