[c4smok]

New BLVD PLACE, final design?

http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/Aerial-NE.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/BLDG-6-SE.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/BLDG-6-NE.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/Valet-Area.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/Down-BLVD-Place.jpg
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/Aerial-SE.jpg

[Shasta]

NICE.

I love the glass. The early renderings looked rather cheap.

It's hard to get a handle on the heights of the 3 towers, but if that last rendering is to scale, they would appear to be anywhere from 330 ft to 450 ft. considering that the 4 Leaf Towers are 500 ft.

[c4smok]

Well the Four-Leaf towers are 40 stories right? 2 of them look like they are the same height if that is right..

[Saddle Man]

Looks good, but I don't like the little but long parking lots along Post Oak.

[Shasta]

I agree about the parking lots fronting Post Oak. That is very disappointing even if it is a major improvement over what is there today. That should be a wide sidewalk with tables and such set out to lure people in. Instead, it will be a clusterf*&# of people trying to avoid the garages.

[OfCourse]

Hey, that's looks great.

Sucks about parking.

[JMancuso]

the grade level renderings conflict with the aerial views. the surface shots show the buildings up against the street, the aerials show that small parking lot.

[Trae]

A subway down Post Oak would be so great for Uptown and Houston in general.

[WesternGulf]

the grade level renderings conflict with the aerial views. the surface shots show the buildings up against the street, the aerials show that small parking lot.

I'm guessing that might be a side street.

Great find c4smok.

[CALMSP]

anyone know whats is going up on Washiongton just west of Waugh......they already have a 5-6 story parking structure and have another elevator shaft at 5 stories, but no signs.

[CALMSP]

whatever hte planning is, the new BLVD must have a subway stop on the proposed Uptown line to make it easily accessible.

[Trae]

That is exactly what I said at HAIF. The Uptown Line needs to be a subway up to the Northwest Transit Center. There is no way to go north (from Uptown Park), except for riding on traffic-ridden 610.

[Derek]

Hello you guys. I'm coming out to Houston July 27th to catch the Astros vs. Padres game on the 28th and im staying the night of the 27th and the night of the 28th. I was wondering if you guys could help me out on some good places to stay and some things to do or where to eat before the game! Thanks guys!


Oh, how close is Minute Maid Park in relation to downtown? I plan on taking pictures. ;)

[Trae]

Minute Maid Park is IN Downtown :).

[Derek]

^That's good. ;)

What's the closest hotel that isn't upwards of $300 a night? Is there plenty of places to eat down there near the ballpark? (I imagine there is.)

[Trae]

Yes there is. A good hotel would be the Magnolia Hotel. It is just a few blocks away from Minute Maid Park.

http://www.magnoliahotelhouston.com/

$161 a night.

[Derek]

Thanks Trae! I'll look into that one.:)

[Xeelee]

That rendering does not look right... there is not enough parking spots. :ugh:


It would not look bad somewhere in midtown though... Meh... We will see.

[Xeelee]

Yes there is. A good hotet would be the Magnolia Hotel. It is just a few blocks away from Minute Maid Park.

http://www.magnoliahotelhouston.com/

$161 a night.

That is a good choice. Don't worry there are plenty of places to eat. :)

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/Aerial-SE.jpg

NICE.

I love the glass. The early renderings looked rather cheap.

It's hard to get a handle on the heights of the 3 towers, but if that last rendering is to scale, they would appear to be anywhere from 330 ft to 450 ft. considering that the 4 Leaf Towers are 500 ft.

Actually, aren't the Four Leafs Towers only 444 feet tall? The only other height I've ever seen for them is 439 feet.

If so, and I think that's right, then this new building, the central tower of that project is 500 to 550 feet tall. Checkout the Marathon Oil Tower in the background, (brown building near the center of the pic), that building is 562 feet tall. As for the other two buildings in the project, the one on the right looks to be about 400 feet tall, while the one on the left looks to be around 350 feet. Also, checkout San Felipe Plaza, (brown tower in the upper left corner). That building is 625 feet tall, the 2nd tallest outside downtown.

[rdavis4559]

Yes there is. A good hotel would be the Magnolia Hotel. It is just a few blocks away from Minute Maid Park.

http://www.magnoliahotelhouston.com/

$161 a night.

