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I hope they build 10 more of these. Need more foot traffic in the village

...maybe it's just me, but...maybe yes? I have no idea what this is supposed to mean .

Imagine whining about a luxury mid-rise going up in your neighborhood thats in the dead center of the 4th largest city in America....meanwhile, some people in Houston are living in cancer clusters fighting a years long battle (Kashmere Gardens/Deer Park/etc), some people are losing/lost their home due to eminent domain, some/A LOT of people aren't even able to buy homes in this economy. I understand we all have a right to an opinion and thats what this platform was intended for, but omg the entitlement??? Mentioning that the homes behind it are a "MILLION DOLLARS" is somehow supposed to make us shed a tear? Finding a way to also criticize a suburb (Fulshear) by saying its all cutie cutter now Daddy was a Yankee? Ok, does he want a cookie? Sorry to break it to you, but that doesn't make your argument more important than anyone else. May this building grow another 2 stories 🙏

This post feels like someone trained a ChatGPT bot by exclusively reading monarch content

Didn't bother to read but here's what ChatGPT had to say: This passionate statement expresses concerns about proposed developments in the Rice Village area, focusing on a specific property owned by Randall Davis. The author emphasizes the historical significance of the neighborhood, its unique charm, and the investment of its residents. They argue against the potential construction of a 13-story building due to various reasons: The current property ownership status according to the Harris County Appraisal District. Zoning and building restrictions, including height limitations and sewer usage. Concerns about garbage pickup logistics and increased traffic congestion. Potential negative impact on nearby residential areas, including blocking views and exacerbating flooding issues. Criticism of past developments by Randall Davis and skepticism about promises made for future projects. Issues with the accuracy of building plans and potential discrepancies with existing infrastructure. Personal investment in the community and desire to preserve its character and quality of life. Overall, the author urges readers to research the proposed development and consider its potential consequences for the Rice Village community. They emphasize the importance of community cohesion and preservation in the face of rapid urban development.

Unless there are deed restrictions this will be built. They could gather their money and sue and lose like those folks who sued over the Ashby project. There are already multiple high rises in the area.

Rice University lands historic grant for education research - Houston Business Journal (bizjournals.com) "Rice University landed its largest-ever federal grant for education research this week, according to its president. The National Science Foundation awarded approximately $90 million to OpenStax, a Rice-founded publisher of educational resources. The money will be invested in SafeInsights, a national cyberinfrastructure hub developed by OpenStax that aims to study learning outcomes and STEM education."

This. I seriously read it in the voice my brain assigns to their posts, with the exact same level of inflection and intensity. Made it extra entertaining.

Edit because can't delete [I responded to the comment before reading the responses already there. No need to pile on.]

Well, good news for HAIF, at the current pace, this season will end a month earlier than last….

Out at IAH, retaining existing service at HOU. Southwest Airlines to end operations at Houston's IAH airport - Houston Business Journal (bizjournals.com) "Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) will no longer service Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and three other airports as of Aug. 4."

A plan review for 3401 Canal St was purchased yesterday. Details from the permit: Use: 2,637 sqft convert s1 to coffee shop 1-1-5-A2-B '15IBC FCC Group: Non-residential alteration The permit is for local coffee shop Slowpokes. It's one of several forthcoming additions to The Plant / Second Ward. The development is from Concept Neighborhood.

Cities grow and change. Get over it.

