j_cuevas713 Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) On 12/30/2019 at 9:46 AM, Luminare said: So some interesting insider industry info. Recently learned that the architect responsible for this design, Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, is opening up a Houston office. They have already established themselves as the next big player in town regarding commercial architecture. Expect to see their name on more projects to come, and have an influence on Houston's mixed-use scene as well as commercial architecture aesthetics. I walk that area daily because my job is on 18th. I’ll have to walk by the offices tomorrow. Edited January 9, 2020 by j_cuevas713 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Timer Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 Wow. What a great place to pick up guys! Especially rendering #8. A one stop party plaza in the middle of Montrose. Can't wait to hang out here from morning till midnight. We need 4 more of these at the intersection of Westhiemer and Montrose with apartments on top instead of offices so I never have to leave! 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post j_cuevas713 Posted January 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) This place is going to take architecture in Houston to a new level. So thankful they opened an office here. Edited January 10, 2020 by j_cuevas713 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 On 1/8/2020 at 11:17 PM, Urbannizer said: "Rendering package" added to the retail listing: https://images1.loopnet.com/d2/1_MdAcEb6d5lsBhUKq6-oVKNevXGyDmFRu29t78gD2Q/document.pdf Also added all images to the very first post of this thread. Just wow. These designs rank among the top for Houston architecture. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HNathoo Posted January 18, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2020 Building Permit issued: 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Drove by this weekend and the existing restaurant and police station look ready to be torn down with all signage on the building gone and for the most part emptied. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Some activity happening on this project this morning, trees and shrubbery have been removed. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Someone should start a recycling nursery. Contract with developers to clear unwanted shrubbery and trees and recycle them. Manicure them and sell them for projects. It just seems like such a waste to just cut it all down, and throw it in the landfills. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skooljunkie Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 I haven't seen such scant litter and weeds along those sidewalks in the last ten years. 🚧🙄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 4 hours ago, bobruss said: Someone should start a recycling nursery. Contract with developers to clear unwanted shrubbery and trees and recycle them. Manicure them and sell them for projects. It just seems like such a waste to just cut it all down, and throw it in the landfills. most wouldn’t survive being removed and the labor cost to get them out would be high. It’s a nice idea though... some things would have a better chance at surviving than others. These materials are best grounded up and used as mulch. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidCenturyMoldy Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 6 hours ago, cityliving said: Some activity happening on this project this morning, trees and shrubbery have been removed. I, for one, am absolutely THRILLED to see this eyesore being removed. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hindesky Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 Nice patch! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 6 hours ago, hindesky said: well I'm already impressed to see that patch they are doing because... 5 hours ago, bobruss said: Nice patch! they actually aren't required to do this. So yeah its very nice. Of course its also good PR, but even if its for selfish reasons its a smart thing to do that is also a nice thing to do. Hopefully this can become the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted January 27, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 27, 2020 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 looks bulldozer ready to me!!! bring it! 🙋♂️ 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 That freshly poured sidewalk patch.... is now closed 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Honestly since this is being done, i wonder if they will begin to make all the surrounding (and eventually all of lower Westheimer) sidewalks better? hopefully! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 1 minute ago, gene said: Honestly since this is being done, i wonder if they will begin to make all the surrounding (and eventually all of lower Westheimer) sidewalks better? hopefully! It could provide some incentive to rebuild lower Westheimer sooner. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 2 minutes ago, gene said: Honestly since this is being done, i wonder if they will begin to make all the surrounding (and eventually all of lower Westheimer) sidewalks better? hopefully! There's a great plan in place! It's just been kicked down the road to at least 2023 again. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/37468-lower-westheimer-reconstruction 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
