[weatherguru18]

More commercial development slated for The Woodlands? Buildings ranging from six to 16 stories may be slated for the garden district of The Woodlands, known as East Shore. This would be between Grogan's Mill and Lake Woodlands Drive. The office structures would be taller along Grogan's Mill than at the lake itself, but definitely interesting. This along with US Onochology, the 20-story condo, the five story HMNS Building and observation tower, and the numerous Waterway Buildings (aka 24 Waterway) that are nearing completion are just beginning. It's more like "The Woodless"

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/woodlands/news/5782111.html

[Double L]

Actually, I really like that parking garage...and I think it's good to see The Woodlands urbanize as long as it is in the town center.

[Great_Hizzy]

This hasn't been posted here yet so I'll do it:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/5783827.html

Houston-based apartment developer The Hanover Co. is planning a 37-story residential tower near the corner of Post Oak Boulevard and San Felipe.

The high-rise will be part of BLVD Place, a mixed-use development under construction at the high-profile intersection.

The building will have 236 apartments that will be larger than typical rental units, the developer said.

Solomon Cordwell Buenz of Chicago designed the glass tower, which will have "boutique hotel style" amenities, including a concierge and bellman, as well as a lounge and catering kitchen.

A 19,000-square-foot rooftop pool terrace will be atop an attached parking garage.

Construction will start this fall, with the project is set to open in 2011.

It will sit behind a Whole Foods Market, shops and restaurants that are planned for BLVD Place, a portion of which is under construction.

Wulfe & Co. is developing the 21-acre project. It's expected to have 500,000-square-feet of retail space, 200,000 square feet of office space and a hotel with condos.

[Shasta]

Here's a rendering for the above mentioned 37 story apartment tower by Hanover.

http://images.chron.com/photos/2008/05/15/11287554/311xInlineGallery.jpg

[Xeelee]

looks good.

[Complex01]

37 stories is not bad, good for the area. Should have a good selling point being in walking distance to lots of shops and restaurants...

:yes:

[vjhe]

Lovely! I'm glad it's glass.

[Great_Hizzy]

I'm anxious to see some more renders. I tend to believe some of the detailing isn't detectable with the current rendering. The design is compelling but it doesn't quite look like a residential tower in this particular image.

[Saddle Man]

I do like it, but I'd love something in stone with a nice lit top.

[Texas Tuff]

Nice!!!! BTW, has anyone heard anything more about the proposed 55 to 60 storey Ritz-Carlton?? If I remember correctly, wasn't it part of the Blvd. Place proposal?

[c4smok]

I was hearing the ritz was going to be more around 35-45 floors..

[weatherguru18]

I was hearing the ritz was going to be more around 35-45 floors..

I actually heard that it was now going to be two 30-story towers. What is it with buildings being built at 30 stories? 6 Houston Center, Discovery Tower, 2727 Kirby, most of the buildings in the Med Center are just under 30 stories. Also to include Turnberry, the new one going up on Memorial, or the 35-story at Gessner. Can we just not build higher than that? It's rather annoying. I was shocked as hell at 46-story Mainplace.

[Wattleigh]

I actually heard that it was now going to be two 30-story towers. What is it with buildings being built at 30 stories? 6 Houston Center, Discovery Tower, 2727 Kirby, most of the buildings in the Med Center are just under 30 stories. Also to include Turnberry, the new one going up on Memorial, or the 35-story at Gessner. Can we just not build higher than that? It's rather annoying. I was shocked as hell at 46-story Mainplace.

Ha. I've read this somewhere before... :rolleyes:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=6106&view=findpost&p=234712

[Trae]

I was hearing the ritz was going to be more around 35-45 floors..

Still has pretty good height.

[JMancuso]

nothing wrong with 30 stories. houston already has plenty of 50+ stories that a bunch of 30 story buildings will nicely round out the skyline.

[toxteth o'grady]

BTW, has anyone heard anything more about the proposed 55 to 60 storey Ritz-Carlton??

There was originally talk of a 55-story Boulevard Place condo, but I think this 37-story proposal supplants it. Oh well...

