HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[TowerSpotter]

New Design for 5 Allen Center:

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/e7/e71b753897ef67d992213e8c0529706b.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/3c/3c347a1d5ad39730bd5083aa2f56086e.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/8d/8d5f60abfe0df6d3e814bd42905ba7e1.jpg

http://www.odell.com/portfolio/category/on-the-boards-2/

[Urbannizer]

The link above also has renderings for the Allen Center redevelopment:

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/3c/3ca8894edcca340cfd82156a7f7c8371.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/2d/2d749670797fc6ddcf831f3d30749aa4.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/80/80eef9baa5b42907091bf591e70ce6ea.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/5c/5c1d44baba616a25920e542cf41454f6.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/dc/dc2cadee87a12d51876c2d82201db1fa.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/91/9125b955b740f87e7bbabbd84eb8b6e8.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/dd/dd38f4c5e5e4d835daeb65e0c11a535f.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/f6/f6ae077b89a515eb83a01afefc252269.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/1f/1f21f9c98cfc90f2698d23ffe8f65488.jpg

[econik]

New Design for 5 Allen Center:

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/e7/e71b753897ef67d992213e8c0529706b.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/3c/3c347a1d5ad39730bd5083aa2f56086e.jpg


http://www.odell.com/portfolio/category/on-the-boards-2/

Dang, I really want to like it but there's something very dull about it. Its basically a rectangle with a sash. However, if the sash were to light up at night I wouldn't mind its boring day look. sigh*o*nara!

[N90]

By counting up floors, I got 18 + the two from the base. So 20. They've really scaled this one back from 50 floors to get off the ground. My guess is they reconcepted the design after nearly 6 years to fit a more aesthetical package to try to lure more tenants.

[N90]

Let's see. Five Allen Center has been 20% preleased for some years now and that was with their original floor plan of 50 floors. This one is 20 + floors, so around half the size and likely around half the office space. The preleased commitment should be around 40% and up now, just over night without inking anyone new through both the redesign and scaling back.

This puppy just needs 50% before it starts moving dirt. That should be within the next year and a half.

[toxteth o'grady]

New Design for 5 Allen Center:

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/e7/e71b753897ef67d992213e8c0529706b.jpg

That building just keeps getting shorter and shorter. The render's not even a thirty-story structure.

[toxteth o'grady]

This puppy just needs 50% before it starts moving dirt. That should be within the next year and a half.

If they just drop five more floors...:koko:

[TowerSpotter]

The link above also has renderings for the Allen Center redevelopment:

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/5c/5c1d44baba616a25920e542cf41454f6.jpg


I really like the new color on 3 Allen Center.

[toxteth o'grady]

If I'm not mistaken, the new color is the same as the old color.

[TowerSpotter]

If I'm not mistaken, the new color is the same as the old color.

The other one is dark brown and this one is light brown. Also I think this might be a new material.

[cloud713]

The other one is dark brown and this one is light brown. Also I think this might be a new material.

you sure? seems like it might just be the rendering and its actually the same facade. i cant see them changing the whole facade just for a slight variation most people wouldnt even notice.

what is the building to the left of 3AC? the Doubletree? i dont recognize the facade and was wondering at first if it was the new facade for 1AC but i then i saw 1AC in its current state in other renderings.

[TowerSpotter]

you sure? seems like it might just be the rendering and its actually the same facade. i cant see them changing the whole facade just for a slight variation most people wouldnt even notice.

what is the building to the left of 3AC? the Doubletree? i dont recognize the facade and was wondering at first if it was the new facade for 1AC but i then i saw 1AC in its current state in other renderings.

Well from what the article says...It will be getting renovated both from the exterior and interior. Maybe reclading, the texture looks different in the rendering.

[N90]

Here's my take on the direction of Houston's skyline. If Five Allen Center can integrate LED lights on its outer band's facade for night, then I'll agree with it being a useful addition to the skyline. Meanwhile 609 Main, the Marriott Marquis, 6 Houston Center, and International Tower, Houston's skylines brighter days are ahead of it. Literally.

Oh and the blue and purple lights are pretty rad.

[Wattleigh]

HAIF member 'Mab' found the updated leasing plan (http://midwaycompanies.com/img/leasing/site-plans/GS-131031-Merchandising_Plan.pdf) for the GreenStreet complex downtown, currently under renovation.

In addition to a half-dozen new restaurants and a fitness center, a 25-story 250 room hotel is planned for the corner facing Dallas and Fannin.

[toxteth o'grady]

Well from what the article says...It will be getting renovated both from the exterior and interior. Maybe reclading, the texture looks different in the rendering.

I think the biggest exterior change is the banner lettering at ground level. Which I'm not sure I'm excited about; that seems more appropriate to warehouses.

[toxteth o'grady]

HAIF member 'Mab' found the updated leasing plan (http://midwaycompanies.com/img/leasing/site-plans/GS-131031-Merchandising_Plan.pdf) for the GreenStreet complex downtown, currently under renovation.

