HTOWN LIVE

i don't know much, but i know your first sentence is spot on. I've known it since the beginning.

I disagree, I think HTOWN LIVE is spot on...always is.

Those "in the know, know." Those who don't know, resort to talking/starting. They should do so on an appropriate site and thread for gossip. This site is for professionals and architecture enthusiasts...I thought?

Couldn't agree more!!!

Lol. I'm being facetious. My sentiments exactly...if they're this inept and messed this up, there's no help for them or world class downtown retail. Many of us were shocked at the meeting. One of the mayor's assistants produced a new plan and convinced the mayor and the property owner and developer to hold off on the Bloomingdale's/Ritz Carlton for 1111 Main Street in favor of a proposal with a different anchor and locations that he's coordinating.

That effectively killed the deal. I personally asked the property owner and developer, why? Their response was they're going to give the assistant until the end of the year to put it all together.

Whatever he's doing won't top Bloomingdale's/Ritz Carlton, so backwards Houston leadership strikes again. Whatever they come up with at the end of the year will probably be inferior to the Bloomingdale's/Ritz Carlton plan.

what!!!!!

htown live, i have been one of your most loyal and consistent stalwarts upon this forum. it's not like i believed any and everything that you have espoused upon during

your discourse. however, i like to believe that i am astute enough to know that without a doubt, that in a city a large as the city of houston.. circumstances are indeed likely to change upon a dime.

however, what you have just espoused within these last three aforementioned post regarding these impromptu and yet totally discombobulated "the city" development changes... has me starting to doubt your discourse.

nothing is making any sense! trust me my good pal, we HAIFER'S appreciate the very fact that we harbor a stalwart within city government that may allow us a peep into city planning / discussions to some degree.

however, please bare in mind that you are not the only stalwart that is capable of offering intimate discerning information as per houston city government.

therefore, should you extend a bit of generosity and present to us a bit of key insight.. then it shall need to be comprehensible... at least to some comforting degree.

everyone knows about the long standing historical and yet empty sakowitz building. we all would give most anything to see this gem of a building get redeveloped into a shining star.

however, we are all indeed smart enough to know that whatever comes forth.. is going to be a somewhat costly / time consuming / often irritating patience grabbing puzzle, that shall require optimum planning / discourse.

therefore, when you espouse upon the old sakowitz building being discussed as a bloomingdales / ritz carlton, sounds like huge joke! what!!! are you hereby serious!!!

buddy, you shall now want to carefully explain yourself here... your credibility moving forward.. is now at stake.

Wow, what nonsense. My dear student, why don't you call the mayor's office for confirmation and report back to us. That will help you understand.

Class dismissed.

"The City" turned down a deal? I can see how the city can enocourage development and even discourage other types of development. But how could the city turn down a development on private property? Or does the city own the Sakowitz building? When you talk about "The City" who are you referring to?

The development was discouraged by the leadership of the City of Houston, Texas, USA. The property owner and the city are now going in a different direction that has to be better in order to top that.

So wait . . . Now this downtown Bloomingdale's anchored shopping district that you have been telling us is going to happen isn't going to happen because now the city of Houston doesn't want them ? If that's the case then why was the idea entertained at all? Also I thought the Ritz was going to be by Discovery park ? Now it was going in the old Sakowitz building ? Just doesn't add up seems like back pedaling.

We have Nieman Marcus, we have Saks. . . What other department store is better then Bloomingdales? Especially for downtown Houston.

I agree it's back-peddlIng, they should have gone with the plan (even if it was with newbies). Houston definitely could have used the downtown retail and the hotel rooms. But it's not, at least not at 1111 Main Street. The city and the property owner no longer want it, saying they have something better they're putting together. We'll see.

Houston already has the other big stores except Bloomingdale's, so it would take Harrods, Selfridges or Galeries Lafayette to top that. Does Houston have the leadership, talent and power to make that happen? We'll soon see.

The reason it's not gaga time is the name of hotel hasn't been announced (and I'd take another Valencia Group Hotel as a substitute), so it's not even certain this will happen or that it will be a W. And the four stories does indeed look like a typo; kind of hard to cram 300 hotel rooms in four floors. But four star is a downgrade from five stars.

I also think Houston needs to start turning up its nose at some of these newbies. W didn't see fit to bring in a hotel to Houston back in 2007 when they built one in Dallas? Screw them. Ritz Carlton? We're way beyond that. Bloomingdale's never opened in the Galleria when they had the chance? Tough luck - we want Raffles City or Harrod's now. Roche Bobois still not interested? There are better furniture designers who are. We're the most important city in Texas, and if you high-end retailers don't get it, we don't want you.

Agreed, just last week the city turned down a deal to redevelop 1111 Main Street (the old Sakowitz building) into a Bloomingdale's and a Ritz Carlton. Neiman Marcus ran Bloomingdale's out of Dallas years ago, and now Houston doesn't want them either. The Ritz Carlton was in Houston years ago and failed to impress, and got the boot.

