HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[shakman]

There's no need for Vs. comments among the big Texas metros. :) There's more than enough BOOM going around for everyone. Midland may be putting everyone to shame in the near future with the world's second biggest oil field at their door step. Good times are ahead for Texas.

Texas has been going through good times. It is only getting better. :cheers:

The design is very unique. I think there is too much contrast between the various types of facade elements; however this could be good Houston.

[Wattleigh]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/10/downtown-observation-deck-getting-new-look/

Downtown observation deck getting new look

Tuesday, October 22, 2013


http://htmlimg2.scribdassets.com/1qbgswd69s30km90/images/1-ae19d2501c.jpg

This rendering shows the redesigned sky lobby at JPMorgan Chase Tower. The space atop the 75-story building will be closed through the end of the year while workers complete the renovations. The new look will include wood floors, additional lighting and seating, according to property manager Hines. Written displays will be replaced with video, too. Gensler designed the new space at 600 Travis.

[oscarinhouston]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/10/downtown-observation-deck-getting-new-look/

They should add a Sky Deck (Willis Tower aka Sears Tower in Chicago) or something like that

[TowerSpotter]

Lookee What the Kinder Foundation’s $50M Is Gonna Help Build Along the Bayous

http://i.imgur.com/XJGXpAx.jpg

O THE CITY has agreed to hand over maintenance of all the new bayou trails ’n’ stuff to the Houston Parks Board — it was the one condition that the Kinder Foundation stipulated before it would agree to donate $50 million to the Bayou Greenways project. That donation became a done deal earlier today. This dough, says the Parks Board, is going to allow construction to begin before the end of 2014 on as many as 14 new sections of trail — including even more work along Brays Bayou in Mason Park in the East End, shown in this rendering from SWA Group.

* * *

Here’s a rundown of the projects and dates scheduled for Brays Bayou: 75th Street trailhead, Forest Hill ramp, and Lawndale to O.S.T. (under construction); Mason Park Bridge and connections (Winter 2014); University of Houston Bridge and connections (Winter 2014); OST to MLK (Summer 2014).

http://swamplot.com/lookee-what-the-kinder-foundations-50m-is-gonna-help-build-along-the-bayous/2013-10-22/

[photoLith]

They should add a Sky Deck (Willis Tower aka Sears Tower in Chicago) or something like that

Uhm, theyve had one since it opened.

[econik]

Hotel W Epsilon: I agree it looks Vegas style. It's kinda cheezy.

[Urbannizer]

ExxonMobil Building Redevelopment (800 Bell)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10415020876_b867be3277_o.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/10415019895_59b44850e3_o.jpg

JW Marriott Hotel (806 Main) - New Rendering

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/10431166026_0336df70ee_z.jpg

Central Plaza - Current plans still call for it to be turned into commercial space, but this is what it may look like if they decide to switch over to residential.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/10415019476_33c05fb03a_o.jpg

Alexan Heights - New Rendering

http://www.pcg-us.com/images/portfolio/Residential/Alexan-Height-July-19.jpg

[AviationGuy]

Hotel W Epsilon: I agree it looks Vegas style. It's kinda cheezy.

Sure is. Worst looking design I've ever seen.

[Shasta]

That Epsilon Hotel doesn't look like a real project... or at least I hope it isn't. That thing is awful. It's bad enough that we have to live with that God-awful Memorial Hermann Tower thing out in Memorial City. Bring back the Ritz design for BLVD Park and then we'd be talking!

[oscarinhouston]

Uhm, theyve had one since it opened.

I'm talking about the Glass outside the building feature

[KevinFromTexas]

Uhm, theyve had one since it opened.

I think he means the addition of the "window box" they added to Willis Tower a few years ago. I don't like that idea for Chase, though, since Chase Tower's facade is a lot more important to its overall design than the Willis Tower. Having a window box on the front facade of the building would really change the look of the building and appear ackward. Maybe on one of the other sides, though.

[johnme]

Here are some photos from this past Monday all taken by me.
2929 Westlayan
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_100025.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_100025.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_100024.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_100024.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_100016.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_100016.jpg.html)
Skyhouse
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_121119.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_121119.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_121051.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_121051.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_121047.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_121047.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_120624.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_120624.jpg.html)
Soon to be demolished Houston Club Building
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_122633.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_122633.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_122622.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_122622.jpg.html)
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/espiau1074/20131021_121935.jpg (http://s733.photobucket.com/user/espiau1074/media/20131021_121935.jpg.html)

[N90]

Methodist's expansion in Sugar Land: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/10/23/methodist-plans-major-expansion-for.html

[Urbannizer]

Some Med Center news..

* Mill Creek Planning 6-Story Luxury Apts, breaking ground this month (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/10/23/luxe-apartment-community-planned-in.html) (rendering n/a)

* Methodist Expansion - 24-floors. Rendering (http://www.kpf.com/projects/Project299/11557_hr.jpg).

* Big plans for St. Luke's Flagship hospital to be replaced (St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital) (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/09/13/major-changes-coming-to-st-lukes.html) , St. Luke's Hospital to be renovated (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/vital-signs/2013/10/architects-await-st-lukes-next-step.html). CHI investing $1 Billion in St. Luke's.

*Memorial Hermann planning 12-Story Trauma Center. Also planning to tear down Robertson Pavilion for something larger and more modern (info from HAIF).

[Urbannizer]

The Sovereign: 10/23 by BaderJF (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26974-the-sovereign-at-regent-square-21-story-tower-at-allen-parkway-and-dunlavy/page-5) - 15th Floor

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/10450973765_ded6a0efbc_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/10451141093_36357d5d7d_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/10451145963_05038b4ee4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/10450975426_b0279281f2_b.jpg

2929 Weslayan: By BaderJF (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/15624-40-story-residential-tower-by-pm-realty-at-weslayan-and-west-alabama/?p=437731) and Geoff2801 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/15624-40-story-residential-tower-by-pm-realty-at-weslayan-and-west-alabama/?p=437742) - 17th-Floor

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/10451066525_10fc016522_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/10451065916_2a04a65e04_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/10451041054_1b74b3f5a8_b.jpg

[N90]

1 on hold, 17 under construction, and 40 proposed. Basically 18 pushing dirt and 40 on the pipeline.

