[Subdude]

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[UrbaNerd]

If this goes well, it is going to be SWEET! I can see it now...mid rise retail with apartments/lofts facing Post Oak....and other stuff behind it!

[citykid09]

Does anyone have pictures of how the Pavillion looks now? I don't think I have ever seen it, and would like to.

[yaga]

From a HBJ article back in March 04

New group rolls out lofty plan to revamp Pavilion on Post Oak
Nancy Sarnoff
Houston Business Journal
Yet another plan has surfaced to redevelop the enigmatic Pavilion on Post Oak.

And the latest scheme includes just about every concept ever proposed for the beleaguered shopping center on Post Oak Boulevard between San Felipe and Westheimer.

The newest proposition -- currently being shopped around to banks and mortgage brokers -- includes almost 2 million square feet of space.

The plan consists of two condominium towers, a five-star hotel, office space, retail space, a private leisure and dining club, an entertainment venue, a culinary arts center and meeting facilities.

The $353 million proposal is the work of a newly formed group called Urban Resorts Development LP.

The principals include Fenner Weller Jr. of local broker-dealer shop Weller, Anderson & Co.; Gene Duckworth; and Boston-based Robert Bryant, formerly of real estate consulting firm Economics Research Associates.

The Jerde Partnership International Inc.; Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; Boulder, Colo.-based CommArts Inc.; architecture giant Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum; Economic Research Associates; and general contractor E.E. Reed/Beers Skanska are also mentioned as members of the project team.

An investment package obtained by the Houston Business Journal outlines the lofty development, dubbed RivaPlace.

Some 220 residential units will be housed in two towers.

The residents would receive 24-hour access to the hotel facilities and services, including housekeeping, laundry and room services as well as multi-lingual concierges, doormen, security and valet parking.

The hotel could include 175 rooms, including 53 suites, and additional condominiums for sale.

The materials say that after the Houston development, the team will consider launching similar projects in such cities as Miami, Atlanta, Boston, San Diego, London and Berlin.

When asked to comment on the Houston deal, partner Weller shared few details, as his team is still on a fundraising mission.

"The concept is an urban resort," Weller says. "It will be very friendly to the individual -- a lot of greenery, not too concrete intensive."

One name was oddly absent from the package: Mishael Radom.

The head of Houston-based Radler Enterprises Inc. has owned the 13-acre Pavilion property for years.

In the past, Radom has been in talks with numerous developers and hotel operators, but the center has remained as a retail and restaurant hub.

The two-level enclosed mall, with an underground parking garage, contains more than 286,000 square feet of space.

Some of the tenants include Americas Restaurant, Esther Wolf, Hermes of Paris and Hunan Restaurant.

Radom could not be reached for comment.

[citykid09]

I will bet that it won't look like that picture. They already are saying just one highrise.

[houstonsemipro]

No citykid. They said " The plan consists of two condominium towers, a five-star hotel, office space, retail space, a private leisure and dining club, an entertainment venue, a culinary arts center and meeting facilities."

[citykid09]

That is an article from March 04. The first article is the new one.

[Sunstar]

[UrbaNerd]

Shoot, I like the old proposal better!
Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[citykid09]

Thank God! Fashion Square needs to be torn down look at it!

[Houston19514]

citykid09, on Friday, February 4th, 2005 @ 10:52am, said:

I will bet that it won't look like that picture. They already are saying just one highrise.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where in the today's article does it specify one highrise? It appears to me that the plans are not yet that specific. It mentions "several hundred high-rise residential units, a hotel, four-story apartments and brownstones". They never say that they are going to put several hundred high-rise residential units and a hotel all in one building. It may well involve several high-rise structures. Ed Wulfe is a retail developer, not a residential or hotel developer. He will work with, sell or lease land to hotel and residential developers.

[UrbaNerd]

Hmm..As long as they add a bit more variety than the current Uptown offerings. Sure, those Interfin buildings nearby are nicely done, but a slightly more diverse style is needed.
Now..could this be the location of the Turnberry tower? (42 stories)

[NewMND]

But wait, what's going to happen too Eatzi's, I can't survive without my Eatzi's! I won't make it if they tear it down and I have to wait until they build something new!

[NewMND]

Oh, and why would they build "brownstones" in Uptown? Doesn't seem to match, especially with those new lofts sorta across the street but a little bit down from Fashion Square

[UrbaNerd]

They already built some, near the Manhattan.

[YakuzaIce]

NewMND, on Friday, February 4th, 2005 @ 9:16pm, said:

But wait, what's going to happen too Eatzi's, I can't survive without my Eatzi's! I won't make it if they tear it down and I have to wait until they build something new!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From the sound of the article they are going to try and keep the businesses there, and it sounds like when they start construction they will try and build a piece, move the retailers, and then start the next piece.

"He hopes the current tenants will relocate to the new development.
Wulfe plans to coordinate the construction schedule so tenants won't suffer while the pro-ject is being built."

