[eLy383Inc]

Their sign was put up this past weekend. 62-units, 7 Stories High.
I did not know all that could fit in to that space. Elgin is starting to get densed.

[Jonah]

Yeah,

What I love about this project is that it will have retail on the bottom and will be facing the renovated Baldwin Park. It would be nice to have a little urban park right outside your front door, with street cafes at the bottom. I hope more projects like this start sprouting up around the rail line in the midtown and downtown sector soon. These are the type of projects I would hope for. Does anybody have any renderings?

[midtown_resident]

Jonah, on Monday, March 28th, 2005 @ 6:46pm, said:

Yeah,

What I love about this project is that it will have retail on the bottom and will be facing the renovated Baldwin Park.  It would be nice to have a little urban park right outside your front door, with street cafes at the bottom.  I hope more projects like this start sprouting up around the rail line in the midtown and downtown sector soon.  These are the type of projects I would hope for.  Does anybody have any renderings?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For renderings: see http://www.thecollective.org and you'll see the links to the elevations renderings.

Also see thread: http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...p?showtopic=285

This is indeed a HOT project!

[The Great Hizzy!]

It appears that The Collective's design complements the design of the Perry Homes development on the eastbound side of Elgin across from Baldwin Park.

[texasboy]

The building is not that cheap. Starts around $250,000 for 1 bedroom/1 bath at 1000 square feet and goes all the way up to 1million for 3 bedrooms/2 bath at 4000 squre feet.


Here is the park to go in front of the building

[themidtownguy]

when will it be completed?

[LTAWACS]

looks good

[kjb434]

The funding for this project is being secured. My realtor for this project is one of the few realtors that will have the rights to represent this building.

It will have ground floor retail.

It will be a great addition to Midtown.

[Lowbrow]

Any word on leasors for the retail yet? If there was more deli/restaurant/bakery/coffee style digs in the area I dont think I could have justified buying elswhere. There is still a 2 bedroom loft unit available over at 1602 Elgin with a park view and catty-corner to this project here. I believe they are asking $179k with $210/maintenence fee.

[kjb434]

My realtor told me that the leasors were confirmed yet. I do know that SouthTrust Bank was to be the financing bank involved.

As soon as I get more information from him, I'll post it.

He really feels the project's units will sell quickly. They have been gettin lots of interest in these types of projects from buyers, but the capacity is not there.

[texasboy]

I couldn't believe the retail I saw on some of the developments in Uptown Dallas. On one of the aprtment buildings I believe I saw a POLO Ralph Lauren store on ground level, but it dd not have that much of an impact on the area as I thought.

[themidtownguy]

when will it be completed?

[kjb434]

Update!! Taco Milagro is one of the slated retail residents. The currently have a restaurant at Kirby and Westheimer. I haven't eaten there before and have received mixed reviews from friends. But it always seems busy.

Also, a potential vegatarian restaurant is also proposed. The developer of this project primarily deals with shopping centers and also build some McMansions in the West U and Bellaire area. My realtor has told me that the developer feels that with the cost of land in Midtown that he only sees a mixed used or mid-rise residential as the most money making options.

After this project moves forward, he'll see if he wants to do some more. They are planning to have future residents only sign contracts and not setup a sill reservation concept like Shamrock Tower.

[themidtownguy]

kjb434, on Monday, April 4th, 2005 @ 12:25pm, said:

Update!!  Taco Milagro is one of the slated retail residents.  The currently have a restaurant at Kirby and Westheimer.  I haven't eaten there before and have received mixed reviews from friends.  But it always seems busy.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow that's huge. i can't wait. can someone please tell me when this project will be finished?

[midtown_resident]

kjb434...

what's your source on this? taco milagro would be an unbelievable addition to the area given the popularity of it. Although, i'm not a huge fan of the food...it's great that such a venue would have confidence in the location...this is great news. Tell us more as you learn!!!

-mr

kjb434, on Monday, April 4th, 2005 @ 12:25pm, said:

Update!!  Taco Milagro is one of the slated retail residents.  The currently have a restaurant at Kirby and Westheimer.  I haven't eaten there before and have received mixed reviews from friends.  But it always seems busy.

Also, a potential vegatarian restaurant is also proposed.  The developer of this project primarily deals with shopping centers and also build some McMansions in the West U and Bellaire area.  My realtor has told me that the developer feels that with the cost of land in Midtown that he only sees a mixed used or mid-rise residential as the most money making options.

After this project moves forward, he'll see if he wants to do some more.  They are planning to have future residents only sign contracts and not setup a sill reservation concept like Shamrock Tower.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Lowbrow]

So are they knocking down that building on the SW corner of that block? The one with all the cool artwork around the base? I was hoping that that old structure was going to be incorporated into the new structure but that doesnt look like it in the elevations. Without knocking it down the lot size seems kind of small.

