HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[kingkirbythe....]

Nice trespassing. Should have slipped that model in your pocket.

[TexasPlaya]

Thanks for the updates photolith.

[weatherguru18]

I dunno about you guys but these residential buildings, while tall on paper, always seem squatty to me in real life. Anybody else feel that way?

[photoLith]

^
What are you talking about, what project?

[lockmat]

the one on the old turnberry site is Hine's One Waterwall: http://goingupcity.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-waterwall.html

[weatherguru18]

^
What are you talking about, what project?

The 20-story residential building in near the Galleria. I think it's on Post Oak.

[RHINO]

Houston seems to have a lot of dead threads. Ive always had a love for Texas, and its to bad to see such ( Building threads ) empty and un-used in some case for 3 years. Whats the point in keeping them here?

[photoLith]

The only active Houston thread on here is this one. Everyones over at HAIF, I wish they would abandon that site and come over here.

I rode my bike past the Carter Building downtown on Main and they are gutting the bottom floor where that Dominoes used to be and it looked like they were starting to remove that crap 1960s cladding, giving light to the old bricks underneath.

[photoLith]

Ashby Highrise To Start Construction By End of Year
Buckhead Investment Partners’ Kevin Kirton tells former HBJ staffer Allison Wollam that his company plans to submit the latest version of the now-21-story apartment building known as the Ashby Highrise to the city for its already assured permitting approvals in the “very near future” — in time to begin construction late this year. Building the project, he says, should take 18 to 24 months

http://swamplot.com/ashby-highrise-to-start-rising-on-bissonnet-this-year/2012-08-08/#comment-269250

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7746896844_7735e5352f_b.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=tallest+tower&um=1&hl=en&biw=1366&bih=567&tbm=isch&tbnid=pVP-607_NC0gaM:&imgrefurl=http://mhviraf.wordpress.com/2008/11/16/dubai-plans-1140-metre-tall-tower/&docid=eARkGWe1_BKGuM&imgurl=http://mhviraf.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/1794dubaiplans1140metretalltower_pic1.jpg&w=850&h=1161&ei=YtUjUP2MBoGg9QS6noHYAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=363&vpy=120&dur=78&hovh=262&hovw=192&tx=129&ty=77&sig=117668183560284805515&page=4&tbnh=186&tbnw=133&start=51&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:51,i:347

New render for Ashby highrise.

[Tom In Chicago]

^errr. . . what??? That's a proposed building in Dubai. . . perhaps I'm missing something???

. . .

[kingkirbythe....]

Because its a joke.

[photoLith]

^errr. . . what??? That's a proposed building in Dubai. . . perhaps I'm missing something???

. . .

The people that live around where this tower is getting built have been flipping the f out for years over it and have these stupid yellow signs in front of their lawns that have a picture of a giant like 50 story building with huge scary arms reaching out over their neighborhood and they are saying this building will create traffic jams and overall they have just been really douchey about the whole thing. About 2 months ago their neighborhood organization came out with a letter saying that if this tower gets built they will do everything in their power to make the new tenants feel unwelcome in their community and will send them letters in their mail saying how much they dislike them. Heres some of the douche things they will do.

•As soon as we can identify your investors and lenders, we will appear at their places of business and their homes to demonstrate our opposition.

•We will appear at the places of business and homes of the contractors and other service providers who agree to work on your project and demonstrate our opposition

•If anyone leases your space for a laydown yard or contractor parking, we will appear at their places of business and their homes and demonstrate our opposition

•We will scrupulously monitor the construction of the project and we will report and seek relief for every violation of every applicable requirement.

•If you nevertheless succeed in constructing this project, we will not stop our opposition, and we will take every lawful action available to us. It is important that you, your investors, and your construction and permanent lenders understand this

•We will picket your leasing office. Not once or twice, but at all times it is open.

•We will identify your tenants and send regular communications to them at their units and their places of business to let them know that they are not welcome in our neighborhood.

•We will appear at the homes of the owners, investors, and chef of your restaurant tenant and demonstrate our opposition to their presence in our neighborhood.

•We will post unfavorable reviews of your restaurant tenant on dining websites.

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/04-25-12-09-30-stop-ashby-high-rise-group-lays-out-plans-to-stop-construction-tells-developers-weve-only-begun-to-fight/

[Tom In Chicago]

Sounds like outright harassment. . .

. . .

[JoninATX]

The people that live around where this tower is getting built have been flipping the f out for years over it and have these stupid yellow signs in front of their lawns that have a picture of a giant like 50 story building with huge scary arms reaching out over their neighborhood and they are saying this building will create traffic jams and overall they have just been really douchey about the whole thing. About 2 months ago their neighborhood organization came out with a letter saying that if this tower gets built they will do everything in their power to make the new tenants feel unwelcome in their community and will send them letters in their mail saying how much they dislike them. Heres some of the douche things they will do.

•As soon as we can identify your investors and lenders, we will appear at their places of business and their homes to demonstrate our opposition.

•We will appear at the places of business and homes of the contractors and other service providers who agree to work on your project and demonstrate our opposition

•If anyone leases your space for a laydown yard or contractor parking, we will appear at their places of business and their homes and demonstrate our opposition

•We will scrupulously monitor the construction of the project and we will report and seek relief for every violation of every applicable requirement.

