[urbanactivistTX]

They're filling up pretty fast at the moment. But hopefully we'll keep one or two for "historical preservation" purposes. :jester: :jester: :jester: :jester: :jester:

[weatherguru18]

It is, to the ceiling of the 75th floor at least. Hooper's Columns are a goldmine when it comes to info on these projects, so I don't think the fact is incorrect. The building was still UNDER CONSTRUCTION at the time the article was written as well, so the actual height wasn't determined. There's also the raised helipad + antenna farm atop the building... wonder what that raises the height to? :haha:

Toxeth O'Grady's point is accurate. The Bank of the Southwest Center was around 1400 ft to the spire, and it was indeed approved. Financing is the only thing that slayed that project. Contrary to popular belief, it remained a proposal well into the late 80s, only dropping off around 1989. The reason? The hunt for backers when the well was dry.

Well on the Hines site, it states that the building is 1,049 ft. from street level to roof.

[JMancuso]

i'd rather have a few more 1000 footers than one really tall building which would throw off the balance of the skyline.

[KevinFromTexas]

Interesting about that 998 foot height for the JPMorgan Chase Tower. Emporis actually has a 993 foot height for the main roof. I checked the source on that, it's "Katherine Draw" something. I couldn't read all of it, because when a height field is locked you can't read the rest of it (kind of stupid actually). I've actually wondered before if the building is taller.

Well on the Hines site, it states that the building is 1,049 ft. from street level to roof.


Interesting.

Emporis also lists the Wells Fargo Plaza at 992 feet tall, versus the old 972 foot height we used to hear. The 992 foot height came from the 1986 World Almanac. The 972 foot height may actually be the main roof.

There's also the raised helipad + antenna farm atop the building... wonder what that raises the height to?


Any antenna used for communication would not be counted in the official height of the building since they are not part of the design. As you mentioned the building originally had a helipad up there, (though I did not know this). Then later the antennas were added. So they were never intended as part of the design of the building. Quite different from a spire, antennae can have height added, removed or have the entire antenna removed if they aren't needed anymore. Of instance, the Empire State Building in New York didn't have an antenna until the 1950s, at least 20 years after the building was built. And after the WTC towers were destroyed they lost a communication mast that was atop one of them. So one other building in Midtown had its antenna increased in height to take its place. When that WTC tower was destroyed, several NYC area tv and radio stations were knocked off the air.

i'd rather have a few more 1000 footers than one really tall building which would throw off the balance of the skyline.

Absolutely. I love the fact that Houston's skyline is so well proportioned. The view of it from a distance is amazing at times.

[rdavis4559]

i'd rather have a few more 1000 footers than one really tall building which would throw off the balance of the skyline.

True but I would also thing that one really tall one would end up attracting more 1000 footers.

[JMancuso]

True but I would also thing that one really tall one would end up attracting more 1000 footers.

or detract. a big honkin' 1,500 footer means there's a lot more office space on the market and less need for other large buildings.

btw, chase is 1,002'

[rdavis4559]

The Burj Dubai is attracting a lot more tall buildings (though I half expect all of this Dubai craziness to crash pretty hard).

[rdavis4559]

Ashby high-rise set to go forward as planned
Developers say the city's inaction led them to begin permits process

By MIKE SNYDER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
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RESOURCES
TOWER PLANS ARE REVISED

Some key differences between the original Ashby high-rise plan and a new proposal:

Residential units

• Original : 232 apartments or 187 condominiums.
• Revised : 130 condo units in the tower, plus four detached townhouses on Ashby.

Height

• Original : 23 stories, including five parking levels above grade.
• Revised : 22 stories, with two underground parking levels and four above grade.

Design

• Original : two-tower design.
• Revised: single tower with smaller footprint.

The developers of the controversial Ashby high-rise said Monday they are moving forward with their long-delayed permit applications because city officials haven't responded to their compromise offer to build a smaller development.

The decision by developers Matthew Morgan and Kevin Kirton of Buckhead Investment Partners revives their original 23-story project that has been on hold since November, when the developers agreed to delay seeking permits after an outcry from surrounding neighborhoods led to discussions of new development regulations at City Hall.

Morgan and Kirton said their revised proposal calls for a 22-story building with a smaller footprint and fewer residential units — changes they said would eliminate any possibility the project would cause unacceptable traffic congestion.

