South Main Addition Of The Texas Medical Center Master Plan

[Highrise Tower]

I was browsing the newspaper The Texan dated December 31, 1986 and came across a Shamrock Hotel demolition story.  There was a proposed development by the TMC called "South Main Addition of the Texas Medical Center" located on South Main & Holcombe.

Despite public outcry and organized protests, the historic Shamrock Hilton Hotel will soon go down in dust.

Texas Medical Center (TMC) officials announced Monday, December 29 the 37-year-old landmark hotel will be demolished to make way for as many as eight high-rise buildings designed for medical research, education, and patient care.

TMC officials said later extensive study their only option is to remove the former hotel structure and start from scratch.

The total project, as currently planned, would probably cost between $300 and $500 million officials estimated, providing thousands of construction job within the next few years and adding thousands of permanent jobs upon completion.

A planning model of the 22.6-acre site, now called South Main Addition to the Texas Medical Center, was recently unveiled.

Four towers are planned for the west side of Main Street, along with a possible main building for the 546.8-acre TMC campus.

Two or three additional high-rise buildings would be located on the land across South Main along Gales Street. Two large areas are contemplated for fountains and gardens.