Look at other US cities and Houston's on fire.

[dgpatel]

Some Med Center news..
*Memorial Hermann planning 12-Story Trauma Center. Also planning to tear down Robertson Pavilion for something larger and more modern (info from HAIF).

My wife works at Memorial Hermann TMC and she has heard about both of these projects. But she said that the Robertson work won't be until at least 2016. I'm not sure about timing for the Trauma Center, but I believe it will be sooner.

[toxteth o'grady]

[QUOTE=Urbannizer;6311180]Hotel W Epsilon

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/10415236623_a35f7c1180_b.jpg

It looks like they added 2929 weslyan in their rendering on the right near the AT&T building.

It's about time Houston got a W. What's it going to take to get it out of the ground?

[toxteth o'grady]

Texas has been going through good times. It is only getting better. :cheers:

The design is very unique. I think there is too much contrast between the various types of facade elements; however this could be good Houston.

HBJ reports that office leasing in Q3 in Houston absorbed 1 million sf. And there's another 6-story residential going in next to the Medical Center.

[toxteth o'grady]

Uhm, theyve had one since it opened.

I think they're looking for that glass-floored cantilever that the Willis installed.

[Urbannizer]

1 on hold, 17 under construction, and 40 proposed. Basically 18 pushing dirt and 40 on the pipeline.

Look at other US cities and Houston's on fire.

There's actually more towers proposed for Houston. It's just that we don't have much info and/or a rendering yet. A good source over on HAIF also told us we can expect more residential high-rises & hotels to be announced soon.



It's about time Houston got a W. What's it going to take to get it out of the ground?

That's not happening, it was just a feasibility study. The site is up for grabs though, being marketed as a good site for mixed-use development.

[Urbannizer]

http://zieglercooper.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/c02-940x626.jpg

http://zieglercooper.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/c01-940x626.jpg

http://zieglercooper.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/C03-940x626.jpg

The Howard Hughes Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary The Woodlands Development Company has started construction on a 390-unit, multifamily development — One Lake’s Edge — situated in the new 66-acre mixed-use development of Hughes Landing on Lake Woodlands. Hughes Landing will be a dynamic environment within The Woodlands that will feature up to 11 office buildings; shopping, dining and entertainment; a specialty grocer; an upscale hotel; a fitness center and up to 800 multi-family residences.

Located on 200-acre Lake Woodlands, One Lake’s Edge will feature panoramic views of the lake and will be only steps away from the shopping, dining and entertainment venues at Hughes Landing’s Restaurant Row. The luxury apartments will feature one-, one-plus-study, two- and three-bedroom designs, with an average size of 984 square feet. Amenities include a fitness center, oversized pool deck, show kitchen and large club room with elevated outdoor patio overlooking the lake, along with more than 22,000 square feet of retail planned on the ground floor. Upscale finishes include wood floors, stainless steel gas appliances, granite countertops, roller shades and Nest “learning” thermostats. One Lake’s Edge will be pet-friendly with an onsite wash station, kayak and bike storage and covered apartment-level parking.

Construction has started on the 825,000-square-foot, eight-story complex, with pre-leasing planned for fall 2014 and occupancy set for early 2015.

http://zieglercooper.com/one-lakes-edge/

[ILUVSAT]

[QUOTE=TowerSpotter;6311233]

It's about time Houston got a W. What's it going to take to get it out of the ground?

This is not a W hotel. Turn a W clockwise 90 degrees and you get the Greek letter epsilon.

I'm actually not sure if the name is a placeholder or not. There seems to be no information on Hotel Epsilon in North America. There is one in Ahmedabad, India, however.

To my knowledge, the only W Hotel "proposed" for Houston was in the stalled development just inside the loop on Westheimer (in the River Oaks District)...I forgot the name of this project. It was to have also included a 14-18 story Le Méridien Hotel as well as roughly 300,000 SF of luxury retail, 100+ condos, and 250,000+ SF of office.

In any case, it's an interesting design.

[TowerSpotter]

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/more-commercial-real-estate-sports-stars/

http://i.imgur.com/UFuL5Hs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/G8zvsob.jpg

[Urbannizer]

This is not a W hotel. Turn a W clockwise 90 degrees and you get the Greek letter epsilon.

I'm actually not sure if the name is a placeholder or not. There seems to be no information on Hotel Epsilon in North America. There is one in Ahmedabad, India, however.

To my knowledge, the only W Hotel "proposed" for Houston was in the stalled development just inside the loop on Westheimer (in the River Oaks District)...I forgot the name of this project. It was to have also included a 14-18 story Le Méridien Hotel as well as roughly 300,000 SF of luxury retail, 100+ condos, and 250,000+ SF of office.

In any case, it's an interesting design.

The Hotel W Epsilon is not a serious proposal, got in contact with the group behind the renderings a few days ago.

Good morning ****,

First of all, thanks for visiting our website and showing your interest in our renderings.

The renderings of W Hotel in Houston were for a conceptual design by a local architectural firm. They were working with some investors on the feasibility study of the site.

Here's a rendering of the 36-Story W Hotel proposed back in 07'.

http://bey-design.com/s/cc_images/cache_2863906504.jpg?t=1271626784

More here: http://bey-design.com/work-experience/residential/

[weatherguru18]

GOING UP!

From Twitter (posted by 'Mab' on HAIF):

hbjzucker ‏@HBJZucker27s
Breaking: @Hines to break ground on #Houston downtown tower, 609 Main, first week of November. Story coming soon.

[Urbannizer]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/wp-content/blogs.dir/1876/files/hines-projects/hines-609-main.jpg

Hines Set to Begin Construction on 609 Main at Texas in Houston

HOUSTON) – The Houston office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today its construction schedule for 609 Main at Texas, the 47-story, 1,050,000-square-foot office tower under development at the corner of Main and Texas streets in Downtown Houston on the Main Street rail line. Site preparation, including the deconstruction of an existing abandoned structure, will begin the first week in November. Excavation and foundation activities will occur in March 2014, and after 36 months of construction, the building will be ready for occupancy.

609 Main at Texas is being developed by the Hines CalPERS Green (HCG) development fund, a partnership that focuses exclusively on developing sustainable office buildings throughout the United States certifiable through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Core & Shell (LEED®-CS) program. This is the same partnership that developed BG Group Place, an extremely successful office building also on Main Street. 609 Main at Texas is pre-registered LEED, and is expected to attain Gold or Platinum certification upon completion.

