Geoff8201

Is anyone else turned off by the way the gray exterior actually looks? It's a bit cheap in appearance for a building that is supposed to be ritzy. Can you imagine if those gray tiles were a stone of some sort? That would be rich.

The "gray exterior" is actually stainless steel, and as I said for the interior, that's how it supposed to look. This building meets its design model with exception to the western facade atop the building which was lowered down and modified, probably due to cost, complexity, and time (would be my guess). I agree stone would look more snazzy, but the stainless steel panels complete the modern look, and the division between the panels gives it a nice "grid-like" reveal. The whole exterior being all stone would present a look that'd get old really fast imo. Some consolation if you love stone, the western side of the garage levels are completed in stone.

the interiors are not as nice as i thought they would be. sort of dull and bland looking.

what is the price per sq. foot on these units?

Agreed, however for how its designed the look of the interiors is right on cue. It's supposed to be very modern with lots of neutral tones. It is a condo, and not every unit is sold, so I'm sure someone will come in and have a unit with all wood accents and cabinetry, something much warmer. These units they show may just be demos, or the new residents took the original design without any modifications when they purchased during construction.

Guessing on the price the Penthouse went for around $9 million and is a little over 10,000 sq feet. $900 /sq. ft. shouldn't be a too far off guess.

I posted this question before on the Development and Real Estate thread, but apparently the moderators have decided to remove that thread from "Going Up" as ridiculous as that is.... so I'll ask it only to people who happen to read this thread - Does anyone have suggestions or answers why glass curtain facades are hung at different times in different construction sites? Sometimes after a building is topped off, sometimes when the building is only half its final height, etc. In fact, please let that question apply to any facade, not just glass.

I would imagine it's different timing methods by different Contractors. Various factors may apply such as the glass (or whatever facade's) availability and contractor's availability to do the work. Typically I think in most cases they like to do the "heavy" construction first before adding a more fragile element like glass. Usually you will see at least a dozen floors built out before the exterior is even started. There's more timing issues with the building such as having the structural build out far enough ahead for the particular project so that the glass installers don't "catch up" and then have to wait on the builders while they twiddle their thumbs as the owners lose money. Also there's timing of all sub contractors working around each other. You have the structure going up, plumbing has to be ran, pipe's anchored to and running through the concrete. Telephone, Networking, and TV cable has to be ran, or at least conduit set to be fished through later. Electrical conduit has to be ran, bus bars extended, temporary work lighting installed... sometimes there can be too many cooks in the kitchen. Hope this gives you some ideas to answer your query.

The 2727 Official site has some new pics of the actual inside integrated into the existing pages of their website... I found a few new shots on the following pages, check them out:

http://www.2727kirby.com/Tour_2727Kirby/Photos2.aspx

http://www.2727kirby.com/Amenities/Features.aspx

http://www.2727kirby.com/Amenities/AquaLevel.aspx

http://www.2727kirby.com/Amenities/Lobby.aspx

Hopefully they will add on, or someone else can get more shots of the Aqua Level. The Fitness Center looks really good, and the units are pretty sweet, very modern looking especially the Kitchens.

Very nice photos.

I'm still not crazy about Hess Tower as the name. Hess Discovery Tower would have been so much better as a final compromised result. Still there's time for minor details like that to be worked out.

Is this building still LEED Silver? I think I recall hearing somewhere it was bumped up to Gold and higher, or am I imagining things?

i noticed that as well

It is taking shape... the shape of the base was throwing me off before, but now I can see it. Should be rising pretty fast soon compared to before. Be great when this becomes part of the skyline.

I paid SMG a visit last week, and I must say it was very nice. Saw Fast and Furious. The food was delicious... like really good, far exceeding my expectation. My friends got half drunk during the movie, for that reason the drive home was quite entertaining also with them yelling things that make little sense from the backseat.

The picture and sound quality was near perfect, but should be for a new theater. The way the whole setup works was well thought out and very efficient.

This place is going to make so much money as word of it spreads. I usually like to keep dinner and a movie separate, makes the evening last longer and seem fuller, but from time to time this combination is fun to visit, and visit it I shall.