Nah

I am not sure why the animosity towards people who ACTUALLY LIVE in the Rice Village area. Many have worked hard and have invested their lives and money into the neighborhood that they call their HOME. It has been for a CENTURY a VILLAGE of small shops of unique nature which lent charm and the feeling of community to its RESIDENTIAL surroundings. I am surprised to see that someone has indicated that Randall Davis is about to close with THE OXBERRY GROUP as owners of the property when the Harris County Appraisal District still shows it as owned by a small company and the ground is still classified as a SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING within the Chaucer STREET neighborhood restrictions. As far as I am aware, unless that property gets a replat on its neighborhood which requires a public notice and hearing any building of a 13 story building is a fantasy. Mind you, the square footage of this lot is 17,500 sqft which is basically two lots wide and is by HCAD records 100x175 feet. There are in this area HEIGHT limitations and sewer usage additions that would have to be approved long before any building permits and of course, anyone who chooses can find that the only permit for this property approved as of ten days ago was one for a three story office building to have been completed in 2022 which obviously did not happen. Further to that, upon asking the Davis company rep what the intended to do about garbage pickup as the plat rendered for the building indicated that it would be wider than possible to allow access for a garbage truck to pickup a dumpster. The rep said, and I quote " the houses behind here have their garbage picked up on the street". Yes, that is absolutely true, one black wheeled bin on Tuesdays and Green recycled every other. Does Randall Davis expect the neighborhood to deal with thirty black bins sitting on the curb every Tuesday? And what about traffic? Rice Boulevard is basically two lanes with a center turning lane to help traffic for the SHOPS and the RESTAURANTS and the CHURCH AND ITS DAY SCHOOL access their very limited parking and drop off. Rice is also a main artery for Medical Center due to the confirguration of Greenbriar and Shepherd. A real estate broker I spoker with told me that when Davis built the LONDON HOUSE they blocked off San Felipe and took it to one lane. What damage would that do to the retail in the Village if their parking and access are blocked? They are already operating with very limited parking- it is a VILLAGE. When viewing the Chaucer's plans they had only reserved 8 guest parking places so where will housekeepers, repair people, friends, healthcare workers, decorators, park? In the shops parking? And what about during construction that will have to involve cranes? Chaucer Street itself is constantly used for parking both sides and is too narrow for cranes so what RICE Boulevard will be blocked off and people going to the Medical Center will be rerouted through the Rice Campus? I think not. And what of the MILLION dollar plus homes behind this approximately 175 foot tower? How would you like that looming over your HOME? And, yes, the people who bought there knew they were up against commercial but those commercial lots had HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS why do you think Hungry's new building is as tall as it is? This height based on the fact they are offering 11 foot ceilings in 2 bedrooms and 13 foot in Penthouses and four floors of parking and the obligatory build up Harris County requires for flooding- OH DID I MENTION FLOODING????? YES, this area floods. The corner of Rice and Morningside has flooded a number of times. The vet office on the corner up to the office, the shops along Rice up to their doors several times. And while this would be a high rise, getting in and out in a flood is impossible. I personally watched a man kayak down Bolsover. Has drainage improved? Of course but what do you think will happen to the system when 30 more kitchens and at least 50 more bathrooms are added? And, for you all that say oh it is progress. Yes, Houston is a growing city. One must only drive out to Fulshear and see what used to be beautiful ranches with horses now cookie cutter houses all basically the same house every fifth one. And before you shred me, I am a NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, born in Hermann Hospital, raised in Oak Forest in a middle class post WWII GI LOAN house. My Daddy, a Yankee, used to drive us down Sunset to look at the trees on Sundays and then spend a day in Hermann Park. I am glad he got to know I lived in Southampton , NOT WEST U but part of THE RICE VILLAGE for THIRTY YEARS. I have seen progress when the largest building was 20 stories went to 49 and was called the Humble Building and the observation tower had a machine that made plastic models of it. I was around when they converted the cow pasture at Post Oak and Westheimer into the Galleria and that was 1968! I have been here when Highway 59 stopped at about Voss and they were widening Highway 45 to Galveston. WAIT!!!!!! They still are widening Highway 45!!!!! The point I am trying to make is the residents, NOTE I SAY RESIDENTS, of the RICE VILLAGE, which includes RICE University, Southampton,Broadoaks, Southside, Pemberton, and the West U care about our VILLAGE. We are not afraid of RICH PEOPLE, you are correct in saying most people there are THE RICH PEOPLE and they pay A BOATLOAD of taxes to Houston, Harris County, HISD, and to their individual city entities to have the homes they do. What they don't need or want is a bunch of entitled out-of-towners who don't really want to be part of a VILLAGE to trash, overpopulate, clog up with traffic, or disrespect our century year old community. By essence the very construction of this monstrosity will kill the retail , the shops, the economy, the ECO SYSTEM as a building of that size will do nothing to help the 100 year old oaks on Bolsover. This building is not appropriate for this sized lot, the community, or our village and will only serve the line the pockets of egotistical developers. We are a diverse community of many backgrounds, cultures, religions, and age groups not forgetting it is RICE Village and is part of the UNIVERSITY - students and their interests. PLEASE, I invite you to do your homework and read about how the Hanover Rice Village got built and HOW Randall Davis promised the same sort of product and got the city of Houston to sell Bolsover to him with promises of a RESIDENTIAL parklike strolling lane which became a COMMERCIAL GARAGE,with loud, rowdy, drunken brawling street level restaurant clients and apartments above it when he backed out, sold out the community by making the OWNED CONDOS into rental units. We remember it well and all the lovely oak trees sacrificed as well. Also read about the Randall Davis Diamond Beach development that the Sales office at Chaucer touts perhaps read about how that business unfolded. Maybe talk to owners at Chateau Ten on Sunset and ask did they get what they were promised . The Sales Office at The Chaucer has a huge disclaimer that says what you are looking at subject to change or cancellation hmmm and they are taking contracts on property they do not yet own and have no permits for? Taking 10% deposits with 2% back if the deal folds when they can get 5% on YOUR MONEY and do nothing. What kind of cancellation fee DO YOU PAY? Back to the disclaimer...the groundplat for the building shows a thirty foot residential rear buffer yet the building if one adds the size of the drawings of the apartments makes the building longer than the 22 foot and the 8foot alleyway behind. The 8 foot alleyway along three properties behind has been enclosed and fenced since before 1995 so their drawing is inaccurate and would not allow for either garbage pickup or the "over sized dog park" they advertize. So BUYER BEWARE . DO YOUR HOMEWORK . This property has NOT according to HCAD RECORDS been replatted and is still a residential SINGLE FAMILY HOME subject to the same restrictions as the CHAUCER STREET properties which run perpendicular to this lot owned by Rice University and the Christ the King Church and ALL three stories or less. Why do I care? I lived for thirty years EXACTLY behind this location. I made friends and neighbors here. I have done business and still do business with many of the shops even though I must drive to them and hassle with the parking. I feed my former neighbor's cat when he goes out of town. I buy doggie treats , get my cleaning done, fill my prescriptions, have a coffee, and say hello to those faces I have known for DECADES. It is still my VILLAGE and I care that the people that live there with their FAMILIES, their cats, their doggies, have a place that they can call their community . You cannot allow this building to further destroy the Village .

