[JMancuso]

recession or no recession, the TMC has no shortage of growth.

[TXLove]

recession or no recession, the TMC has no shortage of growth.

So true, I stayed at the Holiday Inn Hotel at Holocomb and Main a few weeks back and could not stay out of the window of my 11th floor room facing north. The amount of construction in the area is massive to say the least!!

Great updates Wattleigh

[Complex01]

They are great updates. Med Center is just booming along. Its great to know that its keep Houston going...

:tup:

[vjhe]

The construction is very exciting but I would rather see the buildings in all glass rather than that beige stone. I know there is a shortage of materials but it seems other cities have just gone to all glass as a alternative to the beige stuff. I find the new buildings in the Memorial City area to be tragic.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

New info on EarthQuest from: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/02/13/kingwood_observer/news/08realtor.txt

The plans for the much anticipated Earth Quest Adventures, slated to be constructed in East Montgomery County, are closer to reality with the fast-approaching ground breaking scheduled for the fall.

East Montgomery County Improvement District President and CEO Frank McCrady discussed the plans for the dinosaur-themed park and museum with the Kingwood Realtor Advisory Board Feb. 12.

“We have had board meetings and developer meetings; in two weeks the EMCID board will be issuing bonds on the project,” McCrady said. “The Houston market is ready, willing and able to accept a thematic theme park and destination place to go in regards to any type of recreational activity.”

The Earth Quest Adventures project will be located north of Kingwood, at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.

The design process for some of the rides and areas of the park are still in the design process but for the most part, the schematics for Earth Quest are complete.

“The project is moving forward and we are expected to break ground on Earth Quest either the end of this fiscal year or the first quarter of 2010,” McCrady said.

The park is scheduled to open for the public in 2011 or 2012.

The dinosaur theme park will be situated toward the rear of the park and will feature several roller coasters that will go in and around the mountains constructed as a part of the theme.

There will be a temperate side of the mountain which will simulate a rain-forest like atmosphere, another side will showcase volcano-like activity and yet another side will feature a snowy climate.

“There are different components for each side and a centerpiece connecting all the different parts, which is like the center of the park,” McCrady said.

The actual park itself is around 200 acres and several hotels are already slated to be built around the park including a hotel featuring rooms situated in the tree tops that offer a view of the park.

Additionally, McCrady discussed the development of Valley Ranch where there is current retail development that will further enhance the theme of the community, a lifestyle center.

The retail centers in Valley Ranch will feature an outdoor shopping experience and offer shoppers outdoor places where they can relax and interact with friends and fellow shoppers.

Kyle Bauer, owner of QLS Family Fitness Health Complex, also addressed the luncheon, explaining the recent additions and expansion of their facility and the center’s dedication to the community.


________

Also ChannelTwoNews from HAIF stated that theres a sign that has been put up not to long ago on the site of SouthPointe; just some basic info. (Developers names, #s and the website.)

[Von]

sounds exciting! and great for Houston since Astroworld is gone and when there aren't that many theme parks around!

[CALMSP]

sounds exciting! and great for Houston since Astroworld is gone and when there aren't that many theme parks around!

and good thing they tore down Astroworld for that new beautiful................piece of grass??? WTF!!! :shrug:

[HOUSTONIAN57]

and good thing they tore down Astroworld for that new beautiful................piece of grass??? WTF!!! :shrug:


Well that "piece of grass" might not be there for long. Have you seen what may be taking its place???

[rdavis4559]

Downtown YMCA...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/mailgooglecom.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/mailgooglecom2.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/mailgooglecom3.jpg

[Complex01]

:previous:

Ohh there is going to be a new crane downtown and its gonna be blue. Very Kewl. I wander how tall its going to be...

:tup:

[Shasta]

I really hate the new Downtown YMCA. We're going to lose a historic 11 story tower by one of Houston's greatest architects for a generic 3 story that looks like it could go in Pearland, The Woodlands, or Sugar Land just as easily as downtown Houston. A real shame.

[CALMSP]

Well that "piece of grass" might not be there for long. Have you seen what may be taking its place???

no i have not.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

no i have not.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=114123&page=119

look at post #2374

[Complex01]

Some updates from the DownTown...

Discovery Tower aka Hess

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225d.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225e.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225g.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225f.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225c.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225a.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/DT0225h.jpg


The Main Place...

