HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[shakman]

Main Place is going to make a noticeble impact on the skyline while driving southbound on US 59. Speaking of which, will US 59 still be the alignment for I-69 through Houston?

Very interesting updates, especially the Woodlands. I had no idea it was suppose to be that large in size.

[SouthmoreAve]

Great showoff of Houston!

[A_Thellosovich]

Just some random pics all over the city that I took sometime around New Years.

New BP Building, in the Energy Corridor. LEED Platinum, opening early 2010. I was not allowed on site, so I just took pics from the service road.

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/642/122809119.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/7695/122809117.jpg

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/446/122809126.jpg

West Avenue:

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9296/1228091745793378.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8135/1228091825926072.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/790/1228091805940666.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3300/1228091936003529.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/6640/1228091876014897.jpg

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8993/1228091886020413.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6549/1228091916027068.jpg

City Centre infill development. Located on the site of the former Town & Country mall.

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/4207/122809002.jpg

Looks like a glorified strip mall of some sort!
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4310/122809011.jpg

Hotel Sorella
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2315/122809021.jpg

The Green
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8476/122809037.jpg

The base of the Sorella is quite nice!
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6284/122809038.jpg

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9008/122809039.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/918/122809082.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1705/122809078.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3975/122809070.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7553/122809066.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6539/122809097.jpg

[TexasBoi]

Wow West Ave looks very nice. Once they get those stores filled up, it will look even better. Probably my second favorite project after Regent Square.

[weatherguru18]

Houston Business Journal reports a massive complex for Exxon/Mobile that will 'clearly happen.' It will be built where the Hardy Toll Road intersects with I-45 in Spring at the Montgomery/Harris County line. This complex could total a couple million square feet as they consolidate offices from around the country. This massive complex (think HP complex as far as asthetics go) will house people from the Virginia offices as well as others from around Houston.

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/18/story2.html?b=1263790800^2732161

Here's the same article. Makes it easier for you guys...

EXXON MOBIL CAMPUS 'CLEARLY HAPPENING'

Real estate professionals say a long-running rumor is now a sure thing — Exxon Mobil Corp. plans to build a large corporate campus near the town of Spring.

“Exxon Mobil’s campus is clearly happening,” according to Sanford Criner, an executive vice president with CB Richard Ellis Inc.

Criner’s declaration came during a Jan. 7 presentation at the real estate firm’s downtown offices.

He declined to disclose the source of his information concerning Exxon’s project slated for the west side of Interstate 45, where the Hardy Toll Road intersects the freeway.

“It is uniformly believed in the real estate community that Exxon is developing a new campus,” Criner said. “That’s a huge story.”

Speculation has ebbed and flowed over the past few months that the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and gas company planned to buy roughly 400 acres to consolidate thousands of employees from Houston and Fairfax, Va.

In the Houston area alone, Irving-based Exxon has people working in more than two-dozen locations who are expected to share a single address in the future.

Criner said the relocation would be a big blow to the Greenspoint area, where Exxon leases 2 million square feet of office space for 6,000 employees. Employees downtown and those in company-owned buildings would not move to the new location.

In attendance at the CBRE meeting was Jack Drake, president of the Greater Greenspoint Management District.

When asked to comment on Exxon’s exit, Drake wryly replied that George Bush Intercontinental Airport is not leaving Greenspoint, and neither are Beltway 8 and Interstate 45.

Covert developments
Exxon keeps a tight lid on information regarding real estate plans, and would not comment for this story.

The conglomerate with an estimated 104,000 employees worldwide avoids discussion of operational activities.

In deference to Exxon’s covert character, businesspeople with knowledge of the company’s plans would only speak off the record.

Sources who received campus details directly from Exxon or others connected to the deal paint a picture of an elaborate complex north of Houston, possibly with several million square feet of space.

“They’re doing it,” one well-placed source states emphatically.

In other recent developments cited by sources:

• Exxon sent a company e-mail informing employees that the company is conducting an analysis of U.S. office buildings, but no decision on a Harris County campus is anticipated until the study is complete in 2011.