Nice shot despite being a cell camera. I'm guessing you took that from atop building 1 (the one along Kirby, but not in the Kirby/Westheimer corner). I had no idea it was going to have a pool from initial views, the rooftop pool definitely gives it some edge and some competition with 2727's Aqua Level.

Myself or anyone with some time should take some shots of Building 3. Exterior brick is going on and its making progress. It's getting there pretty quickly now considering building 3 was an empty concrete shell for so long.

I too would love to live here... in fact I'm taking donations starting immediately

I still like this building very much, but the apparent alteration of the top detracts from its aesthetic considerably (compare to 2727kirby.com, from which they removed many of the original renderings).

Of all the projects that I'm grateful got off the ground prior to the slowdown, however, this one still remains near the top of my list.

Thank You for noticing this alteration! I've mentioned it several times, but never heard a response to it. I'm sure the redesign was done in the interest of time, money, and maybe they were just worried about it blowing away in the next hurricane?

Personally I like the rendering better than the finished product, but don't get me wrong, the finished product is by no means unimpressive. The stone going around the garage part looks beautiful so far, and I'm really itching to see the completed "Aqua Level". This building is most impressive when you're standing underneath it with it towering over you.

It's getting there. The Garage exterior is getting the stone installed, the front top has has the yellowboard completed and has moved on the the next insulating material. I'm wondering if that part will be stone, or stainless?

BTW, In that picture you can see parts of West Ave. Building 3 is starting to get serious.

How many acres is Phase I?

Interesting how Phase II's location is still described as being at the southwest corner of Kirby/Westheimer if it indeed will go all the way to W. Alabama.

Good question... From reading news articles I keep seeing Phase I is 5 acres, and doing some rough math, the actual area that the 3 current buildings sit on is indeed a little over 5 acres. Add in the space they're not currently using and it totals around 7. Does that mean Phase II will also be another 5? Or are they flubbing the numbers, or getting the space of the two confused?

And I'm sure they meant the call it Kirby/Westheimer... Westheimer is much more well known and the location familiar than saying West Alabama.

A 2010 opening date seems a bit soon for a Phase that may require demolition of existing structures, and new ground breaking, but we'll see. After all just a year ago West Ave. was just Buildings 1 and 2 still bare concrete, 3 wasn't even started yet... and now look...

I think it has to be the Beck's site along with the one story white brick bldg they are using for their rental office right now just to the South of Beck's. However, they must control a lot more than the public is currently aware of in order to cram an office tower, apartments, retail, and a hotel onto that site... I hope we don't lose Mark's Barber Shop (in the old train car).

Again, from what I heard from the company doing the roofing on West Ave. was that the later phases of it would stretch all the way to the Corner of Kirby and West Alabama. At least for now it looks like it is going to expand to nothing short of Steel Street.

Currently there is some dead space on the Phase I footprint. The Corner near the intersection of Kipling and Virginia Street specifically. Last time I drove by there there was some tiny little building near that corner, with its exterior done in the same style as the rest of that south end of West Ave Building 1. I'll probably have to get a photo of it so everyone knows what I'm speaking of...

In addition to that rendering, here is what it says on Ziegler Cooper's website regarding Phase II:

West Ave Phase II

Phase II of West Ave at River Oaks will be a five acre development at the southwest corner of Kirby and Westheimer and will have 130,000 square feet of office space and 365 apartments, 85,000 square feet of retail, 182,000 square feet of hotel and 1,780 car parking garage when it opens in 2010.

The complex will have five stories of apartments atop two levels of retail space and a small section of office space, where one of the developers, Urban Partners of Dallas, will have offices.

West Ave will have an "organic" feel with primarily local and regional tenants, including clothing stores and restaurants. Restaurants will take up about 45,000 square feet of the retail space. The apartments will average more than 1,000 square feet and rent will go for about $1.75 per square foot. Retail rents are in the $40 to $50 range.

Urban Partners is owned by Atlanta-based apartment developer Gables Residential, but operates independently. West Ave is being developed by both companies.

