Someburger Stand At 745 E. 11th St.

[flatline]

Rumors running rampant in the 'hood that Landry's has purchased the parcel on the northwest corner of 11th and Studewood, where the Someburger stand is currently located. . .

[Heights2Bastrop]

Earlier this year someone asked about the building at 743 E 11th, which is next to that Someburger if I recall. I wonder if this building is included in Tillman

[HeightsGuy]

Is that corner dry or wet?

[DJ V Lawrence]

Earlier this year someone asked about the building at 743 E 11th, which is next to that Someburger if I recall. I wonder if this building is included in Tillman

[Guest danax]

Let's see if he goes with architecture in synch with the Heights, or if it will be just another repeat.

[Sunstar]

Please don't let it be a Joe's Crabshack!

[UrbaNerd]

Hmm..what would happen if Tillman wanted to build a skyscraper for his company? What would that look like?

[Houston19514]

Hmm..what would happen if Tillman wanted to build a skyscraper for his company?  What would that look like?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Go to www.kirksey.com Click on "Portfolio" Then on "Commercial"

Then click on the number 3. You can get an idea of what kind of skyscraper he might build by looking at the company headquarters he already built. (It's only 8 stories, so probably not really a skyscraper. Nevertheless, it might give some indication of the style, level of design, etc.)

[Heights2Bastrop]

Is that corner dry or wet?

HeightsGuy, there is a bar called Shiloh on Studewood near 14th, so I believe that corner would be wet as well.

[NYC Texan2]

Anybody know what the deal is with the bell tower behind the Someburger?

I think the neighborhood would have a big issue with a Joe's Crab Shack, even though it would probably do decently.

[dalparadise]

Anybody know what the deal is with the bell tower behind the Someburger? 

I think the neighborhood would have a big issue with a Joe's Crab Shack, even though it would probably do decently.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The bell tower is one of two things -- I can't exactly remember which

A few years ago a cellular company was trying to put up a cell tower on that site. There was a universal outcry by the neighborhood. Either they built that bell tower to disguise the cell equipment, or they built the tower to foil the height requirements for the site to defeat the cell tower. I'm not sure which.

Funny, in the northwest there are cell towers disguised as trees alongside some highways. Unless you're really looking for them, they blend right into the forest. Seems like a pretty good idea, yes?

[groovehouse]

sarcasm

yay, we can only hope for a ferris wheel, fried food and a some white tigers to show up next....

/sarcasm

[kjb434]

I'm all for Tillman to place a restaurant right there. I just want him to take the community into consideration and build something appropriate. I don't think it'll be too hard though for him to comply to some neighborhood requests. Just as long as the Heights do go into it saying they don't want anything.

[LTAWACS]

I don't eat at any of his eateries. I dont like that cookie cutter food. I prefer someburger.

[Heights2Bastrop]

Maybe he will adorn that place in garish blue lights to take people

[dalparadise]

I say, hope that he uses the same sensitivity he uused in developing Inn at the Ballpark and Vic and Anthony's -- both are great and fit right in with the neighborhood. In fact, they are leading a very slow -- too slow -- revival of that area around the Ballpark.

But...this is Tillman, so expect a Rainforest or something like that. I think Grotto would be a great call for the area. It's the most moderate of the Signature line. If I were to bet my own money on his intentions, I'd bet on a Cadillac Bar opening up. I think it would fit the area and would probably print money at that location. Perhaps it would be a new concept -- with food only, so as not to cannibalize from the Shepherd location. Or, maybe the Shepherd location is closing to make room for a more theme-parky restaurant and this will take its place.

Just my opinions. I don't have any info to back them up.

[H-Town Man]

Why couldn't he have bought any of the blighted, dilapidated lots along that stretch of 11th? Why did he have to pick the one place where there's something good?

Also, that's a pretty shallow lot. They have enough trouble providing parking for all the people who use the hamburger stand. How are they going to put in a restaurant?

[Guest danax]

If the guy wants to really create something that gets noticed, which seems like one aspect of his creations, and at the same time, sends a message to the city and the Heights residents that he is sensitive and not just an egomaniaical showman, he could do his Vegas-type theme restaurant by creating, say, a turn of the century mansion where it decorated in fine antiques and all of the staff wears old clothes from that era. The Heights would love him for that. The food, hmmmm. Not sure on which food would fall in line with the Victorian theme and be profitable.

The Heights is about the only area in town where there is a semi-voluntary (since the City couldn't care less) cooperation in terms of architectural style of new construction. If he goes in there with one of his in-your-face type deals, to many, including myself, he'll remove any lingering doubt as to his being as superficial and obnoxious as his ferris wheel and blue-eyed tigers (can anyone ever get close enough to the tigers to actually see their blue eyes? So what's the point?).

