Photo taken sixty days after completion of landscape renovation work of the 20,000 sq. ft. SkyPark. At the time of the original completion, the Bank of America Tower SkyPark was the first and largest green roof in Downtown Houston. Existing Vitex trees were left in place. Plant materials used included Sandy Leaf Fig, Big Blue Liriope, Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia Leucantha), New Gold Lantana, Maiden Grass and Texas Sage.

Before picture prior to the start of landscape renovation work. Picture was taken in late winter prior to an early March start date. An additional 240 bags of potting soil were added and blended into the original rooftop mix. All soil, tools and plant materials had to be manually carried up a flight of stairs leading from the garage to the rooftop garden.

An evaluation and inventory of materials needed for the renovation was performed in the previous fall prior to the renovation implemented. There were several large vacant spaces as well as gaps needing to be filled in among existing plant material. Upon project approval in October, 2023; the decision was made to wait until the following Spring of 2024 to implement the landscape renovation of the rooftop garden.

An example of the condition of the rooftop garden as was inherited from the previous contractor in the summer of 2023.

The landscape renovation crew is shown beginning the demolition part of the landscape renovation work. All debris had to be bagged and carried down a flight of stairs to the parking garage. Crews could only use pickups to drive up to the 11th floor of the garage to complete all the work. Larger trucks and/or trailers could not maneuver the 11 levels of the parking garage, nor would they fit into the parking garage. passage ways.

The majority of the Liriope from original design was saved and remained part of the new renovation design. New Gold Lantana is shown being spaced out ready for planting behind the existing Liriope.

All of the original rooftop garden's irrigation system was drip. All the drip had to be repaired or retro-fitted along with a new clock installed.

All of the Maiden Grasses that were saved were cut back after the previous winter when the project was started in March. The Sandy Leaf Fig remaining was also cut back and filled in as needed.

One large area of liriope salvaged was infested with Nutsedge. The entire area was successfully cleaned up with the herbicide Certainty using a backpack sprayer. The entire rooftop garden is bordered and protected with a post and cable fence. Any operations performed outside the perimeter fence such as using a backpack blower or cleaning up any debris requires the use of a harness while being tied off.

All of the original Mexican Bush Sage was cutback and salvaged in the renovation. 425 (1- gal.) pots were used to fill in gaps in the renovation work. In the back corner of the photo, the exit stairwell can be seen that was used for access for all personnel, tools and materials used throughout the project. This was the only access from the 11th floor parking garage level to the 12th floor SkyPark garden. All materials had to be carried up one flight of stairs.

After completion photo showing some of the boardwalk and gazebo area used by tenants and visitors to the building. The landscape renovation contractor also now maintains the SkyPark rooftop garden.

Even on a calm day, windy conditions exist on the 12th floor rooftop garden. Winds constantly swirl from the garden being bordered by other tall buildings in the Houston skyline as seen in the reflection of the Bank of America Tower building's glass. Notice the wind debris from the Vitex on the boardwalk deck. This picture was taken shortly after the landscape maintenance crew left. the area spotless.

Maiden grasses that have been cut back and re-flushed shown along with Sandy Leaf Fig, sixty days after the landscape renovation completion.

Sandy Leaf Fig, Liriope, New Gold Lantana, Mexican Bush Sage and Maiden Grass that make up the SkyPark can be seen from the large conference area behind the curtains .

Unfortunately, shortly after completion in May this year, a freak Spring, hurricane force wind storm hit downtown Houston causing several of the Vitex to be nearly uprooted. Our maintenance crew secured them using Duckbill Anchors, which was a difficult feat, given the shallow soil depth of a rooftop garden.

Sixty days after completed rooftop garden renovation photo. Landscape materials used included 400 - (1-gal.) New Gold Lantana, 362 - (4" pot) (18 ct. flats) of Big Blue Liriope, 425 - (1 gal.) Mexican Bush Sage, 345 - (1 gal.) Sandy Leaf Fig, 150 - (1 gal.) Maiden Grass and 40 - (3 gal.) Texas Sage.