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/MP0225g.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/mp0225f.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/MP0225c.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/MP0225b.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/MP0225d.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/MP0225e.jpg


:wizard:

[TXLove]

Great updates Complex...can't wait until the towers are complete!!!

[()_T]

Is Westin in Seabrook still in the works? I've found more renderings that was'nt posted here; the one that was posted here looks to be slighty diffrent from the one I found.

Old rendering:
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/EndeavourSeabrook1.jpg

New Rendering:
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/A.jpg

Additional Renderings:
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Mixed-Use-Clear-Lake-1.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Mixed-Use-Clear-Lake-2.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Mixed-Use-Clear-Lake-3.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Mixed-Use-Clear-Lake-6.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Mixed-Use-Clear-Lake-7.jpg

[photolitherland]

Man, its been about a week since Ive been on here and Discovery Tower freakin exploded. Wow, it looks to be almost half way there already.

[CALMSP]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=114123&page=119

look at post #2374

wow........surprised I missed that!! This would be phenomenal. A great way to try and clean up that area. What are we looking at, 6 or 7 highrises??!! I also see they added an extension to wrap around the backside for the light rail.

[Complex01]

The crane is up fro the YMCA downtown...

[photolitherland]

So, is 6 Houston Centre dead or what? It was supposed to start construction last year but it never happened. :( Also, what happened with the downtown La Quinta Inn? I guess that one fell through the gaps too. Dammit, this economy bs really is getting on my nerves.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

So, is 6 Houston Centre dead or what? It was supposed to start construction last year but it never happened. :( Also, what happened with the downtown La Quinta Inn? I guess that one fell through the gaps too. Dammit, this economy bs really is getting on my nerves.


-6 Houston Center->Dead

-La Quinta Inn->Still in the works maybe? Idk

but, there's good news...

WEDGE Hotels Corporation is actively engaged in the pre-development process for a 240-room Hilton Garden Inn adjacent to WEDGE International Tower on Louisiana Street and Clay in downtown Houston, TX. Project is expected to break ground in 2009 and open in 2010. See rendering on right side of page.


http://www.wedgerealestateholdings.com/development.html

http://www.wedgerealestateholdings.com/images/dev1.jpg

This development will kill another parking lot if built. :)

[Complex01]

Oh yes another parking lot bites the dust. Hopefully...

:tup:

[photolitherland]

Wow! Awesome, if 6 Houston Center is dead than I dont care because the side of town where that hotel is going needs to lose some freakin parking lots. Thats all that side of town is is parking lots and decaying abandoned buildings that were built in the 50s. eeewww

[NThomas]

Oh yes another parking lot bites the dust. Hopefully...

:tup:

Score! :notacrook:

[HOUSTONIAN57]

More good news. :D

From Swamplot...

Here’s a surprise: a construction permit for a new 23-story Chinatown Asiatown condominium tower was issued yesterday for Park 8 Place. Remember Park8? That’s the freeway feeder megastrip project planned for just across Brays Bayou from Arthur Storey Park, along Beltway 8 south of Bellaire Blvd. The one that called itself “The Land of Oz.”

The entire development was supposed to include three 20-something-story residential towers, a hospital, two 2-story retail-and-office strips, and a couple of parking garages — all in a quaint freeway-and-park-side setting. A foundation was poured for the first condo building last year, but Park 8 CEO David Wu put the project on hold after he was unable to secure financing. So the construction crane came down.

If a single condo tower is the only piece of the project that’s now been funded, the result might be a little less overwhelming than the complex portrayed in this old Park 8 promotional video:

48eVh5LGNT4


According to the city report, yesterday’s permit cost Lyda Swinerton Builders more than $46K. The official address for the project is 8018 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. South.

Park8's website: http://www.park8.com/en/index.html

http://swamplot.com/the-land-of-oz-ready-t...3-13/#more-7304 (http://swamplot.com/the-land-of-oz-ready-to-rise-again/2009-03-13/#more-7304)

[()_T]

^^^^

I hope they build all three, instead of one. We'll see what happens.

____________

Thanks to burgeoning demand for the Museum's educational exhibitions and programs, we currently host 500,000 schoolchildren annually—in addition to more than 2.5 million other visitors. However, the Museum's current facilities were built to accommodate just 200,000 visitors a year.

