George R. Brown Convention Center Redevelopment, Office Building & W Hotel

[Erik Asuncion]

On 7/26/2024 at 11:36 AM, Houston19514 said:

I would think the Rockets would get involved with this to develop better atmosphere around Toyota Center.

That would be great! With the Astros planning to build an entertainment district around Minute Maid Park, improvements surrounding Shell Energy Stadium for the World Cup, the recently announced East Blocks development, and Main Street 2.0, Houston has a change of building an attractive downtown district... too bad TxDOT's NHHIP will prevent the area from having a cohesive district for several years. Too bad the Mayor can't/won't stop TxDOT.

On 7/26/2024 at 11:36 AM, Houston19514 said:

I would think the Rockets would get involved with this to develop better atmosphere around Toyota Center.

That would be great! With the Astros planning to build an entertainment district around Minute Maid Park, improvements surrounding Shell Energy Stadium for the World Cup, the recently announced East Blocks development, and Main Street 2.0, Houston has a change of building an attractive downtown district... too bad TxDOT's NHHIP will prevent the area from having a cohesive district for several years. Too bad the Mayor can't/won't stop TxDOT.

[editor]

On 7/26/2024 at 11:36 AM, Houston19514 said:

I would think the Rockets would get involved with this to develop better atmosphere around Toyota Center.

I've always thought that the basketball court at Root Square Park should have more Rockets love.  Ordinarily, I don't like corporate branding on parks, but because of its proximity to Toyota Center, I think it should be Rockets-branded with constant Rockets-themed events.

Every time I go by, it looks like it's from an abandoned public housing project in suburban London.  

[004n063]

21 hours ago, editor said:

I've always thought that the basketball court at Root Square Park should have more Rockets love.  Ordinarily, I don't like corporate branding on parks, but because of its proximity to Toyota Center, I think it should be Rockets-branded with constant Rockets-themed events.

Every time I go by, it looks like it's from an abandoned public housing project in suburban London.  

Interesting - it has always been pretty full of life when I've been by there (which is pretty frequently). 

[editor]

1 hour ago, 004n063 said:

Interesting - it has always been pretty full of life when I've been by there (which is pretty frequently). 

I will admit to not going by there very often.  Maybe once a month.  Perhaps I just have bad timing.  Still, I think considering its location, it should be a showpiece.

Boeing, McDonald's and all kinds of other big companies adopt public parks.  Certainly the Rockets have a few extra bucks to embrace this block.

[tigereye]

On 7/26/2024 at 11:36 AM, Houston19514 said:

I would think the Rockets would get involved with this to develop better atmosphere around Toyota Center.

Rockets are in early negotiations with the city to do just that: a 365 day active mixed use district. Details within. 12-18 months. 

The city also plans to use the funding to develop an entertainment district near Toyota Center and Hilton Americas, Heckman said. The vision is for a mixed-use space that could be activated 365 days a year, though details are still being worked out. Heckman added that Houston plans to be “unique” and “curated” in how it develops the project.

The city and the Rockets have been in early discussions on the project, Heckman said, and they plan to have more details in the next 12 to 18 months. Sheirr noted that there are opportunities for development on the east side of Toyota Center, which currently features a number of surface parking lots.

“We don’t want a cookie cutter approach for Houston,” Heckman. “We don’t want to take a model that was done somewhere else and just drop it in downtown Houston.”

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2024/08/02/downtown-houston-sports-stadiums-development.html?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYgI3CmJTr5hKrYE4XtBsMgqT24Om5XAP5H8JaG28yaUUjeBT8dOs1OzCo_aem_KLA0GAaiy5jnwhMMZbsvww

Edited August 3 by tigereye

[CREguy13]

https://www.houstonfirst.com/news/houston-first-selects-hines-as-development-manager-for-convention-district-transformation-project

 

Landmark project to help catalyze downtown Houston economic growth

HOUSTON (August 13, 2024) – Houston First Corporation today announced that Hines, the global real estate manager, has been selected as the development manager for the transformation of the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) and the surrounding district. This decision was made unanimously by the Houston First Corporation board following a comprehensive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. 

