2929 Weslayan: Multifamily High-Rise At 2929 Weslayan St.

[infinite_jim]

35 Storeys with 250 units? and "The Horizon" is going to be 21 storeys with 290 units...

I pass by this site regularly and didn't realize how small it is compared to the size of the proposed bldg. I imagine that the entire podium base will be the parking garage and with the unit count I can only imagine that at best half or a third of the site will hold the tower portion. I really had no idea the dirt was that pricey.

Very dense proposal but within walking distance to the Central Market.

[wxman]

From today's Chronicle:

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2011/09/tower-to-rise-on-former-confederate-house-site/

Is there any way we can change the title to 35 stories instead of 27?

[lockmat]

From today's Chronicle:

http://blog.chron.co...ate-house-site/

Is there any way we can change the title to 35 stories instead of 27?

It usually takes PMing a mod to get that done. It's hit or miss if they see the message.

[editor]

When was the last time you saw an inspiring residential tower outside of Dubai? Condos & Apartment buildings are fillers, not corner stones.

Vancouver (many). New York (8 Spruce and others). London (The Shard, Strata).

Residential buildings are only as boring as the local government allows them to be. In all of the above cities, new development must meet high design standards. Right now there's a 45-story apartment building in Chicago that's been put on hold because a local neighborhood group doesn't think it's flashy enough. The developer is trying to rework it.

[Montrose1100]

Vancouver (many). New York (8 Spruce and others). London (The Shard, Strata).

Residential buildings are only as boring as the local government allows them to be. In all of the above cities, new development must meet high design standards. Right now there's a 45-story apartment building in Chicago that's been put on hold because a local neighborhood group doesn't think it's flashy enough. The developer is trying to rework it.

Well of course my statement was only a matter of opinion. The only thing inspiring about them is that they inspire me to make more money.

Marina City in Chicago is inspiring, but a by gone era. Residential can be flashy, I've seen some funky/cool places all over the world, but ” inspiring”, no.

[DrLan34]

http://www.bisnow.co...ory.php?p=18322

PMRG (with equity partner INDURE Fund) is launching its first multifamily development in Houston, a 35-story high-rise at West Alabama and Weslayan. We chatted with PMRG EVP/CFO Roger Gregory and SVP Bryant Nail. Bryant says the neighborhood is big for them (they want to provide that live/work/play environment), so they love this site one block from Central Market. Roger adds that the West Inner Loop has over 94% occupancy, several quarters of rent growth under its belt, and only 185 units delivered this year. PMRG is working with RTKL to design the community, which will feature 250 luxury apartments and 12,500 SF of ground retail. Roger tells us they have two designs on the drawing board and are considering style and budget. This will be the tallest building in the area, so PMRG wants to build a timeless piece of architecture that really stands out. Presumably without being bright pink with flashing lights.)

Here’s 1400 Hi Line, PMRG’s project under construction in Dallas. It’s the firm’s second multifamily development in Dallas and it has a lease signed even though it hasn’t topped out. PMRG hasn’t selected a GC for its Houston project yet; construction should start in late spring/early summer 2012. Look for initial occupancy about 18 months after groundbreaking. The project’s retail component will be anchored by an upscale restaurant; the rest of the space will be service-oriented. ARA’s Tim Dosch and David Marshall repped the firm in its land acquisition.

Edited October 19, 2011 by DrLan34

[Geoff8201]

Well that's good news...

but I have trouble envisioning a 35 story building on that piece of land with the number of lanes Weslayan and Alabama have currently... we'll see. I'll be eager to see the renderings of the two possibilities they are proposing.

this would be the tallest building between downtown and the galleria if built... I like the idea of it being mixed use, and ironic/poetic there being an upscale restaurant since that land was a restaurant before.

Hopefully this wont be another project to get scaled back... 35 story in the proposal, 9 stories by the time it actually gets built... hopefully not.

[Utinga]

"Roger adds that the West Inner Loop has over 94% occupancy"

This is interesting data. Would West inner Loop comprise of N. Loop to S. Loop? More like I-10 to 59,no?

[LTAWACS]

Something "twisty" would be cool I think.

[Geoff8201]

Something "twisty" would be cool I think.

Something like This maybe?

Edited October 19, 2011 by Geoff8201

[LTAWACS]

Yes. Something like this would be nice.