•If you nevertheless succeed in constructing this project, we will not stop our opposition, and we will take every lawful action available to us. It is important that you, your investors, and your construction and permanent lenders understand this

•We will picket your leasing office. Not once or twice, but at all times it is open.

•We will identify your tenants and send regular communications to them at their units and their places of business to let them know that they are not welcome in our neighborhood.

•We will appear at the homes of the owners, investors, and chef of your restaurant tenant and demonstrate our opposition to their presence in our neighborhood.

•We will post unfavorable reviews of your restaurant tenant on dining websites.

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/04-25-12-09-30-stop-ashby-high-rise-group-lays-out-plans-to-stop-construction-tells-developers-weve-only-begun-to-fight/

Sounds like their asking for a lawsuit, I can guarantee if those things start to happen it's going to get ugly real quick.

[Reverberation]

Come on everybody! Get happy!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1736545708_05acd10fcf.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=stop+ashby+highrise+houston&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=639&tbm=isch&tbnid=bdUSqiAel-fJhM:&imgrefurl=http://offthekuff.com/wp/%3Fp%3D43858&docid=2GbUcSQIghSrCM&imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1736545708_05acd10fcf.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=NE8kUOznB6no2gXa34HYDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=516&vpy=151&dur=3818&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=58&ty=103&sig=100250460760943553971&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=184&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:81

[rdavis4559]

Just because you live in or near that neighborhood doesn't give you the right to turn it into a quarantined zone under your control. I live only two miles from the propsed site and I get my groceries among all of the anti-Ashby people on a weekly basis which gives me at last a tiny bit of exposure to them. Oddly enough I've never experienced any of them acting so pretentious and controlling as with this singular issue. I drive the same streets they do and I am not getting the traffic argument. The only large traffic issue there is caused by the traffic lights covered by trees and the metro buses. Extra cars here and there due to the Ashby highrise is not going to make that much of a difference and there are so many side streets that these people could easily offset their routes while only adding a minute to their trip.

[photoLith]

Yes, the traffic argument makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I honestly really dont know why these people are so hardcore against a 22 story building. Id welcome it over those crappy 1970s styled apartments that occupy the site now.

[Reverberation]

Yes, the traffic argument makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I honestly really dont know why these people are so hardcore against a 22 story building. Id welcome it over those crappy 1970s styled apartments that occupy the site now.

They live in the middle of the city. Neighborhoods like that can't look like Leave it to Beaver forever, especially when they are in the middle of the city. At least the tower is going to be ON Bissonnet instead of Hazard or some other quiet side street.

[photoLith]

If they hate towers and density so much they should move to Katy or Kingwood and languish there.

[JManc]

those residents are ok with strip centers and large buildings being built in other residents' neighborhoods but are up in arms when it hits closer to home. i say to hell with them; with the power and influence these folks have, they could have lobbied for stricter dead restrictions or even zoning.

[houston19514]

The only active Houston thread on here is this one. Everyones over at HAIF, I wish they would abandon that site and come over here.

I rode my bike past the Carter Building downtown on Main and they are gutting the bottom floor where that Dominoes used to be and it looked like they were starting to remove that crap 1960s cladding, giving light to the old bricks underneath.

It is slated to be JW Marriott Hotel. I believe they plan to restore the original exterior.

[The ATX]

The people that live around where this tower is getting built have been flipping the f out for years over it and have these stupid yellow signs in front of their lawns that have a picture of a giant like 50 story building with huge scary arms reaching out over their neighborhood...

Wow. This sounds like a typical NIMBY neighborhood in Austin. I wouldn't expect it in Houston. When the Spring condo in Austin went before the city council several years ago some NIMBY lady got up and said that such a tall building had no place near a greenbelt and that New York didn't even have such tall buildings near Central Park. Spring is only ~430 feet.

[N90]

Anyways sorry to cut this Ashby highrise conversation for a few but there's a couple of updates, N90 style.

First one I'm sure we've all heard by now but I wanted to bring it up to switch the focus to this question. Why is Houston all of a sudden becoming more attracted to mixed use developments on water settings? Buffalo Bayou master plan, Woodlands Riverwalk, Lake Woodlands, Springwood village, Pleasure Pier, and developments like the ones I'm going to post in a second. I think its cool but has anyone else noticed it too?

Waterway Square Development:
http://www.bisnow.com/archives/houstonre/2012/Q3/images/aerial_hughes_landing_sm.jpghttp://www.bisnow.com/archives/houstonre/2012/Q3/images/hugheslandingone.jpg
Howard Hughes Corp is gearing up a major new development in The Woodlands. In mere months, it’s breaking ground on Hughes Landing, a 66-acre mixed-use center along Lake Woodlands.
Source: http://www.bisnow.com/real-estate-hou/2012/08/08/waterway-square-2-0/
The Boardwalk at Towne Lake:
http://www.bisnow.com/archives/houstonre/2012/Q3/images/theboardwalkattownelake.jpg
It seems a lot of developers are yearning for a more nautical life (and, surpisingly, we don't mean owning a yacht): We found another lakeside mixed-use project kicking off soon. The Caldwell Cos plans to break ground on The Boardwalk at Towne Lake by the end of the year.

