infinite_jim

Also these pics

& :-)

notches are most likely anchors for the new facade

They run completely across the slab though; my first thought was some sort of raised plinth floor from which the new HVAC/IT services would be run through. I'll try to snap some pictures this afternoon from the base of the bldg.

I don't know what those notches on the floor slabs is gonna be but I noticed that they have steel beams inset within them. 

 

You don't get it KyleJack; drivers are just more important than pedestrians, because PHYSICS.

OK, did I forget anybody? 

You forgot to blame someone for being in someone elses way (the fully swamplot).

@mollusk 

 

Interesting ..thanks for sharing.  Too bad it's not possible that the block between 600 Travis and 609 Main could exist in this day as a city-preserved green space or pedestrian plaza.  I wonder how Market Square came to be a city park, or how many commercial interests made attempts to buy it did the city resist?

 

As it slowly crawls out of its reputation as merely a location to work then commute away from, I think downtown as a region still misses out on its largest advantage.  It's the highest density of people for the metro area yet so few choose to appear out on ground level thanks (and no thanks) to the ubiquitous options in the tunnels but also to the lack of natural appeal above surface.  I very much like 600 Travis's plaza and wish developers past, present, & future would mimic and not devote for construction every last square foot of ground-level space.  Instead, why not enhance building aesthetics and reserve open spaces for office workers to escape to, chat leisurely, grab a bite at food carts, etc.  I realize the climate advantages offered by the tunnels, but perhaps if there were more plazas and pocket parks with even small patches of green space interspersed around the highrises they might be inviting enough to draw more people outdoors and above surface, particularly from the October through April time frame.  Comparatively, Houston's downtown still seems overly buttoned-down, anesthetic, spiritless, devoid of signs of non-contrived human interaction - characteristics that obviously detract from big city vibrancy. 

 

Let the workforce find its solitude and productivity inside those soaring glass & steel monuments.  For respite, how nice it'd be to come down the elevators, shove against a heavy revolving door, emerge into a natural setting of sunlight and fresh air, and take a moment's pleasure to contemplate not on a frustrating spreadsheet but a nascent, slightly bustling street scene.  I'm sure the same street vibe - eclectic mixes of business people, students, tourists, artists & performers, food carts - in the business districts of Chicago, NYC, or Seattle can relish the same in Houston's city center if only there were attractive public spaces to do so.

I'll take this as a call to re-design Jones Plaza. I eat lunch there occasionally (weather permitting) and it's a shame it doesn't get more general public use.

I noticed that the back fence for this lot is now gone so it looks like one contiguous lot with the 1/2 block parking lot adjacent south of it.

Of course. 

 

And City government should be doing a much better job of installing crosswalks where people are likely to cross.

Ever notice how places where there are many many pedestrians like around the downtown transit center there's only painted cross walks (faded but still visible) but around the skyline district downtown(where people are only really out around lunch time) the crosswalks all are paved with brick? Same TIRZ; but perhaps it speaks to the economic justice meted out to our lessor fortunate citizens.

But hey... What's the difference between faded white striping and rough hewn brick on driving behavior? Absolutely nothing I'm sure..

I think the heart of the issue is that people speed where they shouldn't be speeding like parking lots, doing 60 mph downtown with blind corners, neighborhood side streets, etc. Visibility and jaywalking are a relevant factor in many pedestrian accidents but speed is the main factor in many deaths. I also believe that younger (and poorer) drivers are more likely to be scofflaw drivers who ignore posted limits due the general convenience and thrill of speeding, the familiarity of the route taken, and a general lack of consistent law enforcement.

^ Those used to be balconies. The ceilings painted white outline where the curtain wall once was.

Perhaps somewhat ironically, despite there being LRT in the area, the region just south of the med center along Braeswood is particularly bad. Missing sidewalks, fallen down fences (looking at you, Flood Control District) burnt out street lights and relatively long distances between lights.

Another good way to tell is to look at the barriers and curbs. If the trees and lamp posts are all smashed from reckless drivers, it's a good indication that this is a potentially dangerous route to be on. I've walked that area and aside from crossing the vast parking lots (preferable to the sidewalks) it's a no man's land (but I walked off my Smashburger). 

The other problem with closing Main Street is the light rail. The benefit of pedestrian plazas is able to get across from the street without worrying about being hit with something, light rail kind of defeats the purpose. I would rather have Main Street continue as a two-way road through the entire downtown area, but I can't control opinions.

That's not a problem that's the feature. Scofflaw auto-drivers have proven themselves time and time again that they are unable to play nice with people walking, trains, and bike riders. By engineering Main St. as a series of irregular road blocks here and there it pushes efficient (and higher speed) driving where it belongs (i.e. on Fannin or Travis). I would extend irregularity of blocks all through Downtown and Midtown.

I'd go further with the closure. Considering all the development on Main in the center city (609 Main, JW Marriott, Main St Square, 1111 Travis, GreenStreet) and then all the bars/restaurants around the 300- block of Main, the city should consider connecting all of the existing/new developments by closing Main St down to vehicular traffic permanently from Commerce/Buffalo Bayou to Dallas St (eventual shopping corridor) and repurposing Main St as a pedistrian mall, a la 16th Street Mall in Denver.

I'd rather they leave all existing curb cuts but where there is none then they could fill the street with more park space and the aforementioned bike lanes. The point is to irregularize Main St. to auto traffic whereby people would then be forced to use Travis or Fannin to get places that are farther (and it would get them there faster than currently taking Main as is). If Main was not a straight shot and instead a cruising street for slow driving, bikes, and deliveries then it would less of an oppressive autozone to walk/ride around.

Are those pits the outline of the former bldg's foundation on this site?

What happened to Wharhols - real story? Open for what 3 months - so nice on the inside I know there is more to that story. Interesting about 2401 Main - I know Patio Bar was great and pretty busy when they first opened but lately has been a ghost town. Wish them the best!

It was sold to a group doing an asian-style club, VAO. Not sure when it's supposed to open though but I saw them stocking up on alcohol last weekend. 

It was soil remediation and removal of the underground tanks. Now it's going to sit tight until the developer closes on another parcel on the block.

The base from Lamar near Travis.

The plaza looks a lot bigger in scale then imagining it from the site plan.

Is there any relation for this reno project to the razed site next door of the former garden and landscape shop (they used to have sculptured shrubs in the median on Buffalo Speedway)?

I've seen historic pics showing the bldg as 8 storeys.

Far right side bldg.