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Project: Project Green - Phase I Address: 1900 Allen Parkway Owner: Service Corporation International Developer: HINES Architect: HOK Information: New 13-story office building (203' height). Level 1 is lobby, 2-5 is parking garage, and 6-13 is office. Outdoor amenity terrace at Level 6. Total space (not including parking garage) is 245,160SF. SCI will occupy the building and leave two floors empty for leasing space. Site improvements include a 3-story office building (1919 Allen Parkway), a 12-story office building (1929 Allen Parkway), a 2-story residence (currently used for storage - 1904 West Walker Street) and a parking garage, totaling 6.99 acres, that will all be demo'd to make room for a new mixed-use development. I have attached a master plan of the complete development (last image). I have been waiting to share this until the development caught traction because of the efforts to keep this somewhat quiet. I can tell you that the Retail is planned to go next.

The pattern is starting to make more sense now:

A rendering of Paradise Palace's exterior from Google Maps. Paradise Palace is one of at least two new retail tenants opening soon at East Village, Ancorian's mixed-use development in EaDo.

I walked through the Shops yesterday and they are full steam ahead on all the renovations inside. I will try and snap a picture the next time I am there. Wanted to let the folks know that regularly update the forum.

la la land is opening this weekend, soft opening this week. The hours are listed as 6:30am to 7pm.

That’s a four block walk at most. The trees over near the Stadium actually provide a decent amount of shade. The trees by Circuit are a bit more sparsely situated, but once they mature will provide good shade on that side as well. Maybe I’ve become desensitized due to walking my high-energy dog all over the damn place all the time, but that doesn’t seem like that bad of a walk at all.

I actually do find it cool that the massive oak trees are able to still hide this development: Discovery Green by Marc longoria, on Flickr

I hope this all happens. Let's make those future mixed use/retail buildings taller too.

The Morgan Group.

334 unit Multifamily. Architect - https://wpartnership.com

To be clear, the "Houston standard" along Montrose Boulevard in this location would be 6 feet wide, which is what the plan appears to provide.

Tiffany is now owned by LVMH and most definitely relies on heavy foot traffic for a large portion of sales. I think ROD is going downhill retail wise and will end up just being a place mainly for restaurants. I really want them to succeed but I feel the project should have been a little bigger to achieve more of a critical mass. It's very hard to compete again Simon Malls because I'm sure they get a huge discount for having stores in large numbers in multiple malls of their portfolio. We will see what the future holds

I know this is quite preliminary (still), but hope the sidewalks aren’t the “Houston standard” as depicted in the above plan.

I don't have much info at the moment, but I do know this is moving along quickly. Project: Houston Montrose (preliminary name) Address: 3300 Montrose Developer/Owner: Southeastern Architect: D|C|S Design Info: 8-story residential building (334 units) with ground floor retail facing Montrose Blvd.

They had food trucks and a farmer market out today. JP Morgan Chase Tower by Marc longoria, on Flickr JP Morgan Chase Tower by Marc longoria, on Flickr JP Morgan Chase Tower by Marc longoria, on Flickr JP Morgan Chase Tower by Marc longoria, on Flickr JP Morgan Chase Tower by Marc longoria, on Flickr

The Heights skyline from downtown: Houston Heights by Marc longoria, on Flickr

It’ll do well. Coconut Club & Neon Grotto always have a large crowd, one of the best clubs for adults in Austin imo. Generally house/techno music and queer events.

It refers to the types of tacos sold by street vendors in Mexico, soft tortillas, with the common filling types these street vendors serve. It's meant to differentiate them from the common American understanding of a taco as having a crispy shell, ground beef, and iceburg lettuce. The term is meant to connote authenticity to traditional Mexican food, rather than Taco Bell.

I am just glad there are no vehicle entrances/driveways along Montrose. I see that as a win.

Heights bike trail is getting an extension on the western end. Looks like this will go under TC Jester and then connect to the sidewalk there.