In addition to a half-dozen new restaurants and a fitness center, a 25-story 250 room hotel is planned for the corner facing Dallas and Fannin.

It would be nice to include apartments or condos in the complex. It would complement the retail/office component.

[N90]

Wow so much stuff going on in Houston and no one's posting.

Looks like Downtown Houston's on pace to keep shattering all previous records:
By Urbannizer on HAIF:

10-Story, 302 unit building planned by Allied Orion Group. 2017 Completion. Listed as #24, but the location is #25 on the map.
By Urbannizer on HAIF:

28-Story, 380 unit with commercial on ground floor. Construction starts may 2014. It's listed on the newest downtown development map. #17

http://downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2013-11-19/131119_Current_Projects_8.5x11.pdf
Now for some insane updates on the status of Uptown Houston:
By Bisnow

Uptown Houston District CEO John Breeding (speaking to our 350 attendees) says development is booming in his submarket across all property types. Residential is the bulk of construction, with over 20 multifamily high-rises in the works. There are eight hotels in discussion that would add 2,000 rooms, with four planning to break ground next year. There's 2M SF of office development in the pipeline. TxDOT is reconstructing the 59/610 interchange starting in 2017 and ending 2021, and John says his district's $190M mass transit plan is more than just transportation improvement; it'll remake Uptown. Fun fact: Uptown is the 14th-largest business district in the country.

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/the-future-of-uptown/
In comparison to what it used to be like a couple of decades ago in Uptown:
By Bisnow

30 years ago, the Uptown/Galleria was one of the softest markets in the country with 25% vacancy and companies fleeing to other submarkets. (Even the dust was going elsewhere.) My, how times have changed—experts at Bisnow's Future of Uptown/Galleria event yesterday say it's now one of the best.
Elsewhere:
By Houston Business Journal

PM Realty Group has plans to turn a long-standing strip center in Montrose into a mixed-use development

PM Realty Group did not share early design plans, but several sources confirmed the mixed-use structure could include residential with retail on the ground floor.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/11/happy-retail-tenants-could-slow.html
By Bisnow

Many thanks to our sponsor Bury, which is keeping busy with several multifamily projects under construction. That includes some Uptown communities, like Bristol Park. That 219-unit mid-rise will sit on 1.5 acres by the park within walking distance of the Galleria. It's also working on a multifamily project at 249 and Cypresswood for Stonelake and Embrey.

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/the-future-of-uptown/
By Bisnow

Wulfe & Co founder/chairman Ed Wulfe. Ed thinks Uptown is on the verge of a new era, including the transformation of Post Oak into one of the best streets in the world. He says overall retail in the submarket is 99% occupied, with rents shooting up in response to high land prices. To make new retail development pencil out, you need to either do multi-level projects or mix with office. (He's doing both at BLVD Place, where 122k SF of retail and 90k SF office space will open in June.)

A resourceful member on HAIF also mentioned earlier this week to keep an eye on Uptown, it's on the verge of a super-boom with several retail, condos, apartments highrises, hotels on the verge of announcement, particularly along the Uptown Westheimer Corridor.
A possibility of a 5th Houston theme park being proposed:
By TowerSpotter on HAIF

SAG is assisting the Pasadena Second Century Corporation and the City of Pasadena, TX with understanding the development potential of underutilized land surrounding the Pasadena Convention Center & Fairgrounds Complex. The site area encompasses over 200 acres. Our services included researching similar-sized communities nationwide to gain an understanding of what other suburban locales offered. The study is focused primarily on hotel, restaurant, retail, water park, amphitheater, and theme parks and understanding the supply, demand, pricing and financing factors that impact their feasibility.

http://strategicadvisorygroup.net/mixed-use-development-pasadena-tx/
To end on this note with Green Street in Downtown Houston:
By Midway Companies

The Green Street development is calling for a 25 story 250 room hotel in Downtown Houston at the corner of Dallas and Fannin. Other takers in the Green Street development are six unspecified restaurants and a fitness center.

http://midwaycompanies.com/img/leasing/site-plans/GS-131031-Merchandising_Plan.pdf

[TowerSpotter]

Haha thanks for updating N90 :)

[Urbannizer]

I would post but I'm out of town atm. Here's the newest development map for downtown.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/10969549786_e234cf5f3c_b.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Some updates from Monday, by me.

Skyhouse

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/10949532564_880d0ef2e7_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/10949495144_b2fb9fef1d_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/10949161366_a8d1b5602f_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/10949519484_8054db8df9_b.jpg

Former Savoy Hotel

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/10949357353_2360d4d567_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/10949508454_ee589cd3bd_b.jpg

Greenstreet

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/10949385886_36dae83260_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/10949271945_9898f6e0ea_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/10949362656_273449bbd0_b.jpg

Former Macy's Site

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/10949404354_086a2bbde6_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/10949393714_e9419d9de1_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/10949223785_74cc0e3d50_b.jpg

806 Main

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/10949370544_d4352cef56_b.jpg

[BrandonJXN]

As someone who has never been to Houston (aside from an hour layover at George Bush), can someone explain which buildings comprise Allen Center?