Hines President Jeff Hines said, “609 Main at Texas is a strategic follow-on to our success with BG Group Place. We are thrilled to start construction on our second major office tower on Main Street, especially with our partner, CalPERS. We saw the trend coming several years ago when we purchased two key blocks of land on Main Street, and now our strategy has been confirmed with the start of this iconic new landmark.”

“We have already had significant leasing interest among all the sectors that fuel CBD development,” said Hines Senior Managing Director John Mooz. “This project will be a true ‘next-generation’ office building, utilizing best practices we’ve learned from our previous developments in Houston and around the world. While 609 Main at Texas is designed to house multiple firms, there is obviously a significant and prestigious opportunity for an anchor tenant, including options for large trading floors and outdoor space.”

Designed by Pickard Chilton, 609 Main at Texas’ north and south facades will extend skyward, culminating in a dramatic diagonal crown, creating a new, highly visible Downtown landmark. The narrower east and west facades will be slightly recessed, and the subtly faceted exterior façade will be clad in floor-to-ceiling glass with brushed-stainless-steel accents. Vertical blades will be incorporated in the east and west facades, enhancing the tower’s silhouette and offering solar shading. Computer-controlled LED illumination within the east and west recesses, and the tower’s sloped crown will accentuate 609 Main’s presence on the nighttime skyline.

Jon Pickard of Pickard Chilton noted, “Our design for 609 Main at Texas is evocative of BG Group Place – it acknowledges and advances the contemporary tradition of the Houston skyscraper while respecting the historical vocabulary of Main Street’s classic architecture. The tower will continuously animate the Central Business District with its shifting palette of light.”

Amenities at the vertically integrated campus will include: a “hotel-style” lobby with a café and spaces for networking; a 7,000-square-foot high-performance fitness center; an 8,000-square-foot conference center; full-height windows allowing for an abundance of natural light throughout the building; a sophisticated underfloor HVAC system; and private roof gardens in select tenant spaces. Floor plates will comprise 27,500 square feet, and parking for 1,500 cars will be provided in an internal 13-level garage (11 above-grade and two below-grade floors). Situated on one of the most centrally located blocks in Houston’s CBD, 609 Main at Texas tenants will enjoy a variety of transportation options – connectivity to Houston’s tunnel system, and access to light rail, Park & Ride and mass transit. In addition, the Main Street area provides a myriad of restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as a burgeoning residential population.

http://www.hines.com/press/releases/10-24-13.aspx

[weatherguru18]

Looks to be 757 feet with LED lighting along the sides!

From the article:

"Computer-controlled LED illumination within the east and west recesses, and the tower’s sloped crown will accentuate 609 Main’s presence on the nighttime skyline."

[toxteth o'grady]

So that's next week. Pretty rapid move.

[toxteth o'grady]

That's not happening, it was just a feasibility study.

And here we were getting all excited.

Houston still needs a W, though.

[weatherguru18]

So now we have:

Chevron going up: 50-stories (832 feet)
609 Main: 47-stories (757 feet)
2929 Weslayan: 40-stories
Marriott Marquis: 30-stories
Museum Tower: 42-stories
Market Place Tower: 27-stories
Skanska Tower: 37-stories
6 Houston Center
5 Allen Center

And that's just the ones that come to the top of my head. WOW!

[cloud713]

So now we have:

Chevron going up: 50-stories (832 feet)
609 Main: 47-stories (757 feet)
2929 Weslayan: 40-stories
Marriott Marquis: 30-stories
Museum Tower: 42-stories
Market Place Tower: 27-stories
Skanska Tower: 37-stories
6 Houston Center
5 Allen Center

And that's just the ones that come to the top of my head. WOW!

did hines market square residential tower get reduced or is that not what you mean by Market Place? that one is 33 stories. along with another residential tower thats supposed to be built on the west side of market square thats 35 stories i believe? and International Tower at 41 stories/651 feet. then there is the cluster of 5 towers that are planned to go up in uptown.. BPH Billiton tower (30 stories), Apache Tower (34 stories), Hanover tower (u/c, 29? stories), Astoria (28 stories), and that other residential tower on Post Oak (26 stories?).. theres lots of stuff coming to Houston!

[TowerSpotter]

did hines market square residential tower get reduced or is that not what you mean by Market Place? that one is 33 stories. along with another residential tower thats supposed to be built on the west side of market square thats 35 stories i believe? and International Tower at 41 stories/651 feet. then there is the cluster of 5 towers that are planned to go up in uptown.. BPH Billiton tower (30 stories), Apache Tower (34 stories), Hanover tower (u/c, 29? stories), Astoria (28 stories), and that other residential tower on Post Oak (26 stories?).. theres lots of stuff coming to Houston!

International went up to 46 floors now, I think.

[Urbannizer]

I just made a full list, there's a lot you guys didn't mention lol. :)

[AviationGuy]

That Epsilon Hotel doesn't look like a real project... or at least I hope it isn't. That thing is awful. It's bad enough that we have to live with that God-awful Memorial Hermann Tower thing out in Memorial City. Bring back the Ritz design for BLVD Park and then we'd be talking!

You're right. I still won't look directly at Memorial Hermann Tower on I-10. I just hope something like the rendering for the hotel never, ever gets built in Houston, or anywhere for that matter.

[photoLith]

Fuck, they are tearing down that beautiful art deco for 609 Main? There are so god damned many vacant lots downtown, why do they have to keep tearing down historic buildings? I swear, Houston is a lost cause with historic preservation. I mean really, come on, Houston is so far ahead of so many cities yet the city just keeps ripping apart its history. Pisses me off to no end.

[N90]

There's actually more towers proposed for Houston. It's just that we don't have much info and/or a rendering yet. A good source over on HAIF also told us we can expect more residential high-rises & hotels to be announced soon.
That's amazing.

I'm hoping that a Le Meridian, Mandarin, the W, and Ritz Carlton are all apart of that, even though some of them have the same parent company, still.

