HOUSTON | Development Thread II [Archive] - Page 47

N90

Apr 25, 2013, 11:15 PM

Here's another one going up near that Exxon Mobile site but another developer. Beautiful, just wish it was in downtown where the building next to the freeway would look horizontally massive and take up 7 parking lots and the 7 story parking garage would take up another 2 parking lots. Aww man but hey, infill baby, infill.

Come to think of it, wow that 7 story parking garage by itself would probably take up more than just 2 parking lots by itself, looks like a minimum of 3 at the least.

Southwestern Energy's twin panned 10 story (massive) tower and 7 story parking garage:
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1374/nitep.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1374/nitep.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5444/89580379.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5444/89580379.jpg
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/4328/34395790.jpg
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/4328/34395790.jpg

N90

Apr 25, 2013, 11:20 PM

Energy Center 4 to come off ground sooner than expected as Energy Center 3 nabs a single tenant for the entire building before construction can even finish:
http://energytower3.com/images/et3_pres_devopportunities.jpg
http://energytower3.com/images/et3_pres_devopportunities.jpg
The Chron is reporting that Technip has leased the whole building
Link: http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/04/energy-company-fills-up-another-office-building-in-west-houston/?cmpid=businesshcat

N90

Apr 25, 2013, 11:22 PM

HSPVA renderings for Downtown Houston:
http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11442-0-66892300-1366927313_thumb.jpg
http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11442-0-66892300-1366927313_thumb.jpg
http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11442-0-10812200-1366927320_thumb.jpg
http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-11442-0-10812200-1366927320_thumb.jpg

http://www.chron.com/default/photo/Fifth-year-architecture-student-Antony-Cherian-4522343.php

Urbannizer

Apr 25, 2013, 11:24 PM

N90

Apr 25, 2013, 11:24 PM

According to here: http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2013-04-25/Downtown_Current_Projects_Map_-_2013-04.pdf

We might be seeing a resurrection of this in Downtown Houston:
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5208/sixhoustoncenteroo1.jpg
http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5208/sixhoustoncenteroo1.jpg

N90

Apr 25, 2013, 11:31 PM

As for now the Energy Center is 99.1% occupied and only 0.9% (which is so adorably abysmal) left in vacancy, while the Woodlands is now 100% occupied with no office space left to lease/vacancy.

Expect Research Forest, Hughes Landing, and Generation Park to kick it in hyper gear and for those that have forgotten what those developments are like. Time to refresh your memory.

Hughes Landing: http://www.thewoodlands-commercial.com/pdf/hugheslanding.pdf

Generation Park: http://www.bisnow.com/archives/houstonre/2013/Q1/images/hospitalonbeltway8.jpg

Research Forest Lakeside: http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-11442-0-26192800-1351407395_thumb.jpg
Additional - http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_10_2012/post-11442-0-80989800-1351407355_thumb.jpg

N90

Apr 25, 2013, 11:33 PM

Renderings for that Springswood Village again:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6KoluwWb98/UFD0JlqeEEI/AAAAAAAAGVc/mUO4rryyNjE/s640/SWV+Aerial.png
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w6KoluwWb98/UFD0JlqeEEI/AAAAAAAAGVc/mUO4rryyNjE/s640/SWV+Aerial.png
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7HTWa78eSM/UFD0Jgshs1I/AAAAAAAAGVY/i4I1-wfDfvQ/s640/SWV+Aerial+2.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7HTWa78eSM/UFD0Jgshs1I/AAAAAAAAGVY/i4I1-wfDfvQ/s640/SWV+Aerial+2.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmBngYnLyVA/UFD0KJFibnI/AAAAAAAAGVg/T6JjhdYVKWM/s640/SWV+Park.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmBngYnLyVA/UFD0KJFibnI/AAAAAAAAGVg/T6JjhdYVKWM/s640/SWV+Park.jpg

JoninATX

Apr 25, 2013, 11:38 PM

Wow... Looks like the 1980's has returned. :)

N90

Apr 26, 2013, 12:15 AM

Wow... Looks like the 1980's has returned. :)
The 1980's wont ever come back, at least not in how ambitious that decade was. I don't think Houston has a chance in decades to get something like the Bank of the Southwest Tower proposed again and so many of those other supertalls.

Houston first needs to get back to it's 2007 pre-recession level where things like Jennings Islands and Water Lights District and such were being cropped up week after week. That was the most recent high but the US is still in recovery mode. No doubt that by 2015-2016 things will be back to what they were like then.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_United_States_primary_census_statistical_areas

Anyway, this is how Houston ranks today in population. Going to 2050 and keeping the same raw number growth for Houston (let's just suppose and play along) it should look like:

1. New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area: 28,151,064
2. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Combined Statistical Area: 24,312,419
3. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA Combined Statistical Area: 14,023,089
4. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area: 12,016,291
5. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK Combined Statistical Area: 11,758,425
6. Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI Combined Statistical Area: 10,889,337
7. Houston-The Woodlands, TX Combined Statistical Area: 10,685,495
8. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie, FL Combined Statistical Area: 9,876,419
9. Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Combined Statistical Area: 9,635,509
10. Atlanta–Athens-Clarke County–Sandy Springs, GA Combined Statistical Area: 9,145,833
11. Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD Combined Statistical Area: 8,163,291
12. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area: 6,622,167
13. Seattle-Tacoma, WA Combined Statistical Area: 6,489,255
14. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI Combined Statistical Area: 5,311,449
15. Denver-Aurora, CO Combined Statistical Area: 5,283,656
16. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI Combined Statistical Area: 5,019,150

All the US metropolises above 5 million by 2050.

If I calculated population growth by percentage increase, then many of you would have a heart attack seeing Dallas-Fort Worth with 17 million and Houston with 14 million based off the percentages today. The rate will obviously slow down because the larger you are, the harder it is to have high percentages.

The raw numbers for the most part (aside from the DC-Baltimore area) are pretty thorough though because the grand majority (like 70%) of the growth in a Dallas and Houston is from new born babies - deaths and these are among the youngest places in age in the country with a rare case of expanding child population. Plus immigration (another 20%) will stay consistent, it's been the same for Texas for decades now and migration (the last 10%) at that point is meaningless which ever way it goes.

If I had to guess, these projections are probably off. For example, I see Houston's numerical growth increasing either this decade or the next from 1.2 million to 1.4-1.5 million because of how fast it's economy is poised to expand post-2015 (Panamax and XL). By 2050, I'm not going to be surprised if it's ahead of Chicago in the least bit.