Demand for the Museum's educational programs far outpaces available classroom space.

The current HMNS@100: Building for a Second Century of Science capital campaign is designed to provide funding for an expansion of the Museum's facilities that will better accommodate both our swelling numbers of visitors and the community's escalating interest in thought-provoking exhibitions and informative educational programs. We need your help to make these plans a reality for Houston's future. Get involved – and help us build for the next century of science education in Houston.

You can also celebrate our centennial at one hundred fun family events planned throughout 2009 and get an inside look at the Museum's vast collections—we've selected a hundred of the most compelling objects from millions of possibilities.

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/other%20things/hmns100-duncan.jpg
The Duncan Family Wing - part of the Museum's planned expansion.


http://www.hmns.org/images/HMNS100-image5.jpg

http://www.hmns.org/images/HMNS100-image1.jpg

http://www.hmns.org/see_do/hmns_at_one_hundred/support_hmns_100.asp

[raskacielos-houston]

Hess Tower, March 17, 2009

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture925.jpg

Texas Medical Center
Methodist Hospital - Outpatient Care Center

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture914.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture911.jpg

[Von]

MC is looking nice and so is Hess Tower.!!! but the Museum New Wing is kinda of plain:( I really don't like it for that area, it could of had a little bit more design to it..but oh well..
I was in downtown today and I saw that the old library is being remodel, ? they are taking the bricks down..does any one know anything about this?

[Sterling]

MC is looking nice and so is Hess Tower.!!! but the Museum New Wing is kinda of plain:( I really don't like it for that area, it could of had a little bit more design to it..but oh well..
I was in downtown today and I saw that the old library is being remodel, ? they are taking the bricks down..does any one know anything about this?

I am under the impression that the old library is being remodeled to include a wing and outdoor spaces that were designed but cut from the original construction. Also the interior will be restored and brought up to date mechanically, restoring parts of the original that were "fixed up" through the years. I believe it will house the Houston History Collection. Interestingly, they will seek historic landmark status for the new part, since it was part of the original designer's intent. That's not usually done. In fact, it is usually prohibited by current landmark guidelines. It looks like a great project.

[Von]

ah ok thanks:)

[Complex01]

ABC World News was in Houston today and tomorrow. They had some great skyline shots...

:tup:

[KevinFromTexas]

YES! I saw that. Man, that closing aerial over downtown was sweet. Texan empire. :cool:

[Dan Denson]

YES! I saw that. Man, that closing aerial over downtown was sweet. Texan empire. :cool:

Kevin I missed that closing shot! Had to run to the john and missed it. I liked that shot taken from I-45 north of downtown (wish Forbes had shown that view; other thread).

Looks like Charlie Gibson was at one of those vantage points on Allan Parkway. I'm wondering, though...it was just as windy there as here today, but I didn't notice his clothes or hair blowing around. Did you? I'm wondering if they superimposed him on the background. About 20 years ago, there was an international political summit at Rice Universtiy, and there was an article in the paper regarding how superimposing is often done in news reports (it was apparently done at the Rice summit). I would think it would be easy to do.

[Saddle Man]

I watched it. Not superimposed.

[Texas Tuff]

Here's a video link of some of those skyline shots, and an interesting 3 or 4 minute video about Houston's booming economy for those of you, who like me, missed yesterday's ABC broadcast.

Link: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7154605

[TXLove]

^^^thanks for the link...nice shots in there!!!!

[rdavis4559]

New Dynamo stadium is nearly a done deal

HOUSTON -- It looks like the Houston Dynamo are finally going to get their new stadium.

They cleared the last big hurdle this week by getting funding from a Spanish bank based in Madrid.

The Dynamo is paying about $60 million toward the cost of the $80 million stadium.

The City of Houston and Harris County will pick up the rest of the tab, chipping in $10 million each.

The stadium will be built across Highway 59 from Minute Maid Park where the Houston Astros play.

It will seat 21,000 fans and will have around 35 suites.

The Dynamo say they hope to keep the average ticket price under $20.

Construction will begin in the fall and is expected to take about 18 months.

The Dynamo plan to play their season opener at the new stadium in 2011.

TSU will also play its home football games at the stadium.