[Trae]

Some new Regent Square renderings:

http://www.regentsq.com/index.swf

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298798_3814.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)


http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298800_4411.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30298805&id=159900085&op=1&view=all&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)


http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298801_4748.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)

(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298799_4138.jpg


(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298802_5070.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)

(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298803_1334.jpg
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)
(http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298806_2453.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298804_1668.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30296839&id=159900085&op=1&view=user&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298807_2789.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30298805&id=159900085&op=1&view=all&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v286/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30298808_3221.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30298805&id=159900085&op=1&view=all&subj=2224053172&aid=-1&oid=2224053172)

[Saddle Man]

Those buildings would look even better if they were all topped with Green roofs.

[CALMSP]

it appears that one of htem has pools on the top, and i hope that more of them have green roofs like you say!!

[toxteth o'grady]

Those buildings would look even better if they were all topped with Green roofs.

But then those parked cars would kill all the grass...:D

[toxteth o'grady]

"Some new Regent Square renderings:"

Looks very European. As do all renderings...

[TexasBoi]

Is this inside the loop?

[Wattleigh]

Is this inside the loop?

Yes, along Allen Pkwy. 2 miles west of DT.

[latennisguy]

what is the status of Regent Square? looking at the website...it looks like it was proposed in Jan. of '07.

[Trae]

It is moving forward. They redesigned the website and I think the apartments where this thing will be built on are closed now. They have been demolished I think already.

[rdavis4559]

I found this awesome picture:

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs10/i/2006/115/c/5/Houston__Texas_by_gramdav.jpg

There are many more here:
http://browse.deviantart.com/photography/architecture/exterior/?catpath=photography%2Farchitecture%2Fexterior%2F&q=houston

[TexasBoi]

So many lots to develop on. So much potential.

[JMancuso]

^ well, the pavillions have taken up three of them plus there's discovery tower, park place and 6 houston center. plus, i'm sure once those are done, more investment will use up even more empty lots.

[Complex01]

I was about to say the same thing. 5 Lots have hit the dust for sure. More to follow...

:yes:

[rdavis4559]

I guess it all depends on whether you want a small DT with no room to grow but up or a large DT with lots of outward development but more numerous yet lower buildings.

[CALMSP]

i like it that some ofthe renderings show it to be a 6 or 7 stories tall!!

[Wattleigh]

More on the updated look of Regent Square...

http://swamplot.com/the-new-regent-square-details-and-drawings/2008-05-27/#more-2097

[TexasBoi]

More on the updated look of Regent Square...

http://swamplot.com/the-new-regent-square-details-and-drawings/2008-05-27/#more-2097 (http://swamplot.com/the-new-regent-square-details-and-drawing 08-05-27/#more-2097)

Seems like the comments on that blog are not to fond with the development. One of them makes an interesting point though with the arcades or overheads protecting pedestrians from rain or just helping them out in the humidity.

[TexasPlaya]

Seems like the comments on that blog are not to fond with the development. One of them makes an interesting point though with the arcades or overheads protecting pedestrians from rain or just helping them out in the humidity.

Yea when I envision walkable neighbors, I envision overhangs. However, I'm pretty excited to see the new renderings of this.

[CHAPINM1]

Hines Signs Lease With KPMG LLP for MainPlace in Houston

5/27/08
(HOUSTON) – The Houston office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that they have signed a lease with KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, for 108,904 square feet on the top four floors of MainPlace. The 46-story, one million-square-foot office building is under construction at 811 Main in downtown Houston. KPMG LLP, which is currently located in Bank of America Center, will relocate to MainPlace upon building completion in 2011.

http://www.hines.com/press/releases/5-29-08.aspx

[Trae]

So about 10% of the building is leased now. Good.

[CHAPINM1]

So about 10% of the building is leased now. Good.

All the rest will eventually fall right into place before long... ;)

[toxteth o'grady]

Well, they have three years to work on those occupancy numbers...

Top floors, eh? Should be some nice lease rates up in the stratosphere.:cool:

[c4smok]

http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Lg_01.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Lg_03.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Lg_07.jpg

final BLVD Place design maybe..

