ChannelTwoNews Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 About 2 months ago, I posted a block by block look at the overall site as I walked along Polk Street, and shot from the top floor of the Main Garage (Now renamed Pavilions Parking Garage). Here's a bit of an update, with photos taken on Friday (12/7). I tried to shoot from some of the same locations, but was a bit pressed for time.Main & Polk BlockAbove Polk StreetPavilions TowerPolk & Caroline BlockLooking Back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 That "713-Tickets" place has to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuroAztlan Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I can't believe these dudes had the balls to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I can't believe these dudes had the balls to do this. Do what, exactly?One of the more interesting things that caught my attention in the construction is over on the HOB section where they're actually putting up sheets of wood. Is that supposed to be part of Sound dampening or something?It truly is a pity that a hotel couldn't be included in there. They would have seen a considerable amount of business.I still say I pity the managers of employees that work there. The staff is bound to disappear on noon on fridays for bowling at lunch. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuroAztlan Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Do what, exactly?Build HP.I don't know about the wood paneling though but here's som random HOB pics. I wonder if our facade will look like this or if they're all unique. What is that, that same tin sheeting those townhomes in midtown are made of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Build HP.I don't know about the wood paneling though but here's som random HOB pics. I wonder if our facade will look like this or if they're all unique. What is that, that same tin sheeting those townhomes in midtown are made of?I think the timing and location are right. So it should prove interesting as to what HP does, but I think there is enough transient (hotel/convention business) and local (Houston Residents) traffic that it should prove profitable. What I meant to say was "plywood sheets" that are currently being put in, I assume that this is going to be covered up by whatever facade they have in mind. I'm just puzzled as to WHY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuroAztlan Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I think the timing and location are right. So it should prove interesting as to what HP does, but I think there is enough transient (hotel/convention business) and local (Houston Residents) traffic that it should prove profitable. What I meant to say was "plywood sheets" that are currently being put in, I assume that this is going to be covered up by whatever facade they have in mind. I'm just puzzled as to WHY.Oh I know its gonna succeed, the Hyatt, Omni, Marriott, Humble Tower, Houston House, Four Seasons and Hilton are all walking distance and the Rockets games are gonna provide the built in night crowd.Yeah I know the plywood you're talkin about, I guess they can't put up the metal sheeting directly on the metal frame, they have to nail it to plywood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I was in Houston for the first time in months this past weekend, and I had the chance to drive by the Pavilions and One Park Place. I have to say even from the initial renderings I was excited, but after driving by the construction process on the Pavilions, I am beyond excited. The scope is so much bigger in real life and just seeing those 3 blocks being entirely taken up by this is pretty amazing!!! It looks like this thing is going to be big!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownswami Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Seeing those pictures I can hardly contain my excitement about this project up here in NYC!! I can't wait to go check it out in person when I'm down for the holidays. I really hope as has been discussed many times on this forum, that this along with the several other downtown projects establish critical mass for a consistent pedestrian environment and a vibrant urban atmosphere particularly at night after work lets out and in the weekends. It really improves many facets of life to at least have that option in our city(we'll still have plenty of spread out areas and that is fine as well) and will improve this Great City into another tier of world class... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Looks like the block closest to Main Street has topped out at 2 stories, and the office tower will possibly be topping out this week as well. From the webcam I think I am looking at the 11th story being completed as I write this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Looks like the block closest to Main Street has topped out at 2 stories, and the office tower will possibly be topping out this week as well. From the webcam I think I am looking at the 11th story being completed as I write this.Awsome. I thought all blocks would have 3 levels of retail, but looking at the rendering it does look like the block closest to Main only has 2. Either way it's getting exciting seeing everything top out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C2H Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Awsome. I thought all blocks would have 3 levels of retail, but looking at the rendering it does look like the block closest to Main only has 2. Either way it's getting exciting seeing everything top out!I could be wrong but i think all 3 blocks do have 3 levels. Perhaps you're confusing the block with the tower to be an extra level maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 The rendering only shows 2 stories on the block closest to Main, which is why I assumed it had topped off. They finished the first part of it about 3 weeks ago and haven't started a 3rd story, so I think it's only going to be 2.I wonder how likely it is that they engineered it like the buildings in the medical center, where they can add an additional 10 stories if they want to in the future. I guess not very likely, but it would be cool if they could build a hotel on top of one of the sections that isn't only 2 or 3 stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I could be wrong but i think all 3 blocks do have 3 levels. Perhaps you're confusing the block with the tower to be an extra level maybe?If you go to their website and look at the renderings it does look like the block on Main only has two stories... I could be wrong but it just looks that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 If you go to their website and look at the renderings it does look like the block on Main only has two stories... I could be wrong but it just looks that way.I think the renderings pretty clearly show only 2 stories on that block. But if anyone has any remaining doubts, go look at the Leasing Plans. There are only 2 stories on that block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuilderGeek Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Interesting news...anyone have access to the whole article?Denver Pavilions shops for buyerThe Denver Pavilions is for sale. The 350,000 square feet of retail/entertainment tenant mix, located on two blocks of the 16th Street Mall, could have a new owner within 90 days, said Pavilions co-owner Bill Denton of Entertainment Development Group Inc. (EDG) in Los Angeles. "It will be an institutional buyer," Denton said. "With the state of the U.S. dollar, it might be an overseas buyer." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayshoota Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 They started putting up the connecting walkway bridges this weekend. Looks pretty impressive. I was in a hurry or I would have taken some pics. I will try to get some this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Cool, I'd love to see some photos. The webcam seems to be offline since the new year so I can't check it out from home anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 7, 2008 Share Posted January 7, 2008 Cool, I'd love to see some photos. The webcam seems to be offline since the new year so I can't check it out from home anymore.I noticed that too :-( Glad it's not just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Just saw the HP Rep being interviewed on Fox26 and has been saying a few things about the development: Forever 21 will have 25,000 sf Right across from Macy'she mentioned the stores, BCBG, journey, and lids(sic?). Lids was the one that I haven't heard of before. He also mentioned a Wine bar at the pavilions.Other than than mentioning Lucky Strike (25,000sf) and that HOB will have( 44,000sf) 2,000 seating capacity there was nothing really new that he mentioned. I'm glad that he mentioned the seating capacity since, to my knowledge, no one has even gotten that much from the HP site or emails. I drove by yesterday and saw that they had indeed started the "bridging" process. I am going to assume that that work will only be done during weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Thanks for the info. I would be interested to know if they are on schedule for an October opening. Did they say anything about that?I think Lids is a store that sells hats...Oh yeah, and the webcam is back online! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Yeah, lids is baseball cap store. They're usually really small too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 This is kind of off subject, but I was thinking the other day about the parking lots on the east side of downtown near Toyota Center, GRB, and MMP. I presume that many of them are still parking lots because the land value is priced so high that it makes it hard for a developer to come in and build. So I guess my question would be why don't these people who own the parking lots, sell them to developers at a lower price, so something could get built, but they keep part ownership of the property to make up for the lower sell price? They may lose money on the sell, but they'll still be invested in the property. Instead of just trying to sell the property for a big upfront paycheck. I have no expertise in this matter, so I was kind of hoping somebody who does could maybe chime in here. Thanks everyone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapturematt Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 All in all I think something like this has to happen to continue the urban growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 So I guess my question would be why don't these people who own the parking lots, sell them to developers at a lower price, so something could get built, but they keep part ownership of the property to make up for the lower sell price?a developer would want total control to avoid any potential future conflicts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 New bridge (from today):Courtesy of rdavis4559 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 New bridge (from today):Courtesy of rdavis4559Awsome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Awsome Yeah, that's gonna be sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 (edited) Looks like they have added two new tenants... nothing exciting. YogurberryNail Trix They have also added a few new pics on their website under Renderings. Edited January 16, 2008 by HtownWxBoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Looks like they have added two new tenants... nothing exciting. YogurberryNail Trix They have also added a few new pics on their website under Renderings.Thanks for the info.For those as clueless as me:http://www.yogurberry.com/Nail Trix produced several non conclusive results, but seems most likely to be a salon of some sort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Yogurberry... LOL!Hey, it may prove to be a popular place, but the name just reads funny to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Yogurberry... LOL!Hey, it may prove to be a popular place, but the name just reads funny to me.I wonder if Yogurberry is similar to the Pinkberry chain of yogurt you find out in Los Angeles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 (edited) This is kind of off subject, but I was thinking the other day about the parking lots on the east side of downtown near Toyota Center, GRB, and MMP. I presume that many of them are still parking lots because the land value is priced so high that it makes it hard for a developer to come in and build. So I guess my question would be why don't these people who own the parking lots, sell them to developers at a lower price, so something could get built, but they keep part ownership of the property to make up for the lower sell price? They may lose money on the sell, but they'll still be invested in the property. Instead of just trying to sell the property for a big upfront paycheck. I have no expertise in this matter, so I was kind of hoping somebody who does could maybe chime in here. Thanks everyone!!Think about it from the owners' perspectives. The value of the raw land is based upon expected net cash flows from the highest and best use of improvements were they to be built within a short period of time from having sold to a suitable developer. The present value of that net cash flow is effectively discounted so that the land owner captures any surplus profits above the developer's minimum IRR.So the land owner can either sell the land and take a lump of cash up front without taking on risks related to the development, or they can negotiate to contribute part of their land as equity, making them a limited partner, and negotiating terms such that the ultimate payoff from the development is equal in risk-adjusted present value terms to the price of the land. The land owner will not accept anything less than fair market value for the land regardless of how the deal is structured, and the developer will not accept terms