downtownian

Frank's pizza is staying open. Just frank's backyard is closing. Hard Rock Cafe downtown is closing too: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2020/04/01/hard-rock-cafe-to-close-downtown-houston-location.html

I guess they didn't get the memo that it's East River. Definitely not a bayou

I think the diversity of buildings downtown looks better and the recent additions are beautiful. In terms of overall living, I'm obviously biased but downtown is the only truly walkable neighborhood in Houston. You can walk to work, the gym, dinner, drinks, a park and a show (basketball/baseball/concert/opera/ballet/play). Downtown has diverse housing stock consisting of historic lofts, luxury high-rises and mid-height apartments. From downtown, you have equal travel times to east and west sides of town with the east side gaining in importance in the future.

El Segundo Swim club, bumpy pickle, if that brewery ever gets built

East End coffee plant sells for $10 million as plans continue for Buffalo Bayou redevelopment https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chron.com/business/real-estate/amp/East-End-coffee-plant-sells-for-10-million-15027128.php

It wouldn't bother me if this also put 5,000 units in river oaks.

You can’t get a certificate of occupancy or health department sign off to open without bathrooms, fully functional bar etc. which takes a long time.

I like how they pick up bits of everyday life like someone doing an instagram photo shoot on top of Market Square Tower at 9:00 and a tow truck taking away a car at 9:20.

Not a fan of giving huge subsidies to outdated and out of fashion corporate hotel chains. W's had a cultural moment 10-15 years ago but don't seem relevant anymore. Wish it was a boutique by a well respected hotelier or giving tax breaks to local small businesses.

I would reverse Stage 4 and Stage 5 (do stage 5 first because it is bayou adjacent while Stage 4 does not front water).

Was hoping they would go with a Houston architect and Schaum / Shieh who were a finalist. I really like their Transart Foundation building on Alabama.

Agree - Pennzoil is beautiful. Little disheartening to see the vacancy so high.

There’s a fair amount of upscale bars already in the area that coexist with the more lively bars. Upscale cocktail bars that are relaxed Spare Key Public services tongue cut sparrow Upscale cocktail bars that are crowded bad news bar pastry war

The reports are quarterly. The next quarter ends Sept-30 and then it takes them a while to write up the report so mid/late October.

According to page 12 of the below, Mia Bella is opening at the Star. Hope it’s not the beautiful space that Benjamin’s would have taken: http://www.downtowndistrict.org/static/media/uploads/attachments/downtown_market_update_2019_q2.pdf