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090324_mh_dynamo-stadium.694b5ecd.html

[Saddle Man]

Financing for Dynamo stadium still up in air
Team says agreement in place, but officials say nothing imminent

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6339016.html

[rdavis4559]

YMCA

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ymca01.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ymca02.jpg

[Trae]

YES! I saw that. Man, that closing aerial over downtown was sweet. Texan empire. :cool:

It really was a great shot. I was like "damn". I'm not even going to lie, I might get blasted, but I thought it was New York at first and the green space in the middle (Downtown and Uptown) was Central Park. Major brain fart.

[Von]

I want to see this aerial shot you guys are talking about!!! :(

[Complex01]

Here's a video link of some of those skyline shots, and an interesting 3 or 4 minute video about Houston's booming economy for those of you, who like me, missed yesterday's ABC broadcast.

Link: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7154605

Hmm, i just watched the video. Funny thing i have been out of work since July. I apply to jobs every week and i get no phone calls what so ever. But yet someone from else where moves here and gets a job like its nothing. I dont know if should be upset or happy about that. I cant help but feel a little put off by the whole story. But what ever thats life I guess, at least thats what i keep telling my self to keep me sane...


:2cents:


ps - It was some great shots of the city...

[Saddle Man]

Baylor to pause construction on hospital.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6342486.html

[rdavis4559]

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

[Von]

wow they are really moving fast!
I want to see some glass go up on the building.

[()_T]

:previous:

Yeah they are moving fast. Heres some updates.

____________________________

Town & Country/City Centre

Construction almost complete, pics from last month.

http://www.citycentrehouston.com/February09.html

____________________________

New Park in Midtown?

Shell of burned-out church to become Midtown park

05:25 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 25, 2009

By Lee McGuire / 11 News

HOUSTON -- The fenced-off remnants of a gutted Fourth Ward church are about to become the centerpiece of a new Houston park.

The Houston City Council voted Wednesday to buy the land and what’s left of the Bethel Baptist Church, which caught fire in 2005. Now, the Parks Department and city engineers will examine the building to see if ambitious plans for the park’s development can take shape.

Since the fire, Pastor Robert Robertson has struggled with vandals and the weather—the two forces that often knock down the barbed-wire fence surrounding the property.

“African American slaves built this building,” he said. “We are hoping and praying that the history of this building can be saved.”

Robertson says members of his congregation struggled to decide whether to sell the property to the City, but ultimately decided the Church would not be able to raise enough money to restore the crumbling building. “The congregation got together after a lot of prayers and a lot of thinking,” Roberts said. “We had to come to the decision that it was a dangerous building.”

Descendants of slaves completed the Bethel Baptist Church in 1950, on a plot of land in the Fourth Ward that had belonged to the church since 1896. Now its four walls stand without a roof to connect them, in the shadow of downtown skyscrapers. The weeded lot is surrounded by sleek condominiums and an apartment complex in what is now known as Midtown.

“The history of this community is important,” Robertson said. “I hope and pray that the history of this community will remain.”

A “TIRZ,” or “Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone” has come up with roughly $360,000 to buy the property and build a park there. The plans call for three of the church’s four walls to be reinforced and serve as stand-alone borders for an outdoor garden.

Houston Mayor Bill White says the park will be a monument to the old Fourth Ward, a section of Houston settled by former slaves. “Houston has turned a corner in recognizing that historic preservation is worth it,” he said.

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stori....6e85865a.html

Pdf. with renderings
http://www.khou.com/images/0903/bbcRendering_090325.pdf

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/3046693829_a7e4fbd1c6.jpg?v=0
by rhaaga from flickr

_____________________

1717 Ashby Highrise

Yesterday, The Houston City council yet again, rejected the proposal of 1717 Ashby Highrise for the 9th time. Why? Traffic is still a concern for the area.

[rdavis4559]

I don't know any details... but the parking lot across from The Grove Restaurant on Discovery Green had this sign up in two places:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/mailgooglecom-1.jpg

[()_T]

The sign is for Embassy Suites, which is suppose to break ground next month.

http://images.chron.com/photos/2007/09/21/8004439/311xInlineGallery.jpg

[Complex01]

That sign has been there forever. Hope it is something moving forward. Build it...