The developers said they submitted this idea to city officials three weeks ago but had received no reply.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5627792.html

[Trae]

or detract. a big honkin' 1,500 footer means there's a lot more office space on the market and less need for other large buildings.

btw, chase is 1,002'
Not if it is a mixed-use tower and a 1500 foot tower won't look out of place in Downtown.

[Xeelee]

Ashby high-rise set to go forward as planned
Developers say the city's inaction led them to begin permits process

By MIKE SNYDER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
TOOLS
Email

Get section feed
Print

Subscribe NOW
Comments (8)

Recommend
RESOURCES
TOWER PLANS ARE REVISED

Some key differences between the original Ashby high-rise plan and a new proposal:

Residential units

• Original : 232 apartments or 187 condominiums.
• Revised : 130 condo units in the tower, plus four detached townhouses on Ashby.

Height

• Original : 23 stories, including five parking levels above grade.
• Revised : 22 stories, with two underground parking levels and four above grade.

Design

• Original : two-tower design.
• Revised: single tower with smaller footprint.

The developers of the controversial Ashby high-rise said Monday they are moving forward with their long-delayed permit applications because city officials haven't responded to their compromise offer to build a smaller development.

The decision by developers Matthew Morgan and Kevin Kirton of Buckhead Investment Partners revives their original 23-story project that has been on hold since November, when the developers agreed to delay seeking permits after an outcry from surrounding neighborhoods led to discussions of new development regulations at City Hall.

Morgan and Kirton said their revised proposal calls for a 22-story building with a smaller footprint and fewer residential units — changes they said would eliminate any possibility the project would cause unacceptable traffic congestion.

The developers said they submitted this idea to city officials three weeks ago but had received no reply.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5627792.html



Good news at last!

[Complex01]

We must not forget, that because a building is listed at 1500 feet or any other height doesn’t mean that it has office space all the way through. Throw in a spire and we can reach any height. I am not trying to bash any projects out there with spires, I do like them, but they are just glorified height…...

[rdavis4559]

We must not forget, that because a building is listed at 1500 feet or any other height doesn’t mean that it has office space all the way through. Throw in a spire and we can reach any height. I am not trying to bash any projects out there with spires, I do like them, but they are just glorified height…...

I raised this point in the Nashville Signature Tower Thread, since the tower is small compared to Chase or Wells Fargo but surpassed them in height because of the spire. I had a lot of people get pretty angry about that...

[rdavis4559]

Check out this post from HAIF

"Houston was officially selected as one of the milestone sites on the historic World Sky Race.

The World Sky Race will be a series of sixteen races for lighter-than-air craft that will compete for the fastest time around the world for their class of craft. Starting the race series at the Greenwich Prime Meridian in London, the World Sky Race will include stops at the Roman Coliseum, the Great Pyramids, Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, Golden Gate Bridge and NASA Johnson Space Center."

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=15356

[Xeelee]

Looks like it's time for another hotel. Or another really tall building with an observation deck. :)

[Complex01]

:previous:

Or one with a giant Spire...

:yes:

[photolitherland]

Wow one of 16 places, I cant believe its in there with the pyramids and other amazing places, man, Houston is awesome!

[Wattleigh]

Just some photo updates on a few sites, all taken over the past few days.


One Park Place (Now on the 24th of 37 Floors)

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02887.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02889.jpg

West Ave. Along Kirby

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02869.jpg

Rice Collaborative Research Center

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02859.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02864.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02860.jpg

Methodist Outpatient Tower (Now on the 13th of 25 floors)

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/MethodistTower031608.jpg

TCH Maternity Center Site

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02856.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02857.jpg

Memorial City Condo Project

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02886.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/DSC02883.jpg

[Xeelee]

Nice pics. Thanks for posting. :)

[toxteth o'grady]

And those three new office towers downtown have yet to get their cranes...

[Trae]

Shouldn't be long for MainPlace. I'm guessing within the next two weeks or so for Discovery Tower.

[Trae]

HP update courtesy of MidtownUser at HAIF:

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6646/img1499up6.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7007/img1500mi3.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1084/img1501zu6.jpg
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5130/img1502lw5.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6704/img1504uv6.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5494/img1505ch7.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1386/img1506bw7.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/911/img1507um3.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/313/img1509et9.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3673/img1510zu5.jpg
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4525/img1511or1.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7909/img1513ji6.jpg

[photolitherland]

Man that cladding is god awful, are they going to change that hopefully? I doubt it.