Urbannizer

Apr 27, 2013, 3:16 AM

Updates by Lockmat (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/forum/7-going-up/) on HAIF:

40-Story 2929 Weslayan Tower
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3468

The Sovereign
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3472

High Street
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3470

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3469

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3471

Waterwall Place
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3474

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3473

Bailey

Apr 27, 2013, 3:33 AM

New HSPVA building at 1300 Capitol
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3466

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3465

http://www.chron.com/default/photo/Fifth-year-architecture-student-Antony-Cherian-4522343.php

Is this real, or is it just a student submission?

Urbannizer

Apr 27, 2013, 3:48 AM

Is this real, or is it just a student submission?

It was thought to be real, but yeah it's a students submission. Hopefully the actual renderings look great, if not better than that submission.

Larger Renderings of 2929 Weslayan:
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/270384_461574697236532_1210716693_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/537294_461574737236528_2043520199_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/537348_461574683903200_1079221084_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/603041_461574687236533_537698961_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/545218_461573980569937_453051620_n.jpg

photoLith

Apr 27, 2013, 3:57 AM

Has that project gotten above ground yet?

Urbannizer

Apr 27, 2013, 5:25 PM

Has that project gotten above ground yet?

Check this post (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=6106932&postcount=4613)for your answer.

Here's a few more construction updates:

BLVD Place Whole Foods by SkylineView (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/6106-latest-blvd-place-news-and-pictures/?p=420919):
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2004%2027/IMG_1815_zps1ce97b96.jpg

BLVD Place Tower (On the right, in the background)
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2004%2027/IMG_1814_zps1db41e3a.jpg

3100 Post Oak by Lockmat (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/16401-3100-post-oak/?p=420932)
Rendering: http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2012/04/Alliance-600x388.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3477

Mill Creek Residential by Skylineview (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/25199-briar-hollow-lane-mf/?p=420920):
Renderings: http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2438/spou.jpg
http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg515/SkylineView/2013%2004%2027/IMG_1816_zpsaa7ad2f8.jpg

JoninATX

Apr 28, 2013, 2:56 AM

Deal of the Week: More office buildings to rise in The Woodlands

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/20/61/50/4397627/3/premium_article_headline.jpg

By Katherine Feser April 1, 2013

Archway Properties will break ground on the first of two planned buildings in The Woodlands after pre-leasing half of the space to GeoSouthern Energy Corp.

Wildwood Corporate Centre, a three-story building at 460 Wildwood Forest at Interstate 45 North, will contain 127,794 square feet on 7.5 acres.

GeoSouthern Energy Corp. will relocate to the northern portion of the building, which is slated for completion in January. The company employs about 140 at its headquarters.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Deal-of-the-Week-More-office-buildings-to-rise-4396034.php

JoninATX

Apr 28, 2013, 3:01 AM

Another new building in the Woodlands (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/03/stream-realty-to-break-ground-on.html)

Stream Realty announces second phase of Class A project in The Woodlands

http://impactnews.com/downloads/16890/download/bitblt-620x454-dded1668404830a492cb7bc8daa68576af12547b/Sierra%20Pines.jpg

By Brian Walzel March 25, 2013

Stream Realty Partners announced March 25 plans to develop a second Class A office project on Sawmill Road. Sierra Pines II, a 154,000-square-foot office building, will be located at 1585 Sawdust Road, at the intersection of Sawmill Road. Sierra Pines I, a 175,000-square-foot Class A building, was purchased by investor CapLease in June 2012 and is fully leased. Construction on Sierra Pines II will begin in July with an estimated completion by summer 2014. “As The Woodlands establishes itself as one of Houston’s most active office submarkets, demand for class A space is at an all-time high,” said Paul Coonrod, managing director of Stream Realty Partners in Houston. “This development provides tenants with a top-notch location at very competitive rates.” According to Stream Realty, the project will be designed to preserve the natural environment by incorporating water and forest elements. The new office building will be built to LEED Silver certification standards. It will incorporate an air-conditioned link from the parking garage to the main lobby, a dining terrace, jogging trail and a landscaped garden. The building will also feature a two-story lobby and floor-to-ceiling windows.

http://impactnews.com/articles/stream-realty-announces-second-phase-of-class-a-project-in-the-woodlands/

JManc

Apr 28, 2013, 3:04 PM

Has that project gotten above ground yet?

yes. they're still doing site work

JoninATX

Apr 28, 2013, 7:36 PM

The 1980's wont ever come back, at least not in how ambitious that decade was. I don't think Houston has a chance in decades to get something like the Bank of the Southwest Tower proposed again and so many of those other supertalls.

Houston first needs to get back to it's 2007 pre-recession level where things like Jennings Islands and Water Lights District and such were being cropped up week after week. That was the most recent high but the US is still in recovery mode. No doubt that by 2015-2016 things will be back to what they were like then.

I guess the 1980's was a little to far stretched, but Houston does have some amazing projects going on. :cheers:

bobdreamz

Apr 28, 2013, 10:06 PM

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/21/12/57/4500464/5/960x595.jpg

How horrifying! Reminds me of the "corporate campuses" being built in central Florida!

photoLith

Apr 29, 2013, 12:28 AM

Yes the Exxon campus is pretty horrible. Only will lead to more sprawl and destruction of forest in Montgomery county. The woodlands is loving it though.

Double L

Apr 29, 2013, 1:57 AM

The Woodlands doesn't want it. We are a master planned community known for our good planning. We don't want all these extra jobs that we weren't prepared for. That's why I wanted to make sure Springwoods Village would be built, it would actually be a good new urbanism development just south of Exxon. Either way I wish Exxon had stuck with a central location.

JManc

Apr 29, 2013, 2:07 AM

You don't want extra jobs? I'm sure most of your fellow Woodlanders would disagree. Between the Woodlands and the northside, there is a sizable population who soon rather not sit on the freeway to get to work downtown and ExxonMobile wants a brand new facility within earshot of IAH. the Woodlands can handle it. It's grown a lot and is no longer is the cookie cutter master-planned community it started out as.

Double L

Apr 29, 2013, 2:44 AM

I can say with great confidence that we want the growth and jobs to be in Houston, not here. We are seeing that we are losing trees, which we were founded to preserve, the key that is making us popular and creating this growth is the quality of our planning and we want to keep ourselves well planned.

Shasta

Apr 29, 2013, 5:16 AM

Kinda sad to see Exxon (the old Humble Oil Co. families helped build this city) leave for the suburbs while a California-based company (Chevron) is getting ready to add a third tower to their downtown digs.

