HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[Trae]

I work downtown and from what I have heard and seen, many buildings sustained leakage and cracked windows but nothing like Chase Tower and its garage with the numerous blown out windows. I don't know much about the intricacies of building design. Do these windows have a flaw?

I'm thinking small tornado, since only one side of the Chase Tower was badly damaged.

[Samwill89]

It wasn't a small tornado. Many buildings Downtown have damage on their east facades.

[Complex01]

I heard the building across from chase had rocks/pebbles for its roof and so they got picked up by the wind, and well we can see what happend. But then again its what i heard, i dont know how much truth is in it. Still it could have been a lot worse...

[latennisguy]

^^ not nearly as severe as jpmorgan chase tower. the news was reporting for a while that it was a small tornado. who knows?

here are other buildings that also sustained damage:

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/samceb/IMG_0257.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/samceb/IMG_0253.jpg

Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture (that's part of the roof):
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b43/samceb/IMG_0218.jpg

[Wattleigh]

^^ not nearly as severe as jpmorgan chase tower. the news was reporting for a while that it was a small tornado. who knows?


It wasn't a tornado, but it was a somewhat similar effect caused by the wind tunnel in the streets.

Considering only 4 buildings DT sustained any major facade loss on any part of the building (with others losing a few windows or sustaining damage at the street level), I'm genuinely impressed. Even more so at the fact that so many people were back to work in the buildings just days after, while they were working on cleaning the district up.

This week is even more surprising. It looks like there are more people out and about in the shops that are open and on the streets as a whole. Traffic is back to normal, and it makes the hurricane seem like a distant memory. Can't say I've seen that kind of turnabout in such short time before.

[rdavis4559]

disco tower:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0047.jpg

[Complex01]

They are making some progress. Its good to see Down Town almost back to normal after Ike. Even better that these projects didnt see much of any set backs...

[rdavis4559]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/oppfrom4501.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/oppfrom5901.jpg

[Complex01]

Some updates from today.

Main Place...

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/1233c26e.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/6c6d5e14.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/c7da0596.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/89778dc8.jpg


Discovery Tower...


http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/5e5ba39c.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/d5e5e860.jpg

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/3790244e.jpg


Coming along nicely...

:yes:

[AstrosFreak]

Thanks for the update Complex! Discovery Tower is rising much faster than I thought it would.

[rdavis4559]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/hpav01.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/hpav02.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/hpav03.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/hpav04.jpg

[migol24]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/oppfrom4501.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/oppfrom5901.jpg
what's the name of this building being built here?

[TXLove]

^^^That would be One Park Place a 37-story residential tower that will be 501 ft tall!!!

[photoLith]

From about a week ago, oh how I miss thee Houston

I really hope this development works out. I like the little walking through the middle of the complex. It looks like it will be a cool place to chill and meet people once completed. That side of town really needed this, in fact downtown really needed this. Does anybody know what all is going in here, like restaurants and such.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2948421154_ce3706cc42_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2947565893_deb0f99d9c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2947565755_b575026690_o.jpg

[jimenezenhouston]

Go to houstonpavilions.com and there you will see all the restaurants and shops.

Some restaurants and shops are now open and the rest of them are gonna be opening through out this months

[rdavis4559]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0076.jpg

[Xeelee]

nice

[SkyHigh]

anybody know when one park place will be move-in ready?

[Xeelee]

anybody know when one park place will be move-in ready?

I think first quarter 09.

[rdavis4559]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0080.jpg

[urbanactivist]

Exciting!!! Main Place is officially off of the ground.

[rdavis4559]

Turnberry cancels planned luxury condo tower

Turnberry Ltd. confirmed this week that it no longer plans to build a 34-story luxury condo tower by the Galleria Mall that had been in the works for more than three years.

The 184 proposed condo units, priced from $1 million to more than $3.5 million, were to be located west of Post Oak Boulevard, between Hidalgo and W. Alabama.

Buyers were notified of the developer’s decision last week, and have been refunded their deposits plus interest accrued on the money, according to Turnberry.

