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Proposed plat. Most of these warehouses and light industrial buildings in the area are for sale.

Does anyone know what the plans are for the large piece of land just inside the west loop across from Northwest Mall? It is bordered on the north by Minimax St and the southern edge is just north of the 610/Hempstead Hwy intersection. The previous warehouse/commercial structure was torn down in 2006. It is currently owned by Fleming Loop Partners according to HCAD. http://www.hcad.org/records/details.asp?tab=1&bld=1&card=1&taxyear=2008&acct=1283230010001 Just curious. Thanks!

Does anyone recall this residential? community located on South Main Street near Hillcroft Avenue? The subdivision was built in the 1950s. When typing in South Main Gardens into Google in present day, you get a residential neighborhood in Missouri City, TX. The present day neighborhood is located off Sam Houston Tollway. I believe that is a whole different development. Does anyone recall what school Helen Eisentower was speaking of? Maybe Westbury High School? Westbury is a few miles away from Hillcroft & South Main. HISD Board meeting minutes - January 23, 1956 Letter from Helen Eisentower in South Main Gardens referred to Superintendent for Investigation. Dear Sirs: Do you fold have any jurisdiction over this school in South Main Gardens off 13000 block of South Main Street left? The children and mothers are up in arms about all the conditions out here. I'm very much concerned and would like you to come out and interview some of these people, find out what can be done to improve this unrest. Respectfully, Helen Eisentower Route 3, Box 55B

I was driving by this parking lot and noticed a sign for North Main Villas complete with rendering. These plots are gated and empty. They appear to be owned by the church across the road. I was not able to find anything on the project yet. I'll take pictures next time I drive by.

I've been given the go-ahead to finally announce this project. Here comes the development on the Northside of the city on light rail! The location: More details: Full details of the project (Hundreds of documents about the project) are here: https://app.box.com/s/3glyf64elksso0xnspyx

Noticed the white building was knocked down while parking my car behind the Contemporary Arts Museum. Wonder what will go there. Hopefully not a parking lot. Google Street View image below.

Just wanted to share for future home-owners the importance of proper waterproofing details and c raft work on their homes and future homes. I wanted to elaborate on my current experiences. As we all know most homes these days are constructed with a DuPont Tyvek. This material wraps around typical wood-frame homes and serves as a vapor/moisture barrier between the elements and the interior of the house. In order to serve as protection and an envelop to the home details pertaining to installation are very explicit. With the amount of rain in Houston, its important that your waterproofing details are done correctly. Tyvek, by DuPont has a specification for the installation of windows: https://www.dupont.com/content/dam/dupont/amer/us/en/performance-building-solutions/public/documents/en/K27340%20Window%20Installation%20Up%20to%204%20Inch%20Recess%20After%20WRB.pdf Won't get in the weeds but basically Tyvek has to be folded and taped in specific manner around windows. The more important component is to fold and tape your tyvek over the window Sill 2x4, before the window is installed. If you don't, even with Tape, any pin-hole or improper taping will bypass the moisture barrier and allow water behind it, Allowing for water infiltration. When this isnt performed properly, it can foul the structure. Want to walk through a couple of photos pertaining to things to look for. In the Image above you can see as we tear away the tape that the tyvek terminates at the window sill. The tape does not turn over the 2x4 window sill. You can see fastener holes within 6" of the window as well. Any hole in the system will allow water behind the Tyvek, In this image as we cut away the tyvek you can see significant water infiltration has occurred at the window sill interface. In the image above, as the sheathing was removed, Structural damage to both a load bearing studs and the primary support beam is obvious as a result of the faulty installation. In another portion of the house, you can see again improper installation at the jambs of the window. The tape was applied underneath the tyvek, essentially making it pointless. Obviously these repairs have been expensive. The original builder of the home, Ansari Builders, was not helpful at all pertaining to the addressing of these issues but I wanted to let everyone who's building and owning homes know that there are resources pertaining to how windows should be installed and the importance of proper waterproofing in the Houston Area. Be sure during inspection to evaluate the windows and if waterproofing was properly installed.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/sarnoff/article/Washington-Avenue-landmark-trades-hands-after-6133766.php?t=a2a5247845&cmpid=twitter-premium