• Deed records show an entity purchased a large amount of acreage late last year at the Interstate 45 site, bordered on the north by Spring Creek. The entity, believed to be connected to Exxon, purchased 400 acres of vacant land from New York-based Coventry Development Co., which owned as much as 1,500 acres in the area through affiliate Springwoods Realty Co.

Executives with Coventry, which developed the local Baybrook Mall, did not respond to phone calls regarding the land.

Activity on the potential site indicates development is in the offing, whether it involves Exxon or not.

[SouthmoreAve]

Hess Tower has topped off, and the Embassy Suites had just gotten above ground earlier this month.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4297747244_58071cfe25_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42761264@N07/4297747244/

It also looks like MainPlace has begun work on its "sky garden" floors....

[Reverberation]

Just announced this week - a new 14 story office building on Post Oak Blvd @ Hidalgo. Construction starts (with or without pre-leasing) in late 2010.
http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/25/story2.html?b=1264395600^2772881#

http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/659291-300-0-1.jpg

[Cory]

Just announced this week - a new 14 story office building on Post Oak Blvd @ Hidalgo. Construction starts (with or without pre-leasing) in late 2010.
http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/25/story2.html?b=1264395600^2772881#

http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/659291-300-0-1.jpg


nice. usually function always beats accents anyway.

[Complex01]

Always nice to see something new in the galleria...

[TexasPlaya]

Always nice to see something new in the galleria...

Indeed. I still dream of the day when a new +500 ft tower will be built in the Galleria area, Transco Tower (I prefer that name) looks lonely sometimes over there.

[weatherguru18]

I'd like to see downtown and uptown connect one day. Have a Chicago style skyline that has many 500+ ft. towers stretching for miles along the lakeshore or in this case, along Memorial Park, Allen Parkway, I-10 and 59. Expand Greenway, make extend downtown west instead of east and do the same for uptown.

[Cory]

I'd like to see downtown and uptown connect one day. Have a Chicago style skyline that has many 500+ ft. towers stretching for miles along the lakeshore or in this case, along Memorial Park, Allen Parkway, I-10 and 59. Expand Greenway, make extend downtown west instead of east and do the same for uptown.

imo the damage has already been done but the further decentralization makes the city even more unmanageable even if it is only the inner loop or the circumference of.

[Dan Denson]

I'd like to see downtown and uptown connect one day. Have a Chicago style skyline that has many 500+ ft. towers stretching for miles along the lakeshore or in this case, along Memorial Park, Allen Parkway, I-10 and 59. Expand Greenway, make extend downtown west instead of east and do the same for uptown.

I like that idea as well. By connecting downtown and uptown with multiple towers, we eventually have the inner city density that many of us have been hoping for. I can see a lot of challenges to the details, but it can probably be done in the long run.

[Bailey]

I'd rather see it fill in the area between the Med Center and downtown. You already have midtown and some newer dense developments plus there's the rail so I could definitely see the area filling in some day.

[SouthmoreAve]

I'd rather see it fill in the area between the Med Center and downtown. You already have midtown and some newer dense developments plus there's the rail so I could definitely see the area filling in some day.

Yeah, and thats more likely(and easier) to do than Dowtown to Uptown.

You already have the scattered high-rises of Midtown(like HCC), Allen Parkway(AIG and the Royalton, etc), and the Museum District(Hotel Zaza, etc)

[Urbannizer]

Embassy Jan30th

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/FULLSIZE-EmbassySuitesHotelCBD-Janu.jpg

[mfastx]

That structure on the Embassy Suites looks wierd, looks like it's hanging off or something.

[Shasta]

Downtown and Uptown will never connect with highrises due to the HUGE area called Memorial Park (to the North of Buffalo Bayou) and The River Oaks Country Club (to the South of the bayou).

I agree with the poster above, I'd love to see Downtown and The Texas Medical Center connect. That is more possible even with Hermann Park in the way...

DOWNTOWN
MIDTOWN/MONTROSE
MUSEUM DISTRICT/PARK PLAZA HOSPITAL
HERMANN PARK/ALMEDA ROAD
TEXAS MED CENTER

[Complex01]

I just want to see another 1000 footer, go up in downtown. That would be nice. Make it 1275 Feet, with a nice spire. Yes I would like that very much...