:tup:

[photolitherland]

Dude, that sign has been there for at least a year, if not more. lol Oh and Im glad to see that at least some buildings in Houston are getting preserved. Too bad about the old ymca structure. Its such a loss.

[rdavis4559]

Guess I've been living under a rock...

[photolitherland]

Embassy Suites is supposed to break ground next month!? For real? Where did you find this out?

[Reverberation]

FYI, that project at Yorktown & Westheimer is pretty much done. The new building structure at Memorial City is topped out and there are a few hotels going up in the EC. One @ Park 10 and the other adjacent to Technip @ Kirkwood.

[LordElPaso]

Hmm, i just watched the video. Funny thing i have been out of work since July. I apply to jobs every week and i get no phone calls what so ever. But yet someone from else where moves here and gets a job like its nothing. I dont know if should be upset or happy about that. I cant help but feel a little put off by the whole story. But what ever thats life I guess, at least thats what i keep telling my self to keep me sane...


:2cents:


ps - It was some great shots of the city...


i definitely am with you on the job thing - but i think the jobs available in houston are specific professional/administrative jobs - I'm just not seeing much in the way of typical jobs, e.g. coffee shops - and I look everyday

[rdavis4559]

Cranes...

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/disctower_cranes_03.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/disctower_cranes_02.jpg

[rdavis4559]

There is a small crane on the roof as well but I could not get it in the shot from my vantage point.

[rdavis4559]

Library addition
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/mailgooglecom-2.jpg

[Wattleigh]

There is a small crane on the roof as well but I could not get it in the shot from my vantage point.

It's not a crane, but a concrete pumping device. They're raised from floor to floor as they are completed.

Thanks for the photo of the Ideson expansion. I've always gone by too quickly to get a good view of it.

[weatherguru18]

ALL SYSTEMS GO on Regent Square. City approves project and give generous tax break. A residential high-rise will grace Allen Parkway!

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090408_mp_regent-square-development.b6eb39d5.html

[Von]

can't wait to see the renderings!

[photolitherland]

YAY, I sure hope we start to see some action at that site now and there are already renders for Regent Square.

[weatherguru18]

It looks like the old Astroworld site will be home to millions of square feet in office and retail space. Looks like two, I repeat, TWO (2) towers standing between 40 and 50 stories will be the centerpiece of the development. This came from HAIF...

(Look for the video at the bottom of the link)

http://crosstorian.com/southpointe

[HOUSTONIAN57]

It looks like the old Astroworld site will be home to millions of square feet in office and retail space. Looks like two, I repeat, TWO (2) towers standing between 40 and 50 stories will be the centerpiece of the development. This came from HAIF...

(Look for the video at the bottom of the link)

http://crosstorian.com/southpointe

They have spires as well!!!!

:banana:

From HAIF

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Zi6_0013.jpg

[Texas Tuff]

Wow, that looks incredible! :cheers:

[Complex01]

Wow that looks really intresting. Nice find...

:tup:

[Saddle Man]

Those buildings look like doctored version of the Anadarko Tower.

[raskacielos-houston]

Go to their website and on the right side there's the Video, it's really awesome,
:banana: crosstorian.com/southpointe

[weatherguru18]

Seems kind of a weird place to me to put something that big. Does it to anybody else? I'd like to see them along 59 somewhere (Greenway Plaza) or along the west loop. Oh well...

Uhhh, I went to a dentist appointment the other day in Vision Park (between Research Forest Dr. and 242) and noticed a sign for a 200,000 10-story midrise in Shenendoah. Looks like it's all systems go with this building too!

[Complex01]

Here are some pics from today.

Main Place...

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/mp0415c.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/mp0415b.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/mp0415a.jpg


Discovery Tower...

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/dt0415c.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/dt0415d.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/dt0415b.jpg

[photolitherland]

Im fairly sure that Astroworld plot project is dead unfortunately. It seems that all it really was, was just some architects invisionment of what could be where Astroworld once was. But I may be wrong.

[Texas Tuff]

^^^ Nice pics Complex01!

[NThomas]

Im fairly sure that Astroworld plot project is dead unfortunately. It seems that all it really was, was just some architects invisionment of what could be where Astroworld once was. But I may be wrong.

If AstroWorld is redeveloped right, along with the old proposed Gaylord AstroDome renovation, Reliant Park has the potential to be more then just an event mecca.

