Camden Travis: Multifamily At 2700 Travis St.

[roadrunner]

From today's Chronicle. More residential development in Midtown....getting closer to the Red Line. No word on retail.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busine...ff/5546743.html

Midtown makeover

Apartment developer Camden Property Trust is planning to demolish a rundown Asian shopping center in Midtown to develop a $45 million multifamily complex in its place.

Construction on the four-story, 253-unit project, to be called Camden Travis, will start by the third quarter of the year, said Camden Chief Executive Richard Campo. The site is at the corner of Travis and Dennis, just behind the restaurant Reef.

The largest tenant in the shopping center, at 2830 Travis, was the Hoa Binh Supermarket.

Campo said rents will be competitive with existing units in the area, which are currently between $1.40 and $1.60 per square foot per month.

Although overall apartment occupancy began slipping toward the end of last year, developers have been raising rental rates and building new projects in anticipation of stronger demand from the single-family housing slowdown.

There are at least 18,000 units under construction in the Houston area, with even more proposed, Bruce McClenny of Apartment Data Services said recently at an industry event held by the Houston Apartment Association.

McClenny expects occupancy to remain in the mid-80-percent range this year.

Despite the construction boom, still-healthy job growth and continued turmoil in the subprime lending industry "give me a good feeling going into this market," McClenny said.

Camden's Midtown project is not to be confused with another deal the company has been talking about for years on the superblock, a multiblock parcel uninterrupted by cross streets between Main and Travis and south of McGowen.

Campo's still mum on the project.

[Trae]

Too bad on the Asian Shopping Center. I want Houston to have an urban Asian-district like in Toronto.

[King Owl]

Too bad on the Asian Shopping Center. I want Houston to have an urban Asian-district like in Toronto.

Is Bellaire not urban enough for ya? More residential folks near downtown is a great thing, in my opinion. Midtown has the early makings of a nice residential area

[midtownuser]

Too bad on the Asian Shopping Center. I want Houston to have an urban Asian-district like in Toronto.

ummm. most of the asian shopping centers are rundown like this one. why do you care for them? they are an eyesore

[roadrunner]

ummm. most of the asian shopping centers are rundown like this one. why do you care for them? they are an eyesore

Yeah I agree. These old strip centers are the ugliest parts of Midtown. There are several of them, so getting rid of one is some progress.

[ricco67]

Isn't this a "superblock?"

The location of this project is almost dead center in midtown and will offer a good amount of services within walking distances as well as entertainment.

I'm just curious if there is going to be anything on the first floor (if there was a picture on the article, I wasn't able to see it) to offer retail of any sort.

I know there is a dry cleaners, several restaurants, a few clubs, at least 2 clinics, yogurt shops, a grocery store (this could be Randall's salvation).

This could also help spur them to FINALLY develop that superblock on the rail and put up some good first level retail on it if this one doesn't.

[lockmat]

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=U...mp;t=h&z=18

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&...6&encType=1

Edited February 17, 2008 by lockmat

[Trae]

Is Bellaire not urban enough for ya? More residential folks near downtown is a great thing, in my opinion. Midtown has the early makings of a nice residential area

Bellaire is suburban. Do you see the difference? I was wanting to see a redevelopment of these Asian centers, so maybe let Asian owned businesses be apart of the retail.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Trae

[capnmcbarnacle]

Yeah I agree. These old strip centers are the ugliest parts of Midtown. There are several of them, so getting rid of one is some progress.

This old shopping center was actually developed in the 1920s, along with the one that currently houses Reef. I used to go in there all the time and it was really a precursor to modern malls with the interior arcades. They have some cool features if someone wanted to rehab them. The shape of the old sign along the street is classic. But why do that when you can just put in something blah like a new and improved strip center or some "luxury" apartments.

As for Midtown staying Vietnamese, those guys are long gone. Remember when they had the street signs in Vietnamese?

From what I hear, most of them that were fortunate enough to own that stuff made the American dream when they sold it, but most of it was actually owned by Arabs and Persians who leased it. At least this is what my friend whose folks owned a Pho place over there told me. I used to relish being able to go over and choose from a dozen places to eat Pho with a hangover, but nothing really lasts. Besides, how many Vietnamese immigrants still live anywhere close to that part of town? I do miss the Hoa Binh Market -- that place was always fun to browse on a Saturday or Sunday. Crap, I'm starting to sound like a crotchity old guy.