We chatted with CEO Fred Caldwell about the project, which sits amid the 2,400-acre master-planned Towne Lake community. The Boardwalk will be part of the 150-acre Towne Lake Commons commercial district, where Kroger just purchased 18 acres for a 120k SF store. Fred says plans for the Boardwalk area aren’t finalized (they have to have a ferris wheel though, right?), but he’s planning two office towers for medical and small service users (size TBD, but they’ll go spec). Each will have 15k SF of retail. There’s been incredible demand for medical uses, so the company will do two 25k SF office buildings dedicated solely to those. A 2,500-seat amphitheater and a church are also in the works.
Source: http://www.bisnow.com/real-estate-hou/2012/08/09/more-mixed-use/

Anyways back to the Ashby highrise for a minute. I think its just NIMBYism at its finest. Vote for zoning if you don't want these things to happen, residents only have to put the blame on themselves. No complainers. As for me personally, I admire the way Houston is to be honest. I was driving on Gessner earlier yesterday near Memorial Drive and it was beautiful with the super tall tree's, very very lush green leaves (IN AUGUST!! Our summers are back to somewhat normal, last year was wayyyy to dry!), and some beautifl old styled brick homes, and BAAAM all of a sudden a 27 story lone skyscraper for apartments. LOL sorry for sharing this but what I'm really getting at is that to some Houston may seem f***ed up but to me its the way its growing up that's unique about the city. In 20 years from now, all the infill and weird looks due to the lack of zoning will give this beast of a city a whole new look compared to most American cities.

Anyways while all this is happening, I just want to say that having the pleasure to go to school in Austin and coming home for the holidays in Houston is an experience. A fun one. In Austin I always see construction on campus and in nearby downtown. It's exciting to see the skyline and downtown transform right before our own eyes. Also fun to see all the events and name marketing success that Austin's getting lately. Houston, stuff going on downtown but it pales in comparison to the stuff going on everywhere else, midtown, museum district, Memorial City, Energy Corridor, Neartown, Greenway, Uptown, EaDo, The Woodlands, Galveston (pleasure pier, skyscrapers on the beach), Clear Lake area, Katy, Sugar Land, the area near airport, Greenspoint, Conroe, areas near Lake Houston, & Lake Conroe. So much stuff happening on a metropolitan level for Houston, something we don't see enough of in Austin (besides homes and neighborhoods and stores opening up with new areas). Both will like great by 2030 (along with Dallas & San Antonio).

[weatherguru18]

The Woodlands is getting ANOTHER highrise! While the article doesn't give the floor count, it states that 10 Waterway will be 600k sq. ft!!! The 32-story Anadarko Tower currently under construction is 550,000 sq. ft (20 stories on top of a 10 story garage.)

http://app.newsletter.bisnow.com/e/es.aspx?s=2636&e=9628&elq=b4a6a7105cb4433da3dc32a86f82d594

"....There's treasure buried somewhere on this map. Paul tells us demand for office space is particularly strong. In fact, 3 Waterway Square is 90% preleased nearly a year before delivery. As for the retail portion, Paul tells us it’ll focus on vibrant restaurants and entertainment but steer clear of soft goods. (There’s plenty nearby.) Gensler is handling design, and Colliers’ Bob Parsley and Norman Munoz are leasing the office space. Next on Howard Hughes’ agenda: Developing 600k SF 10 Waterway."

[photoLith]

The end of the North Line extension, right by that newish Walmart and the Transit Center north of 610.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/7770011408_2fa8f5943f_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7770008214_ece2096a03_b.jpg
A long elevated stretch of the North Line over a railroad track. Theres two elevated sections of this extension, so thats pretty sweet.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7770005778_71755ab0d0_b.jpg
Just the rest of that elevated stretch from above.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7770003148_d3d3dc4e4d_b.jpg
So, work is for sure underway on this historic building which will become a Marriott supposedly. They have gutted the entire lower floor and have started to take off the crap paneling which covered up the beautiful brickwork below.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7770000290_ff1b55ef71_b.jpg

[JManc]

wish they'd do the same with the downtown sears...pull off the craptastic 50's erea cladding.

[Illithid Dude]

So, work is for sure underway on this historic building which will become a Marriott supposedly. They have gutted the entire lower floor and have started to take off the crap paneling which covered up the beautiful brickwork below.


Are they planning on fully restoring the building? Any pictures of the building in its original state?

[photoLith]

^
I believe they are planning on completely restoring it but not quite sure.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7771046714_ef8a372b34.jpg
http://www.cardcow.com/290703/carter-building-houston-texas/

Can you believe that POS used to look like this? I really hope they restore it to what this photo shows, but dont keep your hopes up, this is Houston after all. But I think the current building had more floors added onto it at some point, probably during the 20s or 30s. So, I doubt they will restore it to this photo but rather how it looked during the late 20s.

Well, nevermind, I found a render of what it will look like.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7771071038_7ef9c5e883_b.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=vJ7&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1919&bih=896&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsz&tbnid=P_pE851u_OEbhM:&imgrefurl=http://mgaia.com/portfolio.html&docid=gDVL3vM_b65WeM&imgurl=http://mgaia.com/images/port_14l.jpg&w=561&h=1000&ei=pnUoUMWEPKSxyQG3hoGoBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1145&vpy=169&dur=728&hovh=300&hovw=168&tx=90&ty=167&sig=107362793279800386692&page=1&tbnh=130&tbnw=72&start=0&ndsp=56&ved=1t:429,r:51,s:0

For some reason, some of their projects on that list are in Latin, so thats strange.

