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Nice view!

I figured out what's going on with her. She's so totally engrossed with something on her phone that she has been wandering the world without ever looking up... oblivious to everything around her.

According to the Houston Press, Van Leeuwen opens Feb 23. https://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/a-new-kind-of-sports-bar-opens-van-leeuwen-montrose-debuts-soon-12868572 Special flavor will be available:

Have people started calling this the "Buffalo Bayou Skyline" yet?

Demolition has started! Already made quite a dent in the low-rise portion.

4 concrete trucks.

Coworking. Architects. https://www.corgan.com

I totally get where you are coming. This is actually, among those who oppose, its the most sensible logical approach, and its something which can be objectively looked at. Will it be more costly, yes. Will it be underground and potentially flood, yes. Will it be disruptive for a number of years, yes. I also get your position because its honest. You have no problem stating how it will effect you personally, and your issues revolve around your own self-interests. All of this, even if I'm on the other side of the discussion, at the very least a rational discussion can be had in the first place. I think fundamentally this project, like many things in life, is about trade offs. Do we sacrifice the convenience of today, for what could be even more convenient and efficient in the future. Are we fine spending this kind of money for something that doesn't exist yet when the current solution works satisfactory. I think a question I would ask from you is if you were to be persuaded (which I can't and will not do because I don't work for the project or can effect it in anyway) what would this project need to do to either alleviate your concerns, or mitigate your concerns. I don't know what those are, but it might be something you would wish to share. Yes I'm in support of this project and have been sense its inception. Lets be real though. I no longer live in Houston, and so no matter what happens this has zero affects on me. That being said, as a long time Houstonian I think the tradeoff is worth it. My interests will always continue in Houston, and at some point I want to do business in the city, and I think this project in the long run will be a net benefit to the city and the areas that it effects (yes even with its problems which still must be resolved), rather than the current situation even if the with the disruption, and chaos it will bring during construction.

All that water wasn't in your neighborhood. Freeways that flood during major events are a good thing - that's retention capacity that would instead be impervious cover with an at-grade or elevated structure.

Moving into the former unit of Alma restaurant in the Highland Village shopping center is a Neapolitan pizzeria out of New York. According to a recent alcohol permit, Numero28 ( may also go by Numero 28 or No. 28) will be located at 3974 Westheimer Rd. Numero 28 has several pizza restaurants in NYC. There are also locations in New Jersey, Miami Beach, and Austin. https://numero28.com

Here are two more in that series. This first photo is a lot more manipulated than I really like, but the lighting was crap. Next time I'm doing this during the morning commute. And this one... did not need quite as much manipulation.

Red Purse Woman is back!!!

I think for me, it comes down to "is it worth it?" In particular, the section around the downtown has me concerned. That's the hub of the city's freeway layout. Unlike other opposition I've seen, I have no ideological objection. My objections are practical. And, I'm not opposed to the project as a whole either. The section between the downtown and the beltway simply needs widened. I have no objections there- the lanes are too narrow for the posted speeds. And the ramps south of the loop need merge lanes. I get that the current design of I-45 around the downtown is not optimal in terms of ramps and interchanges, but last time I looked at the plans, they feature little to no additional lane capacity in the downtown. Their plan to alleviate congestion is to simply smooth the flow. Is that enough? Additionally, I've not been convinced that there is anything wrong with elevated freeways. Yeah, they're kind of ugly. But if you have more than parking lots around them, they don't visually stand out. In terms of the effects on everything else, I have zero issue with the Pierce elevated, or US-59 next to Minute Maid. To me, one man's elevated freeway is another's covered parking. Additionally, I've looked at elevations for the proposed below-grade freeway and the road surface sits just below flood stage for the Buffalo Bayou. I think it's just a given that this thing will flood when we get a slow moving tropical storm. To me, that fact outweighs the benefits of burying the freeway. The big thing to me is how insanely disruptive the project is likely to be. To be blunt, I don't believe any government timetables for road construction. We all know that if they say a road will take two years to build, it's reasonable to assume it will take five. The best information I can find on this project anticipates that the downtown would be significantly affected for eight years. So, to suspect that the downtown might be affected by this plan for twelve years does not seem unreasonable. That's well into the 2030's. That's crazy. So, while I am generally all in favor of freeway improvements. This project seems to offer little gain for an enormous imposition on time and budgets. What would make it worth it to me? 1) Secure funding for those park caps. They're certainly cool and all, (I do like the Rodgers Freeway in downtown Dallas) but I'll believe it when I see it. Maybe get some corporate sponsorships. I'd be okay with "Exxon Park." 2) Somehow hard-limit the construction to 5-6 years tops. Surely construction doesn't need to last half a generation to have something nice. 3) Add lane capacity to I-45... even one extra lane in each direction through the downtown.

“Generally opposed” and “a lot more favorable” and “resiliency” mixed in with “long construction time” and then bring in “continuous pumping” to boot! Pick the tiles without buzzwords to prove you’re not a robot. Meanwhile, half the people on the forum will love, without realizing that post suggests doubling the current size of the elevated freeway. Seems pretty (suspiciously) specific.

Modera Waugh, Fairfield Waugh, Hanover Autry Park II, and possible Icon M will add to that skyline soon. Is Houston getting a "gold coast?"