[toxteth o'grady]

It's supposed to be Fabulous Fifties Art Deco. I think I have an old credenza that looks like that...

[latennisguy]

that really is horrible looking cladding.

Rice Collaborative Research Center from today:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/samceb/PHOT0003.jpg

[rdavis4559]

1) From HAIF - 'Boris and Max do Houston' - Some good shots of DT construction sites from Wells Fargo Plaza and Chase Tower:
http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=15400

2) "Houston mayor plans 10 'bubbles' of free WiFi"
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5645574.html

3) "Growth continues in Town Center area
Mix of business, residential plans are announced in Woodlands
Town Center is growing again, with plans to add a hi-rise condominium tower, a hotel, an office building, a 2,000-space parking garage and new parks in the near future."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/5644653.html

[CALMSP]

whats the deal with W.F.P. not allowing photos??

[TexasPlaya]

whats the deal with W.F.P. not allowing photos??

Probably because it is or is among Houston's tallest building(s), which could be seen a potential terrorist threat.

[weatherguru18]

1) From HAIF - 'Boris and Max do Houston' - Some good shots of DT construction sites from Wells Fargo Plaza and Chase Tower:
http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=15400

2) "Houston mayor plans 10 'bubbles' of free WiFi"
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5645574.html

3) "Growth continues in Town Center area
Mix of business, residential plans are announced in Woodlands
Town Center is growing again, with plans to add a hi-rise condominium tower, a hotel, an office building, a 2,000-space parking garage and new parks in the near future."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/5644653.html

Yeah, the Condominium Tower is supposed to be 20+ stories!

[KevinFromTexas]

Probably because it is or is among Houston's tallest building(s), which could be seen a potential terrorist threat.

Well then why bother having an observation deck at all? Seems like a waste of space. They have a public observation deck, but don't allow photos? I hope admission to the top is free. And Wells Fargo Tower is Houston's, and Texas' 2nd tallest.

[Wattleigh]

Well then why bother having an observation deck at all? Seems like a waste of space. They have a public observation deck, but don't allow photos? I hope admission to the top is free. And Wells Fargo Tower is Houston's, and Texas' 2nd tallest.

It's not even an observation deck. It's a skylobby, which in the case of WFP is a glorified two-story waiting room for the offices on those floors and the transfer point for the elevators that go to the top floors. I recall reading in a post in another thread that a photographer from out of town called ahead before going up there so security knew someone would be shooting from there.

Chase's skylobby has always been open though, and they've never had an issue with anyone photographing from the 60th floor. There's usually a a few people with cameras coming in and going out whenever I've shot from there in the past.

[rdavis4559]

I've never had a problem taking picks in WFP... though you better watch it if trying to take pictures in any Houston Center building or Crescent property.

[Trae]

Yeah, the Condominium Tower is supposed to be 20+ stories!
Yeah, 20 stories exactly, so around 300 feet or less.

[rdavis4559]

Some pics from the Houston Pavilions today:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00358.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00359.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00360.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00361.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00362.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00363.jpg

[weatherguru18]

Yeah, 20 stories exactly, so around 300 feet or less.

How do you know it's exactly 20 stories? The article didn't indicate that. It said 20-plus stories.

[c4smok]

new 16 story tower via swamplot.com

Link: http://swamplot.com/sanctioned-by-the-congregation-the-office-building-next-to-first-baptist/2008-03-24/

Developer: Hines

Designer: Kirksey

Location: First Baptist Church's parking lot at the south side of the Katy Freeway
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/hines-1st-baptist-site-plan.jpg

Rendering:
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/hines-1st-baptist-fwy.jpg

[JMancuso]

Well then why bother having an observation deck at all? Seems like a waste of space. They have a public observation deck, but don't allow photos? I hope admission to the top is free. And Wells Fargo Tower is Houston's, and Texas' 2nd tallest.

it is a sky lobby, never really was intended to be a observation deck although people still go up there. the 51st floor on the williams/ transco tower is also a skylobby but was used as a observation deck until 9/11 and then the knee-jerk rent-a-cops locked the place down like fort knox.

[toxteth o'grady]

I've never had a problem taking picks in WFP... though you better watch it if trying to take pictures in any Houston Center building or Crescent property.

