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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Then maybe it is Monarch's much anticipated "W"

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.

The Marathon Man strikes again!

Maybe that when they'll float a loan.

This whole idea seems bizarre to me and also rather naive.  

 

I'm kinda surprised that the director of the Houston airport system is pushing this, though I doubt he has the gravitas and financial backing to make a credible go at it.  If instead, it were backed by a visionary tech billionaire, I would be more optimistic that at least a serious attempt would be made.  If just left up to the COH, I imagine it would be underfunded and ignored by anyone outside of Houston.  

 

Sorry to be negative, but I think this is the only realistic response.

Archfan: Don't look now, but we just were awarded a spaceport.

I realize you were probably talking about the actual building of this proposal, but never underestimate Houston.

Hopefully it will be built as proposed. You have to admit that are airports are pretty nice so why wouldn't they create just as nice a place for the future spaceport.

Marathon Man strikes again.

I have no knowledge of the permitting process and since this is a fairly large project, and we know it has to cost a lot more tun 20 mil this is probably site work infrastructure and maybe the first phase. It is happening though.

Perhaps it's being constructed in phases. I can't help you with the cost analysis but when I spoke with my source he said it was definitely moving forward and was going to be an exciting development.

I'm calling security!

I believe that rendering is misleading. The winning entry to the bank of the Southwest Tower building competition, which was designed

by Helmut Jahn was supposed to be 82 stories high, if I remember correctly, which would only be 7 stories taller than the Chase Tower. That does not include the antennae on top, but if you look at the rendering it looks a lot taller than seven stories. If anything the

70 story building just in front and to the right of the Helmut Jahn tower should almost look taller due to its location in front of the 82 story tower but it looks like it just barely reaches the second to the last setback. With that in mind the perspective is not right considering the height of the three buildings I discussed.

This is the project that got the ruling by the FAA about height restrictions due to the proximity to Hobby's landing

flight patterns.

By the way Kohn Pederson Fox had a very nice looking entry in the competition also.

Time Magazine did a cover story about the competition and featured many images of the different towers and the

story about the competition and compared it to the Chicago Tribune competition. It was an amazing bit of

publicity for all of the new skyscrapers that were being built in Houston at the time.

I would also like to hear more about the theater district plan. I seemed to miss the thread.

Thanks

Apparently the permit department is way behind. Not sure if that is the source of the delay here but I have seen several projects that had been announced take a long time to get through permitting.

I spoke to a source close to the project who said it's definitely going forward.

He said it was going to be very cool!

Didn't this property belong to Hakeem Olajuwon at one time?

I could be wrong , but doesn't pouring concrete require fairly dry weather.

Those three towers I mentioned might not be considered signature designs but they will add to the density and massing in the med center.

I think the three hospitals, Methodist (under construction), Herman(broke ground last week), and Texas Children are all roughly 23 - 25 stories. They are hardly skyscrapers, and as we have all seen renderings for them, they're nice but not signature or iconic in design. There is also a plan for a 25-30 story mixed use hotel/residential tower, planned for Main just north of Holcombe, and the 21 story

residential tower that is going up right now on McGregor and Cambridge next to the Spires.

This will definitely have a major effect on the med center but its not adding anything over 25 stories.

Maybe about the size of San Diego skyline but much denser.

They are adding 4 new towers and have spread quite a ways south toward NRG stadium. Its way passed Old Spainish Trail.

Timoric where are you?

I'm pretty sure it's solid wall on the north side of the hotel.

There getting ready to add 4 more towers in the next year or two.3 hospitals and a high rise mixed use residential tower.