[Texas Tuff]

Wow, I sure hope that's the final Blvd. Place design. If I remember correctly the tallest building in the rendering above is that awesome looking Ritz-Carlton hotel proposal I saw several months ago that I heard had been scrubbed. I'll cross my fingers!!!

:yes:

[Xeelee]

looks good. :)

[Bailey]

BLVD Place looks to be a separate use development. 2/3/4 story retail with an office tower and a residential/hotel tower on the site but not mix use with residential above the retail. Is this correct- Does anyone have the specifics of this project?

So, for those keeping up on these large urban projects we have:

City Center (Town and Country)
Kirby at Westheimer
Regent Square
Oaks District
Mid Town Super Block
Blvd. Place
Sonoma
Fingers Lot
...and I guess the Hardy Rail Yard will remain a pipe dream unless a developer realizes the potential of the site and resurrects it.

Dis I miss any? This city is going to look a little different in the 2010's with the impact of these type of projects.

[TexasPlaya]

BLVD Place looks to be a separate use development. 2/3/4 story retail with an office tower and a residential/hotel tower on the site but not mix use with residential above the retail. Is this correct- Does anyone have the specifics of this project?

So, for those keeping up on these large urban projects we have:

City Center (Town and Country)
Kirby at Westheimer
Regent Square
Oaks District
Mid Town Super Block
Blvd. Place
Sonoma
Fingers Lot
...and I guess the Hardy Rail Yard will remain a pipe dream unless a developer realizes the potential of the site and resurrects it.

Dis I miss any? This city is going to look a little different in the 2010's with the impact of these type of projects.

I think the Memorial City area is going to look the most different by 2010. You have City Center at I-10 and BW8 and the new Memorial Hermann complex off I-10. Not to mention Memorial City mall, which keeps updating and expanding. By the way, does anyone know if the area on the mall side of the pedestrian bridge over Gessner (sp?) is going to be developed on?

I can't think of any other large projects.

[rdavis4559]

Mac Haik Realty Ltd. has broken ground on a new Embassy Suites Hotel in Energy Plaza.

The 14-story, 216-room hotel, which also features a two level parking garage, is slated to open in October 2009.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/06/02/daily52.html?ana=from_rss

[Great_Hizzy]

Energy Tower III? I don't see the room. Or did I miss something in the article that talked about them demolishing what's on the adjacent properties?

[Wattleigh]

Energy Tower III? I don't see the room. Or did I miss something in the article that talked about them demolishing what's on the adjacent properties?

Since the used car dealership (Mac Haik?) has vacated the lot directly in front the part of the site already under construction, I'm going to guess it might be cleared away as things progress.

[rdavis4559]

There is nothing new here but Uptown Houston's website gives a good breakdown of development:
http://www.uptown-houston.com/economic/development.html

[Reverberation]

More on the Embassy Suites in the Energy Corridor.
Mac Haik Realty is developing a 216-room Embassy Suites hotel in the Energy Corridor.
MAC HAIK REALTY

http://images.chron.com/photos/2008/06/05/11565705/311xInlineGallery.jpg


June 6, 2008, 6:53PM
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Hotel to cater to Energy Corridor clients


By KATHERINE FESER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Mac Haik Realty is developing an Embassy Suites hotel to cater to customers in west Houston's growing Energy Corridor.

The hotel will be part of the firm's Energy Plaza development at the northwest corner of Interstate 10 and Kirkwood.

The 216-room, 14-story hotel at 11730 Interstate 10 is Mac Haik's third project in the development and will be situated just east of two office buildings. Energy Tower I, a 345,000-square-foot, 14-story building, is 100 percent leased, and Energy Tower II, a 428,979-square-foot, 17-story building under construction, is 90 percent preleased.

"We feel like the area has really matured and developed," Haik said. "We wanted to have a nice hotel to complement our office park."

Technip USA is the main tenant in Energy Tower I, occupying about 55 percent of the building. The company, which provides engineering services for offshore oil and gas platforms, has signed up for 15 floors in Energy Tower II.