I've heard the aviation spotters catch the same sort of hassle when they try to set up their tripods on the rooftop garages at Intercontinental. If I wanted that much state secrecy, I would have visited behind the Iron Curtain when it was up...:yuck:

[CALMSP]

these people need to quit harrasing us and wake up and realize not everyone is a terrorist............particularly white americans.

[rdavis4559]

I'm sure they are all just scared of some sort of liability claim that can be pinned on them

[manus]

these people need to quit harrasing us and wake up and realize not everyone is a terrorist............particularly white americans.


Right ... like Timothy McVeigh ...

[weatherguru18]

Right ... like Timothy McVeigh ...

You took the words right out of my mouth. I was at the airport in Norfolk, VA and was running late and they pulled me aside for "extra security check"...which happens to me all the damn time. I said angerly, "do I look like a terrorist to you?!", and that security guy said, "did Timothy McVeigh?" That shut me up.

[Xeelee]

these people need to quit harrasing us and wake up and realize not everyone is a terrorist............particularly white americans.

:lmao:
:lmao::lmao:
:lmao::lmao::lmao:
:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:
:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:
:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:
:lmao::lmao::lmao:
:lmao::lmao:
:lmao:

[Complex01]

Wow, okay.

All i want to do is take a picture...

:shrug:

[rdavis4559]

The method that has worked for me is to take as many pictures I can as fast as I can before I get stopped.

[KevinFromTexas]

Oh yes, Crescent. They owned Austin's Chase Bank Tower up until last year. A building that is 1/3 the height of Wells Fargo Plaza in Houston. I remember once a friend and I cut through the lobby of the building during the summer because we were parked on the other side of the building. We both had cameras. We had been out taking pictures around downtown during a forum meet. Well, the woman at the front desk quickly jumped up and told us "No photos inside the building!" We said we were just passing through, which we were of course. Luckily now, Crescent sold every Austin property they owned last year including several high rises.

With Austin pushing for more residential in downtown and trying to bring more retail to the street level, I don't see how they can develop that atmosphere of openness and welcomeness to pedestrians with property owners treating everyone that walks through their doors as a potential suspect. Even in New York, even now after 9/11 they don't act that way. Of course there are certain buildings where there is plenty of security, checks and whatnot, but for the most part it remains open to all.

[Great_Hizzy]

It's not just terrorists but also people who just flat out lose their minds and "go postal".

[photolitherland]

Fing if I was a terrorist, I think id be a little more undercover. I very much doubt that a terrorist would be carrying around pro camera equipment like I do. I mean like having pro camera equipement and a tripod makes you a freakin terrorist. WTF, I get so pissed when Im out taking photos and just cause I have a tripod they tell me to go away or theyll call the cops. If a terrorist wanted to take photos I think that they would use a small camera and take plenty of high def photos. Freakin morons piss me off.

[Saddle Man]

Let them call the cops. It's just a scare tactic.

[JMancuso]

anyone think the spire on the new memorial-herman building in memorial city is flat out ugly? i got a good look at it today. first, it's not even centered on the building (closer to the front) and second, it's too small in relation with the rest of the building.

[Xeelee]

anyone think the spire on the new memorial-herman building in memorial city is flat out ugly? i got a good look at it today. first, it's not even centered on the building (closer to the front) and second, it's too small in relation with the rest of the building.

I agree with you on this. It seems to me this is typical sprawl architecture designed to trick suburbanites into thinking it's a showcase piece.

IMO It's pretty low grade.

[Wattleigh]

I agree with you on this. It seems to me this is typical sprawl architecture designed to trick suburbanites into thinking it's a showcase piece.

IMO It's pretty low grade.

Replace "suburbanites" with "Memorial Hermann Healthcare System" and you're correct.

They're the ones this design was aimed at wooing (which it apparently did since the thing was built) and representing the new face of their venture. I'm no fan of the design since I think their Medical Plaza in the TMC does a good job of representing them as-is. I don't worry about this building though. I just have a feeling something is going to be built around it within the next 10years that will cancel out the effect it has. Hopefully the Westin offsets the building to some extent in the interim.

[TexasPlaya]

anyone think the spire on the new memorial-herman building in memorial city is flat out ugly? i got a good look at it today. first, it's not even centered on the building (closer to the front) and second, it's too small in relation with the rest of the building.

I agree with you on this. It seems to me this is typical sprawl architecture designed to trick suburbanites into thinking it's a showcase piece.

IMO It's pretty low grade.

Replace "suburbanites" with "Memorial Hermann Healthcare System" and you're correct.