[swtsig]

Well that's good news...

but I have trouble envisioning a 35 story building on that piece of land with the number of lanes Weslayan and Alabama have currently... we'll see. I'll be eager to see the renderings of the two possibilities they are proposing.

this would be the tallest building between downtown and the galleria if built... I like the idea of it being mixed use, and ironic/poetic there being an upscale restaurant since that land was a restaurant before.

Hopefully this wont be another project to get scaled back... 35 story in the proposal, 9 stories by the time it actually gets built... hopefully not.

that title goes to America Tower at 2929 Allen Parkway by a solid 8 (office) floors.

[Geoff8201]

that title goes to America Tower at 2929 Allen Parkway by a solid 8 (office) floors.

I stand corrected, but I was too general in my statement. I was thinking more of the on and around Westheimer area when I wrote that.

[SkylineView]

At the end of the day, this could be a pretty good location. You're half a block from both the Central Market and the Rice Epicurian (God only knows how that place is still around). 35 stories with 250 units is less than 1200 Post Oak, which has 33 stories and 350 units (or more... I can't remember anymore, but it's 300-400). Wesleyan is 2 lanes each way, which should be more than sufficient to handle the traffic. This is an urban location, and while it's busy during rush hour, it's not a total fail. If you're going north on Wesleyan you may sit through 2 lights to cross Westheimer, but that shouldn't preclude additional development.

The location also has excellent access to Greenway, Highland Village, and whatever you want to call that development with the Buffalo Wild Wings / Panda Express / LA Fitness etc... With the other buildings across the street (8-12 stories) and the ATT abortion down Wesleyan (cement box with a top hat) I think this will be a welcome addition.

[Geoff8201]

Traffic impact is a debatable issue when it comes to something like this. While residents come and go at all different times, the bottom line is there will be an increase in traffic from not just residents, but their guests, and building employees. Will it be marginal, yes. Will it have a huge effect, not really. Will rush hour still suck, absolutely.

I think these two improvements could make traffic here a non-issue:

-Re-top Weslayan, less braking for bumps helps. Widen slightly if possible... which would help the second issue I see:

-Being a superb location two blocks from 59, I'd be most concerned about the Southbound Traffic. Any traffic exiting would make a right, go northbound, and have to u-turn. If you've ever driven on this street or one like it with a skinny median, you know that an over sized vehicle or more than one person making the same turn during oncoming traffic can put one lane at a halt. Somehow reworking this street for better ability to u-turn would help.

BTW, this post is based on my assumption the entrance and exits to the parking will be on the Weslayan side and not the W. Alabama side, so pending that we will see.

For your analysis: The Google Map of this area.

Edited October 25, 2011 by Geoff8201

[JWW]

When was the last time you saw an inspiring residential tower outside of Dubai? Condos & Apartment buildings are fillers, not corner stones.

Isn't that we call a possible potential market?

[Lectro]

http://www.bizjourna...-high-rise.html

[ChrisPHous]

I like it, looks like they could have some very big balconies, just out of curiosity how many stories is 2727 kirby?

[Geoff8201]

I like it too, with it being just down the street from me, I had my hopes there would be a decent design and not overdone.

2727 (will it ever get an official name??) is 30 stories, the first 6 being parking, and level 7 being the amenities. This beats it by 5 stories but we'll see how it does on height in feet cause 2727 had some high ceilings.

[Pumapayam]

The building rendering is very organic. If it ends up being built like that, and being isolated without any other building around it, it will look amazing with some good lighting.

[The Pragmatist]

I like the design. It is similar to Aqua in Chicago. And maybe I'm wrong, but I counted 40 floors in that rendering.

Edited December 29, 2011 by The Pragmatist

[Triton]

Yea, I count 40 floors as well. One can only hope that's the case!

[rsb320]

Isn't that the rendering for the Galleria building, not State Grille?

[lockmat]

a rendering at the site: http://goo.gl/jKkGf

[wxman]

[lockmat]

All those buildings in the background don't exist, right? I'm assuming they're just to make their own building look more appealing and not an indication of future developments.

The flared glass at the bottom of the building looks pretty sweet.

[Pleak]

I like that rendering. And it's a straight shot out my office window. Hope it happens.

[Montrose1100]

All those buildings in the background don't exist, right? I'm assuming they're just to make their own building look more appealing and not an indication of future developments.