Jim Cohen, a vice president of sales for the prolific development firm, said in a statement released this week that the project was cancelled because the firm could not get a construction loan during the current financial crisis.

“With great reluctance we have decided to suspend development operations for Turnberry Tower, Residences at the Galleria,” Cohen said in the statement. “This is the first project Turnberry has had to discontinue in more than 40 years in the real estate development business.”

The Aventura, Fla.-based company has developed more than $7 billion in commercial and residential property, including 20 million square feet of retail space, 7,000 apartments and condo units, 1.5 million square feet of office space and 2,000 hotel and resort rooms.

Turnberry’s splashy marketing effort in Houston began in September 2007 with the unveiling of a 12,000-square-foot, multimillion-dollar sales center/model home near the development site.

The sales center closed last week, and the developer has not decided what it will do with the property.


http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/10/27/daily22.html?ana=from_rss

[rdavis4559]

HP heads to Hockley with land deal

Hewlett-Packard Co. has acquired 97 acres near the small town of Hockley for a $250 million facility that will be 18 miles from the firm’s primary campus in Houston.

HP bought the acreage last month for an undisclosed sum from John Beeson of Beeson Properties and Monzer Hourani of Medistar Corp.

Palo Alto, Calif.-based HP — which established a major Houston presence through the 2002 purchase of Houston-based Compaq Computer Corp. — has an option to buy another 100 acres as well.

The technology company is the first to buy land in a new 389-acre industrial park that Beeson and Hourani are planning northwest of Houston. The property is located near State Highway 290 and Betka Road, close to the boundary between Harris and Waller counties.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/10/27/story4.html

[Xeelee]

Whoa... too bad they didn't move closer in. As long as they dont up and leave.

[rdavis4559]

City approves variance for TIAA-CREF building

The City of Houston’s Planning Commission has granted a variance to TIAA-CREF to accommodate a 30-story office building it plans to construct in the Galleria area.

TIAA-CREF intends to build an office tower at 1300 Post Oak, in place of an existing two-story 24-Hour Fitness. The office building will be located next to the Four Oaks Place office complex that is also owned by TIAA-CREF.

The owner needed city approval to build the structure 15 feet away from Post Oak instead of the standard 25 feet. The setback change, granted last week, applies on Post Oak from Four Oaks Place Drive to West Briar Lane.

The building will be located closer to the street in keeping with guidelines being developed for the future rail corridor. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County plans to construct a rail line down the middle of Post Oak.

Houston-based Transwestern is development manager and leasing representative for the proposed office building, which has been on the drawing board for more than a year.

With more than $435 billion in combined assets under management, TIAA-CREF is the leading retirement system for people in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/11/10/daily11.html?ana=from_rss

[TexasPlaya]

City approves variance for TIAA-CREF building

The City of Houston’s Planning Commission has granted a variance to TIAA-CREF to accommodate a 30-story office building it plans to construct in the Galleria area.

TIAA-CREF intends to build an office tower at 1300 Post Oak, in place of an existing two-story 24-Hour Fitness. The office building will be located next to the Four Oaks Place office complex that is also owned by TIAA-CREF.

The owner needed city approval to build the structure 15 feet away from Post Oak instead of the standard 25 feet. The setback change, granted last week, applies on Post Oak from Four Oaks Place Drive to West Briar Lane.

The building will be located closer to the street in keeping with guidelines being developed for the future rail corridor. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County plans to construct a rail line down the middle of Post Oak.

Houston-based Transwestern is development manager and leasing representative for the proposed office building, which has been on the drawing board for more than a year.

With more than $435 billion in combined assets under management, TIAA-CREF is the leading retirement system for people in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/11/10/daily11.html?ana=from_rss

A 30-story office building will add some nice density to that part of Uptown. Also, I am glad to hear about the 15ft setback to accommodate the future rail line. Uptown may have the best chance to become Houston's best walkable, urban area.