Houston is clearly not chasing those brands (which are not all that great), as there IS better. Houston has moved on and now wants better than that, so what happens will be interesting.

Actually, Target's kind of in the way. I wonder if they can be bribed to find another site in the vicinity (Much like MIcro Center was).

Agreed, Target and Dillard's/Zone D'erotica/Shell are all in the way. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Confused. Hermes is opening in BLVD Place's new Whole Foods building shortly, and is listed on the Building Directory / Map. And, it has been widely announced as opening a store in ROD, too. Two stores within a mile of each other? Thx for any verified knowledge.

With Hermes confirmed for ROD, it's operation at BLVD Place can only be temporary.

Yeah but it's reflecting the west side of downtown when it is facing the south side of downtown/looking north.

Agreed, the rendering is basically putting emphasis on the building's potentially fabulous views of downtown and the TMC as it rises between them.

That would have to be the North face of the building (reflecting downtown), with a TMC tower in the background to the South.

The Houston NM at 224,000 sf is currently the second largest in the chain. Only San Francisco is larger, at 252,000 sf. Dallas Northpark is no. 3, at 218,000 sf. Atlanta #4 at 206,000. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118113&p=irol-storelocations

You're right, I forgot NM San Francisco at Union Square is gigantic and simply marvelous.

Would rather see Zone D'erotica and the Shell gone first.

On one side of the Galleria two new Hyatt Hotels...on the other side, not so much.

hey, my great pal htownlive, do you have any form of insight as to when will neiman marcus completely renovate / expand their

highly antiquated galleria store? or heck, tear it down and rebuild a newer more modern luxury masterpiece along the lines of saks 5th avenue. i am aware, that their houston store is currently the chains number #1 in sales. however, everyone knows that this current galleria edifice is indeed too small and quite antiquated.

you would think that they shall be currently making renovation / expansion plans, in light of the new forthcoming saks store.... right?

Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus operate the finest stores in America. And yes, NM Houston Galleria, Beverly Hills, and Dallas NorthPark all vie for #1 continually. In certain markets, like Houston, those two fight to the death. So with SFA now constructing a new bigger palace, you can bet your last dollar that NM is at its drawing board now.

NM Houston Galleria usually gets a complete remodel every 7-10 yrs, but the new Saks flagship will only make them do something more extraordinary, and maybe quicker than usual. Idk of anything specific, but with the new Saks coming in 2016, a top-to-bottom remodel for NM will surely follow.

And at 225,000 sf, NM Houston Galleria is one of the largest. Beverly Hills is 185,000 sf, Dallas is about 230,000. NM Houston Galleria turns 50 in 2020, so I would guess a remodel will start just after the new Saks opens in 2016.

The question regarding NM and SFA is, which one will get the last anchor space at The Woodlands, as they both need an additional store in Houston. Nordstrom just opened a second store there last month.

Would rather see Zone D'erotica and the Shell gone first.

Hallelujah. Agreed. All of that crap (the entire lot) should have been gone! Dillard's will get a nice sum, but developers will let them rot if they're being overly greedy and think they're going to fleece potential buyers with a ridiculous asking price fit for Fifth Avenue.

Dillard's better remember that pigs get killed...hogs get slaughtered.

I'll bet Dillards owns that lot (but not the Zone d'erotica) and will gladly sell it for a cool $100 Million, otherwise I'm sure we would have seen a redevelopment there many years ago. Otherwise they aren't leaving. They're not "attached" to the Galleria, but they are essentially a part of that complex and they would be a fool to leave the biggest, best performing mall in this whole region of the US.

Pipe dreams, I'll bet not. They could hope for half of that. Yes, the Galleria is doing great, but not Dillard's. It looks like a rusting Ford Pinto next to a new Rolls Royce.

The Houston market has evolved and prefers the experience of what's featured in the world of Macy's (moderate) to Nordstrom (upscale), than to tacky Dillard's. Whatever niche they had is dead and irrelevant. The Macy's to Nordstrom range is the standard...Dillard's is not a premium All-American brand...never was.

They could even stay put, yet redevelop the property by reconstructing themselves with a couple towers and a hotel and an underground tunnel connecting to the Galleria. Put on some makeup and refresh...do something besides sit there and rot like an eyesore. Their pride is keeping them there...thinking the prestige of the Galleria will elevate their image. NOT.

Of course they can sit there wishing for a payday, but Houston will continue to pass by and sneer on their way to the Galleria. Only a fool wouldn't take that kind of money, especially when they're clearly out of their league...just look at their rich neighbor across the street. Dillard's can not keep up with the Jones's.

I'll bet Dillards owns that lot (but not the Zone d'erotica) and will gladly sell it for a cool $100 Million, otherwise I'm sure we would have seen a redevelopment there many years ago. Otherwise they aren't leaving. They're not "attached" to the Galleria, but they are essentially a part of that complex and they would be a fool to leave the biggest, best performing mall in this whole region of the US.