[editor]

Is this strip center in the area that used to be called Little Saigon? I remember there was a strip center that seemed to be the heart of that community.

[roadrunner]

I drove by this today on the way home from the theater. It's at Travis and Dennis, directly south of Reef, and the superblock west of the superblock on the Red Line.

There are a couple of small business in buildings on the block, but the main strip center on it looks like it is completely abandoned.

Also drove by The Mix @ Midtown, and even though we haven't seen official renderings, the renderings on the fence looks like it will definitely be mixed use. They tried to make Elgin @ Louisiana look like Times Square with the ridiculous amount of people walking around. It did say that something along the lines of "residential, retail, restauarant, bar". Hopefully this thing is as ambitious as the renderings on the fence makes it out to be.

[ricco67]

Also drove by The Mix @ Midtown, and even though we haven't seen official renderings, the renderings on the fence looks like it will definitely be mixed use. They tried to make Elgin @ Louisiana look like Times Square with the ridiculous amount of people walking around. It did say that something along the lines of "residential, retail, restauarant, bar". Hopefully this thing is as ambitious as the renderings on the fence makes it out to be.

Not to take it too off topic, the rendering might actually be somewhat accurate. My initial cynicism was about the picture pretty much evaporated when I was driving by the Maple Leaf and "Late nite pie" (Elgin andSmith) on friday and saturday night. They were both packed solid with people.

I don't know if CT will be enough to add to more traffic there, but on the weeknights it has some serious potential.

Edited February 17, 2008 by ricco67

[Jax]

Remember when they had the street signs in Vietnamese?

There are still some signs in vietnamese in Midtown. I remember seeing them near Mai's, at least, just off of Milam. And although its nothing compared to Toronto or San Francisco, there are still a bunch of Vietnamese restaurants around (Mai's, Van Loc, Pho Saigon, Nga Restaurant, Cali, Les Givrals, and at least 3 or 4 more I can't think of now), and I've been in some other random Vietnamese stores as well, and a bubble tea place, so it's not totally dead. I think the new residential might actually help the remaining Vietnamese businesses, as the people living at this new place could walk to just about all of the remaining Vietnamese businesses.

This shopping center has been abandoned ever since I moved to Houston, so I'm kind of glad to see it go (right now it is a gathering place for homeless people). It would be cool to see some more urban Asian developments as well, but it doesn't seem too likely. I am totally happy about a new residential development though. I understand that it's cheaper out in Bellaire, but I wonder why the same cost issues didn't drive the Asians out of San Francisco and Toronto and more into the suburbs (Actually Toronto has an asian suburb just like Bellaire, as well as a dense downtown Chinatown). The cost of real estate in both of those cities Chinatowns has to be crazy!

Here's a photo I took of the Hoa Binh Supermarket.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Jax

[Jeebus]

Bellaire is suburban.

Not to the thousands that live in the apartment complexes on Bellaire, Ranchester, and Town Park. I see Asians walking and biking all the time all along Bellaire.

[midtownuser]

Not to the thousands that live in the apartment complexes on Bellaire, Ranchester, and Town Park. I see Asians walking and biking all the time all along Bellaire.

honestly, chinatowns are great in cities. it shows the diversity of the population and just a look into another's culture. however, i prefer going to a chinatown as oppose to a chinatown coming to me. my point is: i wouldn't utilize a chinatown shopping center on an everyday basis but i would use a shopping center with a wine bar, multiple restaurants and just random stuff. i purchased property here because i knew midtown is gonna be the next big thing, not little saigon.

i'm surprised people are disappointed about this project because it involves tearing down some outdated shopping center. you obviously have bad taste in neighborhoods and should consider moving to the east side of houston. midtown isn't the place for you.

[jayshoota]

midtown is gonna be the next big thing

Heck yeah it is, it was Bentley and Lamborghini central today.

[ricco67]

Heck yeah it is, it was Bentley and Lamborghini central today.

they were probably heading to La Strada or Ferrangos (sp) for mimosas. those two spots are happening on sundays.

[Trae]

Not to the thousands that live in the apartment complexes on Bellaire, Ranchester, and Town Park. I see Asians walking and biking all the time all along Bellaire.