[photoLith]

I found this out today that apparently about a month ago they started work on the East Corridor metro light rail line. I got this from metros website

"Construction crews will begin work at Hagermann St. starting October 6th. This crew will be installing mainline duct bank. They will be in this area for three weeks.
A second crew will begin work between Eastwood St. and Super St. This work will continue across Super St. to Lockwood through October 24th.
Super St. will be a full closure beginning Monday the 6th of October. During the construction hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm please use Garrow St. as an alternative route into Harrisburg"

Has this actually occured? If so thats awesome! I had no idea that they were going to start work on another line this soon. I would check for myself but seeing as I am 10 hours away, it wouldnt be all that easy ;) I hope someone can confirm the statement put out by metro.

Heres the website http://metrosolutions.org/go/doc/1068/112324/

[urbanactivist]

I found this out today that apparently about a month ago they started work on the East Corridor metro light rail line. I got this from metros website

"Construction crews will begin work at Hagermann St. starting October 6th. This crew will be installing mainline duct bank. They will be in this area for three weeks.
A second crew will begin work between Eastwood St. and Super St. This work will continue across Super St. to Lockwood through October 24th.
Super St. will be a full closure beginning Monday the 6th of October. During the construction hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm please use Garrow St. as an alternative route into Harrisburg"

Has this actually occured? If so thats awesome! I had no idea that they were going to start work on another line this soon. I would check for myself but seeing as I am 10 hours away, it wouldnt be all that easy ;) I hope someone can confirm the statement put out by metro.

Heres the website http://metrosolutions.org/go/doc/1068/112324/

Yes they've been doing the utility work since august... slowly moving down Harrisburg. As for the four other lines, I'm not sure if any of them have started yet :(

[photoLith]

No, none of the others have started yet, but I believe the uptown line is in its final stages of approval and the university line is also near its final stages of approval/completion. So construction on those two lines should start soon, probably sometime early next year or so. The East Corrider should be completely finished by late 2011 or early 2o12.

[Wattleigh]

Tidbits on Embassy Suites near DG, Early Leasing at One Park Place & The end of repairs at Chase Tower.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/sarnoff/6126669.html

[photoLith]

Well thats great news, sort of. I would find it hard to believe that One Park Place wont find enough tenants when the city is that freakin huge. Its a shame that people are buying some of those apartments just as second homes though. I was hoping most would be full time residents who would enliven downtown after hours.

[Cory]

great updates. it is also nice to hear about the incentives.

[Xeelee]

great updates. it is also nice to hear about the incentives.

Let us hope for the best.

[photoLith]

From yesterday, which was 40 minutes ago.

Development in the medical district. I dont know what this tower is or how tall its supposed to be but it looked pretty sweet. Im sure someone on here knows the name of it
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/3066873821_2e92941c71_b.jpg

I guess Houston Pavilions is pretty much down, heres how it fits in with the city. Its better than parking lots at least.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3066875187_709fb1c16f_b.jpg

[HOUSTONIAN57]

Its the Outpatient Care Center.
25 stories.
http://www.whrarchitects.com/_filelib/ImageGallery/Photos/healthcare/methodist/methodist_002.jpg
whrarchitects

and thanks for the update:)

[c4smok]

Source: TheHaif (http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?s=&showtopic=13128&view=findpost&p=293090)
http://www.discoverytowerhouston.com/images/gallery2/aerial_northcam.jpg

Embassy Suites
One Park Place
Discovery Tower
New Convention Hotel
and other Projects on going..

[daithi]

Fill 'em up!:banana: Great pics!
Source: TheHaif (http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php?s=&showtopic=13128&view=findpost&p=293090)
http://www.discoverytowerhouston.com/images/gallery2/aerial_northcam.jpg

Embassy Suites
One Park Place
Discovery Tower
New Convention Hotel
and other Projects on going..

[photoLith]

Are those actually going to for sure get built or are they just our hopes and dreams at this point?

[c4smok]

Well Embassy Suites is approved. Construction to start in March 2009

last I heard of the convention hotel it was going to happen.. not sure if its approved yet.. looks pretty detailed... and it looks the same as other pictures I have seen of it..

The other buildings behind Discovery Tower I am not sure what they are..

[HOUSTONIAN57]

The other buildings behind Discovery Tower I am not sure what they are..