:D

[JManc]

Downtown and Uptown will never connect with highrises due to the HUGE area called Memorial Park (to the North of Buffalo Bayou) and The River Oaks Country Club (to the South of the bayou).

I agree with the poster above, I'd love to see Downtown and The Texas Medical Center connect. That is more possible even with Hermann Park in the way...



don't know about that. well established neighborhoods and a freeway separating the two areas.

[Double L]

Maybe if we move enough dirt, we can make JMancuso's avatar a reality.:hmmm:

[Shasta]

Good news for downtown, Pearl Real Estate developers have announced their first Houston project; 806 Main Street.

Pearl specializes in hotel development and operations. They will convert 806 Main from a Class B/C office tower into a hotel. I used to work in 806 Main right out of college in the mid 1990s. It's located right across from Main Place which is currently still rising. Despite the 1960s facade that (de)graces the building, it is Houston's oldest skyscraper.

No word yet on the hotel brand, but Pearl has developed Embassy Suites (Ft Worth, Lubbock and Austin), Homewood Suites (Lubbock and Austin), Hilton Garden Inns (Fort Worth, Austin and Lubbock) and Springhill Suites (Lubbock). They're currently building a Westin in Austin now too.

Here's the link http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/02/08/story12.html

Details include;

22 story tower at 806 Main St

bldg closes Feb 15th for renovation

Most tenants moved out by Dec 31st 2009

Domino's Pizza and Christian Science Reading Room on street level will remain open until their leases expire at year's end

[simms3_redux]

Wish this amount of development were happening in Atlanta right now. From reading posts over there it is clear we are too bored, but the city is still highly overbuilt from the boom.

[SouthmoreAve]

Nice Find Shasta.

Cool.

[Complex01]

Thats kewl, bring a little more life to downtown and hopefully bring more people and further business... Nice...

[Shasta]

Here's how 806 Main St. used to look before the horrible cladding was put on in the 1970s.

http://overanalysis.org/postcards/secnd.jpg

And here it is today;

http://www.emporis.com/img/6/2003/04/189104.jpg

Rumors are this will be a Kimpton Hotel project under the Hotel Palomar brand.

[JManc]

are they going to replace that horrible facade?

[TexasBoi]

A Kimpton Hotel brand? That would be great and it closes today. Keep us updated.

[JoninATX]

any updates?

[VivaLFuego]

Are all of the parcels surrounding Discovery Green spoken for in terms of having live proposals? Obviously there is the residential tower, the Hess office tower, and the Embassy Hotel at various stages of construction... I'm just looking ahead at what the fully enclosed park may look like.

Also maybe a Houston wonk would know: are there any long-range plans regarding the I-45 Pierce Elevated? It would really be less of a blighting eyesore if it got a similar treatment as the one the Southwest Fwy got to submerge the highway.

[Hillaryrocks]

^^^ i would think submerging it underground would interfer with the bayous in that area. i don't know if it still a go, but there were extensive plans to turn the bayous of DT into waterways which are pedestrian/tourist/sightseer friendly. Speaking of that particular side, i wish they would tear down a parking structure or two and put up an iconic highrise to add to the already iconic view from that angle. Something with a spire would be great!:yes:

m.:cool:

[JManc]

Are all of the parcels surrounding Discovery Green spoken for in terms of having live proposals? Obviously there is the residential tower, the Hess office tower, and the Embassy Hotel at various stages of construction... I'm just looking ahead at what the fully enclosed park may look like.

Also maybe a Houston wonk would know: are there any long-range plans regarding the I-45 Pierce Elevated? It would really be less of a blighting eyesore if it got a similar treatment as the one the Southwest Fwy got to submerge the highway.

no.

[SouthmoreAve]

Are all of the parcels surrounding Discovery Green spoken for in terms of having live proposals? Obviously there is the residential tower, the Hess office tower, and the Embassy Hotel at various stages of construction... I'm just looking ahead at what the fully enclosed park may look like.

Around the entire park, no, there are no live proposals. However, there is intrest on building a second convention center hotel. And rumors of a La Quinta have been talked about as well. But thats it, to my knowledge.


