HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[mhays]

That would make sense. In my region, a lot of institutional projects (college dorms and so on) were explicitly sped up so they could build during the recent downturn. Institutions can have funding options that work in that scenario when it might not work for a developer.

[TowerSpotter]

Land Cleared in Porter for This

http://i.imgur.com/8VEkDja.gif

http://i.imgur.com/ZUJKQ5V.jpg

[The Best Forumer]

And where exactly is this... "Porter"?

[TowerSpotter]

North of Kingwood, on the grand parkway.

[rellott]

may as well be Lufkin

[rellott]

Some pics from the previous weeks/days

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7664/16692747113_4f418c0f3f.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rr5G9H)20150429_111206 (https://flic.kr/p/rr5G9H) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7678/17051561967_ee26140fef.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rYMHiH)20150424_165342 (https://flic.kr/p/rYMHiH) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8793/17246493501_1398c39fbc.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sh1MEe)20150423_130909 (https://flic.kr/p/sh1MEe) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/399/18343325446_0f95ef1a32.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tWWkzQ)20150526_191359 (https://flic.kr/p/tWWkzQ) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8766/18183564559_cbbe6f2455.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tGPweM)20150526_191346 (https://flic.kr/p/tGPweM) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/287/18181945478_bce2e52e10.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tGFdWA)20150527_194711 (https://flic.kr/p/tGFdWA) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

[Monarch]

^^^ great illustrations! props for sharing...

[TowerSpotter]

may as well be Lufkin

And The Woodlands be part of Huntsville? Porter is closer to Downtown than The Woodlands.

[AviationGuy]

may as well be Lufkin

Porter is about the same distance from downtown as the Katy and Cypress suburbs.

[rellott]

Eeeeaasssy yall lol just bein facetious! I grew up off of Barker Cypress & 10 and now live off Washington. I just enjoy my new perspective is all. On another note, I'll take a new pic of 1111 Travis from my office tomorrow. It's just a bout topped out and the garage on Louisiana is as well.

[Urbannizer]

Updates c/o Skyhawkvideos.

Central Square Plaza

e3ZMuXTItRM

Kirby Grove

LOqgYfQpSjw

Energy Center III, IV & V

S_FmdVzdG-8

And a nice showing of the Med Center.

WjbsbUD4rd4

[Urbannizer]

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/16095924099_5b739f48a2_b.jpg

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/06/houston-luxury-apartment-developer-aims-for-the.html

Houston luxury apartment developer aims for the sky with new executive hire

A Houston multifamily developer has hired a new executive who will help lead the company’s efforts to build more luxury apartment towers.

The Dinerstein Cos. tapped Patrick Dennis to become the longtime developer’s new president of construction. In his new role, Dennis will oversee the 60-year-old company’s construction division, which has built more than 54,000 apartment units and 35,000 student housing beds across the country.

The the company has sky-high ambitions to develop more concrete high-rise projects in Texas and California.

[Urbannizer]

The proposed Energy Corridor Master Plan has been released. It proposes more mixed-use, new streets; improving existing ones and better use of existing parks/green space.

Link: http://www.energycorridor.org/sites/ecd/media/docs/20150519_ECD_FinalPresentation-SMALL.pdf

http://www.sasaki.com/blog/view/580/

The largest of these target areas is Terry Hershey Park, where transformation and revitalization has generated local excitement and attention.

In fact, the park was recently dubbed Houston's "Central Park" in a Houston Chronicle article. Plans envision the park as a regional destination for recreation, arts, and events, while creating enhanced riparian ecology, greater connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists, better-performing stormwater drainage, and a range of open spaces that neighbors and employees can enjoy. The park is expected to be framed by new development.

Energy Corridor Transit Center

http://www.sasaki.com/media/files/energy-corridor-hero1.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7740/18399171116_2620422da1_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/431/18421409602_f55b0ae7a0_b.jpg


Langham Park

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8762/17802960484_2a393ff6be_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/397/17802942444_2d8ff542f9_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/345/18399188876_bba9d4b9a8_b.jpg

Grisby Square

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7764/17804961653_01885e2c31_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7771/18237772458_f8a79240b8_b.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

Transocean is staying put in Greenway Plaza...

Transocean renews office space at Greenway (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/transocean-renews-office-space-at-greenway/)

[toxteth o'grady]

Well it could be worse. The vacancy rate is only 9%...

Downtown office market in holding pattern (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/downtown-office-market-in-holding-pattern/)

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2015/06/MARKET-600x343.jpg

[JoninATX]

Well it could be worse. The vacancy rate is only 9%...

Downtown office market in holding pattern (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/downtown-office-market-in-holding-pattern/)

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2015/06/MARKET-600x343.jpg

91% occupied. That's still good for Houston.

