Houston19514 Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Just ran across this by way of a search on HAR:Da Vinci CourtThey are townhouses in the 1500 block of North Main and apparently is the first project in the Hardy Railyard development. They look very nice.Has anyone been by there lately? Are these already under construction?Well, I just did the virtual tour on the website and it appears that some of them have already been built. Is that correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Just ran across this by way of a search on HAR:Da Vinci CourtThey are townhouses in the 1500 block of North Main and apparently is the first project in the Hardy Railyard development. They look very nice.Has anyone been by there lately? Are these already under construction?Well, I just did the virtual tour on the website and it appears that some of them have already been built. Is that correct?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Wow. Those are quite large and elegant looking. At the low 300s, looks like they're going to bypass the entry-level market completely. That is some excellent real estate over there, with some small hills and great views. Once that area takes off it could be curtains for most of those old Victorians as they are not in the hands of active Heights types owners.Think I'll go over there and take some pics while those old homes are still standing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Wow. Those are quite large and elegant looking. At the low 300s, looks like they're going to bypass the entry-level market completely. That is some excellent real estate over there, with some small hills and great views. Once that area takes off it could be curtains for most of those old Victorians as they are not in the hands of active Heights types owners.Think I'll go over there and take some pics while those old homes are still standing.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I drove right past those last weekend. We were exploring that area (checked out Jefferson Davis Hospital Rehab, ate at Spanish Flower and looked at North and East end DT development) and noticed those. They have spectacular views and look really nice. The townhouses are built up on a hill and it looks like the view will remain unabstructed. It looks like 2 were completed and there was room for 3-4 more. There was a wall around the place and a gate. It looked very safe. The surrounding neighborhood is still pretty scary.Check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 I just did the virtual tour and thought it was beautiful. Whoever is building those seems to have an understanding of taste. I like those a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Last time I drove by there I saw a guy chasing another down the street with a baseball bat full of nails.Scary is an understatment for that part of town. I feel safer in Third Ward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Washington Ave (past Houston Ave) is a walk in the park compared to N. Main.And this coming from someone who has gone toe-to-toe with the Third Ward thugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Those townhomes are hideous! More suburban crap for the inner city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Those townhomes are hideous! More suburban crap for the inner city.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Will you please enlighten us on your vision for the inner city. Instead of making sweeping statements how about offering us something a little more substantial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rps324 Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 They have great views, but aren't there train tracks right there by them? I am pretty brave on the urban pioneer front, but I am not just in love with this one because of the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 OK! Pick between these and those Perry townhomes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 I'll take a Perry any day.I was a brave fool buying in Midtown in 1999.But it's foolish to think N. Main is fixin to see a Renaissance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 I'll take a Perry any day.I was a brave fool buying in Midtown in 1999.But it's foolish to think N. Main is fixin to see a Renaissance.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>So then you think it's gonna stay as is? The owners of Da Vinci own 45 acres which they plan to fill with condos and mixed use. The Metrorail. The proximity and views. You'll have urban yuppies and old house people checking the place out shortly.I'd say the piles of beer bottles, the urine-stained sidewalks, the vatos in wife-beaters and front porch lazyboys will be all but gone in 10 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 I think its foolish to think that anything west of Hardy won't be revitalized. Just imagine what people said about 6th ward, 5th ward, and Midtown.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>They are even trying to rename the area Near Northside Village.Was Midtown even called Midtown in 1990? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Will you please enlighten us on your vision for the inner city. Instead of making sweeping statements how about offering us something a little more substantial.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'm not that smart, but I do think that ANY building should have integrity. These townhomes, though somewhat nice in the renderings, do little for the neighborhood and are very disappointing in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 If theres enough development, one day they might have to rename it "Uptown" ! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah..then we'll have to rename Uptown to something..Montrose will become Midtown, Midtown will become Something else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Was Midtown even called Midtown in 1990?My company uses this old limo driver who lived near by, and he said Midtown was Thrid Ward until it hit Main for as long as he can remember.Too bad we can't finish Midtown first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Too bad we can't finish Midtown first.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>OK, I can empathize with that sentiment. I would be frustrated in Midtown too. You would've thought in '99 when you bought there that by now, the place would be filled in with ultra-urban everything. It's just the same old story of any area's growth and development being watered down by other areas. But in the trendy urban vein, Midtown should be king.I was at the city's Planning and Development meeting Thursday and some guy that owns a block in Midtown was protesting some parking variance along Main. He mentioned that several blocks adjacent to him were slated for "high rises", and he was at 3600 something Main. Is he referring to Camden and....