They're the ones this design was aimed at wooing (which it apparently did since the thing was built) and representing the new face of their venture. I'm no fan of the design since I think their Medical Plaza in the TMC does a good job of representing them as-is. I don't worry about this building though. I just have a feeling something is going to be built around it within the next 10years that will cancel out the effect it has. Hopefully the Westin offsets the building to some extent in the interim.

I think when you look at just the building itself, it doesn't look too appealing. However, when you take into account when the projects are built up, it could look/blend in well. Who knows what this thing will look like at night; it could have bad ass looking lighting effect coming out of the crown and on the building. Who knows? Personally, I think this thing will turn out decent looking when all is said and done.

[Saddle Man]

I love the juxtaposition of the plain building and the garishness of the crown. I just wish the crown would have been made bigger so that it would be centered to the whole build (not just the front/north side of the building).

[Trae]

I like the building. You can see it from Katy now, too (on the Westpark Tollway).

[Shasta]

That building is fugly. I don't care if it wears neon at night.

Here is a rendering that I haven't seen before for the 23 story Methodist Hospital Outpatient Care Center that is rising in the Texas Medical Center. This is the view looking westward towards Greenway/Uptown. Hey, look, it isn't a flat roof! This thing is MASSIVE...

http://www.whrarchitects.com/_filelib/ImageGallery/Photos/healthcare/methodist/methodist_002.jpg

[rdavis4559]

I like the building. You can see it from Katy now, too (on the Westpark Tollway).

I don't like the way the building looks but I do like how from the beltway/290 interchange, it just looks massive.

[Complex01]

Wow that is great rendering very kewl...

As for the robot building, as i have read it being called all over the place, i really dont know what to think of it. But i do agree, it reminds me or a robot...

:shrug:

[Xeelee]

Wow that is great rendering very kewl...

As for the robot building, as i have read it being called all over the place, i really dont know what to think of it. But i do agree, it reminds me or a robot...

:shrug:

Perhaps there's more than meats the eye?

[photolitherland]

Houstons skyline is just massive, it goes on forever, I lived there for 8 years but everytime I went downtown I just couldnt believe how many skyscrapers there were. From afar Houstons skyline almost looks as big as Chicagos, one could argue.

[Great_Hizzy]

http://www.whrarchitects.com/_filelib/ImageGallery/Photos/healthcare/methodist/methodist_002.jpg

This is outstanding.

[Wattleigh]

You know, looking at that rendering of the Outpatient Center, I just realized that the side facing Fannin is a bit wider than the one facing Main. Haven't really paid that much attention when driving by, but I take it a portion of the base was built around a pre-existing building that has frontage along Main.

It always kinda surprises me to see how long projects in the TMC take to rise just from the excavation site. Since they cleared the garage levels though, it's shot up like a weed and I can't wait to see the rooftop start forming.

[Cuzco1]

http://www.whrarchitects.com/_filelib/ImageGallery/Photos/healthcare/methodist/methodist_002.jpg

This is outstanding.

Wow... wait. This isn't an April Fools joke?

[Wattleigh]

Wow... wait. This isn't an April Fools joke?

The site's been under construction for the past 2 years or so. :)

[Shasta]

The Outpatient Center is being built around a current building on Main. It's about a 8-12 story beige/non-descript thing that it will tower over and around.

[Shasta]

Transwestern broke gorund this past week on a new tower in West Houston.

http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/115143-400-0.jpg?rev=2

Project name: Eldridge Oaks

Project size: 14 floors above ground, 350,000 sq feet

Project location: nw corner of Eldridge Parkway and Enclave Parkway, approximately 1 mile South of I-10 adjacent to Hershey Park

Building is not preleased and is being built on spec since Class A space in that submarket is 97% occupied. If things go well, a second twin tower will be added to the project.

[Xeelee]

Transwestern broke gorund this past week on a new tower in West Houston.

http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/115143-400-0.jpg?rev=2

Project name: Eldridge Oaks

Project size: 14 floors above ground, 350,000 sq feet

Project location: nw corner of Eldridge Parkway and Enclave Parkway, approximately 1 mile South of I-10 adjacent to Hershey Park

Building is not preleased and is being built on spec since Class A space in that submarket is 97% occupied. If things go well, a second twin tower will be added to the project.