[Wattleigh]

As someone who has never been to Houston (aside from an hour layover at George Bush), can someone explain which buildings comprise Allen Center?

http://brookfieldofficeproperties.com/content/houston/allen_center-8392.html

The former Enron Tower was also part of the project at one point, though that technically ended when Chevron purchased the building from Brookfield a few years ago.

[toxteth o'grady]

A possibility of a 5th Houston theme park being proposed

I imagine all that had to happen was Astroworld getting leveled. Come to think of it, the Dome would make a good amusement park.

[TowerSpotter]

609 Main at Texas

http://www.bisnow.com/testzz/writer/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/John-Mooz-609-Main-windows-closed.jpg

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/bisnow-profile-john-mooz/

[AviationGuy]

I imagine all that had to happen was Astroworld getting leveled. Come to think of it, the Dome would make a good amusement park.

Yeah, they could do it like Snoopyland at the Mall of the Americas in Bloomington, MN (indoor amusement park).

[toxteth o'grady]

Phillips 66 makes it official.

Rendering: Phillips 66 breaks ground on new corporate campus
(http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/11/rendering-phillips-66-breaks-ground.html)

[diskojoe]

All of these renders made me laugh due to the amount of people walking around in them. Never have I ever seen this many people in that area except when the custodians get off night shift.

The link above also has renderings for the Allen Center redevelopment:

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/3c/3ca8894edcca340cfd82156a7f7c8371.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/2d/2d749670797fc6ddcf831f3d30749aa4.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/80/80eef9baa5b42907091bf591e70ce6ea.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/5c/5c1d44baba616a25920e542cf41454f6.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/dc/dc2cadee87a12d51876c2d82201db1fa.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/91/9125b955b740f87e7bbabbd84eb8b6e8.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/dd/dd38f4c5e5e4d835daeb65e0c11a535f.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/f6/f6ae077b89a515eb83a01afefc252269.jpg

http://www.odell.com/media/cache/1f/1f21f9c98cfc90f2698d23ffe8f65488.jpg

[diskojoe]

I do not understand why they have to tear down this building when there's so much vacant land around, I know it's not the most charming building but as little as Houston has preserved I would wish they rehab it.

There is not any vacant land in the area where this building sits. It used to be really vibrant back in the day when Montrose was a cool place to hangout.

[glowrock]

There is not any vacant land in the area where this building sits. It used to be really vibrant back in the day when Montrose was a cool place to hangout.

It's not like that section of Montrose isn't still pretty good in terms of bars, restaurants and the like, diskojoe. Perhaps it's moved a couple of blocks to the north and east of Montrose and Westheimer, but it's still definitely there. ;)

(See Hay Merchant/El Real/etc... for example)

Aaron (Glowrock)

[toxteth o'grady]

It's not like that section of Montrose isn't still pretty good in terms of bars, restaurants and the like, diskojoe. Perhaps it's moved a couple of blocks to the north and east of Montrose and Westheimer, but it's still definitely there. ;)

It's there, but it's changing. One by one, the older smaller homes and apartments are coming down and being replaced by larger residential blocks. And it continues...

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/toxteth_ogrady/Montrose3_zpse1c8f322.jpg
http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/toxteth_ogrady/Montrose4_zpsf2fb7045.jpg
http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx345/toxteth_ogrady/Montrose7_zps6ac3093a.jpg

[Urbannizer]

SWN HQ: 11/25 by Triton

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

Energy Center Three: 11/25 by me

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/11057721856_e43f826138_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/11057751694_b079f64730_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/11057734526_a8f38e2108_c.jpg

Samsung Tower: 11/25 by me

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/11057736696_7779512df3_c.jpg

Waterwall Place

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1424347_657168010973392_208513999_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1455987_657172837639576_1502050242_n.jpg

Hanover West University: by larrydierker

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/11021327463_aabb0e804e_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/11021123875_9b287dc193_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/11021130325_3801c008eb_b.jpg

[Wattleigh]

Brief piece on the Mid-Main Apartment project in Midtown...

http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=6964

Mid-Main Movement

Mixed-use Houston development builds on urban ideals.

http://archpaper.com/uploads/image/03-houston-texas-mixed-use-development-archpaper.jpg

As Houston begins to grow from the inside out, many developers are staking their ground in the Mid-Main district just south of downtown. Cultivating a culture of vibrancy, public transit, and neighborhood interaction are some of the goals of one new project located in this prime location along the METRORail light rail system. New York City–based Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers and local developer RHS Interests are planning to break ground in Spring 2014 on a mixed-use development located at the 3500 and 3600 block of Main Street. The privately funded project, which also enlists the help of architect and Rice professor William T. Cannady and Gensler Houston, is estimated to be complete by mid to late 2015.

[LordElPaso]

It's there, but it's changing. One by one, the older smaller homes and apartments are coming down and being replaced by larger residential blocks. And it continues...


