sevfiv Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 hey everyone...i just wanted to get some of your input on the housing changes that have begun in the past decade or so in Bellaire. Twenty years ago, the houses were quite "cookie-cutter" one story homes. Today, these homes are being bulldozed at a high rate and are being replaced with larger, more "modern" two to three story homes that cover alot more area of the original lots.living there, or just observing, what is going to be the fate of Bellaire in the next decade? what do you think about the issues that could come into play here, such as ecology or the skyrocketing prices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 looks about the same to me. sterile. but then again i dont really go there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjb434 Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 The neighborhood is just going through a change. To believe that one neighborhood will stay the same forever is a mistake. Even in historical areas where the houses are preserved, the people living there change and therefore attitudes and the community change.Just some neighborhoods see more physical changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 I think the only bad thing about Bellaire is that having a little money does not equal good taste.Those faux-stucco McMansions look really funny. Built to the curb, with about as much yard as a townhome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicMan Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 My friend lives in Bellaire when he isn't at boarding school. His house could be described as a McMansion.. it has Walt Disney and Looney Toones related pictures everywhere as a decoration.However, all his house has out back is a glassed in patio.. and not much of it!If I was building in that area, I would choose a Spanish-style house and I would have as large of a backyard as I can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 The next step is the hybrid McMansion/Townhomes. Peopulation density doesn't increase all that much, but there is a significant loss in greenspace.In some cases they can work out well and create a critical mass for neighborhood vitality and small businesses. Other times they end up ghettos. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 Over the past few years, I've seen a number of the homes being demolished and turned into McMansions. While A few of the homes that were torn down were not very well kept up and were on the verge of collapsing, the majority were homes in very good shape that had the potential of being livable for a number of years. The current space of constructions near a few of the streets are towards the upper end of the scale as far as income goes.Ricco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted June 25, 2005 Share Posted June 25, 2005 I will say the "McMansion" builders are putting more creativity into these homes than the original McMansions of the 80's West U vintage. Groin vaulted tiled celings and intricate inlaid floors, & other details. It still seems to me, though, that many are poorly proportioned to the lot. The recent Bellaire new home showcase had several homes in the 1.5 to 1.8 million range. The company does a chunk of business in these homes & what does bother me is the agents that work them have called Meyerland, "the new Bellaire". You can now see Villa d'tara on a quarter acre popping up among the low slung ranches in there. The individual new homes may be okay, even great, on a couple of acres or sitting in a development of similiar homes. My problem with them is it seems like we are "homogenizing" our city. Is making everything look the same an improvement?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicMan Posted June 25, 2005 Share Posted June 25, 2005 Yea... I wish that people would make their houses a bit more unique..Perhaps people should name their houses (like what people do in Bermuda). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 26, 2005 Author Share Posted June 26, 2005 naming homes thread i love the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 As a WestU resident, I'm glad that there is now a separate forum for our little city. Now I have a place to vent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casual Observer Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Do you live in the "Chimney"? Only a West U resident would know what I'm talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Was there any reason you couldn't vent here? We used to have a separate West U section, but it was hardly ever used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 As a WestU resident, I'm glad that there is now a separate forum for our little city. Now I have a place to vent! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well? What are you waiting for? Vent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Well? What are you waiting for? Vent! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> No I'm not in the chimney, it doesn't even feel like WestU over there. More like Bellaire. So anyone else tired of the ugly McMansions they're building with regularity in WestU? Used to be when I moved to WestU, most new construction was designed by an Architect. But now it seems like the builders have moved in and is ruining the charm of WestU. They typical spec house which seems like they got the plans from a plan book while waiting to checkout at Krogers. I guess anything for a quick buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 I live in the last section of WestU to be upgraded and guess what, the contractors are bankrupt and the work stopped about 2 weeks ago! Thank goodness my street was finished but there are some streets that are completely torn up, and unaccessible! I feel sorry for those homeowners, they have to park at the ends of the blocks. I don't even know how the city gets the trash out of there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjb434 Posted July 11, 2005 Share Posted July 11, 2005 Bad news. Well did his bonds kick in to city? They can use that money to try to finish the work by hiring someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 11, 2005 Author Share Posted July 11, 2005 and none of the links on the west u city public works/street construction website are working at the present moment - imagine that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted July 11, 2005 Share Posted July 11, 2005 Channel 13 did a piece on this a few weeks back and listed the projects involved. Their website may have a written version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 As far as I can see, Wake Forest is totally shut off at the Bissonnet intersection. Has been for like 2 months. Sunset and Nottingham east of Wake Forest is totally torn up with only one lane open, so that half the street can't access their own driveway. Probably Albans and Wroxton are the same but I don't go that way. Trying to avoid that whole area actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldogg Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 "Is making everything look the same an improvement??"that is all relative.... my office is a 1925 Victorian cottage in East Montrose.... 