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This isn't a huge update, but thought it was worth posting. I recently heard from a source that TC fully intends to break ground on Block 98 and is getting close. I also heard that, while in the early stages, TC is working on another highrise MF in downtown Houston. The location is unknown. Does anyone else have any comment on this?

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6551842492801658881/

The transit corridor designation would allow the developer to build with a 15’ pedestrian realm (0’ setback from property line) by right, meaning the developer wouldn’t need a variance if he was building across the street. The walkable places committee is currently working working on expanding the current area of the transit corridor. https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/_urban/TransitCorridorStreet_Main_020110.pdf

Bring on the MF high rises in the city core. I think my excitement level is the highest when I see our core becoming dense, especially with quality high rises.

Really happy to have Hanover and Hines building in this city.

Sign with rendering has been posted.

It baffles me that this warehouse/distribution center is a historic landmark and protected from significant alteration while the Kirby Mansion in Midtown is unprotected and ripe for demolition if it’s new owner sees fit.

From the very same article: “Instead, the company has plans to collaborate with other developers and explore the possibility of future residential complexes “in the medium term.”” I believe this statement conforms with earlier information in this thread about the developer utilizing the parking lot(s) at the site for the construction of additional structures after the initial redevelopment of the existing structure.

*Furiously scrounges through FAA building permits*

That would make sense. Unfortunately there are some pretty wealthy NIMBY's in the neighborhood.

Here's the entrance to the Chevron campus from the 610 feeder. My friend works down the street and is not happy with this development. He was especially frustrated the traffic light in the middle of Fourance.

This H-E-B is going to be amazing.

One thing Intown does well is their combination of Brick Veneers/Eifs/Stucco. I'd still be skittish of purchasing a stucco facade home, but I do think that combo is attractive. These houses are similar to the ones being built on the west side of Cottage Grove, Also an in-town development.

I took a trip to InTown Homes' Fannin Station yesterday.

It like the Predator in this rendering. Cloaked but can be picked out if you know what you’re looking for.

Didn't see this posted, it has a bit more information that the HChron article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cynthialescalleet/2019/06/27/from-mail-to-mixed-use-in-downtown-houston/#7f92b5605da7 I didn't realize that because they utilized the tax credits or what not, they can't do the residential stuff: A residential component is not part of the mix, he said, because it is a landmark historic building and the project incorporates state and federal tax credits: “We were restricted from making large façade modifications which would have made it impossible to place residential units in the existing building.” At Preservation Houston, an advocacy organization, Executive Director David Bush said this property and project have been on the organization’s radar. “It would have been very easy to lose the post office," he said in an email. "These buildings are an age when they’re typically threatened. There are a lot of them, they don’t look modern anymore and they aren’t what most people think of as historic. “So we’ve got two challenges: Helping people understand that buildings from this era are architecturally and historically significant. And getting owners and investors to look at historic preservation as a viable alternative to Houston’s typical scrape and rebuild history of development.”

The transit corridor technically stops at the opposite corner of la branch and calumet - about 50’ away.

Deferred two weeks for additional information. - Coordinating with the developer regarding the city-owned trees on site - Gaining more info from CenterPoint regarding the power lines along Calumet - Gaining more info regarding the drop off area along Calumet A number of residents are against the project, some things that were mentioned: - not in the transit corridor - building is too tall for the immediate area - site is too small for the building - drop-off driveway along Calumet

Even if there is room and it could physically be done, I would imagine that the terms of the HCFC easements would not allow for trails, meaning a separate easement would have to be negotiated with each property owner (and presumably paid for). I saw a BBP presentation some time ago where they talked of that missing link and said they are always working on trying to acquire property rights to make that connection.

I wonder when and if trails can be built along the HCFC easement linking Buffalo Bayou Park at Shepherd with Memorial Park. It can surely physically be done, it's just the NIMBY issue that must be overcome.

Any comment? This is the first update I'm actually glad to see in this thread in a while.

Unfortunately this is a common complaint in Houston, and it's one of the major issues that the city, TIRZ's, civic clubs, schools, and individuals like you and I need to come together to make a priority for a much more viable, reliable, and enjoyable, option for getting around.

I can see mixed-use with retail here. It can be a place for stadium goers to stop by during a game or event. The Sam's club property across Fannin is also up for grabs. https://retailtxok.cbre.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1615-S-Loop-W-Former-Sams-Club-property-flyer-061418.pdf

Parking spaces for the sales center.

Very cool pics! Brings back memories. This is what I tried to post earlier.

Great find Urbannizer! Took this shot back in May but not much has changed. Took it from the top of The Lamar Tower, so I’ll have a great vantage point to watch it come up. Will post more as we see progress.

More demo shots from walking by last week.

We're good on highways. Definitely could the rest though.

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2019/07/11/photos-australian-developers-first-us-apartment.html

Walked in during business hours today and was able to snap the photo. This restaurant rendering wasn't posted online. Love it

Always wanted to snap these pictures

Yeah, I've been pretty impressed by this development. Little structural engineering tidbit here. The original building is a pre-fab metal building. These buildings are common for warehouses and small factories. Now what makes them kind of interesting is that companies that manufacture these pre-fab metal buildings design them right up to the limits of the code: At the time of construction. This is important, because if a metal building was put up in 1980, the entire wind resisting system would have (likely) been designed right up to 99 percent utilization, in accordance to the code at the time. Fast forward to 2019. The Engineer would have been changing the wind profile of the building and changin the occupancy category. Two items that trigger and update of the wind resisting system of the building. For a building like this: That is expensive! I've had a few projects with these metal buildings that never got off the ground once the real costs started to dawn on owners. I think my favorite story with metal was when owners purchased a prefab metal building in 2002, but didnt build it. Then in 2018, tried to build it. CoH didnt allow the permit with drawings signed in sealed over a decade ago until it was validated under modern code provisions. I remember our fee to upgrade the building was sufficiently high that the owners elected to sell the old metal building to someone under less restrictive wind-code and just buy a brand new one. Anyway, long story short, neat and likely difficult project.

A new vision for I-45. And for Houston. Houston Chronicle opinion piece.

Well this explains Houston perfectly.