Editor- You should do some background checks on Allen Parkway Village (San Felipe Courts). That place has a bad history and the residents had every right to be PISSED at what happened. Brief synopsis 1) San Felipe Courts was placed right in the middle of the old 4th Ward but was a "whites only" facility to provide housing for veterans. Seems an odd location for a segregated facility until you realize that the city of Houston had a reputation for carving out the old 4th ward...Sam Houston Coliseum, new City Hall, Pierce Elevated, Allen Center, were all built on what used to house what would today be historically relevant African-American structures. 2) After FORCED desegregation, the name changed to Allen Parkway Village and soon thereafter, the facilities were allowed to basically rot. 3) Starting in the late 60s, the developer of Greenway Plaza and Allen Center (Schnitzer?) began a very public campaign to try and "reclaim" land around downtown for his private development. His eye was very much on the prize of the old San Felipe Courts. There's even old newsreel you can find with his brash statements about pushing people out of the 4th ward. 4) Despite Houston having one of the longest waiting lists in the nation for public housing, the city failed to used H.U.D. funds to keep up APV. Once certain buildings were deemed unsafe, the residents were tossed out and forced to move to other parts of the city and the buildings were left empty. Sure enough, crime and drug dealing sprouted up in these empty shells and the residents that remained pleaded for help which further served to erode the once vibrant 4th Ward. 5) Eventually, the developers won out. After years of deliberate neglect, most of the project was torn down to make way for a supposedly better/private development. It was only the voices of the few remaining residents that forced the city to offer up "token" amounts of public housing units. 6) If you drive by today, the most offensive aspect of all of the above might just be that the project that is there now, is AWFUL. Suburban, gated, garden-style apartments with cheap siding. That's the best we could come up with? At the very least, if you are going to remove people against their will in the name of progress, shouldn't there at least be signs of progress? In 20 years, if not sooner, those apartments will look worse than APV. It's a sad chapter in our city's history. 4)

Four Seasons Private Residences. https://www.fourseasons.com/residences/private_residences/lake-austin/ Architect - https://www.pagethink.com

Looks like new apartments will be going up on the lot enclosed by Scott/Sampson/Clay/Denver streets where the old Ever Good Imports warehouse currently stands. HCAD lists the property as owned by Toorak Investments since 2010. May be better for "Going Up!" page.

New plat that was approved. Looks like it could be a small apartment project. Edit: Apparently it wasn't approved because it's still up for the next Planning Commission meeting.

What's the deal with this single family 1-story ranch-style home on the West Loop South 610 feeder? I guess this is one of those older residents who does not want to sell out to developers, or even TxDOT. This is literally across the street freeway from skyscrapers and luxury development. I wonder if there has been any lawsuits involved from/with this property? This is one of those Afton Oaks homes, that is notorious for protesting METRO/TxDOT expansions. Anyone know the address? I haven't looked on a map or even HCAD. I could just drive over there tomorrow.. Lets get this 1950s ranch-style home demolished!! (Sorry Historic Preservation Houston)

Noticed this residential development a long West Airport near Buffalo Speedway. They had to clear a forest of trees for this development.

Noticed a large housing development a long Buffalo Speedway ear West Orem by K. Hovnanian Homes. Brentwood subdivision. Looks like some of the land is reserved for a church expansion and other future uses. Lots of land out in the area of Buffalo Speedway. I've been watching it develop. In 20 years all the trees will disappear.

"In the four-year process that turned the 7,400-square-foot fourth floor of an iconic commercial building into their sprawling new home, the Kruegers could finally think about where they’d hang or display all of their art as they worked at a steady pace to gather more." https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/home-design/article/big-three-industries-houston-17682135.php#photo-23284247 I've driven by this building every time I go to the two apartment projects on 12th St.

I found this amazing piece of history that's wildly interesting on what ever happened with the land. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated July 3, 1923 and came across an article about John Henry Kirby's planned Country Estate at the End of Main. This estate would have came after his historic mansion in downtown at 2006 Smith Street. I wonder if there is any photos of the mansion? Mr. Kirby was extremely famous, so I bet there would be pictures of his new home. That is, if the country estate actually got built. For this estate, I believe they are talking about Old Main Street Road. Often times confused with South Main Street. I found a clue about the Kirby estate while reading Automotive News dated September 24, 1929: Houston, Tex., Sept. 23. - Actual development of the Curtiss Airport on the Kirby plot, adjacent to the Old Main Street Road, will start within ninety days, according to Paul C. Jackson, manager of the airport. The total size of the airport, almost, matches the John Henry Kirby's planned state. The Kirby estate was 400-acres while Curtiss Airport was on 450-acres. I'm thinking the proposed Kirby estate failed and he eventually sold the land to which Curtiss Airport acquired? Country Estate at End of Main planned by Kirby. 400 Acres on Brays Bayou will be transformed into beautiful spot. Two Mansions To Be Built. Two palatial country homes, rivaling the mansions a long the bank of the Hudson river in New York, will be constructed by John Henry Kirby and his son-in-law, J. Frederick B. Rawcliffe, at the southern end of Main street, between Bellaire Boulevard and Brays Bayou. John F. Staub, Houston representative of New York architectural firm headed by H.F. Lindeberg, said Monday that preliminary plans had been completed and approved. Mrs. John Henry Kirby last week departed for New York city, from which point she will leave for the Adirondack mountains. While in New York she was shown the plans and approved them, it was said Monday. Both Mr. Kirby and Mr. Rawcliffe are out of the city. Estate of 400 acres. "Mr. Kirby owns at last 400 acres of land which will be converted into a joint country estate," Mr. Staub said. "A month ago he had acquired that much and, I believe, that since that time he has purchased considerable more acreage. Purchases have extended over a period of nearly two years." A private park containing a golf course, an artificial lake, tennis courts, a marble swimming pool and paved driveways will surrounded the two dwellings, the exact plans of which would not be reveled by the architect. "It would be hard to say whether the house would be two stories in height or not, "Mr. Staub said." "One could not very well term that a two-story house," and he pointed to a picture on the wall showing architects' drawing of a country mansion. Plan Artificial Lake. Present plans, however, are said to call for buildings of marble, brick and stucco construction. The outstanding feature of the two estates, which will be connected so as to form a single beautify sport rivaling any in the South, is the plan of landscape. One end of the property is bounded by Brays bayou, a clear shallow stream, which bisects a stretch of rolling prairie and a wooded section. In the center of this prairie is a natural bed, which, it is understood, will be converted into an artificial lake. One of the houses will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, who now reside at 2006 Smith street. The other will be occupied by Mr. Rawcliffe and his wife, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirby. A present they reside at 911 Lovett boulevard, Montrose. H.F. Lindeberg, architect, has prepared plans for many palatial homes in the city, including several residences in Shadyside, facing the sunken garden on Main street, opposite the northern entrance to Hermann park.