The flared glass at the bottom of the building looks pretty sweet.

Looks like the Pheonix Tower & Greenway Plaza.

[lockmat]

Looks like the Pheonix Tower & Greenway Plaza.

Maybe so. When I was there I didn't see anything. Maybe I missed 'em somehow.

[mfastx]

Whoa, that looks really nice. Definitely the most interesting building built in Houston within the last decade or more (if built) outside of MainPlace perhaps.

[swtsig]

Looks like the Pheonix Tower & Greenway Plaza.

my first thought as well.

edit: i really hope this happens... the design is one of the first truly "interesteing" designs this city has seen in awhile. too often does this city get stuck w very safe and relatively benal architecture.

Edited February 16, 2012 by swtsig

[Triton]

haha. They just had to include a box-shaped building. Really nice design... this is one so far that would definitely be awesome to see built. Even at 35 stories, it's definitely going to stand out since there's no other tall building in the area, just how Anadarko in the Woodlands appears impressive since it only has low rises in the area next to it.

[kdog08]

Is that a parking structure connected to the building? Or some sort of retail/amenities component? Or all of the above.

[Montrose1100]

haha. They just had to include a box-shaped building. Really nice design... this is one so far that would definitely be awesome to see built. Even at 35 stories, it's definitely going to stand out since there's no other tall building in the area, just how Anadarko in the Woodlands appears impressive since it only has low rises in the area next to it.

I don't think it will stick out that much, more like 2727 Kirby. I like the ”skirt” as well, seems like a decent design, decent infill too!

[SkylineView]

The sign says "Coming 2013!!", but does that mean it's going to start construction in 2013?

[lockmat]

I don't think so. I think it usually means that's the delivery date.

I don't think so. I think it usually means that's the delivery date.

[Golyadkin]

If it says Coming 2013, that's the projected date for the building to be completely finished.

[ricco67]

Managed to take a photo of the lot with a bit of perspective of what the intersection is like (sorta) , along with a greenway skyline.

Enjoy.

[houstonartstudent]

Managed to take a photo of the lot with a bit of perspective of what the intersection is like (sorta) , along with a greenway skyline.

Enjoy.

Such Progress!

[LTAWACS]

Finally we get somewhat cool architecture.

[Geoff8201]

If it says Coming 2013, that's the projected date for the building to be completely finished.

"Coming 2013" seems unrealistic for a 35 story building to be completely finished when as of now there is still an untouched plot. I believe Coming 2013 simply means this is when it will start, not when it will finish. 2727 Kirby as a comparison took over a year and a half from foundation to top off and almost another year for a finished exterior. That was 30 floors, this one is 35. I'd expect to see goings on picking up as this year goes on, and the beginnings of a foundation late this year at the earliest.

[KinkaidAlum]

2727 Kirby also saw its head developer die when only about a quarter of the project was completed.

It would be quick, but not unheard of, to be able to deliver high rise apartments by the end of 2013 if they start the project soon.

[KinkaidAlum]

According to this week's HBJ, PM Realty plans to break ground this quarter on the apartment tower.

The main article was about how PM Realty Group hired the guy away from The Woodlands Co. to lead their development team. Hidden in the article was a gem about PM Realty having two other inner loop sites in play for possible development.

[lockmat]

unnamed source says it could break ground in June

[Pumapayam]

unnamed source says it could break ground in June

Unnamed sources are my favorite.

Good news. Another Crane near Uptown/Greenway.

[swtsig]

unnamed source says it could break ground in June

heard the same

[woolie]

New rendering posted on SW.

http://swamplot.com/the-numbers-on-that-35-story-tower-planned-for-weslayan-and-west-alabama/2012-05-18/

Edited May 18, 2012 by woolie

[Hugh Stone]

I count 40 floors on that rendering. 40>35!

[ChrisPHous]

Just passed by, there are workers on site and appear to be taking out some of the trees on the lot.

Concrete has been dug up in some portions and there are some big piles of sand. I'm not sure if it is related but in the parking lot across the street near the ATT building there is all sorts of metal part.

Regardless the prep work on this building seems to have started.

[infinite_jim]

This is going to be a real beauty (even if it's a quasi-Jeanne Gang rip). View corridors are very nice and developed from all sides.

Edited June 14, 2012 by infinite_jim