Quote:
Originally Posted by JManc
That hotel isn't that old; 10-15 years maybe. It's not going anywhere and is in a prime location as far as hotel space is...close to the GRB. The fact that it's relatively affordable makes it even more desirable. Plus, there are several open lots in the vicinity ripe for development.
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This.
I started thinking about how Discovery Green has changed development in this portion of downtown.
I recall walking through the block where One Park Place currently stands about 2004 or so when it was still part of the Houston Center Gardens. The balcony jutting out from 4 Houston Center over Austin Street made more sense design-wise as it had a decent view of what was the parkland toward the GRB at the time.
Anyway, I had thoughts of what COULD be - but didn't think they would necessarily come to fruition. The specific block I mentioned, I really thought would be as good as it got and that was well enough.
People also tend to forget that while there was some drop-off in proposals post early 80s bust, the pipeline started opening back up as early as 1987-1988, though clearly not in any boom-like state. Around then, there was a plan to build a 40-50 story hotel on that space that would've been the convention center's primary lodging provider. I think it got a lot more discussion around the time Houston hosted the G-7 Summit in 1990. It stayed around for a while till it was reduced in size during the 1990s, and ultimately ended up across the street as the current Hilton Americas, which was completed in 2003.
I have been visiting Discovery Green since the first week it opened and now I can't imagine how the previous configuration could have existed for 20+ years prior to the creation of the current park. The fact that there is a decent mix of lodging and still room for more (and others may be coming soon - see the Home2/Tru and possible HI Express and W Hotels among others), along with dining options that now are in and effectively ring the park at multiple points and the residential towers within a block or two - all proof of how an engaging and well-programmed civic space can make a huge difference.
This also doesn't take into consideration the mixed-use district that Crane wants to build a couple of blocks north and east near Minute Maid that will likely keep with the pedestrian friendly tone established by DG, as well as the two additional blocks Skanska wants to develop along
the Dallas Street corridor that was improved a few years back. So much potential, and I think that something will come of it much sooner than later.