Skylines

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by Christof Spieler

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POST OAK , a residential subdivision 15 years ago, became Houston's office boomtown in the '80s. It now has more hotel space than downtown, and the Galleria mall has displaced Main as Houston's premiere shopping "street." A line of highrises (many empty) stretches along Post Oak Boulevard and 610. Its southern end is marked by the Transco Tower, one of Houston's most prominent landmarks. The northern end, near Memorial Park, is marked by the Four-Leaf Towers, an apartment complex.

Most Rice students will probably end up at the Galleria sooner or later. A short walk from there will take you past Transco to the "Water Wall," a huge crescent concrete wall with water cascading down both sides. In the center, the sensation is that of being surrounded by a waterfall. At night, floodlit, it's one of Houston's most beautiful sights.

From Sid Richardson College, Post Oak seems to blend into Greenway Plaza, a single development that now includes condominiums, five office towers and the Summit, home of the basketball Rockets and hockey Aeros.

To the east, a line of lower highrises marks the line of the Southwest Freeway through largely residential neighborhoods.

DOWNTOWN is Houston's symbol, a flamboyant display of the late '70s oil boom. Never mind that many of the towers are largely vacant. Below the skyscrapers, business has left or moved underground into the air-conditioned tunnel system. The streets are left to cars, the sidewalks almost empty even during business hours. Main Street's fortunes are reflected by the lack of major buildings along it -- Houston has left its old main artery to wither.

Still, downtown is interesting to explore. Catch a METRO bus going north on Fannin; get off near Houston Center, which includes a small mall. Then head west a few blocks to the City Hall area, home to a park with restored old houses. The two tallest buildings downtown -- First Interstate and Texas Commerce -- have sky lobbies (the latter on the 60th floor); ask nicely and the guard may let you up. All the major buildings are connected with tunnels; enter through building lobbies or through the First Interstate plaza.

This item appeared in the Features section of the September 1, 1995 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
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