GreenStreet: Mixed-Use Development At 1201 Fannin St.

[HOUCAJUN]

Cool  Hopefully I'll be home for it. Who knows though   Looking foward to it. Anything solid though? Ground breaking date?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Icalled the number today and a guy answered and said gorundbreaking will begin this october.

[texasboy]

I don't believe anything anymore. by the way, houstoncajun what is that in your avatar?

[H-Town Man]

Repeat after me:

"The virgin megastore does not a city make",

"The virgin megastore does not a city make",

"The virgin megastore does not a city make".

The store is a 90's phenomenon. Houston doesn't need one.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL

[H-Town Man]

It would be nice if the Houston Pavillions had something like a Target.  I know, I know, not exactly glamour-puss, but it would draw a lot of shoppers, complement the specialty stores like Virgin, and help create a viable downtown retail base.

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Yeah man, I'm with you on the Target. If we could just get that, a Stein Mart, and maybe a Weiner's, downtown'll really be hoppin'.

[houstonsemipro]

A WEINER'S?! WHAT THE HELL!

[danes75]

hmmm... Virgin sells other things besides CD's... so I doubt their entire business model is contingent on sales of music.

[kjb434]

WEINER'S is a chain of discount stores I've seen them in the south a lot. I guess they haven't made it to Texas. They're nothing too impressive.

[sevfiv]

WEINER'S is a chain of discount stores I've seen them in the south a lot.  I guess they haven't made it to Texas.  They're nothing too impressive.

weiner's used to be in houston - all gone

[Subdude]

Yeah man, I'm with you on the Target.  If we could just get that, a Stein Mart, and maybe a Weiner's, downtown'll really be hoppin'.

Lol. OK, point taken.

[Houston19514]

Weiner's was headquartered in Houston... the company went out of business in 2000

[H-Town Man]

weiner's used to be in houston - all gone

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I didn't even realize they were gone. I am still scarred from childhood days when my mom would take me there and I would have to find some way to entertain myself for an hour and a half. Usually I ended up walking along the tiled walkway of the store over and over, trying only to step on certain tiles (this is how you develop OCD, by the way). This was also the case when we went to Mervyn's, but there they had a circular walkway that went around, so it was a bit more interesting.

Hey Subdude, there's another idea for your downtown retail district - Mervyn's. We'll call it "Subdude Pavilions," and it'll have Target, Stein Mart, Mervyn's, Sears Hardware, Family Dollar, and maybe a Luby's. Houston Pavilions won't have a chance once this thing goes up.

[MidtownCoog]

All the old Weiners are now Las Fallasas, or soemthing like that. Mexican clothes.

Not long ago, we had Palais Royal on Main St.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Ahhh... Weiners.....they reallly sucked. I use to entertain myself by getting lost in the clothes racks. I remember the one we went to had bullet holes in the front windows...guess some one disliked them more than I did.

I remember the Palais Royal on Main St. and the GAP on Main, and the Walgreens and Woolworths(still around in the U.K.) aswell.....the memories

[H-Town Man]

Ahhh... Weiners.....they reallly sucked.  I use to entertain myself by getting lost in the clothes racks. I remember the one we went to had bullet holes in the front windows...guess some one  disliked them more than I did.

I remember the Palais Royal on Main St. and the GAP on Main, and the Walgreens and Woolworths(still around in the U.K.) aswell.....the memories

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Did the Walgreen's on Main have a liquor section?

I used to shop at the last remaining Walgreen's with a liquor section in the country, on 55th St. and Lake Park, Chicago, IL. That place was Ghetto with a capital 'G'. You would see the bums hanging around outside at 10 AM, with bottles in brown paper bags. They would drink in the daytime before heading to work at night, panhandling college students. There was also a grocery store next door with a basement liquor section, and enough customers in that neighborhood to bring good business to both.

[MidtownCoog]

Last time I was in N.O, the Walgreens had liquor.

[skwatra]

yup, got a bottle at the walgreen's on canal just last fall.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Did the Walgreen's on Main have a liquor section?

I used to shop at the last remaining Walgreen's with a liquor section in the country, on 55th St. and Lake Park, Chicago, IL.  That place was Ghetto with a capital 'G'.  You would see the bums hanging around outside at 10 AM, with bottles in brown paper bags.  They would drink in the daytime before heading to work at night, panhandling college students.  There was also a grocery store next door with a basement liquor section, and enough customers in that neighborhood to bring good business to both.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope didn't have a liquor section. It was kinda small about 40ft(three ilses) by the legnth of a DT block. Good thing they didnt I would imagine that there would be way mor bums around there.

