mls1202

Before this development, if you asked me to walk from the corner of Westhiemer and Kirby to Richmond, I would politely decline as I have no interest in walking on a minimal sidewalk along side a gas station, abandoned Schlotsky's, and massive parking lots (Whole Foods, Borders, etc). But combine this with the proposed street improvements by the Upper Kirby District, and this is starting to really become a destination that makes you want to get out and explore by foot. Sorry, but I can't get my bearings in this photo. Is that Kirby in the foreground with Westheimer towards the right?

I haven't spent this much energy focused on buildings being built before, but with One Park Place, 2727 Kirby and others I have been paying more attention. But 2727 seems to be progressing at a slower pace. Is this the case, or is it just the normal pace for a building like this. It seems as if One Park Place is going faster.

If I recall, the existing parking garage that will be adjacent is kinda dumpy looking. Does anyone know of any plan to renovate it? The model still keeps the dumpyesque exterior.

Looking at the pictures of the balconies with the reflective glass facade behind them, I can't help but wonder what it is going to look like when people stick their white or green plastic patio furniture from Walmart outside with their illegal barbecue grill. I didn't see that included in the artist's rendering!

I'm pretty sure this was one of the two proposed sites of the doctor-owned medical buildings that were set to go up in Midtown. The other one is further north near the Pierce Elevated. I thought that it had died... There is a thread with renderings somewhere here.

Looking at the picture above ^^^, is that street level retail in the bottom right?

My guess...this parking garage was done on the cheap to serve an immediate need with minimal investment and act as a placeholder. Should the real estate landscape change, it would be fairly easy (in my uneducated opinion) to demolish this for a higher value project. Maybe I'm deluding myself

I have to agree with you. Now that we are going to have this flagship park in downtown, GRB just doesn't seem like a very good anchor. I guess the optimist could look at it as a buffer between the park and 59.

Fast forward 12 months... "I drove by today and saw them installing glass panels and a kitchen sink to a 'penthouse' of sorts...I'm not an architect or anything, but this looks like a good sign that this project just might happen"

I'm one of the optimists who think this will happen. However, I also felt that way about the Orion off of Memorial and the Bayou. Have you seen how far they got? They excavated the hole and even began to put up the vertical supports of the building.

I signed up for Sonoma's First Choice Club, although I have no intention of buying. Here is an email from Randall Davis below concerning the upcoming party for people who registered. The thing that gets me is the $4000 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit that is required to get the first crack at the units. Granted, you get $25,000 off the asking price. ----------------------- Sonoma - Rice Village April 5, 2007 Dear Sonoma First Choice Club Members: Invites have been printed and are in the mail for the invitation only party for First Choice Club Members, on Tuesday April 17th @ 5:30pm, at 2401 Bolsover. Response has been overwhelming as we have over 600 people who have signed up to attend this function. In that regard, I provide the following additional information regarding the party and the development effort. All First Choice Club Members tendering a $4,000 non-refundable option money check will receive a $25,000 discount off of the purchase price. It is important to note that we have provided an estimated AVERAGE purchase price PER SQUARE FOOT of the condominiums at Sonoma. Obviously, corners and prime views sell for considerably more than average, while lower floors and moderate views sell will for a lesser price per square foot. The estimated purchase price per square foot at Cosmopolitan was within 3% of the beginning selling price. At Diamond Beach, I over estimated the average purchase price by $20 per square foot. The process of obtaining a permit and a fixed price from the general contractor for a development that encompasses office, retail, residential and underground parking, is extremely complex. We should have your pricing, allow for the selection of units and the execution of earnest money contracts in September/October of 2007. You will receive, in advance of this date, draft copies of the HOA documents and the earnest money contracts for your perusal.There are 125 condominiums in Phase 1 and 100 in Phase 2. If we receive enough deposits at the First Choice Club Opening (April 17th) and the Grand Opening Party on April 19th, two days later, whereby we are sending out 4,500 invitations, probability is very high that we will build the entire development at one time. Therefore, purchasers will be allowed to choose from 225 condominiums if sales are within our development objectives. When you arrive at the party, you may obtain an option form or simply have it filled out (available below) before you arrive. Do not be overly concerned if you receive a higher priority number, because 1) historically some option buyers forfeit their money due to change in circumstances or 2) there is a probability that the 225 condominiums may be constructed at once. Once again, buyers are assigned their selection numbers in the order in which their option form is tendered at the party, come early. At the party you will not only have the opportunity to obtain floor plans and view a scale model. There will also be two complete kitchens and bathrooms on display. More importantly, early buyers who tender option money and execute contracts in September/October, will be afforded the opportunity to further customize their residence to their own personal taste. Later purchasers will not be afforded this opportunity as construction will commence and the general contractor will not be able to make adjustments. I look forward to seeing you at the First Choice Club Party on April 17th from 5:30 to 8:30pm. For those of you that are serious buyers, I advise you to bring a check. For those of you that are just interested in details of the development, I invite you to have wine and hors d'oevres and enjoy the party. Either way, I will be seeing you at the Grand Opening Party for the First Choice Club Members of Sonoma. Randall Davis P.S. Sales Managers, Gloria and Keith, are available to answer your questions at (713)524-0444. You may also elect to visit the sales center, which officially opens for business April 18, 2007