Anyways heres Hess Tower and Main Place, in case you haven't visited MP's construction thread.
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/1-31.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keelerju/4454919318/

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/1-29.jpg


And the MD Anderson Administrative Support Building(taken from flickr)
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/2-11.jpg

And the Texas Childrens Hospital Maternity Center(from Jax, HAIF)
I put the renderings in case you didn't know about the project.

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/3-12.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/2-13.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/4-8.jpg

[Urbannizer]

More on EarthQuest
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/
Pangea
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/pangea_large.jpg

Life
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/life_large.jpg

Resort Hotel
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/hotel_large.jpg

EarthWalk
http://www.earthquestadventures.com/test/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/earthwalkmed.jpg

[Complex01]

Wow those renderings looks really kewl. The hotel looks awesome. Houston needs a nice new theme park. Kewl...

:tup:

[weatherguru18]

WOWZERS! Look at that hotel! I have a feeling that the north Houston burbs including Kingwood, Porter, Panorama Village, The Woodlands, Humble and Spring will all benefit from this. Porter is likely to be transformed from a sleepy town to a bustling burb as hotels, themed restaurants, transportational hubs (trains, buses, cars) spring forth into the area.

[Dan Denson]

That Med Center shot taken from Reliant Center is awesome.

[JManc]

i took that same shot a few weeks ago:

http://www.pbase.com/mancusoj/image/122665325/original.jpg

[TXLove]

^^^ I like that you can see St Luke in yours.....Earthquest looks like tons of fun!!! Hope that gets going!!!

[Hillaryrocks]

Around the entire park, no, there are no live proposals. However, there is intrest on building a second convention center hotel. And rumors of a La Quinta have been talked about as well. But thats it, to my knowledge.


Anyways heres Hess Tower and Main Place, in case you haven't visited MP's construction thread.
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/1-31.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keelerju/4454919318/

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/1-29.jpg


And the MD Anderson Administrative Support Building(taken from flickr)
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/2-11.jpg

And the Texas Childrens Hospital Maternity Center(from Jax, HAIF)
I put the renderings in case you didn't know about the project.

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/3-12.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/2-13.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Going%20Up/4-8.jpg

Holy Crow! From that angle taken from the MC toward DT, that could be NY or Chitown. Excellent perspectives.

m.:cool:

[Sulley]

Are you on crack?

[BrandonJXN]

The JPMorgan Chase Building needs to be reclad. A nice all glass facade would look really nice.

[SouthmoreAve]

Are you on crack?

I think it was the angle that made the TMC look like part of the Downtown Skyline without any gaps that makes it looks dense, and thus comparable to NYC's dense skyline.

HOWEVER, we all know Houston will never EVER compare to NYC, so nothing to take seriously.

[llamaorama]

Houston's skyline really is pretty easy to play with in photos. Line up all the business districts from different vantage points and you can make it look as large or as small, as long or as skinny, as your heart desires.

[photoLith]

The JPMorgan Chase Building needs to be reclad. A nice all glass facade would look really nice.

Uh, no. I love the cladding. If it were all glass well then it would just look like the Wells Fargo Building, which I like, but JP Morgan Chase is awesome as is.

[Dan Denson]

Uh, no. I love the cladding. If it were all glass well then it would just look like the Wells Fargo Building, which I like, but JP Morgan Chase is awesome as is.

If it were something other than that dingy gray it would be OK.

[johnme]

The Chase Tower is lit up again. Does anyone know if this will be permanent?

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/P4050041.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/P4050038.jpg

This is the new Memorial Hermann tower off of I-10 West and Gessner. This would have been a great addition to downtown. The spotlights go up really high above this building and can be seen from miles away.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/P4050037.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/P4050036.jpg

[mfastx]

Does anybody know why the new tower in the medical center (I believe it is called the outpatient center or something) isn't lit up anymore. It had fantastic lighting but about a month after it was finished it just stopped lighting up. :shrug:

[johnme]

The lighting was only on a short time and it has been off since. I work near the medical center, so I will keep my eye out for when they turn it back on. The building is still not open yet, so they may have been testing the lighting when it was on before.

