[Houston19514]

nyc_tex, on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 @ 2:47pm, said:

Was a movie theater formerly in this building? I remember seeing a film in this area back in '92. If I remember correctly, it was also underground.

If so, where was it?

yes, there was a movie theater, and I belive it was on the lower level. IIRC, the entrance was somewhere back around the northwest-ish corner of the structure.

[treblelino]

King Owl, on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 @ 9:33pm, said:

Who said there would be three towers? Are you referring to the very first rendering that came out? -typical n00b

On their BLVD Place website, there is a rendering of 3 buildings. I understand that those highrises on the website are fillers or whatever they call them, but it gives the impression that there would be 3 buildings. Everything that I have read on BLVD Place said 3 buildings. On the website, it also said 500 residential units.

[ricco67]

ProHouston, on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 @ 8:52am, said:

Those are new pillars. The interesting thing is that the foundation they are being placed on is the old foundation from the Pavilion's basement level garage. They simply busted out squares of the old foundation and are building the pillars in those spots.

After viewing the site earlier today and remembering what you said, I was curious to know if the Foundation is rated for a high rise. We have seen how even recent construction (20-30 years ago) tend to differ from the original plans.

[ProHouston]

ricco67, on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 @ 10:31pm, said:

After viewing the site earlier today and remembering what you said, I was curious to know if the Foundation is rated for a high rise. We have seen how even recent construction (20-30 years ago) tend to differ from the original plans.

While I do think it's interesting that they didn't dig up the original foundation, I do know that this first building going up is only supposed to be 3-4 floors. It's not one of the highrises.

[marc]

ProHouston, on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 @ 8:52am, said:

Those are new pillars. The interesting thing is that the foundation they are being placed on is the old foundation from the Pavilion's basement level garage. They simply busted out squares of the old foundation and are building the pillars in those spots.

Thanks. I am glad it is the new stuff. It means that project is moving right along.

m.

[gene]

love the pics and updates!
keep them coming!

ps...they have not renewed leases in the old compass bank building at the corner of westheimer and post oak (2200 post oak blvd) and it seems most of the tenants will be asked to leave by summer or end of year...
bye bye ugly building...you will be missed!

[MyEvilTwin]

gene, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 @ 6:06pm, said:

ps...they have not renewed leases in the old compass bank building at the corner of westheimer and post oak (2200 post oak blvd) and it seems most of the tenants will be asked to leave by summer or end of year...
bye bye ugly building...you will be missed!

Interesting... but that building is not in the BLVD Place footprint. Is there something else going on?

[TheNiche]

MyEvilTwin, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 @ 6:07pm, said:

Interesting... but that building is not in the BLVD Place footprint. Is there something else going on?

Yep, there sure is.

[lockmat]

TheNiche, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 @ 8:41pm, said:

Yep, there sure is.

Don't wanna burn your source?

[bcnet]

gene, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 @ 6:06pm, said:

love the pics and updates!
keep them coming!

ps...they have not renewed leases in the old compass bank building at the corner of westheimer and post oak (2200 post oak blvd) and it seems most of the tenants will be asked to leave by summer or end of year...
bye bye ugly building...you will be missed!

2200 Post Oak is owned by Redstone. I see another highrise condo in the works.

[TheNiche]

bcnet, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 @ 9:22pm, said:

2200 Post Oak is owned by Redstone. I see another highrise condo in the works.

Might very well be.

[NewMND]

I'm not picturing a bank at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak, which corner is it on?

[Houston19514]

NewMND, on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 @ 3:24am, said:

I'm not picturing a bank at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak, which corner is it on?

It's not at the corner. It's just to the north of the little shopping center, on the west side of Post Oak.

[lockmat]

Houston19514, on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 @ 9:21am, said:

It's not at the corner. It's just to the north of the little shopping center, on the west side of Post Oak.

Is this it? http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&...2&encType=1

This post has been edited by lockmat: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:33 AM

[gene]

yep thats the building...and yeah i said at the corner but its nearly the corner haha
sorry!
2200 post oak blvd the 7 story compass bank building that is sand/beige/tan colored


it is coming down and supposedly a residential highrise may come up in its place and next door on the empty lot may be a new 3 story compass bank building so am i told

we shall see

[lockmat]

bcnet, on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 @ 9:22pm, said:

2200 Post Oak is owned by Redstone. I see another highrise condo in the works.

I googled redstone and came up w/ many redstone development companies. Do you know which one goes w/ this land?

[nate]

lockmat, on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 @ 12:43pm, said:

I googled redstone and came up w/ many redstone development companies. Do you know which one goes w/ this land?