[ssullivan]

NewMND, on Friday, February 4th, 2005 @ 10:16pm, said:

But wait, what's going to happen too Eatzi's, I can't survive without my Eatzi's! I won't make it if they tear it down and I have to wait until they build something new!
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ditto on that. But with the booming business EatZi's seems to be doing I doubt they'll leave the Uptown Houston market. One way or another I'm sure they'll still be around.

[yaga]

From the HBJ

Wulfe expands Post Oak holdings with Pavilion center

Last week's purchase of the Pavilion on Post Oak clears the way for Wulfe & Co. to demolish a total of 21 acres in the heart of Houston's prestigious Galleria area to construct a luxury, mixed-use development.

The new project is designed to include an upscale hotel, high-rise residential property, several restaurants and upscale retail stores including a major bookstore. The open-air, pedestrian-friendly project has been in development for more than a year.

Boulevard Partners, a partnership led by Wulfe & Co.'s Ed Wulfe and Bob Sellingsloh, acquired the Pavilion retail center on Post Oak Boulevard between San Felipe and Westheimer last week from Radler Limited Partnership. The sales price was not disclosed.

The 13.24-acre property consist of 286,000 square feet of retail, including Hermes, Americas and Esther Wolf.

Wulfe and Sellingsloh are also general partners in the entity that owns the 8.1-acre Fashion Square retail center, located at the southwest corner of Post Oak and San Felipe. That property, which includes Cafe Annie and Eatzi's Market & Bakery, is adjacent to the Pavilion.

The 8.1 acres actually stretch west of Fashion Square to Skylark Lane, and include wooded land with single-family homes.

Wulfe says the existing buildings on the Pavilion and Fashion Square sites will be demolished, probably beginning in early 2006.

"We have to do it in stages, so everybody can operate while we do it," says Wulfe, who would like to retain all of the existing tenants.

Wulfe, who also redeveloped Meyerland Plaza and Gulfgate Center, wants to lease space to retailers like those in Highland Village. That center includes mid- to upper-end stores, but not ones that have a single exclusive location.

Wulfe plans to talk to a number of hotel operators for the site, confirming that he has already met with Ritz-Carlton.

He seems confident about finding a developer to execute the residential piece of the deal -- whether it encompasses condominiums or apartments.

"The high-rise residential will happen easily," he says. "We've just got to get the right one, designed the right way."

The Pavilion was originally built in 1972 with a Saks Fifth Avenue anchor store, and was expanded in 1988 to include other high-end retailers. The Radler group acquired the center after lenders foreclosed on the property in 1995.

While the retail center has been maintained cosmetically, it has struggled with vacancy issues.

"It didn't have the critical mass of enough traffic generators," explains Wulfe. "Market conditions are different now. Luxury goods this past Christmas were the hot items."

[UrbaNerd]

YES!

Oh, and the original had a plan for only 220 residential units. the new one may have SEVERAL HUNDRED units. Could it be..the new one is better than the old proposal?
GO WULFE!

[HtownKid]

Wow that is really Exciting now im even more excited to move back does anyone have pictures of the other Project with Fashion Square?

[citykid09]

An new news on this project?

[NewMND]

Quote

An new news on this project?

I think the last I've heard was the the project wouldn't start until early '06, so I'm guessing we'll be getting more information this fall.

[GovernorAggie]

what is that?

[citykid09]

How coulds you not know? It's been in the Chronicle and everything. They are knocking down 2 old shoing centers and replacing them with this nice urban residental/retail/office mini city.

[kjb434]

Although I know what this project is and that building above, I didn't read it in the Chronicle. Just like the majority of people in this city don't read the chronicle.

[jghall00]

This project sounds really interesting. It could lead to a partial renaissance in uptown, with the recent rail proposal. I think definitely think the developer should go urban, ala Rice Village, but with residential units and even greater retail and commercial density. Buildings with proximity to the street can't help but attract attention.

I've been hoping escalating land prices would push developers in this direction, and it seems it has. Now, if we could just get some park space to complement the increased density. The land adjacent to Hildago would be perfect, especially if HISD puts a school there too.

[GovernorAggie]

Oh that's Wulfe's new development? That's the first I've seen of the rendering. I've not been to this thread before today

[LTAWACS]

citykid09, on Monday, June 20th, 2005 @ 4:44pm, said:

An new news on this project?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They seriously need to put this in downtown

[Houston Retail]

just fyi, that rendering above is years old and was only of the Saks site (you can see the cafe Annie / eatzis center to the right). Although the development will be mixed-use and very dense, this is not it. looks cool though

And they are working on something like this for downtown, the Houston Pavillions (mentioned in another thread somewhere).

[LTAWACS]

Houston Retail, on Tuesday, June 21st, 2005 @ 9:59pm, said:

just fyi, that rendering above is years old and was only of the Saks site (you can see the cafe Annie / eatzis center to the right).  Although the development will be mixed-use and very dense, this is not it. looks cool though

And they are working on something like this for downtown, the Houston Pavillions (mentioned in another thread somewhere).
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Something like it... I just hope the one in downtown is better.

