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McCombs plans 400 apartments near downtown on West Dallas By NANCY SARNOFF Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle A San Antonio-based real estate firm led by businessman and former Minnesota Vikings owner B.J. "Red" McCombs is planning to build more than 400 apartments in a new development near downtown. Koontz McCombs will break ground in March on the roughly $50 million pro- ject. The still-unnamed complex will be built on 5.5 acres at 2221 West Dallas near Montrose, once the site of a CenterPoint Energy meter-reading facility. The project, which could be completed by the end of next year, comes at a time when most apartment complexes in Houston are full. Hurricane evacuees who relocated here have leased thousands of rental units in the past few months. From August to November 2005, occupancies in the nicest complexes went from about 89 percent to almost 94 percent. Link to the article

Gables CityWalk at 2828 Greenbriar Dr.

I was driving down Westheimer yesterday and noticed the Montrose Diner was closed....when did they shut down? I thought they were getting their act together...I guess too little too late....

Does anyone know what is going in to the old Stat Script (sp?) store at the corner of Westheimer and Montrose (across from Taco Cabana)....they are doing some big time remodeling....great front doors !!!

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Houston recently had cause to feel flattered. Renzo Piano's design for a $258 million addition to the Art Institute of Chicago bears a striking resemblance to his Cy Twombly Pavilion here. Piano told the New York Times that his plans for the famed Chicago art museum include a suspended roof that he likens to a "flying carpet." The design will allow natural light into the third floor to showcase the museum's modern-art collection. Link to article and illustrations

Any idea about what's going to become of that derelict gas station at NW corner of Montrose and W. Alabama? Something interesting, or just a different gas station?

I had family in town and wanted to show them around the gayborhood, when I ran across this house that had this vortex running through the center of it. I took some photos of it and wanted to show them here in case you haven't seen it yet. Walking around to the front of the house http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2255.jpg The front of the house http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2256.jpg The side with the address posted http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2268.jpg Inside the middle of the "vortex" http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2257.jpg The back of the house http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2264.jpg Part of an interesting structural art peice along the Willard Street http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2262.jpg The detail on the statue http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2263.jpg Two interesting statues standing near the inside out house. I think they might symbolic of the left and right wing parties of America? Thats what I got out of it! Ha! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v21/incu_jess/digi-cam/IMG_2254.jpg This was probably already posted elsewhere on the forum, but I only check it once in a while! I thought I would share my photos with you.

Rumor mill has it that CVS bought the hard corner at Richmond and Montrose (where the old Shell station is) for a new store. I'm sure it will be the suburban model they built in Midtown, but if any of you are involved with planning in Montrose, now is the time to voice your opinion about the layout before its too late.

Hyde Park Hyde Park United Civic Association, an HNC member, invites you to the first annual Home Tour to be held in this historic community. Six houses and a church will welcome visitors from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 2. The tour starts at Grace Lutheran Church, 2515 Waugh Drive. Free parking is available at the church. Purchase a brochure and map to the designated homes for $15, or reserve a ticket in advance for $12 at www.hydeparkunited.org. The tour route is well marked and can be walked easily. Located just west of downtown, Hyde Park was originally part of a farm belonging to Mirabeau B. Lamar, president of the Republic of Texas. Proceeds from the tour will support the restoration of Lamar Park.

My personal favorite of 5000 Montrose. 5000 Montrose has a GREAT location. It is close to Montrose, downtown, Hermann Park, Med Center, Rice Village, and you can easily walk to the light rail. Unfortunately, I think some of the units' views have been blocked by the Museum Tower across the street.

With the demise of K-Arts (KRTS/Seabrook 92.1), has anyone heard what's to become of their nice building on Montrose Boulevard? I know Radio One has or is planning to move the operations of what is now KROI into Greenway Plaza. http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/Images/Buildings/Montrose/KRTSBuilding-001.jpg http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/Images/Buildings/Montrose/KRTSBuilding-003.jpg

Do you have an interest in volunteering for the Yates Community Archaeology Program? Volunteer opportunities Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm (11:30 - 12:30 lunch), till mid-December (except for Saturday Sept 25, morning only). We meet at the Yates House at 1314 Andrews. Some of us work in that yard, some under the Pullum House across the street, and some in our (air conditioned!) lab in the Yates House. If you would like to participate, or if you know others that might, you will be most welcome! They supply ice water, and they also have a few extra trowels if you don't have your own. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and wear shoes with closed toes (not sandals). Shorts are fine, but if you want to wear a halter top, bring a t-shirt or something to cover up more if needed. For more info, contact Carol McDavid of Yates Community Archaeology Program mcdavid@publicarchaeology.org http://www.webarchaeology.com

Museum District. Down the street from Bell Park around the corner from Hermann Park and a short bike ride to the Rice Village. I love this part of Houston. Dream