2200 POST OAK LP
109 N POST OAK LN STE 200
HOUSTON TX 77024-7789

[lockmat]

nate, on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 @ 12:50pm, said:

2200 POST OAK LP
109 N POST OAK LN STE 200
HOUSTON TX 77024-7789

Redstone Capital Partners
http://www.redstonec....com/index.html

This post has been edited by lockmat: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 1:03 PM

[ProHouston]

This 2200 Post Oak development deserves its own thread. There is no relation to BLVD Place. Mods, can you break this out for us?

[mhh222]

Psychic Gone -- Did She See it Coming???
The palm reader on San Felipe is no more! Driving home from work this evening, saw a bulldozer and a pile of rubble where the old white ranch house used to be. She was there for as long as I can remember and must of made a killing on what will be the northwest portion of the Blvd. Place development. As well as she likely made out, I probably should have paid her a few visits over the years!

I didn't notice, but I think the Chabad House, one block west of this, on what will be the northwest corner of the site, is still there, but not for long I'm guessing. Prior to Chabad, this housed a gallery with what looked like schlocky art, some of which was actually hung on the side of the house. The profile of this portion of San Felipe is about to change big-time! Can't wait.

[The Great Hizzy!]

I' ve been saying for years that that particular plot of land could very well see a highrise. A residential highrise seems more likely, though, and it seems as if that's what's closest to happening.

It's proximity to BLVD Place and the Galleria would obviously be selling points and would allow Redstone (or whoever) to charge a good amount for units.

[ProHouston]

Updates pic from this morning. It looks like they're filling dirt around the concrete pillars they've added. Maybe the pillars were to support the structure and it will actually rise from ground level.

[mls1202]

ProHouston, looks like you are going to be our prime contributor for all updates related to BLVD Place! Thanks for sharing the pics.

[houstonartstudent]

hey I have an interesting brochure that goes into the history of the site, I think I'd much prefer it over what's currently going in that spot where the construction is...hehe http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...c=14856&hl=

[wernicke]

This development is going to be totally massive if the Ritz specs are correct... which is exciting... but I'm with the other posters on the traffic issue though. I just don't see how this area can accommodate all the increased traffic that is on the way, it already is a total cluster ****.

And add a rail line chopping up intersections... Sheesh.

[DevelopmentX]

wernicke, on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 @ 10:11pm, said:

This development is going to be totally massive if the Ritz specs are correct... which is exciting... but I'm with the other posters on the traffic issue though. I just don't see how this area can accommodate all the increased traffic that is on the way, it already is a total cluster ****.

And add a rail line chopping up intersections... Sheesh.

DEVELOPMENT X heard a rumor earlier today that Whole Foods is exiting the BLVD. Place project. I, for one, hope this isn't true. As a strong advocate for this project, I think Ed Wulfe needs to announce the Ritz Carlton project ASAP as well as a new timetable for the Hanover apartment tower. Ed- please tell us that Whole Foods is not leaving- in fact, I keep hoping to hear that they will increase the size of the flagship from 78,000 sq. ft. to 89,000 sq. ft.

Also, aggressively sign a mix of exclusive, destination, high-traffic retailers like: H&M, Tootsies, Ralph Lauren Flagship (I've heard they are looking at sites in Highland Village)- maybe you should offer them a high-profile, architecturally interesting space to drive traffic; Barneys New York Flagship (I've heard they are scouting locations as well); maybe an upscale cinema similar to the Arc Light or the Bridge Cinema de Luxe from Los Angeles- with bar/lounges included in the theatres.

Think Big but start making announcements before the rumors drive potential deals to other multi-use projects coming on line in 2009-2010.

[mls1202]

I don't really see Whole Foods abandoning the idea of a flagship in Houston (since there is not one here yet). If this "rumor" is in fact true, I would see them moving to one of the other mixed use developments, perhaps just down Westheimer. But then again, that get's awfully close to the Kirby location.

[lockmat]

DevelopmentX, on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 @ 2:52am, said:

DEVELOPMENT X heard a rumor earlier today that Whole Foods is exiting the BLVD. Place project. I, for one, hope this isn't true. As a strong advocate for this project, I think Ed Wulfe needs to announce the Ritz Carlton project ASAP as well as a new timetable for the Hanover apartment tower. Ed- please tell us that Whole Foods is not leaving- in fact, I keep hoping to hear that they will increase the size of the flagship from 78,000 sq. ft. to 89,000 sq. ft.

Also, aggressively sign a mix of exclusive, destination, high-traffic retailers like: H&M, Tootsies, Ralph Lauren Flagship (I've heard they are looking at sites in Highland Village)- maybe you should offer them a high-profile, architecturally interesting space to drive traffic; Barneys New York Flagship (I've heard they are scouting locations as well); maybe an upscale cinema similar to the Arc Light or the Bridge Cinema de Luxe from Los Angeles- with bar/lounges included in the theatres.

Think Big but start making announcements before the rumors drive potential deals to other multi-use projects coming on line in 2009-2010.