The developer is considering a third building, which could be a twin tower to the 17-story building or could be expanded.

Mac Haik Project Management is leading the project team. Lyda Swinerton Builders is the general contractor, and Mitchell Carlson Stone is the architectural firm. John Burke with Northmarq Capital arranged financing with Amegy Bank.

The hotel is expected to open in October 2009. The ownership entity is Energy Plaza Hotel Investments.

KATHERINE FESER

katherine.feser@chron.com

[TexasPlaya]

How tall is this "Ritz" going to be? Looks like it could be the second tallest in Uptown.

[Complex01]

:previous:

I am curious about the height as well. It does look like it has some good height to it from the rendering...

[Xeelee]

That Mack Haik building looks almost exactly like the Aker Maritime building there.

[CALMSP]

whats the latest on the Embassy downtown???

[Wattleigh]

whats the latest on the Embassy downtown???

*Speculation*Speculation*Speculation*

The reason that nothing has happened on the site yet probably has to do with the fact that Harvey Builders is using about 1/3 of the lot for their vehicles and employees that are working on One Park Place across the street. Once they finish the garage, they'll probably start using it and the whole site might open up to construction.

Again, just a guess on my part.

[Xeelee]

Well let's hope it comes through... :)

[Complex01]

I know. I have been wandering whats going on as well. Time for some more dirt to move. Slowly Discovery green is going to be boxed in...

[Wattleigh]

Considering it's listed on the Future Openings site, I'm not worried at the moment. The one that's already under construction is also listed for the 2009 list.

http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/promotions/esnewhotels/index.jhtml

[Xeelee]

Ah... I think there was some debate on its floorcount/height. I think I heard 25? Anyone have a better idea?

[Wattleigh]

Ah... I think there was some debate on its floorcount/height. I think I heard 25? Anyone have a better idea?

Nope, it's always been 22.

[rdavis4559]

Moody Gardens looks to bring arctic to Galveston
Building would be home to polar bears, walruses, beluga whales and other animals

By HARVEY RICE
GALVESTON — An icy glacier may soon be rising among the palm trees on Galveston Island.

Moody Gardens is proposing to spend as much as $150 million to construct a building that could take the shape of a glistening glacier to shelter re-created arctic climates, from snowy ice packs to frozen tundra.

The crystalline building will be home to polar bears, walruses, beluga whales, arctic foxes, gray wolves, northern fur seals and snowy owls living in enclosures that closely model their natural environments, Moody Gardens Inc. Chairman Doug McLeod said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5832474.html

[Shasta]

This just popped up over at HAIF; a 26 story office tower with ground floor retail for 3100 Post Oak Blvd near the Lakes on Post Oak.

Restaurant space over looking the lake
http://www.hicksventures.com/images/restaurant.jpg

Office Tower
http://www.hicksventures.com/images/rendering_f6.jpg

http://www.hicksventures.com/images/rendering_f7.jpg

[Von]

omg eventhough is short I love this building ..so green! and I love how the light rail looks like a bullet train and I love the restaurant facing the river! when does this baby gets built?!

[HOUSTONIAN57]

:slob: Im not too excited about this building.

[Complex01]

I think it looks fine. I read on swamplot that it was only 17 stories? But I counted the floors it’s definitely not 17. Very Kewl. Another one in the galleria...

:yes:

[Trae]

:slob: Im not too excited about this building.

Why not? Especially if the 80-story tower is going next to it.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

Im very exciting about the 80-story tower but not about that building because I dont like the design of it, and btw is there new information on that 80 story tower???I think us Houstonians need another TALL tower.

[Reverberation]

Not to play spoiler but I heard that Hicks dropped the project due to lack of an equity partner. It may be back though. Also, I question whether Deyaar is going to toss up an 80 story tower. Their CEO has been charged with "Financial Irregularities" and given the history of the site, they may be just sitting on it to make a quick flip.

You never know though.

[Xeelee]

it's not too bad looking for a bland box. 80 storys???

[Texas Tuff]

I must have missed something in these threads, what 80 storey tower proposal are you guys referring to????

