brijonmang Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 i would expect next to no movement on this in the near term... things are starting to get reeeaaal ugly. anyone blowing sunshine up your keester is clueless. I guess this gives me more time to get some pictures of it before they go all nip/tuck on it. Anybody on here in a north-facing room at 2016 Main?? Will pay beer in exchange for balcony access 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 i would expect next to no movement on this in the near term... things are starting to get reeeaaal ugly. anyone blowing sunshine up your keester is clueless. Agreed. Inflation adjusted, oil prices are now below 1990 and 2000 levels: http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2016/01/is-oil-cheap.html I just don't see any viable office in this market at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I guess this gives me more time to get some pictures of it before they go all nip/tuck on it. Anybody on here in a north-facing room at 2016 Main?? Will pay beer in exchange for balcony access sometime last year it was repeated that shorenstein was already committed to reskinning the building but i have no idea if that's even viable anymore. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 sometime last year it was repeated that shorenstein was already committed to reskinning the building but i have no idea if that's even viable anymore. Committed.......5 years from now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 sometime last year it was repeated that shorenstein was already committed to reskinning the building but i have no idea if that's even viable anymore. Would Shorenstein seek out tenants at much reduced rates on a shorter-term basis to recoup some of their holding costs? I understanding keeping a parking lot as is to keep property taxes, maintenance, and liability costs down, but holding a vacant skyscraper such as this one would be much more expensive. This was the one project where, despite the severe oil downturn, I thought the economics might favor pushing through with the renovation to seek higher rents down the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Jgriff & Nate whispering under their breath "damn"... She's spared (For now). A real shame the city didn't decided to occupy this space. Will be interesting to see how long this downturn lasts and how long after prices rise that the O&G companies will start growing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Jgriff & Nate whispering under their breath "damn"... She's spared (For now). A real shame the city didn't decided to occupy this space. Will be interesting to see how long this downturn lasts and how long after prices rise that the O&G companies will start growing again. The owners can do whatever they want as far as I am concerned, I don't really care. This thing is huge though. I wonder what the economics of rehabbing it will be if it sits barely maintained for an extended period, and maintaining it well could quickly bankrupt whatever LLC was established to hold it with an expectation of redevelopment. If neglected, this could make the Days on Earth Inn look pretty and unobtrusive by comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Dallas has had a tower of similar height and vintage sitting vacant for awhile. I was hoping such a thing wouldn't happen to OUR downtown, but it is what it is.Will downtown have had any net increase in office space from this cycle, when you factor the addition of 609 Main and Hilcorp against the loss of this building and Houston Club? Maybe just a couple hundred k? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Dallas has had a tower of similar height and vintage sitting vacant for awhile. I was hoping such a thing wouldn't happen to OUR downtown, but it is what it is.Will downtown have had any net increase in office space from this cycle, when you factor the addition of 609 Main and Hilcorp against the loss of this building and Houston Club? Maybe just a couple hundred k?How much space did Exxon have at 1301 Fannin?Might be a good opportunity to turn 800 Bell into a residential. Something affordable, give Ivy Lofts a run for their money. I wonder if the fins could support a balcony? Thin metal railings wouldn't be too damaging to the look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Might be a good opportunity to turn 800 Bell into a residential. I wonder if the fins could support a balcony? Thin metal railings wouldn't be too damaging to the look?I've been thinking this for a while, even said something about that not long ago. It's been clear for some time that more office space isn't needed downtown anytime soon.. Turn it into residential! As for the balconies, someone shot my fin to balcony conversion down saying they arent meant to hold any weight, but if Shorestien was going to expand the floor plates out, why couldn't something be figured out for making the fins support balconies or rebuilding the fins/balconies entirely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanize713 Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I've been thinking this for a while, even said something about that not long ago. It's been clear for some time that more office space isn't needed downtown anytime soon.. Turn it into residential! As for the balconies, someone shot my fin to balcony conversion down saying they arent meant to hold any weight, but if Shorestien was going to expand the floor plates out, why couldn't something be figured out for making the fins support balconies or rebuilding the fins/balconies entirely? Also use tempered glass for railing on the balconies to give minimal impact to the apperance. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Tempered glass is a great idea if the fins could be converted to balconies. A residential tower this size would push Downtown residential to new heights. Plus there are still vacant lots around this building so there is room for more interesting things to go up 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Triton Posted March 25, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted March 25, 2016 (edited) Wow https://joshburdick.smugmug.com/Architecture/Historic-Houston/i-nJRvF7n/A Edited March 25, 2016 by Triton 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWARD Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 By far, my favorite building downtown. www.drawcomicdesigns.com 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Have the plans to 'modernize' this building been scrapped? I certainly hope so. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 I hope so too. Timeless beauty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Not moving forward soon: Quote The fate of 800 Bell has been up in the air for some time now, but a spokesperson for California-based Shorenstein Properties, which owns the downtown building, said any planned renovations for the 45-story office tower are on hold. To move forward, the project requires "a significant sized user to prelease the building in order to commence reconstruction," Transwestern's Eric Andersontold the Houston Business Journal. Transwestern is marketing the 1.3 million-square-foot building, which makes it the most available contiguous space in Houston. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2016/07/redevelopment-plans-for-downtown-tower-on-hold.html?ana=RSS%26s=article_search 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 I bet the City of Houston takes it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 4 minutes ago, Avossos said: I bet the City of Houston takes it With a new mayor, I think that's probably the most logical choice especially since they are in desperate need for a new building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Triton said: With a new mayor, I think that's probably the most logical choice especially since they are in desperate need for a new building. My guess is they strike a deal, at some point in the next 8 months. They do a combination of renovations of that building for courts and offices. They also buy a lot nearby (maybe in Eado or Northside) for the police dispatch, making them happy with a more horizontal campus. Justice complex combing both is adjusted. In 2-3 years they will sell the land as the market is rebounding. Edited July 25, 2016 by Avossos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 1 minute ago, Avossos said: My guess is they strike a deal, at some point in the next 8 months. They do a combination of renovations of that building for courts and offices. They also buy a lot nearby (maybe in Eado or Northside) for the police dispatch, making them happy with a more horizontal campus. Justice complex combing both is adjusted. If they do reach a deal, perhaps those wanting the original design may win. Perhaps the city can get a discount to lease this building if only the internal offices are renovated, with the exterior simply cleaned perhaps. Shorenstein did want to modernize the building though, so who knows... guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 13 minutes ago, Triton said: If they do reach a deal, perhaps those wanting the original design may win. Perhaps the city can get a discount to lease this building if only the internal offices are renovated, with the exterior simply cleaned perhaps. Shorenstein did want to modernize the building though, so who knows... guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Oh I agree that if Houston does take the space, the exterior will likely remain (hopefully cleaned up a bit). I hope that this does get connected to the tunnels however, whatever happens to the building. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkHouston Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 (edited) https://instagram.com/p/BInLwtvhD_Q/ Edited August 3, 2016 by MarkHouston 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 This building is not only a thing of beauty, in my opinion; it also is a symbol of architectural marvel with regards to functionality. There was certainly nothing humble about the cost it ran, though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirJac Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 That picture makes it look like the architectural equivalent of pinhead. I like it though because I like that type of retro look. They shouldn't change it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post infinite_jim Posted December 2, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2016 A leasing sign with the rendering went up yesterday. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 This is such a major upgrade for our skyline. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Avossos Posted December 2, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2016 27 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said: This is such a major upgrade for our skyline. I rather have a refurbished 50s icon than it destroyed... i say major downgrade 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Naviguessor Posted December 2, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2016 I would love to see a complex of buildings, with similar lower rise mid-century design elements, develop on the empty blocks around 800 Bell. in my opinion the only major aesthetic problem with this building, is that it looks lonely and out of context. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 3 hours ago, Avossos said: I rather have a refurbished 50s icon than it destroyed... i say major downgrade That should be "refurbished 60's icon"... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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