I agree. The magnolia is great and the pool on the roof will be good since it is so hot in Houston right now. The restaurant in the Magnolia is great too but pricey compared to other places such as on Main Street.

[KevinFromTexas]

Whoa, I didn't see this rendering.

It may actually be shorter than I said then, judging by the Marathon Oil Tower in the background. I think the tallest building here is around 400 feet tall, and the two shorter towers around 100 feet shorter.
http://www.wulfe.com/Images/BPPhotos/Large/Aerial-NE.jpg

[Great_Hizzy]

I wouldn't make too many predictions about the three highrises' heights based on the renderings. I doubt they're to scale in relationship to the photos. Nevertheless, the new design is very nice.

[Trae]

Same. I don't think they would be to scale, but I want them that tall. Hopefully they are at least 400 ft.

[toxteth o'grady]

Those three towers are probably going to arrive ver-r-r-y gradually; they'd overwhelm the lease absorption otherwise.

As a matter of fact, I'm getting very suspicious that Dallas is getting overbuilt. If it's all condos that are going up just north of downtown, they're going to have Miami-type trouble before long...

[Complex01]

:previous:

And what exactly is "Miami-type trouble"


Wow this is a neat project. Its an intresting design. Looks very nice...


:yes:

[KevinFromTexas]

Miami has a glut of residential space right now. San Diego and Washington D.C. are two others. They've over built their markets - too much, too fast.

[rdavis4559]

I don't have the time to go back and look right now but a guy came into this Houston thread and was talking about how Miami was projected to have a larger number of "tallest buildings" by a certain point in time... then he went on to say that although Miami would have a larger number, the city would also lack or was currently lacking the basic infrastructure and facilities to cope with the number of new buildings. Someone else may want to go back through the pages and find it but lacking basic infrastructure (if the guy was right) is clearly a sign of a building bubble.

[MarkyPants2023]

Those three towers are probably going to arrive ver-r-r-y gradually; they'd overwhelm the lease absorption otherwise.

As a matter of fact, I'm getting very suspicious that Dallas is getting overbuilt. If it's all condos that are going up just north of downtown, they're going to have Miami-type trouble before long...

When it comes to luxury condos, you are right to be suspicious. Once they start developing cheaper ones (which is coming slowly but surely like the alta rosewood project), dallas' development will take off even farther. I say this because of the new urbanism trend and the rate of dallas' growth (500 a day)

[rdavis4559]

Here are some construction pics from discoverygreen.com
I need to get some shots of the residential bulding going up too...
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/aerial/images/aerial_05_15_07.jpg
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/underground/images/Garage-8%2005-15-07.jpg
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/underground/images/Garage-7%2005-15-07.jpg
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/restaurant/images/Restaurant-4%2005-15-07.jpg
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/restaurant/images/Restaurant-3%2005-15-07.jpg
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/parkbuilding/images/Park%20bldg-6%2005-15-07.jpg
http://www.discoverygreen.com/images/construction/parkbuilding/images/Park%20bldg-5%2005-15-07.jpg

[JMancuso]

when are they supposed to start building BLVD place? i live a couple blocks west of that area and just about every except for eatzies is still there and open for business.

btw, where did eatzies go? they are supposed to go into the new developmet so they must have relocated temporarily in the meantime.

[Trae]

Discovery Green is coming along quite nicely.

[Shasta]

The former site of the historic Ashland Tea House that was ripped down and to be replaced by a "historic" representation of a Victorian housing a new concept restaurant will now see the Magnolia Lofts rise instead.

32 loft-like condos;
http://www.cisnerosdesignstudio.com/magnolia.gif

In a bit of good news for the Heights, there will be ground floor retail built in (obviously looks like some type of restaurant with the outdoor seating)

[Shasta]

Cool beans for the area around the Edge and new Camden Apartments... they will be joined soon by the Baldwin Terraces. The Terraces will offer 12 units all with private elevators and 2 terraces.

http://www.baldwinterraces.com/Home.jpg

location just outside of downtown proper
http://www.baldwinterraces.com/map.jpg

[c4smok]

In the no news is good news department with Houston City Centre...

Kobi Karp has updated the site map layouts that were dead links for the renderings..