[Urbannizer]

City View Terrace:

The project has gone from this...

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/438/18277100279_73b213998f_b.jpg

To this now!

http://x.lnimg.com/photo/poster_1920/1f560865008b4dd086ce139a0c72af43.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8864/18465197621_3412bd7fab_b.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Do they look like they have financing?

[toxteth o'grady]

A couple of news items suggest how quickly the development slowdown has set in. Leasing is way down downtown and apartment starts are off by more than half.

Leasing activity dries up for downtown trophy towers (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/leasing-activity-dries-up-for-downtown-trophy.html)

Multifamily construction starts plummet in Houston amid oil slump (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/03/multifamily-construction-starts-plummet-in-houston.html)

Both articles suggest a bounce-back in demand is coming. The problem is that when the demand hits, the supply might not be there, so the table is set for a spike in rents.

[HoustonHorns]

I really like that new rendering for City View Terrace. Let's hope it happens!

[AviationGuy]

I really like that new rendering for City View Terrace. Let's hope it happens!

Me too! Very different from the routine designs we've been seeing.

[Metro Matt]

may as well be Lufkin

That's a very snark remark to make.

Northeast Harris & Montgomery Counties are possibly the most under rated side of the Houston metro along with the East side along I-10.

I see that area becoming another Woodlands before its over with.

[photoLith]

My parents live in Porter but in a weird new crap McMansion suburban development that says Kingwood but it's not actually part of Kingwood. Other than the forests that are rapidly being chopped down for crap suburban hell I can assure you eastern Montgomery County and northern Harris County are crap full of crap throw away suburban houses and Rick Perry supporters.

[weatherguru18]

My parents live in Porter but in a weird new crap McMansion suburban development that says Kingwood but it's not actually part of Kingwood. Other than the forests that are rapidly being chopped down for crap suburban hell I can assure you eastern Montgomery County and northern Harris County are crap full of crap throw away suburban houses and Rick Perry supporters.

What exactly is so crap about The Woodlands? I'd love if you could elaborate because south Montgomery county is not only an affluent area but becoming more so by the day. Furthermore, not everybody agrees with your opinion considering how fast it's growing. And for the record, I'm a Trump supporter. After that, an anybody but a liberal supporter.:yuck:

[toxteth o'grady]

Speaking of the Woodlands:

Courtyard by Marriott - a new hotel is going up in Springwoods

Marriott hotel breaks ground in Springwoods Village (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/marriott-hotel-breaks-ground-in-springwoods-village/)

[Soignies Forest]

Any news or rumors on block 98, the 40 story apartment adjacent to the Marriot Marquis?

[JManc]

That's a very snark remark to make.

Northeast Harris & Montgomery Counties are possibly the most under rated side of the Houston metro along with the East side along I-10.

I see that area becoming another Woodlands before its over with.

That I doubt.

Perhaps another Katy, Pearland or Sugarland but the Woodlands is becoming an economic hub which I don't see anywhere else (besides Houston obviously) rivaling.

[AviationGuy]

What exactly is so crap about The Woodlands? I'd love if you could elaborate because south Montgomery county is not only an affluent area but becoming more so by the day. Furthermore, not everybody agrees with your opinion considering how fast it's growing. And for the record, I'm a Trump supporter. After that, an anybody but a liberal supporter.:yuck:

There's plenty of opportunity for your political stuff (and others as well) in the political threads under Current Events. This is one of the few threads that is usually not contentious.

[rdavis4559]

There's plenty of opportunity for your political stuff (and others as well) in the political threads under Current Events. This is one of the few threads that is usually not contentious.

Usually this thread is not contentious but once in every few moons someone goes batshit over this or that (not including the obligatory Houston vs Dallas/Austin arguments).

[Urbannizer]

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/05/houston-apartment-permit-activity-surges-despite.html

Houston apartment permit activity surges

Houston developers filed more permits for new apartment projects even as construction starts slow amid the oil slump, according to a new report.

Multifamily developers in the Houston metro area received 24,502 permits in the 12 months trailing April 2015 — the most recent data available. That represents a 33 percent increase from the 18,413 permits issued during the same time period last year.

In fact, Houston metro area ranked No. 2 in the country for the number of apartment permits issued over the 12 months trailing April 2015. Only New York City metro area had more permits, with 33,039 over the same time period.

[pacarlson]

There's plenty of opportunity for your political stuff (and others as well) in the political threads under Current Events. This is one of the few threads that is usually not contentious.

Photo started with the Rick Perry comment.

[toxteth o'grady]

That I doubt.

Perhaps another Katy, Pearland or Sugarland but the Woodlands is becoming an economic hub which I don't see anywhere else (besides Houston obviously) rivaling.