In the next three decades I want Houston to obtain all these:

1. NHL

2. LRT to both airports and major business districts

3. CRT to the Woodlands, Galveston, Hempstead, Sugar Land, Katy, etc.

4. 250 buildings above 10 stories

5. Earth Quest Adventures, Grand Texas, and one or two more theme parks

6. All major retailers that have bypassed the city so far

7. More films and TV shows shot there (Marshall Law: Texas and Boyhood being two good starters for Houston).

8. Dense and urban infill

9. Hosted a major world event like G20/G7 summit, Olympics, World Fair/Expo, FIFA World Cup, etc

With market size comes power, Houston's been bypassed by too many things already but it becomes very hard to ignore a large market when it becomes a massive one. It's like giving up on free money.

By 2040 Houston will be top 5 in every size scale: City, UA, MSA, CSA, and DMA. It already is by City and MSA.

Houston is just finally about to get a Marriott Marquis. Things are moving in the right direction.

[cloud713]

Fuck, they are tearing down that beautiful art deco for 609 Main? There are so god damned many vacant lots downtown, why do they have to keep tearing down historic buildings? I swear, Houston is a lost cause with historic preservation. I mean really, come on, Houston is so far ahead of so many cities yet the city just keeps ripping apart its history. Pisses me off to no end.

its been abandoned for years, and much of the art deco architectural features were ripped off a long time ago and the building desecrated. it hasnt been itself in quite some time and with the asbestos, its probably just cheaper to get rid of the building than try to save it and build around it. i agree though i get bummed every time the city tears down a historic building instead of preserving it. thats why Bethel Park surprised me so much. they went through a lot of trouble to preserve that old burned down church.


4. 250 buildings above 10 stories

do you mean 250 NEW buildings over 10 stories? because Houston already has over 450 highrises..

and there are only 6 Marriott Marquis in the world now if you include Houston, if im not mistaken. "just" now getting one isnt that bad of a thing.

[photoLith]

^
Look at what they are doing with that Marriot or whatever hotel is going into the that early 1900s highrise on Main. It had been abandoned for decades too and was covered with shit 1970s siding. Now its getting a full restoration. If they did it with that building, Hines could rehab this building and easily build around it, but they dont care, all they see is dollar signs.

[N90]

do you mean 250 NEW buildings over 10 stories? because Houston already has over 450 highrises..

and there are only 6 Marriott Marquis in the world now if you include Houston, if im not mistaken. "just" now getting one isnt that bad of a thing.
No, I meant 250 more buildings above 10 stories. Houston added 75 from 2000 to 2010. Not bad. Just needs to speed things up.

I know both New York and Miami have a Marriott Marquis, I've stayed in those two but I think more than 6 places in the world have them too.

[cloud713]

true. its definitely unfortunate. the tower only takes up half the block, and they could of built the podium around it but it would of been more work for Hines to refurb it when they could just get rid of it. doh

[Urbannizer]

That's amazing.

I'm hoping that a Le Meridian, Mandarin, the W, and Ritz Carlton are all apart of that, even though some of them have the same parent company, still.

Ritz Carlton is actively looking for a location in Houston (makes sense, they were going for BLVD before the recession). He said a few others are looking at Houston as well. Definitely good times for the city. :cheers:

[Shasta]

^
Look at what they are doing with that Marriot or whatever hotel is going into the that early 1900s highrise on Main. It had been abandoned for decades too and was covered with shit 1970s siding. Now its getting a full restoration. If they did it with that building, Hines could rehab this building and easily build around it, but they dont care, all they see is dollar signs.

806 Main St. is being converted into a JW Marriott Hotel. That said, that property wasn't abandoned. It was an office tower up into everyone was thrown out. I worked there in the mid 1990s. It was a dump, but it was functional.

I hate seeing the Texas Tower go, but that place has been empty and open to the elements for at least 3 decades if not more.

[cloud713]

No, I meant 250 more buildings above 10 stories. Houston added 75 from 2000 to 2010. Not bad. Just needs to speed things up.

I know both New York and Miami have a Marriott Marquis, I've stayed in those two but I think more than 6 places in the world have them too.

ahh. that would be fantastic. hopefully this current boom last for a while.

and maybe so, i cant recall where i heard there were only 5 (soon to be 6), but when you google Marriott Marquis the only ones that pop up are NYC, DC, SF, SD, and ATL.

[Urbannizer]

Some updates from today, all by BaderJF.

Skyhouse

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/10465999295_069ecf1656_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/10466181073_bd17e0547d_b.jpg

Savoy Houston/Flagship Holiday Inn Reno

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/10466181093_4249d344f7_b.jpg

Chase Tower Sky Lobby Reno

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/10466000736_9655bd4e0d_b.jpg

UH Football Stadium

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/10468380706_950836878f_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/10468381996_52cde12daa_b.jpg

[TowerSpotter]

There's actually more towers proposed for Houston. It's just that we don't have much info and/or a rendering yet. A good source over on HAIF also told us we can expect more residential high-rises & hotels to be announced soon.



That's not happening, it was just a feasibility study. The site is up for grabs though, being marketed as a good site for mixed-use development.

DELETED just saw the above.

[N90]

Is it possible for someone to correct the number of floors for 2929 Weslayan (and the address for this one) and Astoria on this: http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=28&statusID=2

Astoria is supposed to be 28 floors, not 25.

2929 Weslayan is supposed to be 40 floors, not 39.

Not that it makes a difference much but I like the idea of staring at 40 floor building under construction, rather than the high 30's.
ahh. that would be fantastic. hopefully this current boom last for a while.

and maybe so, i cant recall where i heard there were only 5 (soon to be 6), but when you google Marriott Marquis the only ones that pop up are NYC, DC, SF, SD, and ATL.
Yeah hopefully Houston can land one too.

The Ritz Carlton is owned by JW Marriott, that would be a great high end addition. I would still want a W too though, it's usually said every major city or leisure city (either category) has one of those. About time for Houston to get one too.

My favorites are the Mandarin and Le Meridian hotels, those two rock. For personal selfishness, here's to hoping both make an appearance in Houston soon.

Put the W and the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Houston and put the other three in Uptown Houston.
Ritz Carlton is actively looking for a location in Houston (makes sense, they were going for BLVD before the recession). He said a few others are looking at Houston as well. Definitely good times for the city. :cheers:
I had loved the tall cylinder design of the Ritz Carlton for BLVD Place, it was one of my favorite building designs of any proposed Houston building of the last 10 years.