This kind of a cool tid bit of history, the building was known as "Carter's Folly" because it was the largest building to be built at the time (16 stories) and no one thought that bricks could be stacked that high. Guess they never visited NYC in 1911.

[kingkirbythe....]

Beautiful.

[oblivionlml]

Does anyone have any new & current information on 5 Allen Center, I heard on another site that it is nearing the needed occupation level for construction.

[mfastx]

Wow, fantastic photos, photoLith. Thanks for sharing!!!

Great to see progress on the rail lines, and I love the design of the downtown building that is being restored.

[weatherguru18]

Does anyone have any new & current information on 5 Allen Center, I heard on another site that it is nearing the needed occupation level for construction.

Oh really? Which site?

[N830MH]

Sounds like outright harassment. . .

. . .

Hey! There is no harassment on those people. There is nothing wrong with it.

Come on everybody! Get happy!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1736545708_05acd10fcf.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=stop+ashby+highrise+houston&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=639&tbm=isch&tbnid=bdUSqiAel-fJhM:&imgrefurl=http://offthekuff.com/wp/%3Fp%3D43858&docid=2GbUcSQIghSrCM&imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/1736545708_05acd10fcf.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=NE8kUOznB6no2gXa34HYDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=516&vpy=151&dur=3818&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=58&ty=103&sig=100250460760943553971&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=184&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:81

Yeah, don't worry about that one. Be happy! :)

[weatherguru18]

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/14/54/75/3329887/3/628x471.jpg

Construction has begun on this 21-story tower off Allen Pkwy!!

A long-delayed residential project near downtown, primarily targeting well-paid professionals with upscale apartments and condos and a cluster of retail, entertainment and offices, is finally under way.
More than five years after announcing plans for the 24-acre Regent Square project off Allen Parkway, GID Development Group has begun construction on the first building, a 21-story apartment tower called The Sovereign.
It represents an important milestone for GID, which had planned to break ground before the national economy went into a tailspin.
"We went through a tough cycle in the real estate market and the overall economy," said James Linsley, president of Boston-based GID.
The project was one of several that were shelved or canceled as demand for space dried up and lenders stopped financing major commercial real estate projects.
GID said it remains committed to Regent Square, which is to go up in multiple phases on land abutting Allen Parkway near Dunlavy and Dallas, on the site of the old Allen House Apartments. The development could take 10 years to complete.
Plans include about 400,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space; more than 1,500 residential units; and 250,000 square feet of office space in what the developer refers to as an "urban district" where residents can walk to everything. The walkable nature of the project extends beyond its borders, Linsley said, with a pedestrian trail around Buffalo Bayou and high-end shops and a new Whole Foods a short distance away.
Additional construction could begin in about a year as the company is "moments away" from signing up a major retail tenant, Linsley said.
The project is being built with financial assistance from the city of Houston, through the Memorial Heights Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, or TIRZ.
City assistance
In the spring of 2009, the Houston City Council voted to assist the project with up to $10 million in reimbursements for public improvements the developer agreed to make. At that time, the project was being pitched as an $850 million development.
The agreement was later amended to include the public infrastructure around The Sovereign. Linsley said that includes burying overhead utilities, upgrading drainage in the area and creating wide sidewalks with mature street trees, but he would not discuss the monetary details.
Mayor's support
In a statement, Mayor Annise Parker expressed her support.
"This project is yet another reflection of Houston's economic upturn, which the rest of our nation is still trying to achieve after a severe recession," Parker said. "It shows the city's dedication to continuing to bring jobs and economic growth to Houston."
The apartment tower will be built at 3233 W. Dallas and include 290 units. It was designed by Houston-based Ziegler Cooper Architects to achieve a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Initial occupancy is slated for March 2014.
The apartments will start at the ground level to help create a pedestrian-friendly environment at the sidewalk. Units in most high-rise buildings start above the garage.
The developer said the apartments will have top-of-the-line finishes, such as kitchens with wine refrigerators. The eighth floor will be The Sovereign Club and include such amenities as a yoga studio, a massage room, a catering kitchen and private dining rooms.
Unit sizes will range from around 590 square feet for a studio apartment to 1,415 square feet for a two-bedroom unit. The average size will be around 1,000 square feet.
GID would not say what it plans to charge for rent.
"We will be priced near the top of the market," Linsley said.
"The primary market audience will be well-paid 25- to 45-year-old professional singles and couples renting as a lifestyle choice," he said. "They may be a little bit averse to homeownership."

[Complex01]

Ooo nice to hear. Very Kewl...

:yes:

[photoLith]

Hmmm I just drove by this site yesterday, didn't look like anything was going on. Guess I'll have to check again. That's great news though.

