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capnmcbarnacle

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Everything posted by capnmcbarnacle

  1. capnmcbarnacle
    I always like seeing what is under the ground. All those piers make me wonder what used to be there. Anyone know? Also, in the pics and video there is a big concrete ball and a red or orange circular structure taht looks like a well or somehting. Anyone that has seen this up close know what it is?
  2. capnmcbarnacle
    27th? Isn't all that's left the crown?
  3. capnmcbarnacle
    It is super spiffy. This building and Mainplace look like they'll make quite an impact. The definitely pop the eye compared to some more recent construction like 1000 Main and 5 Houston.
  4. capnmcbarnacle
    Disappointing to say the least. I understand things get replaced, but it's polite to replace them with something that is as interesting as what was there. This fails. It has nail salon/day spa tenant all over it and ought to have one of those terrible names like "Vaguely Tuscan Unincorporated Harris County Style Strip Mall at River Oaks." 3 to 1 says the dry cleaner is on a downstairs corner.
  5. capnmcbarnacle
    Towers of Traffic dude. Towers of Traffic. Those are all residential buildings. The cool thing is that one of the drawings shades all the properties that the Menil apparently owns around there. I had no idea their holdings were that vast. It's a good thing. And if the Menil wants to build towers of traffic I'm cool with it. Interestingly both drawings show large residential components. If they doze Richmont Square, it makes sense to replace it with some income producing properties and be able to design and build those properties as part of a larger vision for the area. Pretty cool if you ask me.
  6. capnmcbarnacle
    He and his son were going to open that place which is something they had wanted to do for awhile. It's possible that poor timing with the economy combined with the neighborhood hassle -- and maybe even a non-compte thing with Fertitta and Griglia (assuming they had one after Tony sold Griglia, et al to Tillman) -- just submarined the whole deal. And Tony would see the problems opening an upscale restaurant/wine bar right about now. I also wonder if the Mandola's are considering moving Nino's, etc. That place lost a lot of its mojo when the great view of downtown became a great view of 3 story, cookie-cutter, Perry Homes. Or I could be way off and we'll be getting a Johnny Carino's in Montrose.
  7. capnmcbarnacle
    I didn't hear that it was Monica, although I think she'd be great there. She's been part of that neighborhood (cue the neighborhood borders debate) for so long and she has been a big part of the scene in this town going back to The Quilted Toque. One of the names I heard was Italian. I know that Popes tend to be italian, but I don't think Monica is. A few big names that come to mind. And just to assuage you once again, it wasn't Ferttita.
  8. capnmcbarnacle
    From the rumor mill... They have apparently had success getting some retail committments and are very excited about having signed up two significant restaurant partners. From what I hear they will be sizable spaces and are well known, local, and respected names that have been in the biz in this town a long time. And no, not Tillman Fertitta, and not chains. The hope is for groundbreaking this fall, completion of some sort or another in the fall of 2012. If I had to tell you how good my source was, I'd say she's connected, knows what she is talking about and has no reason to make this up. Of course this doesn't mean these dates and tenants are set in stone. Still, it's encouraging.
  9. capnmcbarnacle
    What aren't you sure about? I'm not an actual architect (don't tell anyone on the board) so my assessments are usually governed by my initial reaction of whether or not it looks neat. Then I sort of figure if it is functional, and if it is then I probably put it in my acceptable category. I like the way one side of the building fans out at those angles, kind of giveing a sense of motion to contrast with something staid and blocky like the Royalton. It seems like the designer is fully aware of the advantage of being between downtown and uptown and the views, at both sunruse and sunset, that residents will have. I suppose some residents can pick their view and some will be fortunate and wealthy enough to have both. And I just think it looks neat. Maybe not totally original or groundbreaking but something that, as a nearby resident, I'll enjoy looking at each day. I'm curious to hear from others, pros or not, what you like dislike about the rendering of the tower.
  10. capnmcbarnacle
    I approve of this tower and greenlight the financing and necessary permits. On another note though, this development is going to throw traffic up and down Dunlavy and Dallas into chaos. This plan calls for a lot more residents than were there before and, more importantly, lots of retail traffic. Keep in mind that Dunlavy between Dallas and Allen Pkwy is two lanes (the only expansion can come from...???...). Forget the dire predictions of Wilshire Village and Tower of Traffic -- this baby is going to have every bit the impact on the area. And I'm not necessarily one of those (even though I live right off Dunlavy) who thinks that's such a bad thing. It comes with living in a densifying city. I just hope that they do it right and from what I've seen of this group, I suspect they have their act together.
  11. capnmcbarnacle
    Interesting that they'd choose Montrose as the location for the HQ of The Directorate of Interior Security.
  12. capnmcbarnacle
    From the sound of it they appear to be talking about the use of an entire block, which I can't imagine would be all garage -- especially across the street from the Chase garage. This tidbit was interesting... "The LRT track will most likely be constructed prior to the construction of the proposed building and thus it will be incumbent upon the proposed building contractor to coordinate with METRO
  13. capnmcbarnacle
    Ten million doesn't seem like much, but I have a hunch that is misleading. There might be a $10 million stimulus push to get them rolling, but I bet the long-term tax benefits are much greater than that. To someone like GID, who appears to look at this as a long-term holding and not a flip, that could be very appealing. I would think they would have a definite advantage positioning themselves in the market if the TIRZ funds went back to them and not to the TIRZ generally as it would for their competition, which is my understanding. I think that was a good observation about a tacit agreement before the City announced it. I too would be surprised if the City threw that carrot out there knowing the backlash they could face without having any idea if it would be accepted. Interestingly enough, the vote yesterday was postponed by a weeke, presumably to let the story wither in the Chron...
