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http://www.virtualbx.com/construction-preview/22991-eight-story-residential-tower-coming-to-museum-district.html


 


The Mondrian at the Museums is an eight-story tower with seven residential levels. The ground level includes a lobby, mechanical rooms and parking. There will also be a basement level parking lot.


The project came before the commission Aug. 6 on a request for two variances, but consideration was deferred for two weeks. The applicant seeks a 5-foot building setback instead of the required 10 feet, and asks that a support column be allowed in the visibility triangle.


 


This project site is in the southwest corner of Caroline and Palm streets and the owner name is 5104 Caroline LLC. It is in an area being redeveloped for contemporary housing that is replacing offices and older housing. Most of the projects in this area are two- or three-story townhomes.


 


Planning & Development Department staff comments have been generally favorable:


 


"Cars in the garage will be hidden from view by solid walls. At the building pedestrian entry on the corner of Palm and Carolline, the sidewalk will cross a sunken garden and will include a seating bench. Having the building at the 5-foot setback line will be consistent with other new area development such as the townhouses on the opposite side of Palm. Having buildings close to the street encourages a pedestrian-friendly environment. It allows people on the sidewalk to look into the building and see activity. It allows people within the building to surveil the street and take ownership of activities on the sidewalk and the street, making it safer for everyone.


"This area is becoming popular for older adults who want the convenience of living close to good restaurants and cultural activities but need or want to live on one level. The small support column in the visibility triangle will not impede the view of opposing traffic."


 


Vernon G. Henry & Associates Inc., the Houston-based urban planning and landscape architecture firm, has been acting as applicant for the developer. Perkins+Will prepared the architectural renderings.


A two-story, 4,970-square-foot residential structure, built in 1930, already exists on the site and would have to be demolished.

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A desire for one story living may help drive condo demand. A 3-4 story townhome is fine for younger families, but eventually the trudge up and down stairs is less appealing as one gets older.

 

My wife and I bought a two story townhouse when we were first married (in our early 20's) and the stairs were a drudge even then. It seemed whenever we wanted something like a scissors, Scotch tape, a certain book, or whatever, it was always on the other floor. Now that we're older stairs are starting to look like more than just an inconvenience.

 

If I were building three- and four-story townhouse type residential projects I would include at least provisions for elevators in each and every one.

 

By the way, I like the look of this project a lot. It is sleek with out being too outré.

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the-mondrian-perspective-ne.jpg

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/08/exclusiveluxury-condominium-mid-rise-to-replace.html

 

 

Oxberry Group is planning to build The Mondrian, an eight-story, 20-unit condominium project at 5104 Caroline St., on the former site of The John C. Freeman Weather Museum. The 13,000-square-foot plot — located on the southwest corner of Caroline and Palm streets — is near the Asia Society Texas Center on Southmore Boulevard.

 

The Mondrian, designed by the Houston and Washington, D.C., offices of Perkins + Will, will offer one- and two-story condo units averaging 3,000 square feet.

 

Plans for The Mondrian are scheduled to be heard by the city of Houston planning commission on Aug. 20. If plans are approved, Oxberry Group plans to demolish the 5,097-square-foot Weather Museum building — built in 1930 — and begin construction on The Mondrian in the coming months. Presales, which will be managed by Houston-based Sudhoff Cos., are expected to start in September.

 

 

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These article suggests these units will be substantially larger than those at the Oaks on Caroline.  I think these are a better size for folks with families who still wish to reside in a more urban environment.  I agree, Timoric, that the smaller size of these structures, where one could theoretically know all of one's fellow neighbors, is quite attractive.  The strip between San Jacinto and Caroline looks ripe for more of these.  Depending on the success of the Museum Flats, we might also see Almeda start to get additional condos. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

 

 

The Houston developer wanted a corner lot with an unrestricted deed and unobstructed views close to the Texas Medical Center and downtown Houston. Oxberry zeroed in on the Museum District, a booming submarket for multifamily projects. However, with all the competition, the search proved to be quite a challenge. “Even though Houston doesn’t have zoning, it was extremely difficult to find a lot for our condominium,” said Shahin "Sean" Jamea, a co-principal of Oxberry Group along with his brother PJ Jamea. “We actually looked for a location for close to a year.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/09/behind-the-deal-new-high-rise-condo-project-in-the.html

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http://www.mondrianhouston.com/gallery/

 

http://www.chron.com/news/article/The-Mondrian-at-the-Museums-to-rise-in-Houston-6530508.php

 

 

As the demand for residential towers climbs to new heights in Houston, one developer is in the limited-service, mid-rise niche with an artfully designedMuseum District offering that seeks to make the transition to a condo more palatable for buyers unwilling to fully divest themselves of the comforts of home.

 

Earlier this month, Houston-based Oxberry Group began pre-sales for The Mondrian at the Museums, an eight-story, 20-unit project that draws on the creative talent of two distinguished firms, establishing an authentic connection to pedestrian-oriented surroundings, steps from top cultural institutions, the light rail, restaurants and Hermann Park.

"Our goal is the creation of a landmark that makes the community proud, and a place that we would be proud to call home," said Oxberry Group's Shahin "Sean" Jamea.

Hallmarks of the building, which is being co-designed by the Houston and Washington, D.C. offices of Perkins&Will with interiors by Houston-based Mayfield and Ragni Studio/MaRS, include a striking exterior geometry of interlocking boxes and residences averaging 3,000 square feet, compassing large entertaining areas - some two stories and 20 feet.

A 24-hour concierge and two floors of garage parking, one below grade, are among the other amenities. Several plans will provide the option of direct elevator access - two will serve the property - and no more than three units will be on each floor.

 

 

 

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http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/10/sneak-peek-inside-art-inspired-condominium.html

 

Oxberry Group plans to open a sales center inside the Asia Society Texas Center next week, but already has presold four units, developer Sean Jamea said. The three- and four-bedroom units, which average about 3,000-square-feet, will start at $1.25 million.

 

Oxberry Group hopes to sell about a third of the units before breaking ground in the first quarter of 2016. The developer plans to deliver the first units during the second quarter of 2017.

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Seems like a nice property and I am glad it might actually start.

With only 20 units and the sales center open since September, I am surprised that for this quality of a building that they haven't sold enough units to start. They only needed to pre-sell 4 or 5 units, right? Perhaps they have sold enough but are targeting next summer for another reason?

Another question I have is condo fees on this one. That 24-hour concierge is very nice to have ( and probably a "must have" for this level of luxury building) but it also comes with a cost. How much would a concierge make at a building like this, all-in (employment taxes, etc)? 40k? More? Less? 24/7 means at least 4 people. So, that is about $160k per year to the HOA, right? That means that the average sized unit would be paying about $650/mo just for the concierge..... Add HOA maintenance, insurance, etc, etc and it could get fairly steep for the mid-rise market?

Anyway, this is a really nice project and I wish the developers well.

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