The newest renderings on www.theswiftbldg.com show about 90 fewer parking spots fronting the trail

Big day for IAH news I guess, as KHOU had this article up today reporting that the combined processing area for Terminals D and E is expected to be open in the winter. https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/bush-airport-international-terminal/285-e90cf4de-d81e-46c3-8a11-a2248ccff6f0

ARTECHOUSE will be opening a location here. I've personally met artists working on the project and they told me the tentative opening date is sometime in September. Their website already has job listings for the new location. https://www.artechouse.com/jobs/

Last month, Community Impact published an article on Sophie. The article provides a little more insight about the concept. As mentioned, Sophie is a new cocktail bar and lounge from La Ciel Hospitality. It's opening soon Montrose Collective. According to an Instagram post from the brand, the bar will span two levels. The upstairs terrace is meant to remind guests of sunset on the French Riviera, and the downstairs bar will be painted darkly with rich textiles. https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/dining/2024/03/22/new-cocktail-bar-coming-soon-to-montrose/

There is a website for Sophie. Sophie is opening soon at 910 Westheimer Rd. It replaces Idle Hands in Montrose Collective. https://sophiehtx.com/

A plumbing permit was purchased yesterday for 701 Richmond Ave, #R1000. Details from the permit: Use: Buildout of roof amenities for apartment 1-9-1-A3/R2-B FCC Group: Amusement & recreation This is for the Uniti Montrose, a new apartment building currently under construction.

