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Big changes coming for downtown Houston's eastern edge
By Molly Glentzer | November 12, 2014 | Updated: November 12, 2014 12:24pm
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Photo By WHR Architects
The 10-story Greater Houston Partnership Building is expected to be completed in early 2016.
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Photo By courtesy WHR ArchitectsHouston First is sending out proposals to developers for a hotel that would be built on top of the recently announced Greater Houston Partnership Building and parking garage that will be north of the George R. Brown Convention Center.
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Photo By Mariott
The 1,000-room Marriott Marquis will be downtown's second hotel to cater to business at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
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Photo By WHR ArchitectsArtist rendering of the 10-story Greater Houston Partnership Building, set to open in 2016. The building will feature views of Discovery Green, the Marriott Marquis and other hotels, landscaped walkways and sidewalk cafes, the convention centerâs glassy new facade and the downtown skyline beyond.
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Photo By MariottThe 1,000-room Marriott Marquis, expected to open in 2016, will serve downtown's George R. Brown Convention Center.
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Photo By Rida Development via The Downtown DistrictMarriott Marquis: Rida Development is producing the 1,000 room hotel near Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center. it is slated to open Sept. 2016.
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Photo By Ray Bailey Architects
The Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, a new "gateway to the region," will include a museum about Houston's history and a visitors' center at 1801 Capitol.
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Photo By Gallagher & AssociatesA rendering of the Visitors Center inside the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, a new "gateway to the region" whose facilities will also include a museum about Houston's history.
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Photo By BRC Imagination ArtsThe spindletop, railroad and Johnson space center “conceptualizations” are courtesy of BRC Imagination Arts
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Photo By HandoutArtist's rendering Houston First Corp. proposal to transform the George R. Brown Convention Center in time for the 2017 Super Bowl. SWA-Convention Center-Gateway View of new 'face' of GRB from the Oak Alley at Discovery Green
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Photo By HandoutThis rendering shows a proposal to transform the area around the George R. Brown Convention Center with flexible overhead shade.
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Photo By HandoutAn artist's rendering shows a Houston First Corp. proposal to transform the George R. Brown Convention Center area in time for the 2017 Super Bowl.
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Artist rendering of the George R.Brown Tennis Complex to be built at Rice.
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Photo By Gary Fountain/FreelanceDiscovery Green, with the George R. Brown Convention Center on the right, and Minute Maid Park in the background.
In three years, the eastern edge of downtown Houston will look dramatically different than it does today. According to Central Houston president Bob Eury, more than $1 billion in new development is happening in the area near the George R. Brown Convention Center. It will be great when it's done. In the meantime, here's what's behind the fences and construction congestion of the big civic projects:
1. George R. Brown Convention Center: The 27-year old facility is getting a new glass facade with panoramic views of downtown, new restaurants and a leafy promenade on ground now occupied by Avenida de las Americas, which will be reduced from eight to three lanes. Target completion date: Spring 2016.
2. Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1777 Walker: A new 1,000-room hotel connected by a pedestrian bridge to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Estimated cost: $335 million. Opening September 2016.
3. Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, 1801 Capitol: A new visitors' center with a state-of-the-art "gateway" to activities in 29 Southeast Texas counties; plus a museum devoted to Houston's history, development and culture with classrooms, a restored turn-of-the-century home, a theater and a gift shop. Estimated cost: $80 million. Target completion date: Fall 2016. Read more about the Nau Center on HoustonChronicle.com.
4. Greater Houston Partnership Building: A 10-story office building directly north of the convention center. It will house the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston First Corporation and the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. The attached 2,000-space parking garage will have a pad to accommodate a 400-room boutique hotel and connect by a pedestrian bridge to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Estimated cost: $76 million. Target completion date: Spring 2016.
Also in the works: A new MetroRAIL line adjacent to the convention center and new residential developments totalling 1,340 units.
Learn more: houstonconventiondistrict.com.