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Getting close.

Deborah Perke Partners: https://competitions.malcolmreading.com/houstonendowment/finalists/deborah-berke-partners Olson Kundig (listed as ‘honorable mention’) https://competitions.malcolmreading.com/houstonendowment/finalists/olson-kundig Now that we see all the finalist entries I personally wish they went with Olson Kundig. The design ties in with with existing structures at Buffalo Bayou.

This doesn't bother me all that much and I actually welcome it. I always felt this project was not highest and best use being this close to CBD and on the Red line. There have been several quality mixed use projects completed, are under construction or have been proposed since the initial Hardy Yards plans were released. Also consider the amount of added density to the core, and I would think a number of big time developers would be very anxious to bid on this. It may sit on the drawing board for the near future with the amount of developments in the pipeline, but I'd expect a much larger project than the one it is potentially replacing.

Weingarten CEO Drew Alexander said the property along West Gray at Shepherd will continue to densify, though plans are still in the early phases. "We see multiple towers there," Alexander said. https://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Weingarten-Realty-announces-two-changes-to-tenant-15086077.php?cmpid=hpctp

New stores announced for The Galleria: Uniglo (first location in Texas) Balenciaga (first location in Houston) Gianvito Rossi (a high-end luxury footwear brand - first location in Texas) Golden Goose (an Italian brand that primarily sells sneakers - first location in Houston) https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2020/02/25/two-massive-international-brands-coming-to.html?ana=e_ae_set4&j=90488491&t=Afternoon&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTkdNME56UmtNbUkwT0dZNSIsInQiOiJDN29IaEwxelg1WHF3UjYzTFptRHJWVU05czdEejJWakpoZ3ptNFpVdmdWQ1ZaK3VPUnJVT0tDZTNPdUcyditrMVVWNXpYR1QrMjczN25WZGh2VEFUMkZWOG9zZmlaMG5FaTgwRUdSRlNZSlBaWDBcL0lSMDN5MmN3ZFwvTFduYjdjIn0%3D

what these comments ignore is one itsy bitsy minor point - economics. you want to know why this is located where it is and not "near downtown"? money. go look at what dirt is trading for "near downtown" and compare it to this. it's easy to bemoan something when it isn't your money but the cost difference is massive. and you know who would bare the brunt of those increased costs? the cash-strapped startup community this city is desperately trying to foster. instead of complaining that this doesn't meet some subjective aesthetic or location criteria, how about we support our still tiny startup community? how abut applauding the fact that this 120,000 SF start up community is essentially at capacity just a few months after opening? or even acknowledging that the very fact that it is full means it met a very real market demand that may not have been met "near downtown"? and besides, in case y'all missed it, there are several startup communities, incubators and coworking concepts planting flags in and around downtown so it's not like the cannon prevented those areas from attracting those concepts anyways. these things aren't mutually exclusive and in fact that will likely work in harmony. not everyone lives or wants to be "near downtown". to think that in a startup barren city like Houston someone would use the word "hate" to describe one of the most successful startup communities in the city is ridiculous. houston hasn't earned the right to admonish concepts like the cannon. get off your high horse.

They've started drilling piers.

More renderings added to their website:

Going to go ahead and post the boards from Kevin Daly Architects entry. I think its a good window into just how much work gets put into a competition like this, and the drawings that go with it including drawings that don't often get posted on here which are extremely important to understanding our work in Architecture, and how a building comes together. Most only get to see the pretty picture or "money shot" image, but there are so many great drawings that go unnoticed or just don't get released. For me, one of my favorite drawings is the Section Perspective, and there is a really good one on the last board. I still think that the KDA entry is the best, but looking at the Olson Kundig entry, it reminds me why I was hoping they would come out on top. As someone who prefers regionalism of the critical variety, I like how they paid homage to bayou construction done recently, and their approach to materials. Schaum/Shieh's entry makes a lot more sense now as well when you look at their boards. They were very inward focused in their design choosing to develop a finely crafted interior space with interesting networks instead of projecting outwards like the other entries, but due to this the outside just feels a little too incognito for what this building should be. If people here want to see all the boards just go to the link posted above, but if people are feeling a little lazy then just let me know and I'll grab all the boards and post them below. Below are the Kevin Daly Architects boards:

Watching a MetroNext Business Now briefing right now. Some takeaways: University Line -- University Line is the "premier project in the program". -- This is going to be one of the first high-capacity transit projects that gets out the door -- Planners have already started the pre-project development process. Heading up to FTA in March. Inner Katy -- Ties into HSR station and Northwest Transit Center, and Uptown BRT -- Not just a BRT project. Park & Ride buses from 290 and I-10 will also be able to leverage this investment. -- Already funded. -- TxDOT will be doing this project. TxDOT right-of-way. Metro will be bringing engineering consultants to coordinate with TxDOT. BRT to George Bush Intercontinental -- Schedule dictated by TxDOT - Metro will be in inner lanes of IH 45 North project. So, probably a little bit more down the road. -- Will be having engineering consultant to coordinate with TxDOT. -- Most is in TxDOT right-of-way LRT -- First LRT project will be expansion of Green and Purple lines to the municipal courthouse. -- Relative low cost with tremendous benefits. -- Will be one of first contracts to come out of the hopper. -- LRT to Hobby - Hobby will probably not be done immediately because of cash flow. Regional Express -- Park & Ride - 2-way HOV on all major corridors is the grand vision. -- Better customer experience at the park & rides. Perhaps mixed-use development. Perhaps going vertical. -- Very soon will be soliciting general engineering consultants to re-imagine. -- 21 new or improved park & ride facilities. Missouri City will be the first to roll out. -- Looking for innovations; not just massive parking lots. BOOST and Signature -- Improving the walk or roll to Metro stops. -- Improving the bus stops. (Digital signage, next bus arrival, solar lighting, programmable spaces to improve experience for riders.) -- Improving the ride. Transit signal priority. -- 2 BOOST added annually for the next 7 years. -- Very soon will start demonstration aspects of this on the 56-Airline and the 54-Scott.

Lived in Elan Heights Apts just down the bayou during Harvey - it was designed with a large catch basin underneath and first 3 floors are garage - nothing flooded ( water came to about 4 feet below garage level 1 ) even when the private homes right across the street took on water - I hope they use the same site planners as EH if it gets built -

Starting to peek through in this photo of yesterday’s amazing sunset

It also is evident that they are leveling and prepping the ground towards the eastern extents of phase 1, roughly at Sydnor St. The big missing piece in Phase 1, which we haven't seen detail on, is at the corner of Jensen and Clinton, and along Clinton itself. I expect that the face along Clinton will be lower density residential...but the big Jensen/Clinton corner plot, is a real high visibility spot. Just wondering what is in the work here. Hey @brijonmang Let's go flying.

Looks like they’re building a new sidewalk along Jensen where the fence was.

The new Transit Center should have it as GFR

Stopped by on my bike today and talked with who I assume is one of the owners....he said they will be open in April if things continue as planned - he said they slowed down, but are back on track now.. They will be putting a taco stand in one of the remaining old houses and something else similar in the other one. They will also be expanding to the lot behind (to the east) the current area shortly

Although I believe this schedule is too aggressive, I did pass by this morning (it's my every morning commute) and I noticed they had taken the fences down and did see some wood out there. Could be possible that they will start formwork soon and they needed to remove the fence to start delivering more materials and such.

I obliged and took a picture of him posing

agree wholeheartedly. love that design exactly for that reason. which isn't to say i'm not happy w the design chosen.

I was just in Sacramento for a company outing and was heading out with coworkers. No one wanted to ride the bus so we instead walked a few extra blocks to the train station. People really have a stigma about buses. It's the whole reason why LA is trying it's best to convert the Orange Line BRT to LRT (aside from the fact that buses have lower capacity). There are so many buses that have limited capacity (you can't attach multiple buses together), LA had to construct overpasses because buses started to back up. Cities of Houston's size don't rely on buses as the primary transit option but Houston is doing this because politicians screwed the voters and city. People will say "but BRT looks different" but it's not that different. It still looks like a regular extended bus and nothing like a light rail train no matter how low to the ground they try to make the bus. And for those clamoring about Metro's Park and Ride, imagine how much higher the ridership would be if it were commuter rail. You'd have more flexibility with being able to get on at numerous stations and not have to fight freeway traffic to enter the HOT lanes (which causes more congestion). I hated being in the Katy Tollway during rush hour if I was stuck behind a Metro bus as they left lane hog because the HOV side is wrongly to the left instead of the right. Plus it'd be bi-directional and run throughout the day and night versus just a few hours in the AM/PM. Cheap is nice but give me quality any day. That's what LRT lines are when compared to BRT. The University Line from Gulfton to IAH would be absolutely PERFECT for LRT, as would the Inner Katy line. Those are the only two I think Metro should do everything in their power to convert to LRT instead. Those being LRT would change the landscape of Houston. BRT will be a cool novelty for a little while but you won't ever maximize ridership or redevelopment potential with a fancy bus. People keep saying Houston is so different without saying why. Houston is a city seeing huge increases in highrise and urban living due to many factors including floods, downsizing, popularity of inner-city living in general, etc. Density in the urban area is going up across the board. A bus system is not going to properly support the city. No where in the first world is there a major city like Houston who has buses be the preferred method to rail. At best buses are the complement to the rail system. I have no idea why people think Houston will go against that trend with buses. What makes it special? There is a reason why bus routes are converted to rail if ridership is high enough and some of these BRT lines will jump out the gate with ridership high enough to warrant conversion. Why wait until rail constructions gets even more expensive? Was the lesson not learned in the 1980s, early 2000s, etc.? What is Metro going to due when their pensions are sky high because they need to hire 3 operators vs 1 (3 buses for 1 train capacity)? Houston is doing it backwards but time will tell if ridership holds. City has so much potential but it gets squandered. Where's the ambition?

Apparently Ronin will occupy the majority of this space as an event venue. Curious how this will work with the Night Shift bar group. Looks like they'll be the exclusive provider of catering and cocktails, but hopefully Night Shift will maintain a standalone bar. https://www.nextseed.com/offerings/ronin-harrisburg#top-things-to-know

What I'm concerned about is the University line at S. Rice and Westpark. Bubba's Texas Burger Shack must survive!

There are rumors of a new logo for the East End...

The pool looks like it's getting close. (Photo taken Saturday, 2/22)

Something is happening here. Construction fencing is up and there were workers on the roof of the ancillary building in the parking area. I'm not sure if it is related to the construction across the street (Fairfield Apartments) or just the parking area or something larger.

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2520-Houston-Ave-Houston-TX/18515967/ 30 condo units with ~17,000 sq feet of retail/office space

You're not making your point very well. If, as you admit, there is a limit to capacity for every system, perhaps it makes the most sense to choose the one that provides the capacity you need for any reasonable time line, like say 45 - 50 years (see your LA Orange line example). 1. Not sure why there would be more potential for TODs. I imagine you'll be able to quickly provide me with a long list of all of the TODs you are familiar with at commuter rail stations... (yes, I'm being sarastic). In any event, one of the MetroNext visions (which I actually mentioned in my earlier post) is to reimagine our Park & Ride lots with the idea having them NOT be just giant parking lots. 2. Again, let's put capacity where it will serve a purpose. Is there any scenario where we really need commuter rail cars that hold 200 people? Rather than providing high-capacity/low frequency service (as commuter rail tends to be), aren't commuter better served by right-sized capacity/frequent service? 3. Ah, yes... Metro buses sit in the same traffic as cars, except when they don't (which is a good portion of the time.) Nevertheless, that is a flaw in the current system, but see the MetroNext plan to fix that. Of course you ignore the fact that Metro buses also get commuters much closer to their ultimate destination without another transfer. Commuter rail can never do that as well. If you really think the Orange line will likely be fully converted to light rail sooner than 2050, you don't know how California works (or doesn't work). 😉 I asked you earlier how many additional commuters you imagine would use commuter rail. Of course you don't have an answer. Here's some useful information to consider: The Southern California Metrolink commuter rail system operates on seven lines with 62 stations and 534 miles of rail in a metropolitan area more than twice the size (both geographically and as to population) of Houston. Metrolink averages about 40,000 boardings on a typical weekday. Metro's park & ride system covering a smaller area and serving a far smaller population, averages almost 28,000 on a typical weekday.

Ronin confirmed they + Night Shift bar will be two separate entities. Great add to the area, especially with night + weekend rentals. Hopefully this will bring some life to the area after dark.

The University line would run south of Westpark, not north.

Maybe impromptu detention pond is one of it's mixed-uses.

Wow what an incredibly poor plan.... here's to hoping those entire bottom 3 floors are parking garage only. Let me post 3 years of flooding pictures for this exact address when I get home.

Yeah, but thats also precisely the point on why for such a grand project, private enterprise works because it better understands these risks because if they don't heed these risks then they go out of business whereas a government does not. While California does have its own challenges its not impossible. It does have some really expensive real estate, but it doesn't necessarily have to be traversed. There are ways around it, but a big problem with government projects such as this is a terrible combination of stubbornness, naivety, and because of all the money involved, corruption. They stubbornly refused to adapt to the needs of the area, naively assumed that because they are the government they have all the answers, and because how government projects normally work its rife with corruption by those who want a stable check. The sad part about their HSR attempt was that the fault was their own doing, and they have no one else to blame, but themselves.

That photo was taken at 3:30 PM, near the sun's minimum (winter) elevation. My guess is that during the summer (sun's maximum elevation) the northern half of the pool will get direct sun for 2-3 hours. So yes, no sunscreen necessary.

If they have a bunch of lumber out there then that could mean they are going to start form work soon. On what remains a question. We would need more visual aids.

Michael Hsu is also involved: And I read somewhere that Preston Partnership is AOC for the residential high-rise.

I foresee a new trend: senior living communities for aging hipsters.

For the office building: https://www.chron.com/business/bizfeed/article/MetroNational-breaks-ground-on-Memorial-City-15081049.php

You know your bike trails are getting awesome when you can go so far that you either have to get a ride back or find a hotel.

I mean, we haven't seen any final drawings (nor do they exist yet) or anything, but that's the idea. Part of the reason for using Richmond is that it has plenty of right of way to use for dedicated lanes.

The California project was a lot different from this one too. It was supposed to traverse extreme terrain with tunnels dozens of miles long. It was also supposed to go through some of the most expensive real estate in the world. And California has a well entrenched NIMBY force which was set out from the start to sue the project into the ground. Assuming Texas Central can get off the ground, it will have a much easier time building an at-grade route with no major bridges or tunnels across sparsely populated rural areas.

I think I went back and forth with various peeps, including @Houston19514 and I think iah, about lightrail and my automatic disposition towards it, and I gotta say, they helped me rethink it and seeing the maps with the various funds associated with each line really shows that for somewhere like Houston, with so much ground to cover, BRT might be the better option. Cheers to people helping other people see the other side of things. The BRT lines for uptown, inner katy, and IAH look...great! Almost exactly what Houston needs. So Richmond will have dedicated, enforced lanes like Uptown or nah? They have to, right? Otherwise its moreso MetroBoost?

This is all great news; thanks for the update!

I recently talked with Mill Creek Residential and they mentioned 17 stories I don't believe that this will be 38 as depicted above.

It will be dense development, depending on what "dense" is. St. John's currently has some major expansion going on at its campus. The disappearance of this building and the Shell lab in Bellaire mark the passing of an era. Kind of like the closure of the HAL-PC club.