It is tunnel connected to the new Bank of America Building and yes Brava will be tunnel connected.

You mean the world's largest blender blade? The god's demand a smoothie.

^^^ i constantly find it absolutely amazing, that this development just arrives out of nowhere... and totally BLOCKS OUT the EMBASSY SUITES monstrosity. it's as if they just somehow KNEW what we have been WISHING and PRAYING for all of this time...

^^^ actually, she's not even dressed appropriately for this particular FINE dining room. she looks as though she's headed to walmart. maybe, if she could just LOOK UP every now and then...

"Residents are expected to start moving in this weekend into the first phase of Domain Heights, a two-building mid-rise apartment project developed by CityStreet Residential at 401 W 25th Street. " https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Peek-inside-the-latest-luxury-apartment-project-16929565.php#photo-22082096 https://www.domainheights.com

How many lanes would you prefer be added? My understanding is there's no room north of the existing highway ROW as it goes around the GRB. The land west of Saint E is already proposed as ROW. TxDOT could utilize the lots east of Saint E, but it would run into the East End II rail line as it leaves the BSNF Milby Yard near Commerce. One may think the railways would support realignment if they could get a more direct path involving fewer crossings that require slowing speeds. But TxDOT included moving the terminal line that cuts through Fifth Ward into its initial design for the realignment, and by the last update I saw that project was listed as "not getting any traction" -- the lowest feasibility for a project. So I imagine railways were not receptive to that line going out for 'X' period as the move happens. Houston is not alone in this respect: https://www.rtands.com/freight/utah-county-says-road-projects-are-being-held-hostage-by-union-pacific-house-bill-addresses-problem/ More likely, TxDOT probably would've liked to widen east of Saint E. Not adding more capacity has been one of the larger gripes from suburban communities. In reality, going to the edge of that rail line is probably about as much as they could get without full-scale realignment of a primary rail line for three railway companies. I assume that would be costly, if the rails would even sign off on it in first place. They could add more lanes in near northside, but they'd probably have to reduce them at Commerce, creating a choke point (unless they elevated that section above the rail). I imagine a lane reduction in one stretch would cause more traffic backup than leaving out those lanes.

Construction fencing is up.

Good to see that Common Desk is moving forward.

Are they suggesting there might be a restaurant on an upper level? That would be cool.

last last rendering looks ridiculous. you either have decomposed granite or you have pavers, mixing them should be against the law.

Still do! You can see the lot off the 610 bridge. Blocks and blocks of assorted VW branded cars all factory wrapped in white still.

Neartown zoom is this week: Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm via Zoom Our special guest speaker will be from Houston Public Works (HPW): Ian Hlavacek, PE, Managing Engineer in Transportation & Drainage Operations, Multimodal Safety & Design Branch. Street renovations on Alabama will be talked about. to attend contact officers@neartown.org

Channel 13 KTRK uses the camera on top of the Windsor Memorial apartments for their shots of downtown. It really blends in with downtown's buildings.

Chevron's 50 story high rise.

I understand what you are saying. My only question is what were you imagining this building to be or what would have been placed on this site? I went into this whole process have zero expectations, and instead of being disappointed I came out pleasantly surprised. Thats just me though. From my point of view, I really like it. Its not a perfect building by any means, but from an architect-in-training's perspective I can admire the form and aesthetics given its constraints. With what they had to work with, this is actually a good way to handle it. Houston is also a weird city where we constantly are looking at buildings from 4 sides. This building is a good introduction to the 2 side or even 1 side view experience that you get in most densely packed cities. I mean for those who have been championing for "density", not saying that's you Montrose, but this is a result of higher density. You get backsides that are awkward, elevations that potential get a tad wonky, and form that has to make compromises. I actually like the stone podium, but then again I'm into brutalism, and I'm very anti-curtain wall ground to top and everywhere. For me this is welcomed change of pace. I do agree that up close this podium probably feels intimidating. I'll have a look for myself in April. This is why I'm someone who wants to push architecture to more detail and ornamentation. I think that could have helped here. I also like the small detail with the stone where it separates a little bit to allow the metal canopy connection. That's a nice subtle detail I'm not sure others have noticed. Normally they would have just stuck the connection and bolts right onto the stone.

There is one in downtown that is 16 stories high. Based on the pics at Innovation Tower it looks 14 or 15 stories. I've ridden up over 24 parking garages on my bicycle in downtown, Midtown, TMC, Museum District, and Montrose. Unfortunately this one is locked during weekends when I ride them. I've been in the 13 story pink one next to it though. I first started riding them to get a better vantage point on construction projects.

Always grateful for all of our photographers on here, but wanted to say these downtown shots were absolutely fantastic. In love with the photo of the red line stop at sunset. Thanks for posting!

Just spent a week in town. Took this Thursday morning. This on Monday. And this one this morning.

Update: Units are now being offered for rent as of 5 days ago, the asking prices are laughable!

The industrial coatings building was finally torn down, they missed out on a great opportunity to sell to Domain Heights while they had a chance. This site is huge.

I’m excited to see this happening but I’m seriously tired of seeing bland glass buildings with no real character. While this is a great development, the design is just boring as hell.

I personally think it'll be nice when it's finally built out along 99 in Spring, Tx.