citykid09 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t...98&page=1&pp=20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brijonmang Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 ...its what people do... they hate us cuz they aint us. this is a really cool picture though and it shows how much "potential" downtown has Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houstonian in Iraq Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 ...its what people do... they hate us cuz they aint us. this is a really cool picture though and it shows how much "potential" downtown has PLENTY of potential.... Does anyone know how many full block surface lots there are in downtown. I've always been curious but when ever I started counting I would loose track then loose interest. I'm sure if I sat down I would get it, but if anyone can save me the trouble I'd appreciate it. I'm guessing 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Part of the reason that Houston's skyline is so striking is that there's enough room between the builidngs to allow them to be seen in their entirety. This would not be the case if surface parking lots (or low-rise structures) weren't scattered throughout downtown.If our skyscrapers were packed solidly together, it would just be a jumble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Part of the reason that Houston's skyline is so striking is that there's enough room between the builidngs to allow them to be seen in their entirety. This would not be the case if surface parking lots (or low-rise structures) weren't scattered throughout downtown.If our skyscrapers were packed solidly together, it would just be a jumble.I like your interpretation. In fact, although its definitely for the better, I'll be sorry to lose the views from the blocks that will soon become Houston Pavillions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 i have never seen people so agog over a google map and i didn't know so many haifees post on ssp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Does anyone know when or if Google plans on updating their maps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 whoopdie doo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 I wouldn't worry about things posted on SSC too much. I think half the people on HAIF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 ^^^ Agreed, Wayne.SSC is a source of amusement for me, not for rational, meaningful discussion. The obsession with density and "world class" and a myriad other pro-"European/NE US" rigamarole is fairly weak if not flat out hilarious.SSC is the only place where Detroit is seen by many to be an urban "jewel".LOL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiDTOWNeR Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 ...its what people do... they hate us cuz they aint us.Um yeah, thats it! LMAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Do you post on SSC, midtown? You seem like you'd fit in well there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston1stWordOnTheMoon Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 I like haif2 because there so many people with different ideas here....has been a pleasant learning experience for me. Now with the skyline....i heard somewhere a while ago that the skyline is staggered or built at an angle in order to follow the path of Baffalo Bayou. Im no fan of all the surface lots, but i do think they were included in the over all plan to give the Skyline a more non jumbled look........... End result, the skyline is gorgeous :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Do you post on SSC, midtown? You seem like you'd fit in well there.You have to admit a lot of Houstonians have that view for some strange reason. On the other hand I find myself at SSC for the same reasons as Great Hizzy these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Never even heard of SSC!Is it worse than the gossip that is haif2?haif2 is starting to remind me of The Post's Page Six. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 You're not the only notorious Midtown here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Oh yea, Midtowner. The guy who thinks Houston smells funny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Whoops. I meant midtowneR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Does anyone know when or if Google plans on updating their maps?It aims for every 18 months, but it's a big world and things get backed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunstar Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Nevertheless, this picture is quite depressing. I take the view of most HAIFers, that the surface lot of today is the mixed use development of tomorrow. I just wish tomorrow wasn't so far away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 What is depressing to realize is that the wait for those surface lots to be developed can be a lot longer than anyone expects. A lot of these blocks were converted to surface lots back in the 1960s and 1970s. It is amazing that some blocks have been surface lots for 30 years now. I think there will continue to be piecemeal development, but there will probably have to be some change in the economics of downtown development before we see major change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 What is depressing to realize is that the wait for those surface lots to be developed can be a lot longer than anyone expects. A lot of these blocks were converted to surface lots back in the 1960s and 1970s. It is amazing that some blocks have been surface lots for 30 years now. I think there will continue to be piecemeal development, but there will probably have to be some change in the economics of downtown development before we see major change.I think once developers see the Houston Pavilons, they will want to be apart of the developments in Downtown and it will spur off from there and be a chain reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 I think once developers see the Houston Pavilons, they will want to be apart of the developments in Downtown and it will spur off from there and be a chain reaction.I hope so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 The parking lots are lucrative and the owners of the property don't feel pressured to come down off their prices to developers who might want to develop said property but may not want to pay as much for the land.That said, when the interest grows and related development expands, you could see a mini-boom of sorts in the next ten years.My advice: patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 It is true. We do have way too much surface parking. We lost a lot of older bldgs due to developer greed, but hey, it could be worse... They could have used a picture from 8 years ago.Since that time, we've seen the Toyota Center, Hilton Americas, their respective garages, 4 major office towers, 2 major parking structures, Hobby Center, and UH-Downtown take up space in that picture above (not to mention things just outside the pic like Minute Maid, METRO Bldg, Post Midtown, St Joseph's expansion...)Additionally, the park will take away a lot of the surface lots just north of the Hilton, the Pavilions will take away 3 contiuous lots, and smaller developments like the Catholic Cathedral, the Edge, the new garage on Main, and the Christ Church expansion will fill in some gaps as well.The thing that makes me the most sad though is all of the space near Market Square. I'd love to see those blocks filled with 3-10 floor buildings with ground retail. Closing in the gaps in that area would make a huge impression from the street level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 I think though that I get impatient with counsels of patience without being able to understand what would drive a change in downtown development patterns. If it makes economic sense for the owner to maintain a lot as surface parking for 20-30 years, then it could potentially take a lot for those economics or development patterns to change. If it means waiting for another 20 years, I just don't have the patience! One interesting point is that the major uses of former surface lots have been developed by or subsidized with public funds. This includes the GRB, Toyota Center, Hilton, Metro HQ, new courts, and the new park. I think this is a good thing, and it has contributed a lot to downtown. The pickup of surface lots from the private sector has been slower. Major former lots are Reliant Building, Houston Center, Enron II, and coming soon the Pavillions. (Hobby, Calpine, new Main Street garage, cathedral, and Christ Church weren't replacing surface lots). The one thing I think could drive a change in development economics would be more residential. One of the best elements of the proposed Pavillions is that it includes condos. The retail element by itself is OK as far as it goes, but I don't see it doing a lot to spur other development compared to residential. Of course the big question is the depth of demand for downtown residential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
713 To 214 Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 The one thing I think could drive a change in development economics would be more residential.You nailed it. This is the key element missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 It is true. We do have way too much surface parking. We lost a lot of older bldgs due to developer greed, but hey, it could be worse... They could have used a picture from 8 years ago.Since that time, we've seen the Toyota Center, Hilton Americas, their respective garages, 4 major office towers, 2 major parking structures, Hobby Center, and UH-Downtown take up space in that picture above (not to mention things just outside the pic like Minute Maid, METRO Bldg, Post Midtown, St Joseph's expansion...)Additionally, the park will take away a lot of the surface lots just north of the Hilton, the Pavilions will take away 3 contiuous lots, and smaller developments like the Catholic Cathedral, the Edge, the new garage on Main, and the Christ Church expansion will fill in some gaps as well.The thing that makes me the most sad though is all of the space near Market Square. I'd love to see those blocks filled with 3-10 floor buildings with ground retail. Closing in the gaps in that area would make a huge impression from the street level.And since that time I have seen many tall building in Downtown go down too, for no reason.Even after that picture was taken, so it probably looks even worst now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 They need to look at the picture again, and think about where the new downtown park and Houston Pavillions will be located... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted April 20, 2006 Share Posted April 20, 2006 This is not good news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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