[midtown_resident]

Lowbrow, on Monday, April 4th, 2005 @ 1:48pm, said:

So are they knocking down that building on the SW corner of that block? The one with all the cool artwork around the base? I was hoping that that old structure was going to be incorporated into the new structure but that doesnt look like it in the elevations. Without knocking it down the lot size seems kind of small.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lowbrow, from my conversations with the folks at the collective, much of that artwork WILL be incorporated into the new bldg. It's also my understanding that the elevations on the web are very native, and not neccessarily completely accurate. Let's see I'm very excited about this project.

[kjb434]

My sources is my realtor (also a friend) who working with the developer and reviewing their contracts and legal documents. They've had meetings with several lenders to determing the best one. He is also involved with creating the condo association rules and the marketing of the condos.

This project is definetly moving forward. As for a dates for construction and completion, I haven't pressed them for it. I think he may have given me a little to much information. But none of this seems like it'll mess the project up.

He gave me the name of the developer, but I need to confirm it. They probably have a website that gives much more information on their history and their projects.

I'll look for it.

[midtown_resident]

kjb434, on Monday, April 4th, 2005 @ 4:13pm, said:

My sources is my realtor (also a friend) who working with the developer and reviewing their contracts and legal documents.  They've had meetings with several lenders to determing the best one.  He is also involved with creating the condo association rules and the marketing of the condos.

This project is definetly moving forward.  As for a dates for construction and completion, I haven't pressed them for it.  I think he may have given me a little to much information.  But none of this seems like it'll mess the project up.

He gave me the name of the developer, but I need to confirm it.  They probably have a website that gives much more information on their history and their projects.

I'll look for it.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your scoop is very much appreciated! If you could find out the details on groundbreak it would truly be exciting - i'm looking forward to it!
Thanks for the data!

[WestGrayGuy]

Taco Milagro (Miracle Taco in Spanish) will rock in midtown. Talk about instant hit if it anything close to the other one.

I like the food and especially the salsas!

[midtown_resident]

danax, on Wednesday, May 25th, 2005 @ 4:32pm, said:

A park can be a good thing to have in front of you and a bad thing, it depends on the neighborhood. I think this one will be a good thing and it could spark the Baldwin Park area to become a high-class zone within Midtown with the park as the focal point. Am I being too rosy-eyed here?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm rosey-eyed like you on this matter...however, only time will tell. Just recently, a hand detail shop set up across the street from us with the used-car dealership flags all over it - pretty ugly stuff. This is less than one block from the park.

Though time will likely flush out such entities - it's not terribly encouraging. Meanwhile, however, the park really is coming along very nicely and looks like it will be a great central focus.

I was chatting with a surveyor from the civil engineering group working with the Collective, last wkd. All signs point to a groundbreak at the very tail end of the year - i.e. december, as late as january...

[kjb434]

Great news about the Collective. I try to confirm with the realtor who is working with the developer about this project.

Also, OutSmart magazine has been placing adds for the Collective in the adds section in the back.

[eLy383Inc]

Here is a new pic of the Collective:

[RedScare]

I'm glad to see they are incorporating canopies to shield pedestrians from sun and rain. Walking in the shade in a concrete area like downtown makes such a difference. And, if there is shelter from the ever present afternoon shower, people won't mind walking the area.

[Talbot]

That building looks very nice, im very excited and can't wait to see the project start. Hopefully it brings more projects of the same calibur.

[Phil]

From what I can tell, they are selling some (or all?) of these units, not renting, AND it will have retail.

The Cheapest Unit on HAR right now

Most Expensive one

This, combined with the park renovation, should be a good thing for East Midtown.

[kjb434]

Parking will be on the lower two are three floors behind the retail space. You can see where the lower section the building transition to the brick portions with the residential units in them.

[uncertaintraveler]

Phil, on Tuesday, June 7th, 2005 @ 11:02am, said:

The Cheapest Unit on HAR right now

Most Expensive one
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

These prices are laughable and, to me, represent very poor values....but, then again, I have been continually shocked at the price of real estate these days.

[Kirzania]

Since someone started a new thread, this got me thinking...
What on earth is wrong with these people? Naming an apartment complex "The Collective," honestly. Oh, man. If I lived there the jokes would never stop.
Me: "I am 6 of D. What is your designation?"
Obviously-Freaked-Out Neighbor: "Um, what?"
Me: "What is your designation?"
Neigbor: "What is wrong with you?"
Me: "Resistance is futile!"

:tears: Excuse me for a second... Can't stop laughing.

[YakuzaIce]

uncertaintraveler, on Tuesday, June 7th, 2005 @ 3:01pm, said:

These prices are laughable and, to me, represent very poor values....but, then again, I have been continually shocked at the price of real estate these days.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry to nitpick, but this is the cheapest one.
But still the prices are pretty high.

