Texasota

Higher costs than the average building? Possibly, but relying on proven technologies and processes, even while being innovative with their use, is just not likely to result in the same kinds of problems you get in Calatrava's (or, going furth back, Wright's) buildings.

You guys are using different definitions of the word structure.

H-Town Man: You're talking about the building's form, which can be completely unconventional while still using off-the-shelf (and therefor less expensive) structural components. Architects like Calatrava create innovative structural systems that themselves dictate the form. Everything has to be custom made.

Go here and click on Current Agenda

https://edrc.houstontx.gov/edrc/login.aspx

dont need to login

oops

Just for context, Asia House took 7-8 years between selecting an architect and grand opening.

http://bit.ly/1a3CVj7

2019?!? why so long? link to the renderings/planning commission documents?

Don't think they're online yet.

As for why so long?

This is a large project, and this will be built to a significantly higher standard than most of the other new construction going up around town. Quality takes time.

Planning Commission just granted 0' lot line variance on Montrose for new Glassell. Showed some renderings. New building as described earlier in the thread; second floor then cantilevers out toward Montrose.

Rep said construction in 2015; total campus finished 2019.

 

I don't have a problem with mixing different elements.  However ... if I had spent beaucoup bucks on a high-end patio home in a "nice" neighborhood, I'd be pretty upset if the lot next door were developed into a multi-story parking garage with florescent lights shining through my bedroom window all night long.  

Welcome to Houston.

Yeah, I'm not sure *every* tower downtown needs to be solid glass.

He explained his reasoning for mucho:

"muy" has a y in it, which wouldn't really work with the word mounted vertically to the ground.

Because the rendering shows some steel mesh panels? I'd say it looks similar to some of the parking garages at UH, and, at the end of the day, it looks like a parking garage.

It's still strange that it's off by itself rather than at least partially wrapped by apartments.

I disagree. I think part of the reason Phoenicia has managed to do well is the fact that it's basically a "destination" grocery store. Even in Montrose I live closer to half a dozen grocery stores than to Phoenicia, but I'll still shop there because they offer something unique.

I think the trick is finding retail that is useful to people who live downtown but also attracts people from the surrounding neighbrohoods

I noticed that too. I like DownHouse, and I certainly wouldn't object to a second location closer in to town. Once less reason to go into the Heights

So how long until Sears/Fiesta is scooped up?

Well, hopefully more vacant lots/blocks are "scooped up" first

There has to be public parking for the retail (new and existing)

Well, it's certainly in line with what the property owner says he wants to do...

Nor do I, although in honesty I must admit I have to permit the rational part of my mind take precedence over the (remnant) teenage competitive part :-)  From a practical point of view, maybe we can get some free "bounce" from Dallas' (the city's) efforts to promote itself.  (Just kidding, but it's a fun idea!  Especially since I think they are better at it than we are.)  

 

Seriously, San Antonio and Dallas both have a "Houston Street".  So, I don't really see a need to change the name of our Dallas Street.  It is a part of our history, after all.  Perhaps, some day, people in Houston and Dallas will grow up enough to appreciate each other's positive aspects, much as human siblings do.  Or, is that an absurd idea, since we have a steady supply of new teenagers coming online?  

 

Back to the original topic:  I'm old enough to have faint memories of downtown Houston really being the place to go for many things.  E.g., the only place to select from a wide range of out-of-town newspapers (across the street from the Rice Hotel).  Several movie theaters.  The only place with a diversity of shopping options that could compete with Gulfgate (of all places)!  Living on the west side, it was a very big deal when Sharpstown Mall opened:  no more long drives to downtown or Gulfgate to shop!

If Dallas develops some positive aspects I'll be happy to appreciate 'em.

/kidding...sorta

I wonder if Downtown will ever *really* be the center of the city in that way again. Maybe Houston will just keep developing into a mass of heavily differentiated mini cities, with Downtown as one of them.

Have you been in any of his buildings? He tends to be responsive to site, and I love his detailing. A two year old watercolor massing sketch doesn't really say much.

Yeah those freeway schemes are definitely the most interesting part of that document, assuming of course that they have any chance of happening

I'm really looking forward to this, but the Menil was built in the last 30 years, so cant agree with that

The area could be vastly improved if a new park was placed on one of the remaining surface lots near Bell and Travis. That's where the residential development is, so bring the parks to the people. The other advantage to that location is that Pierce Elevated could serve as a natural territorial signifier once respectable folk move in on the North side, so no need to close down the Greyhound station. For those that don't believe that people pay attention to landmarks like that and know what side they belong on, look at Spur 527 (or as I call it, Ghetto-Fabulous Ave., since it's side and *FABULOUS* on the other.)

Um. You're not serious are you? Exactly which side of the spur is "ghetto," the historic district or the $1500/month apartments? It's more mixed closer to 59, but that's true on both sides, and development is happening on both sides.

As for the pierce elevated being a "territorial signifier;" development is stretching north along Main. Particularly once MATCH and the superblock are built, that leaves, what, 3 blocks? Come on. 

Development is continually creeping toward that Greyhound Station (and, for that matter, that horrrible Mcdonalds) from ALL sides. 

It's exactly what it looks like. An old fashioned zero lot line commercial storefront building.

I think this is entirely dependent on continued residential construction. Luckily, that seems to be happening.

It's separate. commercial