[nmainguy]

[FONT=Times][SIZE=7][COLOR=blue]

Houston Retail, on Tuesday, June 21st, 2005 @ 9:59pm, said:

just fyi, that rendering above is years old and was only of the Saks site (you can see the cafe Annie / eatzis center to the right).  Although the development will be mixed-use and very dense, this is not it. looks cool though

And they are working on something like this for downtown, the Houston Pavillions (mentioned in another thread somewhere).
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

New guy here...yeah that rendering is way dated. I agree that a park would be a great addition to the area...kind of like a mini Central Park...but that's not going to happen. At least they won't build that mundane monstrosity in the rendering.

[HtownKid]

I love that rendering so what are they going to build now?

[YakuzaIce]

I am really confused. Is Riva Place and Pavillion on Post Oak the same thing? I thought the rival place was proposed long before the Pavillion was announced.

[The Great Hizzy!]

There is a Houston Pavillions proposal for downtown.

Riva Place (now Boulevard Place), located in Uptown, would be the renaming of the current Pavillion @ Post Oak once the renovation and expansion is completed.

Get it?

[YakuzaIce]

The Great Hizzy!, on Thursday, July 7th, 2005 @ 9:42am, said:

There is a Houston Pavillions proposal for downtown.

Riva Place (now Boulevard Place), located in Uptown, would be the renaming of the current Pavillion @ Post Oak once the renovation and expansion is completed.

Get it?


<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not particularly. Was wulfe doing the original riva place proplosal. Actually let me first get this clear is the most recent proposal that would replace fashion square and pavillion called (well formerly if this is the one being called boulevard place) Pavillion? I could have sworn it was because I remember people saying how there was now one uptown and downtown. I wish I could find the article because it was deleted here and I don't know my subscription number...

[kjb434]

The Pavillion on Post Oak will be demolished and not longer. The existing shops there will be incorporated into Boulevard Place. Once this happens, there will be one pavillion named place and that will be downtown.

[YakuzaIce]

Ok I think where I got confused is I thought the new development was also called pavillion. But the one thing I am still confused about is Riva Place the same area as what is now called boulevard place? Also was wulfe the company that planned Riva Place?

[Houstonian in Iraq]

kjb434, on Thursday, July 7th, 2005 @ 10:36am, said:

The Pavillion on Post Oak will be demolished and not longer.  The existing shops there will be incorporated into Boulevard Place.  Once this happens, there will be one pavillion named place and that will be downtown.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good, That place has potential. Right now it's just a fancy strip center. Houston has enough of them we should just stop building them from now on and just promote pedestrian friendly mixed use development

[kjb434]

Pavillion on Post oak is acutally an indoor mall and not a strip center. Riva Place was an old concept where boulevard place is planned. The Riva concept doesn't exist anymore as that old drawing shows.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

kjb434, on Thursday, July 7th, 2005 @ 11:08am, said:

Pavillion on Post oak is acutally an indoor mall and not a strip center.  Riva Place was an old concept where boulevard place is planned.  The Riva concept doesn't exist anymore as that old drawing shows.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldnt know just drove passed it. It looked like center with a big ugly dreary lot up front

[HtownKid]

So what does Blvd Place look like?

[YakuzaIce]

HtownKid, on Thursday, July 7th, 2005 @ 10:12pm, said:

So what does Blvd Place look like?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.wulfe.com...levardPlace.asp

[UrbaNerd]

Doesn't Wulfe, or someone else also own the land directly across from Boulevard Place(and plan to redevelop it)? It also seems to be another strip center of some sort.

[kjb434]

A competitor of Wulfe owns the shopping center across the street. I don't know the name though. They are proposing something similar. We have a thread on this somewhere.

The positive is that they were going to be competive is seeing who finishes first. I would proposed they connect with a pedestrian bridge across Post Oak.

[JR3985]

I am not sure if this is the project your are talking about, but here is the link:


Post Oak Plaza

[YakuzaIce]

Well it seems to be the right spot, but it doesn't seem like something similar. Is that what the current shopping center looks like? Maybe it is just a site selling the space.

[kjb434]

That is the location, but that site is just showing them refurbishing the center. The other proposal was to demolish and build a multi-use high-rise complex like the one proposed across the street.

[UrbaNerd]

The Chronicle had an article out a few months back mentioning that Wulfe and the other developers had similar plans for thier sites. I really hope that a similar development will go up acrosss the street! That would give us a few blocks of continuous urbanized development!
<LTAWACS> That would go great in midtown or downtown!</LTAWACS>

[Talbot]

Yeah, that would be great if another developer competed with Wulfe right across the street for something like this project.

Can't wait to see what happens with that.

[citykid09]

Nothing new on this one right? I have a feeling its going to be a while, or its not going to happen.