Awesome tower Shasta. Thanks for the info. :)

[vjhe]

Awesome tower Shasta. Thanks for the info. :)

You consider that a awesome tower? This looks just like the same banal stuff that has dominated a large chunk of Houston architectural designs in it's recent history. Mediocre and blah is the tone that is set in Houston right now.

*I'm in a terrible mood and may regret this post later.

[Xeelee]

I see they have a Toyota Tundra in there.

[Complex01]

Now for some Skycraper updates.

It was such a nice day today, i went for a bike ride downtown. Enjoy...

Main Place

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/MP0408a.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/MP0408b.jpg

One Park Place

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/OP0408c.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/OP0408a.jpg

Discovery Tower

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/OP0408b.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/DT0408b.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/DT0408a.jpg

2727 Kirby

They were raising the tower crane today... :banana:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/K0408a.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r317/am4ever7/k0408b.jpg


Now i cant wait for the cranes to go up at Main Place and Discovery Tower...

:yes:

[CALMSP]

tell ya what.......the Kirby/Westheimer corner sure does look different with 2727 and the.............across the street (drawing a blank here).

[KevinFromTexas]

Great pics. The weather today was beautiful across Texas. Perfect photography weather.

[Great_Hizzy]

tell ya what.......the Kirby/Westheimer corner sure does look different with 2727 and the.............across the street (drawing a blank here).

West Ave.


And, yeah, Kevin the weather was great yesterday. No real reason to stick around the hacienda other than maybe to watch the Final Four (even though Texas didn't make it).

[Wattleigh]

Transwestern broke gorund this past week on a new tower in West Houston.

I drove through that way earlier this afternoon and it looks like they've already moved some of the equipment onto the corner of the site. Interestingly enough, a number of the trees away from the densely wooded area are marked around with that orange netting, so it looks like they're going to save those.

Just up the road, there's now a fence up around that piece of land where Three Eldridge Place is going to be. Since there's one of those stormwater permit things attached to the fence, something should probably be happening soon... that's how things seem to work out most times it seems.

Didn't realize how many lowrise projects were going up in the Enclave either. Seemed like there was 4 or 5 I can remember right off the top of my head.

[towersla]

Just returned from my second visit to Houston. In January I stayed at the JW Marriott at the Galleria. This time I was across the street from One Park Place at the Four Seasons. It was a bit shocking to see the hugh power grid block across the street from the new Hilton. The sidewalks were as deserted this time downtown as they were in January. Not trying to diss the city, was just discouraged by what seemed like lots of fortress architecture. On another note, the downtown library interiors impress on a thoroughly original level.

[photolitherland]

That side of town never has any foot traffic or any traffic other then when theres a convention. But once DG is done and a few more towers appear in that area then there will be some, but there needs to be shopping in that area and residential buildings, but with One park place coming in, it will bring in some action to that area.

[Xeelee]

That side of town never has any foot traffic or any traffic other then when theres a convention. But once DG is done and a few more towers appear in that area then there will be some, but there needs to be shopping in that area and residential buildings, but with One park place coming in, it will bring in some action to that area.

Perhaps there is something more we can do.

[Complex01]

No one really lives in that area. People do live across the other side of 59, but there needs to be more shops and resaurants to bring people to that immediate area. I could image like a whole bunch of condo towers all over that area if only they would build them...

:yes:

[CALMSP]

yes, the park will only truly be successful if there is more dense living downtown. high rise condos are necessary around the park to increase traffic.

[rdavis4559]

This photo is from 1988... unfortunately, after the boom in the early 80's, our skyline is different but not significantly so.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Houston%2C_TX_skyline_from_freeway.jpg

[rdavis4559]

002houston magazine has a good summary of some of the projects going on right now:
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(61).htm
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(62).htm
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(63).htm
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(64).htm

Why haven't I heard more about Americas Plaza?

[toxteth o'grady]

It doesn't qualify as tall, but it's big news nonetheless. Especially as far as the airport goes...:banana:

http://images.chron.com/photos/2008/04/07/10760369/311xInlineGallery.jpg

$1.2 billion overhaul set for Bush Intercontinental (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5679365.html)

The city and Continental Airlines today announced a $1.2 billion overhaul of Terminal B at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, expected to take seven to 10 years.

The Houston Airport System and Continental Airlines will jointly pay to expand Terminal B from 360,000 square feet to 1.7 million square feet.