First off, welcome to Houston Architecture Information Forum. Secondly, regarding the sale of 2360 Rice Boulevard, I want to be clear that my initial post was speculation. It is true the county clerk's database doesn't show a recent change in ownership. However, LoopNet shows the property is under contract. And since Randall Davis announced plans for Chaucer, my assumption is Oxberry Group may be close to selling the property to Davis.

https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/true-anomaly-brewing-new-location/

I'm happy to see a pause in the amazing 15+ year building boom. High rents have had a significant negative affect on both commercial and residential leasing in Austin proper the past few years and has caused a big shift to suburban sprawl. I'm not in CRE, so I like it.

What is taking the Astros so long...hasn't Crane owned the Astros for almost 15 years now?

A Colorado-based entertainment and hospitality firm is bringing the largest music venue in its portfolio to North Texas. Notes Live will debut its $220M Sunset Amphitheater in McKinney following approval of a development deal for the project. The open-air venue at the northeast corner of US 75 and the Sam Rayburn Tollway will hold up to 20,000 guests and is expected to open in 2026, according to a news release. The 46-acre facility will include 250 luxury fire pit suites, a reserved seating area, a landscaped grass berm and owners suites. The venue is designed to accommodate major touring acts and is slated to put McKinney on the map as a live music destination. Notes Live is expected to be a boon for prosperity in McKinney, injecting more than $3B into the local and regional economy in its first 10 years and creating more than 1,300 jobs. More than $50M in grants and incentives were awarded to the developer at the April 16 council meeting. Construction is slated to kick off in August. https://www.bisnow.com/dallas-ft-worth/news/economic-development/multimillion-dollar-amphitheater-headed-to-mckinney-following-approval-of-development-agreement-123829

Group 1 Automotive's new HQ permit to finish out the interiors.

It never does, regardless of what the topic at hand is.

I kinda love it

Stumbled across this on PGAL architecture's website. https://www.pgal.com/projects/texas-am-university-at-galveston-academic-building-complex-phase-1

A plan review was purchased today for 1711 Allen Parkway, Suite 101 (1711 Allen Pwy, Ste 101): Details from the permit: Use: 2,567 sf restaurant build-out 1-34-1-A2-A '15IBC SPK FCC Group: Non-residential alteration The permit is for Chardon. It's a French bistro that will be located on the first floor of Thompson Hotel / Thompson Houston in The Allen mixed-use development. Chardon is one of several dining concepts for the hotel from Table One Hospitality.

The Med Center area has had an update:

It's not the worst. Plus there will be GFR

The address on the above permit was 104 Roberts. Found a related TDLR TABS filing. https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Project/TABS2024012119

https://www.common.com/houston/montrose/uniti-montrose

https://www.common.com/houston/montrose/uniti-montrose

The weather wasn't very cooperative during my last two trips to Houston. Most of these are panoramas. A few aren't.

The Sunnyside site was a landfill and had an incinerator for many years. It is already a polluted site that cannot be easily remediated. Using it as a solar farm is an excellent way to use a brownfield site.

Oh, wow. "Toxins leeching into the ground water." It would be scary, if true. The most toxic thing about a solar panel is its protective coating, which is the same thing used to coat your car's windshield. The whole "toxic solar panels" thing ranks right up there with "5G cell towers gave me measles" and "my brother's ex-wife's cousin's sister-in-law's mechanic got a COVID shot and grew a third head." A little light reading: https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Health-and-Safety-Impacts-of-Solar-Photovoltaics-PV.pdf Man, look at all them toxins leaching out of them damaged solar panels.

If you’re worried about toxic chemicals leeching into the soil in Houston, you got lot bigger problems than some solar panels in a field 🤣

What toxins are leaching into the ground water in Needville? Modern panels have minimal amounts of toxic metals and chemicals. And no, it's not a horrible nightmare.

“Construction is already underway for the new Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library, which will be in the Montrose Collective mixed-use shopping center,” the statement read. The updated timeline lists the third quarter of this year — between July and September — as the completion date. https://houstonlanding.org/houston-library-to-permanently-close-montrose-branch-due-to-safety-concerns/

The boast is off by an order of magnitude. $76 million ≠ $760,000,000, even in real estate.

Is it $76 mil or $760 mil?