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I always see the infamous Nitya Tower while driving on 59. Today I stopped by for a closer look. I do like the outside tenant signage structure. Good use of materials. Leasing is done by Texas Overland. The building has some cool lights on the exterior facade.

I've always seen this beautiful brick building while driving on the feeder of 59. I stopped by for a closer look. Looks like the building is dedicated with Jesse H. Jones Memorial American Red Cross Building

I've always wondered about the business Bar2200. Anyone ever been? Looks kind of gaudy. The office tower has building signage for the Mattioli Lasik Vision of Mattioli Vision Professionals by IQ Laser Vision. Took these photos today.

There was discussion about this 1.87-acres of land in the Hanover River Oaks thread. Fresh on Loopnet, listing created yesterday. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2801-Kirby-Dr-Houston-TX/21177891/ Approximately 4,500 SF building with three drive-thru lanes on 1.87 acres of land.In the highly desirable Upper Kirby District between Westheimer Rd and Richmond Ave. Available January 2021. Will consider dividing building. Do not disturb occupant.

I was reading the newspaper The Houston Post dated October 30, 1921 and noticed a public school on Westheimer Road called John Smith School. I then found a library item that has more details. 2503 Westheimer Houston Forum of Civics of River Oaks Garden Club. Built about 1880 until 1920 The John Smith School. Restored in 1927 by Will Hogg. A memorial since 1942 to Will and Mike Hogg. Gardens added in 1955. Open to public. I just looked on Google satellite. The River Oaks Garden Club Forum is still there! Do they own that whole parcel? Can't even imagine how much that RO parcel is worth!! I bet Hines or Hanover could build something tall here

There's that small retail center near Lamar High School that's located at 2802 Westheimer Road. In between River Oaks and Upper Kirby. Old Loopnet listing: https://www.loopnet.com/property/2802-westheimer-rd-houston-tx-77098/48201-0121150000018/ How is that fancy restaurant called Relish? It's been there forever but I never tried it. https://www.relishhouston.com/

I didn't see a thread about this cool, 1950s, office building designed by Neuhaus & Taylor. Thought I would share information. Only a matter of time until it's demolished for something more modern. Also a Gerald Hines building! Very cool.

I work near there and was curious if anyone had read or seen what is going to replace the Chevron on the corner? They've torn down the carwash as of Friday, but no signs of anything to come. There is already a Chase, Wachovia, and WaMu nearby, so hopefully it won't be yet another bank.

I thought there was already a thread about this, but I can't find one, so I will include all the information I know. At 2715 Bissonnet in West U, diagonally across the street from the old Coca Cola bottling plant, there is a two-story shopping center from the 1960s or 1970s, which is being torn down for redevelopment. Plans for redevelopment have been going on for a while; this flyer was posted in 2017 when a company called Edge was marketing it. More recently, BPI realty has been marketing it, with the following rendering common to both flyers, showing a one-story strip mall: And here is the site plan: In November, the city of West University Place had a hearing to replat it. The existing development is called The Upper Kirby Building, not to be confused with a building of the same name on Richmond, and other places have referred to it as the Shoppes at Upper Kirby and the Shops at West U, so I am uncertain of what the name of the final development will be. Swamplot reported on the imminent demolition of the existing buildings, including this pre-demolition photo: http://swamplot.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/upper-kirby.jpg Here are some photos I took of it today during demolition:

Noticed this matchbook recently and wondered about the business. Does anyone remember this store? I assume it was active in the 1960s. Looks to be where the current Robert's Carpet is, across the street from Shops at Arrive River Oaks. Et Cetera Wallpaper 3404 Kirby Drive Houston, Texas JA 3-6202 / JA 3-6424 Et Cetera * Wallpapers * Vinyls * Burlap * Grass cloth * Wall frabrics * Screens & Dividers * Silks

I recall seeing the city permits for this a while back.

Chris_Olbekson has added a photo to the pool: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/12845704125_031879e881_m.jpg Click here to view this photo at the HAIF Photo Pool on Flickr

Not sure what this will be but there is a 2 story office building there now.

I saw online a few months back that this was closing. I spy a tower crane, I wonder what it's building? I had it in my mind it might be the Solvay Hotel. It's not, it's Amazing Spaces.

I was looking on Worthpoint for historical Houston items and came across this cool club. The club was called Roulette Club located 3701 Kirby Drive. Very cool, because I've never seen the original facade! Anyone know the date to this? I'd say 1970s?

wow!! I can't believe a car lot once occupied the infamous Upper Kirby area! This is some cool history. Never would have thought! Wendell Hawkins Motors, Inc. 3101 Kirby Drive & Alabama LA 6-2966 Confidence Builds Out Business * Imperial * Chrysler * Plymouth * Valiant Many Colors And Body Styles From Which To Choose So this was where the present-day Grace's Restaurant is located? Does anyone have memories about this place?