Well from this map they maybe towers with retail, lobby and office space.One will be right beside dt parking garage and the other two on the next block...One is a La Quinta but I don't know what the other two are because the words are too small..
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2651729018_46585abf98.jpg?v=0

[Complex01]

The Outpatient Care Center is super kewl. I really like the top.

The last pic of downtown looks super sharp. It will look different in another year or so. Very Nice...

:tup:

[photoLith]

Some pictures from yesterday of random projects I found whilst driving around town.

The Mosaic at Hermann Park. The tower on the left is done I believe and the other is almost completed.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3072500699_26b7d6e756_o.jpg

The newly opened House of Blues at the Pavilions. It is pretty awesome.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/3072501371_358fc46516_o.jpg

Houston Pavilions is going to be pretty nice if they get it filled out with stores and such. Right now there is hardly anything there but there a few new stores opening soon. I hope this project is really successful. It will be like a mini Galleria downtown.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/3072501493_c5ff754fc7_o.jpg

H town is super sexy these days and it will only get better in the coming months and years if all goes to plan.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3072500137_a3d4fd6ed5_o.jpg

Highland Tower near the Galleria is just starting, Ive never even heard of it, just saw the cranes while driving near it so I thought Id check it out.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/3073337456_dba8eb84d7_o.jpg

Another development I know nothing about, its right near the Museum district and along the metro rail. Anyone know anything about this?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/3073337042_d2ace7668d_o.jpg

2727 Kirby is almost done me thinks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/3072499251_a4503a162f_o.jpg

Main Place at night when the weird hobos come out to play. To my right while taking this picture a hobo was taking a leak on one of the metro rail benches. It was nice.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/3072500451_39dab76e6b_o.jpg

Another photo of The Mosaic.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/3072500909_d72f9e41c7_o.jpg

There were so many cranes everywhere that I just didnt have the time to go take pics of all of them. There must be a good 30 new towers going in around Houston, if not more. In the Medical District there looked to be about 10 new ones going in alone. WOW!!!!!

Ill be back in 2 weeks for a month and hopefully I will score that job at the Museum of Natural Science so I be down there almost everyday for a month! Man, Houston has gotten a hell of a lot better since I left 2 years ago.

[Boris]

Very nice photos

[Wattleigh]

Sick Shots, photolitherland. You do the city well! :tup:

[JManc]

wow, those are great shots.

[Complex01]

I took this photo today, all foggy and what not. I loved it. Disco Tower on level 6. Rise Houston Rise...

:wizard:

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/complex2501/dt121708.jpg

[Von]

umm I can't see the pic:(

[Complex01]

I see it. Can anyone else...

:shrug:

[TXLove]

yes I see it and I like......Where's the rest of Chase? lol

[photoLith]

Pictures from The Woodlands, which to anyone who doesnt know is located about 25?? miles north north west of downtown Houston. The area is booming and its where The Woodlands Mall and Waterway is located. These are pics from yesterday.

Just a few years ago there was nothing but urban sprawl BS out in this area but now it starting to look like an actual city!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3131403692_e2d337d144_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/3130572361_9c1945ef5e_o.jpg

Heres an on site proposal for the Waterway. The tallest building is already under construction and looks to be about 20 stories tall. A few of those buildings are already completed. The whole site a guy that was working on site told me it was supposed to be mostly done by 2010.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/3130572145_b82d7b822d_o.jpg

A low rise under construction in The Woodlands Market Square. If you havent been there, go, its fascinating the amount of detail that have put into that area.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/3130572005_6365ac9c3a_b.jpg

Some more development along the waterway. The white building on the left is the new Marriott Hotel.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/3130571799_ec3b19f1ca_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/3130571571_c91042820e_o.jpg

I will be going downtown tomorrow, so some more photos will be on the way.

[Texas Tuff]

Great pics. The Woodlands is looking good! I really like the designs on some of those new buildings. :tup:

[TXLove]

very nice pics of The Woodlands....looks good!!!

