cloud713 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 It looked to be positioned on the south side of the site when I drove by yesterday? So I figure one for the north side of the tower, and one for the garage on the east side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Houston19514 Posted January 26, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2015 Newsletter received this morning from Houston First: Houston First is in the process of negotiating a development agreement for the hotel portion of this project. A developer is expected to be announced this spring for a 350-400 room hotel and the plan is to have it open in mid-2017. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Site plan for the area in front of the GRB: GRB_-_Site_Plan.pdf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxtethogrady Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I had no idea that the keystone pipeline was approved! The south leg from Cushing to Port Arthur was always a go. You just didn't know it paralleled 59. Incidentally, that 62-36 Senate vote was a great bit of theater that means nothing. One presidential veto coming up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-TownChris2 Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 1.31.15 by H-TownChris, on Flickr 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) All this is great news for retail. Soon there will be enough activity for some better shopping downtown. With all the hotels and convention activity, it won't be long before we start seeing some much more interesting retailers take interest. Only thing I can't figure out is where they will go? GreenStreet/Dallas, Avenida de las Americas, Main St? It's almost like the GRB is being positioned like a mall. With its orientation to all these high-end hotels and green space, maybe that's kind of what it should become, at least in part. Since some restaurant space will be built along Avenida anyway, why not go full-on with retail space too? If I were a retailer, I'd want to be as close to the hotels and the foot traffic as possible. Avenida de las Americas and around Discovery Green makes sense, especially with all the improvements being made. It's also enough space to get a decent density of shopping, yet small enough as to not be overwhelming. It's kind of like a combo of some of the Vegas and Asian city (Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, etc) convention center/mall/hotels and, say, Union Square in NYC. Well, sort of. Things could start getting really interesting over there... Edited February 3, 2015 by largeTEXAS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTHONYHTOWN Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I think i head that previously they had develop a team to do a study on where retail would be great for downtown and if i am correct it was withing the intersecions of Main and Dallas or within that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I think i head that previously they had develop a team to do a study on where retail would be great for downtown and if i am correct it was withing the intersecions of Main and Dallas or within that area. Yes, there is a retail task force trying to make that intersection the heart of the "Retail District." That could be a decent intersection and Dallas will ultimately become a decent shopping street if Midway, 1111 Travis, 1111 Main, and the Downtown District pull off some nice improvements and do a good job leasing. But, with all these higher-end hotels, DG, and improvements over by the GRB, it's getting easier to envision retail wanting to be closer to those amenities. And, right now, Main and Dallas is pretty down-and-out feeling. I've taken retailers by that corner for years and, just about every time, something crazy is going down as we're touring. It's sad, really. A lot would have to happen in order for that to be the center of retail downtown. Could happen...and I hope it does, but we're still a long way from that intersection being attractive to retailers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTHONYHTOWN Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Yes, there is a retail task force trying to make that intersection the heart of the "Retail District." That could be a decent intersection and Dallas will ultimately become a decent shopping street if Midway, 1111 Travis, 1111 Main, and the Downtown District pull off some nice improvements and do a good job leasing. But, with all these higher-end hotels, DG, and improvements over by the GRB, it's getting easier to envision retail wanting to be closer to those amenities. And, right now, Main and Dallas is pretty down-and-out feeling. I've taken retailers by that corner for years and, just about every time, something crazy is going down as we're touring. It's sad, really. A lot would have to happen in order for that to be the center of retail downtown. Could happen...and I hope it does, but we're still a long way from that intersection being attractive to retailers. Those are some good points, Avenida de Americas might become more attractive as you stated due to the Hotels but also Discovery Green is a plus and soon the nau center and the already minute paid park and toyota center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timoric Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) - Edited July 8, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbates2 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Crane rising. http://oxblue.com/open/HoustonFirst/GeorgeRBrownConventionCenter 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 It is utterly amazing what is happening to all these blocks. A walk down Rusk is a crane lover's dream.20 years ago there was, essentially, nothing here other than a smaller GRB...... Now? Wow! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 The transformation is astounding, and once this burst is finished it will be like a magnet drawing more interest and development 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Tower crane is being installed took a few pics. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 simply outstanding job hindesky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 They are installing the jib on the tower crane today. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 2/7 by Michi on HAIF 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 The transformation is astounding, and once this burst is finished it will be like a magnet drawing more interest and development Crazy transformation 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Crazy transformation What is the approximate date of these images? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigereye Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) Crazy transformation What is the approximate date of these images? Id say the top image is 1970 as that appears to be 1 Shell Plaza under construction. The bottom image looks to be 1986 as construction has not yet begun on GRB itself yet Edited February 9, 2015 by tigereye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Crazy transformation Its probably been discussed before, but why were McKinney and Lamar streets made to flare out like that, even pre GRB?Was it part of the grandiose Houston Center plan that never happened? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxtethogrady Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 That flare-out looks like site prep prior to the convention center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intencity77 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Its probably been discussed before, but why were McKinney and Lamar streets made to flare out like that, even pre GRB?Was it part of the grandiose Houston Center plan that never happened?I would imagine it was so traffic could still flow seamlessly on those two streets around the yet to be built convention center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I would imagine it was so traffic could still flow seamlessly on those two streets around the yet to be built convention center.Wait, so the GRB was originally only 3 blocks wide?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 The site was the part of the Houston Center project that got spiked and turned into The Parking District. I think the swerves were added as Phase 1 the GRB construction. And yep, GRB started out smaller if I recall correctly - it goes further south (the swerve on the right) now. One Shell is about 80% to topping out, so I'd go with 1970, or maybe late '69. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Yes. GRB started out smaller. Additions to both the north and south ends were completed in 2003, increasing its size by a little over 56%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Ok, I remember now. I guess its been so long since the expansion I forgot how small it used to be.On another note, it's interesting that these are the only streets in downtown that stray from the original grid pattern besides Freedman's town and the streets west of West Dallas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Is there still gonna be a hotel here? Le meridian goin melrose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Of course. They said they are finalizing an agreement with a hotelier and will announce everything in the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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