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Originally Posted by Shasta
Have you seen where the Ashby Tower is supposed to be?
Bissonnet has two lanes and is lined with nothing taller than 3 stories (the Rice U Graduate Housting units). The few businesses along that street are 90% located in old houses with one strip mall-ish building closer to Shepherd Drive that houses Picnic and Raven Grill.
Ashby Street doesn't even have lanes. It's a purely residential street that straddles two of Houston's most historic residential enclaves; Boulevard Oaks and Southampton. Both Blvd Oaks and Southampton have STRICT deed restrictions.
I love towers, but I'd prefer them to be integrated properly into the city. This building will do nothing to ease congestion or promote "urban" living. Additionally, it will be replacing a much more affordable two story apartment complex so it's not like the "rich" folks are trying to keep people out of their neighborhood.
If you've ever ventured to North or South Blvds and appreciated the live oak parks down the center, then you'd realize what's at stake. The Ashby Tower will literally rise over South Blvd.'s most historic homes. There's so little left to preserve in Houston, but to me, potentially ripping the fabric of one of the city's healthiest street car suburban neighborhoods, isn't worth the risk.
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I live just north of these neighborhoods, right across the freeway, and use Bissonnet daily to commute to work. I generally disagree with most of what you are saying.
The footprint of this building is the same as the old apartments it's replacing, but it's height and scale is where the controversy is. However, Bissonnet is a very tree lined, in fact, I would argue that this building won't be too noticeable from the street. Furthermore, Bissonnet has been becoming more crowded due to increase in popultion and the growing Medical Center, that this with just be a drop in the bucket. As far as deed restrictions go, obviously this building doesn't fall under its control.
Yes, I wish this was on Bissonnet in the Museum District or north on Richmond along the future light rail. However, I don't view this building as ripping any sort of fabric. In fact, I welcome a little bit of more retail (if that is in fact still being included).