[weatherguru18]

The Woodlands may be getting 1 MILLION SQ. FT of office space in 3 buildings at Hughs Landing.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2012/02/the-woodlands-considers-developing.html

[photoLith]

Some random updates from today with my 50mm lens after I destroyed my 14-24 lens :(

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7792936060_3a654051ab_b.jpg
Post Midtown Lofts new phase.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7792924236_22d09d16b5_b.jpg
A different section of almost complete Post Midtown Lofts. It even looks like there will be ground floor retail and such. Dont know about that doofy ass looking crown they have going on, I dont know why but for the past 6 years or so it seems that developers love putting these weird crown like things on top of their buildings. This is really evident in Austin, and it seems to have spread from there to other cities. Dont know where it first started though. Im sure in the future architectural historians will call this strange style something and look back and think, what the hell were they thinking?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7792933646_02fd56e382_b.jpg
5 story urban development on West Grey and Gillette St.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8306/7792929720_cf3205fe97_b.jpg
This is the huge urban themed Fingers development next to the Whole Foods in Montrose. It will be massive and about 5 stories tall once completed. They completed part of the ugly parking garage for it so far. Hopefully they cover it up in something nice and its not just bare concrete.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7792927548_ca22813636_b.jpg
It looks like they have started construction on that 21 Story building, which is pretty effing sweet. Its right across from the New Whole Foods. This will be nice to watch go up. It will be the only high rise that I know of going up at the moment inside the 610 Loop.

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/14/54/75/3329887/3/628x471.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7792922150_6b84ecf2a3_b.jpg
Then another mid rise on the corner of W Gray and Waugh Dr. Its built where The Tavern and crap tons of parking used to be, and a few old bungalows unfortunately. This is the backside of the development thus far. I havent seen any renders of it, but Id surmise like most other projects going up on W Gray St., it will be around 6 stories tall probably. Hopefully there will be some ground retail, but it doesnt look like there will be at this point judging from the construction, but I could be wrong.

[photoLith]

Private Firm Planning Bullet Trains in Texas by 2020

IRVING – The leaders of Texas Central High-Speed Railway sound very confident for a company expecting to succeed where scores of state planners, elected officials and private interests have failed.

The firm hopes to have bullet trains moving Texans at 205 miles per hour between Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston by 2020.

The bit that has raised eyebrows: The company plans to do it without seeking public financing.

“We are not the traditional state-run railroad,” Robert Eckels, the company's president and a former Harris County judge, said at a high-speed rail forum in Irving on Tuesday. “This is designed to be a profitable high-speed rail system that will serve the people of these two great cities and in between and, ultimately, the whole state of Texas.”

Backing the Texas-based company is a group led by Central Japan Railway Company, which handles more than 100 million passengers each year on its bullet trains in Japan.
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-transportation/transportation/private-firm-planning-bullet-trains-texas-2020/

I'll believe it when I see it.

[toxteth o'grady]

I'm not sure if this is redundant, but

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2012/08/look-for-another-crane-in-the-energy-corridor/

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2012/08/MacHaik.jpg

[AviationGuy]

I hate those crowns, too. That and anything that resembles a castle. There are some new homes in Austin with castle-like architecture, including one in Crestview on Woodrow Avenue. Can't stand that kind of architecture.

[JManc]

Is there something planned for corner of Timmons Lane and West Alabama? Friend of mine that lives around there says buildings there now are due to be knocked down.

[Bailey]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7792927548_ca22813636_b.jpg
It looks like they have started construction on that 21 Story building, which is pretty effing sweet. Its right across from the New Whole Foods. This will be nice to watch go up. It will be the only high rise that I know of going up at the moment inside the 610 Loop.

[


There are a few highrises going up in the Med Center right now.

[photoLith]

^
True, and only one right now though, forgot about it. Its not near as tall is this building will be though.

[Brijonmang]

Thanks for all the photo updates Lith. Everyone who can't get around to seeing all of these are very appreciative I'm sure!

[Reverberation]

I saw this pop up on HAIF:

Bordering Birdsall, Venice, and Knox in the Rice Military area:

http://www.sunriseluxuryliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/apt.png

http://www.sunriseluxuryliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Birdsall-Site-Zoom-In-View-Aerial.jpg



http://www.sunriseluxuryliving.com/development-pipeline/birdsall-memorial-apartments/

[photoLith]

^
Sweet I ride my bike past that crap a lot. It will be good to see it go and that area gettin more dense.

[Reverberation]

^
Sweet I ride my bike past that crap a lot. It will be good to see it go and that area gettin more dense.

Yeah but my inner real estate developer thinks that ground floor retail on such a quiet street is a bad idea. There isn't enough traffic and I would be willing to bet that it stays empty.

[lockmat]

per HAIF thread, Finger Ballpark apts will have retail on the Crawford/Texas corner

[AviationGuy]

Yeah but my inner real estate developer thinks that ground floor retail on such a quiet street is a bad idea. There isn't enough traffic and I would be willing to bet that it stays empty.

It would be great, though, if it was just the right kind of retail that would attract neighborhood residents. Hopefully the develops have done their research.

[JManc]

Yeah but my inner real estate developer thinks that ground floor retail on such a quiet street is a bad idea. There isn't enough traffic and I would be willing to bet that it stays empty.

yeah or something that doesn't require a whole lot of foot traffic. a complex near me has a st. lukes urgent care on the first floor.

[Reverberation]

yeah or something that doesn't require a whole lot of foot traffic. a complex near me has a st. lukes urgent care on the first floor.

You must be talking about the one next to Whataburger on San Felipe. I noticed that too and have always wondered how there isn't more of that in Houston with all of the Hospitals. It looks like a nice apartment project though.

[Reverberation]

^
Sweet I ride my bike past that crap a lot. It will be good to see it go and that area gettin more dense.

Rice Military is quickly becoming my favorite neighborhood in the city (Montrose being a close second). IMO it epitomizes everything that's right about infill in Houston with the exception of Light Rail on Washington. When are we going to see another one of your photo threads?

