Ivy District: Mixed-Use Development In Pearland

[hbcu]

why not? Each of these "master planned" neighborhoods have ways to get in there.....the back of shadow creek is an example...

Rodeo Palms intended to be a high end community but realized the market is not out there for that type so they sold their lots to mainstream builders...

not sure of pearland's zoning but mock my words, those type of developments will be out there to make a quick buck...there's a reason why the tax credit apartments pop up on all sides of town

[N Judah]

The white folks have moved in closer to town, to the detriment of many African American communities closer in. Same story as anywhere else...

Edited May 1, 2008 by N Judah

[rajuncajun]

why not? Each of these "master planned" neighborhoods have ways to get in there.....the back of shadow creek is an example...

Rodeo Palms intended to be a high end community but realized the market is not out there for that type so they sold their lots to mainstream builders...

not sure of pearland's zoning but mock my words, those type of developments will be out there to make a quick buck...there's a reason why the tax credit apartments pop up on all sides of town

I think that the two of you are talking about two different types of housing. You, HBCU, are talking about tax credit mulit-family apartments (which I don't think Pearland will allow on the westside b/c of zoning and the process to change it) and the other poster is talking about those "affordable" single family homes that say KB Homes is building North of Beltway-8 (near the City Park area). Either way I personally don't see either of those types of dwelling being developed in the Shadow Creek (i.e. westside) area. This master planned community will stick to its master plan.

Again, the key to these types of developments from not happening in Pearland is zoning. Shadow Creek/ST are the only parcels zoned for single or multi family dwellings between Beltway 8 and 518, 288 and Almeda. Everything else is commercial type zoning. In order for someone to build anything different they have to seek a variance request to change the zoning. That's where it will get hung up or else they won't issue a permit.

[neonurse97]

I think that the two of you are talking about two different types of housing. You, HBCU, are talking about tax credit mulit-family apartments (which I don't think Pearland will allow on the westside b/c of zoning and the process to change it) and the other poster is talking about those "affordable" single family homes that say KB Homes is building North of Beltway-8 (near the City Park area). Either way I personally don't see either of those types of dwelling being developed in the Shadow Creek (i.e. westside) area. This master planned community will stick to its master plan.

Again, the key to these types of developments from not happening in Pearland is zoning. Shadow Creek/ST are the only parcels zoned for single or multi family dwellings between Beltway 8 and 518, 288 and Almeda. Everything else is commercial type zoning. In order for someone to build anything different they have to seek a variance request to change the zoning. That's where it will get hung up or else they won't issue a permit.

ITA. Zoning is the key. I hope to never see any of the "cheesy" KB type homes in West Pearland period. Rodeo Palms is overall a nice community. I don't see anything that remotely looks like "City Park" in that community.

[Timnwendy]

ITA. Zoning is the key. I hope to never see any of the "cheesy" KB type homes in West Pearland period. Rodeo Palms is overall a nice community. I don't see anything that remotely looks like "City Park" in that community.

I must also agree. My building super told me in late 2007 that Pearland & the SoT require 23 different permits/inspections over the course of constructing a new home. Complying with those kinds of codes is not done cheaply, which should keep the low-end builders out. At least that is the theory...

[scrres]

http://blogs.chron.com/pearland/

More presidents coming to Pearland! And maybe some high-end restaurants Many folks who traverse Texas 288 to and from work each day have become good acquaintances with Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, George Herbert Walker Bush, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

The U.S. presidents, whose busts guard the entrance to the WaterLight District's Presidential Park & Gardens south of Beltway 8, have become familiar sights.

But where are the rest of the presidents coming? When will construction on the project start? What restaurants and hotels are coming in?

Over the past few weeks, I've gotten more than a few e-mails from readers asking just these questions, as well as wondering whether the souring economy is giving prospective retailers pause.

I jumped on the horn to talk to David Goswick, executive director of Historic Real Estate, the developers of the project, to get the latest scoop on the project.

Here's what he told me on Monday:

Within three weeks, people will start to see movement of dirt on our site. We'll be under construction by July 28. We'll start construction of the Grand Canal and bring in all the infrastructure for Phase 1 of WaterLights.

The first phase of the project includes 150,000 square feet of Class A office space; 100,000 square feet of retail; 50,000 square feet of medical office space; 300 luxury apartments; 32 condos overlooking a canal; a hotel; four restaurants; and a wine bar, Goswick said.

Phase II will bring in more two hotels, retail outlets, condominiums and more restaurants - 14 in all. The restaurants on the first floor will have outdoor terraces, and above them will be offices and residential condos and lofts.

Phase III will bring a mix of brownstones, condos and flats overlooking the water, Goswick said, noting that the total project should be completed within five years, by 2013.

I shifted to some more pointed questions in my telephone interview with Goswick, like whether retailers are getting skittish about moving there. Here's what he told me:

We have had no reluctance at all. The

Presidential Park & Gardens

is proceeding as fast as we possibly can with planning and construction. The planning and approval process is taking a little longer, but it's due to refining the plan. When you create a very special place, it takes time.

