dbigtex56 Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Hate to use the cliche' phrases but this is an eyesore and a blight. Its only useful function seems to be as an impromptu urinal for those who have no where else to go (wordplay intentional.) Surprising how one dreary block can contaminate the surrounding area. The Melrose Building is on a high traffic street; this is not a good setting for such a creepy and nasty artifact. Shouldn't downtown be held to a higher standard? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 It's odd, but I've never noticed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porTENT Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I've always kinda liked this building, it needs some love as a candidate for renovation. How long has it been vacant? Interior conditions.. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 This was downtown's first modern skyscraper. When it was first built in 1952 it must have looked like a vision of the future. Originally the spandrels were turquoise, which would have helped it stand out more. They were replaced with brown panels in the 1970s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted May 14, 2010 Author Share Posted May 14, 2010 This was downtown's first modern skyscraper. When it was first built in 1952 it must have looked like a vision of the future. Originally the spandrels were turquoise, which would have helped it stand out more. They were replaced with brown panels in the 1970s.How strange - both the Melrose and the Prudential buildings were built in 1952, and are nearly the same height (93.88m, 21 stories vs. 95.1, 21 stories, respectively.)Prudential (Houston Main) BuildingMelrose Building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Oh the dear old Melrose. What a crappy hand it has been dealt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted May 14, 2010 Author Share Posted May 14, 2010 Oh the dear old Melrose. What a crappy hand it has been dealt.. Yes....gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em If only the Melrose would serve as a cautionary tale for those who would recklessly update a building, and thereby seal its fate. Whatever charm this building possessed has been 'improved' out of it, and neglect has finished the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porTENT Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 (edited) The brown panels are "bronze-colored aluminum."No info on last tenets, or how long it's been neglected.. Edited May 17, 2010 by porTENT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Yes....gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em If only the Melrose would serve as a cautionary tale for those who would recklessly update a building, and thereby seal its fate. Whatever charm this building possessed has been 'improved' out of it, and neglect has finished the job. Witness 806 Main. I would love to get inside the Melrose, although you just know it is going to have some sort of strange mid-century funk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Does anyone know if the 806 Main hotel conversion is underway?I never realized that the Melrose was vacant. How long has it been empty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbaker Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Does anyone know if the 806 Main hotel conversion is underway?I never realized that the Melrose was vacant. How long has it been empty?Judging by the condition of the street level exterior, I would guess since the 1980's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bach Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Taxes are paid up, and owner feels it's worth more than anyone is willing to pay. Only covers 1/4 of the block, and very difficult to convert it to anything, and expensive to tear it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrage Posted November 23, 2010 Share Posted November 23, 2010 Witness 806 Main. I would love to get inside the Melrose, although you just know it is going to have some sort of strange mid-century funk.Me too, thats what intrigues me about that building. No telling what relics from the past are inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 bumping - could they convert to condos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 In theory, but I could see this being one of those buildings doomed because ceiling heights are too low. I think the renovation of Texaco and construction of 6 Houston Center might turn up the heat to do something with it. Poor sad Melrose Building. As a side note, I really like mid-century buildings like this (and First City and Exxon) that utilize balcony-like extensions to provide shade and reduce cooling costs. It seems like such a logical solution for a hot climate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 besides the pictures attatched or googled - does anyone know what the interior is like? Is it solid sealed? Or where urban pioneers and explorers able to get in and squat like days inn, savoy ect I will try to ride my bike to and take some pics this weekened - seriously never knew about this building until someone bumped a 6AC thread elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Always loved this building. Could be really cool with some tlc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Since the demise of the Sheraton and the re-development of the Texaco building, this has become the urine-iest building downtown. Maybe the owner is saving the development of the area for his grandkids. What are the ceiling heights in 806 Main? They just spent a substantial amount of money on the adjacent garage to reconfigure the entrances to accommodate the new light rail line down Rusk, but with the Skanska temporary ramp thing on an active demolition project, I'm not going to assume that is indicative of anything in the medium term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 besides the pictures attatched or googled - does anyone know what the interior is like? Is it solid sealed? Or where urban pioneers and explorers able to get in and squat like days inn, savoy ect I will try to ride my bike to and take some pics this weekened - seriously never knew about this building until someone bumped a 6AC thread elsewhere. I was able to make it into the Texas State Hotel and Sheraton buildings, but this one seemed to be sealed pretty tight. If I'm not mistaken, there was a dry cleaners or something similar on the ground floor in the early 1990s, but the rest of the building was closed off even then. I would bet that if they replaced the brown spandrels with the original turquoise that there would be more preservationist interest in the Melrose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Is it in the residential incentive perimeter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 IIRC, the turquoise tile is still behind the brown spandrels. I haven't walked by it lately, but I also think I remember seeing at least one of the spandrel panels missing, and there was not a gooey mess of mastic left behind. Bronze aluminum, as described by a poster above, would have been pretty simple to apply without causing a whole lot of collateral damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 This building could be very cool redone. I'd like to see it made into condos or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 IIRC, the turquoise tile is still behind the brown spandrels. I haven't walked by it lately, but I also think I remember seeing at least one of the spandrel panels missing, and there was not a gooey mess of mastic left behind. Bronze aluminum, as described by a poster above, would have been pretty simple to apply without causing a whole lot of collateral damage. There is one visible, and it does appear to be covered in goo... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specwriter Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 There is one visible, and it does appear to be covered in goo. Not much goo really and it is much easier to clean glazed tile than natural stone like limestone. Gimme a drum of mineral spirits and a big rag - I'll get after it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chi-Char-Hou-Dal Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 Who owns this building? Can someone tell me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Who owns this building? Can someone tell meGulf apartment llc or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 ^ Hmmmm, that name seems encouraging. Also somewhat encouraging is that they bought it just 3 years ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Building is currently for sale: http://www.loopnet.com/lid/15073342 for about $12M. Just spoke with someone close to the current owner who said the building is about to sell to a "hotel or apt developer" who, he says, will rehab the building and seek historic designation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 That's great news. The small footprint needn't be a disadvantage. Skinny condos are quite fashionable now. http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/05/22/small-footprints-tall-towers-skinny-condos-take-manhattan/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted February 3, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 3, 2015 http://www.houstonconventiondistrict.com/Home.aspx Le Meridien. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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