There's a growing rumor around town that Chevron is having an easier time hiring talented young employees. Gotta figure that location is one factor. I know several Exxon families that worked downtown and in Greenway Plaza that are NOT happy about the move. People who have lived their entire lives in River Oaks, Southampton, Bellaire, West U, Tanglewood, etc... are not happy about the looming commutes.

Reverberation

Apr 29, 2013, 3:14 PM

Urbannizer

May 2, 2013, 2:39 AM

The base of a crane has been installed at the SkyHouse Site:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/brijonmang/crane_zpscbc2e124.jpg

Richmond Landing, by Jax (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/12741-richmond-landing-richmond-and-garrot/?p=421265)

Rendering: http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/courtyard-richmond-persp.jpg

http://p50400.ipscdn.com/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-3613-13674481414659.jpg

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=3481

weatherguru18

May 2, 2013, 4:04 AM

^ Agreed on Exxon making a d**k move in choosing this over a central location. So what about the employees who live in Clear Lake, Sugar Land, Pearland, Friendswood, League City, or Katy? Oh well they all get to move! That or make a 40-50 mile commute each way at peak traffic hours. This is going to have a measurable effect on their recruitment. With that kind of square footage, they could have CREATED a new neighborhood downtown or on the east end. But at least the eco-thugs can't vandalize and shut down their HQ this way.

Boo hoo. I drove 43 miles from The Woodlands to the southwest frwy and Gessner every day. People drive. It's a sprawly-car central city. It's what we do here. Do people b**ch like this in Dallas when they have to drive from Plano or McKinney or from Bryan St. to Irving? I think not. Get over it. This isn't Mayberry. It's the fourth largest city in the country and soon to be third biggest. Obviously, other major firms/companies have also built their digs in The Woodlands (cough, Anadarko). Would there be this much complaining if Exxon built in the energy corridor? Nope. But what about the people in The Woodlands who would of had to drive ALL THE WAY down there? Who cares about them, right? Geez, get over yourself.

toxteth o'grady

May 2, 2013, 12:39 PM

A rundown of things from HBJ:

Construction to begin on LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch phase II (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/04/construction-to-begin-on-lacenterra-at.html)

City Council to vote on Midtown Arts and Theater Center development (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/04/midtown.html)

Finial Group unveils Louetta Business Park plans (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/05/finial-group-announces-business-park.html)

Anheuser-Busch distributor breaks ground on Pasadena facility (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/04/anheuser-busch-distributor-breaks.html)

toxteth o'grady

May 2, 2013, 12:43 PM

I take it the images above are antediluvian?

toxteth o'grady

May 2, 2013, 12:47 PM

LaCenterra

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/21/26/35/4548436/3/premium_article_headline.jpg

Von

May 2, 2013, 1:39 PM

So Glad to see a crane go up in downtown after a while!

Urbannizer

May 3, 2013, 12:14 AM

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/esb1250/skylanecentral_zps290ccf00.png

The old Skylane Central apartments just off the Taylor Street bridge leading into the Woodland Heights is expected to meet the wrecking ball soon.

Apartment developer Greystar is under contract to purchase the property and plans to replace it with what could be an eight-story multifamily complex. The above rendering is one of the scenarios the company is considering.

Closing on the nearly two-acre site is scheduled for September.

The new project will be a significant upgrade for the area, which has been one of the strongest housing markets in town.

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/05/aging-apartment-complex-near-downtown-to-be-replaced-with-luxury-building/?cmpid=hpfsln#11831-2

Double L

May 3, 2013, 1:22 AM

Boo hoo. I drove 43 miles from The Woodlands to the southwest frwy and Gessner every day. People drive. It's a sprawly-car central city. It's what we do here. Do people b**ch like this in Dallas when they have to drive from Plano or McKinney or from Bryan St. to Irving? I think not. Get over it. This isn't Mayberry. It's the fourth largest city in the country and soon to be third biggest. Obviously, other major firms/companies have also built their digs in The Woodlands (cough, Anadarko). Would there be this much complaining if Exxon built in the energy corridor? Nope. But what about the people in The Woodlands who would of had to drive ALL THE WAY down there? Who cares about them, right? Geez, get over yourself.

I think one way to solve this would be better public transportation. I took The Woodlands Express to downtown the other day. However, The Woodlands Express literally only operates during rush hour, they take you there in the morning, they don't come back for you till the late afternoon. I had to sit in an air conditioned bench at The BofA Center for two hours. Also, some of us have old cars, that are too beat up to withstand long drives, not to mention high gas prices, another reason to ride public transit.

TexasPlaya

May 3, 2013, 1:41 AM

I think one way to solve this would be better public transportation. I took The Woodlands Express to downtown the other day. However, The Woodlands Express literally only operates during rush hour, they take you there in the morning, they don't come back for you till the late afternoon. I had to sit in an air conditioned bench at The BofA Center for two hours. Also, some of us have old cars, that are too beat up to withstand long drives, not to mention high gas prices, another reason to ride public transit.

Then move closer to your job..... You aren't entitled to an awesome commute.

Double L

May 3, 2013, 1:46 AM

I took The Woodlands Express to find work. If we don't want to better our city, it won't be a good city. End of conversation.

toxteth o'grady

May 3, 2013, 3:05 PM

toxteth o'grady

May 3, 2013, 3:09 PM

It never ends, does it?

Ashby high-rise developer gets sued (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/05/ashby-high-rise-developer-gets-sued/)

Double L

May 3, 2013, 8:12 PM

2YC18zRhT9k

Metro Matt

May 3, 2013, 8:42 PM

Dallas-Fort Worth has commuter rail already. It has been talked about in Houston before, but nothing has been done. Houston can't rely on highways alone; you can add lanes, but at a certain point, it all breaks down.

Exxon Mobil is going to make it possible for some people to work in Spring and own a primary residence out by Lake Conroe. The march northward up I-45 is going to continue, perhaps out to Buc-ee's.

Houston's northward sprawl is tame compared to Dallas' never ending northward march towards Oklahoma & the Red River. Once rural farming communities like Prosper, Celina, & Melissa are literally being eaten up by the D/FW Metroplex. I used to think exurbs like The Colony, Frisco, & McKinney were far...

TTU Arch

May 3, 2013, 11:02 PM

Houston's northward sprawl is tame compared to Dallas' never ending northward march towards Oklahoma & the Red River. Once rural farming communities like Prosper, Celina, & Melissa are literally being eaten up by the D/FW Metroplex. I used to think exurbs like The Colony, Frisco, & McKinney were far...