STRIVING FOR SILVER CERTIFICATION

From: http://www.zieglercooper.com/projects.asp?...&projid=101

Now, I'm trying to get my bearings and figure out where Phase II is going to sit in relation to Phase I. Is this the Beck's Prime site?

This little midrise has been rising fast... should look very nice when complete, but being only a few hundred feet away from two architectural masterpieces, West Ave. and 2727 Kirby, I would hope there would be more architectural appeal, visually. Not to say this isn't a nice looking building, but I'm just looking for a little more.

As for the Ipod docking stations and such, they really need to leave all that out. People who have Ipods will have docking stations. People whom like big musical sound, will already have speakers. People into home theater will already have equipment and just have to make one choice, and that is location in their unit as to where to put it, etc, etc...

West Ave. has potential, but a lot of it depends on the people who move in. I have no doubt the residential side can affect the retail side. So far these people sound like the type of folks whom get their kicks organizing events and dictating their little ideas upon people. If its simply going to be a residents thing, participate if you want and they don't affect the retail side, then they can go ahead and get their kicks as far as I'm concerned.

And Why is CARES in all caps? Does it stand for something?

Picture updates.... Looks like this thing is getting close to being enclosed on level 30, and the framing for the mechanical on the roof has a nice curve to it. The top is a little different from the rendering and the models... I thought the whole penthouse level would be all glass but ended up with some stainless exterior also. I didn't have enough time to get shots of these, but the garage bottom is making progress and more steps towards the final product, and the lobby is taking shape.

EDIT: And the whole "hood" thing (that's what I call it, maybe roof awning would be better?) is level with the 30 floor rooftop, in the renderings and model it also sits higher then the mechanical rooftop like a proud ornamental structure marking the highest point of this building. What gives, or am I missing something?

Am watching Nostradamus 2012 on History Channel. At the part when they're talking about storms like Katrina and Ike, they had a shot of Houston, namely the Williams Tower.

EDIT: And again... Downtown Houston Skyline towards the end the end of the program. So nice be to associated with the end of the world, huh.

Edwards is most definitely not the only "mainstream" IMAX theater in Houston. You have one in Tomball, I believe AMC on I-45 and Beltway 8, plus, there are theaters around Houston that are adding in an IMAX theater (First Colony is one that I can think of).

Well just those that you mentioned are no where near me. Marq*e Center is. The closest one to me and the one I go most frequently is Edwards Grand Palace near Richmond & Weslayan, but alas, 24 screens and no IMAX.

I haven't heard of any others adding in an IMAX theater, but would be nice. I'll be keeping an eye out.

EDIT: Forgot to mention... the more and more I look at the situation Marq*e Center is in, and the more I look at the redevelopment plans, the more convinced I am that this is what it needs to survive. At first I was rather against this taking the shape of a strip center, but now it's pretty much do or die. Last few times I went, can't tell you how dead the place was.

Do you think that's blue protective film covering stainless cabinets?

I'm gonna say no since typically the protective film is a lighter blue, and some of those drawers already have handles in place and are ready to go. Plus looking closely I see no imperfect edges where one would begin to peel it off.

I can only imagine what the countertops will look like on this one.

Wow, been waiting for so long to see some interior shots... so far not what I expected, but is a work in progress. Also these individual units are designed how their owners want them, so this may be a one and only unit. Personally this wouldn't be my taste in interior design either.

CandacitaBonita, under what pretense were you able to walk the building? I'm asking cause I'd love the opportunity to enter and look around too, but since I'm not in construction, real estate, or planning to buy I'm sure they wont allow the simply curious to enter and wander around. At best I could apply for the job of Chief Engineer for after the building opens

Tell me if I'm wrong in these thoughts... and they're just random thoughts I'm throwing out there, like em or hate em... I'm not going to go on the defensive hardcore for a few brainstorms, with that said, here they are...

1. There's too much surface parking, currently and on the new plan. Too strip center-ish even as it is now. Maybe a redesign of the garage, with more security and multiple fast elevators will make the garage parking more attractive, and free up space for more stores... that is if they could be successful by adding more places. More places to go creates more reason to come here, right? The economy wont be down forever.