[AstrosFreak]

The City Council and County Commissioners Court have voted to build the Dynamo a stadium on the east end of downtown! Finally!!
:banana:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6957689.html

[Dan Denson]

The City Council and County Commissioners Court have voted to build the Dynamo a stadium on the east end of downtown! Finally!!
:banana:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6957689.html

Anyone know what that means for the remaining surface parking lots (still too many)?

[Hillaryrocks]

^^^ Hopefully, more hotels and a couple more residential highrises. :cool:

m.

[photoLith]

Ive only posted dancing bananas a few times and this calls for em I do believe.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[AstrosFreak]

TexasBoi found a design plan for a new development to go in next to the just approved Dynamo Stadium. (Originally posted on Dynamo Stadium Thread)

http://www.eadohouston.com/downloads...0Promenade.pdf

Looks nice, and the area could use the revitalization. I can't wait til Minute Maid, Toyota, and Dynamo all have foot traffic, bars, and restaurants connecting them.

[nava]

TexasBoi found a design plan for a new development to go in next to the just approved Dynamo Stadium. (Originally posted on Dynamo Stadium Thread)

http://www.eadohouston.com/downloads...0Promenade.pdf

Looks nice, and the area could use the revitalization. I can't wait til Minute Maid, Toyota, and Dynamo all have foot traffic, bars, and restaurants connecting them.

Fixed link to that site http://www.eadohouston.com/developers.html

And more on Earth Quest, with new pictures and models on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/New-Caney-TX/Earth-Quest-Adventures-Houston/240136904264?ref=mf

[Trae]

I don't see any new photos on the EarthQuest Facebook page.

[photoLith]

Photos from today
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/4605223717_e4d9d07231_b.jpg
Maternity Ward, unfortunately they are cladding it in granite so its looks like it was built in the 80s, oh well.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/4605245621_6aa138a2ee_b.jpg

The construction of the Eastern extension of metrorail is now in full swing.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1352/4605855766_0c7c145865_b.jpg
Discovery Tower looking sexy now.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/4605859274_622d1c12e5_b.jpg
MainPlace and Hess Tower making an impact

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1298/4605854230_4f73a7fbdb_b.jpg
Slowly but surely these parking lots are pissing off. This is Embassy Suites.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1007/4605844304_a585fa458c_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4605848818_91752126b4_b.jpg
MainPlace

[llamaorama]

Imagine what it would be like if all those lots in foreground where moderately tall residential buildings with ground floor retail....

[photoLith]

They will be soon enough. 33 vacant parking lots have been filled in in the past 10 years, now there are only around 30 parking lots left inside the inner loop and at this rate, there should be no more parking lots in downtown Houston in 15 years or so YAY!

[TexasPlaya]

They will be soon enough. 33 vacant parking lots have been filled in in the past 10 years, now there are only around 30 parking lots left inside the inner loop and at this rate, there should be no more parking lots in downtown Houston in 15 years or so YAY!

But where would people park for Astros and Rockets games? ;)

[Complex01]

:previous:

They can take the light rail, he he.

All in all love the progress and addition to the skylines. MP, OPP, HESS really add to it. Very Kewl...

For some reason i like driving through the east side of houston, it was some great views of downtown and i dont know something about the area, its so industrious. I likes...

:tup:

[Urbannizer]

City West Place 5,6,7 & 8

City West Place 5 - 22 Floors

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/attachment-1.jpg

City West Place 6 - 16 Floors
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/attachmentCAEN1C1T.jpg

City West Place 7 - 12 Floors
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/attachmentCA4LJEBH.jpg

City West Place 8 - 16 Floors
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/attachment.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/attachmentCAWHUK1H.jpg

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

http://www.citywestplacehouston.com/CityWestPlace%20Development%20Brochure.pdf

[JManc]

that old BMC complex is really expanding.