Have you ever seen how many people cross Post Oak to get from the Galleria to Dillard's on any given weekend?

From a business perspective, Dillard's is absolutely not out of place.

Those masses of people are making their way back to their cars...everybody knows Dillard's exists for the sake of extended Galleria parking. They certainly aren't going there to shop.

Dillard's is a morgue on good days...but it's parking is great for Galleria overflow. That Dillard's isn't making much money...but they would make some if they took a page from Tootsie's book and moved nearby to a refreshed new location. They should swallow their pride and take the money and run.

They definitely need a new `do' and developers could use the space. Everybody wins, especially Houston.

Agreed. The Dillard's really detracts from the beauty of the Zone D'erotica building.

Lol, yes together they're the pimple on the area's butt. Hopefully the boom will make them disappear soon.

My point exactly.

Agreed. If Dillard's was smart, they would move...they would get a premium for that premier site. Then use some of the money to build a fresh modern expression of itself nearby.

Maybe configure themselves into BLVD Place in a deal with Wulfe & Co. or the Uptown Park redevelopment. They're clearly out of place with that old tired store in the midst of all that extraordinary Galleria development. The Dillard's tract is a waste of land, as that store doesn't fit the location anymore. It's now a relic and BUTT UGLY.

I'm not saying they need to get out of town, just away from the Galleria. Something fabulous and iconic could be built there...something Williams Tower-ish.

Listen, swtsig is no doubt our best insider but I don't see why htownlive can't be telling the truth. Sounds legit to me.

Some people here sure do like to try and scare away new insiders without giving them a chance. HAIF would have more if others weren't chased off.

 

 

Best Hotels in Texas & the Southwest: Readers' Choice Awards 2014

http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/2014/united-states/best-hotels-in-texas-and-the-southwest-readers-choice-awards-2014

Agreed. Swtsig has proven himself in the past on many occasions with information before it was public. In fact, I'd say he's the number 2 source of info after Urbanizer on this board. On the other hand, I haven't seen anything that htownlive has asserted come true yet. This may be because the W/Ritz and the Bloomingdales/Macy's/Dallas Street shopping district are huge projects that need more time, but I'm going to remain skeptical until we see some actual info. This isn't to say that those projects wouldn't be amazing, of course I'm praying that they happen just like everyone else on this board.

Indeed, the mayor's plan is huge and involves 7 blocks of unprecedented redevelopment for downtown Houston. This isn't the latest midrise or typical apartments going up...this project will create a signature shopping district in downtown Houston (similar to Michigan Avenue) and will restore world class retail to the CBD.

I've been involved with it for over 3 years, so I know what I'm talking about and I've proven myself with the mayor and the other executives making this happen. I have no time to argue with someone about what I know for fact, simply because they can't comprehend or believe the scope of the project.

She's made general information about the project public. I'm simply sharing what I can of behind-the-scenes happenings with fellow enthusiasts as progress is made, and will continue to do so.

I don't know who to believe.

I discuss it with the mayor's office and her executive team on a regular basis, and even I won't believe it until I see it. Most of the talk regarding all of these developments is informational until the dirt is turning and the cranes are flying.

Moreover, we've been down this road with Ritz before and they can't seem to get it together. 8 years ago they looked around and decided to go with Wulfe & Co. at BLVD Place...and today 8 years later they're still trying. But with Houston's economy roaring, this time they've been met with a taste of their own medicine...a very high price/premium for a place to stay.

So that's where it is for the moment...waiting for Ritz to reevaluate their plans. If they pay that premium, they may as well make it a signature property (a major investment) and build to impress the highest of world class tastes (as some of their properties do), as Houston won't respect the likes of the run-of-the-mill crap like their St. Louis, Dallas, Cleveland or Charlotte properties.

Hotel Alessandra going up will cause a lot more to fall into place...and that's when Ritz will probably decide.

Since you seem to be pretty plugged I'm curious to know what your thoughts are on the capital stack of the project. Care to share some insight?

I'm not at liberty to say beyond what I've shared without violating confidentiality. But I can say that in the city's new plans, the Ritz has renewed their interest in the block bound by Dallas, Labranch, Lamar and Austin Streets. The issue is the cost of the site has nearly quadrupled since their initial interest. That's the holdup.

Haha no arguing here. Hell you've seen plans already... Can't argue w that.

I look forward to seeing this incredibly lavish project break ground soon.

Heavens no, you can't argue with the facts and reality.

not comparable... Not even a little. No group looking to develop a large scale luxury hotel would use a 30 room boutique as a comp. besides, as I mentioned before the issue at hand is room rate.

As much as htown live would have you believe houston is awash in luxury it's exactly the reason that houston doesn't have ANY luxury hotels comparable to a new ritz that is the problem.

You're obviously delusional. You've lost the argument, we've all moved on.