architeckton Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 1 hour ago, wilcal said: That freshly poured sidewalk patch.... is now closed It's probably only temporary until the scaffolding and construction fence are up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 38 minutes ago, wilcal said: There's a great plan in place! It's just been kicked down the road to at least 2023 again. https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/37468-lower-westheimer-reconstruction well dang but hey at least it is in the works... i rode my bike along those sidewalks ONCE................ 😲 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, architeckton said: It's probably only temporary until the scaffolding and construction fence are up. This is why I detest Twitter or what I refer to as the "Twatter". All it takes is a few moments to think about why it might be closed to get to this conclusion. But now I, the Twatter poster, need validation right now the moment I see it! Edited January 28, 2020 by Luminare 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Even if they are under construction, there's still supposed to be a temporary sidewalk if they close the main one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 26 minutes ago, wilcal said: Even if they are under construction, there's still supposed to be a temporary sidewalk if they close the main one. This is supposed to be the temp sidewalk. They can close it off for a limited period of time to erect scaffolding. This a completely normal thing to do. They haven't even started demo nor construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post architeckton Posted January 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2020 Not sure if this has been posted but it looks like a website went live for the project: Montrose Collective 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 17 hours ago, Luminare said: This is supposed to be the temp sidewalk. They can close it off for a limited period of time to erect scaffolding. This a completely normal thing to do. They haven't even started demo nor construction. Houston Public Works actually commented on another discussion of the sidewalk and a lane of traffic being closed for The Sophie on Memorial and they said an ADA alternative must be established if the sidewalk is closed. Backtracking for wheelchairs is at least feasible on Westheimer. Not so much so on Memorial with one sidewalk. I'll see if I can swing by and see if the sidewalk has reopened yet. These covered sidewalk barriers are so NYC! lol 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, wilcal said: Houston Public Works actually commented on another discussion of the sidewalk and a lane of traffic being closed for The Sophie on Memorial and they said an ADA alternative must be established if the sidewalk is closed. Backtracking for wheelchairs is at least feasible on Westheimer. Not so much so on Memorial with one sidewalk. I'll see if I can swing by and see if the sidewalk has reopened yet. These covered sidewalk barriers are so NYC! lol I completely get it, and understand where you are coming from. However, what I don't like with social media, and that includes this forum sometimes is just because we get to observe the process doesn't mean we are a part of it, yet strangely some feel like they have ownership of it or the right to interject themselves into it. The process must be respected, and even though the result is something of which you speak, an unobstructed sidewalk that is also ADA accessible, there is a process to setting that up which takes time. We can't project what should be the outcome, or conclusion when it still has to go through the process to get there. More than anything, in Architecture and Construction, is respecting and not violating the process, which in my opinion is way more important than the end product or outcome. We don't know where they are at in the process of setting this up because we don't have the schedule. If they are following the schedule and this is setup in the timeframe they have specified for the city than that is what is important, not people like us that have no business butting into the process. We need to just sit back and let them do their work. Our interjections are just going to slow things down, and will only do more harm than good. EDIT: I only say this, even though this is such a small incident, and because its actually important. Plus I bring it up do to the weird notion in todays world that people feel like they have a right to be in everyones business, or some kind of social obligation to interfere in ones process when they don't immediately see their subjective end outcome or conclusion that they imagine. Edited January 29, 2020 by Luminare 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 The person that posted that on Twitter was in-fact walking on the sidewalk, so they did become a de facto part of it. HPW said that the official policy is to report these to 311, which is pretty brutal as it easily takes days to investigate. It took me almost 6 months to force the Brass Tap (well, their landlord) to install grates over the tree planters because they added a patio and it made the sidewalk not ADA compliant. Turns out that they had their plan rejected from the city for this reason, built the patio anyway and never even paid the fee to utilize the city ROW. No repercussions and the solution that was developed still sucks (metal grates set on top of existing granite chunks which, you guessed it have adjusted/sunk a bit). So yes, being a lay-pedestrian and being annoying to the construction crews is... annoying to the crews, but the city barely gives a flying flip about sidewalk enforcement. In my mind, there is a social obligation to interfere in the process when it appears to break the law. There may be some leeway granted by the city, but the situation is that they have appeared to close the sidewalk without providing or marking an alternative, so they appear to be in violation. There are some four story town homes being built next door to me and they are finishing the framing on the third floor right now. I saw a worker tight-rope walking an exterior wall 2x4 cap without a safety harness. Should I not worry and trust that they are following the process? I'm not in the industry, but gonna guess that isn't part of the process. TLDR: construction companies don't get the benefit of the doubt from me, especially when blocking sidewalks are concerned lol 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I don't understand how the 4TH LARGEST CITY IN AMERICA can't enforce simple sidewalk rules. We have all these "pilot" programs for walkable neighborhoods for what? Why do we need pilot programs? Look at NYC as your pilot program, DONE. I file a 311 complaint about simple sidewalk maintenance often, and I get the same response, "It's the property owner's responsibility." Then why tell me to file a 311 complaint??? This city want's more walkability then shoots itself in the foot. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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