2. In addition to #1, maybe some of that former parking space could be green space, used like a park... or something semi-similar to Discovery Green?

3. On a site like this I'd expect a 24 hour Starbucks. I know, do we really need another Starbucks?! But, still, on a site like this I would expect some sort of "Coffee House".

4. Edwards is probably the biggest money maker and attraction to this site. Perfect dinner and a movie site for whatever your dining tastes happen to be that night. One thing Edwards could do to potentially increase profits is more IMAX screens. Just one more for now. It's the only IMAX in the city that isn't part of another establishment which show films other than mainstream movies (HMNS, Moody Gardens, to name a few), and I think it could benifit from more big opening nights where the IMAX ticket brings in more $$ and people whom want that experience. It's been a while since I saw an IMAX movie I'll admit, but last time I was there it was packed... but that was for Batman Begins... dunno if the IMAX is doing as well in recent months.

And I'm gonna miss this place not having a Cold Stone (or was it Marble Slab?) a Hot Topic, and The Putting Edge. So many times I wanted to go to Putting Edge in the past 2 years but it was always closed cause the owner didn't pay up their lease. I enjoyed their overpriced glow in the dark putt-putt where there was always someone behind you playing too fast forcing you to hurry up, and always someone in front of you playing slow as hell, forcing you to have to wait after rushing. Oh good times.

Billboards along the freeways are one thing, but digital boards playing video are another. Anyone else envision them becoming so distracting that wrecks happen more frequently in proximity to them. A few accidents and lawsuits later I believe this will be re-thought very quickly.

But don't expect the campaign against billboards to be easy. Someone is making money off these things, and they wont allow their wallets to get lighter without a fight. They will take on anyone who wants to get these things removed.

At the very least they can get rid of billboards that are not along highways... especially the ones near me that we've wanted gone for nearly 20 years and more.... check Buffalo Speedway, between West Alabama and Westheimer, across from the Lamar Tower Condominiums. It's, for the most part, a residential area, leading right into River Oaks... complete with advertising eyesores.

Interesting, I've passed this project by when driving down Westheimer for weeks now and despite the construction and the crane it never really hit me. Not enough to look for it on Haif, not enough to Google it. Usually when I see a project going up I look into what it is...

Guess its cause its so buried away in the Galleria area, and doesn't really stand out, perhaps?

Well, according to that article it's not dead-dead, just on hold.

Doesn't surprise me, now that the R-bomb has officially been dropped. Confident in these projects is low, the only way to get that confidence back is to have more early leasers and solid numbers to go by.

If anything this can become an "on hold" thread... seems like we need one

Included also are the cancellation of Turnberry Tower, the on hold status of Sonoma.

I'm sure coming soon to the on hold list will be West Ave. Phase II.

I'm sure other haif'ers can name out plenty more.

I chose to stay optimistic however. This may be a bump in the road, but the road doesn't stop here.

I was there for the 94-95, 95-96 and 96-97 school years.

Man, all these names take me on a trip down memory lane.

I remember Mr. Sirois (spelling?) he was the Media 2000 teacher, and that guy could yell and scream if there was a student he disliked or that acted up. I recall he was also a part time Usher for the Rockets back when they were at the Compaq Center.

Mr Nielsen the German teacher... my most vivid memory of him was that when he sneezed, he sneezed really loud... and was always giving out Tolberones.

Mr. Huffman, 8th grade Science, the alternative to taking Hollinger's Physical Science class.

Mrs. Williams - 8th grade English

Mrs. Miller - 6th grade math, during my year she was pregnant and had given birth so a sub named Mr. Cantao took over her class for a few months.

Mrs. Moore, 6th grade science, fun teacher.

Ms. Wiegel, she taught 7th grade science. I remember the first day we got to play with fire! She was an obese lady whom I wonder is still with us. I remember she had some health problems and had to get her gallbladder taken out.

So many others but I'm drawing a blank... will edit if I think of more. Wow, getting close to 12 years out of that place.