[weatherguru18]

The fate of the Houston Astrodome, the "eighth wonder of the world", will be determined on June 14th. Three proposals exist ranging from complete demolition of the Dome to a planetarium/sound and movie stage. We'll see.

http://www.khou.com/news/Harris-County-officials-to-unveil-3-proposals-for-future-of-Astrodome-96092914.html

[weatherguru18]

Renaissance at Greenspoint, the ~25 story high rise at the beltway and 45, looks to still be on the books. Check out this video animation that was posted at HAIF.com earlier today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfwf88RQmR4&feature=player_embedded

[weatherguru18]

Check this thing out...

http://www.urbanicagroup.com/home/home?id=144

[mfastx]

Check this thing out...

http://www.urbanicagroup.com/home/home?id=144

One can only hope...

[Von]

Check this thing out...

http://www.urbanicagroup.com/home/home?id=144

omg I love it!! Houston needs something like this!

[Urbannizer]

Epicentre Houston

http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af176/jackbrink3/Capture1.png

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/med_gallery_723_64_54786.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_19487.jpg

http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af176/jackbrink3/Capture7.png

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_426.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_16240.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_72668.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_3169.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_49651.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_16328.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_20483.jpg

http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af176/jackbrink3/Capture4.png

http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af176/jackbrink3/Capture3.png

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/gallery/1248088767/gallery_723_64_24658.jpg

[vjhe]

This would be a fantastic project. It is time for the future to return to Space City...it has been gone for a while. This, as well as Earthquest Adventure makes me think Houston may become a major player in terms of "Green" projects.

[nava]

to bad that it is not going to happen anymore

http://swamplot.com/green-and-wiggly-astroworld-redevelopment-plan-coulda-been-a-contender/2010-06-14/

[TexasPlaya]

to bad that it is not going to happen anymore

http://swamplot.com/green-and-wiggly-astroworld-redevelopment-plan-coulda-been-a-contender/2010-06-14/

This was never going to happen.

[nava]

Astrodome Idea

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-int-milling.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-renaissance-mill.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-milling-overview.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-milling-balcony.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-food-milling.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-fest-dwg.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-fest-plan.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-racetrack.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-festival-plaza.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-stem-diagram.jpg
http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/astrodome-planetarium.jpg

more info:
http://swamplot.com/latest-astrodome-redevelopment-proposal-features-large-domed-space-for-people-to-mill-about-wondering-what-to-do-with-astrodome/2010-06-15/#more-19257

[kingkirbythe....]

The Astrodome needs big thinking. Reliant Park needs to be an entertainment destination.

[Complex01]

Something needs to be done. There is a lot of space. Build baby Build...

:tup:

[Big Tex]

Anyone who wants to demolish the Astrodome is insane. Why hasn't it been placed on the National Registered Landmarks List? Despite the fact that we'll never see sports in the Dome again and the economy is in a bad state, somebody can turn it into anything - a hotel, an entertainment/shopping complex (think Dallas' old West End Marketplace), an indoor ski resort (I don't think Texas has anything like that), a local-sports-themed museum (Oilers, Astros, Rockets, Aeros, Dynamo, Texans and the college teams), the ideas are endless.

[johnme]

Check out the Duke Energy Center in Charlotte from derekhollis at frog.com. A supertall here in Houston needs to get a lighting scheme just like this building. At the very least fix the Wells Fargo neon with a color changing neon or LED scheme. Our downtown is too dark and depressing at night; the building owners need to brighten up downtown.

http://yfrog.com/0kboiz

[Shasta]

I love that tower but think that lighting is tacky and a total waste of energy. Leave the tacky lights to Vegas, Dallas, and, sadly, Austin.

[kingkirbythe....]

Great lighting. Houston needs lots of that.

[mfastx]

That tower light is awesome, but IMO all downtown needs to not look depressing at night is the pre- hurricane Ike lighting.

http://www.carlmaples.com/Houston_Skyline_2062.jpg
Source (http://www.carlmaples.com/Houston_Skyline_2062.html)

[photoLith]

Like Im about sure that Epicenter development will ever see the light of day.

[photoLith]

edit, sorry, it seems that every time I get to Houston and post pics its always the last post on a page and then nobody gets to see them and I work hard taking these pics so yeah...