I was reading the newspaper Jewish Herald-Voice dated August 18, 1977 and came across a business advertisement for Harrigan's Restaurant located at 2702 Kirby Drive. Does anyone recall this place? 1977 was actually present resent. I assume someone on HAIF went here to eat. I've never heard about the restaurant until today! Great Things Happen at Harrigan's- Great Foods Great Service Great Evenings Harrigan's -The Funtasmagoria Place- 2702 Kirby Drive (½ Block South of Westheimer) Reservations 524-4611

Does anyone know when the Albert Pick Motor Inn located at 3301 Southwest Freeway was active? I'm assuming the motel was in operational in the 1970s? What replaced the demolished motel? Looking on Google Maps, it brings me to the intersection of 59 South at Buffalo Speedway. I see the famous Phoenix Tower located right there. Phoenix Tower has an address of 3200 Southwest Freeway. I found company stationary on Ebay. Looking for info!

The site was expected to be the last phase of Kirby Commmons Townhomes, Pelican Builders has revised plans for a 7-story condo building. http://www.westmorehouston.com/

Looks like HEB is really pushing hard for their new urban concept... this could be a large development (just my speculation). no mention of mixed use but it looks like their urban concepts are shooting for that where feasible and this would certainly be a feasible location. http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/H-E-B-planning-Upper-Kirby-land-buy-11743119.php?ipid=ntk

Senterra Real Estate has a multifamily project in the planning stages for the NW corner of Richmond & Buffalo Speedway. SubdivisionPlatPDF_Senterra Richmond.pdf

Found this on Ebay. Can we date it? Does anyone know the architect? Quality Courts Motel 4701 Kirby Drive at S.W. Freeway (U.S. 59) Houston, Texas 77006 Telephone 713/528-2811 In a classic Roman setting 178 spacious emperor size guest rooms and suites, coffee shop, Rib Room, club lounge, completely equipped meeting rooms. Close to downtown and minutes from Astrodome and Rice Stadium.

I remember hearing Spaw Glass used to be headquartered where the infamous 2727 Kirby high rise is located. I decided to do a little research. The contract for the new air conditioned, two classrooms addition, was awarded to Spaw-Glass Inc., 2727 Kirby Drive. Plans were prepared by Clyde F. Hall, 4549 Benning. The office building also leased space to several companies. These advertisements are from the 1960s and 1970s. American Institute of Motivation, Inc. located in Suite 312: Globe Personnel Consultants in Suite 316: Don Brelsford Company:

I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated May 25, 1955 and came across a Grand Opening advertisement for Bill Roberts’ Charcoal Inn Restaurant located at 2702 Kirby Drive. Grand Opening Wednesday – June 1 5:30 P.M. The Town Crier’s own Steakhouse The finest steaks broiled to succulent tenderness over the charcoal flame. Complete steak dinners from $3.25 Salad & Baked Potato Open daily for lunch—11:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Bill Robert’s Charcoal In 2702 Kirby Drive (One block South of the Kirby-Westheimer intersection) JU-4888

3115 Kirby Drive 77098 SUMMARY OF VARIANCE CONDITIONS(BE AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE): The existing Carrabba’s restaurant is to be rebuilt on the parking lot south of the existing building. While the new building is under construction, the restaurant will remain in operation but all parking will be off-site in a new parking garage (to be constructed first) across the Branard Street and in an existing open parking lot on the east side of Argonne Street. When the new Carrabba’s restaurant building opens and the old building is demolished, a new parking lot will be constructed on the same block as the restaurant. However, this parking lot will only provide 39 spaces (49% of what is required); the remainder will be across Branard Street in the new garage and across Argonne in the existing open parking lot. Both the garage and the lot will be shared with two new restaurants to be constructed adjacent to Kirby on the block west of Argonne. One of the new restaurants will have 9,340 sq. ft., requiring 75 parking spaces. The second will have 3115 sq. ft., requiring 25 spaces, plus office space of 2700 sq. ft., requiring 7 spaces. The block north of Branard will have 10 open parking spaces and a garage for approximately 275 spaces. All three new buildings together will require 217 spaces. A total of 337 spaces are being provided on the three blocks. The proposed new restaurant (labeled as [A] on the site plan) will begin construction following the completion of a multi-story parking structure (labeled [D]). While the new restaurant is under construction within the parking lot that current provides the existing restaurant its parking, the current building will satisfy its Chapter 26 requirements from the new parking garage. Once the new building is completed, the existing restaurant will be demolished and a 39-space surface lot will be completed on-site. As a result, the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works & Engineering recommend the Commission grant the requested variances to the distance requirements of the Off-Street Parking Ordinance. ------------ Starts on page 169 http://ataps1.pd.ci.houston.tx.us/drc/PC+Meeting+Calendar.nsf/WebDocumentOpen/6D1D31EE28FC49878625751D00711A17/$FILE/Action+Agenda.pdf