[themidtownguy]

what is this tent i see?

[midtown_resident]

themidtownguy, on Thursday, July 21st, 2005 @ 1:50am, said:

what is this tent i see? 
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

they've got a party/gala event there tmrw (saturday) night. in the article in the chronicle last wkd, they mentioned that tickets are $135...

[travelguy_73]

YakuzaIce, on Tuesday, July 19th, 2005 @ 12:08pm, said:

Sorry to nitpick, but this is the cheapest one.
But still the prices are pretty high.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Didn't the Chron article state that they were giving up to $75k in first-time buyer assistance if the units stayed owenr-occupied for xx years? That would bring the prices down considerably.

[kjb434]

It would be like a lock in lease. Some loans have a setup to where you can't sell the home or condo unit until a specified amount of time has passed.


My home I just bought has a 3.5year lock on the mortgage before I could resale. This is not the interest rate lock. Just a condition so the mortgage lenders a garunteed a certain amount of income from interests. If I turn around and resale for the same price I bought or higher, they don't make much money.

[drey00]

As a newbie to midtown, i'm dying to see this happen! I'm already psyched with the recent improvements to Baldwin Park.

Any updates from anybody?

[The Great Hizzy!]

Yes, it's been a while since I've heard or read anything new. I know that they've been doing some street work near that area and improvements to Elizabeth Baldwin Park are ongoing, but I've not seen any indication that construction will begin.

Nevertheless, that area of Midtown remains hot. It is spilling across 288 along Elgin as we speak (for better or worse).

This post has been edited by The Great Hizzy!: Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at 5:09 PM

[Subdude]

There is a large sign at the site about the project, and it looked like it was ready for construction.

Welcom to the forum.

[bwj]

I hear there are some design tweaks going on. Retail will likely be on the La Branch side, art on the park side. Construction to begin when approx 60% sold, hoping to be in the next couple of months.

[MidtownCoog]

Saturday I noticed the brick wall as removed from the original structure.

Are they tearning it down?

This project appears to be going nowhere fast. Maybe I'll go steal some of those old bricks.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Quote

Maybe I'll go steal some of those old bricks.

Upset with the neighbors are we?

This post has been edited by The Great Hizzy!: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 3:25 PM

[MidtownCoog]

No. They look like they'd make a cool patio.

I am a collector brick enthusiast.

100 years from now, nobody will be trying to make patios out of our lame-o Acme bricks.

[bwj]

A lot of these demo projects have some gems (bricks, weathered signs, etc) laying around before they haul everything off.

[Dream]

If nobody is going to say it then I guess I will. THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN! DREAM ON! 270k for 1000 square feet and then a monthly maintenance fee on top of that. 1 million dollars for a 3 bedroom unit, yeah right.

i like the building, the urban design, and the idea but realistically if the guy a few blocks down elgin is not getting the 400k he's asking for those townhouses why would someone pay these prices.

now lets talk about ground floor retail. restaurants and retail establishments in houston need lots of parking or they go out of business. the only people walking in midtown are the bums from flop house to soup kitchen.

sorry to bust all the bubbles. its ow i see it.

dream

[bwj]

hmmm...

If you are referring to the townhomes on the NW side of La Branch and Elgin, they are more around $500k, which is definitely steep. I think they were banking on the Collective driving up prices, and essentially put the cart before the horse.

Just south on La Branch are some new Tricon homes going for around $350k, with 2 already sold, one with a sale pending.

Last I heard there are quite a number of folks interested and signing up to get into The Collective. They are working to change the designs, reducing the number of units, probably to make them a bit bigger. That should help justify the price.

As far as the people walking around, I'd say there are all kinds of folks walking the sidewalks during the day. Tons of people, like myself, hit the pavement daily with the dogs. There are actually a lot of students walking to ACC, as well.

I'm still positive on this side of Midtown (and love living there).

[midtown 4.2]

MidtownCoog, on Tuesday, February 14th, 2006 @ 2:26pm, said:

No. They look like they'd make a cool patio.

I am a collector brick enthusiast.

100 years from now, nobody will be trying to make patios out of our lame-o Acme bricks.

Midtowncoog,

I have a brick pilfered from the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" . . . wanna buy it?

[MiDTOWNeR]

Dream, on Friday, February 17th, 2006 @ 12:01am, said:

the only people walking in midtown are the bums from flop house to soup kitchen.
dream

As quickly as the empty blocks in midtown are filling up, there will be many pedestrians in the future

[drey00]

i walk by the lot where the collective will be everyday with my laptop, to and from work. i can't say i'm out there with the masses, but i hope others become comfortable and do the same.

bwj, any idea what percentage is sold right now? I know the collective's website is down right now...