[AviationGuy]

Rice Military is quickly becoming my favorite neighborhood in the city (Montrose being a close second). IMO it epitomizes everything that's right about infill in Houston with the exception of Light Rail on Washington. When are we going to see another one of your photo threads?

What were you saying about light rail on Washington? Not sure what you meant.

[Reverberation]

What were you saying about light rail on Washington? Not sure what you meant.

The Washington Corridor is one where (in my own opinion) Light Rail would work, especially if it led to the Northwest Transit Center. There is enough residential density both in the pipeline and existing and if there were a stop for Memorial Park as well I bet it would have decent commuter traffic.

[Reverberation]

I came across this today from the Energy Corridor District Website. It is their Livable Centers Plan;

http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/mobility/livable-center-watercolor.jpg
http://www.energycorridor.org/mobility-public-safety/livable-center

FYI, the bridge over I-10 in the background is Highway 6.

[Brijonmang]

Very interesting find. I do like the fact that they took the time and money to put a study like this together for that area. Traffic is definitely a huge concern for the area especially with all the new construction about to go on there.

It seems like that was their biggest concern (reducing trips) and to me, something like this is a step in the right direction even though it may only slow down the inevitable increase of congestion.

Still think it's something this city has lacked and more planning like this can only be a good thing going forward. Hopefully we'll see more of this in the future.

I came across this today from the Energy Corridor District Website. It is their Livable Centers Plan;

http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/mobility/livable-center-watercolor.jpg
http://www.energycorridor.org/mobility-public-safety/livable-center

FYI, the bridge over I-10 in the background is Highway 6.

[photoLith]

SikKnO13vLk

[TexasPlaya]

Yeah but my inner real estate developer thinks that ground floor retail on such a quiet street is a bad idea. There isn't enough traffic and I would be willing to bet that it stays empty.

Don't forget about the convention hotels the COH and downtown have been trying to get a few blocks from this area. This area could come together very nicely.

[Reverberation]

Don't forget about the convention hotels the COH and downtown have been trying to get a few blocks from this area. This area could come together very nicely.

Are we talking about the same area?

[TexasPlaya]

Are we talking about the same area?

Apparently no. Totally mixed up locations and posts. Thought we were talking about the Finger's project downtown near Minute Maid, Disco Green, and BRB Convention Center. My apologies.

[econik]

Bullet train from Houston to Dallas:
article (http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2012/aug/15/bullet-train-between-dfw-houston-2020-private-fund/)

Would be amazing.

[Double L]

Houston is definitely going places.

[Chicago3rd]

those residents are ok with strip centers and large buildings being built in other residents' neighborhoods but are up in arms when it hits closer to home. i say to hell with them; with the power and influence these folks have, they could have lobbied for stricter dead restrictions or even zoning.

Exactly. All the times zoning came up and more than likely these affluent folks voted the zoning down...because it was their projects ruining other neighborhoods. Sorry....karma is a bitch.

[JManc]

Exactly. All the times zoning came up and more than likely these affluent folks voted the zoning down...because it was their projects ruining other neighborhoods. Sorry....karma is a bitch.

yep.

[JoninATX]

The Townhomes and Apartments Coming to Willowick Court

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/willowick-ne-b-alabama.jpg

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

WHAT’S GOING to replace the Willowick Court Townhomes (at right) at the corner of West Alabama and Las Palmas, west of Weslayan? Newer townhomes — at least for the strip along the west side of Las Palmas, on the western edge of the property. It’ll be covered with 38 3-story townhomes, about a dozen of them with rooftop patios. For the larger portion of the 11-acre site, Martin Fein Interests is planning 2 big blocks of apartments. The block pictured above from West Alabama will have 325 units in 6 stories on top of a 2-level parking garage, with a garden and pool in the courtyard and towers at the corners. Another 188-unit block lining West Main will have 7 stories on top of a single-level garage and feature an 8th-floor wine bar on the southeast corner (at left in the above image), a source tells Swamplot.

http://swamplot.com/the-townhomes-and-apartments-coming-to-willowick-court/2012-09-05/

[JoninATX]

Houston First Approves International Coffee Building Contract

http://uhdskyline.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/buffalobayourendering-e1337269209574.jpg?w=750

POSTED BY UHD ⋅MAY 17, 2012

We are pleased (and very excited) to let you all know that the Houston First board of directors approved the BBP/Houston First contract for the International

redevelopment. As you all know, this has been an extremely difficult project for our organization due to many factors. This successful outcome with Houston First is a win/win for of all most and entities both downtown Houston.

We will be reporting on our next steps at our June 1 board meeting.

The restoration of the International Coffee Building is central to the Allen’s Landing revitalization project. The building is one of the few remaining industrial buildings on Buffalo Bayou and a contributing structure within downtown’s Main Street/Market Square Historic District.

http://skyline.uhd.edu/2012/05/17/houston-first-approves-international-coffee-building-contract/

[photoLith]

I'll believe that when I see them actually work on that building since that was supposed to happen like 5 years ago. First off, they need to somehow get all of the homeless ex convicts out of Allens Landing. If you walk around that area at night, especially around that building there's at least 30 people just sleeping all over the place.

[Rail Claimore]

Exactly. All the times zoning came up and more than likely these affluent folks voted the zoning down...because it was their projects ruining other neighborhoods. Sorry....karma is a bitch.