Anyone have info on this? Currently owned by Meldi Construction. The metal building and slab has come down and out. The two houses to the south are now vacant. I'm hoping for a neighborhood bar.

Noticed this project registered with TDLR.

Project Name: Tanglewood Senior Living Address: 502 Bering Drive Houston, TX 77057 Owner: CA Ventures Architect: OZ Architecture General Info: New four ( 4 ) story senior living Memory Care / Assisted Living facility totaling 55,287 SF with 58 units and associated support areas ( activity, outdoor dining terrace, salon and lounge ). This will connect via pedestrian sky bridge to 504 Bering Drive ( Anthology of Tanglewood ). Anticipated start of construction is July/August.

I saw this while clicking through the Chronicle. Forgive me if it has been posted elsewhere. http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/05/aging-apartment-complex-near-downtown-to-be-replaced-with-luxury-building/?cmpid=hpfsln *Changed link to the updated story.

Businessman and developer Oscar Holcombe (1888-1968) and his wife Mary hired Houston architect L.W. Lindsay to design this home. Completed in 1925, it featured gardens designed by landscape architect Herbert L. Skogland. Outstanding features of the Tudor revival style house include a gabled and hipped roofscape, decorative half-timbering, a bay window, an elaborate chimney, and an entry portico with decorative brickwork. Holcombe, who served eleven nonconsecutive terms as mayor of Houston between 1921 and 1957, continued to live here until his death.

Anyone know what is going on at this location. Looks like some demolition activity but keeping of the existing structure.

I was researching the developer of the Willowbend neighborhood of Houston. It looks like Krist Hubert was the developer of the residential subdivision in Southwest Houston. I believe other important figures in the forming of Willowbend were Frank Burkhardt, and Evera West. Krist Hubert also helped Frank Meyer develop the nearby Meyerland neighborhood as well. Appears he also built homes in Bellaire to. In the magazine House & Home dated February 1958 there was a small detail of the Willowbend neighborhood. Medium Priced: Willowbend is a community of 700 houses in the $16,000 to $20,000 class. Sixty different builders have worked here. Its trees are a big feature, were carefully protected because lots with good trees are scarce in Houston and command a good price. Developer Krist Hubert (like many other developers) got his start in the building business. He was a painting contractor, now owns a lumber yard and builds some houses himself. He helps small builders by selling one lot a a time. He also provides some construction funds. Parade plan book by Houston Home Builders Association dated 1950: Burkhardt and Hubert Construction Co. of 5104 Elm Street in Bellaire - MA-0407 built the 1950s Meyerland home at 5107 Jackwood. The home was designed by L.B. Wooters. Engineering News-Record 1960: Hubert Lumber Co., 5104 Elm St., Houston, Texas. Engineering News-Record 1957: Krist Hubert & Assocs., 5107 Jackwood St. The newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated June 29, 1955 it appears Krist Hubert lived at 5300 Aspen Drive in Bellaire, TX. Last night, Krist Hubert, 5300 Aspen, was installed as the new president of the Bellaire Lions Club at John's Restaurant. Mr. Hubert is a native Texas. He migrated from Halletsville to Houston 26 years ago. In 1948 he came to Bellaire and started a successful career in building homes. He owns the Hubert Lumber Company at 5104 Elm. Aside from building nearly 400 homes in Bellaire and neighboring areas, he has been interested in civic affairs and politics--