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This is one of my favorite shots of the city by Thomas, on Flickr

Here you go...

Webcam: https://www.senserasystems.com/public/PinOaksInterest/M68635144483 http://www.medistarcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2777/2016/07/DJI_0002.jpg http://www.medistarcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2777/2016/07/DJI_0006.jpg http://www.medistarcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2777/2016/07/DJI_0020.jpg http://www.medistarcorp.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2777/2016/07/DJI_0008.jpg

I think I can tell where the broken window glass came from (upper left corner). That's quite a distance for the glass to fall!

Went to the site today. Rising

Flipping the Exxon building will help the overall vacancy rate but not the Class A vacancy rate, which is what developers look at. And converting it to residential might slow the pipeline of new residential construction, although it would let people live downtown at a lower price point. Might be popular among Rice students and Med Center residents. One of the few great things about the downturn though is that it saved that building from having its style and history erased.

This is an old article but hadn't seen it posted. It confirms that Irma's is moving to the Catalyst, which we kind of figured out, and the current location of Irma's here will be re-branded into a burger joint. "A retail tenant in the 147,867-square-foot building, Irma's Southwest Grill, was not familiar with details of the hotel plan. The longtime downtown restaurant is planning to move its Mexican restaurant concept to the Catalyst, an apartment tower under construction on an adjacent block. The new location is expected to open by December, Nick Galvan, whose family owns Irma's, said Tuesday. He said there are also plans to rebrand the existing Irma's Southwest Grill in the Great Southwest Building as a hamburger spot." http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Report-Historic-downtown-tower-could-become-11150703.php#photo-4018157

We don't have to go as far as Chicago to see a market that builds office buildings in spite of high vacancy rates. Downtown Dallas hasn't seen vacancy rates below 20% in more than 30 years, and yet they've built new office buildings. Granted, nothing nearly as large as the proposed One Market Square, but the point remains. No miracle is required, just a significant tenant or two.

Looks like someone decided to turn up the heat on this project

Trains are crowded... I can never find a seat... Yeah, sounds like a total failure. It's so popular nobody goes there anymore.

By your reckoning, is "the hood" anything inside 610? I'd bet dollars to donuts Near Northside has less crime than about any area of The Woodlands. If they can address the flop houses that popped up with all the mental cases there, it's probably one of the safest places to be. The neighbors are primarily long-term working-class families that have owned the houses for generations, with younger professionals who couldn't afford the Heights taking over the abandoned properties and empty lots. There's a sense of community there that is sorely lacking in any of our suburban disaster areas, or even many of our supposedly higher-quality downtown neighborhoods. @Triton - Could be worse things to go in there, but it's still such a waste for JUST that to go in. Though if the Washington Avenue HEB plans are any indication, they could do it right. They definitely need something other than just that old Fiesta. Hopefully it's close enough to the Katyville Walmart that we don't have to worry about another one of those showing up.

Near Northside is an up and comer, wxman. You'll be sorry you didn't get in on the ground floor, when you had the chance. Aside from being walking distance from the LR and just a couple stops from downtown, you'll soon have expanded and enormous St Arnold's Beer Garden, within a short walk and White Oak Music Hall/Raven Tower/Etc., just up Main. If you haven't yet been to The Edison (just about 1.5 mile or a few LR stops north) you're in for a real treat. But, I guess if you've got the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and all the Olive Garden breadsticks you can eat, I could see your point of view. However...I do agree that this development was lacking from the start, and I agree with Montrose...The Clock tower was the beginning of the problem.

I mean I have a nearly complete plan for a subway on westheimer but unless I found a suitcase full of cash it's a pointless plan

Air India is apparently putting Houston back on the table for expansion after announcing an anticipated launch date for LAX: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-india-to-add-los-angeles-houston-in-its-list-of-us-destinations/articleshow/59499919.cms

Unless the entire pane falls out of the window frame. Did that happen here?

I hope they get a tenant and build, but I don't think we should read too much into their decision to build a parking garage. The demand for parking is incredible and it makes oodles of sense to build a garage there. Freestanding garages are sprouting all over downtown Houston, as well as downtown Dallas. Also helps them deal with holding costs over a long hold.

There is no reason to think the Fulton extension has been nixed. It is still in the City's plans. The proposed new layout of San Jacinto shown in the I45 project EIS actually makes it a good deal easier to connect with Fulton.

lets do 1MM (1million) by 2030.

