Posted Jan 30, 2019, 6:40 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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Rice University unveils plans for former Sears building
Quote:
Rice University will begin renovations in May on the historic Sears building on Main Street, a project that aims to transform the Midtown property into the centerpiece of what leaders hope will become a thriving innovation district.
Rice, which announced its latest plans for the property Wednesday, said the renovated 270,000-square-foot building will be renamed The Ion.
"I gleefully applaud this next giant step in the creation of an innovation hub that will take Houston closer to becoming a world leader in data science and digital technologies" Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. "As I said last year when the idea was unveiled, we have to leap, not stroll, into the economic frontier. Now the physical transformation of The Ion will help get us there."
The Ion represents the first phase in the development of Rice's broader innovation district to be developed across 16 acres of land in Midtown to include commercial development, housing and public spaces.
Through academic and corporate partners, the redesigned former Sears building will host educational events, demonstrations, hack-a-thons and programming. Restaurant and entertainment venues will be added, as well.
Completion of the project is expected next year.
Houston-based Hines is managing the development on behalf of Rice Management Co.
The renovated building will retain signature elements of the original art deco design, including historic corners, glass block windows, decorative tilework and a three-sided storefront with architectural canopies Rice said.
New York-based SHoP Architects, James Carpenter Design Associates, and James Corner Field Operations, along with the Houston office of Gensler, to are involved in the redesign of the 1939 building.
The building has been pared down to its art deco façade after metal cladding placed around the structure in the 1960s was removed.
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