IE:
http://www.kobikarp.com/images/houstonmap1.jpg

[Complex01]

:previous: So is there still hope for the project??? I sure hope so...

Those baldwin terraces look nice...

[Trae]

I'm loving those Baldwin Terraces. Those look nice.

Nice to see the Houston City Centre website updated. That should mean something good...

[Shasta]

So, it's definite? City Centre is planned for the old Scamrock site? That would be EXCELLENT. It would unify the Preston Street/historic area with the Main Street Square/Houston Pavilions area since that lot is a scar right now.

[Dale]

Looks to be 750' at least.

[Trae]

It sure would. And with the Buffalo Bayou Plan starting around that point, it should look great.

[Trae]

Who thinks this rail plan could ever come back:

http://img262.echo.cx/img262/4334/aa632kv.jpg

[rdavis4559]

You mean who thinks this rail plan could come back other than in our dreams?

Maybe a few lines but not everything on the map.

[Trae]

I hope the ones that are shaded actually come to life as light rail, and not damn BRT.

[Shasta]

Here's another shot of the Baldwin Terraces. I like the look of these things. Nice to see someone break out of the typical Houston mold...
http://harpictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/18/hr1947518-15.jpg

[CALMSP]

this is all great that we keep putting more residential near my place at the POST, but when are these developers going to realize we need some more commercial/restaurants right here in midtown

[Great_Hizzy]

Gee, I don't know... I think a greater mass of residents in what was once a completely barren residential locale such as Midtown would be the very catalyst to bring in a greater variety of businesses.

Remember, Midtown for years had the commercial charm of Little Saigon but that charm has mostly moved west to New Chinatown. What's left is a list of empty retail parcels that are either undergoing renovation or are waiting to be bought out by the Ed Wulfe types. What had been lacking in Midtown, even during the hey day of Little Saigon, was a fairly contiguous residential presence. That's starting to change--albeit slowly.

[WesternGulf]

this is all great that we keep putting more residential near my place at the POST, but when are these developers going to realize we need some more commercial/restaurants right here in midtown

I actually think there is plenty of retail in that area, it is just a lot of it is spread out more than it needs to be. Sadly more growth still does not mean we will still not see the full block CVS pharmacies, drive thru banks, SUBWAY anchored strip centers, and gas stations rather than what Midtown has envisioned.

[weatherguru18]

Those Baldwin Terraces are very nice! There is a ton of development going in in that area it seems like. Plus the new 25 story apartment tower planned for a couple blocks away. It's really coming along nicely. Not to mention all the development going on DT. Park Tower, Discovery Tower, Discovery Green, and several other towers in the works. I can't wait to see what DT looks like in 10 years!

[missbella]

i was intrigued by the posts about the baldwin terraces, so i decided to check them out--apparently there are 12 flats, yes, but there are also four penthouses, which according to the listing agent, are going to be "SO fabulous!"

he also said that there is talk about the building on the corner of the lot, at baldwin and pierce, for becoming mixed-use retail/residential...

[Great_Hizzy]

What Midtown needs is for the central stem (Milam to San Jacinto) to be revitalized. It is here where the greatest preponderance of empty, gutted or low-grade structures are in play. Some of have been rehabilitated into Houston's newest club scene while many others sit dormant or on their way to oblivion. IMO, the latter wouldn't be bad at all if it were the precursor to new development. Outside of a CVS pharmacy and the remodeling of a couple of Vietnamese strip centers, there's not much going on along the central stem.

[Houston Proud]

There's a new Houston project blog. Check it out!

http://houstonprojects.blogspot.com/

[Trae]

Thanks for the link. Towrs.Com also has a list of Houston projects.

[Great_Hizzy]

They're starting to make more noticeable progress on 2727 Kirby. For those who have been in the area over the past week, are those support beams sticking up? It looks like it would be the equivalent of the second floor in terms of height.

[rdavis4559]

Speaking of support columns... I figured you guys have been expecting an update on Park Tower...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ParkTower_01.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ParkTower_02.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ParkTower_03.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ParkTower_04.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ParkTower_05.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/ParkTower_06.jpg

[Complex01]

Nice, nice. Looking good...

