Changing Houston
Twisting, leaning luxury apartment tower to rise over Hermann Park: 42 stories of illusion?
A 42-story optical illusion will sky over Hermann Park thanks to an innovative new high rise designed by Dallas architecture firm Corgan Associates.
Renderings released by local developer Tema show a 270-unit apartment tower rising up along Hermann Drive next to the developer's other project, The Parklane, recently known as the scene of the infamous Stiletto Heel Murder.
Judging from the preliminary images, the unique design makes the building appear to lean to one side.
Each floor of the new luxury building is slightly offset from the next, allowing the structure to take a full 30 twists from top to bottom. Judging from the preliminary images, the unique design makes the building appear to lean to one side.
Architect Michael Gooden tells the Chronicle that the spiraling approach has a practical purpose, giving lower floors clear views of the park while offering higher levels sweeping vistas of downtown and beyond.
Tentatively named the "Tower at Hermann Place," the project includes a five-story parking structure topped off with a roof deck and pool. The tower's first few floors are dedicated to amenities like a fitness center and an in-house concierge service.
Houston landscape architect James Burnett — known for his award-winning work at CityCentre, the Oak Forest Neighborhood Library and Rice University's Brochstein Pavilion — has been tapped to design the grounds.
Construction is expected to begin in October with a completion date tentatively set for spring 2015.