[N90]

I live in D.C. and get back to Houston as much as possible. My family lives there and I am quite fond of the city. The whole state of Texas really.

D.C. has all it's cards in place as the nations capital to get everything it demands and the boom here is outstanding but I was just in Houston in the last week and unbelievably more going on there than even the DMV area. The DMV area feels like the entire metro at large is under construction but Houston feels like it's going Shanghai, tearing down the old city and rapidly becoming something unrecognizable. Cranes everywhere with every type of project.

I have never lived in a city that doesn't boom. Living somewhere slow and stagnant or in decline would be a big culture shock for me. I've lived in a good 6 cities all over the world with populations exceeding 6 million.

[Urbannizer]

State National Bank Building (412 Main) will be the next building to undergo a renovation, according to the newest downtown development map. Construction start date and what the building will be used for not yet known.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/10468888915_172c9fb970_b.jpg

[N90]

Going to run it from the top for North America.

Proposed:
Toronto: 249
New York: 147
Vancouver: 83
Chicago: 58
Los Angeles: 58
Montreal: 52
Houston: 40
Miami: 39
Calgary: 37
Atlanta: 37
Boston: 35
Philadelphia: 33
San Francisco: 29
Edmonton: 26
Jersey City: 26
Washington: 25
Austin: 25
Seattle: 25
Denver: 22
San Diego: 22
Dallas: 21
Honolulu: 19
Ottawa: 19
Mexico City: 18
San Juan: 14
Baltimore: 13
Nashville: 11
Puebla: 11
Kansas City: 10
Cleveland: 8
Minneapolis: 6
Cancun: 6
Charlotte: 6
Milwaukee: 5
Pittsburgh: 4
Winnipeg: 4
Memphis: 4
Tampa: 4
Oakland: 4
Buffalo: 4
Phoenix: 3
Cincinnati: 3
Panama City: 3
Saint Louis: 3
Sacramento: 3
Guadalajara: 3
San Jose: 3
San Antonio: 2
Omaha: 2
Indianapolis: 2
Detroit: 2
Las Vegas: 2
Fort Worth: 1
Portland: 1
New Orleans: 1
Monterrey: 1
El Paso: 0
Tucson: 0
Columbus: 0
Orlando: 0
Santa Domingo: 0
Oklahoma City: 0
Albuquerque: 0
Jacksonville: 0

Under Construction:
Toronto: 154
New York: 72
Mexico City: 43
Montreal: 32
Vancouver: 30
Calgary: 21
Miami: 19
San Francisco: 18
Houston: 17
Chicago: 15
Santa Domingo: 14
Seattle: 13
Ottawa: 12
Edmonton: 10
Washington: 9
Austin: 9
Los Angeles: 9
Dallas: 8
Cancun: 8
Boston: 8
Panama City: 8
Philadelphia: 8
Puebla: 7
Monterrey: 6
San Diego: 6
Honolulu: 6
Jersey City: 6
Denver: 5
Minneapolis: 3
Atlanta: 3
Winnipeg: 3
Buffalo: 2
Cincinnati: 2
Guadalajara: 2
Pittsburgh: 2
Portland: 2
San Juan: 2
Tucson: 1
Indianapolis: 1
Charlotte: 1
Phoenix: 1
Milwaukee: 1
Nashville: 1
Orlando: 1
Oklahoma City: 1
San Antonio: 0
El Paso: 0
Detroit: 0
Columbus: 0
Las Vegas: 0 (11 on hold)
Saint Louis: 0
Baltimore: 0
Kansas City: 0
Fort Worth: 0
San Jose: 0
Sacramento: 0
New Orleans: 0
Cleveland: 0
Omaha: 0
Tampa: 0
Memphis: 0
Oakland: 0
Jacksonville: 0
Albuquerque: 0

I guess Houston is pretty fortunate after all.

[BG918]

What is your list referencing?

[photoLith]

State National Bank Building (412 Main) will be the next building to undergo a renovation, according to the newest downtown development map. Construction start date and what the building will be used for not yet known.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/10468888915_172c9fb970_b.jpg

Well, at least thats some good news, thats one of my favorite historic buildings downtown. I always feared it would be torn down so thats great news something is actually going to be done with it.

[RumbleFish]

Going to run it from the top for North America.

Proposed:
Toronto: 249
New York: 147
Vancouver: 83
Chicago: 58
Los Angeles: 58
Montreal: 52
Houston: 40
Miami: 39
Calgary: 37
Atlanta: 37
Boston: 35
Philadelphia: 33
San Francisco: 29
Edmonton: 26

Under Construction:
Toronto: 154
New York: 72
Mexico City: 43
Montreal: 32
Vancouver: 30
Calgary: 21
Miami: 19
San Francisco: 18
Houston: 17
Chicago: 15
Santa Domingo: 14
Seattle: 13
Ottawa: 12
Edmonton: 10

I guess Houston is pretty fortunate after all.

I am sure these numbers are not exact, but are pretty good indicators. And I know I should not care about this, but it does annoy me that the US has almost 10 times the population of Canada and there are much smaller Canadian cities that have much more momentum than many of our major U.S. cities. Toronto is really blowing any US city away and has a smaller metro population than Houston or Dallas and Vancouver does not have a much larger of a metro than San Antonio, but has more going on than any other US city outside NYC.

[N90]

I am sure these numbers are not exact, but are pretty good indicators. And I know I should not care about this, but it does annoy me that the US has almost 10 times the population of Canada and there are much smaller Canadian cities that have much more momentum than many of our major U.S. cities. Toronto is really blowing any US city away and has a smaller metro population than Houston or Dallas and Vancouver does not have a much larger of a metro than San Antonio, but has more going on than any other US city outside NYC.
Yeah I know, the Canadian cities and really most of the world's cities are back on track with where they left off, the US still has a ways to go in this recovery.

Hey at least we're beating Italy, Spain, France, and Greece!