[Complex01]

Woodlands is very nice...

http://www.messengerfreak.com/emoticons/christmas/5676.gif Merry Christmas Houston... http://www.messengerfreak.com/emoticons/christmas/mrerry_xmas3.gif

[rdavis4559]

Trademark puts High Street development on ice

Trademark Property Co. has put a hold on the High Street mixed-use development that is already under construction on the old Central Ford dealership site on Westheimer, just inside the 610 Loop.

The Fort Worth-based developer released a statement saying the project will be in limbo for the foreseeable future due to the unstable economy and capital markets.

“Trademark and our equity partner Coventry Advisors remain fully committed to High Street but believe that in this fragile climate, opening any project in 2009 or early 2010 — particularly one with a significant retail component — is not smart business,” Trademark Founder Terry Montesi said in the statement. “Delaying by one or two seasons makes complete sense to me.”

High Street was originally scheduled to open in late fall 2009. Trademark has decided to pre-lease more of the office and retail space before construction continues on the $105 million development.

The project is slated to have 100,000 square feet of retail space, 80,000 square feet of office space and 233 apartments. The residential component will be built in partnership with Indianapolis-based Kosene & Kosene Residential.

Trademark, which also developed Market Street in The Woodlands, has been working on High Street since summer of 2005. The company has developed or acquired more than $1.3 billion worth of retail and mixed-use space since it was formed in 1991.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/12/29/daily5.html?ana=from_rss

[photoLith]

Happy New Year!!!!!! May 2009 bring us many more skyscrapers!

[toxteth o'grady]

The last news for 2008 was not good - the Titan is not getting off the ground. Randall Davis can't get a loan. In just the last three months I've seen a half dozen projects put on ice, however I suspect that the demand/capacity ratio is probably better in Houston than in Dallas. Will we be hearing more stories of shortages in leasable office space in 2010?

[photoLith]

The Titan? Never heard of it. What is it?

[toxteth o'grady]

The "hypodermic needle". The 26-story residential tower that was supposed to be in the northern part of Uptown. Gone.

[toxteth o'grady]

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/titan-sunset.jpg

[photoLith]

Photo showing some of the development around Discovery Green. Im not sure about the well being of these projects but whatever, maybe someone knows the fate of these parking lots for sure.

The darker blue is going to be the Embassy Suites Hotel, the purple will be another Convention Center Hotel, the brown will be the La Quinta Inn, the green arrows are pointing to the future Houston Dynamo stadium, and the other two are Discovery Tower, and OPP.

photo from yesterday
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1136/3172361725_c6eb34b0db_o.jpg

[photoLith]

Pictures from the medical center from yesterday. A lot of the projects I know nothing about, maybe someone can fill in the blanks.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/3175540710_54ce6fcb9c_o.jpg

Behind the not yet finished out patient care center on Main Street.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/3174705191_19f4b3c2a4_o.jpg

Maternity Ward or something. It looks like its going to be pretty massive. The billboard says completion will be in 2011.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1101/3174704763_6a5c920abd_o.jpg

This building/tower is located quite a ways away from the main medical center, there was no rendering or anything on the site to tell you what it was.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/3175539404_b1175319dc_o.jpg

Look at all of those cranes! The medical center is going through a major growing period and is adding at least 12 new scrapers to its skyline. Most arent over 25 floors tall but its still really awesome density.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1103/3174703377_086b3da708_o.jpg

I counted 32 floors on this rendering.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/3174702695_b6a72fb983_o.jpg

MD Anderson Caner Centre
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1004/3174702233_41eb67501e_o.jpg

Outpatient Care Centre or something like that
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1154/3175536720_3844cbbb25_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3175534908_75970838a9_o.jpg

A little extra tid bit, two days ago there were thousands of Muslims downtown saying that they did not condone terrorism. It was pretty crazy turning the corner and seeing thousands of people just walking down the street.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/3174700475_2ce6421469_o.jpg

[Boris]

I really liked that last one. You should submit it to CNN.

[TexasBoi]

Yeah, he really should. At the same time, I think the medical center will be very important for the Houston economy in the very near future. So important that people will not realize that there's more to Houston than just oil.