[Trae]

Is this whole side of Downtown going for that "Discovery" theme? I know the Discovery Tower is proposed.

[rdavis4559]

I know of Discovery Green and Discovery Tower but I'm not sure if the theme will be extended to other future developments. I can't wait to see What will fill in the area in the next 10 years though.

[Trae]

It could be like a mini-Victory with each new tower having a Discovery theme. I think that would be a nice idea.

[rdavis4559]

Speaking of Victory, I went to Dallas two months ago and I must admit that the W Hotel looks very nice in person. There is a great view from the freeway.

[CALMSP]

yeah Midtown sure is doing much better.........now that we have Capital One, Wachovia, and soon to be a new Chase, now i can have much easier access to ATM's!!

[CALMSP]

http://bp2.blogger.com/_RAojng6sjgc/RoQsJpQCsjI/AAAAAAAAABs/ToKCdz6psRk/s1600-h/modelv1_lg.jpg

[weatherguru18]

How are the other proposed projects coming along? Discover Tower and such. I haven't seen or heard anything about them...no rendering or anything.

[rdavis4559]

As far as the other discovery projects, I haven't heard anything in a while and there is no activity at the sites.

Discovery Tower is already on Emporis but no rendering. (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=discoverytower-houston-tx-usa)
http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/03/26/daily11.html
http://images.chron.com/photos/2007/03/27/bz03_27___bz0327site_1/bz03_27___bz0327site.gif

[Xeelee]

Looks nice... :)

[citykid09]

Believe it or not Houstons getting a Mountain Ski Resort:

http://skirebel.com/magazine/2007/07/05/snow-mountain-project-slated-for-houston-texas/
http://www.unlimited-snow.nl/


Snow Mountain project slated for Houston, Texas
Posted on Thursday July 5th 2007 at 6:00 am

An exciting new snow-themed development for Houston, Texas has been unveiled by Unlimited Snow for Houston, Texas.

Visitors to The Grand Texas River Walk will be beamed into an impressive virtual Alpine and Arctic world where almost nothing shall remind of an actual building. From the outside the building will look like a mountain with a snowy peak and a white water river through real grass alpine meadows with huts and trees and optional terraced apartments. The inside features a giant cave connecting the various parts of the building, themed indoor slopes, snow circuit and ice cave with 3D and photo mountain ranges with blue sky’s, snowy trees and huts and projected moving ice bergs, auroras, sun and clouds, a mountain setting with waterfalls for the indoor water park and spa / wellness facilities, colourful show lights within all play areas, snow and water related animatronics animals, themed food and beverage as well as special effects.

Click above to read the entire article.

[Trae]

Hope that goes well.

[rdavis4559]

There was something very similar I just read about being planned for Fort Worth.

[Trae]

Yeah, but the one in Houston won't be outdoors on fake plastic. This one will be indoors on fake snow. I'm skeptical about this thing though. Doesn't look real.

[Xeelee]

Strange

[Trae]

Found these photos at HAIF. Taken yesterday:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/545738.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/545739.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/545740.jpg

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/HouConstruction/545741.jpg

[rdavis4559]

nice

[Complex01]

The mosiac is a nice looking tower. I always thought it was odd that the towers would sit right next to each other. Talk about looking out and seeing all of your neighbors...

[rdavis4559]

It is even more impressive in person.

[Trae]

I have seen Mosaic from 288 and it looks huge. I hope the second one goes up soon.

[Great_Hizzy]

Hines to build 47-story downtown highrise

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/07/16/story1.html

March 2008 is the estimated ground breaking, regardless of if a big name tenant has been signed by the.

From the article:

The preeminent developer intends to start construction on a 900,000-square-foot building next March, with or without a lead tenant, according to a source familiar with the project.

A 47-story tower could easily be within the range of 700 - 750 feet, which would make it the tallest tower built downtown since Texaco Heritage Tower opened in 1984.

[Dale]

I'm guessing Chilton Pickard will be the architect.

[weatherguru18]

Supposedly the rendering is already out. Can somebody post it?

[Trae]

News on the new theme park (Earth Quest Adventures):

Perry signing is major boost for planned theme park
Houston Business Journal - 10:49 AM CDT Friday, July 13, 2007
Earthquest, a massive Disney-style entertainment complex north of Houston, is a step closer to reality after Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed enabling legislation for tax incentives to lure the project to East Montgomery County.

