Driving by downtown today, I noticed a new building beyond the leftield wall for MMP, and I was wondering if any of you guys knew what it was? I know it's not that hideous-looking ballpark place that was planned a few years back... this one is a red-brick building, with a dome on top. It definitely will be part of the skyline when you're sitting in MMP, and will probably show up on tv as well... I knew they were building something there last year, but I had no idea they were this close to finishing.
Thanks... I was hoping it was something residential or commercial, because that building definitely looks nice. At least we'll finally have some good backdrop to the outfield wall for MMP games on tv (all the big buildings are too far to the left to get noticed on tv sometimes).
If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, it's more than a courthouse annex. This is the new civil courts building...and yes, it has a dome on top. The building on the right on the bottom picture... It is very plainly seen from MMP looking over the LF fence. And it is more red than shown in that picture. You could see the construction of this building from MMP all last year.
Yea Max... that's it (nice find). It is definitely more "red brick", so it definitely complements the ballpark architecture. I noticed the construction there last year, but w/ the off-season, I just now noticed that they were almost done w/ the building (at least the exterior). Anybody know whether or not "ballpark place" (the hideous monstrosity by Trammel Crow) is still in the works?
My understanding is it's still being planned on...but there's been some problem with financing, I believe. Which seems funny, but that's what I've heard. As for the courthouse...I can't freaking wait!!! Long overdue.
I love the new courthouse myself but I swear I saw it in one of the cities in Lord Of The Rings. (Odd place for an architecture discussion but) It looks like it ought to be in Austin and conversely that new building in Austin with the big water lily on top looks like it ought to be in Houston.
That's actually an old rendering Max....here the updated version.... For good view of this thing from the ballpark, check out Getty Images "opening day" Stros/Cards game photos. Just simply head to the sports section in the editoral section. Getty Images
Getty has linking blocked Go to GettyImages.com, select editorial, select Sports, and then find pics of the Astros opening day game.....there in there. And if you know get around the "block" could someone post those pics.
Went to the Astros game last night and that building is amazing!! Looks VERY nice and if you sit behind home plate you can see it beyond the flags on the hill.
Went to the Astros game last night and that building is amazing!! Looks VERY nice and if you sit behind home plate you can see it beyond the flags on the hill.
From the right angle, that building looks exactly like an Owl. Kinda creepy. EDIT: You can kinda see what I'm talking about in this picture.
That's no water lilly...It's supposed to be ice. The building just doesn't fit into the Austin skyline...many Austinites protested its building...especially so close to the capital.