[Nickelplate]

It looks like all women and children to me. Maybe only the men condone terrorism. jk:haha:

[futuresooner]

For an unincorporated area, The Woodlands is extremely nice.

[Texas Tuff]

It truly is amazing at how much construction is currently going on in the Medical Center. It's already the largest medical district in the world, I can only imagine what it will look like when all these projects, and the ones still to come, are completed.

[A_Thellosovich]

TMC>Dubai

[TXLove]

great updates Photolitherland, the medical center is crane porn!!!

[Complex01]

Med Center pics are great. The last pic. Worth a thousand words...

Very Nice.

2009 - And Here We Go...

:wizard:

[Xeelee]

I really liked that last one. You should submit it to CNN.

Good luck with that...

[Xeelee]

It looks like all women and children to me. Maybe only the men condone terrorism. jk:haha:

Uh... why are you "jk"... ?

[photoLith]

The new YMCA downtown. I had never heard anything about it on here so I thought Id post it. It looks to be only about 4 or 5 stories tall but at least thats another parking lot gone on the side of town that really needs this project. The south side of downtown sucks. All it is is just parking lots and parking garages with a few high-rises here and there. Maybe this project will do a little something for that craptastic area. The picture are from Friday.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/3188254342_b68b545ee0_o.jpg

The site is located in front of the white abandoned hotel. The older YMCA building is the building on the lower right hand side of the photo. I hope they dont abandon that building because its a beauty.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/3187412373_02fbdf10bc_o.jpg


2727 Kirby from Hotel Zaza on Friday plus the low rise development across the street from it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3187453103_c021ba82b9_o.jpg

The Mosaic
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3187509111_0c97423c48_o.jpg

One Park Place is on the far right.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3187509033_e4c10d3c1b_o.jpg

I just had to post this photo on here for the heck of it, the sunset was incredible last Thursday, probably one of the best Ive seen in a while so I rushed to the west side of town to snap some photos of it. Enjoy.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3187517761_3ee5bb5f81_o.jpg

[photoLith]

It looks like all women and children to me. Maybe only the men condone terrorism. jk:haha:

No, I think the women and children had to be separate for some strange religious reason. There were more men and such there than women.

[Complex01]

Nice pics. I really like 2727 Kirby. I want to live there.

The new YMCA downtown will be great for the location. Hope it spurs more stuff down the road.

Thanks for sharing...

:tup:

[Boris]

That last shot was beautiful PL.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

SouthPointe

Renderings

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


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

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Drawing2.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Drawing3.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/south-pointe-bridge.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/south-pointe-water-bridge.jpg

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

From Swamplot...

One of Swamplot's best tipsters forwards a link to a website featuring lovely renderings of a family of glassy office buildings and blocky parking garages squatting on the former AstroWorld site — along with a rather direct question: "Is this real???"

Well, the Crosswell Torian website is a real website, where the development company proudly presents its AstroWorld tower roundup under the name SouthPointe: "a hundred+ acre, transit-oriented mixed use development." But a brand-new 13.5-million-sq.-ft. project doesn't exactly seem tailor-made for today's cautious real-estate market.

If the SouthPointe design isn't real, though, it's a brilliant parody — down to the ultra-generic name and its not-so-silent extra vowel. It expertly answers this question: How might a bunch of suburban developers — some of them from, say, Conroe — make a complete mockery of Houston's highest profile and best connected redevelopment site?

To be fair, the former AstroWorld site brings with it a number of problems: It has far-too-easy access to Houston's major employment and activity centers by freeway, light-rail line, and even pedestrian bridge. In less deft hands, the development might make it too easy for people to transfer from one transportation method to another. Fortunately, the designers of SouthPointe have avoided that sort of nonsense with their clever plan, clearly modeled after several better-known suburban office parks.

Except this office park appears to be built out of several smaller office parks, each of which is labeled with a separate theme: "institutional/medical," "office/corporate," residential, or "mixed use/urban." A collection of separately themed office parks — on the site of a former theme park. Get it?

They even have a website Now that was made today.:P

http://crosstorian.com/southpointe

Also this developement has been redesigned multiple times due to its location, the developer already owns the land and the site is already cleared.