The project is expected to cost more than $600 million and cover 250 acres, with a $150 million spa hotel also to be built on the site.

More: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/07/09/daily57.html

[Trae]

Hines to scrape downtown sky (http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/07/16/story1.html)
Prolific real estate developer plans 47-story office tower to come online in 2010

Houston Business Journal - July 13, 2007
by Jennifer Dawson
Houston Business Journal

Houston-based Hines is planning a 47-story skyscraper in downtown Houston that is on track to become the first new office tower to be completed in the Central Business District since 2003.

The preeminent developer intends to start construction on a 900,000-square-foot building next March, with or without a lead tenant, according to a source familiar with the project. Hines confirmed plans for the downtown building, but would not provide further details.
________________

Downtown Houston is doing good. At 47 stories, this thing could very well be well over 700 feet. The rendering (which a member at Houston's forum has not yet posted), says that it's an all glass tower with slightly angled walls, and a terrace garden two-thirds up the building.

[Complex01]

Yeah that is great news. I was doing some comparison to other 40 plus story buildings and their height is all over the place. From a little over 500 to feet to 700 feet. I am hoping for the higher. Very awesome news for DT, hope this is just the beginning...

:yes:

[Trae]

Hines has another tower proposed on the opposite side of Downtown, but still on Main Street.

[TexanatPenn]

More Big News from HAIF if it is true -

http://www.olivermcmillan.com/deve/houston/index.htm

From the Flash version of the Leasing Plan:
Apple
Scoop
Intermix
Ted Baker
Coach
BCBG
Tommy Bahama
Benetton
Tootsies
North Face
French Connection
Original Penguin
Burberry
Barneys

From renderings:
W Hotel
Prada
Burberry
Barneys Flagship on Westheimer
Rolex
...many more

Anyone have more information on this project?

[Trae]

I'll check up on HAIF, but we are getting a W?

[Great_Hizzy]

That was definitely a W in the flash images.

[Xeelee]

Hines has another tower proposed on the opposite side of Downtown, but still on Main Street.

Pics?

[Trae]

No renderings yet, but I read it on HAIF.

[Complex01]

I'll check up on HAIF, but we are getting a W?

I read some were about a W. Man the renderings of the hotel look awesome. Wow to kewl. I am loving the project...

[CALMSP]

excellent...........this along with the 3 block construction downtown, plus the kirby/westheimer constructions, we will have all sorts of new places to go to!! with these new places on Westheimer, it makes a light rail that much more necessary!!

[Trae]

River Oaks District (http://www.olivermcmillan.com/deve/houston/index.htm)

The River Oaks District will have the W, and hopefully a Barney's Flagship.

[Complex01]

Any pic updates. Its about time for an update...

:yes:

[Dale]

I want to see a rendering of the Hines tower already.

[Trae]

Here is a link to the full HBJ article on Hines 47:

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2007/07/16/story1.html?page=1&b=1184558400^1490138

[Xeelee]

nice

[WesternGulf]

Thank goodness High Street has been re-designed! Maybe they saw the competition. :cheers:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1255/853704238_736017a7e8_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1393/853704248_4d324455c3_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/853704256_36a94446a1_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1295/853704430_56037893fe_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1060/853704444_e6633db922_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1076/853704446_404892d964_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/852849819_0ff283f452_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1105/852849833_5f75de926c_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1226/852849843_dc671782fe_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1359/852849853_8aaab45940_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1318/852849859_27ae3823dd_o.jpg

[Trae]

I'm not too excited about those colors.

[Xeelee]

Im not too excited about the lackluster design.

[weatherguru18]

Anybody have an update on the 35 story building at Gessner and the Beltway in Memorial?

I was also thinking about Discovery Tower. If the building is supposed to break ground in sometime in the first quarter of 2008, why are there no renderings, no new information on it, nothing. It's like it fell off the map. The latest I've heard is that the building now stands at 850,000 sq. ft. or something like that. Anybody?

[Trae]

It's still July. Give it some time.

[rdavis4559]

At least the pavilions, discovery green, and park tower are making great progress

[Xeelee]

I know... We need to force them to make haste.