I think either way, ROD is headed in the right direction. It made sense for the stores that left to Galleria, I think it was inevitable. They want to be in a high foot traffic area to get more walk ins. However, some stores don't need or want that because their clientele is already known and may even require appointments like Hermes and Cartier. Same goes with the jewelry stores. I know most might disagree but I do think its possible stores like Chanel and Tiffany may eventually move to ROD because they also have a certain clientele and don't really rely on walk ins. Stores that require a lot of foot traffic will probably never consider coming to ROD like LV, Gucci, Versace, etc. Just my take.

Thought I'd bump this thread with a video from HOUExplorer showcasing the trolleys in action. It's about 5 months old, but great 4K quality footage showcasing the vehicles and the line (HOUExplorer has some other great transit videos from Houston, definitely check their channel out!):

Café Louie finally has an opening date! May 11!

Excellent news. Very smart to drop the vicious teeth and menacing arms of the prior design.

NRP Group is developing a 4-Story and 326-Unit multifamily project in the Energy Corridor. https://www.nrpgroup.com/ Apparently it's the old Kickerillo family mansion. http://www.city-data.com/forum/houston/2850981-rumor-mill-what-will-built-site.html The Kickerillo family mansion, a 12000+ sq feet 1970s contemporary sitting on several acres of land at the west end of Memorial Drive, has just been demolished after flooding badly during Harvey (the entire property sits within the 500-year floodplain).

I wonder where Skanska plans to add the giant oak tree in the parking lot across La Branch. Supposedly Skanska will spend $150,000 to move it. All of the ones in @Triton's pic are on Discovery Green's property.

Kimpton could use a site in Houston following the foreclosure of the Caydon development.

What makes a taco "street"? That elusive touch of asphalt.

And May the Fourth be with you as well @Paco Jones!

Under contract https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/4000-N-Shepherd-Dr-Houston-TX/24925400/

I think what's encouraging is that this development wants to be a success. Its willing to try new things to bring new people in. This is what is great about the market if you are open to change. Is it always successful, no, but at the very least they are trying. I agree with you @Amlaham that it's moving generally in the right direction. I think making that entire interior loop a promenade will go a long way into making this place even more flexible and open to people relaxing and hanging out in the area which will help eventually draw people into shops if the shops/prices are right.

I don't think that the Meow Wolf deal is done, but sounds like it is still very promising.

Prediction...

If they consolidate on just the KHOU property, those two huge parcels of land right on the Bayou would be ripe for something spectacular. Hopefully that's the plan, and whatever they build on the KHOU site is taller and better than what they have now.

Satellite map view.

I live near this site, too. Bright orange fencing was put up around the live oak trees — presumably to protect them during forthcoming construction — about two years ago. It’s all tattered and damaged now. Looks awful. If they’re not going to build, at least they could do a little maintenance to keep the site looking presentable, for the neighborhood’s sake.

where is this going to be built?

Yeah just like Post property had to look at a bunch of ugly empty space. Oh thats right they've been full since it opened and its probably one of the most successful parts of midtown. If the developer creates a project that makes retail a positive space and not just an after thought i think it will be filled quickly. More and more of the empty spaces downtown are starting to be leased and as more people move in more of the retail and service oriented businesses will follow. I dont know how many times I have to say this until it starts sinking in, but unless retail space is developed into these block filling developments there won't be any reason to get out and walk six blocks to get to a store. I'm speaking to the future and the creation of a successful midtown on a broad sense. Once blocks and blocks of development are developed without room for retail then what do you do.

They had the option to put retail, office, or housing units on the ground floor. It appears they believe retail is the most marketable.

Is the Planning Commission going to pay the developer if the retail doesn't get any occupants? Or does the owner just have to eat the cost of the ugly empty space.

That is great news. Maybe they are finally waking up. Something else thats probably even more significant about this project is its location on the East side of Main. So everyone thats been complaining about the lack of development on the east side of Main should be happy to hear about this project.

I was in shock to see that the planning commission actually made that request... Houston is changing for the better guys!

I like seeing the pressure for retail being put on these developers.

The proposed development with some changes will be presented to the Planning Commission this Thursday, January 5. The developer made some concessions by introducing office space on the first floor and opening the McGowen face of the building to pedestrian traffic. There will also be a bcycle station at this location on McGowen.

I rather like it.