[HOUSTONIAN57]

I must have missed something in these threads, what 80 storey tower proposal are you guys referring to????

Maybe this will help you....


http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=14547

[Texas Tuff]

Maybe this will help you....


http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=14547

Thanks for the link. After checking it out on HAIF I do remember reading about this proposal now, I either forgot about it or I'm losing my mind! :koko:

[Reverberation]

It isn't a proposal from what I have heard. They bought the land and have hinted at building up. Nothing has been "proposed." Fingers are crossed though. Uptown could use some new Class A.

[Shasta]

Some details about what is being built at the City Centre in West Memorial area.

024

250 urban styled lofts on 4 floors in multiple buildings located over ground floor retail. Currently under construction.
http://www.midwaycompanies.com/images/featuredprojects/024/1.jpg

Hotel Sorella by Valencia

12 total floors. Ground floor retail and restaurant space. 245 luxury hotel rooms located on floors 2 thru 10. Luxury residences on floors 11 and 12. Currently under construction.
http://www.midwaycompanies.com/images/featuredprojects/hotelsorella/1.jpg

[tsref56]

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8010/houstondiagramjg6.th.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=houstondiagramjg6.jpg)

[TexasPlaya]

Some details about what is being built at the City Centre in West Memorial area.

024

250 urban styled lofts on 4 floors in multiple buildings located over ground floor retail. Currently under construction.
http://www.midwaycompanies.com/images/featuredprojects/024/1.jpg

Hotel Sorella by Valencia

12 total floors. Ground floor retail and restaurant space. 245 luxury hotel rooms located on floors 2 thru 10. Luxury residences on floors 11 and 12. Currently under construction.
http://www.midwaycompanies.com/images/featuredprojects/hotelsorella/1.jpg

Where are those lofts going to be built? Like along the Beltway Side... or what?

[Wattleigh]

It's good to finally see some more concrete renderings of that hotel especially since the only version beforehand seemed to be from that one master overhead view.

As for the lofts, both have access from Queensbury Lane. The closest to the beltway is actually just behind the Lifetime Fitness trailer at the feeder. The other building is close to the center of the site at Town & Country Boulevard.

[Von]

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8010/houstondiagramjg6.th.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=houstondiagramjg6.jpg)

omg did you made those? I didn't know about so many buildings that are there ! that first building do you have any other info on it?

[Texas Tuff]

It isn't a proposal from what I have heard. They bought the land and have hinted at building up. Nothing has been "proposed." Fingers are crossed though. Uptown could use some new Class A.

That would be awesome if they do eventually build something really tall there and of course the new Ritz-Carlton is being talked about over at BLVD place which alone would also make a huge impact on the uptown skyline. Hopefully they'll do both.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

omg did you made those? I didn't know about so many buildings that are there ! that first building do you have any other info on it?

That first building is reliant energy plaza...but he has two...one on top of the other....why???

[bofways]

i am not feelin the exterior of the hotel. Its so plain compared to the other Valencia Hotels.

[Von]

lol duh Von...I was all excited:P

[vjhe]

This just popped up over at HAIF; a 26 story office tower with ground floor retail for 3100 Post Oak Blvd near the Lakes on Post Oak.

Restaurant space over looking the lake
http://www.hicksventures.com/images/restaurant.jpg

Office Tower
http://www.hicksventures.com/images/rendering_f6.jpg

http://www.hicksventures.com/images/rendering_f7.jpg

I love that a building is going in that location, and the idea of a restuarant by that lake is fanstastic, but my God, will someone break the mediocre design stronghold on the city of Houston? This building design could have been so much better. I think a building similar to Terminus 100 in Buckhead would have suited my taste for that location.

I tell ya' , for every 2727 Kirby, and Mainplace in Houston, there are 10 mediocre siblings.:yuck:

[Complex01]

That first building is reliant energy plaza...but he has two...one on top of the other....why???

I was thinking about the same thing. Great rendering thourgh.

On another note i went to Discovery Green tonite, i wanted to see the park at night. It was so nice. They have some blue lights that outline the lake. They looks so awesome. It really is a great place...