I know some like to make comparisons between Houston and DFW, but be careful on making blanket statements assuming Houston doesn't have the same issue. Conroe (population 58,973) is 39 miles north of downtown Houston. Celina (6,256) is 41 miles north of downtown Dallas and the next town south is Prosper at 9,889. Both Celina and Prosper are separated by 7.4 miles of farmland. Frisco (true suburb 121,000 / non-farming community) is the next one south by another 7 miles of farmland.

Urbannizer

May 4, 2013, 12:47 AM

Sealy Replacement Hospital (Galveston) - 5/2

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8420/8706187630_2495923143_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8554/8706188072_7d051f37f0_b.jpg

dc_denizen

May 4, 2013, 3:23 AM

weatherguru18

May 4, 2013, 4:51 AM

It's mind-boggling that Exxon (formerly Rockefeller's Standard Oil co of NJ btw, not Humble Oil!) chose this anachronistic campus format out in the Woodlands over a major build in downtown or adjacent nabes like the energy corridor. plenty of vacant land to build a showcase urban HQ. How do they expect to recruit younger people who want to live in the inner loop? Maybe a google shuttle type system?

Did the city of Houston not lobby to get the HQ? Somebody must have majorly dropped the ball.

Stupidity wreaks. I'm tired of people speaking for me. I'm 27 years old. I grew up in The Woodlands. I had lots of friends inside the loop. It was nice, yes. But I liked it in the burbs. Quit assuming every 20-something prefers to be inside the loop. Sure, working downtown would be cool. But the novelty wears away eventually.

Here's the bottom line: in this economy, you go where the job is regardless of location. If Exxon offered a job to an in-experienced engineer right out of school paying x amount, I would strongly consider it--if not for the money then for the name. Exxon doesn't give a damn about location nor should they. And btw, this isn't the ONLY Exxon location. There are others. I'm sure that plenty of people, both young and old, would love to call the Exxon campus home---if nothing more than having a great job with a big company.

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 5:22 AM

Dallas-Fort Worth has commuter rail already. It has been talked about in Houston before, but nothing has been done. Houston can't rely on highways alone; you can add lanes, but at a certain point, it all breaks down.

Exxon Mobil is going to make it possible for some people to work in Spring and own a primary residence out by Lake Conroe. The march northward up I-45 is going to continue, perhaps out to Buc-ee's.

And just because DFW has rail doesn't mean it's actually making much of a difference in moving people. Both metros carry an abysmally low percentage of it's population by transit regardless of the rail length disparity.

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 5:32 AM

It's mind-boggling that Exxon (formerly Rockefeller's Standard Oil co of NJ btw, not Humble Oil!) chose this anachronistic campus format out in the Woodlands over a major build in downtown or adjacent nabes like the energy corridor. plenty of vacant land to build a showcase urban HQ. How do they expect to recruit younger people who want to live in the inner loop? Maybe a google shuttle type system?

Did the city of Houston not lobby to get the HQ? Somebody must have majorly dropped the ball.

Mind boggling? It's all about money and business. Exxon is the largest private O&G company and is pretty spread out through the US and world with their large workforce. I think putting a ~10,000 employee campus downtown would have been incredibly awesome and would have been expensive. I wonder if they even considered any other inner core areas? Hopefully Chevron will pull off its smaller downtown campus which will spark some development on a smaller scale to the Springwood Villages or whatever south of the Exxon campus.

Shasta

May 4, 2013, 6:52 AM

You're right, Exxon came from Standard Oil of NJ, but only after Standard Oil consolidated all regional affiliates, including Humble Oil of Texas.

However, you have no idea of how much of this city was built by the founding families of Humble Oil (Sterlings, Fondrens, Blaffers, Mastersons, Turners, Recklings, Winstons, etc...).

As for the guy from The Woodlands rants, you seem to be forgetting ONE huge factor, that Exxon is shuttering downtown and Greenway Plaza locations and moving them 30 miles to the North. A majority of folks will follow their jobs, but several have already left Exxon to major competitors.

dc_denizen

May 4, 2013, 11:49 AM

Stupidity wreaks. I'm tired of people speaking for me. I'm 27 years old. I grew up in The Woodlands. I had lots of friends inside the loop. It was nice, yes. But I liked it in the burbs. Quit assuming every 20-something prefers to be inside the loop. Sure, working downtown would be cool. But the novelty wears away eventually.

Here's the bottom line: in this economy, you go where the job is regardless of location. If Exxon offered a job to an in-experienced engineer right out of school paying x amount, I would strongly consider it--if not for the money then for the name. Exxon doesn't give a damn about location nor should they. And btw, this isn't the ONLY Exxon location. There are others. I'm sure that plenty of people, both young and old, would love to call the Exxon campus home---if nothing more than having a great job with a big company.

Why shouldn't Exxon care about location and minimizing the commute times of their employees, most/many of whom live far away from the Woodlands? I'm curious why you think so.

weatherguru18

May 4, 2013, 2:22 PM

Why shouldn't Exxon care about location and minimizing the commute times of their employees, most/many of whom live far away from the Woodlands? I'm curious why you think so.

People commute in Houston. Get over it. Of all the folks in Houston that work for Exxon, not all of them live in Clear Lake or Sugar Land. I'm sure a fair amount (especially those who worked out of the Greenspoint office) already lived in Spring/Woodlands/Conroe area. Those moving from Virginia, well, they know no different. It seems the only ones complaining here are the handful that drive from the south or southwest side. Get over it. Exxon is in our backyards and we're reaping the reward. Yay for us, boo for you. Jealousy is a very ugly thing.

Double L

May 4, 2013, 4:29 PM

There is no benefit from decentralization, it is bad news. The only counter argument I've heard is "get over it".

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 4:35 PM

Why shouldn't Exxon care about location and minimizing the commute times of their employees, most/many of whom live far away from the Woodlands? I'm curious why you think so.

Why do you think Exxon doesn't care? Have you considered through their analysis that the campus made the most sense for their company?

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 4:43 PM

There is no benefit from decentralization, it is bad news. The only counter argument I've heard is "get over it".

What can we do besides get over it? It's a little too late to camp up in pine trees on the Exxon site to stop the bulldozers.

Double L

May 4, 2013, 4:45 PM

We are here discussing opinion. This isn't a city council meeting. If your opinion is that this is a good thing I don't know what to tell you.

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 5:08 PM

We are here discussing opinion. This isn't a city council meeting. If your opinion is that this is a good thing I don't know what to tell you.

Then why did you feel the need to throw the "get over it" argument first?