Perhaps not, but there is at least one Fortune 500 based in Kingwood (Insperity) and another (FMC Technologies) is moving into Generation Park.:tup:

[toxteth o'grady]

And for the record, I'm a Trump supporter.

We all have our faults.:notacrook:

Anyway, I got a look at the latest Fortune 1000 list. By my count, there are 56 Fortune 1000s in the Houston Metro area, which is more than just about every metro except New York, Chicago and one behind the San Francisco Bay Area. That other city further north which likes to claim it is a good place for businesses to relocate has perhaps 41 in the region.

This year's Fortune 500 marks the 61st running of the list (http://fortune.com/fortune500/)

[toxteth o'grady]

Another find by Urbannizer at HAIF:

Health and Biomedical Sciences Building 2, Univ. of Houston, Wheeler Street, Houston (http://www.labdesignnews.com/news/2015/06/health-and-biomedical-sciences-building-2-univ-houston-wheeler-street-houston)

http://www.labdesignnews.com/sites/labdesignnews.com/files/LD1506_Shepley2_NewProjectsx500.jpg

[Metro Matt]

What exactly is so crap about The Woodlands? I'd love if you could elaborate because south Montgomery county is not only an affluent area but becoming more so by the day. Furthermore, not everybody agrees with your opinion considering how fast it's growing. And for the record, I'm a Trump supporter. After that, an anybody but a liberal supporter.:yuck:

Nailed it.

[Metro Matt]

That I doubt.

Perhaps another Katy, Pearland or Sugarland but the Woodlands is becoming an economic hub which I don't see anywhere else (besides Houston obviously) rivaling.

I mean't in a faux urban, intermixed with nature sort of way.

A mature tree in those places would be considered an overgrown bush in TW or Kingwood.

[Metro Matt]

There's plenty of opportunity for your political stuff (and others as well) in the political threads under Current Events. This is one of the few threads that is usually not contentious.

You need to keep your Liberal buds in check. He (Photolith) started it with the Rick Perry comment.

There is absolutely NO place for that here. I've already taken it upon myself to report him/her (Photolith) for the totally out of place for political jab.

[JManc]

We all have our political opinions but this thread is not the place to air them.

[photoLith]

Metro Matt, you realize that most posters on SSP are liberal right? Anyways, does anyone know when that tower in Kingwood is going to be built and what the chances of it getting built are?

[vjhe]

You need to keep your Liberal buds in check. He (Photolith) started it with the Rick Perry comment.

There is absolutely NO place for that here. I've already taken it upon myself to report him/her (Photolith) for the totally out of place for political jab.

Yet you show up here to state you reported something that happened four days ago, and something they have clearly moved on from? Man, get outta here.

[Metro Matt]

Metro Matt, you realize that most posters on SSP are liberal right? Anyways, does anyone know when that tower in Kingwood is going to be built and what the chances of it getting built are?

Matters not.

Take your political crap somewhere else, not here.

[Metro Matt]

Yet you show up here to state you reported something that happened four days ago, and something they have clearly moved on from? Man, get outta here.

You would make a good CD candidate.

I/We strive to keep a certain level of professionalism around here which obviously you have yet to acquire after 14 years on this forum.

There is NO room for ANY kind of political rants here. You more, than anyone should automatically know that. Keep your Rick Perry comments to yourself.

Thanks

[glowrock]

Any chance we can all grow the hell up a little around here? Keep this to development discussions, please. Keep the political bullshit out of here!

Thank you.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[JManc]

We all have our political opinions but this thread is not the place to air them.

Let me quote this just to make sure to I make my point clear on this issue...

[Soignies Forest]

I agree with the four previous posts. Now does anyone know what the status of the block 98 tower or the Alexan downtown apts is? Ground breaking is suppose to occur in the 2nd quarter. That ends when July rolls around.

[Urbannizer]

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/06/plans-point-to-new-condominium-project-in-the.html

Plans point to new condominium project in The Woodlands

The Woodlands Development Co. could add a new condominium project in the future.
The Houston-area developer, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas-based The Howard Hughes Corp. (NYSE: HHC), submitted a new general plan to the city of Houston for its East Shore neighborhood. The 271-acre garden-themed residential enclave is located between The Woodlands Town Center and Lake Woodlands.

The new general plan for East Shore— the first revision since 2006 — calls for a new condominium project on nearly 1.3 acres on the northwest corner of Grogan’s Mill Road and High Timbers Drive. The wooded, undeveloped site is located next to a Woodlands Fire Department station and is across the street from the Boardwalk at Town Center luxury apartments.

[Urbannizer]

Full Article: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/10/city-sells-prime-piece-of-real-estate-near-buffalo.html

City sells prime piece of real estate near Buffalo Bayou to Phoenix multifamily developer


A Phoenix-based multifamily developer has closed on a prime piece of city-owned land near Buffalo Bayou Park for a new luxury apartment project.
Alliance Residential Co. purchased a 10.5-acre parcel — located at Gillette and West Dallas streets, just south of Allen Parkway — from the city of Houston for $39.9 million. The transaction closed April 27.