Continental will put up more than half the financing for Terminal B improvements through bonds, with the city doing the rest. A new $3 passenger facility fee, like one that is in place at Hobby Airport, also will help fund the makeover. No such fee is in place now at Intercontinental.

Continental is the terminal's sole tenant. Houston-based Continental Express, the airline's regional carrier largely operated by ExpressJet, occupies the facility.

The massive overhaul, which anticipates continued growth at Houston's largest airport, will include additional gates and a second Federal Inspection Services facility for U.S. Customs, indicating plans for international flights from the terminal.

The plans call for the number of gates to grow from some 40 to between 60 and 65.

"Houston's airport system is among the world's strongest and fastest-growing and this will help us keep it that way," Mayor Bill White said. "And as we prepare for the future, the city is happy to continue its strong partnership with Continental Airlines."

Intercontinental is the largest of the four hubs for Continental, which also concentrates operations in Cleveland, Newark, N.J., and Guam.

Continental operates 740 flights out of Houston to 179 nonstop destinations throughout the United States and internationally, and the airport is considered especially valuable as a gateway to Latin America...

[KevinFromTexas]

@ rdavis4559, you can see the Reliant Energy Center before they added the crown.

[JMancuso]

then that pic is older than 1998...reliant energy got it's crown in 1994-1996 and judging by the cars (all 80's era cars), it looks more like 1988.

[rdavis4559]

then that pic is older than 1998...reliant energy got it's crown in 1994-1996 and judging by the cars (all 80's era cars), it looks more like 1988.

I said 1988. See above ^

Also, here is one of the Houston Pavilions skywalks. They've covered most of it in glass.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00364.jpg

[Complex01]

002houston magazine has a good summary of some of the projects going on right now:
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(61).htm
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(62).htm
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(63).htm
http://www.002mag.com/mag/current/pages/hi_res%20(64).htm

Why haven't I heard more about Americas Plaza?

Very Nice.

Yeah this Americas Plaza is news to me...

:cool:

[Xeelee]

Nice pics. :)

[Xeelee]

Ah yes. Americas Plaza. This is the old Mercado Del Sol thing if I remember correctly...

[rdavis4559]

And here are a few shots of OPP from the Park Shops
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00366.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00367.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00368.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00369.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00370.jpg

[JMancuso]

I said 1988. See above ^

that you did. my bad.

[CALMSP]

does anyone else have any more info regarding this "America Plaza"???? I bought a townhome just down navigation, and have not heard of this.

[Xeelee]

does anyone else have any more info regarding this "America Plaza"???? I bought a townhome just down navigation, and have not heard of this.

It looks like a redo of Mercado del Sol. Looks like they're going to clean it up alot.

[rdavis4559]

This is all I could find about the Americas thing:

After three years of struggling to make his east-side investment flourish, Alan Atkinson of the TransAmerica Group has signed a deal to sell one of the main towers that make up The Americas -- the old El Mercado del Sol complex.

Hoping to capitalize on the new economy, a subsidiary of New York-based Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds is under contract to purchase the 200,000-square-foot-concrete building, develop an additional 50,000 square feet, and turn the once-neglected building into a "carrier hotel."

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2000/06/12/story1.html

[rdavis4559]

Agency calls for rejection of Galveston Island project

GALVESTON — A permit request for the largest development ever proposed on Galveston Island should be rejected because it fails to fully consider damage to wildlife, wetlands and coastal prairies, according to a recommendation by a state agency.

In a letter obtained by the Houston Chronicle through a public information request, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reject an application by the Marquette Cos. to develop 1,154 acres.

The project, known as the Preserve at West Beach, proposes nearly 4,000 dwellings, two 15-story beach hotels, a marina and possibly a golf course to be built as market conditions allow.

Spanning an undeveloped area on the island's west end from West Galveston Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, the project also includes a 361-acre nature preserve.

The Galveston City Council approved the project last year, subject to clearance by the Corps of Engineers, despite widespread public opposition from environmentalists and others who said it would destroy wildlife habitat and wetlands. The notoriety of the project has made it an issue in the May 10 City Council election.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5688515.html

[photolitherland]

Man, I hope that Galveston development goes under, I am really hating how that end of the island is turning out. It used to be so beautiful and full of wildlife, not its just turning into some crappy urban sprawl suburb looking thing. I wish someone would step in and preserve that land from development. Dont get me wrong, Im all for development, high rises and density, but I hate seeing it spread like a disease across the land. It needs to stay in downtown areas and not destroy the last vestiges of pristine land in Houston.