It's lower-income minorities who oppose zoning: not "affluent folks."

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1163415

[AviationGuy]

It's lower-income minorities who oppose zoning: not "affluent folks."

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1163415

Since the vote described in the article occurred almost 20 years ago, I'd have to wonder if the same would happen today. I haven't found anything online indicating that it has come up again.

Interestingly, the richest enclaves in the city (River Oaks and Tanglewood) voted against zoning, presenting an anomaly to the general trend.

[Reverberation]

Some very rough renderings of the new Finger development next to the ballpark;
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=2786
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26803-marvy-finger-seven-story-apartments-near-ballpark/page__st__90

The latest renderings of BLVD Place:
http://www.blvdplace.com/Images/Gallery/RetailPlans/Large/1.jpg

http://www.blvdplace.com/Images/Gallery/RetailRenderings/Large/6.jpg

http://www.blvdplace.com/Images/Gallery/RetailRenderings/Large/1.jpg

http://www.blvdplace.com/Retail-Renderings.htm

[weatherguru18]

This. Is. AWESOME! 6 towers going up at one location. I wonder if it'll actually happen. This has been on the drawing board for years.

If this all goes as planned, we'll have no less than 12 towers in Houston (area) going up at nearly the same time! They include:

Anadarko: 32-stories
BBVA Tower: 22-stories
State Grille Tower: 35-stories
6 towers for BLVD Place: one tower being 33-stories
Regent Square: 21-stories
Energy Tower 3: 17-stories
Whiteco Tower: 22-stories

Not to mention the 24-story Astoria and the 600k ft. building on drawing board in The Woodlands.

[AviationGuy]

This. Is. AWESOME! 6 towers going up at one location. I wonder if it'll actually happen. This has been on the drawing board for years.

If this all goes as planned, we'll have no less than 12 towers in Houston (area) going up at nearly the same time! They include:

Anadarko: 32-stories
BBVA Tower: 22-stories
State Grille Tower: 35-stories
6 towers for BLVD Place: one tower being 33-stories
Regent Square: 21-stories
Energy Tower 3: 17-stories
Whiteco Tower: 22-stories

Not to mention the 24-story Astoria and the 600k ft. building on drawing board in The Woodlands.

Was there ever a thread on the State Grille tower? I don't recall anything about this.

[dgpatel]

Looks like Phillips 66 will build its new global HQ in the Westchase District. I assume that means that another tower will be going up in the area!

Link (http://fuelfix.com/blog/2012/09/12/phillips-66-to-build-global-headquarters-in-west-houston/)

Map (https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200707624112552893797.0004c986b72e39bf63709&msa=0&ll=29.741985,-95.558202&spn=0.013936,0.01929)

http://fuelfix.com/files/2012/09/P66H-306x237.jpg

Phillips 66, the new refining giant created when ConocoPhillips split in two in May, will build its global headquarters in Houston’s Westchase District, the company announced Wednesday.

The headquarters will be in West Houston, on 14 acres of land off Sam Houston Tollway, between Westheimer Road and Briar Forest Drive. The building, which is still under design, will include conference space, training facilities, a gym and dining options, according to the company.

[kingkirbythe....]

Too bad they couldn't go downtown.

[lockmat]

Was there ever a thread on the State Grille tower? I don't recall anything about this.

at HAIF there is http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/15624-35-story-tower-by-interfin-to-replace-state-grille/

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2800-weslayan.jpg

[photoLith]

I think they kinda over estimated the amOunt of people on the sidewalk there.

[Chicago3rd]

It's lower-income minorities who oppose zoning: not "affluent folks."

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1163415
Thanks for the correction and the link!

[KevinFromTexas]

The Space Shuttle Endeavour flying over Houston today. It's staying in Houston overnight before it continues on to Los Angeles.

More here:
http://www.statesman.com/news/nation/space-shuttle-endeavour-has-houston-stopover-2461806.html


The space shuttle Endeavour, carried on NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, passed over downtown Houston today. The shuttle will stay in Houston overnight as it makes its way to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. It's a bittersweet trip, as many had hoped Houston would get a permanent shuttle exhibit. http://bit.ly/P0udIt

Photo: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle


https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/246479_10151183245474208_1676910517_n.jpg
Shared by Austin American-Statesman via Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/statesman

[Dale]

Silly that Houston didn't get one.

[rdavis4559]

Silly that Houston didn't get one.

Here is a flyover to tease you. Hope you like your wooden mock-up.

[Dale]

Here is a flyover to tease you. Hope you like your wooden mock-up.

Yes, yes I saw it. And I'm not a Houstonian.

[N90]

6 more towers thanks to BLVD Place & Apache.
http://www.blvdplace.com/news/HBJ%20-%20Construction%20begins%20on%20next%20phase%20of%20BLVD%20Place.pdf

[JoninATX]

A yellow crane is going up at Blvd Place. :cheers:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/6106-latest-blvd-place-news-and-pictures/page__st__1080

[Houston1an]

Does anybody know anything to this project?
http://www.krjda.com/MainStreetInfo1.html#

[Houston1an]

http://www.krjda.com/ConocoPhilInfo1.html

[Houston1an]

http://http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&tbo=d&biw=768&bih=928&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=houston+proposed+development&oq=houston+proposed+development&gs_l=img.3...603264.624189.0.624690.32.23.1.8.1.3.483.3260.0j4j5j1j2.12.0...0.0...1ac.1.65AGrbu5qV8#biv=i|28;d|7M6rLHuiotmfmM:

[photoLith]

Montrose around BJs Antiques was just named by Forbes as the 20th most hipsterish hood in the US. YAY!