[Heights2Bastrop]

Why couldn't he have bought any of the blighted, dilapidated lots along that stretch of 11th?

They're probably asking more than Tillman can afford for those places!

[kjb434]

knowing the heights and their community involvement, i think that they'll work to get the project like they want. The heights associations have many friends on the planning commission

[Mack Tripper]

The rumor I heard was a La Griglia.

[Heights2Bastrop]

I had lunch at Berryhill

[LTAWACS]

One of my coworkers is Fertita's cousin. She says she has no idea about all this and she likes Someburger.

[RedScare]

There is something strange about this whole thread. The lot on 11 1/2 is only 12,500 sq. feet. If Someburger is not part of the deal and the building next door is for sale, then the 12,500 sf lot is all that was bought. That is not large enough for a Tilman style restaurant, especially when you include parking requirements.

[Heights2Bastrop]

Perhaps the Someburger is a separate property that he has purchased in another transaction. The burger joint could continue to operate until the property behind is completed, Then Someburger could become a parking lot. This is strictly speculation, mind you.

[RedScare]

I agree that if Someburger and the corner lot next to it are part of the mix, then it would support one of Tilman's Taj Mahals. Otherwise, it is just not enough space.

[kjb434]

Could Tillman just be building a neighborhood restraunt? Do you have to provide enough parking. BerryHill didn't. A lot of people walk there anyway.

Not everything Tillman builds has to be a large facility.

[RedScare]

City has parking requirements depending on the size and use of the building. Berryhill not only has parking on the side of the building on 11th, but also bought a lot behind the bldg. for additional parking, added some street parking on both sides of Beverly and bought the house across Beverly on 11th to use the back yard for parking.

If the building is situated right and not too large, the lot behind Someburger could hold a restaurant and provide adequate parking. I just don't think Tilman would limit himself to that size, IMO.

[RedScare]

Just drove down 11th, and noticed the 2 story brick building next to Someburger has sold. Wonder if that could be related to the other lot?

[IslandPrincess2U]

I have read all these reply's about Tilman Fertitta..My question goes out to all those being so critical of him.......Whatever he decides to do with any business venture it is almost assured he trys to keep in mind and heart the feelings and concerns of the business district and the community of where ever he is going to develop..Why all the criticism about this, it will bring in jobs and revenues..and he is a family man and he probaby understands the community concerns of fitting in an area and how it would reflect the area respectfulness..It is true that at a time he had a dream he wanted to come true, so with hard work and imagination and compassion he made his dream come true..There are many envious of his success from creations of pure business skills, and they should not be, they have a brain they can achieve the same success..This man does what he does and we should all give him the repect of trying to be what we all at a time in our lives all want to be..a success to our friends and families and the world and to be proud of ourselves for accomplishing our dreams.

[RedScare]

Thank you for your post Princess, but as this article should show, there are sometimes more important things than just "jobs and revenues".

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8331097/

I don't believe the posters on this thread are envious of Mr. Fertitta's success. However, they do appreciate the many flavors that make up this diverse city. Corporate restaurants, by their very defintion, are not diverse. They spend untold amounts of time and money to insure that the guest receives the same food and service at every store...every time. Those of us that choose to live in the city, as opposed to master planned developments, have chosen to embrace the very diversity that a chain restaurant does not provide. We want to know the owner, the chef, the manager, the waiter....and we enjoy the fact that we knows whose bank account our money is going into. We are rooting for the little guy.

Mr. Fertitta was the little guy at one time. He is no longer. I'm sure he rooted for the gymnast with the broken ankle, just like we did. He understands why we don't root for him, now. He doesn't need our help.

BTW, you're not Page, are you?

[Heights2Bastrop]

he probaby understands the community concerns of fitting in an area and how it would reflect the area respectfulness

You mean blending into the surroundings like he did downtown with all the gaudy, garish, glowing blue lights? Not only are those lights an eyesore, they are nearly blinding at night. I can

[sevfiv]

I don't believe the posters on this thread are envious of Mr. Fertitta's success.  However, they do appreciate the many flavors that make up this diverse city.  Corporate restaurants, by their very defintion, are not diverse.  They spend untold amounts of time and money to insure that the guest receives the same food and service at every store...every time.  Those of us that choose to live in the city, as opposed to master planned developments, have chosen to embrace the very diversity that a chain restaurant does not provide.  We want to know the owner, the chef, the manager, the waiter....and we enjoy the fact that we knows whose bank account our money is going into.  We are rooting for the little guy.