80 years ago these were everywhere and someone probably complained about everything looking the same... my house, built 1960, is in Timbergrove.. drive around a little and you'll notice that all the houses look the same... you'll even see the same floorplan 3-4 times per block..... and I'm sure someone complained about everything looking the same... go to the Heights.... imagine it 50 years ago... a million bungalows that all look the same... and again, I'm sure someone complained about them all looking the same... so basically I don't get your point.... what would you prefer the builders do in that area?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 "Is making everything look the same an improvement??"so basically I don't get your point.... what would you prefer the builders do in that area??<{POST_SNAPBACK}>My wife and I drove through Bellaire over the weekend (we are looking to purchase in Meyerland) and we were amazed at the TOTAL transformation this neighborhood as taken. I went to High School in Bellaire and I used to cut through many of those streets 15 years ago and I always thought the neighborhood was gross. That opinion stuck with me until recently when I say that 80-90% of the homes (at least in the area we drove) were all new and very large. The houses that remained were usually pretty nasty and need to be torn down. One of the reasons we like Meyerland is the possibility that once Bellaire is built out people will venture South towards Braeswood. The neglected homes will go first and the neighborhood will see new construction. It has already happened around Meyerland Plaza, but I think there is potential for this to continue all the way to Willowbend and possibly beyond. As more and more homes deteriorate coupled with the large lots most of the houses are built on, there will be many more re-build occuring. So I guess to answer the original Poster's question. I like what has happened in Bellaire. I love the boulevards and the trees. I think the newer homes add a lot to the area. I love one story ranch style homes, but unfortunately those days are over (for now) as everyone wants 4-5k SF homes on their 7500 SF lot. There is only so much you can do !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 if you were to purchase in meyerland, would you buy an older house to live in, to tear down and rebuild, or buy new construction?i honestly don't know the current rate of new construction in meyerland (and it covers a good amount of area) but i would imagine it is pocketed like bellaire.the closer you get to the railroads (inner loop bellire) the smaller the lot size (and seemingly more rundown houses). near the freeway the lots are slightly larger. these two areas plus the houses around evergreen just outside the loop seem to be where alot of the newer construction is.i noticed that to the north of the high school, the lots are much larger, and there are more original homes (larger and priced accordingly, too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 if you were to purchase in meyerland, would you buy an older house to live in, to tear down and rebuild, or buy new construction?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>We are looking at two types of homes: 1. Older homes that need work. We want 4 bedrooms and 2000-3000 SF. We are looking in the $210-$255 range.2. Older homes that have been remodeled and do not need as much work. Same space requirements as above but we are willing to pay $255-$300 for those houses. We have seen a couple in each category we like, but we are waiting to sell our midtown/ montrose townhouse first and there has not been a lot of activity although it has only been on the market for 2 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjb434 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Good luck in the selling. I hope it all works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Good luck in the selling. I hope it all works out.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I am a little nervous. There is a lot of new construction in the near areas. My townhouse has a lot going for it, but it is a Perry and everyone on here knows the reputation of them. We are not dying to get out so if it takes a little time I am fine with that too. Thanks for the good wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldogg Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 do every staging trick in the book when trying to sell your house.... hell buy some candles that smell like cookies to keep the house smelling that way and always leave some cookies out when it is shown... it took me a long time to sell my townhouse in Cottage Grove even though we had 3-4 showings per week, sometimes more.... our house was beautiful inside and was more interesting than most townhouses, but we just couldn't compete with the psyche that buyers would prefer new construction even if it costs more... my sister is STILL trying to sell her townhouse in the Museum District... she is priced $25-40k less than the new construction near her and still can't get an offer... my main worry for Houston in the near future is that all this rampant construction of townhomes is going to kill the market... these builders are cannibalizing their own profits and long term stability... it is madness... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Trophy, I think you and I have (had) the same Perry from what I remember.Ours sold in hours. It's the three story boats that take a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Trophy, I think you and I have (had) the same Perry from what I remember.Ours sold in hours. It's the three story boats that take a long time.