[photoLith]

Updates from yesterday.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4800999978_9e93bf6277_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4800390987_b271f6f0d7_b.jpg
Hess Tower and MainPlace finding their way in the skyline

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4800999232_940868375a_b.jpg
New tower at TMC

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4800363927_80dd741f7d_b.jpg
The Ballet Center

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4800998440_1a3a4dbc6a_b.jpg
Embassy Suites

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4800363175_49e82e3829_b.jpg
MainPlace

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4800994560_8a0418edab_b.jpg
Harris County Courthouse restoration. You can also see to the top right of the courthouse the new park and entrance to the judicial buildings being built on a former parking lot.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4801078130_e12677b04d_b.jpg
2727 Kirby is the second tallest from the right adding to the Galleria areas skyline from Hotel Zaza in the museum district.

Photos were taken by me.

[patriotizzy]

Updates from yesterday.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4801078130_e12677b04d_b.jpg
2727 Kirby is the second tallest from the right adding to the Galleria areas skyline from Hotel Zaza in the museum district.

That last picture is nothing short of spectacular. :shuffle:

[mfastx]

Wow that last shot is brilliant. Thanks for uploading these.

[weatherguru18]

Can anybody else confirm the new renderings of BLVD. Place showing several of the original planned high rises including the Ritz Carlton? If so, this is BIG news!

[photoLith]

Here are some updates from the Woodlands from about a week ago, photos were taken by me.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w1.jpg
The newly completed Avia hotel.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w2.jpg
Some new apartments going up along the Woodlands Waterway

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w3.jpg
A very cool New Orleans styled development that is near the mall. Its actually very well done and very dense.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w11.jpg

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w4.jpg

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w5.jpg
This is another section of this huge development. Im not so sure about this part of it, the houses are huge and are built sideways so the entrances cant be seen from the street. If they would have reorientated the houses in the normal direction this development would have been very good, but oh well.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w6.jpg
A newly completed office building along the waterway

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w7.jpg

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w8.jpg

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/w10.jpg

[patriotizzy]

Dang, so the Woodlands is exploding in development. This isn't near downtown is it?

[photoLith]

No, the Woodlands is about 25 minutes north west of downtown. All it was 10 years ago was a non distinct urban sprawl wasteland. Now, they are trying to turn it into an urban oasis in the sprawl and its turning out quite nicely, albeit, its really really expensive to live there.

[Complex01]

Just fantastic photos. I love Houston.

:tup:

[photoLith]

A few more updates from a few days ago.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/k2.jpg
Houston Museum of Natural History and Science expansion

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/k4.jpg
New development along the light rail in the museum district.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/k5.jpg
Kingwood Hospital expansion, my hometown is finally getting a low rise... I hate the suburbs.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc352/photolitherland/k6.jpg
2727 Kirby, people are finally moving into it.

[TexasPlaya]

Appreciate all the updates. The Woodlands have definitely become a more interesting place.

[TXLove]

Great updates Photolitherland!

[photoLith]

Can anybody else confirm the new renderings of BLVD. Place showing several of the original planned high rises including the Ritz Carlton? If so, this is BIG news!

I dont know if they are new renders but they updated their interactive map.
http://www.blvdplace.com/InteractiveMap.htm

[johnme]

Did you know the hospital in Kingwood was a failed mall project that died in the mid 1980's. It was one of a few mini suburb malls that were located in Houston. The site sat for around five years after the mall failed; until it was redeveloped into the hospital.

[photoLith]

Yeah, my mom used to work at Kingwood Hospital, so I had to go there everyday after school. The inside is laid out like a mall, with fountains, streams, and brick storefronts. It failed as a mall because there werent too many suburbs out that way when it was built and Kingwood was still pretty small at that time so they wouldnt have gotten enough business. Then Deerbrook Mall was built which pretty much sealed the deal on the Kingwood mall, so now its a hospital.

[johnme]

The lights were back on tonight; this is one of the best lighting schemes that has been here in Houston.

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/e10749c9.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/fcac9f93.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/7b3be972.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/78e79331.jpg

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/7e5760e5.jpg

[TexasPlaya]

Sweet, I like the blue. I've seen it red before but the I like blue better.

[mfastx]

Wow! Love the lighting.

[photoLith]

They never seem to have the lighting on when Im down there, its so awesome though. I hope its on everynight form now on.