Anyways... I am of the opinion that I would rather have Exxon consolidating in the area north of Spring than a different metro. This will undoubtedly cause sprawl; with the one small positive thing being this will help the Heights and other neighborhoods in the north part of 610.

dc_denizen

May 4, 2013, 5:17 PM

This type of campus development is really a baby-boomer's version of sustainability: lots of woods, forests, parkland etc, but completely autocentric (and, with higher oil prices, completely unliveable).

Anyhow -

Double L

May 4, 2013, 7:20 PM

Then why did you feel the need to throw the "get over it" argument first?

Anyways... I am of the opinion that I would rather have Exxon consolidating in the area north of Spring than a different metro. This will undoubtedly cause sprawl; with the one small positive thing being this will help the Heights and other neighborhoods in the north part of 610.

Well saying something like "get over it" donates nothing to the conversation and attempts to shut the conversation down, probably because you can't think of anything better to say. I am open to development anywhere as long as it is smart development. To be honest, if they moved to Portland, good for them, it made the world a better place. Building in The Woodlands when they don't want the growth interfering with their planning is a bad thing. It's good vs. bad.

llamaorama

May 4, 2013, 10:28 PM

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 10:40 PM

Well saying something like "get over it" donates nothing to the conversation and attempts to shut the conversation down, probably because you can't think of anything better to say.

Sigh.... you are the one who used the "get over it" strawman in the first place.

And don't forget you are nothing more than an anonymous poster on an internet forum. Go to city council meetings and the likes if you actually care about planning and urban development and come back to this site with PDFs and actual plans.

I am open to development anywhere as long as it is smart development. To be honest, if they moved to Portland, good for them, it made the world a better place. Building in The Woodlands when they don't want the growth interfering with their planning is a bad thing. It's good vs. bad.

So you don't care about Houston then since we are putting words in each others mouth. You'd rather the jobs go to Portland so they would "develop" it smarter or whatever.

I respect your videos, and I've seen a few on HAIF, but seriously.... You don't represent The Woodlands so don't like you speak for them or know what's best. There are quite a few people in the middle of Houston that doesn't like the growth, so there are NIMBY's everywhere. It's not about good vs bad. It's about "what it is" and the market reality. Do you even have a clue to the vacancy rate for class A office in The Woodlands?

TexasPlaya

May 4, 2013, 10:41 PM

I agree its a raw deal and if I had a remote control missile I'd raze it and tell them try again. Though with the GP there people from the whole west side can commute. Is Exxon technically in The Woodlands or not? Funny how everyone and everything wants to be "in The Woodlands".

Typical Houston.

It's technically in Houston's EJD. Typical Houston being smart and annexing a highly lucrative tax base.... yes typical Houston.

Double L

May 4, 2013, 11:10 PM

Sigh.... you are the one who used the "get over it" strawman in the first place.

And don't forget you are nothing more than an anonymous poster on an internet forum. Go to city council meetings and the likes if you actually care about planning and urban development and come back to this site with PDFs and actual plans.

So you don't care about Houston then since we are putting words in each others mouth. You'd rather the jobs go to Portland so they would "develop" it smarter or whatever.

I respect your videos, and I've seen a few on HAIF, but seriously.... You don't represent The Woodlands so don't like you speak for them or know what's best. There are quite a few people in the middle of Houston that doesn't like the growth, so there are NIMBY's everywhere. It's not about good vs bad. It's about "what it is" and the market reality. Do you even have a clue to the vacancy rate for class A office in The Woodlands?

People commute in Houston. Get over it.

He used the term "get over it" first.

I have a right to express my opinion and you have no idea what I may or may not be doing to make the city a better place. I volunteer all the time and am looking for work for a job in which I can improve the city. Your arguments are so pessimistic and anti-constructive. I suspect because you don't want anybody to say anything bad about Houston even when it is constructive criticism. Are you from The Woodlands? I am, I talk to people who live here, everybody is worried this growth will ruin our planning. I have attended design review board meetings, I have given speeches in The Woodlands area promoting our design review board. We fought annexation by Houston (which was part of George Mitchell's plan) preventing it from happening, in order to keep our planning. The Woodlands office space is 85% occupied. I mentioned in my video not only that they anticipated lots of growth in The Woodlands office market but how they planned to plan for it and BTW, my videos are another thing I am doing to actively improve the city by raising awareness.

Double L

May 4, 2013, 11:13 PM

It's technically in Houston's EJD. Typical Houston being smart and annexing a highly lucrative tax base.... yes typical Houston.

Alright mister "Do you even know the vacancy rate for The Woodlands office market", this is not in Houston's ETJ, Houston's ETJ ends five miles from the Greenspoint area.

TexasPlaya

May 5, 2013, 4:35 PM

Alright mister "Do you even know the vacancy rate for The Woodlands office market", this is not in Houston's ETJ, Houston's ETJ ends five miles from the Greenspoint area.

Which they are going to gobble up.....Either the Exxon campus or the Springwoods development.

Houston metro has been growing by 1 million people per decade.... You can't plan for that in a democratic society. There will always be groups of people getting the short end of that stick.

Double L

May 5, 2013, 6:12 PM

I don't understand what you're talking about with the ETJ but yes Houston is growing and as it grows we should plan for it, constantly expanding our transit system. Like I said, Houston is designed to be a big city and The Woodlands isn't.

toxteth o'grady

May 6, 2013, 8:53 PM

How do they expect to recruit younger people who want to live in the inner loop? Maybe a google shuttle type system?

Did the city of Houston not lobby to get the HQ? Somebody must have majorly dropped the ball.

Houston did get the HQ, or will as soon as they annex the land.

The Woodlands is attractive to younger people because it's a short commute from home to work. A lot of young people have settled in the Woodlands and more will be coming.

toxteth o'grady

May 6, 2013, 8:56 PM

And just because DFW has rail doesn't mean it's actually making much of a difference in moving people. Both metros carry an abysmally low percentage of it's population by transit regardless of the rail length disparity.

But Dallas is seeing a lot of urbanization next to the rail stops, if the Greenville corridor is representative of anything. NorthPark has benefitted from proximity to rail. If Metro went out to the Galleria, it would help with some of the urban infill, just as I expect the East End will benefit from having the train close at hand.

TexasPlaya

May 7, 2013, 5:57 AM

But Dallas is seeing a lot of urbanization next to the rail stops, if the Greenville corridor is representative of anything. NorthPark has benefitted from proximity to rail. If Metro went out to the Galleria, it would help with some of the urban infill, just as I expect the East End will benefit from having the train close at hand.

