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bobruss

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Everything posted by bobruss

  1. bobruss
    I'm not sure what floor they're on, but its going to 29.
  2. bobruss
    I have some great photos but my old connection that was posting them for me seems to not respond. I wish I could post them. My backyard backs up to the excavation.
  3. bobruss
    If you go by you'll notice they have the same stone window treatment also. It will look fantastic as the Westin is also clad in the same materials.
  4. bobruss
    I know everyone realizes that since the late 70's early 80's boom we have developed the galleria uptown, The Woodlands, and the energy corridor, not to mention many other areas like Westchase and greens point. All of this construction is so widespread it doesn't seem like the boom that mostly occurred downtown back in the last big boom. Just imagine if Houston wasn't so spread out and you put all of that office construction into downtown. Think about what that would look like. The med center and Downtown would more than likely be continuous with Herman Park in the middle.
  5. bobruss
    Is this just east of Stowers bldg.?
  6. bobruss
    You forgot to put Match in that list. Its going to be an incubator for Midtown and the arts.
  7. bobruss
    I like the contrast of the red brick with all of the glass. Just enough as an accent.
  8. bobruss
    I bought the penthouse.
  9. bobruss
    Thats the name of the company from New Jersey that owns all of these different chains. They own Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, W and 6 other chains including the ones I'm talking about. I think they own about 450 hotels worldwide. I'm referring to the two 14 story hotels that they are building on the same block very close to the Marriot. I'm sure Monarch is familiar with Starwood.
  10. bobruss
    money
  11. bobruss
    Timoric it really looks wide from the east where you get it at an angle and see both sides.
  12. bobruss
    Even though the Market Square high rise and the Hines Market Square tower will be average in height, compared to the Republic, Chase or the 609 Main, it will still move the boundaries of high rise downtown out several blocks to the north. Just like the two 20 story courthouses on Franklin and Caroline did to the northeast side of town and like the new Marriot, Catalyst and Starwood hotels will do to the east side. If you drive in from I-10 east or 59, you'll see what I mean. It just pushes the perimeter.
  13. bobruss
    I just went by the site and spoke with some of the workers. 1. The brick/stone is actually a manufactured cement based stone/brick. 2. It is going all the way to the top. I don't know how it will wear, but I kind of like the stone look. I would have preferred brick like the new fingers project across from Minute Maid.
  14. bobruss
    Its probably close but I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas doesn't have something like the apparel mart or one of their many market spaces that might have more S.F..
  15. bobruss
    From top to bottom The pyramid on the top of the building is a little too much. Its like he had to add some bling to make it fun. Bottom - he creates these ugly pedestals for his buildings that do nothing for the streetscape i.e. lack of interaction with pedestrians, GFR, and just a fortress style base that makes it very unwelcoming. I also don't like his choice of colors for his buildings. Maybe something personal, but I always feel there just a little off. The colors of Cesar Pelli's group of buildings to the west, don't bother me. I think he got them just right.
  16. bobruss
    I love the view that Mab got looking down Avenida De Las Americas from Minute Maid. Talking about some massing going on. This part of town is going to be amazing once The Fingers, Catalyst, Marlowe plus all of the residential on the Eado side get finished. I also like the sense of urban neighborhood feel you get around Luckys and the apartments that have been built or repurposed. Its a great mix of new and old.
  17. bobruss
    Kitschy would be my choice of descriptions for Mr Davis' developments. Hopefully he'll work out all the unnecessary frill and pull off two great buildings, Arabella, one on the east side of 610, and the Marlowe downtown. If not they'll stick out like sore thumbs. He never fails to mess it up somehow.
  18. bobruss
    Nice images Channel2news.
  19. bobruss
    I did see in a study done for the convention center presenting the competition amongst other cities convention centers. There was an aerial map of the convention center in the study, and that was part of their future plans for enlargement. The property to the south of the convention center along 59. If I remember correctly there were four blocks. It was described in the study.
  20. bobruss
    Coming back from the Sam Houston tollway to 59 in to town is such an incredible view up on that high level exit to 59. The medical center downtown and the galleria are starting to look not so far apart. The BHP Billiton building and its cluster really looks good from out there. As the new wave of high rises in Montrose, Greenway Plaza/River Oaks area get taller the galleria and downtown are looking more and more like a smaller version of Manhattan. Now don't any one get there panties in a wad but I'm just saying in 50 years it will be just like NYC's skyline minus a couple of hundred story buildings. Its amazing how from out there you can really see the three areas getting closer to each other. Pretty amazing when you see all three areas from that location.
  21. bobruss
    This is a very nice looking apartment project for Midtown. I really like their use of brick. Unlike the project a little farther south in between San Jacinto and Fannin close to Southmore. I don't know what the name of the property is, but its a fairly new 5 or 6 story apartment building with fall colored faux trees. This property looks terrible and its probably less than 3 years old. I liked it when it when it was first announced, because it was one of the first new super sized urban projects on the rail, but the problem with so much of the stuff that these developers are putting up is the choice of exterior materials. When are architects, designers, and developers going to realize you can't depend on the quality and workmanship in using stucco for an exterior material in Houston unless its done right which for the most part just isn't happening.I know why its done. Its cheap. This building is covered in mould and mildew and it looks really bad up close. I drove by yesterday and couldn't believe how much mould had formed all over the building. I will say it one more time. Stucco should not be allowed for commercial projects in this city. Most of the times you will see crews tearing out the old and putting in new. Not once or twice but several times. It just doesn't work in this climate unless your willing to spend the money and hire a reputable firm to do it right. Brick is the best.
  22. bobruss
    I suppose Hines could design out any connectivity to that block if they wanted to be jerks about it and harm any future competition, but that seems unlikely. I don't think that's how Gerald Hines operates. He's more concerned about the quality of life for this city. He understands the dynamics of the tunnels and what they mean to the overall workings of downtown.
  23. bobruss
    You have to keep in mind, when getting angry with the city about this site. The city of Houston had nothing to do with it but bid on the site, Which they withdraw. This is U.S Post Office property and the government chose the winner. Not the city of Houston. As for Lovett winning, I'm disappointed and just sent a letter to Mr. Huffman expressing my disappointment. I also quoted him on his statement about being so lucky to be awarded a sixteen acre site in downtown Houston. I told him so don't screw it up with one of your suburban housing mixed use strip center style projects. I told him how important this site was to the development of north Downtown and expecting much more than what they have done in the past. I doubt I'll hear back. I told him I was hoping for someone like Midway who I think has done and outstanding job with City Centre.
  24. bobruss
    Then maybe it is Monarch's much anticipated "W"
  25. bobruss
    i could see a really nice restaurant in this space with the arched windows , high ceiling and the covered portico outside. Maybe a great Italian restaurant.
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