Mr. Fertitta was the little guy at one time.  He is no longer.  I'm sure he rooted for the gymnast with the broken ankle, just like we did.  He understands why we don't root for him, now.  He doesn't need our help.

BTW, you're not Page, are you?

i agree whole-heartedly

[heights_yankee]

http://www.thedeliciouslife.com/feature.cfm?Story=80

this was posted in response to a post of mine. i felt compelled to add it here b/c a lot of people (who never posted here) followed this thread.

i thought nothing would drive me out of the heights, but a landry's restaurant 3 blocks from my house just might.

[MidtownCoog]

Why must The Heights pretend that it is Berkeley?

It just looks silly.

[kjb434]

It's kind of snobby for heights residents to pretend that they are above a certain type of establishment.

So what if Fertita wants to build a restraunt. He's buying the land and he's following the rules.

If the heights residents should be mad at someone, they should be mad at the owner of Someburger or the land it sits on.

[MidtownCoog]

Back when I was going to UH, we'd always eat at King Biscuit, hit the Reddy Room, Fitz Live, etc.

Back then, you could not pay a yuppie/dink to step foot in the Heights.

Ten years later, these same yuppie/dinks act like they invented the place.

[pineda]

I noticed Tilman the other night on the local news during a wrap-up of Game 2. The reporter was interviewing Gov. Perry and his look-alike, Clay Walker, up in one of the enclosed sky boxes in Chicago, where everyone was warm and dry. Tilman was in all the shots, but the reporter never interviewed him or mentioned his name, strange. It made me wonder if maybe Tilman has switched political parties, he used to be such a staunch Democrat, wining and dining with the Clintons....

BTW, the Grotto in the Woodlands (I think that's the name) is hurting financially, according to mgmt. there.

[segovia]

The land in question sits within Woodland or Norhill heights? Do this area have an active association similar to the Houston Heights which would monitor the development?

[sevfiv]

I noticed Tilman the other night on the local news during a wrap-up of Game 2. The reporter was interviewing Gov. Perry and his look-alike, Clay Walker, up in one of the enclosed sky boxes in Chicago, where everyone was warm and dry. Tilman was in all the shots, but the reporter never interviewed him or mentioned his name, strange. It made me wonder if maybe Tilman has switched political parties, he used to be such a staunch Democrat, wining and dining with the Clintons....

BTW, the Grotto in the Woodlands (I think that's the name) is hurting financially, according to mgmt. there.

Mr. Tilman J Fertitta

President, C.E.O & Chairman Of T

Landry's Restaurants, Inc.

George W. Bush

$2,000 1510 W Loop South (map)

Houston, TX 77027

phoooey

it's a businessman supporting a businessman (or whatever), right

[MidtownCoog]

$2,000 is actually a slap in the face.

[sevfiv]

yeah, the 20k contribution for the republican state victory fund was much better...but that was back in 99.

[kjb434]

He'll support whoever will help with his business.

Not much different than Enron backing Clinton in 1996 and then George Bush in 2000.

[sevfiv]

He'll support whoever will help with his business.

Not much different than Enron backing Clinton in 1996 and then George Bush in 2000.

exactly

[heights_yankee]

It's kind of snobby for heights residents to pretend that they are above a certain type of establishment.

So what if Fertita wants to build a restraunt. He's buying the land and he's following the rules.

If the heights residents should be mad at someone, they should be mad at the owner of Someburger or the land it sits on.

oh, we are.

Edited October 25, 2005 by heights_yankee

[RedScare]

Speak for yourself, heights yankee. No one on my street is upset at Someburger, nor will any of us be dumb enough to move if Fertitta builds a restaurant on Studewood. We may never eat there, but we won't move either. Frankly, given the amount of money he normally spends on a place, it wouldn't hurt my feelings at all.

Now, the food that he serves and the prices he charges for it are another story.

[kjb434]

I wonder if he'll start a restraunt that won't use generic food and concoctions and have an actually chef on hand.

I'm with you Red, Tilman building a restraunt is no reason to leave your neighborhood.

That same line of thought means he should have moved out when developers were building the little victorian mansions everywhere. They changed the Heights much more than one restraunt will.

[smartalek]

Rumors running rampant in the 'hood that Landry's has purchased the parcel on the northwest corner of 11th and Studewood, where the Someburger stand is currently located. . .

OMG I absolutely love those hamburgers. Oh world.

[bachanon]

BTW, the Grotto in the Woodlands (I think that's the name) is hurting financially, according to mgmt. there.

that's too bad. the service and the food at this location are spot on. everyone i've spoken to who's eaten there has had a great experience.

[dbigtex56]

$2,000 is actually a slap in the face.

$2000 is actually, by law, the maximum an individual can contribute to a pre-primary candidate.