:yes:

[Xeelee]

lolnice

[rdavis4559]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMG00389.jpg

[Complex01]

Hey look at that. I say its time for another DT residential tower...

:yes:

[Xeelee]

I concur

[HOUSTONIAN57]

One Park Place is nearly complete!


:D

[Texas Tuff]

Looking good!!

[Von]

when is it suppose to be complete??

[Complex01]

Highland Tower (http://highland-tower.com/) is a Go...

A construction permit for Pelican Builders’ Highland Tower was approved by the city last week. Its a nice one...


:tup:

A rendering from Swamplot...

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/highland-tower-full.jpg

[pm91]

i need help. how do you get pics from your "My Pics" to here?

[Xeelee]

i need help. how do you get pics from your "My Pics" to here?

Use www.photobucket.com


it's free. :)

[Xeelee]

Highland Tower (http://highland-tower.com/) is a Go...

A construction permit for Pelican Builders’ Highland Tower was approved by the city last week. Its a nice one...


:tup:

A rendering from Swamplot...

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/highland-tower-full.jpg

not too bad.

[TexasPlaya]

Most be a slow week in Houston development, hasn't been a post in three days. We need to start to some bickering about building designs, why HP won't help downtown, etc. in order to liven up this thread. That is, unless, someone has some news about a Houston a project.

[Xeelee]

Most be a slow week in Houston development, hasn't been a post in three days. We need to start to some bickering about building designs, why HP won't help downtown, etc. in order to liven up this thread. That is, unless, someone has some news about a Houston a project.

I wish it would but it's not going to help downtown... UGH

[Wattleigh]

I wish it would but it's not going to help downtown... UGH

LOL.

[Great_Hizzy]

Heh.

[guess]

Most be a slow week in Houston development, hasn't been a post in three days. We need to start to some bickering about building designs, why HP won't help downtown, etc. in order to liven up this thread.

Well, Houston Pavilions is replacing parking lots, so I guess it can't make downtown any worse. On the other hand, I don't like the final design. A two story building fronting Main, yeah, that's a great use of prime real estate.

I was looking forward to the residential component, not because I cared how it would effect the retail, but because it looked like somewhere I would like to live. And I don't understand the attitude of saying it might be a good thing that the Pavilions is smaller because it ups the chance of developments on other empty lots.

New retail downtown will help, but it doesn't change the fact that the Pavilions final design is a disappointment from what it could have been. And I don't think there is anything wrong with pointing that out. I actually think that two or three different projects on those blocks would have been a better plan.

[photolitherland]

Yes, the side wall on the Pavilions is just atrocious, I was in Houston about a month ago and One Park Place was looking good but I was very disappointed with the pavilions. Im sure it will liven up the western end of main but still it could have been so much more. I do like how there are overpasses over the street though, it makes it seem more enclosed and more like a dense development.

I remember when I first moved to Houston about 10 years ago and since then downtown has totally transformed from a hobo infested crapper to having a wonderfully lively night club scene in just a few years. Theres still tons of hobos and crappy areas but that will change, especially if the Dynamo stadium comes in too. I wish I was still living there to take pictures and to see the transformation, but alas, I am stuck in redneck Arkansas for now.:help:

[TexasPlaya]

Well, Houston Pavilions is replacing parking lots, so I guess it can't make downtown any worse. On the other hand, I don't like the final design. A two story building fronting Main, yeah, that's a great use of prime real estate.

I was looking forward to the residential component, not because I cared how it would effect the retail, but because it looked like somewhere I would like to live. And I don't understand the attitude of saying it might be a good thing that the Pavilions is smaller because it ups the chance of developments on other empty lots.

New retail downtown will help, but it doesn't change the fact that the Pavilions final design is a disappointment from what it could have been. And I don't think there is anything wrong with pointing that out. I actually think that two or three different projects on those blocks would have been a better plan.

I just don't think we'll have a significant residential population in downtown when there are so many options outsides of downtown (heights, washington blvd, midtown, eastside, etc.). Just too much competition in my opinion.