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Mine is three stories, but in an area where there are not a lot of perry's. In fact mine is the only one for sale in my area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 "Is making everything look the same an improvement??"that is all relative.... my office is a 1925 Victorian cottage in East Montrose.... 80 years ago these were everywhere and someone probably complained about everything looking the same... my house, built 1960, is in Timbergrove.. drive around a little and you'll notice that all the houses look the same... you'll even see the same floorplan 3-4 times per block..... and I'm sure someone complained about everything looking the same... go to the Heights.... imagine it 50 years ago... a million bungalows that all look the same... and again, I'm sure someone complained about them all looking the same... so basically I don't get your point.... what would you prefer the builders do in that area??<{POST_SNAPBACK}>You just described three different area, recognizing the differences between each with their own character and architectural style and history. Within a given neighborhood their is going to be similiarity between houses of course. The point is, is it an improvement, for example, to make Timbergrove, the Heights and Montrose all have one look? To build the same new houses or townhouses so no neighborhoods have their own style and history anymore?Meyerland, for example, has some great mid-century architecture. I don't think it is an improvement to make it look just like Bellaire that looks just like West U and so forth. Of course there are plenty who see it otherwise I am sure. I just think it is boring to make different communities of different ages and history all look the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldogg Posted September 1, 2005 Share Posted September 1, 2005 You just described three different area, recognizing the differences between each with their own character and architectural style and history. Within a given neighborhood their is going to be similiarity between houses of course. The point is, is it an improvement, for example, to make Timbergrove, the Heights and Montrose all have one look? To build the same new houses or townhouses so no neighborhoods have their own style and history anymore?Meyerland, for example, has some great mid-century architecture. I don't think it is an improvement to make it look just like Bellaire that looks just like West U and so forth. Of course there are plenty who see it otherwise I am sure. I just think it is boring to make different communities of different ages and history all look the same.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Do you honestly think that all the different areas of Houston will wind up looking the same?? Development would have to happen super fast for that to occur, and that is not even close to likely.... The Heights has a lot of restricitions on what you can build there.... Timbergrove and Meyerland both are similar neighborhoods and the majority of homes are in good enough condition to be rehabed and/or updated without having to tear the house down and rebuild.... Montrose was and is a very eclectic mix and I don't see that changing.... further, at least for me, I can certainly tell the difference between being in West U or Bellaire or Southampton.... each neighborhood has it's own unique characteristics even though they've all been infiltrated with McMansions... so I don't think it is as uniform and bland as you seem to allude to... it takes time to develop things... even if all the homes in Timbergrove are levelled one day to make room for mansions, how long with that take??? what style of architecture will be popular at that time?? point is, the neighborhoods will always be different from each other and unique in their own ways... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 Well from the sound of all the sirens, you'd think WestU was in somewhere in Detroit. This irks me, because the cause of it is that WestU main streets are clear of traffic, so all the emergency vehicles cut through my relatively peaceful neighborhood, with sirens blaring, trying to get to the med center. I mean, I know they are trying to save lives, but at least they can turn off the sirens when coming through. I guess its the by product of the WestU neo-nazi police traffic control. Don't speed through WestU unless you want to contribute to our city coffers!I know why they try to avoid Kirby and Greenbriar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicMan Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 (edited) As far as I know, West University Place is certainly not a "high violent crime" area. All that means is that the police are anal about speeding over there. The same goes with Southside Place!" so all the emergency vehicles cut through my relatively peaceful neighborhood,"That has no bearing on the crime rate; the sirens could be ambulances trying to save people from a house fire or to save an elderly man from a heart attack. Edited October 18, 2005 by VicMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Thanks for the unusual perspective. I had never considered the ambulance traffic and how it has to funnel into the Med Center and the resulting disturbances that are created in the surrounding neighborhoods.Kind of like the trains are to the East End, or the planes to the Hobby area, or the bums in Midtown, or the growing traffic congestion/noise in River Oaks, etc. Not to discount your complaint, but living in the big city is a full sensory experience no matter where you are. At least the ambulances aren't picking up many in your neighborhood, just passing through. As gentrification slowly increases, violent crime will go down, as it has in places like NY, and the ambulances will sit parked more and more. That is one major reason us city people want development, to drive the criminals elsewhere. Taxes will go up and affordability down but economic cleansing seems to be the only, sure-fired way to permanently reduce crime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Actually, danax, gentrification, if it brings in more empty