So how many apartment units are being added within a half mile and quarter mile radius from the rail? I'm not discounting the urbanization, but it's just not a big drop in the bucket in the grand scheme when DFW and Houston both have similarly low transit numbers. The bang for the buck (aka ridership per mile) on DART just isn't there right now despite the large investment. Maybe in the future.

toxteth o'grady

May 7, 2013, 1:10 PM

So how many apartment units are being added within a half mile and quarter mile radius from the rail? I'm not discounting the urbanization, but it's just not a big drop in the bucket in the grand scheme when DFW and Houston both have similarly low transit numbers. The bang for the buck (aka ridership per mile) on DART just isn't there right now despite the large investment. Maybe in the future.

I'm going to guess that the two rail stops I saw had at least 500 apartments each clustered around them. Which isn't a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but it's not insignificant. The development in the vicinity is also very well planned and in the new urbanist mode, with apartments on top of retail and offices within walking distance of the rail stop. Would it have happened with a highway? Not to the same density or quality.

I've been on Metro in DC and even the much-maligned New York subways. Above all else, they make it very easy to get around town for those who choose to ride them. And they will attract dense urban development because of the convenient access.

toxteth o'grady

May 7, 2013, 1:12 PM

More on the Ashby Highrise. If you build it, they will picket.

Ashby Highrise gets a new builder. (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/05/06/ashby-high-rise-gets-a-new-builder.html)

llamaorama

May 7, 2013, 3:35 PM

I understand your concerns about whether its democratic and fair if the city restricted development in some places to favor the core, and yeah some yuppified cities aren't as nice as they seem.

But it's also not fair that some people have to live in suburban slum shitholes like Gulfton or Greenspoint just because the "totally not zoning" rules favor crap apartment complexes and strip malls over anything that might be a little more resilent to change, either. No more of these kinds of places should be built again in the metro area.

If I was dictator of Houston I probably wouldn't change a whole lot except demand a long term comprehensive plan for the whole region to be drafted that strategically places parks, transportation corridors, schools, cultural centers, etc. Growth will fill in around these features over time. I guess what makes me like Houston is the possibility that the kind of large scale townhome and infill development could continue for another few decades, leading to a future where inside the 610 loop is at least as urban as westside LA.

Tom Servo

May 7, 2013, 4:06 PM

Just read this whole Exxon Campus sprawl debate... interesting opinions by some to say the least.

Boo hoo. I drove 43 miles from The Woodlands to the southwest frwy and Gessner every day. People drive. It's a sprawly-car central city. It's what we do here. Do people b**ch like this in Dallas when they have to drive from Plano or McKinney or from Bryan St. to Irving? I think not. Get over it. This isn't Mayberry. It's the fourth largest city in the country and soon to be third biggest. Obviously, other major firms/companies have also built their digs in The Woodlands (cough, Anadarko). Would there be this much complaining if Exxon built in the energy corridor? Nope. But what about the people in The Woodlands who would of had to drive ALL THE WAY down there? Who cares about them, right? Geez, get over yourself.

You know, what I find interesting about Houston's growth, is that they're doing much of it by expanding the city itself, rather than growth from within. Although a lot of inner city development is trending, the outward growth still seems to be fairly prevalent. Nonetheless, the population numbers are a bit deceptive. I personally think it'd be funny if Houston were to surpass Chicago in population as it would help bolster the bigger =/= better argument concerning city growth and sprawl. (not meant as an insult; related more to the debate we had in the city discussion sub-forum a few months ago)

Anyway, it got me thinking about city, metro, and CSA population numbers. Here's some food for thought:

Chicago has a population just under 3 million
in 234.0 sq mi

Chicago's city and suburbs (Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, and Waukegan) has ~8 million
in about 2,000 sq mi

If you include NW Indiana, you get a little over 8.5 million in about 2,400 sq mi

And if you expand that even more, you pick up another couple million... in the entire tri-state area (exburbs), you get a population of just under 10 million in about 10,000 sq mi

By contrast, Houston has a population of ~2 million
in 627.8 sq mi

Houston's city and suburbs (Houston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land) has a population of just under 5 million
in about 1,600 sq mi

And then the entire metro area of Houston has a population a little over 6 million in about 10,000 sq mi

And then other big metro areas (each of comparable density to either city)

Dallas and suburbs is ~5 million in about 1,700 sq mi
Dallas "metroplex" is ~6.5 million in about 9,000 sq mi

Washington DC and suburbs is ~4.5 million in about 1,300 sq mi
Washington DC metro is ~9 million in about 8,000 sq mi

So I guess my point is... all big cities (after NYC and the never-ending-giant of LA) tend to have very comparable sprawling metro areas with very comparable populations beyond their city limits. But what sets the Sun Belt cities apart from the industrial northern cities is their lack of dense urban cores. As is evident in looking at city limits versus their populations; the Sun Belt cities have very big city limits. Nonetheless, the sprawl is still about the same in terms of square miles. I personally wouldn't take much issue with the Exxon campus. I realize many of you fear this will promote even more sprawl outward, but I think it might allow for city planners to more aggressively pursue commuter rail options.

I think what's more important is that Houston focus on small scale urban development in the city's core. That's the only way to combat sprawl: make the inner more desirable.

An outsider's opinion, for sure. And I realize every city's development patters are different, especially when comparing the denser urban cities with the auto-centric Sun Belt cities. Nonetheless, I feel like the criticism I've read about sprawl problems should be understood within the context of the greater sprawl problem facing all American cities. And in my opinion, the development of housing and retail in the inner city is key. Jobs can really be located anywhere; like I said, maybe this spurs more aggressive pursuit of commuter rail, something that Houston would benefit from greatly.

llamaorama

May 7, 2013, 4:17 PM

Boo hoo. I drove 43 miles from The Woodlands to the southwest frwy and Gessner every day. People drive. It's a sprawly-car central city. It's what we do here. Do people b**ch like this in Dallas when they have to drive from Plano or McKinney or from Bryan St. to Irving? I think not.

When you get right down to it, its all still massive waste from inefficiency.

Big companies that headquarter outside the city take some of the waste they'd have to bear locating in the city(higher taxes, bureaucracy), and instead indirectly pass it onto basically everyone else in the form of less efficient sprawl. More gas and wear and tear on automobiles and the cost of building and maintaining all forms of infrastructure(roads, power, water, etc) that extends to every single person, private enterprise, and public service provider in the entire metropolitan area. Except with sprawl, it will be around long after the name
"Exxon" is just a page in a trademark portfolio owned by a Chinese power company.

In the end, you and I have less money in our pockets.