The transformational project aims to modernize and expand the 37-year-old convention center, adding new visitor amenities and entertainment options to create a vibrant, interconnected convention and entertainment district that will attract more and larger conferences and meetings and generate significant economic impact for the city.

"This is a generational opportunity for Houston to transform the eastern edge of its downtown and ensure that we remain a Tier 1 convention city for years to come," said Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation. “Hines presented a team in their pitch with extensive global development experience; that team along with Hines’ legacy investment in downtown Houston made them the ideal partner for creating this multi-asset, multi-experience district. The track record Hines illustrated in our vetting and interview process of managing complex real estate projects gives us confidence in their ability to deliver on the vision for transforming the GRB and the convention district into a dynamic, vibrant destination for both residents and visitors.”

As development manager, Hines will oversee all aspects of the project, including timeline, budget, development of construction documents and execution with all contractors to ensure the improvements are completed on time, on budget, and with the highest quality and safety standards.

"We are honored to partner with Houston First on the convention district transformation project," said John Mooz, senior managing director at Hines. "As a significant stakeholder in Houston's Central Business District for over 50 years, we understand the vital importance of this ambitious and truly impactful project. Our team is committed to helping Houston First create a convention campus and entertainment district that showcases the best of Houston and catalyzes economic growth for the entire city. We look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to bring this visionary plan to fruition."

Funding for the project will come through the state’s portion of incremental Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenue, ensuring no additional burden on taxpayers. The legislation supporting this funding, Senate Bill 1057, was signed into law last year, providing Houston with the same state funding mechanism that benefits cities like Dallas and Fort Worth. Then-Senator and now Mayor John Whitmire authored the legislation.

Hines, headquartered in Houston, brings over half a century of successful development experience to the project, having delivered top-class assets to over 380 cities worldwide. Regarding its Houston developments, over the past three decades, Hines has completed as many third-party development engagements as their principal work. Their portfolio includes corporate headquarters, multifamily, mixed-use and logistics assets, office campuses, as well as notable Houston projects such as Texas Tower, the Hilton Americas for what was then the Houston Hotel Corporation, and the Toyota Center representing the Houston Rockets.

The George R. Brown Convention Center transformation project will be executed in phases to ensure the facility remains operational throughout the process. The first phase will focus on developing new meeting space south of the existing convention center. The project also includes plans for improved pedestrian and vehicular infrastructure and will lay the groundwork for new development and entertainment venues, all designed to enhance the overall appeal of the convention district. The development is being planned in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation's I-45 re-routing and US 59/I-69 lowering projects to ensure seamless integration and connectivity.

Construction on Phase I is expected to commence in 2025. Houston First and Hines are committed to ensuring that the project meets the needs of the community and enhances Houston's appeal as a top convention and tourism destination.

[thatguysly]

Thank god Hines is leading this.

[hbg.50]

On 8/14/2024 at 7:51 AM, thatguysly said:

Thank god Hines is leading this.

What are the odds Hines will get rid of the quirky cruise ship red, white, and blue motiff?

 

[Brooklyn173]

It's not a cruise ship. It is supposed to highlight the functional elements of the building. Think of it as a poor man's Pompidou Center [and I don't think Hines will do, or is being asked to do, anything to the presentation of the building].

[gene]

actually it was supposed to represent the fact that Houston was such a major port/gateway:

 

The George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas was designed to resemble a cruise ship when it opened in 1987. The building's bright red, white, and blue color scheme and nautical theme make it a recognizable landmark of modern architecture. 

[shasta]

Our City motto is:

Houston: Where Seventeen Railroads Meet the Sea

[Brooklyn173]

From the Houston Chronicle:

"The George R. Brown Convention Center will inevitably be compared with the Centre Pompidou, called The Beaubourg in Paris, and indeed there are similarities. Bolullo admits this. "I have to say I very much like the Pompidou (designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rodgers)..."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/bayou-city-history/article/Brown-Center-confronts-city-skyline-confidently-12220534.php

[hbg.50]

4 hours ago, Brooklyn173 said:

From the Houston Chronicle:

"The George R. Brown Convention Center will inevitably be compared with the Centre Pompidou, called The Beaubourg in Paris, and indeed there are similarities. Bolullo admits this. "I have to say I very much like the Pompidou (designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rodgers)..."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/bayou-city-history/article/Brown-Center-confronts-city-skyline-confidently-12220534.php

Thank you for posting this article.  I have a greater appreciation for “The GRB” now, and NO it was not meant to invoke any nautical themes…

As to the building itself, Bolullo says: "You may respond to it as you wish... I did not especially think of an ocean liner." Yet the colorful curved funnels, the railings and the horizontal shape give all the clues. Even the term "high tech" is too much of a catch-all now.