Indeed. This is progress to some, but it seems that this city is being squeezed out of the hands of the locals, into the hands of (corporate) developers, and a big part of why I loved Houston is slipping away.

[Wattleigh]

An account of the work now going on at the Texaco buildings downtown, by 'rechlin' on HAIF (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/28162-38-story-residential-highrise-downtown-old-texaco-building-renovation/page-9#entry441646)

Quite a lot more activity today. There are several guys on the roof by the southwest side of the taller building, where they have set up another structure, a ladder up to a third floor window by the south corner, a few more guys hanging out a fifth floor window that has been removed (hard to see in the photo but just above the ladder), and they've removed a bit of the façade between the third and fourth floors on the southwest side of the shorter building.

and a photo from the same user's thread...

http://i.imgur.com/NAiEm69.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Former Macy's Site: 11/24 by Candace Garcia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/candacegarcia/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/11030731705_fe1cfd56c6_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/11030750725_1ed75b3752_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/11031069913_841e3f0303_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/11031026435_ea8f81381d_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/11030801954_69e255f6aa_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/11031104843_83ba735e03_b.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

Brief piece on the Mid-Main Apartment project in Midtown...

http://archpaper.com/news/articles.asp?id=6964

Well, they get points for trying to embrace the new-urbanism. I had no idea, though, that the typical apartment block enclosing a parking garage - seen everywhere from Houston to Dallas to Fort Worth to Washington, DC - had gotten the name "Houston Wrap". Are we that predictable?:slob:

[toxteth o'grady]

it seems that this city is being squeezed out of the hands of the locals, into the hands of (corporate) developers, and a big part of why I loved Houston is slipping away.

In short, the hippies are getting pushed out so the yuppies can move in. Not sure it's progress, but at least the biodiversity of the green spaces is being maintained.

[Bailey]

In short, the hippies are getting pushed out so the yuppies can move in. Not sure it's progress, but at least the biodiversity of the green spaces is being maintained.

Yuppies> Hippies

You do know that Yuppies stands for Young Urban Professionals? Why wouldn't we want these type of people in Houston?

[shakman]

Yuppies> Hippies

You do know that Yuppies stands for Young Urban Professionals? Why wouldn't we want these type of people in Houston?

I suppose Hippies stands for Hillbilly In-bred Professionals? :D

[TowerSpotter]

2 New Developments listed...Thanks to Urbannizer for finding these.

11 Story Office Tower for Greenway

http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-7558-0-35638600-1385543877.jpg





Block 436 & 437

http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-7558-0-64368100-1385543488.jpg

http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-7558-0-46191100-1385543518.jpg

[Wattleigh]

Well, they get points for trying to embrace the new-urbanism. I had no idea, though, that the typical apartment block enclosing a parking garage - seen everywhere from Houston to Dallas to Fort Worth to Washington, DC - had gotten the name "Houston Wrap". Are we that predictable?:slob:


It's probably referring to the bulk of other projects in the city, not an industry term...

As for the two other projects just posted - the one for the Greenway looks pretty good in terms of scaling. Sounds like it will accompany the other developments in the area pretty well w/ GFR based on the comments about the plans.

And it's good to see someone else has plans for the two blocks in Midtown that Milhaus had previously proposed apartments for. The neighborhood is too hot for that land to remain dormant for too long.

[Urbannizer]

East Downtown Promenade: 11/24 by HoustonMidtown (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/23219-east-downtown-promenade/?p=441470)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/11089256214_c145ecf084_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/11089145325_c26fc8bde9_b.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Birdsall By the Park Apartments

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/11109086144_4ef54152a7_b.jpg

Broadstone Midtown: 11/20

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1456103_222952954551875_625274870_n.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Alexan Midtown: New Renderings

http://tcresidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/13320-SCENE01_gallery.jpg

http://tcresidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Alexan-Midtown_highres_gallery.jpg

Harris County / COH Joint Processing Center

http://www.pgal.com/media/cache/d4/d416c687aa79c8a538624aa0cf6748a4.jpg

PGAL has completed Programming for the Harris County/City of Houston Joint Processing Center. The primary goal of this project is to combine County and City operations to establish a new level of detainees processing by focusing on directing identified detainees to the appropriate outside community resources in lieu of increasing the jail population while separating out those individuals who require specialized handling from the general population. This new facility will provide: upfront increased medical and mental health screening for all incoming detainees; space for short-term assessment of detainees entering the detention system as well as for those about to be released; eliminate County/City duplication and provide improved services for the public; and incorporate current/future technology such as video visitation while addressing deficiencies in current functions and operations.

http://www.pgal.com/portfolio/harris-countycity-of-houston-joint-processing-cent/

[Urbannizer]

Bunker Hill: MetroNational is the developer, going up in the Memorial City area.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/11129132376_063f2a3df5_b.jpg


12-Story Apartment High-Rise
348 Units
64,500 square foot of amentities
26,000 square foot retail space
44,000 Whole Foods


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/11129134796_ec8065c3a6_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/11129287203_2a4a941748_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/11129105265_719d35968b_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/11129106125_625ba8ecda_b.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/29248-12-story-high-rise-whole-foods-%E2%80%94-katy-fwy-and-bunker-hill/#entry441825

MCM 303: Also proposed for the Memorial City area by MetroNational

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/11129237565_2daf93fe27_b.jpg

[glowrock]

Nice project! :tup:

Aaron (Glowrock)

[TowerSpotter]

The developments keep on getting better and better.