nesters, will increase the number of ambulances, since there are far more heart attacks than shootings. And, is it just me, or do others find it odd that a poster with 911 in his handle would complain about ambulances carrying someone's mother, brother or daughter to the caring professionals at the Med Center. Seems a bit selfish that your peace and serenity is more important than someone's life, including the other motorists who are approaching the intersection that the ambulance driver is warning of.As to economic cleansing, there was a time when economists, politicians and CEOs believed that rising incomes in the poor and middle class would increase income for everyone, ie, a rising tide lifts all boats. Sadly, that no longer applies, as we are in a much stronger "trickle down" economy than ever before. This will only have the effect of creating more poor neighborhoods, whether they be inner city or older suburbs, as fewer people will have the means to keep up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 ^ True, more old people means less crime but more sirens. Same with the trains, a thriving economy means more train traffic. Just can't escape life's endless array of opposites.Pondering the future of mega-metros like Houston can create comic book-like pictures in one's mind, such as massive inner cities gleaming with skyscrapers, towering luxury condos and mansions where living is a members-only game for the upper 5% income-wise and the rest are spread out in ever more distant layers with each further layer housing more people than the previous one and with less wealth. Outer ring residents living lifes of mere subsistance which in turn creates massive gang warfare for precious turf. The poor outnumber the wealthy by 20-1 so the inner city must protect themselves with draconian measures.Example message on public transport; "All level 17s will work extended shifts inside The City then will return to their podzones via Sky-Tram within 15 minutes of shift ending. There will be zero-tolerance and violators will face mandatory chip re-programming resulting in loss of shopping time. Repeat violators will be re-zoned to levels 75-100 (formerly Jasper Colony)." This message then repeats in each of the 15 official languages.All right, it probably won't get that bad for awhile yet. It would be a cool comic book though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 All right, it probably won't get that bad for awhile yet. It would be a cool comic book though. Or a Ray Bradbury novel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicMan Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_University_Place%2C_TexasHere I added a ton of pictures to Wikipedia's West U article.I did the same to Bellaire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellaire%2C_Texas, Southside Place http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southside_Place%2C_Texas, Braeswood Place http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braeswood_Place, and Meyerland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MeyerlandI also added street signs to the Houston article.How do you like the photography? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas911 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 (edited) My old post about how total inept builders who have had no architectural education really gets me going. Here are some "renderings" of million dollar homes these guys are selling. If they can't even draw a proper eleveation, what kinds of designs are these guys doing? I feel for the unknowing buyer for these. This one looks like he used crayons! This guy at least used a ruler! Wow this guy graduated to colored pencils! This architect should have his license revoked... Wow, pretty! This "artist" even signed his great work! Would you seriously buy a house if they can't even render what your house will look like? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Edited January 4, 2006 by texas911 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Well, I gotta agree. Since they have no intention of being original, they could at least be good copyists. All they need is a few books from the library, a pencil and some tracing paper. I don't feel for the unknowing buyers, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 (edited) Heh, IMHO, some of those are not TOO horrendous... Kinda reminds me of this neighborhood, in Sugar Land: these homes remind me of fake stucco tract houses... Edited January 4, 2006 by UrbaNerd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 (edited) wow - that looks frightfully like bellaire, but with less trees and probably larger lots Edited January 4, 2006 by sevfiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Timmy Chan's Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 This guy at least used a ruler! Wow this guy graduated to colored pencils! Wow, pretty! This "artist" even signed his great work! Wow...4 out of 7 are almost IDENTICAL to each other. Tell me, where can I find homes of this beauty and character? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 Wow...4 out of 7 are almost IDENTICAL to each other.Tell me, where can I find homes of this beauty and character? why, your "custom" home builder of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 (edited) Note the placement of the chimney for 2619 Nottingham - right where two angles of the roof intersect. Now that's going to be an engineering puzzler. Unless, of course, it's not a chimney. Perhaps it's a rooftop outhouse. Edited January 4, 2006 by dbigtex56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 I like the leaning portico. Would that be from subsidence...or is it feng shui? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 David Foster's designs look crooked in real life, too. Is he just saving the junk for Houston? Becuase his other works look a little more creative (but still crooked). http://www.davidfosterarchitects.com/profile.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 is this the same guy, just an older site, or are there two of them http://www.ddfaia.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 My bad.It appears the crooked one is the guy with the crooked Web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Crooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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