What about the other U.S. presidents planned for the site? Here's what Goswick said:

The statues have all been completed and are expected to be moved to the site (between November 2008 and March 2009). We can only move two statues per 18-wheeler, and it will require 20 trucks to move all of the busts to the site. We don't want to move the statues more than once because they weigh 7,000 pounds each.

I asked Goswick how much weight his company is putting on the results of a restaurant poll that Historic Homes conducted in January, in which 8,600 residents voted regarding what eateries they would like to see. Here's what he said:

What we keep hearing over and over is that consumers want a unique experience along The Restaurant Row. They do not want the same chains of restaurants that they can go to at any Houston freeway and experience.

Goswick declined to reveal the names of the restaurants that have signed agreements so far, pointing to a mutual nondisclosure agreement with each of the development partners.

Sherry Stockwell, new board chairwoman of the Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce, said that just about everyone she has talked to about WaterLights wants to see 'high-end' restaurants there. She elaborated:

What we'd like to see, and I think they're hoping to accomplish, are some restaurants that are high end and that have their own chefs, and not necessarily the typical restaurants you would think of.

[Subdude]

Somehow the idea of high end "eateries" (is that even a word?) surrounded by gigantic presidential heads strikes me as a bit incongruous, although I can't quite say why.

[neonurse97]

http://blogs.chron.com/pearland/

More presidents coming to Pearland! And maybe some high-end restaurants Many folks who traverse Texas 288 to and from work each day have become good acquaintances with Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, George Herbert Walker Bush, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

The U.S. presidents, whose busts guard the entrance to the WaterLight District's Presidential Park & Gardens south of Beltway 8, have become familiar sights.

But where are the rest of the presidents coming? When will construction on the project start? What restaurants and hotels are coming in?

Over the past few weeks, I've gotten more than a few e-mails from readers asking just these questions, as well as wondering whether the souring economy is giving prospective retailers pause.

I jumped on the horn to talk to David Goswick, executive director of Historic Real Estate, the developers of the project, to get the latest scoop on the project.

Here's what he told me on Monday:

Within three weeks, people will start to see movement of dirt on our site. We'll be under construction by July 28. We'll start construction of the Grand Canal and bring in all the infrastructure for Phase 1 of WaterLights.

The first phase of the project includes 150,000 square feet of Class A office space; 100,000 square feet of retail; 50,000 square feet of medical office space; 300 luxury apartments; 32 condos overlooking a canal; a hotel; four restaurants; and a wine bar, Goswick said.

Phase II will bring in more two hotels, retail outlets, condominiums and more restaurants - 14 in all. The restaurants on the first floor will have outdoor terraces, and above them will be offices and residential condos and lofts.

Phase III will bring a mix of brownstones, condos and flats overlooking the water, Goswick said, noting that the total project should be completed within five years, by 2013.

I shifted to some more pointed questions in my telephone interview with Goswick, like whether retailers are getting skittish about moving there. Here's what he told me:

We have had no reluctance at all. The

Presidential Park & Gardens

is proceeding as fast as we possibly can with planning and construction. The planning and approval process is taking a little longer, but it's due to refining the plan. When you create a very special place, it takes time.

What about the other U.S. presidents planned for the site? Here's what Goswick said:

The statues have all been completed and are expected to be moved to the site (between November 2008 and March 2009). We can only move two statues per 18-wheeler, and it will require 20 trucks to move all of the busts to the site. We don't want to move the statues more than once because they weigh 7,000 pounds each.

I asked Goswick how much weight his company is putting on the results of a restaurant poll that Historic Homes conducted in January, in which 8,600 residents voted regarding what eateries they would like to see. Here's what he said:

What we keep hearing over and over is that consumers want a unique experience along The Restaurant Row. They do not want the same chains of restaurants that they can go to at any Houston freeway and experience.

Goswick declined to reveal the names of the restaurants that have signed agreements so far, pointing to a mutual nondisclosure agreement with each of the development partners.

Sherry Stockwell, new board chairwoman of the Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce, said that just about everyone she has talked to about WaterLights wants to see 'high-end' restaurants there. She elaborated:

What we'd like to see, and I think they're hoping to accomplish, are some restaurants that are high end and that have their own chefs, and not necessarily the typical restaurants you would think of.

I'm glad to hear that most people out here want some higher-end restaurants. I'm literally sick of Chili's, Olive Garden and TGI Fridays. Give us Vic & Anthony's, Grand Luxe, Cheesecake Factory, Brennan's...etc.

[swtsig]

I'm glad to hear that most people out here want some higher-end restaurants. I'm literally sick of Chili's, Olive Garden and TGI Fridays. Give us Vic & Anthony's, Grand Luxe, Cheesecake Factory, Brennan's...etc.

really shooting for the stars there, are we?

[Timnwendy]

scrres, thanks for sharing that blog link! Good stuff.