[N90]

My gosh, what kind of a beast is Houston becoming. In the last one week they've proposed 9 buildings above 10 floors. The 4 from that Westheimer mixed use all 4 range from 17-22 floors, a 10 story announced elsewhere, an 11 story in Greenway, a 12 story (or higher) in Houston's Memorial City area, 28 story residential tower for downtown, a what seems to be 33 floors in Downtown, and Urbannizer mentioned another in Uptown that looks exactly like the Austonian which I've seen renderings for before (for Uptown Park). It's supposed to be in North Uptown and is an exact replica of the Austonian by the same architect and same height.

That's 9 in one week with one more pending (so 10, the Uptown Park) and HAIFers have implied this isn't even close to all the stuff we don't know about yet.

For the Uptown Park rendering see TowerSpotters post number 17: http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/28426-uptown-park-converting-to-high-density-mixed-use/

[N90]

Under construction Houston is second to New York in number of buildings, tied with Miami and San Francisco. For proposed, only New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles have more.

Also so many under construction and proposed are over 500 feet. Which should keep Houston as the third tallest in number over 500 feet behind New York and Chicago. In fact, two of tonight's reveals are over 500 feet (the two in Uptown).

[Urbannizer]

And we have more. :-)

Another Residential High-Rise for Downtown: Designed by Ziegler Cooper, this one is proposed for the remaining block behind Hess Tower. Sorry for the rough image quality.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/11130278673_9eb09e5ac1_b.jpg

Gables Post Oak: New Rendering

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/11130486083_84db8e32da_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/11129946774_b4700a40b9_b.jpg

http://www.humphreys.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MFEC_FutureDesigns_FINAL.pdf

[DanielG425]

Also among all the developments, it looks like the 20+ story Wyndam Hotel off the Katy freeway is going through a major renovation. I'll link a picture. When I'm home.

[TowerSpotter]

My gosh, what kind of a beast is Houston becoming. In the last one week they've proposed 9 buildings above 10 floors. The 4 from that Westheimer mixed use all 4 range from 17-22 floors, a 10 story announced elsewhere, an 11 story in Greenway, a 12 story (or higher) in Houston's Memorial City area, 28 story residential tower for downtown, a what seems to be 33 floors in Downtown, and Urbannizer mentioned another in Uptown that looks exactly like the Austonian which I've seen renderings for before (for Uptown Park). It's supposed to be in North Uptown and is an exact replica of the Austonian by the same architect and same height.

That's 9 in one week with one more pending (so 10, the Uptown Park) and HAIFers have implied this isn't even close to all the stuff we don't know about yet.

For the Uptown Park rendering see TowerSpotters post number 17: http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/28426-uptown-park-converting-to-high-density-mixed-use/


So I am guessing they won the bid for the one that looks like the Austonian.

http://i.imgur.com/hFP8tZc.png

[Urbannizer]

So I am guessing they won the bid for the one that looks like the Austonian.



Wha? The renderings just give us an idea of what can go up on the site, not an actual development.

[animatedmartian]

Man, Houston is blowing up! If people aren't taking notice already, they're gonna be caught by surprise real soon. :cool:

I would post but I'm out of town atm. Here's the newest development map for downtown.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/10969549786_e234cf5f3c_b.jpg

Are there any more maps for Houston as a whole or other major neighborhoods? There's an amazing number of projects and it's almost dizzying to an outside observer.

[TowerSpotter]

Wha? The renderings just give us an idea of what can go up on the site, not an actual development.

Oh so the one that is on your post is the same one or the actual one in Austin? Or is it just the same idea??

[TowerSpotter]

Man, Houston is blowing up! If people aren't taking notice already, they're gonna be caught by surprise real soon. :cool:



Are there any more maps for Houston as a whole or other major neighborhoods? There's an amazing number of projects and it's almost dizzying to an outside observer.

Here is Lockmats map from his blog.

http://goingupcity.blogspot.com/p/map.html

[Urbannizer]

Oh so the one that is on your post is the same one or the actual one in Austin? Or is it just the same idea??

Me confused. The post by N90 about Uptown Park is not an actual development, a portion of Uptown Park is for sale, and the video shows what the site and surrounding area can be used for.