[()_T]

This was found today, by a HAIF member...

GBI INTERNATIONAL (Central Park) Houston

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/central_park1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/central_park3.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/central_park4.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/central_park5.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/central_park6.jpg

Mix-use project
7 20-Story towers
812 Multi-family Units
20 Acre Site
491,000 SF of Retail
824,000 SF of Residential
1,120,000 SF of Parking

http://www.ediarchitecture.com/Gallery/Gal...0Central%20Park

[Von]

a lito pic of the Mosaic
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/Geebuzz102/austin051.jpg

[Wattleigh]

This was found today, by a HAIF member...



Nice renderings.

Too bad they're not happening. GBI is a bit more ambitious than most in attempting to pitch their ideas, it seems.

P.S. Bellaire doesn't have an Asiatown. There is one on Bellaire though.

[rdavis4559]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/dsctwr_20_apr_09.jpg

[raskacielos-houston]

Hess tower
April 20, 2009

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture1028.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture1020.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture1022.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture1023.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture1035.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Picture1034.jpg

[()_T]

Thanks for the update rdavis and rackacielos.

[()_T]

I added two more forums in the "General Developments" section.

HOUSTON | Earth Quest Adventures

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168199

HOUSTON | Astrodome Studios

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168203

[Wattleigh]

Photos from a few other sites around town, taken over the past week...

Methodist Outpatient Tower
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04774.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04708.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04710.jpg

BioScience Research Collaborative
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04718.jpg

Alkek Hospital Vertical Expansion visible behind the Sculock Tower
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04716.jpg

Baylor Hospital & Clinic
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04769.jpg

Energy Tower II
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04757.jpg

And the Embassy Suites next to it.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/smalltowntexas/DSC04754.jpg

[weatherguru18]

Looks like the 10 story building that was planned for Vision Park (near The Woodlands) has been scaled back to 8 floors. Still a nice building though.

http://www.graniteprop.com/Home/Properties/tabid/53/cid/1/lid/5/pid/62/bid/98/Default.aspx

[Wattleigh]

An interesting bit on the two seperate mat pours at MD Anderson's new tower in the medical center.
http://texas.construction.com/news/building/default.asp

Mat Pour at Houston Medical Facility May Be State’s Largest

http://texas.construction.com/images/2009/04_MDAnderson-BLDG.jpg
Baker Concrete and Vaughn Construction recently completed the larger of two mat pours for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s Administrative Support Building in Houston.

Baker Concrete Construction project manager Garrett Benson recently helped coordinate the biggest mat pour he has ever seen. For that matter, it was the biggest mat pour the Houston office of Baker Concrete had ever done.

If research holds true, it may be the biggest such project ever in Texas and only the second largest in the nation behind the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Baker Concrete Construction, headquartered in Monroe, Ohio, together with Vaughn Construction of Houston, completed the larger of two mat pours for The University of Texas System, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Administrative Support Building in Houston.

The size of the mat, itself, is more than 21,000 cu yds,” Benson told Texas Construction.

Baker completed the first pour - 4,000 cu yds - at a rate of 570 cu yds per hour. The larger second pour, completed totaled 17,500 cu yds, and 100 Baker co-workers pitched in to complete the job in less than 24 hours, at a rate of 730 cu yds per hour.

The entire project involved seven pump trucks, 97 concrete trucks, 1,960 tons of installed rebar, and 2,400 man-hours.

The biggest challenge was a matter of coordination,” Benson says. “We were working 24 hours straight. We were trying to coordinate seven different pumps that have to move to different locations we were making the pour.”

Benson says it is bringing 92 trucks from five or six different batches and keep a consistent flow was no easy logistical feat.

He says he coordinated more than 100 workers.

You have to keep in mind that you can’t let concrete get too far out in front of you,” he says. “You can only pour one ft an hour and you have to make sure that concrete you have sitting 50 yds in front of you doesn’t get old before you get to it. You have to get the pump trucks going and not leave any one pump truck sitting without working. That was another logistical concern.”

We have to get all this done while still being safe,” Benson adds.

Although originally designed to be completed in three separate pours, the hurricane season amended that plan, and New Caney-based Jayco, the rebar subcontractor, worked overtime to complete the installation of steel. That efficiency enabled Baker to merge the second two pours and complete the job early.