At closing time, Alliance executed a back-to-back transaction, selling the northern 6 acres fronting Allen Parkway to a private investor, whose identity was not disclosed. Alliance has retained the southern 4.5 acres to develop a new Broadstone-branded luxury apartment project.

Alliance plans to break ground on Broadstone Tinsley Park, a four-story, 395-unit apartment project, later this year in spite of the oil slump.

[Urbannizer]

^ Update: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/06/plans-revealed-for-new-luxury-apartments-near.html

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/363/18091494983_cd3b1f8654_o.png

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/433/18712178305_276e6fac8a_b.jpg

[Double L]

That'll be nice.

[Urbannizer]

http://www.thejamesriveroaks.com/images/gallery/extraComforts/view1_Revised_PRINT.jpg

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/11/luxury-apartment-tower-breaks-ground-in-the.html

Luxury apartment tower breaks ground in the Galleria area

A Dallas-based multifamily developer has broken ground on the second phase of a $100 million apartment project under construction in the Galleria area.

Streetlights Residential broke ground last year on a luxury apartment project on 11.2 acres at Westheimer Road and Mid Lane Street, between Highland Village and the River Oaks District, an ultra-luxury retail center being developed by San Diego-based OliverMcMillan.

The developer broke ground last month on the project’s second phase. Azalea Court, a 17-story, 301-unit apartment tower, is expected to begin vertical construction in the next month or so. Construction is expected to take 20 months to complete.

http://www.thejamesriveroaks.com/images/gallery/extraComforts/View3_Revised_PRINT.jpg

[Urbannizer]

Full Article: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/11/big-plans-ahead-for-massive-apartment-complex-near.html

Exclusive: Big plans ahead for massive apartment complex near Houston’s Hobby Airport

A group of out-of-town real estate investors has purchased a 2,470-unit apartment complex near Hobby Airport with the long-term vision to turn part of the massive property into a mixed-use development featuring Houston’s first automated parking garage.

Chicago parking entrepreneur Jesse Levine represents a group of undisclosed investors who purchased Broadway Square Apartments, located on approximately 69 acres at 8751 Broadway St. less than a mile from Hobby Airport.

However — when the market conditions are right in the next decade or so — the investors could transform the southern portion of the 80 acres closest to the airport into a mixed-use development featuring Houston’s first automated parking garage, Levine said. The investors plan to keep a multifamily component to the property, Levine added.

[toxteth o'grady]

However — when the market conditions are right

Famous last words.

I'm feeling a little better about the Kirby Collection actually getting out of the ground, now that it has shown up on HBJ's list of building permits. Offices and retail piece are apparently the first elements.

[Urbannizer]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/midrise-to-be-built-along-sw-freeway-in-montrose/

Midrise to be built along SW Freeway in Montrose

Light Hill Partners has assembled three properties in Montrose to build a midrise apartment building.

The sites amount to 21,303 square feet and include 4545, 4509 and 4503 Mount Vernon. The property sits alongside the Southwest Freeway just west of Montrose.

Light Hill Partners is a Houston-based company involved in developing and remodeling multifamily and single-family properties.

[toxteth o'grady]

Solvay Chemicals is knocking down 52,000 sf of space in 3737 Buffalo Speedway. Then knocking down their old digs for a boutique hotel...

Greenway Plaza-area tower underway is leasing up (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/06/greenway-plaza-area-tower-underway-is-leasing-up.html)

[rellott]

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/358/18198201584_b476947abb.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tJ7xjh)20150608_110704 (https://flic.kr/p/tJ7xjh) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/360/18820788845_fb0f9a13d9.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/uF8sPp)20150608_110913 (https://flic.kr/p/uF8sPp) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/388/18634634549_6cfb4ae087.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/uoFnCz)20150608_110916 (https://flic.kr/p/uoFnCz) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8878/18820781785_a57ec1a321.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/uF8qHF)2015-06-14_10-36-00 (https://flic.kr/p/uF8qHF) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/561/18823383131_6fe5ac4de3_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/uFmL1t)2015-06-14_10-32-57 (https://flic.kr/p/uFmL1t) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5607/18823361801_56d93fe521.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/uFmDEH)2015-06-14_10-31-20 (https://flic.kr/p/uFmDEH) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/374/18198108434_4646ccabeb.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tJ74Cf)2015-06-14_10-30-33 (https://flic.kr/p/tJ74Cf) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/372/18200012253_fc15bfd8c2_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tJgPyH)2015-06-14_10-28-45 (https://flic.kr/p/tJgPyH) by Rell Ott (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130298256@N06/), on Flickr

[toxteth o'grady]

Bust? What bust? Bloomberg can't find it...

