The only part of M.D. Anderson’s Houston Main Building at 1100 Holcombe Blvd. being demolished today is a “coach canopy” outside the structure, cancer center spokesperson Laura Sussman tells Swamplot. Removal of the canopy will allow workers to extract a large mural from inside the space before the building is demolished. Sussman couldn’t confirm when demolition of the 18-story former Prudential Life Insurance Building would take place, but a source tells Swamplot it’s been scheduled for the middle of February. Mournful modernists, you have a few more weeks to get the building’s obituary in order.
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- Previously on Swamplot: Report: M.D. Anderson Begins Demolishing Med Center Icon
Photos: Candace Garcia
I am sad to see MD Anderson is going ahead with demolition of this building.
Fun memories, Catherine!
Wait the Prudential office building had a pool?
Yes, it had a lovely pool. My mother used to take noontime swims when she worked for M.D. Anderson in that building. Of course that was before M.D. Anderson deliberately laid her off two months shy of a work anniversary that would have had added significant comfort to Mom’s later life as a retiree. She’s not the only one they screwed that way. I have thought poorly of M.D. Anderson’s HR department ever since.
What will take its place?
From Miz Brooke Smith:
Yes, it had a lovely pool. My mother used to take noontime swims when she worked for M.D. Anderson in that building. Of course that was before M.D. Anderson deliberately laid her off two months shy of a work anniversary that would have had added significant comfort to Mom’s later life as a retiree. She’s not the only one they screwed that way. I have thought poorly of M.D. Anderson’s HR department ever since.
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Despite being part of the UT System and operating as a non-profit the reality is MD Anderson is about profit more than people as quite a few former employees will attest to. One wonders how many additional former employees will pay for this new building along with the taxpayers. No doubt part of the building costs are being included in the appropriations request to the Texas Legislature. Without doubt MD Anderson provides the best in cancer treatment. For those who can afford it. And they will probably pay for part of the building costs as well in their “upfront deposit.”