HOUSTON | 1550 On The Green | 410 FT | 28 FLOORS

[AviationGuy]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

This building is so great. But what's up with Discovery Green? Does it get cold enough in Houston to kill the grass in the winter, or are they re-doing the main lawn?

It definitely can get cold enough, but I don't believe it's been cold enough yet this winter to kill the grass. It's about to be very cold for several days, way below freezing, but not yet. So I'm perplexed. That grass is usually really green, and in some winters stays green. I was just in the metro and everything was as green as spring although the deciduous trees have lost their leaves for the winter. There have been many cold nights this winter, but not cold enough to kill the grass.

[Wattleigh]

Now open.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/bus...n-18665953.php

$225 million downtown skyscraper opens, reshaping skyline near Discovery Green

By Marissa Luck,
Staff writer
Feb 15, 2024

A 28-story tower is opening this week in downtown Houston, reshaping the skyline near Discovery Green park.

Developer Skanska USA has substantially completed construction at 1550 Lamar Street, the first piece of Discovery West, a 3.5-acre mixed-use project. Dubbed 1550 on the Green, the 375,000-square-foot, $225 million tower includes ground-floor space expected to be filled by restaurants.

While it’s not the tallest tower downtown, the multi-tiered, curved structure — which places elevators on the west side of the building rather than at the center — is a unique addition to downtown’s architectural landscape.

Vines that will eventually creep along the terracotta-colored tower are meant to help the building blend into the surrounding park. The building's curve allows even tenants on lower levels to view Discovery Green.

“The amount of daylight in this building is higher than a typical what we call ‘donut’ buildings with the core at the center. It’s very unique. It just feels lighter in here,” said Jenna Dezinski, senior architect at Bjarke Ingels Group, which led the project's design.

Three outdoor terraces laden with native plants, the use of wood throughout the building, and a lobby with a two-story window overlooking the park pulls in elements of the outdoors.

The city provided $1 million in tax breaks to help support Skanska's efforts to create what it describes as one of Texas' most sustainable office towers.

Images from article

One of the several green space balconies of the newly built office skyscraper, 1550 on the Green. This is developer Skanska's most sustainable office tower in Texas to date.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The curved design of 1550 on the Green is a unique architectural feature that allows tenants across multiple floors to have views of Discovery Green Park.

Courtesy Skanska USA

Cranes were used to haul plants and trees several hundreds feet in the air for installation at the tower's elevated outdoor terraces at 1550 on the Green.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The Office of Michael Hsu designed the interior amenity spaces, like this lounge space within the fitness center at 1550 on the Green.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The mens locker room in the fitness center at 1550 on the Green. The tower has been pre-certified as WELL Platinum and Fitwel Three Star building, both building certifications recognizing design that enhances health and wellness.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Massive windows with a balcony on the second-floor allow ample light and tree views to filter into the lobby at 1550 on the Green. The tower has 30% more fresh air filtered through its spaces compared to a typical Class A office building, according to Skanska.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Heat-resistant plants and light-colored pavers in the outdoor terraces are meant to withstand hot summers in Houston at 1550 on the Green.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Views of the surrounding Houston skyline can be seen from within one of the amenity centers at 1550 on the Green. Office tenants can work in coworking-style common areas or book conference space.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Construction is complete at 1550 on the Green, as seen on Wednesday during a media tour.

Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Technicians install promotional graphics on the side of 1550 on the Green in December ahead of the college football playoffs in Houston.

Kirk Sides/Staff photographer