Even the Oil Rout Can't Stop Houston's Economic Boom (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-15/houston-s-filet-mignon-special-shows-oil-collapse-is-no-problem)

[Urbannizer]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Downtown-retail-plan-attracts-potential-developers-6331095.php#photo-8161660

Downtown retail plan attracts potential developers

A half dozen groups interested in improving downtown Houston's retail options submitted initial proposals to redevelop the former Sakowitz department store building on Main Street, officials said Tuesday.

The responses from the six groups, which the authority declined to name, are based on a formal request issued earlier this year seeking developers that could demonstrate financial capability, experience and the ability to secure national retailers.

The six responses to the request have been reviewed and a committee has identified a shortlist of groups that have been asked to provide additional information before a final decision is made.

The deadline for the final submissions is Aug. 10, and a deal could be finalized early next year.

[JManc]

Solvay Chemicals is knocking down 52,000 sf of space in 3737 Buffalo Speedway. Then knocking down their old digs for a boutique hotel...

Greenway Plaza-area tower underway is leasing up (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/06/greenway-plaza-area-tower-underway-is-leasing-up.html)

That thing was only built in 1992...not that old.

[Urbannizer]

Camden McGowen Station

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/10563095_358529984347574_7011746410692093876_n.jpg?oh=3f5f040eb865ba0424d73616476c1e19&oe=55E8BF7A

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11196349_358529571014282_1680714004407088070_n.jpg?oh=a4bdeb278d2d10150e242a9e8dfce6a9&oe=55F944E8

[Urbannizer]

http://www.thewilshirehouston.com/files/7614/3328/8305/Wilshire_Street_1_Night_180515-small.jpg


http://www.pccpllc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp&page=news_prdetail&section=3&subsection=11&pr_id=168

PCCP, LLC PROVIDES $55.2 MILLION SENIOR LOAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 17-STORY LUXURY CONDO PROJECT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

PCCP, LLC announced today that it has provided a $55.2 million senior loan to a joint venture between The Carlyle Group and Pelican Builders for the ground-up development of The Wilshire, a 17-story, 96-unit luxury condominium project in the River Oaks submarket of Houston, Texas. Construction is underway with completion of the project anticipated for mid-2017. The financing was arranged by Adam Allen of ARA Houston.

[JoninATX]

That's awesome. It's going to add more density in that area.

[Urbannizer]

609 Main at Texas

Curtain wall going up.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/18870879626_6ae250440c_b.jpg
6/15 by Nate99 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/27729-609-main-at-texas-hines-next-downtown-tower/?p=503453) on HAIF

Aloft Downtown

Another sidewalk being blocked off in Downtown. The Stowers Building is now under redevelopment from a vacant boutique office building to an Aloft hotel.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/271/18279974823_a9fa25aed1_b.jpg
6/17 by Nate99 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/30005-stowers-building-to-become-an-aloft-hotel/page-2) on HAIF

Marriott Marquis

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/18709595698_82786435ed_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/18276635663_e3ddc7336b_b.jpg
6/15 by Nate99 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/25891-marriott-marquis-new-grb-convention-center-hotel-retail/?p=503451) on HAIF

Market Square Tower

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/aggienatebrown/IMG_2731_zpswvi7y3e1.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/aggienatebrown/IMG_2730_zpsljlmb64z.jpg
6/9 by Nate99 (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/28738-market-square-tower-40-story-high-rise-for-downtown/?p=503065) on HAIF

Catalyst

http://texas.pepperconstruction.com/sites/default/files/project-images/100_5928BI.jpg

http://texas.pepperconstruction.com/sites/default/files/project-images/100_5919BI.jpg
http://texas.pepperconstruction.com/project/foundations-underway-catalyst-houston

GRB Convention Center Redevelopment

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11146597_10153280258087741_7579343171018320771_n.jpg?oh=ad1b68c8a21ed39babcbc1879ebf0308&oe=55FB1E38
https://www.facebook.com/GRBHouston/photos/a.220852267740.140461.50118257740/10153280258087741/?type=1&theater

[toxteth o'grady]

This was in the San Antonio Business Journal. At the end of the day, GE will probably stay in Connecticut, but GE Oil & Gas has a big presence in Houston, so they ought to make a pitch.