Surface lots and drive-thrus are suburban to me.

[jayshoota]

they were probably heading to La Strada or Ferrangos (sp) for mimosas. those two spots are happening on sundays.

Yeah, it was outside Farrgo, I snapped a shot...

Edited February 18, 2008 by jayshoota

[MarkD]

Surface lots and drive-thrus are suburban to me.

By that definition, Midtown is a suburban neighborhood, considering that directly across the street from this location is a strip mall with a surface lot and a bank with a drive-thru ATM.

[Trae]

I guess so.

[Jax]

Argue all you want about what you consider "urban" and what you consider "suburban", but there's a huge difference in Houston's Bellaire Chinatown and the Chinatowns we were referring to (San Francisco, Toronto, etc.).

The fact that a few asians walk and/or ride bikes doesn't exactly make Bellaire urban, at least not according to the way most of us define urban vs. suburban. Let's not argue about semantics here. I've decided to post a few photos to illustrate the difference between what I consider suburban (Bellaire) and urban (San Francisco) and Midtown.

Bellaire

San Francisco

Midtown

Yeah, Midtown has strip centers, so maybe it's not as "urban" as San Fran, but you've got to admit, it's more uban than Bellaire.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Jax

[CALMSP]

yeah....lets hope Camden uses there head and plan restaurants and shops on the first floor.....midtown is in need of more of this just like my crib at Post!!

[TheNiche]

Yeah, Midtown has strip centers, so maybe it's not as "urban" as San Fran, but you've got to admit, it's more uban than Bellaire.

I don't know about urban, but I'll say this: crop out the downtown skyscrapers and it is definitely uglier than Bellaire. ...and that's saying a lot.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Isn't the goal to clean up that part of Midtown? If the current businesses, Asian or otherwise, aren't thriving and the properties that they occupy are eyesores, isn't it better to have something in its place that looks healthier and makes a positive to contribution to the area's asthetics (granted, asthetics are subjective in nature but you get my point).

And I have no real interest in seeing San Francisco-style urbanity in Houston. It's fine for San Francisco but I don't think it fits in Houston at all.

Anyhoo... I thought Camden was the main contender some time ago to develop the superblock as well? Does this project across the street suggest that the McGowen Green supporters won the battle over the development of the land?

[Jax]

I agree that the photo I posted of midtown is a bit ugly, but I think it has potential to turn into something really cool. Bellaire is just too far away and will most likely always be the way it is (strip center land). There's nothing wrong with that, I guess - it's just not my favorite type of environment. It's definitely far enough away that I expect it to be the way it is (it takes me at least 30 minutes to drive there).

[Jeebus]

Surface lots and drive-thrus are suburban to me.

There are hardly and drive-thrus on Bellaire (in the Asian area). Most Asian businesses don't have them. As for the parking lots, the Asian business owners are just dealing with what comes with their lease. Besides, without those parking lots, how did you plan on getting to those shops? Compared to Westheimer or any other commercial street in Houston and you'll find some of the most vibrant pedestrian traffic.

Besides just walking for the enlightenment, why would you want to walk up and down Chinatown anyway? It's probably 70% restaurants. It's not going to be like any other shopping district where you can shop from store to store. Most of the commercial goods you would think to find on Bellaire are actually on Harwin, in the warehouse district.

Argue all you want about what you consider "urban" and what you consider "suburban", but there's a huge difference in Houston's Bellaire Chinatown and the Chinatowns we were referring to (San Francisco, Toronto, etc.).

And there always will be. That's why the Asians left the downtown area - because there was no where to live. Asians are very unlikely to move back just for a few small strip centers that have slowly been transformed into hip overpriced eateries with bland recipes for non-Asian food eaters.

The Asians in those communities you mentioned built their neighborhoods out of necessity. Don't you think they would have done just as they have in Houston had the opportunity been there? I can't think of one business owner that would want a crapped, 100 year old dingy brick sublet with no parking or back alley space over a nice spacious lot like offered here in Houston - and for quadruple the value they pay half the price. There's a reason why the Vietnamese are leaving Westminster and coming to Alief. They're no dummies, they're all about the American Dream of making money too.

The fact that a few asians walk and/or ride bikes doesn't exactly make Bellaire urban, at least not according to the way most of us define urban vs. suburban.

