Triton Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Sure enough, while I was grabbing lunch, I decided I drive by it and it's still closed off. And a sign still says "Lease Now. Call.." So yea, there doesn't appear to be any company in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rechlin Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 (edited) Unfortunately, the situation is the same with the Stowers Building at 820 Fannin. It was totally renovated around 2005-2006, yet today it remains almost completely vacant. I think there's one tenant on the 10th floor, but that's it. It's great that developers are willing to save old buildings, but it seems like there is little demand from companies to then use them as office space. This means much less of an incentive to save buildings in the future. Edited March 16, 2014 by rechlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Unfortunately, the situation is the same with the Stowers Building at 820 Fannin. It was totally renovated around 2005-2006, yet today it remains almost completely vacant. I think there's one tenant on the 10th floor, but that's it.It's great that developers are willing to save old buildings, but it seems like there is little demand from companies to then use them as office space. This means much less of an incentive to save buildings in the future.I wonder if the problem is that energy companies don't tend to be the creative type of people who would appreciate an older building, while other companies that would aren't attracted to downtown because it's so dominated by the culture of energy companies.The irony is that so many energy companies are trying to show their greenness by commissioning LEED certified buildings, when the real (much less sexy) way to be green is to adapt and reuse what exists. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Unfortunately, the situation is the same with the Stowers Building at 820 Fannin. It was totally renovated around 2005-2006, yet today it remains almost completely vacant. I think there's one tenant on the 10th floor, but that's it.It's great that developers are willing to save old buildings, but it seems like there is little demand from companies to then use them as office space. This means much less of an incentive to save buildings in the future.A friend of mine told me there is a boutique hotel in there right now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
democide Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 A friend of mine told me there is a boutique hotel in there right nowIf the whole building is not occupied, it could be the next space to expand to for any tenant in BG Group Tower that needs to. I mean it's about 90 something percent leased, there's virtually no room left. But it would have to be upgraded to Class A, I would expect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Not yet, but exciting things are about to happen to the Stowers building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 Not yet, but exciting things are about to happen to the Stowers building.Oh? Do tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rechlin Posted March 17, 2014 Share Posted March 17, 2014 The Stowers building is as close to Class A as it's going to get without tearing it down and rebuilding. It was completely redone, interior and exterior, less than 10 years ago, and it has tunnel access. I don't see what else could be done. The Wilson building had the same treatment but obviously has no tunnel access. I'd be very surprised if there's a boutique hotel in the Stowers building. The tenant directory sign in the lobby doesn't mention a hotel, and I don't think it's configured for the plumbing one would want for a hotel. I hope the rumor of exciting things being about to happen is true! I'm hoping to see some ground floor retail at the very least, as it's set up perfectly for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Not yet, but exciting things are about to happen to the Stowers building.Hotel or condo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pragmatist Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 The construction company that restored the building moved its headquarters here after the renovation was finished, so it's not like the building isn't being used: http://www.fretzconstruction.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 The lights are on in the top floor. Perhaps that's where the construction company set up shop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Fretz hires subcontractors to do the work, but they don't pay. /They screw over the little guys. They have done this for YEARS!! They are THIEVES!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Fretz hires subcontractors to do the work, but they don't pay. /They screw over the little guys. They have done this for YEARS!! They are THIEVES!!! FIGHT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxtethogrady Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 A friend of mine told me there is a boutique hotel in there right now I think the property is being converted to a hotel. I'm not sure, but it's a familiar brand, not a one-off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Aloft supposedly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly46 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I thought that the Aloft project was dead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The Aloft website still lists a hotel opening in downtown Houston in June 2016. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortune Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The Aloft will go at 820 Fannin. Same block as BG Place. Not this building. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 The Wilson Printing building has been sold. If Fretz construction has not already moved out, they apparently will soon. It is now owned by the Episcopal Health Foundation. Within a year, the entire building will be occupied. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 The Wilson Printing building has been sold. If Fretz construction has not already moved out, they apparently will soon. It is now owned by the Episcopal Health Foundation. Within a year, the entire building will be occupied. great news. Love this company's work. Glad to see the building will be fully used. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 wonderful news houston19514! i wonder just where this "episcopal health foundation" hails from? are they already in houston and just requiring a larger facility? anyone knows anything regarding them.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 wonderful news houston19514! i wonder just where this "episcopal health foundation" hails from? are they already in houston and just requiring a larger facility? anyone knows anything regarding them.... Yes, they are already in Houston. I'm not sure of their precise history, but they are either the former owners of St. Luke's Episcopal Health System (now known as CHI St. Lukes or something like that), or they are the foundation that was formed to hold the proceeds from the sale of St. Lukes. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, which is headquartered a couple blocks from the Wilson Printing Building 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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