San Antonio should plug into General Electric relocation talks, leaders say (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2015/06/12/san-antonio-should-plug-into-general-electric.html)

[toxteth o'grady]

An interesting headquarters swap is occurring, involving two Houston retail chains with expansion on their minds...|

NO DELI, NO DEAL (https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/office/no-deli-no-deal-47060)

"...Mattress Firm and Stage Stores, two Houston-based firms, are both dropping from multiple locations into one HQ. Mattress Firm is moving 350 employees from two Houston offices to fill the entire 130k SF 10201 S Main St (pictured), which is currently occupied by Stage Stores. (The latter will exit in Q4, and Mattress Firm will take up residency in June 2016.) CBO Karrie Forbes, who’s leading the relocation, says the firm especially targeted location, convenience and size. Mattress Firm has been in fast growth mode over the last two years. The new office has nearly double the number of workstations and leaves space for future expansion...

...Stage Stores (which operates as Palais Royal locally) hasn’t announced where it’s going, but SVP Randi Sonenshein tells us it's got a lease signed for about 190k SF near the Galleria. (The move, which also vacates a building in Meyerland, is expected to cost $12M.) She says the biggest driver was bringing employees under one roof. 900 employees will go to the new office and about 50 will remain in the Meyerland office because that division has specific building height requirements. Stage Stores has a big growth plan ahead of it, Randi says, and being together helps it execute more efficiently..."

https://b256ec319b64095c3d1d-e19f06f73efdb5028989d1916204cd71.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/75287_1434650115_10201SMain-large.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

I'm not sure if this was was posted previously. More development in Springwoods, by Martin Fein. The Mark at CityPlace:

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/yourhoustonnews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/26/b268e43a-8730-11e4-b2f6-afd11ffd31ac/54939e289f0c7.image.jpg?resize=760%2C492

[toxteth o'grady]

When, not if. I personally think the Houston growth rate in 2015 will slow from 2014, so stretch out the timeline:

Houston poised to become country’s #3 city (https://kinder.rice.edu/Keatts061615/)

https://plot.ly/~andy_keatts/109.png

[photoLith]

Chicago still will best Houston density wise. But hopefully someday Houston will have a dense skyline all the way from the CBD to the Galleria Area. It's filling in quite nicely as of late. Give it a few more decades and Houston will have as grand of a skyline as Chicago, just with less history. And it will be just in time for the robot overlord takeover.

[JManc]

Houston being the 3rd/4th largest city only matters for trivia on the city's web page. What really counts is Houston's metro area which knocks it down to 8th or 9th place overall with Chicagoland at #3 and about 3 million people more than Houston.

[toxteth o'grady]

Houston being the 3rd/4th largest city only matters for trivia on the city's web page. What really counts is Houston's metro area which knocks it down to 8th or 9th place overall with Chicagoland at #3 and about 3 million people more than Houston.

That's also changing, as both metro Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth are growing fast enough to overtake Chicago in less than three decades. Neither city is going to overtake New York and Los Angeles; New York could add more than half a million residents this decade.

As for density, there are many, many cities that can claim to be denser than Houston. But the density is increasing, as the lots get smaller and the highrises get more numerous inside the Loop.

[Urbannizer]

3400 Montrose

By hindesky on HAIF

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/389/18843558769_cd15c0e124_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/530/19029773185_6f3bc8159a_b.jpg

Hanover Southampton

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11406324_1002326473146038_2814832233080101186_o.jpg

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11221805_1002326459812706_1371886433839780095_o.jpg

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11174733_1002326483146037_1756515942454600486_o.jpg

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/s960x960/11427255_1002326443146041_7494811716413327832_o.jpg

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/s960x960/1597995_1002326456479373_8583885230876669895_o.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

http://www.thewilshirehouston.com/files/7614/3328/8305/Wilshire_Street_1_Night_180515-small.jpg


http://www.pccpllc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp&page=news_prdetail&section=3&subsection=11&pr_id=168

The Chronicle says groundbreaking is next month.

Wilshire developer secures loan and announces groundbreaking (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/wilshire-developer-secures-loan-and-announces-groundbreaking/)

[toxteth o'grady]

Another bit of good news, sort of, is that Houston created about 14,000 jobs in May after losing 1,500 in April, according to the Texas LMCI. While a letdown after three years of job gains exceeding 100,000 per year, the annualized gain of 62,000 could have been far worse, given the job losses in the oil industry.

Local jobless rate edges up (http://www.chron.com/business/economy/article/Local-jobless-rate-edges-up-6337514.php)

[TTU Arch]

Houston being the 3rd/4th largest city only matters for trivia on the city's web page. What really counts is Houston's metro area which knocks it down to 8th or 9th place overall with Chicagoland at #3 and about 3 million people more than Houston.