But whatever, it's the future I guess. If the sunbelt is here to stay, I guess we have to get used to throwing away money on gas...That, or in the future I hope the entire concept of mega centralized corporate offices will be a quaint notion. The executives will have fancy boardrooms and there will be facilities for training but more rank and file employees will either tele-work or be stationed at satellite offices of their choosing. Thats' what im hoping for.

toxteth o'grady

May 7, 2013, 8:42 PM

toxteth o'grady

May 7, 2013, 8:43 PM

More on Methodist Hospital's new construction

A closer look at Methodist's expansion plans (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/vital-signs/2013/05/a-closer-look-at-methodists-expansion.html)

AviationGuy

May 8, 2013, 1:32 AM

"But it's also not fair that some people have to live in suburban slum shitholes like Gulfton or Greenspoint just because the "totally not zoning" rules favor crap apartment complexes and strip malls over anything that might be a little more resilent to change, either."

To be fair, the Gulfton/Greenspoint stuff was built 30 years ago. Some of that would be teardown if the right project comes along.

Gulfton's basic location close in makes me wonder if it will be completely redeveloped sooner than later. I don't really have much to back that up, but it would be great if it happened.

JoninATX

May 8, 2013, 3:40 AM

Report: ConocoPhillips to lease new building – UPDATED

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2013/05/CP-600x464.jpg

May, 7, 2013

ConocoPhillips will occupy a 20-story office building under construction near its campus along the Energy Corridor.

The deal was announced by real estate brokerage Avison Young, which said Don Hrap, president of the Americas for ConocoPhillips, made the announcement in a town hall meeting Tuesday morning.

The 546,372-square-foot building, Energy Center Three, is being developed by Trammell Crow Co. and Principal Real Estate Investors at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and North Eldridge Parkway.

ConocoPhillips is planning to take occupancy of the building during the second quarter of 2015, the report said.

UPDATE: The energy firm is actually leasing 850,000 square feet in two buildings. The lease encompasses the entire 550,000 square-foot Energy Center Three and 300,000 square feet in the Energy Center Four, which is expected to break ground later this year. The fourth building will have 600,000 square feet in 22 stories. Developer Trammell Crow confirmed the news in a press release this afternoon.

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/05/report-conocophillips-to-lease-new-building/

cole world11

May 8, 2013, 4:03 AM

All the development in Houston is amazing, simply amazing. You go, Houston. We can't even get a freakin 30-story hotel built without people crying over it. smh.

TexasPlaya

May 8, 2013, 4:42 AM

Just read this whole Exxon Campus sprawl debate... interesting opinions by some to say the least.

You know, what I find interesting about Houston's growth, is that they're doing much of it by expanding the city itself, rather than growth from within. Although a lot of inner city development is trending, the outward growth still seems to be fairly prevalent. Nonetheless, the population numbers are a bit deceptive. I personally think it'd be funny if Houston were to surpass Chicago in population as it would help bolster the bigger =/= better argument concerning city growth and sprawl. (not meant as an insult; related more to the debate we had in the city discussion sub-forum a few months ago)

Anyway, it got me thinking about city, metro, and CSA population numbers. Here's some food for thought:

Chicago has a population just under 3 million
in 234.0 sq mi

Chicago's city and suburbs (Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, and Waukegan) has ~8 million
in about 2,000 sq mi

If you include NW Indiana, you get a little over 8.5 million in about 2,400 sq mi

And if you expand that even more, you pick up another couple million... in the entire tri-state area (exburbs), you get a population of just under 10 million in about 10,000 sq mi

By contrast, Houston has a population of ~2 million
in 627.8 sq mi

Houston's city and suburbs (Houston, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land) has a population of just under 5 million
in about 1,600 sq mi

And then the entire metro area of Houston has a population a little over 6 million in about 10,000 sq mi

And then other big metro areas (each of comparable density to either city)

Dallas and suburbs is ~5 million in about 1,700 sq mi
Dallas "metroplex" is ~6.5 million in about 9,000 sq mi

Washington DC and suburbs is ~4.5 million in about 1,300 sq mi
Washington DC metro is ~9 million in about 8,000 sq mi

So I guess my point is... all big cities (after NYC and the never-ending-giant of LA) tend to have very comparable sprawling metro areas with very comparable populations beyond their city limits. But what sets the Sun Belt cities apart from the industrial northern cities is their lack of dense urban cores. As is evident in looking at city limits versus their populations; the Sun Belt cities have very big city limits. Nonetheless, the sprawl is still about the same in terms of square miles. I personally wouldn't take much issue with the Exxon campus. I realize many of you fear this will promote even more sprawl outward, but I think it might allow for city planners to more aggressively pursue commuter rail options.

I think what's more important is that Houston focus on small scale urban development in the city's core. That's the only way to combat sprawl: make the inner more desirable.

An outsider's opinion, for sure. And I realize every city's development patters are different, especially when comparing the denser urban cities with the auto-centric Sun Belt cities. Nonetheless, I feel like the criticism I've read about sprawl problems should be understood within the context of the greater sprawl problem facing all American cities. And in my opinion, the development of housing and retail in the inner city is key. Jobs can really be located anywhere; like I said, maybe this spurs more aggressive pursuit of commuter rail, something that Houston would benefit from greatly.

Houston's development more resembles ATL than any other city because of its multipolar core. Houston has 4 major employment centers in its core (downtown, uptown, texas medical center, and greenway plaza) with the first three having daytime populations of 100-200k and the last with 60k. These 4 employment centers still are adding office towers gradually. Not to mention the major universities, museums/cultural events, 4 professional sports teams and their stadiums, and the best parks are inside the the core.

Houston is just plain expanding everywhere.

TexasPlaya

May 8, 2013, 4:43 AM

I'm going to guess that the two rail stops I saw had at least 500 apartments each clustered around them. Which isn't a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but it's not insignificant. The development in the vicinity is also very well planned and in the new urbanist mode, with apartments on top of retail and offices within walking distance of the rail stop. Would it have happened with a highway? Not to the same density or quality.

I've been on Metro in DC and even the much-maligned New York subways. Above all else, they make it very easy to get around town for those who choose to ride them. And they will attract dense urban development because of the convenient access.

Our Texas cities certainly need more mass transit, I think the implementation is key. Having a lot of rail doesn't necessarily make it very useful.