[hbcu]

all the chain restaurants are only a mile away on 518......so they will have to blow the masses away on this project...but they can't get too high end and snobbish as the chain restaurants and retail stores uaually draw people to these areas....remember that fancy mall in the galleria area a decade ago that struggled and closed down? Houston isn't your typical high-end market...even The Woodlands knows its roots

for the record, the cheesecake factory is severely overrated...what makes that high end? If you don't get a private booth you sit in a long seating with stangers that hear everything...

[CoolBuddy06]

I'm glad the project is still alive. Thanks scrres. But Historic Real Estate needs to do a few things 1. update their websites, 2. give us rendering of the project, 3. publicize the project. These are no brainers.

[musicman]

I'm glad to hear that most people out here want some higher-end restaurants. I'm literally sick of Chili's, Olive Garden and TGI Fridays. Give us Vic & Anthony's, Grand Luxe, Cheesecake Factory, Brennan's...etc.

LOL sounds like your neighbors really miss some Double Dave's.

[Trae]

So, when do we get Barack Obama's head?

[westguy76]

So, when do we get Barack Obama's head?

probably never

[Chamo]

So, when do we get Barack Obama's head?

They will get the head of the new president. Makes me wonder on the color of his statue if he gets elected? I can see the polemic either way they decide to go.

[Trae]

^^He'll remain the same color as the other statues most likely. Statues don't need color really.

probably never

Never as in, three to four months?

[neonurse97]

all the chain restaurants are only a mile away on 518......so they will have to blow the masses away on this project...but they can't get too high end and snobbish as the chain restaurants and retail stores uaually draw people to these areas....remember that fancy mall in the galleria area a decade ago that struggled and closed down? Houston isn't your typical high-end market...even The Woodlands knows its roots

for the record, the cheesecake factory is severely overrated...what makes that high end? If you don't get a private booth you sit in a long seating with stangers that hear everything...

The Cheesecake Factory may be overrated, but it draws people. I can never go there for dinner and not have at least a 30 minute wait. It's also decorated beautifully inside....

[Trae]

Add to that, the Cheesecake Factory is a great place to go on a date . Love it, but my wallet, not so much.

[crunchtastic]

The Cheesecake Factory .......... decorated beautifully inside....

Now I think I better understand the target market for houses with turrets.

[hbcu]

your young kid....the Cheesecake Factory is fine dining to an 18-year old female and an easy way to score some points..lol

the facebook generation doesn't know the value of dining

[Trae]

your young kid....the Cheesecake Factory is fine dining to an 18-year old female and an easy way to score some points..lol

the facebook generation doesn't know the value of dining

Man speaks the truth. In fact, I'm going to the one in The Galleria later on today. Let's hope something happens . She doesn't know yet...its her birthday. Whoop whoop!

Edit: HBCU, spill the beans on other dining places that would be nice for a 17-year old's budget.

Edited July 12, 2008 by Trae

[hbcu]

it's been 13 years since I was 17 but if a girl went to Chilis back in the 90s you was in......lol

Pappadeaux's wasn't even in the equation but it was good for prom night if anything...

now, I don't know what these young females want but from watching my siblings, they don't seem to value fine dining unless it's a "name" place...

best shrimp in town is at Christies off of Westheimer....hands down...fish is fresh, the shrimp...man...

[Trae]

Good. I'll do that next time, because I have this planned out already. I have a friend who works at the Cheesecake Factory, and I'm asking her to put "Happy Birthday Kelsey" on the plate.

I'm so romantic. You guys should take tips from me .

[97saturn]

Construction has begun on the canal. Bulldozers are cutting a path thur the trees now.

[rgr]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Lead...4B-D62F9E780BFD} Edited November 21, 2008 by rgr

[rgr]

doesn't seem to want to come up. here are excerpts.

The Nano World Headquarters, located in Houston, Texas, is also being spearheaded by Historic Real Estate. Nano World Headquarters is a $350 million project. It will serve as the leading center for scientific nanotechnology collaboration world-wide and as an accelerator for start-up companies, offering a centralized intellectual hub and a state-of-the-art shared equipment facility. The headquarters will be a point of intersection where private sector, government and academic institutions will come together to create new opportunities for high salaried, high tech jobs and increase the economic development throughout the region.

Specifically, Historic Real Estate's landmark projects include the WaterLights District, a $700 million, 1.9 million square foot mixed-use community in Pearland, Texas, just minutes from downtown Houston. The planned community will feature residential condos, brownstones, luxury apartments, office buildings, retail boutiques, a fresh market, restaurants and wine bars, three luxury hotels, a conference facility, a water wall and a public park along a Grand Canal waterway. WaterLights is strategically located near the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical and research center. Employment in the area is projected to grow by 30,000 within the next six years and the resulting demand for housing, retail, and other community amenities will be met predominantly by the WaterLights District.

[sowanome]

Wow, sounds exciting...however, I'd rather see this somewhere inside the loop b/c it'd definitely bring more density to wherever it's located.

Kudos to Pearland..

[lockmat]

This is kind of old news I think, at least the development itself is. Maybe this link will work:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Lead...D62F9E780BFD%7D

[lockmat]

I didn't look to see if anyone has posted this yet...

Edited November 22, 2008 by lockmat