Agreed. While it is an impressive milestone, by present day standards I put that stat in the same argument as when cities / news magazines evaluate growth rates based on percentages. (i.e. 10% growth on 100,000 people still pales in comparison to a 5% on 1,000,000). It is a marketing tool that any jurisdiction will market hard because it can attract new investments / businesses. Amazing things are happening in Houston that is off the charts and quite impressive. With that said, Houston MSA would need DFW MSA to stop growing for about 4-5 years to become the largest MSA in this region and 4th in the US. Eventually both metros will pass Chicago MSA. The Bay area and Philly will be up there as well. Depends how long Texas will enjoy the benefits of affordable housing, low tax / business friendly environments and when the areas in Illinois / NE and CA become more creative to compete with Texas on that front. Till then I believe Texas will continue to see amazing growth for the foreseeable future. Long term - Politicians in Texas need to get a much better handle on schools and transportation to keep that edge.

[Urbannizer]

Block 365

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/265/18841700988_5ffe795227_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/422/19032483331_478e078c51_b.jpg

Block 334

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/18407142734_c3e9e6e201_b.jpg

Eado Station

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/287/18407320924_7e87133433_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/264/18407335764_709e4f181a_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/431/19003654536_1b90964a5d_b.jpg

The Hamilton

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/18406930224_fa61fd6d2e_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/395/19032584771_6fc498f6d6_b.jpg

Capella Museum District

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/335/18841624100_b5307e04a9_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/376/18841681678_792e926843_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/291/19032462231_332caa1eb8_b.jpg

Oaks on Caroline

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/19002914446_9884d98dec_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/395/18841477588_8754414640_b.jpg
Photos by hindesky (http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/user/13072-hindesky/) on HAIF

Central Bank Plaza

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/428/18843433689_e33dd9f78f_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/500/18843435839_3dc9223dcf_b.jpg
Photos by Houstonishome on HAIF

Lost Lake @ Buffalo Bayou

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/18408595843_e699639be5_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/436/19029267625_719b9b7b05_b.jpg

The Monroe

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/513/18842999039_d7b1ded6bd_b.jpg
Photos by HoustonMidtown on HAIF

[Urbannizer]

River Oaks District

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/chron-100/article/Heathy-retail-market-encourages-stores-to-expand-6334336.php#photo-8178822
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/37/14/62/8178828/3/1200x1024.jpg

http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/37/14/62/8178821/3/1200x1000.jpg

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/37/14/62/8178831/3/1200x1024.jpg

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/37/14/62/8178843/3/1200x1024.jpg

http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/37/14/62/8178846/3/1200x1024.jpg

[Urbannizer]

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8671/16419129547_b478e5974c_b.jpg

https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/office/here-are-3-major-buildings-brookfield-wants-to-revamp-47167

HERE ARE 3 MAJOR BUILDINGS BROOKFIELD WANTS TO REVAMP

Brookfield has its eye on a wide swath of renovations, first and foremost updating Allen Center. Paul tells us it’s in the early stages of designing a $50M revamp there that’ll kick off this time next year. (It’ll upgrade green space, which is the largest private green space in the CBD and larger than the green space in New York’s Rockefeller. Other areas of focus will be the lobbies and building entrances.) Brookfield’s also contemplating improvements to 1600 Smith’s lobby/common areas, Paul says—it’s close to hiring an architect, and will probably launch work next year. It’s also eyeing a major renovation of the Downtown Club at the Met, which hasn’t gotten a refresh in 15 years, and Brookfield’s adding a fitness center into 1201 Louisiana soon, including locker and bike rooms.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/16626418995_759244bd29_b.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

A bit more good news/bad news. Skanska lures a major tenant...to an Energy Corridor office building they're developing.

IHI to relocate to new Energy Corridor digs (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/ihi-to-relocate-to-new-energy-corridor-digs/)

But there's more sublease space on the market...

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/files/2015/06/SUBLEASE1-600x300.jpg

Report: Sublease space on the rise (http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2015/06/report-sublease-space-on-the-rise/)

[toxteth o'grady]

I-45 at North Main looks like the site of a new Holiday Inn Express. It's sort of unexpected, as these midrise hotels tend to spring up farther out in the suburbs or in office parks; in this instance, the proposed hotel would be just north of downtown and not far from a new live music venue.

But something's gotta go first:

The Casa Grande Takedown Has Begun (http://swamplot.com/the-casa-grande-takedown-has-begun/2015-06-22/)

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/casa-grande-horiz.jpg

http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/casa-grande-demo-hose.jpg

[The Best Forumer]

This was in the San Antonio Business Journal. At the end of the day, GE will probably stay in Connecticut, but GE Oil & Gas has a big presence in Houston, so they ought to make a pitch.

San Antonio should plug into General Electric relocation talks, leaders say (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2015/06/12/san-antonio-should-plug-into-general-electric.html)

Yes. Houston leaders should definitely make a pitch to GE. The business environment is better here than anywhere else on this planet.

[TexasPlaya]

Yes. Houston leaders should definitely make a pitch to GE. The business environment is better here than anywhere else on this planet.

GE would be a perfect match for Houston. With the amount of office space coming online, causing it to become a tenants' market, Houston should be actively pursuing HQ relocations.