[elecpharm]

walgreens stores in texas do not sell liquor. period.

[houstonsemipro]

Yeah, cause Texas do not promote drinking and driving, or drunkens on streets. That's why N.O. is full of homeless, and wineos on every street corner. They look like zombies. I'm glad the state of texas don't promote liquor at drug stores. Texas got class.

[LTAWACS]

All the old Weiners are now Las Fallasas, or soemthing like that.  Mexican clothes.

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You mean like this?

[2112]

Yeah, cause Texas do not promote drinking and driving, or drunkens on streets. That's why N.O. is full of homeless, and wineos on every street corner. They look like zombies. I'm glad the state of texas don't promote liquor at drug stores. Texas got class.

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You crack me up!

[RedScare]

That is funny.

The reason there is no liquor in Texas drug stores derives from Texas' arcane and utterly nonsensical liquor laws, that are kept that way by very well paid lobbyists, paid by the very wealthy liquor wholesalers. Texas' "class" (or even lack thereof) has nothing to do with it.

The number one reason all liquor is sold from a dedicated liquor store, is that since liquor cannot be sold after 9:00 pm, the store would have to close at that time. Profits, not class or public safety, drives this train.

There have been numerous attempts to bring these Prohibition era laws into the 21st century, all to no avail.

[HOUCAJUN]

what does this have to do with the houston pavillions?

[H-Town Man]

what does this have to do with the houston pavillions?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nothing... we're just passing the time until they announce groundbreaking.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Nothing... we're just passing the time until they announce groundbreaking.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Which is when again? Still waiting on BPII and Sakawitz renovation(new store), and Houston Center to progress( how's that coming along). It seems like forever, then again everyday here is a Monday .

Everyday gets me closer to my leave date Whoooo! Whooooo! Just a month and a half to go .......anyways.....when is groundbreaking?

[YakuzaIce]

.....when is groundbreaking?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well semipro said september and HOUCAJUN called them and they said October, so lets just say fall.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Well semipro said september and HOUCAJUN called them and they said October, so lets just say fall.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ohh yeah

We should make this forum really intresting and start placing bets. I would of lost a ton on the "Sham". We shall wait and see on this bad boy.

I have have 0015 my time........HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

[HOUCAJUN]

Ohh yeah   

We should make this forum really intresting and start placing bets.  I would of lost a ton on the "Sham".  We shall wait and see on this bad boy.

I have have 0015 my time........HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Happy fourth to you too.i'm sure most people disagree with what i say on this forum, but we can all agree that your service is truly honorable.

[Talbot]

yup, happy fourth.

And lets hope all these dates don't mean another Shamrock, although this project seems a lot more organized, so we can only hope.

[N Judah]

That is funny.

The reason there is no liquor in Texas drug stores derives from Texas' arcane and utterly nonsensical liquor laws, that are kept that way by very well paid lobbyists, paid by the very wealthy liquor wholesalers.  Texas' "class" (or even lack thereof) has nothing to do with it.

The number one reason all liquor is sold from a dedicated liquor store, is that since liquor cannot be sold after 9:00 pm, the store would have to close at that time.  Profits, not class or public safety, drives this train.

There have been numerous attempts to bring these Prohibition era laws into the 21st century, all to no avail.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So why would liquor wholesalers want liquor stores to close at 9?

[N Judah]

As I said before, a good example of this development other than Denver PAvilions is PAcific Place in Seattle.  A retail development that took up blocks in downtown Seattle.  It opened up the floodgates of many other retailers in the surrounding area.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I think when the other poster referred to design flaws relating to inward-oriented development they were more concerned about the loading docks and utilities facing the street on most sides. In the case of Pacific Place, I'm not sure what they did but I can't recall where they put the utilities and loading docks (underground, maybe, or in the parking garage?) but at any rate as your pictures show Pacific Place interacts with the street/pedestrians very well. With any luck Houston Pavilions will be the same way.

[bachanon]

the saks renovation was just recently announced. i mean, it can take months for plans to be submitted and financing to be secured. it seems as if some people would like for sabrina the teenage witch to twinkle her nose and make it so, immediately after it is announced. these things take months, some times years. be patient and enjoy the fruits when they occur.

in the mean time, support the businesses (downtown/midtown) that are already in existence so that they can survive until the next wave of development.

and, about the inward development of houston pavilions......loading docks can be hidden by walls and landscaping. i hope that the designers and developers of the pavilions will consider these options.