The sheer scale of the second pour required detailed logistical planning by team members with Baker; Vaughn; Haynes Whaley of Houston, the engineer of record; WHR of Houston, the architect; and consultants Earth Engineering of East Norriton, Penn; Ulrich Engineers of Houston; and Carrasquillo Associates Ltd. of Austin.

For the job Baker managed a concrete temperature monitoring system that used thermo couplers to record the temperature of the material as it cured. The specifications called for the concrete mix to reach a temperature in the core no higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. No two points in the mat could have a temperature difference of more than 40 degrees.

The thermo couplers were located throughout the mat at various depths, and were monitored twice a day for 28 days. The monitoring system allowed Baker to better control the curing process utilizing winter blankets, and ultimately resulted in zero thermal cracks.

The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Administrative Support Building is scheduled for completion in 2012. Baker has started the concrete work for the structure.

[()_T]

More info has been found regarding the secret Hines north tower (block 69).


http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/gallery/1237377429/gallery_723_64_99325.jpg

Here's the rendering that was posted on an achitect's website but was later taken off, fortunaetly Wattleigh saved a copy of the rendering.


http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/6964/renderingmg7.jpg

[raskacielos-houston]

I found this information from a Haif member and the information seems accurate,
http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled5.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled6.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled7.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled1.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled2.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled3.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/qq278/jesusjimenez-photos/Untitled4.jpg

[TexasBoi]

Houston needs to make this the fun hopspot of the city. It's prime for it. Build more bars, clubs, and of course more residential mixed used projects with retail in this area. The potential is great for this part of downtown. It's already there with the MMP and Toyota Center. With the proposed Dynamo Stadium and with DG and the Houston Pavilions, this area could be a grand hotspot. There are many parking lots to build over it.

[weatherguru18]

39874_719375706RS-Condo_view1.jpg


http://39874_7186769213RS.jpg

Rendering for the 28-story tower at Regent Square! Awesome :banana: Very Miami ish in my opinion.

[weatherguru18]

Here's the link. Don't know why I couldn't get the pic. to load. This is from HAIF....

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?showtopic=9534&st=390&start=390

[Von]

those are awesome news! and yeah TexasBoi I'm with you, they need make that into the hot spot of Houston

[TXLove]

Houston needs to make this the fun hopspot of the city. It's prime for it. Build more bars, clubs, and of course more residential mixed used projects with retail in this area. The potential is great for this part of downtown. It's already there with the MMP and Toyota Center. With the proposed Dynamo Stadium and with DG and the Houston Pavilions, this area could be a grand hotspot. There are many parking lots to build over it.

Agreed 100%

[Complex01]

Lots of great stuff here. Hope it all works out...

:cool:

[photolitherland]

Lots of exciting things all of the sudden happening, hope they come to fruition soon and not in 20 years! The thing Im most excited about is Regents Square. I just wish it was located a little closer to downtown or even in downtown to make it seem like a real city and not just a bunch of office towers.

[Complex01]

Sorry for the lack of quality for these 2 pics, but i was not sure that i was allowed to go to the sky lobby in the wells fargo building downtown. Well I did, and the view was amazing, so very kewl. Now that i know i can go up there i will bring my camera for sure. Please enjoy, again sorry for the low quality...

Main Place...

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/wf0509a.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/wf0509.jpg

[Reverberation]

Anyone remember the site of the old Compass Bank building on Post Oak Blvd?

The Perennial. Supposedly coming 2011.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/Tigerdude07/ThePerennial.jpg?t=1242241703

[Complex01]

Wow super sexy. I like it, very nice find.

:tup:

[JMancuso]

i take it the side facing post oak is on the far left?

[Shasta]

Wow. That's a big improvement over the old Compass Bank Bldg. That said, I can't imagine that fitting into that space but maybe that's because I never realized how much surface space stood around the old building?

This is a Redstone project, right (the Houstonian people)?

[Reverberation]

Yes and Yes.

[TexasPlaya]

Where is this located? Post Oak and what?

[()_T]

Rebervation where did you find that? Link?

[JMancuso]

Where is this located? Post Oak and what?

between the shopping center with the barnes and noble, old nany and canyon cafe and the post oak towers.