[toxteth o'grady]

Hines and Skanska should be the first ones knocking on Immelt's door. And Hines already has a building coming out of the ground.

[The Best Forumer]

So where on earth are Houston leaders? Why are they not doing anything to try to land GE? Are they dropping the ball... Again?!

[Reverberation]

Let's do something about it. Is candygram still around?

[The Best Forumer]

What is that? Like some pajamagram service?

[N90]

This was in the San Antonio Business Journal. At the end of the day, GE will probably stay in Connecticut, but GE Oil & Gas has a big presence in Houston, so they ought to make a pitch.

San Antonio should plug into General Electric relocation talks, leaders say (http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2015/06/12/san-antonio-should-plug-into-general-electric.html)
LOL San Antonio gets used for leverage by both the NFL and F500 corps

[Urbannizer]

The Tanglewood

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31767-tanglewood-wood-hollow/?p=504190

246-unit, 8-story building on Wood Hollow Dr. near Whole Foods

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/500/18478201324_72f9e49145_b.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e7o5oVv.jpg

[AviationGuy]

So where on earth are Houston leaders? Why are they not doing anything to try to land GE? Are they dropping the ball... Again?!

Have you really looked into this, and contacted city leaders/staff to get their feedback?

As I've mentioned before here, one can always become a "leader" himself or herself. It's better than complaining.

[toxteth o'grady]

What is that? Like some pajamagram service?

Candygram was there before Pajamagram. It was door-to-door candy delivery. :shrug:

[TexasPlaya]

Have you really looked into this, and contacted city leaders/staff to get their feedback?

As I've mentioned before here, one can always become a "leader" himself or herself. It's better than complaining.

I would assume the people in charge of marketing the millions of sq ft of class A space are pushing the HQ relocation.

[toxteth o'grady]

Exclusive: Houston developer buys 177 acres from Exxon for mixed-use (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/23/exclusive-houston-developer-buys-177-acres-from.html)

http://media.bizj.us/view/img/6255291/initial-site-plan-webster.jpg

[toxteth o'grady]

A few more details about Mattress Firm's headquarters relocation:

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/exclusive-details-revealed-on-mattress-firms-new.html (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/exclusive-details-revealed-on-mattress-firms-new.html)

[N90]

A few more details about Mattress Firm's headquarters relocation:

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/exclusive-details-revealed-on-mattress-firms-new.html (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/exclusive-details-revealed-on-mattress-firms-new.html)
They should make a theme park right next to their new HQ building called Mattress World!

[toxteth o'grady]

With oil prices around $60 a barrel, IPO activity is starting up again. Which could drive more demand for office space...

Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas going public in first U.S. producer IPO this year (http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/06/24/freeport-mcmoran-oil-gas-going-public-in-first-u-s-producer-ipo-this-year/#33549101=0)

[Urbannizer]

Gateway Park

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32320-gateway-park-new-mixed-use-17750-katy-fwy/#entry504239

Proposed mixed-use containing office buildings, a hotel and 25 sq ft of retail along the Katy Fwy.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/401/18938186629_3e3b8e740f_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/315/19118630872_065b046a65_b.jpg

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4d691e_6e0c73a6131b41cfae9d1ec3493239f4.png_srz_p_694_561_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_png_srz

[The Best Forumer]

I guess those 25 sq ft will make a very cozy deli.

[AviationGuy]

A few more details about Mattress Firm's headquarters relocation:

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/exclusive-details-revealed-on-mattress-firms-new.html (http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/06/exclusive-details-revealed-on-mattress-firms-new.html)

Swamplot should have fun with this, considering its obsession with mattress companies!

[AviationGuy]

Gateway Park

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/32320-gateway-park-new-mixed-use-17750-katy-fwy/#entry504239

Proposed mixed-use containing office buildings, a hotel and 25 sq ft of retail along the Katy Fwy.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/401/18938186629_3e3b8e740f_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/315/19118630872_065b046a65_b.jpg

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4d691e_6e0c73a6131b41cfae9d1ec3493239f4.png_srz_p_694_561_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_png_srz

Really nice looking buildings. Hope this design sticks.

[toxteth o'grady]

Add that to the plans for the Exxon Chemical site, and that's a whole lot of office space in a submarket that doesn't appear to need it at the moment. But another place for GE to locate.

[timoric]

-

[Urbannizer]

Demolition now underway for the new UST Center for Science & Health Professions

http://www.whrarchitects.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/home_slider/WHR_UST_science_health_center5_0219.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/383/19098355252_20503af639_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/319/19098371112_4c9d33d918_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/453/19104040265_e7200abb0f_b.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/295/19118874715_c08b56d930_b.jpg
Photos by alex-s (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-s/) on Flickr