[animatedmartian]

Here is Lockmats map from his blog.

http://goingupcity.blogspot.com/p/map.html

Thanks! :tup:

[TowerSpotter]

Me confused. The post by N90 about Uptown Park is not an actual development, a portion of Uptown Park is for sale, and the video shows what the site and surrounding area can be used for.

yes I know its not an actual development, my question is if the building on the top left below is the same one from the video.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/11129946774_b4700a40b9_b.jpg

[Urbannizer]

yes I know its not an actual development, my question is if the building on the top left below is the same one from the video.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/11129946774_b4700a40b9_b.jpg

That's just a picture of the Austonian in Austin, not a rendering.

[TowerSpotter]

Ok I see now :)

[N90]

Sorry, I mistook it with something else then but those parcels in Uptown Park are on sale and it's a matter of when rather than if for them.

Hmm thinking back, I jumped the Uptown Park idea, I now realize he meant the office building/tower behind the Gables Post Oak/BBVA Compass Tower in the rendering. That tower looks like a very good height as it is. Has a bit of a conical design, which is great, of all of Houston's business districts, Uptown literally looks like the one with the most architectural variety.

[Urbannizer]

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/11130486083_84db8e32da_b.jpg

Over on HAIF, we've learned that tower in the back is a proposed office tower.

[Urbannizer]

Please check out the front page of this thread - all sections updated! :pillowfight:

[TowerSpotter]

You did an Awesome job Urbannizer :-)

[KevinFromTexas]

That is a very nice building.

[Wattleigh]

More apartment activity near the eastern edge of Memorial Park...

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/sarnoff/article/Apartment-frenzy-near-Memorial-Park-intensifies-5023325.php?cmpid=btfpm

Apartment frenzy near Memorial Park intensifies

By Nancy Sarnoff

December 1, 2013

Houston apartment developer Jonathan Farb is joining a multifamily development boom near Memorial Park.

The grandson of the late real estate maven Harold Farb has purchased two blocks of land just east of Westcott and north of Memorial Drive for a six-level complex of 264 luxury apartments.

The project joins at least three others, two of which are under construction, in this densely packed neighborhood of townhomes, restaurants and shops, where older homes and buildings are being replaced with new developments.

Charleston, S.C.-based Greystar recently purchased the 1980s-era Memorial Club Apartments at 904 Westcott. The company plans to redevelop the property into an upscale complex that may include a retail component.

Two other complexes are under construction in the area.

Across from Farb's site, a 180-unit complex is taking shape. The building is expected to have five stories of units above two levels of parking, according to the website of development firm Sunrise Luxury Living.

Another builder is nearing completion on a project along the south side of Memorial near Detering. The property replaced the aging Park Memorial Condominiums.

Farb's site encompasses 2.3 acres on Birdsall and Malone. It, too, houses an older apartment complex containing 92 units that will be demolished to make way for the new pro-ject, named Park Place.

[Urbannizer]

806 Main: 12/2 by Rechlin (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/22874-converting-806-main-into-a-jw-marriott-hotel-downtown/?p=442004)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/11181388366_e13f37cc48_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/11181523643_15d1c84040_b.jpg

[TexasPlaya]

Please check out the front page of this thread - all sections updated! :pillowfight:

Awesome job.

[toxteth o'grady]

You do know that Yuppies stands for Young Urban Professionals? Why wouldn't we want these type of people in Houston?

Because they tend to ruin everything they touch. And they drive up prices.

The hippies at least are quite colorful. :rolleyes:

[toxteth o'grady]

806 Main: 12/2 by Rechlin (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/22874-converting-806-main-into-a-jw-marriott-hotel-downtown/?p=442004)

That's getting to be a nice looking building.

Count me as one of the the confused. WHICH of the renderings is a proposed building and which is fantasy?

[Urbannizer]

That's getting to be a nice looking building.

Count me as one of the the confused. WHICH of the renderings is a proposed building and which is fantasy?

If your referring to the renderings here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6358147&postcount=5750), both are proposed high-rises.

[toxteth o'grady]

Please check out the front page of this thread - all sections updated! :pillowfight:

That's an amazing amount of development, going only by the number of projects under construction. Not counting the Geico project.

[toxteth o'grady]

If your referring to the renderings here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6358147&postcount=5750), both are proposed high-rises.

Actually, I was referring to everything posted on the last couple of pages. Judging from the update, there are a lot of proposals out there but even more wild speculation.

[Urbannizer]

109 acre mixed-use development named Westpoint proposed:

He's currently working on two major projects locally, 2229 San Felipe and Westpoint. The former is a spec office on the edge of River Oaks, and the latter is 109 acres on the Beltway between Clay Road and Kempwood that will be master-planned with office, hotel, and retail.

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/close-up-with-travis-overall/

[shakman]

806 Main: 12/2 by Rechlin (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/22874-converting-806-main-into-a-jw-marriott-hotel-downtown/?p=442004)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/11181388366_e13f37cc48_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/11181523643_15d1c84040_b.jpg

Are they using stucco??? I thought the original facade which was under the previous garbage of a facade was to be cleaned and used as the final product?

[cloud713]

Are they using stucco??? I thought the original facade which was under the previous garbage of a facade was to be cleaned and used as the final product?