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 They are even trying to rename the area Near Northside Village.Was Midtown even called Midtown in 1990?Yes. While doing some research a few years back I found that the term Midtown in Houston goes back to the 1800's when it was an exclusive enclave where the rich people would go to get away from the hurly burly of downtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 I'm not that smart, but I do think that ANY building should have integrity. These townhomes, though somewhat nice in the renderings, do little for the neighborhood and are very disappointing in person.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I drove by them last weekend and I thought they were quite impressive. Maybe just not your style. I have no idea how they lack intregrity. You will have to explain that one to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasboy Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Well, I can understand taste varies, but you also mention that they "do little for the neighborhood". What, in your opinion, would be a better build for the neighborhood on that site? <{POST_SNAPBACK}>largetexas is right. i am not a fan of this development and it does look more suburban than urban. If these were flat roofs and were not gated away from the sidewalks with the cute little apartment sign at the corner they would be great.Post Midtown Square is the perfect urban development, eventhough it would be better if they were built with bricks instead of the temporary stucco crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewMND Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Okay, so what exactly is the "Hardy Yard Development?" I've never heard of this. Is it another Midtown type thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) Update on Hardy project... Edited March 21, 2006 by houstonsemipro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 R U on SSP? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Wow. That's MASSIVE.The scale model is kinda scary but the renderings from street level are nice. If this thing gets up, even at half the size, it would be HUGE for the near northside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) Yes I'am, WesternGulf.By the way, they having a meeting next Tuesday March 28th on the project. Here is the link... http://www.uli.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section...nferenceID=1476 Edited March 21, 2006 by houstonsemipro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewMND Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Wow, that thing is a lot bigger than I thought it would be, I guess just looking at the empty rail yard, it was hard to visualize. Is this a serious proposal, or a dream pie in the sky type thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Semi-pro,You need to be careful posting such things. It risks interrupting the professional whiners from their ritual of crying about everything that's wrong with Houston.Then again, they could use this as an opportunity cry about how "long" it's taking this to come about when every other city's shuttling these things out left and right. In fact, at some point, I expect a picture of some massive development in Phoenix, Fayetteville, AR or Tucumcari, NM that, as usual, puts Houston "to shame."Tick, tick, tick... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I don't think any final configuration has been determined for Hardy Yards, so these are just renderings rather than a plan at this point. Bizjournal article:December 19, 2005Austin firm wheels into real estate action with acquisition of downtown rail yardsJennifer DawsonAn Austin-based company has staked out a claim close to the flurry of real estate activity in transit. Cypress Real Estate Advisors last month bought 46 acres worth of old railroad yards just north of downtown for a redevelopment project. The company acquired the Hardy Yards property from Avi Ron for an undisclosed amount. Sources peg the sales price in the $28 million to $30 million range. John Kiltz, a Cypress principal, says proximity to downtown and the prospect of major transit improvements nearby attracted the firm to the site across the railroad tracks from land recently purchased by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. There are no initial plans to joint venture with Metro on the site, Kiltz says, but the two parties have talked about the area's future. "We don't have any type of agreement with them," Kiltz says. "Because (our site) is so large, we can create our own world." The developer will likely seek out joint venture partners to develop portions of the property. Kiltz says midrise residential buildings are a possibility, but retail development probably wouldn't work. "We have a strong bias toward doing residential there," says Kiltz. The Hardy Yards site requires substantial environmental remediation work that will take several months before redevelopment can begin. Kiltz says development could start in about two years following the environmental work. Meanwhile, land planner Elkus Manfredi Architects has been hired to help determine the best use for the land. Boston-based Elkus Manfredi has done such high-end projects as Victory in Dallas and Time Warner Center in New York. A tax increment reinvestment zone has been proposed for the area, but that designation is in limbo. The Cypress redevelopment is not contingent on the TIRZ status, Kiltz says. "We bought our property without needing the benefit of the TIRZ," Kiltz says.Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ENGcons Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Pipe Dream IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I've closely watched the plans as they've unraveled for this site. Prior renderings showed considerably less ambitious plans, but these are completely new, albeit not entirely unexpected. Given the 'Grand Central Station' concept that is planned, there really couldn't be a better spot for new office space than in this development. They will have a serious competitive advantage, and the renderings that they show appear to incorporate a central corridor through the middle of the whole development that could provide a great ease of pedestrian movement. If they work it well, they'll be in an excellent position to capture major office tenants that otherwise would have located in the CBD.In fact, this is one case where (of all people) Plastic's ideas would be well-suited. The pedestrian transport system that he'd come up with a few months ago could easily connect the transit hub with the further-reaches of this development without the pesky issues related to its implementation in existing areas of the city.The only downside here is that financing could be difficult to obtain if they were trying to go forward with the whole project at once. From the looks of the renderings, it can easily be segmented into phases, which would likely be built out over the course of many years. Of course, that's just my speculation. If I had a billion dollars to throw around, I'd put it all up at once, betting that I could establish a critical mass of density that would have a synergistic effect on the lease-up process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfootball Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Wow, that looks like an impressive project.Cypress Real Estate used to be based in Houston. They developed my neigborhood, Longwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gto250us Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Some cranes went upt last week over that way. Are they for part of this project or something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrell32 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 (edited) Is it just me or does this project look alot like victory in Dallas. Edited March 21, 2006 by mrell32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Is it just me or does this project look alot like victory in Dallas.Same architects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Yea, Houston could really use another 50K sf of hard to get to office space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Hate to make an Atlanta comparison, but this could become Houston's Bucktown, or whatever they call it. I know Houston already has Uptown to fill that role, but why not two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Hate to make an Atlanta comparison, but this could become Houston's Bucktown, or whatever they call it. I know Houston already has Uptown to fill that role, but why not two? I hate to make this a comparison too, but Houston's Buckhead is Uptown. This is way to close to downtown to be considered that. I am sure news stories from this place will still say downtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 This could be great if the proposal comes to fruition. With a little more high and midrise development in the area, it would just about tie into downtown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I'm more interested in its potential impact on the 'hoods just to the north. A lot of charming, older housing stock up there, some of it still in good condition.I love the planned access to the intermodal, too. Of course, that's "If" it comes to fruition. It's an ambitious project and it's going to take a few years to realize it. I hope no one has a stroke while waiting, given the lack of patience displayed by a few.Calm down (in advance). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Yea, Houston could really use another 50K sf of hard to get to office space.Huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Huh? Typical comment with every new development. I think it really is him hiding his excitement. Anyway the business district down south is not exactly at full occupancy right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Typical comment with every new development. I think it really is him hiding his excitement. Anyway the business district down south is not exactly at full occupancy right now. If this is what Coog was referencing, then he needs to remember that an office project with significant competitive advantage over another competitive groups of buildings can either charge higher rents or expect to lease up quickly and stabilize at an occupancy that is higher than the other competitive buildings. They have the locational advantage and would make for a good investment. If Coog's objective is to further development in a particular place, like the CBD, then this is bad. If you get sexually aroused, as I do , at the idea of a successful business venture (regardless of location or characteristics), then this is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h-townsfinest Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 alright so what really matters is, is this thing a go, are those cranes in that area part of the project getting underway or something else, i would think so, why would they be doing anything to an area for no reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 ^^^You think their building the project now, h-townsfinest, or you must be thinking about something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 alright so what really matters is, is this thing a go, are those cranes in that area part of the project getting underway or something else, i would think so, why would they be doing anything to an area for no reason?The 2 cranes are for the new UH-D business college building that is being built on N. Main Street, directly south of this development.Their IS work going on at Hardy Yards, but it is remediation, in preparation for construction. It looks to be nearly completed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Although the latest article, not necessarily a new one, said environmental work will take a while and construction is suppose to start in two years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h-townsfinest Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 oh yea i forgot about UHD doing their lil thing, im happy bout that, i like that UHD is expanding, thanx redscare for the update, but western gulf, 2 years? when was the article written? i pray 2004, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 oh yea i forgot about UHD doing their lil thing, im happy bout that, i like that UHD is expanding, thanx redscare for the update, but western gulf, 2 years? when was the article written? i pray 2004, lolDecember 2005from the article:The Hardy Yards site requires substantial environmental remediation work that will take several months before redevelopment can begin. Kiltz says development could start in about two years following the environmental work.http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto...ry2.html?page=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h-townsfinest Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 wow thats some time, oh well, lets see what happens in 2 years, right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Now this is the type of stuff I like to see coming to Houston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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