Renderings and stats for Hidden Ridge: Pioneer Natural Resources HQ DART Orange Line station 110 acres 1.5 million SF corporate office space 200-room hotel 1,200 residential units 80,000 SF retail and restaurant space greenspace DMN DMN

Was that from a Time's op-ed section? Was it a Brooks or Douthat suggesting Chicago was better when people rode to the opera in carriages and the proles had to go on foot so they couldn't catch the horses?

I don't see that as a reason to not want good public transit lol

Interesting that they chose a more grey brick than the one in midtown

The glass breaks like a car windshield. It just shatters into a 1000 pieces but stays put until you remove it.

I found the Hulk's new office

"KHOU 11 met with the owners on Tuesday. They didn’t want to go on camera, but did say they have nearly completed an $85 million dollar hotel renovation plan. However, they said they are still trying to get financing." http://www.khou.com/news/future-remains-uncertain-for-dangerous-downtown-building/456267629

Holy smokes, that could have cut a person in half. How the hell does that happen, unless somebody drives a forklift into the window?

Restoration Hardware is proposing an RH Gallery and Guesthouse (RH hotel) on Knox. The Guesthouse is expected to follow MePa's Guesthouse, opening this Fall. Also proposed is a showroom cafe and spa at the Guesthouse. Get the dirt here. Knox Elevation Second-level floorplan Cole Ave. cross-sectional Project Location

Global law firm gains foothold in Uptown with Park District deal Winston

Near Northside is definitely going to be the next hot spot and in some ways it's already beginning as Naviguessor has pointed out. It's the Houston market that had the fourth largest increase in home prices at a 112.1% increase from 2010 to 2016. It's not really what I would consider the hood.. just because there are many low income families here doesn't mean it's the hood. More middle class families are beginning to move in considering I now know architects, engineers (even one that works for NASA that I met here at HAIF), and many office workers that work in downtown/Galleria area/Memorial City, including myself. I've lived here for 5 years now and the transformation has been fast. There are plenty of new homes being built left and right since many people feel priced out of the Heights and Woodland Heights area. And the big thing is that I know for a fact many people are looking to buy property in the Near Northside because they see the potential here. I myself am hoping to purchase more land on this side as well. I seriously believe N Main will be a hot destination even if the homeless situation is not figured out over at Salvation Army. I don't think it will ever be the Woodlands... in my opinion, that's a high standard, but I do very well see it becoming more like Montrose or the Heights area, but with it's own unique style and culture.

Don't forget about Walter's...

It's a sizable chunk of land in an area that's a USDA designated food desert. Wonder if any grocers would pick it up. *Looks at HEB*

I just joined this forum and am browsing topics. I searched the Witch's Hat House and Musicman's old post/inquiry about the Witch House brought to mind the beautiful gem of a house referred to as the "Witch's Hat House" located at 2201 Fannin St. I fell in love with this house back in the late 70's to early 80's when an architectural firm was housed there. It was still beautiful then. I just read an article dated 8.26.16 in the Houston Press , I believe , where the house was demolished but the turret or better known as the Witch's Hat survived and is at a park in sixth ward as the top to a gazebo. Great reading and has beautiful pictures of this lost gem. On another note, I am familiar with Garden Villas but not the witch house referenced in Musicman's original inquiry. Must explore. Totally loving this forum. EastEndNative58

http://www.khou.com/news/local/city-says-vacant-downtown-hotel-is-dangerous/455943621

Signage going up.

Look's like Bernie's is finally opening. Set to open July 31st.

via Reddit

Density isn't everything. I like the mix of great architecture and a beautiful green space. This perspective is really unique to Houston. Most skylines aren't blessed with a gorgeous front lawn.

Can't find the skyline update thread any more (I've never had much luck with the search feature on this forum) so I felt like this thread could apply. The prototypical downtown Houston skyline shot.

Brick looks finished on the north side.

Taking a pic of the Star and off in the distance I see a helicopter. Went to investigate.

The Rustic is coming-- Summer 2018

Media Kit from Midway. eastriverHTX.com Broad in concept. Short on details. Info on the Transplanted Trees. They are coming from the Post Oak, rework.

https://bikehouston.org/2017/06/01/heights-blvd-bayou-connection/

^^^ well done GONZO247! what a wonderful artist/asset to our great city....

I can't seem to find the downtown bike path thread. Looks like they are finally connection to the Buffalo Bayou park: New bike lane by Marc longoria, on Flickr