Unfortunately the original facade was ruined by the glue used to hold up the glass facade, so they have to redo it. A bummer but it will still look fantastic.

[Urbannizer]

Marriot Marquis Convention Center Hotel: April 11th, 2014 groundbreaking; June 2016 completion

GreenStreet: The 25-story hotel proposed to sit on top of GreenStreet will be Hotel Alessandra

[Urbannizer]

Cool looking building going up in Memorial City, behind the Nexen Building. It's the new location for Jonathan's The Rub. Pic by Motis B Totis (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/29275-jonathans-the-rub-moving-metronational/?p=442112)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/11195105366_b87c337606_b.jpg

[DanielG425]

Guys we are losing our 3rd place ranking of amount of building above 500ft to Miami! :( But lets hope once all the buildings that are proposed are complete we'll regain 3rd place.

[TowerSpotter]

Midtown Superblock rendering courtesy of Drlan from Haif.

http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_12_2013/post-5633-0-29633100-1386133120.jpg

[TowerSpotter]

http://i.imgur.com/ub73Bjs.jpg

http://issuu.com/rednews/docs/rn_dec2013

[JManc]

^ looks like an existing 20-story building built only in 1992 (!!!!) will have to come down to make room for that proposal.

[TowerSpotter]

^ looks like an existing 20-story building built only in 1992 (!!!!) will have to come down to make room for that proposal.

Thats for phase 2

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/11203818126_5837b16172_c.jpg

[Urbannizer]

UH Football Stadium

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/11206217833_289aff1133_b.jpg

[Urbannizer]

More renderings of the Midtown Superblock Park.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/11208754266_814b49d7a7_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/11208736515_bcd9b5377c_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/11208744765_64ff5ab8f7_b.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

[QUOTE=Urbannizer;6361672]109 acre mixed-use development named Westpoint proposed[:QUOTE]

I wonder if that's the freeway-straddling project that was being debated here last summer as an attempt to organize the Energy Corridor?

[toxteth o'grady]

Cool looking building going up in Memorial City, behind the Nexen Building. It's the new location for Jonathan's The Rub. Pic by Motis B Totis (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/29275-jonathans-the-rub-moving-metronational/?p=442112)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/11195105366_b87c337606_b.jpg

I think part of what gives it the funky look is the banner being wrapped around the fence corner. A new restaurant?

[oscarinhouston]

More renderings of the Midtown Superblock Park.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/11208754266_814b49d7a7_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/11208736515_bcd9b5377c_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/11208744765_64ff5ab8f7_b.jpg


Is there a link?

[Urbannizer]

Is there a link?

They were posted on HAIF but no link to the original pdf file was given.

[Wattleigh]

I wonder if that's the freeway-straddling project that was being debated here last summer as an attempt to organize the Energy Corridor?

No, Westpoint would be a section of land along the Beltway between Clay Road and Kempwood Drive near the Westway Park development.

[Urbannizer]

BHP Billiton Tower Model

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/11235640186_d4e2875af6_b.jpg

Energy Center Five: First rendering, will sit behind EC4

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/11235641526_7c08942391_b.jpg

[Urbannizer]

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3445

Convention center hotel funded and scheduled to break ground in 2014

Plans to build a $335 million convention center hotel downtown moved a step forward today with the announcement that the developer has finalized its agreement with Marriott International to manage the hotel and that it has secured funding to construct the property.

Houston-based Rida Development, in partnership with Ares Management, said financing for the 1,000-room hotel will come from a six-bank consortium led by Wells Fargo and BBVA Compass. The other banks include CIT Bank, MidFirst Bank, Frost Bank, and PNC.

Construction is expected to start on April 11, and the property — the Houston Marriott Marquis – is projected to open in the summer of 2016 just west of the George R. Brown Convention Center near Discovery Green.

The project is expected to add more than 1,800 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs to Houston’s hospitality industry, the developer said.

“Rida is focused on building a smart, efficient convention hotel to be managed by Marriott International,” president Ira Mitzner said in a statement. “Our company is looking forward to providing local Houstonians and businesses with jobs that will be created as a result of this project.”

Link: http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/12/convention-center-hotel-funded-and-scheduled-to-break-ground-in-2014/

[Urbannizer]

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/11075700256_49f5b6b07b_b.jpg

Hotel Alessandra expected to be announced soon:

That's good news for Brinsden, whose company is redeveloping GreenStreet, the former Houston Pavilions downtown.

"We're trying to evolve that into a true mixed-use destination," he said.
In about 60 days, the company is expected to announce an expansion at the complex, which now houses retail and office space.

"We think this project needed that third activity generator," Brinsden said.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Builders-reshape-how-the-area-will-grow-5043295.php

[Urbannizer]

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/23/36/21/5104760/5/1024x1024.jpg


At Rice, future of another stadium also in question

Today, as the Rice Owls play for their first outright conference championship since 1957, it is an apt moment to ask whether the city's first great stadium, with seating for 70,000, has outlived its usefulness. Rice boosters say yes, reluctantly. And no, emphatically.