"The design simply expresses the elements of the building in its purity," he says. "We didn't try to hide anything and anyone with curiosity would be able to see how the building works." There are no false beams or columns. Every piece of glass or steel or granite is doing a job."

[EllenOlenska]

It would be neat if you could approach the southeast side of the building on foot and not be run over is all I'd say

 

this is my way of saying I like the building

Edited August 16 by EllenOlenska

[tigereye]

On 8/15/2024 at 11:08 AM, hbg.50 said:

I would like more glass in between the stairwell columns, like what was done with the new main entrance during the last renovation. Bring more natural light into the main concourse while showing off that skyline view even more without sacrificing the original design theme of the building. 

I know I’ve said it before but the entire roof of this place, especially in between Marriott Marquis and Hilton Américas should become a rooftop park (like Post HTX) that has flexible spaces to rent/book for events. The views could be magnificent. 

As for the Rockets mixed use plans, I’d like them to see if a deal could be struck with Skanska to develop the remaining blocks (251 & 276j of Discovery West, linking Toyota Center, Discovery Green, and GreenStreet together with continuous development 

 

Edited August 16 by tigereye

[hbg.50]

1 hour ago, tigereye said:

I would like more glass in between the stairwell columns, like what was done with the new main entrance during the last renovation. Bring more natural light into the main concourse while showing off that skyline view even more without sacrificing the original design theme of the building. 

I know I’ve said it before but the entire roof of this place, especially in between Marriott Marquis and Hilton Américas should become a rooftop park (like Post HTX) that has flexible spaces to rent/book for events. The views could be magnificent. 

As for the Rockets mixed use plans, I’d like them to see if a deal could be struck with Skanska to develop the remaining blocks (251 & 276j of Discovery West, linking Toyota Center, Discovery Green, and GreenStreet together with continuous development 

 

You've got excellent ideas!

[kennyc05]

3 hours ago, tigereye said:

I would like more glass in between the stairwell columns, like what was done with the new main entrance during the last renovation. Bring more natural light into the main concourse while showing off that skyline view even more without sacrificing the original design theme of the building. 

I know I’ve said it before but the entire roof of this place, especially in between Marriott Marquis and Hilton Américas should become a rooftop park (like Post HTX) that has flexible spaces to rent/book for events. The views could be magnificent. 

As for the Rockets mixed use plans, I’d like them to see if a deal could be struck with Skanska to develop the remaining blocks (251 & 276j of Discovery West, linking Toyota Center, Discovery Green, and GreenStreet together with continuous development 

 

I think it will look much better with more glass on the exterior as well!

[editor]

On 8/16/2024 at 4:35 PM, tigereye said:

As for the Rockets mixed use plans, I’d like them to see if a deal could be struck with Skanska to develop the remaining blocks (251 & 276j of Discovery West, linking Toyota Center, Discovery Green, and GreenStreet together with continuous development 

I like the Rockets mixed-use idea.  The 1970's-era theme of a stadium surrounded by parking lots went out of style almost 30 years ago.  

Two major Chicago sports teams have announced similar stadium-in-a-neighborhood plans.  The White Sox want to build a new stadium to fill in vacant space in the South Loop, and the Bulls and Blackhawks have announced plans to turn the parking lots around the United Center into a mixed-use neighborhood, possibly even relocating an L line in the process.  Strange that even though Wrigley Field is right there, it took so long for these big sports companies to figure out they can make more money off of real estate than parking fees.

It's sad that so many neighborhood were bulldozed to make room for stadium parking lots, but a half-century later, we're finally fixing that.

[hindesky]