[photoLith]

hmm.. never heard of this project. Would be interesting, only wish it was more dense but at least it will add yet another skyline to Houston. I highly doubt this is going to be seeing the light of day anytime soon. If done well, it could really be a success. Kinda reminds me of the Woodlands Waterway project in some aspects. When will freakin developers get it in houston that towers spaced far apart with stupid void green areas doesnt work well? All it will do is that it will make it feel like a glorified office park. Uhg, but it could be promising. hmmm......................................

[HOUSTONIAN57]

hmm.. never heard of this project. Would be interesting, only wish it was more dense but at least it will add yet another skyline to Houston. I highly doubt this is going to be seeing the light of day anytime soon. If done well, it could really be a success. Kinda reminds me of the Woodlands Waterway project in some aspects. When will freakin developers get it in houston that towers spaced far apart with stupid void green areas doesnt work well? All it will do is that it will make it feel like a glorified office park. Uhg, but it could be promising. hmmm......................................


I am suprise to hear you say that, its what makes Hoston unique.:rolleyes:

Anyway the developer already has a website for this (Its in my other post) and the location for this is aready cleared.This is were astroworld use to be and on the other side of 610 is Reliant Stadium and the Astrodome.Also the developer wants the new railline to go right through this project for better access.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

New Renderings of Regent Square:

Forgot to post this yesterday and as you can see its 4 towers now..

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1724/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30398184_5256.jpg


http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/3839781A-02F3-45C0-900D-8F6208D527A1/695771/OfficeRendering_webjpg.jpg

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

After a delay and a new design for this developement expect a ground breaking in 2Q of 2009..

More renderings and info here: http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/TX/Houston+Galleria/property/regentsquare.htm?pageid=0

[HOUSTONIAN57]

Earth Quest Adventures.

Rendering:
http://i40.tinypic.com/1zyagjr.jpg


Link: http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...ost&id=1150

I think its 1,600 acres and Groundbreaking is somewhere between Spring-Fall.

When completed it will be the second largest tourist attraction in Texas. (Alamo is 1st)

[photoLith]

uhg, that Earth Quest crap is ridiculous. It will bring so much craptastic urban sprawl with it and thats the last thing that area needs, more urban sprawl.

I really love Regents Square though, thats a great development and I really hope it goes through. Its in a great location and I love the architecture of it. If done well it could be the best development of its kind that Ive seen in H town.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

I agree, New Caney isn't the best Location for this Earth quest.This thing was only suppose to be 50 acres.Now it exploded to 1,600 acres. I rather see this somewhere on the side of 288. I heard that 59 in New Caney was recently widened so I don't think traffic would be much of a problem in that area if this goes through but, in 2030 when Montgomery County is expected to have a population of 1+ million people....that would be a different story....

Ditto on Regent Square.Its the best planned mixed developement in Houston right now and it will add to the skyline along Allen Parkway.:DWhat use to be on the Location was torn down aleady.

[rdavis4559]

Hess leases all of Discovery Tower

Hess Corp.111 has leased the entire Discovery Tower in downtown Houston to be its global headquarters for exploration and production.

When the energy company’s current lease expires in 2011, it will relocate into the 845,000-square-foot building from its current 500,000 square feet of office space in downtown’s One Allen Center. About 1,200 employees will ultimately occupy the space.

The large corporate relocation and expansion has been in the works112 for months.

“We’re overflowing from One Allen Center,” said Jon Pepper, a Hess spokesman in New York. “We have grown pretty steadily in Houston.”

Hess (NYSE: HES) will be the sole tenant in the 29-story building that is currently under construction next to Discovery Green park.

Discovery Tower is being developed at 1501 McKinney by Trammell Crow Co.113 and Principal Real Estate Investors114.

Original plans called for a 30-story, 871,000-square-foot tower, but the building has been downsized to accommodate the needs of New York-based Hess.

Trammell Crow had initially named the building after the park, but now it will be known as Hess Tower.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/01/19/daily12.html?ana=from_rss

[photoLith]

^^^
What was there before where Regents Square is going in? I hope it wasnt anything historically significant.

