j_cuevas713

This is and has been my favorite project going up in this city in the current cycle. Growing up near Chicago my idea of a ballpark and associated neighborhood will always be Wrigley and Wrigleyville in Chicago. It has such a great vibe, is pedestrian friendly, has a fantastic collection of old brick buildings that are used for pubs, restaurants, apartments, etc..., and almost no surface parking (everyone just rides the train to the games). The area around Minute Maid can never be the same but I feel like this project along with the many other projects going up around the park can lead to a modern version of a vibrant urban ball park neighborhood. I'm so glad this is turning out to look as great as I hoped it would.

I don't know if you can ever compare any city to the next. Yeah Wrigleyville has a lot of small brick buildings and a cool atmosphere, but you also can't take away from how much potential the area around Minute Maid has. Texas Ave is only one street compared to the back side of the ballpark which has so much potential to be a more vibrant area because of the older buildings. I think that side of downtown needs a few midrise apartments and a few more Catalyst style developments.

OMG YOU GUYS THEY CALLED THE COWBOYS GIRLS! THAT'S SO FUNNY!!!

You gotta call things what they are lol

The Green and Purple lines run on regular traffic lanes downtown - they're not even dedicated right turn lanes (though as someone who routinely turns right off of Rusk I kinda wish they were)

I thought the dedicated turning lane was on the tracks themselves

I love that Root Sports has their studio there along with some cool adult play spots like House of Blues and Lucky Strike. I think the hotel is going to drive retail, it almost has to. People who stay there are going to want to shop and play conveniently. As of right now there is a solid foundation of development to build on. It makes me wonder that if enough retail and development happens downtown, could Houston become a nice little destination city? 

I walked through here Sunday night and forgot to take pics. I'm surprised Forever 21 is still alive. After walking through the complex I feel GreenStreet has so much potential. 

Yeah I've noticed that on the new line, it does look risky. But there are intersections just like that on Fannin street  on the red line in-between wheeler and museum district stations (fannin and Binz). I'm not sure if cars are legally allowed to turn left on the lane next to the line on fannin, but regardless I see cars turn left all the time.

You know I just barely noticed that yesterday in the Museum District. I think it comes down to just being aware of where you are. Turning left when the train in going both directions isn't allowed but it makes sense that if a train is going the same direction as traffic, then it comes down to just making sure a train isn't coming before turning. Overall that's just my guess. I'm going to contact Metro and ask.

Yesterday at Christians Tailgate. This is way nicer than I thought it would be. 

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Something that everyone should consider when comparing the two projects is the fact that in either of these luxury or semi luxury units most of these residents will be getting in their cars and driving anywhere they need to go. I bet very few of the people who already

live in high rise units in the Uptown or downtown walk to many events. Its unfortunate but its not in our culture to walk when we can

just get in our cars. I know this is wrong and we have to change this mindset, but reality is none of the high rises are really that

close for most wealthy people to walk around Post Oak or San Felipe in their Manola Blancs and Gucci's. Sorry but it just doesn't

happen. The only people I ever see out on the sidewalks in Uptown/Galleria for the most part are people walking to the bus stops or asking for change at the intersections. Its the way the parking lots eat up so much space between one retail space after another. Our system is built for the automobile and until hat changes it will remain a society driven by cars.

Don't get me wrong but a perfect example is all of our stadiums are covered and rarely open unless its a perfect cool day.

The fans complain if its not closed.

I really wish it was different like in Midtown where there is a conscientious effort underway to make it a more cohesive living working playing environment that emphasizes walking.

I really think the complaint about the climate is getting old. I do agree with you though 100%. The culture is changing in certain areas of the city. Mainly in the older parts of the city, like from downtown to the TMC. Most of that area is completely walkable. My gf and I walk that area all the time. With the changes being made to Post Oak, I think the area will become way more walkable. 

Oh dear, j_cuevas713, well you seem to know. We'll see if what you're saying turns out to be the "major DT retail" that I'm saying is so desperately lacking.

This is has been the city planning that's been lacking to develop the retail needed downtown. Now that its happening, we should begin to see soft goods pop up soon.

Downtown luxury living has come a long way, but without a major retail district (Macy's, Nordstrom, maybe Saks, and relative/requisite high-street shops), future development will hit an impasse/roadblock. That's where DT Houston drops the ball, and the DT leadership doesn't understand that. DT Houston is on the threshold of greatness, but will miss it without adequate retail. DT residents are forced to have to leave DT to go elsewhere to Macy's for houseware/bedding/clothes, or Nordstrom for upscale, or luxury, or just regular everyday high-street shopping (J. Crew, Gap, HM, CVS, Grocery, ATT, Verizon, TMOBILE, etc). Major retail is a DT necessity that it does not offer its residents...which is severely hindering its full potential. It's really quite simple...we understand it, DT leaders can't seem to get-it-together. The first developer that understands this and brings it will reap a colossal windfall, and DT luxury high-rises will begin to flourish even further.

Yeah you really don't know what you're talking about. The entire plan for retail downtown is already in the works with a major retailer planned for the Sakowitz building. That's why they are upgrading the sidewalks and creating a shopping district.

I walk 3 blocks to the nearest station before and after work and it's not even a long walk. 

Wow only 20%, that sucks

Looks like a mini NRG Stadium

Midtown seems to have more of the sidewalk/greenery/street pattern than downtown. I'm also thinking of on McGowen and Gray street.

Yeah I totally get that, which is fine. It just seems unnecessary for this building. 

I agree, Midtown has some pretty good sidewalks in certain areas but I'm a little confused why this is not all sidewalk and landscaping (without grass).  Seems like an incremental cost when compared to the total redo.

 

However, building is top notch. 

Exactly! I'm not against landscaping, but this is going to look awful when it isn't cut for a week or 2.

A mix of good and bad news. I don't want another lot in downtown. Especially since Skanska isn't moving on their tower just yet.

Ok not trying to nit pick but why the heck do we need that strip of grass and those trees as landscaping? Like wouldn't it be cleaner and better maintenance to just have the sidewalk hit the street for better pedestrian access? Just seems like more to maintain with all that grass

I'd love this to be restored. Won't happen with Hines though

You mean to tell me thats the original building under the Chronicle facade? Holy crap thats beautiful!

Looks like work is getting close to wrapping up. See my post above.

 

per their website:

 

Ahh thank you man. This is awesome news! We can't underestimate how great this is for downtown, especially as a nice casual spot downtown to watch the game.

Wth is that rock in the bottom left corner? haha Man did we really think this was ok back in the day to landscape with massive rocks in the middle of the city? 

That second picture is a great shot down Rusk...what a change!

For real! I was blown away. Is that Houston? lol

Downtown is starting to fill in finally! Looking awesome!

Nice more douche bags! Jk kinda BUT on a serious note, imagine if all of the lots in downtown had some sort of tower on it. Downtown would that much more amazing!

What's the status on Christian's Tailgate?

While I like many of the designs of a lot of these new mid-rises, I wish more were clean and simple like this.