j_cuevas713

I think there was definitely something else besides funding at play.  I asked three times about funding, I've been in grant-funded humanities for a decade, I know the drill. They swore up and down funding was not an issue, 10 days later, funding is an issue. I do not think the price tag just all of a sudden dawned on them. Nope. Someone changed their mind. Don't know who or why but there was a change of heart somewhere.

Wow you really think so?

WOOOOOW!!!

Just looking at this building I had an idea - probably impractical - could you turn this into a large HEB inside, so that there's only one, maybe two floors, but keep the facade?  Downtown could use a general grocery store like that, just wonder if the structural repairs would be less if you aren't going to be using more than the ground floor.

I'm sure HEB would consider the old grocery store look... great idea by the way

I wonder if the city would eventually consider naming Dallas St. to something else

Awesome and congrats, this is great news!

Can I get an AMEN for living in Houston! lol 

Wow nearly every parking lot is filled up!

YAAAAAS!!!!!

It's so depressing looking at these renderings lol... I mean think about how massive an impact this would have on our skyline... so gorgeous!

Damn I love the original renderings though

The sumiain problem with most thought process is making downtown into a retail destination. .truth not going to ha7at least in our life time...the galleria area just has too huge a advantage in name recognition and size. .Downtown best is to seek out unquine small stores and to get them to cluster in a given area ( Dallas st)...similar to how the downtown bar scene was revived...examples why would I go all the way to sak downtown when the one in galleria would most likely be bigger and connect to more high end stores...of I jus want a day of shopp5...now if I'm from out of town and attending a convention with maybe a hr to spare between prestation..I'm might dip out for a quick bit and to look are that intresting little boutique I saw as I was heading towards m the convention center

That's the whole point man. If you build up a strong neighborhood that can support itself then people will choose convenience over anything. Doesn't mean the Galleria is going to lose it's status as a focal point for shopping, but if you create an environment for those living downtown to avoid having to make a trip all the way to the Galleria for the same item they could get downtown, then you've accomplished the goal of creating a successful urban core. And to think it won't happen in our lifetime is insane. No disrespect to your opinion, but foot traffic is going to increase so much downtown that it's going to draw regular retail chains to capitalize on that increase in population. I mean of course conventions are going to only be a plus for downtown, that's where Uptown loses. There are positive and negatives for both districts, but to say downtown isn't going to reach it's potential in our lifetime I think is very far fetched. I would agree with that if there was zero infrastructure in place, but that's not the case. Especially since people are moving closer to urban centers with easily accessible public transportation, the market is already following that pattern.

Maybe, but I just don't see retailers choosing downtown over the galleria.  The galleria is clearly the location of choice, and growing stronger.  What's wrong with a coffee shop by the way?  

No way... the way downtown is structuring itself, currently restaurants and bars are the most stable. In about 2 years that whole dynamic will change because there will be more foot traffic which will entice businesses to move downtown. The reason it is so difficult for some businesses to move downtown is because it's so damn expensive. Which is actually a good thing, because based on how much Houston depends on the economy to show what direction development will occur, if we begin to see some stable retail downtown, then that will cause a ripple effect to surrounding neighborhoods. One great sign is the first wave of bars that came downtown during the initial phases of downtown redevelopment. Most of us knew that they were only there to capitalize on the idea of downtown being the next big thing. As more infrastructure and incentive programs have been put in place, we are seeing more stable retail downtown. I went downtown just the other night, and the overall quality of the bars and restaurants was very impressive, very well put together establishments. The next phase will be more downtown residents and retail stores will follow. The main difference with Uptown is that it's centered around a grand mall. So retail was put in place first, then residential, and finally better infrastructure. Houston is on the right path, and it's very exciting.

This building is going to be beautiful

Well that sucks lol... yeah that lot has it's days numbered

 If we got a tower that becomes the anchor of this 'retail district' I will be very happy. It has to be some awesome architecture though. 

That pic of NYC is incredible.

I work in the animation field, and one thing Houston needs is a production studio. As the 4th largest city, we deserve one. For goodness sakes, even dallas has a studio and we don't! The Dome would be perfect!

I noticed a lot of areas off San Jac need to be redeveloped... I work 2 blocks from that spot

Was this that lot that had that bank drive through on it? 

Now we can begin to see the second wave of businesses which should become more permanent establishments. This goes out to all the people who said downtown would die out. 

I hope they do something about the sidewalks and that ugly AT&T building. The building looks amazing though.

The midtown superblock is fenced off, freshly staked, and cleared of the existing building with the midtown mural. Sorry if this was posted elsewhere, I

couldn't find it.

Yeah I noticed the same thing last nite me and my gf caught the train to downtown. This is great news because that building on the property was horrible and it seems like the Superblock Park is finally going to take off

Oh wow so the hotel is a go?

I didn't mean to throw everything off topic. Anyone know the status of the International Tower?

The building that was slated for that lot, international tower, would be a monumental building.

Idk why but I kept getting this tower and the new Hines tower mixed up. Yes it would be a very nice addition. What's up with this by the way? Anyone have a link?