  14. capnmcbarnacle
    According to the Chron, GID indicated they were about to put the project on hold indefinitely. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6352511.html
  15. capnmcbarnacle
    I have a sentimental attachment to Felix (cue the Tex-Mex tangent) and a sentimental, if not culinary, attachment to the Taco Cabana. The neighborhood is going to hell in a handbasket these days. I drove by Diner's News awhile back and saw it was being gutted. Is it just a matter of time until Numbers becomes a Restoration Hardware?
  16. capnmcbarnacle
    I know that architecture people like little models of buildings almost as much as the building themselves, so the next time any of you are over this way be sure to stop by the new leasing office (in the old warehouse on Dunlavy) and be sure to check out the model of the development in the front window. It would be such a breath of fresh air to see it come to fruition...
  17. capnmcbarnacle
    Don't be so gloomy. They'll have the bookstore to anchor it, and I heard Lawry's Prime Rib might take the restaurant spot. They could add some huge video screens and they'll have a "Lids" and maybe "American Apparel" will finally take that spot across the street.... Oh wait, wrong strip mall.
  18. capnmcbarnacle
    I remember a few years ago when someone at Weingarten talked about how those of us in the neighborhood should be grateful and excited that we would be getting a Barnes & Noble there, along with other nationally known anchor stores. Yippee. Maybe they can put an Applebee's there. I'm sorry to hear that it won't be a Vallone restaurant. I think Tony and Jeff working together would have produced a great place and I was looking forward to getting tanked on the controversial balcony. The bummer here is that whatever replaces it will probably not be as good, and may not be local. I suppose we could always use another Taqueria though...
  19. capnmcbarnacle
    Menil has a huge collection that is not on display and the addition of the Whitney collection would justify more gallery space. What I have always respected about Menil is that it has significant works by well known artists, that would draw people to the museum, that it doesn't display unless it fits in with the rest of an exhibition. I'm all for adding space so that more of the collection can be exhibited in a sensible way.
  20. capnmcbarnacle
    Strictly for what it's worth... I emailed the developers and asked when they expected to start construciton and they told me...this year. Speculate away. I still see work going on at the leasing office, and they have certainly turned that old warehouse into quite a space. I also see people out on the site itself so it's not like the property is sitting itotally idle ala High Street, Sonoma, Titan... Keep your fingers crossed.
  21. capnmcbarnacle
    I think this building turned out great so far. From vantage points within and outside of downtown I think it certainly catches your eye becase of the distinctive red brick and roof. It manages to look like an older and more traditional residential building without crossing over into the bad knockoffs of classics that we see so often. When I see it along with the other towers it immediately stands out as a residential building -- the balconies, the brick, the roof -- they all let you know right away what it is, and do so without confusing it for a hotel. I really enjoy catching glimpses of it from downtown and noticing how dramatically different it is from the glass and steel office buildings around it. Kudos on this one.
  22. capnmcbarnacle
    You cut to the core of me, Lockmat.
  23. capnmcbarnacle
    This is an interesing one because my understanding had been that these guys had lots of equity in this thing and were somewhat buffered from financing issues. And everything has also pointed to these guys being longterm holders of this property. Obviously I'm hoping that the fact they are looking well down the road will keep them on schedule. Who knows what things will be like in a couple years when this thing is ready to go -- being the only mixed use development ready to take people on if the economy is on track would be a stellar position. But that's a lot of ifs. One thing I did notice is that two lots of townhouses, four units, have now been fenced off along West Clay. I don't know when the developers acquired these, but I think the chainlink fencing around them is new. The marketing building is a big project -- much more than the standard mobile home setup. I just hope that all of these steps mean that if this thing is delayed, it is just a delay and not the end of it. I think this thing can be great.
  24. capnmcbarnacle
    One thing to consider is the type of retail that exists in the tunnels and whether there is any market for it after hours. It's not like the tunnels are full of great retail and restaurants. You tend to have the following businesses, many of which simply provide the opportunity to take care of errands away from home: 1. Dentists/Barbershops/Eyeglass shops & optometrists/watch and jewelry repair/dry cleaners -- won't be open after hours anyway. 2. Convenience stores -- Need a coke, candy, lotto ticket? Does DT need 50 of these moved to the sidewalk? 3. Stationary and office supply stores/corporate mug shots -- only office people need this stuff. 4. Gift shop/tchochkes/bad retail -- need a gift for the secretary, care for a scarf to match your dress, or a holiday sweater? 5. Restaurants/coffe places/smoothie bars -- they feed 200,000 people for lunch. How many can afford to stay open to feed 5,000 people after hours? Too much supply, not enough demand. How many Alonti Delis do we need after hours? How about 20? Look, I'd like to see stuff on the sidewalk, but most of what is the in the tunnels doesn't translate to anything other than the office crowd that needs a quick bite or get their watch fixed.
  25. capnmcbarnacle
    I've always thought calling it the "tunnels" is a bit of a misnomer. The first time I took an out of towner there, who had been hearing about them, their reaction was "It's basically just businesses in the lobby basements," which it is. Obviously there are tunnels under the streets that the city gives permission for, but this is nothing more than lobby businesses that have moved downstairs. As has been noted, the "tunnels" are basically the building basements and they are paid for and maintained by the buildings.
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