I don't know how the tenant signings work. But why would they need to make official announcments? Do tenants COME to projects on their own, or are they 'RECRUITED'? If they're recruited, isn't the development company telling them who they've signed already?

[LTAWACS]

I'm not sure but the sooner they start on this thing the better.

[TheNiche]

lockmat, on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 @ 8:44am, said:

I don't know how the tenant signings work. But why would they need to make official announcments? Do tenants COME to projects on their own, or are they 'RECRUITED'? If they're recruited, isn't the development company telling them who they've signed already?

A little bit of both, in truth, but the situational response to your question depends on which party you're asking.

[swtsig]

DevelopmentX, on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 @ 2:52am, said:

DEVELOPMENT X heard a rumor earlier today that Whole Foods is exiting the BLVD. Place project. I, for one, hope this isn't true. As a strong advocate for this project, I think Ed Wulfe needs to announce the Ritz Carlton project ASAP as well as a new timetable for the Hanover apartment tower. Ed- please tell us that Whole Foods is not leaving- in fact, I keep hoping to hear that they will increase the size of the flagship from 78,000 sq. ft. to 89,000 sq. ft.

Also, aggressively sign a mix of exclusive, destination, high-traffic retailers like: H&M, Tootsies, Ralph Lauren Flagship (I've heard they are looking at sites in Highland Village)- maybe you should offer them a high-profile, architecturally interesting space to drive traffic; Barneys New York Flagship (I've heard they are scouting locations as well); maybe an upscale cinema similar to the Arc Light or the Bridge Cinema de Luxe from Los Angeles- with bar/lounges included in the theatres.

Think Big but start making announcements before the rumors drive potential deals to other multi-use projects coming on line in 2009-2010.

man, i sure as hell hope that isn't true.... a flagship whole foods would KILL at BLVD place.

[DevelopmentX]

More on the rumors of Whole Foods abandoning Ed Wulfe's BLVD Place. Evidently, retailers across the street are telling people that Whole Foods has pulled out of the deal. If true, then this is a major blow for Ed Wulfe. Without Whole Foods, he has no new retail anchors on which to pull in all the high-end retailers needed to lease out the square footage.

If all of these rumors are true, then this might explain why the Ritz Carlton deal has still not been publically announced- 4-5 months after Wulfe suggested it would be disclosed.

The schematics of Whole Foods are no longer on Wulfe's website.

Hoping that someone can verify these rumors. For my part, I hope this is not true. I was the most vocal supporter of 2727 Kirby when naysayers insisted that the "plug had been pulled on the project" and look at it now.

I'd like everyone to check in with their contacts and clarify this issue ASAP.

Thanks

[swtsig]

DevelopmentX, on Monday, February 11th, 2008 @ 11:34pm, said:

More on the rumors of Whole Foods abandoning Ed Wulfe's BLVD Place. Evidently, retailers across the street are telling people that Whole Foods has pulled out of the deal. If true, then this is a major blow for Ed Wulfe. Without Whole Foods, he has no new retail anchors on which to pull in all the high-end retailers needed to lease out the square footage.

If all of these rumors are true, then this might explain why the Ritz Carlton deal has still not been publically announced- 4-5 months after Wulfe suggested it would be disclosed.

The schematics of Whole Foods are no longer on Wulfe's website.

Hoping that someone can verify these rumors. For my part, I hope this is not true. I was the most vocal supporter of 2727 Kirby when naysayers insisted that the "plug had been pulled on the project" and look at it now.

I'd like everyone to check in with their contacts and clarify this issue ASAP.

Thanks

that is absolutely mind-blowing if true.... how could something like that fall through? it almost seems like wulfe would have to go out of his way to lose whole foods. the scope of this project, along with the location and the fact that houston doesn't yet have a flagship WF practically makes BLVD Place a lock to land one.

this is a HUGE blow if true.

[Rweil]

swtsig, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 2:37am, said:

that is absolutely mind-blowing if true.... how could something like that fall through? it almost seems like wulfe would have to go out of his way to lose whole foods. the scope of this project, along with the location and the fact that houston doesn't yet have a flagship WF practically makes BLVD Place a lock to land one.

this is a HUGE blow if true.

I looked on the Whole Foods website, under store development, and this location on Post Oak and San Felipe is still there. I am including the link to that page.

http://www.wholefood...wstores.html#tx

[LTAWACS]

Strange. I've not heard of anything...

[gene]

interesting
it MAY be just a rumor

i spoke to someone at whole foods headquarters in austin and they said their "in development" site is 100 percent current
and like someone posted, it is still listed

[jayshoota]

From the website:

Houston (Post Oak)
Whole Foods Market
Post Oak & San Felipe
Houston, TX
78,000 sq. ft.
Relocation. Opening date to be announced.

Does "Relocation" mean they are closing another store? Half the stores on the site have this while the other half just say the "opening date to be announced" part. Can anybody in the biz elaborate?