[rdavis4559]

Soaring costs of materials delay city projects
Public, private sectors suffering from rapid hikes

Rising prices for steel, concrete and oil are swelling the city's capital improvement budget, forcing the delay of dozens of projects, city officials said Friday.

"Steel and cement are crazy," said James Tillman IV, director of the city's Capital Improvement Program. "In previous CIPs and previous years we could build a pretty nice fire station for $3 million. Now, we're having trouble building one for less than $5 million."

Tillman said there are many reasons for construction delays and cost increases, including unforeseen problems that appear mid-project or changes in codes and laws. But material construction costs seem to be a prevalent problem challenging both the private and public sectors nationwide.

Rebar prices have risen from $700 per ton to $1,000 in four months, said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, a construction trade group. Diesel prices are rising faster than gasoline prices, he added, forcing governments to pay more to operate dump trucks, concrete mixers and cranes.

On Wednesday, the City Council could adopt a new five-year $4.43 billion capital improvement plan.

Despite the construction challenges, the city is working to keep the capital planning process running smoothly. A study of 245 projects that were carried over from last year's CIP shows more than two-thirds remain on schedule. But 44 percent of the projects increased in costs, while almost 19 percent dropped. The cumulative effect was a 7 percent increase worth $91 million, according to Webb Mitchell, the city's CIP manager.

Among the projects in the proposed five-year plan:

•$12 million for utility and street upgrades on the east side of downtown for a "new multipurpose sport and entertainment venue."
•$125 million to replace bridges along Sims and Brays bayous.
•$34 million for a new police radio system.
•$10 million to renovate the Julia Ideson Library.
•$10 million to restore the Gregory School as an African-American archives and cultural center.
More than 60 percent of the capital spending will occur within so-called enterprise funds involving airport, convention and entertainment facilities, water and wastewater. Those funds operate separately from the city's general fund.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5695122.html

[Von]

hey guys so I had to go to work this saturday and I saw that they were taking down some of the cranes in the Pavillions... so I wasted no time to take some pictures of that... but one I have a crappy phone with crappy cam and two I was late for work so I couldn't really stop, I was taking pics as I walked:Phttp://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/f637b175589b.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/f8a1af45e0e1.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/d8b8b20b5e28.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/c1c86a51b9b8.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/252db269ac23.jpgand as you can see on this pictures...they're already putting up some glass on the bridge!
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/08ded63d2f65.jpg

[Great_Hizzy]

Yep. Now it's time for the claddings and exterior touches.

[rdavis4559]

Finalists selected for Dynamo stadium design
Houston Business Journal - by Greg Barr

Interviews were under way Tuesday with five finalists vying to design the proposed downtown soccer stadium that would be home to the Houston Dynamo.

A spokeswoman for Colorado-based ICON Venue Group, the developer in charge of the project, told the Houston Business Journal that the finalists include two local architectural firms that are partnering with national firms on their bids.

The Major League Soccer team, which currently plays home games at Robertson Stadium, is close to working out a deal with the City of Houston which is close to finalizing the acquisition of a chunk of prime acreage near Minute Maid Park for the $80 million stadium, which could open as early as 2010.

The Dynamo wants to have an architect in hand as it continues to negotiate the stadium financing package in which the club and the City would share the cost of the project, according to team President Oliver Luck.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/04/14/daily19.html?ana=from_rss

[rdavis4559]

From HAIF this morning:
Katy prairie someday may be an angler's paradise
Commissioner must find money to excavate five Astrodomes of dirt.

Out on prairie as flat as a polished dining room table, where he has no river or even rivulet to dam, Commissioner Steve Radack intends to dig a hole and build a 500-acre lake that will teem with sportfish and lure anglers from afar.

Radack has defied nature before — his Precinct 3 is building a nearly 50-foot-high soap box derby hill in equally flat Hockley. But the proposed lake dwarfs the soap box derby in scope and cost, the way a trophy bass does a minnow.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=15670

Also, here are some pics from this morning:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00372.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00373.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00375.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00376.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00377.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00378.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00379.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00380.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00381.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00383.jpg

[Great_Hizzy]

My plan was to pull out my new camera this afternoon and take some shots of the progress at Houston Pavillions and Main Place but I was in a rush and left it sitting on the kitchen counter. :(

Maybe later this week, given the fabulous weather.