[diskojoe]

Montrose around BJs Antiques was just named by Forbes as the 20th most hipsterish hood in the US. YAY!

You moved to the wrong part of town then.

[diskojoe]

I'll believe that when I see them actually work on that building since that was supposed to happen like 5 years ago. First off, they need to somehow get all of the homeless ex convicts out of Allens Landing. If you walk around that area at night, especially around that building there's at least 30 people just sleeping all over the place.

I would love for this spot to be redeveloped. It has so much potential and remains to be such a crap hole. There are lots of people in the building too.

[N90]

New Downtown Convention Center Hotel (Plans):
http://assets.bizjournals.com/houston/news/Rida-proposedhotel-092512.JPG?v=1
http://assets.bizjournals.com/houston/news/Rida-proposedhotel-092512.JPG?v=1

Houston First Corp. said Tuesday it has selected Rida Development Corp. to enter into exclusive negotiations to develop a downtown convention hotel.
HBJ reported earlier this month that Rida Development and Dallas-based TRT Holdings/Omni Hotel were the only two teams still in the running to develop the hotel.
The 1,000-room hotel will be developed on the block immediately north of Discovery Green and will connect to the George R. Brown Convention Center via a skywalk.
Houston First expects the new hotel will increase the city’s convention business, Houston First Chairman Ric Campo said in a Tuesday statement.
“We look forward to the day when Houston competes among the best convention destinations in the United States,” Ira Mitzner, president of Rida Development, said in the statement.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2012/09/25/houston-first-selects-rida-development.html

Lets keep those fingers crossed that this is how it actually ends up looking!

[Reverberation]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2012/09/developer-may-build-office-tower-on-church-land/

Hines 16 is still looking for Tenants. Construction begins when the building is halfway leased.

http://houstonsfirst.org/assets/1142/6_mem_point_super_hi_res.jpg

Katy Freeway just West of N. Post Oak. Basically it is on the surface parking lot that belongs to First Baptist. The deal involves Hines leasing the land for 99 years to build the building. The church is stoked because parking is a mess on Sundays and this would offer them a 1,000+ space garage for parking.

[econik]

I just went to Rida Development Corp. website and wow I must say they have EXTREMELY boring building designs. They're Omni Hotel on the main site is 4 squares of varying sizes stacked next to each other with little pyramid shapes at the top to remind you its a high residential building. Its like a really big Holiday Inn. I really hope they think outside of the box on this one.

[photoLith]

Looks like that discovery green hotel will be about 450' and I like the design. Light years ahead of that crappy embassy suites across the way.

[photoLith]

New Downtown Tourism Center To Send Tourists to Nearby Tourist Attractions


The regional tourism building planned for the northern of the 2 blocks between Minute Maid Park and the GRB will be called the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, Mayor Parker announced today. It’ll be named after beer distributor and $8-million-donor John Nau; fundraisers hope waving the rendering pictured above will help drum up an additional $32 million to get the thing built. ($15 million more is coming from Houston First, the “government corporation” that runs the city’s convention center, the Hilton Americas Hotel, and several city performance venues.)

The design leaves room for 2 houses dating from 1904 and 1905 and moved to the site last year, the only surviving structures from the neighborhood on nearby blocks named Quality Hill that by the 1930s had vanished — along with its storied reputation for integrity and elevation.

http://swamplot.com/new-downtown-tourism-center-to-send-tourists-to-nearby-tourist-attractions/2012-10-04/#comment-288415

This looks pretty sweet.

[atlantaguy]

New Downtown Tourism Center To Send Tourists to Nearby Tourist Attractions


http://swamplot.com/new-downtown-tourism-center-to-send-tourists-to-nearby-tourist-attractions/2012-10-04/#comment-288415

This looks pretty effing sweet.

This is an amazing proposal for a Visitors Center - it could pass as a City History Museum! Very impressive. :tup:

[AviationGuy]

New Downtown Tourism Center To Send Tourists to Nearby Tourist Attractions


http://swamplot.com/new-downtown-tourism-center-to-send-tourists-to-nearby-tourist-attractions/2012-10-04/#comment-288415

This looks pretty effing sweet.

Good to see your Swamplot comment. Do you often comment at Swamplot? I'll have to watch for them. I don't look at the site often, but when I remember to, I usually find some good stuff. My favorite material is when they show mid century modern homes. What I wouldn't give to have one of those.

[atlantaguy]

Good to see your Swamplot comment. Do you often comment at Swamplot? I'll have to watch for them. I don't look at the site often, but when I remember to, I usually find some good stuff. My favorite material is when they show mid century modern homes. What I wouldn't give to have one of those.

AviationGuy - I too have a love for mid century modern homes. Although this link isn't Houston related, we have a neighborhood here that is a real treasure trove of them in a single location. ;) Enjoy!

http://northcrestmodern.com/

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

it looks like the Construction Crane is the state bird of Texas again :)

[Complex01]

Wow the new convention center hotel is insane. I love it. Hope it looks like that. Very kewl...

:yes: