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I am about to lose my view of the Upper Kirby District, but since I am both a voyeur and an exhibitionist, having neighbors living behind glass walls is a win/win for me. 😉

Two more construction trailers are arriving as we speak! And worth noting on the new rendering compared to the one Luminare posted back in early November; the building heights and designs have stayed the same. The biggest and only Design change I can see seems to be in Parcel 3 with the restaurant and retail section.

New tower crane is being assembled this morning, the crane that was previously there was removed, pics coming soon.

New Tower Crane assembly-Residences at the Allen, I couldn’t stay for the entire assembly of the crane ☹️ but here are some of the pics that I took-ENJOY!😊 🏗https://imgur.com/gallery/y8sL8KI

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2020/07/01/smartvault-lease-mkt-heights.html

Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr

Here you go

Good news! The long vacant Republic Building (originally the Paul Building) at the corner of Fannin and Preston has been purchased and will be renovated and occupied by a division of MVL Group, a contractor that does government work worldwide. It sounds like they are doing this the right way: “We will be immediately implementing a series of beautification projects such as replacing the missing cornice, artwork on the walled up exterior sides of the building, and removing the entrance, as well as a complete overhaul of the HVAC system and elevator,” said Abie Musa, founder of MVL Group, a global defense contractor and construction management firm. This is in contrast to other nearby renovation projects, such as the State National building (412 Main) a few years ago where the developer ran out of money for the cornice and just took it off instead of repairing it, severely compromising the architecture. The Scanlan Building (405 Main) next door also lost a cornice at some point. Just think, a renovation project that restores a cornice instead of taking it off - we're almost starting to get civilized around here! They are also adding murals to the blank walls on the south and west sides, which will be visible from a wide area along Main and Prairie. Here is hoping that the new cornice will be made from quality materials, and that the GFR, currently housing the Fannin Corner Store, will get some love. https://realtynewsreport.com/2020/06/26/the-historic-republic-building-in-downtown-houston-has-been-sold/

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If you squint, you can see the "broken ground" Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Affordable-housing-project-breaks-ground-in-East-15377040.php#photo-19617943

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I lurk here a lot and haven't seen this posted yet, so wanted to add: "The Memorial Heights Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zone will receive $40 million for a second phase of improvements to Shepherd and Durham drives, from 15th Street to I-10." https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/transportation/2020/06/30/phase-2-of-future-shepherd-durham-rebuild-approved-for-40-million-from-h-gac/?fbclid=IwAR3Ydvrj_Y7XhBfjTayOCCluiD0slYk1Q7RV_GVpGU8jmcAd4HJpErDYeN4 Super excited about this project.

Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr

I think Arabella would be a completely different tower if it wasn't painted white. Right now the contrast between the white and the glass is too jarring and makes the tower look unfinished/cheap. I think it'd be a real plus if it was painted a darker grey/blue mix.

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this is on my way home from work so they just need to serve beer

I don't think they are far enough along in the planning to have renderings or to even know how much property, if any, will need to be taken.

I really hope they serve more local brews than 8th Wonder.

I bet the stretch of Richmond just west of The Ion on the other side of the spur will start developing next. It seems like just about every storefront on that stretch of Richmond between the spur and Montrose Blvd is vacant, and I have a feeling it’s due to the crummy conditions on the Wheeler side. Once that area improves, I think this pocket of Montrose will also explode.

Btw, I noticed yesterday for the first time that the rebar sticking up for the next floor is now visible from I-45 as you pass the aquarium.

I like how they perceive people dressing and acting in their rendering. I'd be in sweatpants and a t-shirt...if they are lucky.

Best skyline in the U.S. outside of NYC and Chicago.

0607201020 by Aubrey Laurence, on Flickr

Jumping the south tower crane.

This is really coming along quickly. Landscaping for the Standard, benches, the bridge and the pergola.

Just to steer this more back onto subject...Andes lasted a very long time for a restaurant of its style. 7 years, with the last 2 or 3 without their head chef as he was out exploring projects is pretty impressive. It was the construction at 2404 that finally killed them. Plus, they were always full on Sundays. Very popular with the fresa crowd too.

Please explain to me why any other places you seem to be concerned about do not have diversified cuisines. Do we know *exactly* where Fifth and Third Ward stand? Or this game only played in a one-way street?

I think the idea that an entire cuisine just won't work in this part of town is absurd, and I question why you think it might do better "in Third or Fifth Ward."

Saw cladding going in yesterday on my drive home. Very little thus far.

Any updates on this project?

I would also like to see renderings... It really shouldn't take any property - there's just so much space there. Ideally they'd basically cap the freeway between Shepherd and Durham, but I have no idea what the most cost effective option would be.

The progress over the last 5 years is impressive.

post above indicates it will be a 6 story garage.

This pocket sure is getting dense.

Wow I'm hardly in the Heights at all. I had to do a double take it didn't look like The Heights 😂 lol

Yeah this project along with The Innovation District are going to change this area dramatically. You are already getting a better urban vibe from West Alabama to Holman towards HCC. And further down around McGowen.

This photo surprises me as I always believed that these. units were at capacity. They are supposed to be "mixed income" housing (i.e. market rate for those who make enough and partially subsidized for those who don't meet an income threshold. The boarded up and broken windows are definitely concerning!

If its going up I have heard from multiple commercial real estate firms that everyone is doing everything they can to make sure it continues to go up unless they hit massive,incredible issues with cash. The reason being that everyone is salivating on being the "new" construction opening in mid 2021-2022 when things are thought to go back to normal. Bank/industry metrics are rating these 2021-2022 opportunities as can't-miss type investments. My money would be on the new crane being utilized.

Great view👍 Where did you take this pic from?

They have to provide ground floor retail which the garage next to it does not. Also their garage will be much narrower in width, which makes everything tighter.

Although I agree with what you are saying, I would like to point out that this is Houston and plopping down tall buildings in random areas are what we do. The Williams tower, AIG building and others. But like I said, I do agree with you. This will help transform the area which will hopefully result in taller and taller buildings. My dream for midtown has always been a sea of 12 storey buildings with a string of 30 to 50 storey buildings along main from downtown to Herman Park. There's so much empty or decay around this project. Hopefully more deals can get going in this area

Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr

Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr Untitled by Houston Midtown, on Flickr

Almost 400 feet. That's pretty tall for Midtown.

Rest of the planning commission information:

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