****

All true. Yet with the passing years it became a little too big, and a little old, and more than a little lacking in modern amenities. Now a plan is afoot to do something about that.

The school has contracted with HKS Architects, a leading national firm with the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium among its many credits, to do a study of stadium enhancement and athletic department needs. Their conclusions will result in a plan that will supplant the one approved by trustees two years ago that went nowhere. That in turn will spark a major fundraising effort to put the school's athletic facilities on a par with those of comparable schools, including Stanford and Duke.

"The former project is dead," said David Gibbs, an alum and major benefactor who has been devoted to refurbishing the stadium. "What I call the historic preservation and comprehensive enhancement of iconic Rice Stadium is just getting started."

School officials declined requests to discuss the 2011 plan, which included tearing out one of the end zones and building an 80,000-square foot facility for locker and weight rooms, offices, and several other purposes. The concept was poorly received among the alumni and donors and died quietly.

School officials also declined requests to discuss the bigger issue of how a stadium that was praised for its design following its hurried construction in 1950 can be made more suitable for a team that cannot, even on its best days, hope to fill it up. But it's going to happen, Gibbs said, and this time it will be done right and have a consensus behind it.

Full Article: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/At-Rice-future-of-another-stadium-also-in-5043101.php#/0

[toxteth o'grady]

For starter's they need to replace those bleachers with actual seats.

I suspect that if the stadium gets refurbished, there will be proposals to host other events in it, and then the NIMBY's will start complaining about all the traffic that would bring. But the '74 Superbowl was hosted there.

[AviationGuy]

For starter's they need to replace those bleachers with actual seats.

I suspect that if the stadium gets refurbished, there will be proposals to host other events in it, and then the NIMBY's will start complaining about all the traffic that would bring. But the '74 Superbowl was hosted there.

I remember the '74 Superbowl. Also remember the very foggy and cool weather that day.

[toxteth o'grady]

Kind of quiet - the HBJ has news of a major residential community north of town, and a craft brewery is expanding. No more highrises we didn't know about already.

[Wattleigh]

Fourth building leased up, fifth tower on the way for Energy Center project. Rendering & ad is a few posts up.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/12/10/conocophillips-preleases-rest-of.html


Dec 10, 2013, 10:55am CST

ConocoPhillips to fill another Energy Center building, more construction on the way

Emily Wilkinson
Print Editor -Houston Business Journal

Houston-based ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) has preleased the remaining space at Energy Center Four, bringing its total lease for the complex to 1.2 million square feet and prompting the developer to start a fifth building.

In May, the exploration and production company signed on for 850,000 square feet in the complex, which is being developed by Dallas-based Trammell Crow Co. and Des Moines, Iowa-based Principal Global Investors. That lease included all of Energy Center Three, which topped off earlier this year, and half of Energy Center Four, which has site work underway.

Cody Armbrister and Steve Rocher, both executive vice presidents with CBRE Group Inc.’s Houston office, represented the landlord. The tenant representative was not disclosed.

The company will occupy the entire 550,000-square-foot Energy Center Three, which is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2015, and the entire 600,000-square-foot Energy Center Four, which should be complete in the second quarter of 2016.

The developers will break ground on Energy Center Five, a 500,000-square-foot, 18-story tower, in April.

In addition to their new corporate campus, ExxonMobil will be adding space just up the road at Hughes Landing in The Woodlands...

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/12/10/exxon-to-boost-north-houston-presence.html

Dec 10, 2013, 12:53pm CST Updated: Dec 10, 2013, 1:17pm CST

Exxon to boost north Houston presence further

Olivia Pulsinelli
Web producer- Houston Business Journal

Exxon Mobil Corp.’s (NYSE: XOM) massive footprint north of Houston is going to be even larger — and a portion of it will be tax free.

The Irving, Texas-based company plans to occupy about 480,000 square feet in Hughes Landing in the Woodlands, according to media reports.

Exxon will occupy a 317,052-square-foot building, which will be 12 stories with an 11-story parking garage, and half of a 331,840-square-foot, 12-story building, The Courier of Montgomery County reports.

The buildings are expected to be complete in November 2015, Community Impact Newspaper reports.

Montgomery County Commissioners on Dec. 9 approved two 10-year, 100 percent property tax abatements for the buildings, according to the reports.

Exxon will create a combined 1,430 jobs with a combined annual salary of about $179 million. The Woodlands Township will consider similar abatements this week, according to the reports.

[Wattleigh]

^ looks like an existing 20-story building built only in 1992 (!!!!) will have to come down to make room for that proposal.

Solvay's building is only 8 floors, but it is fairly 'recent'. That said, it wouldn't break the record for the shortest span of completion to demolition of a fairly substantial structure in town.

I still think that one goes to the 21-story Southwest Tower (the building that was demolished for the then planned Bank of the Southwest Tower) which was one year shy of it's 20th anniversary when it was taken out in 1983.