Yeah, Midtown has strip centers, so maybe it's not as "urban" as San Fran, but you've got to admit, it's more uban than Bellaire.

Maybe in construction - but definitely not in foot traffic. Bellaire Chinatown serves a crowd who is still more pedestrian friendly. Sure most Asians have cars, but you will still see more Asians walking up and down the feeder streets from their apartments & houses to Bellaire. You still see more people at the Bellaire bus stops who have travelled only a few miles from the Beechnut/Bissonnet/Kirkwood/Dairy Ashford area to go shopping.

I don't see that in Midtown, and I'm in both areas at least 3 times a week. Bellaire is trying to be suburban and its mostly vehicle-less populace are naturally going against it. Midtown is doing the opposite - trying to be urban, but it's it's populace is still trying to figure out where to park their cars.

I have no real interest in seeing San Francisco-style urbanity in Houston. It's fine for San Francisco but I don't think it fits in Houston at all.

The closest thing to San Francisco's urban setting (or any other US city's pre-WW2 development) is our Montrose or Rice Village area. Other than that, we're not going to see a natural urban area develop ORGANICALLY for another 50 to 100 years.

Don't get me wrong, I would love more pedestrian friendly areas in Houston - but I at least want them to make sense. For as urban as Midtown is supposed to be. I still never see any foot-traffic - except the homeless.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Jeebus

[Jax]

Maybe in construction - but definitely not in foot traffic. Bellaire Chinatown serves a crowd who is still more pedestrian friendly. Sure most Asians have cars, but you will still see more Asians walking up and down the feeder streets from their apartments & houses to Bellaire. You still see more people at the Bellaire bus stops who have travelled only a few miles from the Beechnut/Bissonnet/Kirkwood/Dairy Ashford area to go shopping.

I've never seen that. Maybe I don't go at the right time, or I don't go to the right part of Bellaire Chinatown though. I've seen people parking their cars and walking to the mall entrances, but I've never seen anyone walking on the sidewalks between shopping centers though.

The closest thing to San Francisco's urban setting (or any other US city's pre-WW2 development) is our Montrose or Rice Village area. Other than that, we're not going to see a natural urban area develop ORGANICALLY for another 50 to 100 years.

I would say Post Midtown Square is more similar to pre-WW2 development in other cities than Rice Village or even Montrose, although its incredibly small. And parts of Downtown (Main Street Square / Preston Station ares) as well.

[totheskies]

Argue all you want about what you consider "urban" and what you consider "suburban", but there's a huge difference in Houston's Bellaire Chinatown and the Chinatowns we were referring to (San Francisco, Toronto, etc.).

The fact that a few asians walk and/or ride bikes doesn't exactly make Bellaire urban, at least not according to the way most of us define urban vs. suburban. Let's not argue about semantics here. I've decided to post a few photos to illustrate the difference between what I consider suburban (Bellaire) and urban (San Francisco) and Midtown.

Yeah, Midtown has strip centers, so maybe it's not as "urban" as San Fran, but you've got to admit, it's more uban than Bellaire.

OMG this is Houston why do we even try?????? NYC=urban, Sugarland, Woodlands, blah=-suburban, Houston inner loop =large scale cluster____ with urban potential. Argument DONE.

[totheskies]

Isn't the goal to clean up that part of Midtown? If the current businesses, Asian or otherwise, aren't thriving and the properties that they occupy are eyesores, isn't it better to have something in its place that looks healthier and makes a positive to contribution to the area's asthetics (granted, asthetics are subjective in nature but you get my point).

And I have no real interest in seeing San Francisco-style urbanity in Houston. It's fine for San Francisco but I don't think it fits in Houston at all.

Anyhoo... I thought Camden was the main contender some time ago to develop the superblock as well? Does this project across the street suggest that the McGowen Green supporters won the battle over the development of the land?

The early twenty-first century is shaping up to be a time where Houston starts "filling in the gaps".... increased non=suburb residential, emphasis on public transport, better street life opportunities. It's not just the gay community that chooses an urban style in Houston anymore. Especially with the combined forces of environmental awareness and economic recession, the infill trend will be speeding up big time. With the sub-prime busts in our area, people will be forced to move closer to work to save gas, and get out of their insane mortgages.