This post has been edited by jayshoota: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 1:31 PM

[KatieDidIt]

jayshoota, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 7:30am, said:

From the website:

Houston (Post Oak)
Whole Foods Market
Post Oak & San Felipe
Houston, TX
78,000 sq. ft.
Relocation. Opening date to be announced.

Does "Relocation" mean they are closing another store? Half the stores on the site have this while the other half just say the "opening date to be announced" part. Can anybody in the biz elaborate?

I know they just bought Wild Oats, so maybe they are restructuring. From what I've heard, its still a go.

[TheNiche]

jayshoota, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 1:30pm, said:

Does "Relocation" mean they are closing another store? Half the stores on the site have this while the other half just say the "opening date to be announced" part. Can anybody in the biz elaborate?

They're closing the Whole Foods store at Woodway and Voss.

[KatieDidIt]

TheNiche, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 7:43am, said:

They're closing the Whole Foods store at Woodway and Voss.

Bummer, this is one of the easier locations to get to and find parking.
I noticed they don't have anything listed for the Woodlands. I thought they were getting one up there.

[bkjones98]

TheNiche, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 1:43pm, said:

They're closing the Whole Foods store at Woodway and Voss.

I think closing this would be a positive for the flag ship. WFMI has always tried to keep the exclusivity to their brand through keeping the number of stores limited.

[ProHouston]

KatieDidIt, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 1:50pm, said:

Bummer, this is one of the easier locations to get to and find parking.
I noticed they don't have anything listed for the Woodlands. I thought they were getting one up there.

I've never heard that The Woodlands was to get a store.

[gene]

i think alot of the woodlands residents have always just wanted a store but for some reason it hasnt worked out...
i think i remember some petition to bring one in a couple of years back or something

[MyEvilTwin]

DevelopmentX, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 12:34am, said:

More on the rumors of Whole Foods abandoning Ed Wulfe's BLVD Place. Evidently, retailers across the street are telling people that Whole Foods has pulled out of the deal.

If by "retailers across the street" you mean retailers at Post Oak Plaza -- haven't the owners of that location been trying to compete with BLVD Place for some time now? I think I remember something in the Chronicle a while back about competing for tenants. Could this be a deliberate misinformation effort? If a prospective tenant was choosing between signing a lease now in Post Oak Plaza and waiting a year or two for BLVD place, they might swing towards Post Oak Plaza if they heard the anchor was about to pull out of BLVD Place.

(I'm not suggesting that the rumor is right or wrong -- I'm utterly clueless -- just thinking about the source though)

[Rweil]

MyEvilTwin, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 4:34pm, said:

If by "retailers across the street" you mean retailers at Post Oak Plaza -- haven't the owners of that location been trying to compete with BLVD Place for some time now? I think I remember something in the Chronicle a while back about competing for tenants. Could this be a deliberate misinformation effort? If a prospective tenant was choosing between signing a lease now in Post Oak Plaza and waiting a year or two for BLVD place, they might swing towards Post Oak Plaza if they heard the anchor was about to pull out of BLVD Place.

(I'm not suggesting that the rumor is right or wrong -- I'm utterly clueless -- just thinking about the source though)

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[KatieDidIt]

ProHouston, on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 @ 8:48am, said:

I've never heard that The Woodlands was to get a store.

Its still on there construction website to be coming Fall 2008. A Wild Oats, of course it got bought out by Whole Foods but its still up on it. Of course this site is notorious for saying really neat things are going to come, and then it folds. <just looked at the site again> And now its not listed.

[King Owl]

Nancy reiterates that a Whole Foods will be at BLVD Place.....in the same article she quotes Ed Wulfe.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...iz/5557350.html

[C2H]

I hope the above is true but based on some comments i've read on this forum regarding Nancy Sarnoff's lack of accuracy, i question if her information can really be trusted.

[TheNiche]

C2H, on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 @ 1:00pm, said:

I hope the above is true but based on some comments i've read on this forum regarding Nancy Sarnoff's lack of accuracy, i question if her information can really be trusted.

Nancy is far from perfect, but my experiences in dealing with her have been far better than with her collegues. It's the difference between a small specific error or lack of grammatical clarity and having what you've said torn apart, words reconfigured, meanings butchered, all within what was supposed to be the safety of quotation marks.

[Rweil]

TheNiche, on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 @ 5:44pm, said:

Nancy is far from perfect, but my experiences in dealing with her have been far better than with her collegues. It's the difference between a small specific error or lack of grammatical clarity and having what you've said torn apart, words reconfigured, meanings butchered, all within what was supposed to be the safety of quotation marks.

In an email that I received from Nancy Sarnoff today:

Ed Wulfe says they have not pulled out. But I haven’t talked to WF.



<DIV>Nancy Sarnoff