[supertallchaser]

I am sure these numbers are not exact, but are pretty good indicators. And I know I should not care about this, but it does annoy me that the US has almost 10 times the population of Canada and there are much smaller Canadian cities that have much more momentum than many of our major U.S. cities. Toronto is really blowing any US city away and has a smaller metro population than Houston or Dallas and Vancouver does not have a much larger of a metro than San Antonio, but has more going on than any other US city outside NYC.

but lets be honest toronto may have alot of developement but none of which is over 300m...the u.s has over 20 proposals/under construction supertalls .
point,USA :machinegun:

[Urbannizer]

Larger rendering of the base for 609 Main:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/10480359953_80b33dd817_b.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Allen Center Complex will Undergo Improvements "to remain competitive in the CBD".


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/10485142763_8728da7b39_z.jpg


One Allen Center to receive new, sleek facade
Public areas will be enhanced
Construction to begin in 2014, more details TBA soon before years-end


http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/29020-new-facade-for-one-allen-center/

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/08/more-than-rumor-brookfield-makes.html

[AviationGuy]

Allen Center Complex will Undergo Improvements "to remain competitive in the CBD".


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/10485142763_8728da7b39_z.jpg


One Allen Center to receive new, sleek facade
Public areas will be enhanced
Construction to begin in 2014, more details TBA soon before years-end


http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/29020-new-facade-for-one-allen-center/

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/08/more-than-rumor-brookfield-makes.html

What's the tall building at the right side of the photo? I've been hoping the facade would be redone at some point. Never have liked it. That's just my opinion, though. The facade looks fine in the photo, but in person it doesn't look like that.

[Urbannizer]

What's the tall building at the right side of the photo? I've been hoping the facade would be redone at some point. Never have liked it. That's just my opinion, though. The facade looks fine in the photo, but in person it doesn't look like that.

The building just out the picture is Heritage Plaza. I agree, especially with Two Allen Center being the same design, a bland box. I hope the facade turns out to be something interesting. Also good to see that new development also forces other developers to improve buildings that exist currently.

[Urbannizer]

800 Bell to Receive a Completely New Look

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/10485345084_8548ae5857_b.jpg

Here's a blurry look at the final rendering for 800 Bell, taken by BaderJF on HAIF. No more fins that extend outward on the building, traded-in for curtain wall glass. The building will also have triangular columns on the corners, and a top. Construction begins in 2015.

[cloud713]

What's the tall building at the right side of the photo? I've been hoping the facade would be redone at some point. Never have liked it. That's just my opinion, though. The facade looks fine in the photo, but in person it doesn't look like that.

the tall building on the right is the Continental Center (1600 Smith). it doesnt look that bad. its an interesting design but i suppose it would look nice in a shiny new outfit.


The building just out the picture is Heritage Plaza. I agree, especially with Two Allen Center being the same design, a bland box. I hope the facade turns out to be something interesting. Also good to see that new development also forces other developers to improve buildings that exist currently.

i think he meant the continental center when he said he hoped the facade would be redone.

[Urbannizer]

BHP Billiton/ 1500 Post Oak: Updates by Skylineview on HAIF

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2010%2025/IMG_1997_zpsd670f7ef.jpg

Asotria

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2010%2025/IMG_1992_zps1298d75d.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2010%2025/IMG_1996_zpsadd328a5.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2010%2025/IMG_1991_zpsc082161f.jpg

Premier Medical Center

http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/24/37/21/5370993/3/1024x1024.jpg

http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/24/37/21/5370994/3/1024x1024.jpg

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Mill-Creek-to-put-apartments-near-Medical-Center-4928019.php#/3

[Urbannizer]

I was going to wait until this was mentioned on HAIF, but I was told via email the other day that Ritz Carlton may build downtown, near Discovery Green.

[TowerSpotter]

I was going to wait until this was mentioned on HAIF, but I was told via email the other day that Ritz Carlton may build downtown, near Discovery Green.

Not a bad location, although I would have preferred it to next to/around Hermann Park.

[cloud713]

I was going to wait until this was mentioned on HAIF, but I was told via email the other day that Ritz Carlton may build downtown, near Discovery Green.

Near discovery green? Like next to One Park Place and Four Seasons? Seems like a possible location while still providing park views. It's gotta be tall though. Any other available spots and it's blocked from the park behind other towers. But maybe they would prefer to be on the light rail line, like on that site the city was trying to sell for residential/hotel, behind the Marquis. Imagine if the footprint was small enough they could fit the tower on that small plot directly in the park on the north east corner of the park where they were proposing building something on the under utilized portion of the park.

[Wattleigh]

I was going to wait until this was mentioned on HAIF, but I was told via email the other day that Ritz Carlton may build downtown, near Discovery Green.

If only it were the height and design of the one SOM planned for BLVD Place... Can always hope.

[mfastx]

Interesting that they moved their proposed building from Uptown, which is seemingly a more "trendy" area, to downtown. Really shows how far downtown has come.

[Urbannizer]

River Oaks District: Photos by russell.hancock (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29693644@N04/with/10493048754/) on flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10493222823_1a59ae78db_b.jpg

2929 Weslayan

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/10493194443_36fa38d03c_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/10492997026_345d57d222_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/10493004205_e1a89ab89a_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/10493214683_686c1dec6b_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/10493048754_543518d304_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/10493184653_ee90fa9504_b.jpg

[TexasPlaya]

Thanks for the updates. River Oaks District will be quite a large project.

[Bailey]

Interesting that they moved their proposed building from Uptown, which is seemingly a more "trendy" area, to downtown. Really shows how far downtown has come.

I've always thought that downtown had the better bones and that Uptown will one day become victim of its own poor planning. Rejecting the light rail plans will only set it further behind.

Imagine IF downtown could attract Uptown type retail to go along with the parks, theaters, sporting events, conventions, tourist centers, new residential opportunities (including neighboring midtown and EADO), rail lines connecting it to other parts of the city, premiere hotels, etc. and ALL WALKABLE.

How desirable will Uptown be after this happens? I'm thinking a downtown will start distancing itself as A++ while Uptown will be A.

[Urbannizer]

10/26 by Triton (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/28322-new-25-story-tower-near-the-heights/?p=438118), sign on site.

http://i.imgur.com/VcIddDv.jpg?1

[BrandonJXN]

Are there any plans on recladding (or at least cleaning) the JPMorgan Chase Tower? It's one of my favorite skyscrapers but it has not aged well at all. It looks really dirty and worn down.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/HOUSTON%20-%20CHASE%20TOWER/HOU-CHASE009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/HOUSTON%20-%20CHASE%20TOWER/HOU-CHASE009.jpg

If it were to get reclad, it should look at First Canadian Place in Toronto at how to do a proper reclad. Looks like an entirely new building.