Shasta

May 8, 2013, 5:51 AM

Yes, Houston's suburban areas are growing, but so is the inner city. There are cranes all over the city right now. Two residential projects in downtown proper. MD Anderson expansion. 2 dorms and a football stadium u/c @ U of Houston. 4 apartments going up in the Rice Village area. Regent Square is underway (including a 21 story tower). There are 5 other midrise apartments rising within 1 mile Waugh @ West Gray. A 40 story tower is going up @ West Alabama and Wesleyan. Less than 3 blocks away is a massive 3 midrise apartment project. West Avenue is expanding its apartment brand. The Buffalo Bayou between Shepherd Dr. and downtown is being returned to a more natural state and bike/hike paths are being added. Light rail is expanding with 2 new lines and an original line expansion. And this doesn't even begin to touch on the smaller development going on all over the place where multiple condos are replacing single family homes, former industrial sites, and vacant land in Montrose, Midtown, 3rd Ward, Memorial Heights, Upper Kirby, Museum District, EaDo, etc...

toxteth o'grady

May 9, 2013, 4:48 PM

Report: ConocoPhillips to lease new building – UPDATED

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2013/05/CP-600x464.jpg

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/05/report-conocophillips-to-lease-new-building/

That's a lot of real estate in one lease. And one more new structure on the horizon.

Samwill89

May 10, 2013, 5:46 AM

Source (http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-gets-new-area-code-to-keep-from-running-4502991.php)

Houston gets new area code to keep from running out of phone numbers

With great growth comes change, and soon Houston will be getting another area code to accommodate telecommunications. Say hello to 346.

The Public Utility Commission announced the addition today:

"The 346 area code will overlay existing area codes 713, 281 and 832 in Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Austin, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston and Brazoria counties," said a release from the PUC.

A projection that the existing area codes would run out of numbers by September 2014 was what lead to 346 being added to the Houston area.

Starting July 1, 2014, new phone numbers can get the 346 area code.

Interesting development for the area's new phone numbers.

Wattleigh

May 11, 2013, 7:50 AM

Hadn't seen it posted before in this thread (apologies if it was), but the Central Square buildings on the edge of Midtown seem to be getting a new lease on life.

per The Chronicle (http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/sarnoff/article/Buildings-new-skin-aims-for-sleek-look-4487900.php) - 5/5

http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/21/34/61/4574272/5/premium_article_portrait.jpg

The 14-story building, Central Square Plaza at 2100 Travis, was built more than 50 years ago and has been vacant for about 13 years, the new owner said.

Over time, the property was plagued by thieves, drug addicts and graffiti, receiving multiple citations from the city.

Central Square Plaza, built more than 50 years ago, was developed by oil tycoon Glenn McCarthy.

"Structurally it's in fantastic shape, but as far as the interior, it's like the 1970s in there," said Keeley Megarity, who purchased the building from an entity controlled by Alfred Antonini. "It looks like people just walked away from their desks 15 years ago and never came back."

The nearly 300,000-square-foot building was developed by oil tycoon Glenn McCarthy, who also built the city's famous Shamrock hotel, which was torn down in the late 1980s and the property taken over by the Texas Medical Center.

Megarity said he's going to put in all new glass, "gut it, take it down to its shell and completely redo it." But he's not sure if he'll convert it to a residential or commercial building.

"We've already started cleaning the building," he said. "Hopefully we'll start on renovations in the next 30 or 60 days."

Herb Shapiro and Bob Heard of Herbert Shapiro & Associates represented the buyer and seller. The purchase price was not disclosed.

They indeed are starting to clean out the space, as these photos from HAIFer 'Triton' (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/90-old-central-bank-building/page-6#entry422029) show.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/Qn8iuiu_zps899fbcf3.jpg (http://s177.photobucket.com/user/houtosme/media/Qn8iuiu_zps899fbcf3.jpg.html)

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w208/houtosme/iIO9mGL_zps271165c5.jpg (http://s177.photobucket.com/user/houtosme/media/iIO9mGL_zps271165c5.jpg.html)

photoLith

May 11, 2013, 3:49 PM

Wow its about time something happened with that building. Its in such a good location too, right next to the Post Midtown Lofts.

AviationGuy

May 12, 2013, 2:19 AM

Wow its about time something happened with that building. Its in such a good location too, right next to the Post Midtown Lofts.

I've always sort of liked the stone façade of that building. I remember seeing it when I was a kid and thinking it was cool.

summersm343

May 14, 2013, 5:30 PM

A tenant to fill some office space. PHH Arval based in the Philadelphia area will open a Houston office branch.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2013/05/phh-arval-opens-houston-office.html

ZKB9

May 15, 2013, 2:23 PM

Sorry, no pictures but I went to the Galleria/Uptown district yesterday and can report that BLVD Place is really starting to come together!

Also, would it be fair to say Uptown is the nicest, most populated urban center in Houston?

toxteth o'grady

May 15, 2013, 3:12 PM

toxteth o'grady

May 15, 2013, 5:21 PM

I mentioned this previously - if downtown and the East End get some groceries, it will help spur residential development.

Report: Houston’s East End losing potential retail revenue
(http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/05/report-houstons-east-end-losing-potential-retail-revenue/)

ZKB9

May 15, 2013, 5:32 PM

More apartments - this time in Vintage Park.

McCann Realty building Retreat at Vintage Park apartment community (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/05/14/mccann-realty-partners-building.html)

Ive driven past there a few times, noticing that they were clearing the ground for something. Glad to see its this and not just some strip mall.

Wattleigh

May 15, 2013, 7:13 PM

Over the weekend, Lisa Gray from the Chronicle had a good Q&A with the architect whose firm will be designing the entry to the Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park.

http://cmf.houstonchronicle.com/life/gray/article/Star-architect-turns-eye-to-Hermann-Park-project-4508592.php?t=ea5d0caf9c7b6b599e

Wattleigh

May 16, 2013, 6:04 PM

A few more developments...

'DrLan34' on HAIF (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/27351-macys-downtown-redevelopment/page-3#entry422484) has provided some insight on the building that may replace the downtown Macy's (Foley's).

23 stories, completion expected December 2015, Hines will be throwing this one up too. Kind of looks like an elliptical prism.

and (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/27351-macys-downtown-redevelopment/page-3#entry422534)

suppose to have a park like area on the roof top floor.

Hines is apparently planning for an 18-story office building on San Felipe between Kirby & S. Shepherd, according to Swamplot (http://swamplot.com/hines-plans-a-shiny-new-18-story-office-building-across-san-felipe-from-river-oaks/2013-05-16/).

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2229-san-felipe.jpg
-c/o Swamplot

Funds are being raised for a new engineering hall (http://www.egr.uh.edu/newbuilding) near Cemo Hall and the Calhoun Lofts on the UH campus. It would replace the large, outdated science & engineering annex/hangar-ish building which was demolished in the recent past.

http://www.egr.uh.edu/sites/ccoe.egr.uh.edu/files/news/mreb_finalrendering.jpg
-c/o University of Houston