[Guest danax]

in the mean time, support the businesses (downtown/midtown) that are already in existence so that they can survive until the next wave of development. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, thanks for reminding me. I'll pick up a iced vanilla soymilk chai at Tropioca today in support. If they're open, that is.

[JR3985]

New rendering of project!! It looks awsome!!Houston Pavilions

[LTAWACS]

New rendering of project!!  It looks awsome!!Houston Pavilions

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This has nothing to do with Houston Pavilions. This is going to be outside the loop over in the galleria area. Ugh.

[JR3985]

I goofed!! I am always getting the downtown project and the galleria project mixed. Their names are to similar!!

[Pumapayam]

I goofed!! I am always getting the downtown project and the galleria project mixed. Their names are to similar!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Houston Pavillions and Riva Place!?!?! how could you get them confused?

[NewMND]

Houston Pavillions and Riva Place!?!?! how could you get them confused?

Well what is currently there is called Pavillions on Post Oak.........I think.

[infinite_jim]

why are developers so focused on bringing retail to downtown?

downtown needs more easily accessable grocery stores imo

[Houstonian in Iraq]

why are developers so focused on bringing retail to downtown?

downtown needs more easily accessable grocery stores imo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think when people say retail they also throw in grocery stores in that catagory.

One to two grocery stores should do the trick. Much more non-grocery store retail is needed to attract more people. Attract people with much of what they need, then it makes it easier and more appealling to live there, visit and entertain. That's what most people on these threads want to see. Start with the different city business centers and see Houston Flourish.

Downtown is just one of them.....and retail is what is lacking to attract reidential and business

[largeTEXAS]

I'm telling you, if the Strip in Las Vegas can become a hot spot for residential growth then that tells you what people are after. I really don't think there's so much of a chicken/egg scenario - I think retail attracts residential. The reason developers and brokers are working so hard to get downtown on track with retail is to boost its chances of becomming an all around neighborhood (and to make a lot of money). In my opinion, the only way downtown will succeed as a neighborhood is if it first becomes a retail destination. All else will then fall into place.

[YakuzaIce]

Houston Pavillions and Riva Place!?!?! how could you get them confused?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is a pavillions in uptown too.

Regarding the grocery store isn't there one going in the stowers (I believe thats the name) building. I know there is a thread about it somewhere around here.

[kjb434]

"It all goes at once, starting this fall."

This is the response I got from an email I sent asking about construction start date and phasing of the project.

It seems they are planning to build the whole thing at one time.

Hope this has some backing to it and it's not fluff.

[texasboy]

"It all goes at once, starting this fall."

This is the response I got from an email I sent asking about construction start date and phasing of the project.

It seems they are planning to build the whole thing at one time.

Hope this has some backing to it and it's not fluff.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow. you actually got a response?

[Subdude]

"It all goes at once, starting this fall."

This is the response I got from an email I sent asking about construction start date and phasing of the project.

It seems they are planning to build the whole thing at one time.

Hope this has some backing to it and it's not fluff.

That's great news. I'm pretty excited. This project seems like it really might be what it takes to help revive that part of downtown. I have always hated that there are three adjacent blocks of surface parking right off Main St. It reminds me of a scar across downtown.

[The Great Hizzy!]

I echo Subdude. The positive, for me, in this is that the development group has already completed similar projects across the country, with rousing success. The Denver Pavillions seems like an excellent template for the future Houston Pavillions, and I don't think there's a better location for it right now in Downtown Houston.

So someone earlier (maybe Semipro?) mentioned a planned October ground breaking and now KJB was e-mailed a planned "Fall" start up date. Too bad it won't be up and running by the Big XII Championship Game or the NBA All-Star Weekend. Would've really been good for the festivities.

[kjb434]

I also reponded to email that if they would like to slowly put out more information (free advertising) through HAIF, I would be glad to post it.

I think with the cross section of posters on here, it would be fairly easy to spread information about this project.

[LTAWACS]

Im shocked that someone on this planet actually knows how to bring a developement of this magnitude to fruition. Shocked.

[Subdude]

I wonder what effect, if any, this will have on the existing Park mall or shops at Houston Center. Maybe positive if it draws more shoppers downtown.

[The Great Hizzy!]

I also have fears that it will have a Memorial City versus Town & Country Center affect, too. But I guess that's natural when you're seeing something as new and as important coming online; you want it to succeed without canibalizing what already exists.