Hess Tower, that sounds evil, lol Someone needs to rename the thread from Discovery Tower to Hess Tower I guess.

[HOUSTONIAN57]

Nothing historic. Some apartments named Allen House were there before (don't know what type of apartments) but they have been gone for a year now.

[Urbannizer]

New Renderings of Regent Square:

Forgot to post this yesterday and as you can see its 4 towers now..

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1724/201/63/159900085/n159900085_30398184_5256.jpg


http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/3839781A-02F3-45C0-900D-8F6208D527A1/695771/OfficeRendering_webjpg.jpg

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

After a delay and a new design for this developement expect a ground breaking in 2Q of 2009..

More renderings and info here: http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/TX/Houston+Galleria/property/regentsquare.htm?pageid=0

Im really looking forward to Regent Square is there any website I can contact them? I really want to be a resident.:)

[photoLith]

Im really looking forward to Regent Square is there any website I can contact them? I really want to be a resident.:)

I just contacted them and they told me they arent leasing yet and until they get 50% of the development leased they wont start construction. So Im not sure when they will start leasing. I would imagine soon though. :shrug:

[Urbannizer]

I just contacted them and they told me they arent leasing yet and until they get 50% of the development leased they wont start construction. So Im not sure when they will start leasing. I would imagine soon though. :shrug:

Can you give me a website or a number?

[HOUSTONIAN57]

From Khou this morning...


http://www.khou.com/business/stories/khou090121_tnt_office-market.166a7a69.html

HOUSTON—Compared to the housing market, the Houston office market is holding up – especially in downtown.

Delta Associates says, in all, Houston’s commercial office space vacancy rate sits at roughly 11 percent.

But one office realtor said when it comes to downtown itself, it’s the Class A space that really counts.

Those are the top-tier commercial buildings, and they account for well over half of all downtown space.

Realtor Sanford Criner said the Class A vacancy rate sits around 5.4 percent, which is relatively flat for 2008.

Criner said he expects it to remain flat this year, too.

“It won’t make any difference in 2009. I think we can look at 2009 that is flat to down in every segment across the board,” Criner said

Theres also a video on this..and will be a report about uptown and other areas in Houston tonight at 10.

[Complex01]

Ohh thats kewl, hope it will hold up. As for Regent Square i really hope it gets leased. I want to see the thing start to rise...

:yes:

[Shasta]

Looks as if Phase II at West Ave will be more modern according to Ziegler Cooper...

http://www.zieglercooper.com/images/proj889.jpg

Also found this on the website;

Renaissance @ Greenspoint. 22 floors with 500,000 sq feet of class A office space.

httP://www.zieglercooper.com/images/proj866.jpg

http://www.zieglercooper.com/images/proj864.jpg

http://www.zieglercooper.com/images/proj862.jpg

http://www.zieglercooper.com/images/proj863.jpg

[Complex01]

:previous:

All those buildings looks very nice. Good to see there are still projects being planned on. I am really hoping for more development on West Ave. I really likes that area...

:yes:

[photoLith]

Can you give me a website or a number?

All I did was look up Regents Square Houston on yahoo and then the first site that comes up is theirs and then you can contact them through there.

[Texas Tuff]

Nice looking buildings, especially the Renaissance at Greenspoint :tup:

[rdavis4559]

Discovery Tower

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0123.jpg

[HOUSTONIAN57]

^Thanks Rdavis.

Looks like they're on the 1oth floor. :)

Hey when your're in Downtown again can you go by MainPlace for us?

[rdavis4559]

Will do. I work in Two Houston and can get a semi-aerial view tomorrow.

[rdavis4559]

Discovery Tower with a little more perspective:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0126.jpg

Main Place:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0127.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a373/rdavis4559/IMAG0128.jpg

[CALMSP]

do we know where the greenway is being planned for??

[HOUSTONIAN57]

Thanks Rdavis, I was wondering what floor MainPlace was on. From that view it looks like there on the 4th (or 3rd) floor. :yes: