Avossos Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 So sad... That building looks amazing. Wish we could have kept more of our history. The melrose building should be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I know this is off topic but what would you guess the cost of building that same style with the original materials and plans nowadays? Of course with modern fire protection etc. I know the Marriott was redone in a reasonable fashion but would brick and ornate details really be that expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 If you're happy with how the Marriott turned out, then no. Actually doing a good job would be significantly (impractically) more expensive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I know this is off topic but what would you guess the cost of building that same style with the original materials and plans nowadays? Of course with modern fire protection etc. I know the Marriott was redone in a reasonable fashion but would brick and ornate details really be that expensive? Very, very expensive. First, most architects are not trained to design in historical styles. Walk through your typical architecture school and look at the projects and everyone is trying to be the next Frank Gehry or Calatrava. Whereas back then, people really got an education in the historical styles, the proportions, the endless vocabulary of all the different details, etc. Then, all the companies and infrastructure that existed to supply ornament for a building like that are no more. Where are you going to get cast stone (let alone real carved stone) pieces like that nowadays? Not as cheaply as when there were dozens of buildings going up in every city placing orders. And how much are your stone carvers going to cost if you decide to go that route? Will they work as cheaply as the half-starved Italian immigrant stone laborers did a hundred years ago? Probably not. All that said, it can be done. Look at the new Old Parkland buildings by the Trammell Crow family in Dallas. That is first rate historical architecture. It's all very big and inflated, as one can expect from our era, but the details and proportions are there. And Rice built bona fide historic-style buildings for the Baker School and Jones School of Management 15 years or so ago. But the people who build this kind of stuff have deep pockets and are generally owner-occupants. A developer building an investment property is unlikely to splurge on history. The best way to have historic architecture, it must lastly be said, is not to tear down historic buildings. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 If you're happy with how the Marriott turned out, then no. Actually doing a good job would be significantly (impractically) more expensive. The interior is beyond. The exterior, I just have to say "That'll do pig... that'll do".  Very, very expensive. First, most architects are not trained to design in historical styles. Walk through your typical architecture school and look at the projects and everyone is trying to be the next Frank Gehry or Calatrava. Whereas back then, people really got an education in the historical styles, the proportions, the endless vocabulary of all the different details, etc.  Then, all the companies and infrastructure that existed to supply ornament for a building like that are no more. Where are you going to get cast stone (let alone real carved stone) pieces like that nowadays? Not as cheaply as when there were dozens of buildings going up in every city placing orders. And how much are your stone carvers going to cost if you decide to go that route? Will they work as cheaply as the half-starved Italian immigrant stone laborers did a hundred years ago? Probably not.  All that said, it can be done. Look at the new Old Parkland buildings by the Trammell Crow family in Dallas. That is first rate historical architecture. It's all very big and inflated, as one can expect from our era, but the details and proportions are there. And Rice built bona fide historic-style buildings for the Baker School and Jones School of Management 15 years or so ago. But the people who build this kind of stuff have deep pockets and are generally owner-occupants. A developer building an investment property is unlikely to splurge on history.  The best way to have historic architecture, it must lastly be said, is not to tear down historic buildings. Well I know it would be a very distinct group of people who are not trained per say, but knowledgeable? I know the time has long passed when people were able to draft and design their own homes, but there must be specialized craftsmen and women who know the ins and outs of past styles. Very expensive, I guess is the answer to my question.  I'm sure getting carved stone with today's technology and precision wouldn't be hard necessarily, just purchasing the stone in large quantities (shipping, construction, you name it).  Stucco and Styrofoam are the only feasible options today to replicate this? Brick is sill used. It would be a wet dream to have The Sterling Hotel built like the original proposal, but it would be more realistic and ideal to have smaller buildings that occupy lots Downtown to mimic the charm and characteristics of that time. Rather than a blasphemous Renoir Lofts .  A shame at the price of practicality and profit we have lost so much passion and interest. Such is life.  Anyways, Back on to the Le Meridien. It's refreshing to see this building saved and used in a good way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 wasn't this the building that the original coney island restaurant was in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 No, pretty sure that was the West Building on Main Street where BG Group Place now stands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/bayou-city-history/article/The-Melrose-Building-is-one-of-Houston-s-6668309.php#photo-9040608 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 The only part that you can see from this side of the paywall Nice historic photo of, and I liked the explanation of how they did it   Right now, it's a sad-looking skyscraper at the corner of Walker and San Jacinto. Been that way for quite some time actually. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/bayou-city-history/article/The-Melrose-Building-is-one-of-Houston-s-6668309.php#photo-9040608 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/bayou-city-history/article/The-Melrose-Building-is-one-of-Houston-s-6668309.php#photo-9040608Â In my head, I read the caption in the 1940's news reel narrator's voice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 The 1950 downtown photograph is incredible in the amount of detail it shows.  You can imagine how futuristic the Melrose Building must have looked at the time.  1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Was it the third tallest at the time of the photo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I think the original James Coney Island was not on Main Street but on either Walker or Rusk east of Main street. I remember going there in the 50's. The chairs were reminiscent of the old wooden school desks where the desk folded up from a side position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 I think the original James Coney Island was not on Main Street but on either Walker or Rusk east of Mainstreet. I remember going there in the 50's. The chairs were reminiscent of the old wooden school deskswhere the desk folded up from a side position. Here's what James Coney Island has to say on the matter: Nestled on the ground floor of the Beatty-West Building on Walker and Main in downtown Houston, the first James Coney Island opened its doors in 1923 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 So I guess your right but I did have the side street right and I believe you entered on Walker side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinsanity02 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Great old photo. Can see the old Foley's/Macy's building. Have no idea what building is just north of them. How is the Melrose redevelopment coming along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 The building immediately north of Foley's is was the Lamar Hotel, famous for Suite 8-F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinsanity02 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 What a beauty she was. Painful to think of the loss. I suppose there was no way ( or desire) to save her. What a loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rechlin Posted December 7, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted December 7, 2015 They have now closed off the sidewalks and lanes adjacent to the building in preparation for construction: The ten 55-gallon drums (not visible; behind the van in the photo) appear to be from soil testing of the adjacent parking lot. They are labeled "soil cuttings" and "IDW purge water". 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 ^^^ great work rechlin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Demolition crew back on site... Â 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I am wondering what they will do to the north facade above the garage. It is just two blank walls now. Will they add windows? Did I read that this building is now some kind of official "landmark"? If so, they may not be able to change that blank facade?Curious to see renderings from a different direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I really really hope that a blank walled parking garage is considered a historic landmark. It's just so...Houston 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nate99 Posted January 15, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted January 15, 2016 Lifting stuff out of the basement... Â 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tigereye Posted February 23, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted February 23, 2016 In case anyone forgot about this, here's an update. https://twitter.com/thachadwick/status/701922419586367492 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rechlin Posted March 8, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2016 They are now building the construction elevator: 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 ^^^ are they planning on having this luxury development open / operating in time for the super bowl.... anyone?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 11 hours ago, monarch said: ^^^ are they planning on having this luxury development open / operating in time for the super bowl.... anyone?? That would be mighty ambitious. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 13 hours ago, monarch said: ^^^ are they planning on having this luxury development open / operating in time for the super bowl.... anyone?? The hotel is expected to open in April, 2017. So, no. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 38 minutes ago, Houston19514 said: The hotel is expected to open in April, 2017. So, no. Le Meridien's website says October 2017, so even more of a no. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/directory/hotels/all/list.html 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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