The thing that bugs me about this building is the presence of the parking garage at the bottom next to Post Oak Blvd. I would hope a building like this would embrace a pedestrian environment with retail at the bottom. Instead, it is a mass of concrete... Oh well, still happy to see it going up.

I lived in the Jackson Hill Apartments and I have to say it was a very nice experience for my wife and I. The walls are a bit thin, but most apartments don't have the most sound proof walls. However, the community and the surrounding area made it fantastic. We would step out and take the pedestrian bridge across to the bayou and go walking in the evenings. If I had to rent again, I would definitely consider it.

I grew up in Dallas where we used to always go to Furr's Cafeteria. It later became a Luby's, but my parents and I used to go there for Thanksgiving and Christmas so my mom didn't have to cook. My dad didn't care for a la carte, but he sure did enjoy any place that offered a buffet.

The website is underwhelming and it concerns me that they seem so bent on NOT showing any pictures of the exterior. Take a look at the floor plans, especially in the tower. They're very strange in shape, but I don't understand why when looking at the box like exterior. Somebody want to snap a picture going by one day?

This is great. We are all (including me) so anxiously awaiting the ground breaking that we are going to have a play by play account of the construction: - "Construction worker just went to the porta-potty. Been in there 10 minutes, delaying start of ground breaking due to breaking of wind"

What happens to the doctor with the inflated ego who gets assigned to the office with the skinny window? We had a manager in our company who complained that the grass outside of his window was dead and brown while the office down the way had nice green grass.

Am I the only one who finds the renderings above of HOB kinda underwhelming? I'm curious as to the cladding material shown as gray rectangles. It is supposed to be stone, or *gasp* vinyl siding from Sears (or some other type of similar material). They are obviously going for the industrial loft style with the exposed girders and what I suppose is cement.

Not to get too far off topic, but how IS the new bookstore and stuff in the Galleria where L&T used to be? Any one have any pics?

Listen, I hate CVS as much as everyone on this board, but I should at least point out that they DID create the most urban, pedestrian pharmacy in town...Main Street Downtown.

Could someone please post a photo?

Don't forget to add Schlumberger to that list as they are moving their New York headquarters down to the San Felipe Buiding (where they already have a presence). That puts the top three oil service companies all in Houston.

I have a feeling that people's feelings "MAY" change a bit if they were to show a rendering, at least as far as the Black-Eyed Pea part goes. I'm definitely against anything that takes away the theater itself.

TheNiche, you seem to echo my dad's sentiments on clothing. That's why he only owns Dickey's coveralls. They are economical, easy to put on, and comfortable. Not to mention ugly.

Yep. My wife and I are living in Tyumen, Russia (Siberia). Maybe I'll start a thread with some pictures of life over here.