Before:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2365/2284139557_d0582c9136_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2365/2284139557_d0582c9136_b.jpg

After:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6777791813_fcd60ee152_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6777791813_fcd60ee152_b.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

Are there any plans on recladding (or at least cleaning) the JPMorgan Chase Tower? It's one of my favorite skyscrapers but it has not aged well at all. It looks really dirty and worn down.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/HOUSTON%20-%20CHASE%20TOWER/HOU-CHASE009.jpg

You're talking about messing with IM Pei. Won't happen. But cleaning would be good (and cheap enough to do).

[Wattleigh]

No new fire museum in Midtown, but new apartments on the way. From the Chronicle (http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fire-museum-plans-doused-by-lack-of-funding-4927493.php#/0)...

Fire museum plans doused by lack of funding
But firehouse, relics may survive at existing site

By Allan Turner and Nancy Sarnoff

October 26, 2013

Unable to raise the needed funds, the Fire Museum of Houston on Friday said plans for a $15 million state-of-the-art midtown museum have gone up in smoke. Rising from the ashes, though, are proposals to buy the museum's present 1898 firehouse home from the city and upgrade its exhibits and educational activities.

Money for those improvements should come from a pending sale of the museum's planned building site, a 1.44-acre tract at Main and Hadley for apartment development.

M. Scot Davis of Trammell Crow Residential said the high-end project, Alexan Midtown, will have five stories of apartments atop two levels of parking. Davis said the average 850-square-foot unit will lease for about $1,700 a month.

Sale of property is to close on Monday, Davis said. Construction of the 215-unit complex should begin in January, with the first units ready for occupancy in early 2015.

[Urbannizer]

More apartments. Local architect Allen Bianchi designed this mid-rise, they usually design modern homes in the area. Not sure how far along the project is though.

http://www.allenbianchi.com/components/com_currentprojects/images/projects/large/11.jpg

Providing convenience with luxury living this mixed use, mid rise, modern apartment complex houses two hundred units as well as five thousand sq ft of retail. The units surround an outdoor courtyard that contains a pool promoting and engaged community. The retail spaces also provide ample outdoor seating to engage pedestrians.

http://www.allenbianchi.com/components/com_currentprojects/images/projects/large/12.jpg

http://www.allenbianchi.com/components/com_currentprojects/images/projects/large/83.jpg

http://www.allenbianchi.com/components/com_currentprojects/images/projects/large/84.jpg

http://www.allenbianchi.com/index.php?option=com_currentprojects&layout=detail&id=2&Itemid=3

[AviationGuy]

You're talking about messing with IM Pei. Won't happen. But cleaning would be good (and cheap enough to do).

IMO it didn't even look very good when new because of the drab gray color. But cleaning would certainly help, as you mentioned.

[weatherguru18]

IMO it didn't even look very good when new because of the drab gray color. But cleaning would certainly help, as you mentioned.

This building is nothing more than that: a building. I'm not sure it was ever meant to be pretty. At the time of construction, I'm sure the office space demand was even higher than it is now.

[JoninATX]

The JP Morgan tower looks good to me, it just needs a touch up. Plus it's the tallest 5 sided building on Earth.

[Shasta]

Maybe I am way off base, but there's nothing hip about Uptown. Strip Malls, chain restaurants, and a mega-mall are about as far away from "hip" as you can get. I rarely head that way anymore despite growing up in Tanglewood. It's snoresville.

[toxteth o'grady]

This building is nothing more than that: a building. I'm not sure it was ever meant to be pretty. At the time of construction, I'm sure the office space demand was even higher than it is now.

At the time it went up, it was supposedly the tallest concrete building in the country. Understatement was always supposed to be its hallmark.

[toxteth o'grady]

No new fire museum in Midtown, but new apartments on the way. From the Chronicle (http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fire-museum-plans-doused-by-lack-of-funding-4927493.php#/0)...

Can't raise the funds for the fire museum, can't even be bothered to save the Dome. That's Houston in a nutshell.

[Sic'EmBears]

Maybe I am way off base, but there's nothing hip about Uptown. Strip Malls, chain restaurants, and a mega-mall are about as far away from "hip" as you can get. I rarely head that way anymore despite growing up in Tanglewood. It's snoresville.

:tup: Amen :tup:

[Urbannizer]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/brijonmang/DtownSkyline_zps33e272e2.jpg

What Hines' new downtown skyscraper means for other tower timelines

After Hines released the timeline for its next downtown tower, other developers with proposals are remaining quiet — planning their next strategic move to get another on the ground.

Last week, Houston-based Hines announced it will move forward on its 609 Main at Texas project and is doing so on a speculative basis with no tenants officially secured, a spokesperson confirmed.

It’s uncertain at this point if other developers with proposals are moving forward on spec or with secured pre-leasing.

New York-based Skanska USA Commercial Development announced plans for its Capitol Tower, a 34-story office structure, designed by San Francisco-based Gensler’s Houston office, with 700,000 square feet. It is the former site of the Houston Club at 811 Rusk and is bounded by Main, Clay, Fannin and Bell.

“Construction timing will depend on market conditions,” Mike Mair, executive vice president and regional manager of Skanska, said after the Hines announcement.

Dallas-based Stream Realty Partners LP’s Houston office and Houston-based Essex Commercial Properties have a 750,000-square-foot structure in the works in a downtown lot bounded by Preston, Prairie, Milam and Travis. Essex is affiliated with Houston-based Linbeck Group.

After the Hines announcement, Stream said the company is “still excited” about its project and is “working on it;” however it was not ready to announce anything.

New York-based Brookfield Office Properties (NYSE: BPO) is still developing plans for what it is calling for now 5 Allen Center. The 40-story office project would be on 2 1/2 acres on the western perimeter of downtown.

Paul Frazier, vice president of leasing, said in August that Brookfield (NYSE: BPO) does not plan to build on a speculative basis, and it would need a 40 percent to 50 percent pre-lease commitment before moving forward with development.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/10/what-hines-new-building-means-for.html?page=2

[Urbannizer]

Hanover Post Oak: Updates c/o lockmat on HAIF

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/30/4epuva2a.jpg

BLVD Place

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/30/jysuraqa.jpg

Gables Tanglewood

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/30/uqe7ysup.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/30/e8a5e4uj.jpg

[rdavis4559]

At the time it went up, it was supposedly the tallest concrete building in the country. Understatement was always supposed to be its hallmark.