requiring them to pay anything more. If either party to the negotiations is unsatisfied, the developer will have to look for alternate sites...and it's still a fairly competitive land market, so that's not too much of a problem.The net effect is the trend we have now. Downtown grows at a healthy pace. Anything more that what we've got in the works would probably not be supported by market fundamentals, thereafter dooming our CBD to something utterly Dallas-like (i.e. Detroit's office vacancy in a sunbelt market). Architects and their afficianados seem to often think of downtown as merely a sculpture garden--and it is, I suppose, among other things--but who are the true artists if not they that employ building owners, which have employed developers, which have employed architects? You want to see lots developed? Support the Greater Houston Partnership's push to attract jobs, support any and all infrastructure projects throughout our region, support beautification efforts, pressure your elected officials to maintain our competitive advantages as a city especially where affordability is concerned. Edited January 21, 2008 by TheNiche Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I second Niche's emotion....Downtown is growing at a phenomenal rate considering the economic state of our country (you know that "R" word that G-dub is trying to avoid). As impressive as boomtowns like Miami are looking right now, the foreclosure police are already making them pay dearly for the new construction. Houston's growth pace, along with our constant economic malleability just show that the city is stable. I mean CRAP even LA's entertainment industry is in trouble with the Writers' strike. In all honesty, Houston, DC, and Chicago are probably the most economically stables cities in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Well, Miami is basically just known as an entertainment and florida is basically known as God's Waiting room for the retirement community that is there. On the other extreme, its also a major tourist/entertainment destination. When people start getting a bit tight with funds, travel is usually the first to take a hit. Remember, during 9/11, every entertainment/tourist town took a major hit while Houston kept chugging along. As far as Hollywood goes, that's a totally different animal, so I won't even get into that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuroAztlan Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Bridge number 2 going up over San Jacinto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Bridge number 2 going up over San Jacinto.Awsome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/hei...ws/5476116.html...the mixed-use, $170 million center expected for completion in October....is already about 65 percent leased...The city of Houston and Harris County have provided, in total, $16 million to The Houston Pavilions for infrastructure improvements in the form of cash and future tax abatements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Wow, 65%, that's a good sign! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C2H Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 (edited) The article was an interesting read but why did it say it was being created over within seven city blocks? Maybe i misunderstood the way it read. Edited January 25, 2008 by C2H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 The article was an interesting read but why did it say it was being created over within seven city blocks?Because journalists, by and large, are incompetent. Nothing more than that. IIRC, there were other errors in the article as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Because journalists, by and large, are incompetent. Nothing more than that. IIRC, there were other errors in the article as well. well then let's hope that 65% figure was accurate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorAggie Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Got a look at the bridge work over San Jacinto last night (street was closed). It was AMAZING! It gives a whole new feel to that part of downtown. I knew this project would have great potential, but that structure alone what really raised my confidence level! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 well then let's hope that 65% figure was accurate Good point. But the 65% number does seem pretty likely, given the large chunks of space taken by House of Blues, Lucky Strike, Forever XXI and Books a Million, Plus the shear number of restaurants and other announced tenants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I agree. Driving past them, you can see Josephine's from the other side. It is going to be very nice once the glass and everything is installed--wide open and flooded with sun light. I am excited to see this thing finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 MUCH MUCH BETTER!!!!!I'm excited about the cool skywalks, but the most important news is the tenants... this project is shaping up to be very family-friendly with a Lucky Strike bowling alley, upscale dining establishments, the House of Blues, Books-a-Million, and trendy fashion stores... tres chic!This definitely has success potential now. Granted the DT residential population is still very low, but this gives the 50,000 plus student population more alternatives than just the Galleria for some fun. A downtown Books-a-Million will be flooded b/c it's literally 5 minutes away from main campus, and 5 min walking distance from UHD. This project is set to hit right out of the park (Minute Maid park, lol)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 (edited) A downtown Books-a-Million will be flooded b/c it's literally 5 minutes away from main campus, and 5 min walking distance from UHDNot to mention a 10 minute rail ride from Rice, Baylor, UT/MD Anderson, TWU, Prairie View Nursing, A&M Health Science Center, HCC, and the rest of the universities in the Medical Center area.According to www.TMC.edu, the Medical Center has 33,150 Full-time students and more than 75,000 part-time students. Edited January 30, 2008 by Jax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayshoota Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Not to mention right across the street from South Texas College of Law... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuroAztlan Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Has anyone else noticed this place doesn't have any exterior windows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capnmcbarnacle Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) Has anyone else noticed this place doesn't have any exterior windows?Yep. I've been hoping that the concrete textured exterior is not the final finish, but it looks like it is. I love the project but the exterior materials, in my opinon, leave something to be desired. Edited January 31, 2008 by capnmcbarnacle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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