I think Houston's getting a lot of architecturally attractive nonhighrise infill inside the loop. Technically all in just one half of it. Here's some of the prettier ones that are slated for this year. All either under construction or preparing to start.
Chateau 10
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/1...735dcb7c_o.jpg
Saint Honroe
http://www.winfieldgate.com
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/1...22177279_o.jpg
Yorktown and Suzanne are also nice but look less attractive IMO
Yorktown
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/1...03d2424b_b.jpg
Suzanne
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/1...13902b6a_b.jpg
Willowick Park
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/1...1d127b77_b.jpg
Regent Square
http://www.gid.com/development/regent-square.aspx
http://swamplot.com/the-new-regent-s...gs/2008-05-27/
River Oaks District
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/9...a1264fea_o.jpg
Street lights on Midlane
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/1...71d4d439_b.jpg
West Avenue
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/h...plex/?p=365582
Downtown Shopping District
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/1...87235bf8_o.jpg
Downtown outdoor entertainment area in the convention district
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/1...3d4117a2_o.jpg
Green space
Midtown's Superblock
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/1...6f57a000_o.png
Emancipation Park
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/1...ce1cf77a_b.jpg
Parkspace on the Buffalo Bayou
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/1...973e0572_o.jpg
Buffalo Bayou Walk
http://www.buffalobayou.org/thumbimages/9-NORT%7E1.jpg
It's already coming together great. The high quality cultural institutions expanding and airports getting new carriers like Korean Airlines last week. The city just months away from submitting its Spaceport permit request. Colleges and schools expanding and becoming more urban and selective. High schools for performing arts students planned in downtown. Several family friendly entertainment theme or amusement parks renovating or going into the pipeline for construction. Exciting and diverse culinary scene and diversity. Crime reaching new historical lows each year. Pollution levels reaching some historical lows. The city's coming together great even without skyscrapers in place IMO.