Is the facade concrete? I had no idea, it looks more like granite to me whereas One Shell Plaza is concrete and was the tallest concrete building for some section of the US for some time if I remember correctly.

[TowerSpotter]

http://i.imgur.com/rHP59Oc.jpg



It's a deal of firsts: For the first time in its 15 years of ownership, GenCap Partners sold a site in Chasewood Technology Park. And the buyer will build the first Marriott in Northwest Houston in over a decade. (There's an old saying: You never forget your first kiss, your first love, or your first technology park sale.)"


Uniquity Real Estate's Lisa Hankamer (right, with Griffin Partners' Kimberly Gauss) repped the seller; she tells us the site is seven acres within the 32-acre master-planned office park. Her team was brought on board by GenCap and leasing agent Transwestern because they felt a hotel would complete a live-work-stay-play environment. (One could move there and never leave.) The park has 463k SF of office space and is adjacent to Hewlett Packard's HQ, Noble Energy's 1M SF campus, and Lone Star College's 1.2M SF campus. It's also near retail and multifamily offerings at Vintage Park and Willowbrook Mall. Lisa tells us the deal also benefitted from its proximity to the Energy Corridor, The Woodlands, and Bush Airport. One challenge: Changing flood plain requirements.


Buyer MAS Lodging Capital will build a Marriott SpringHill Suites on the tract. It was drawn to the strong office absorption (especially Noble's recent activity) and will build above-average meeting space to serve those users. Look for groundbreaking soon and completion in September 2014. There's more office and retail coming to Chasewood Technology Park as well—GenCap SVP Paul Vangrieken says an additional 500k SF of office is coming soon (5 and 6 Chasewood), and three retail pads have been carved out for fine dining and other services. Lisa just formed her company six weeks ago and tells us she has a lot of unique hotel projects in the works, including marketing a resort on the Frio River and a boutique property in Costa Rica.

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/the-deal-sheethou102913/

[Urbannizer]

Willowick Park: by aarosurf (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/14605-willowick-place-at-river-oaks/?p=438454)

http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_10_2013/post-12393-0-21368600-1383099773.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

Is the facade concrete? I had no idea, it looks more like granite to me whereas One Shell Plaza is concrete and was the tallest concrete building for some section of the US for some time if I remember correctly.

I don't think the facade is concrete, but the structure is. My senior year in college (1978), my civil engineering professor mentioned the design for this structure, and I thought it was a rumored observation tower like the CN Tower in Toronto. Little did I know...

[AviationGuy]

Is the facade concrete? I had no idea, it looks more like granite to me whereas One Shell Plaza is concrete and was the tallest concrete building for some section of the US for some time if I remember correctly.

Emporis says the facade is marble. One Shell Plaza is particularly beautiful close up.

[rdavis4559]

Emporis says the facade is marble. One Shell Plaza is particularly beautiful close up.

Now that I read what I wrote, I realize I wasn't very clear with what I said. I always assumed Chase Tower was steel with a granite facade while OSP I was told was poured concrete. I guess I did assume that the exterior was also concrete but I can see it being marble.

[Barbarossa]

Such an awesome city, so much development. It's amazing how much this place has been transformed in a short time.

[toxteth o'grady]

More awesomeness. Well, sort of - it's only 4 stories but it is 100K sf.

Expansion of CGG's campus out west.

http://http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/10/cgg-expanding-west-houston-campus/
http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/wp-content/blogs.dir/1876/files/french-seismic-firm-expands/cgg.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Here's the tower going up on the former Macy's site. Hines is the developer, Ziegler Cooper the architect.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/10596964386_9291d846a3_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/10597289566_ca3eba13cf_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10597538983_752346b174_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/10597296334_e4fced2d38_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/10597283025_9d9c6b0789_b.jpg

http://goingupcity.blogspot.com/2013/10/is-this-hilcorps-super-secret-tower.html

[oscarinhouston]

Here's the tower going up on the former Macy's site. Hines is the developer, Ziegler Cooper the architect.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/10596964386_9291d846a3_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7398/10597289566_ca3eba13cf_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/10597538983_752346b174_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/10597296334_e4fced2d38_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/10597283025_9d9c6b0789_b.jpg

Very nice building :tup:

[dgpatel]

More awesomeness. Well, sort of - it's only 4 stories but it is 100K sf.

Expansion of CGG's campus out west.

http://http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/10/cgg-expanding-west-houston-campus/
http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/wp-content/blogs.dir/1876/files/french-seismic-firm-expands/cgg.jpg

Fixed Link (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/10/cgg-expanding-west-houston-campus/#17473-1)

Ground prep started about 2 weeks ago. Here's the view from my office. Sorry for the terrible picture, I'll try to take a better one tomorrow morning.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/10597769054_aaf720ff0d_b.jpg

[cloud713]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/10597283025_9d9c6b0789_b.jpg

http://goingupcity.blogspot.com/2013/10/is-this-hilcorps-super-secret-tower.html

if Main Street is closed to vehicular traffic, huh...? was that proposal more serious than we thought?

i wish the retail was a little more extravagant, since its replacing what was supposed to be the main anchor for the Dallas street retail corridor, but it will be a great addition none the less.

[AviationGuy]

Hines Block 256 looks really good. I wish it were taller, but it's still great looking.

[Wattleigh]

Alexan Midtown - Rendering from an HBJ blog post (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/11/trammell-crow-to-break-ground-on.html). No real new info in it other than the rendering.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/AlexanMidtown_zpsc38fd6b5.jpg (http://s177.photobucket.com/user/houtosme/media/AlexanMidtown_zpsc38fd6b5.jpg.html)

[Urbannizer]

Demo work has begun on Texas tower, making way for 609 Main.

http://i39.tinypic.com/9lkg7a.jpg
By Nate99 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/27729-609-main-at-texas-hines-next-downtown-tower/?p=438832)

Skyhouse update, red line shows where they are currently.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/brijonmang/Skyhouse_zps3cc29510.jpg

[Urbannizer]

bump