Uptown Park Developments

[Sunstar]

Houston-based AmReit has bought Uptown Park, a Galleria-area retail center developed by Giorgio Borlenghi's Interfin, for $68.8 million.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3208551

[UrbaNerd]

I'd like to put this quote in, from the updated version of the story:

"Uptown Park is on "a great piece of real estate," Frankel said, but the center's design currently "does not encourage a lot of cross-shopping, long shopping visits or walking.

"But AmReit has the smarts and capital to rectify those deficiencies and solidify its tenant mix," he said."

[worldlyman]

I rarely drive through Uptown Park.

But though my wife and I generally dislike Starbucks...I was in the mood to go last Friday evening post-Ike...and she was not.

Anyway, as we drove through, Uptown Park looked like a happening little city! Cafe Express to Uptown Sushi...it was just happening all over the place! People were walking all over, spilled out the doorways and hanging out al-fresco.

Was it just a post-Ike phenomenon or is it really typically that crowded on a Friday/Saturday evening at around 10:40 pm?

The two times I've walked around Rodeo Drive on a Friday night at about the same time...it never gets that high energy. Maybe the layout of Uptown Park lends itself that way.

Has Uptown Park become or been something of an entertainment hub?

Edited September 24, 2008 by worldlyman

[CoolBuddy06]

I rarely drive through Uptown Park.

But though my wife and I generally dislike Starbucks...I was in the mood to go last Friday evening post-Ike...and she was not.

Anyway, as we drove through, Uptown Park looked like a happening little city! Cafe Express to Uptown Sushi...it was just happening all over the place! People were walking all over, spilled out the doorways and hanging out al-fresco.

Was it just a post-Ike phenomenon or is it really typically that crowded on a Friday/Saturday evening at around 10:40 pm?

The two times I've walked around Rodeo Drive on a Friday night at about the same time...it never gets that high energy. Maybe the layout of Uptown Park lends itself that way.

Has Uptown Park become or been something of an entertainment hub?

Uptown has never yawned for lack of people. I've not been there lately so I don't know how much crowd you saw but being a Friday evening, on a week when many people didn't go to work and holed up by Ike, there's likely a surge (trying to get used to the word) in patronage.

[cottonmather0]

It's always like that, especially on Thursday and Saturday nights. It's one of the nicer places to go in town, I think. Lots of options.

The problem is that it's hard to get in and out and that the parking lot is way too small.

[Karick42]

Like the other two said, it's usually always like that. That was a great idea to put Uptown Park there because it's always vibrant and really adds to the upscale feel of the Galleria area. The Cafe Express that they have there isn't as good as the others that my wife and I have been to but it's still pretty nice.

[swtsig]

UP has never had a problem attracting the crowds, especially thurs-sat night. tasting room, cafe express, champs, uptown sushi, mccormick and schmicks, arturos (was there last night) et al always bring healthy crowds. but if it's seemed unusually crowded since ike, remember that practically all of tanglewood was w/o power until 8 last night , and UP has always been popular with the tanglewood crowd.

[lockmat]

Sure seems like it. I'm glad, I don't like this place.

 

Per first image below: "the residential component of the future expansion of Uptown Park into a high density mixed use development."

 

50,000 SF at the NW corner of Uptown Park in Houston. AmREIT is looking to sell the "development rights" in the form of a ground lease to build a high-rise multifamily project while retaining the ground level retail component.

 

http://www.hfflp.com/GetDocument.aspx?ID=56833&FN=50000+SF+Uptown+Park+Flyer.pdf&DT=1

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.hfflp.com/GetDocument.aspx?ID=56833&FN=50000+SF+Uptown+Park+Flyer.pdf&DT=1

[musicman]

This is one building in Uptown Park, not Uptown Park.  MISLEADING TITLE

[Fortune]

I actually like Uptown Park the way it is. Its great that the area is densifying but i wish some of the other more mundane shopping centers along Post Oak would be redeveloped first before Uptown Park. Especially the two huge shopping centers across from each other on Westheimer and Post Oak, and the one across the street from BLVD Place.

Edited July 20, 2013 by Fortune

[swtsig]

I heard of a prominent highrise developer snatching up acreage / site in the uptown park area w/ others actively looking. In fact all of uptown is ripe w activity - several hotels allegedly in the works, possible redevelopment of Galleria III w highrise components, westpark transit center nearing approval along w/ several mobility upgrades (including the 610/59 interchange, thank god!).

Very exciting.

[lockmat]

I heard of a prominent highrise developer snatching up acreage / site in the uptown park area w/ others actively looking. In fact all of uptown is ripe w activity - several hotels allegedly in the works, possible redevelopment of Galleria III w highrise components, westpark transit center nearing approval along w/ several mobility upgrades (including the 610/59 interchange, thank god!).

Very exciting.

Are these some of the things you're talking about? There's a hotel listed that I've never seen.

http://www.houstontx.gov/council/1/bfacommittee/20130507/uptownhouston.pdf

[lockmat]

here is their video for the projec: http://goo.gl/8F3IH4

Edited July 23, 2013 by lockmat

[brijonmang]

here is their video for the projec: http://goo.gl/8F3IH4

 

I really enjoyed the fly-bys in that video.  The tower at the end was really interesting to me too.  It would fit in with the current UP towers but doesn't look like a one-off.  It would be a nice addition to the rapidly growing uptown skyline.

[Hugh Stone]

 

http://swamplot.com/the-mixed-use-tower-uptown-park-has-been-waiting-for/2013-07-23/#more-66567

 

This tower looks like it would be over 40 floors. That would be pretty significant.

[TowerSpotter]

I like it, it seems to fit in with the European styled shopping center at the bottom. 

[lockmat]

To be honest, I don't know know why Swamplot posted that rendering. The video gives no indication this is the design that will be built. HFF is just marketing the site to a developer, who I would think has the right to decide on the design.

 

The video also implies something other than a residential tower could be an option.

 

Swamplot also left out the brochure link, I guess because the video explained most of what it had to say. Except the one thing the video leaves out that I think is most important and exciting is that their plan is to turn the rest of UP into a high-density development. This residential tower is just the first step.

[lockmat]

Here is what they say it could potentially look like when totally complete:

 

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1397807/000089710112001938/amreit124763_ex99-1.htm

 

 

I don't know why the bullet points didn't show up, but here they are. (this is from Nov 2012):

 

The property currently sits on 17 acres of land with 169,112 square feet of GLA and an annualized base rent per leased 
square foot of $34.09 and is 96.7% leased as of September 30, 2012

 

We have selected our master plan architect, RTKL, and have established a comprehensive master plan that includes 
multiple phases of potential redevelopment over a five to ten year time period

 

The first phase of the redevelopment could begin in the next 12 to 15 month

 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2013 by lockmat

[TowerSpotter]

To be honest, I don't know know why Swamplot posted that rendering. The video gives no indication this is the design that will be built. HFF is just marketing the site to a developer, who I would think has the right to decide on the design.

 

The video also implies something other than a residential tower could be an option.

 

Swamplot also left out the brochure link, I guess because the video explained most of what it had to say. Except the one thing the video leaves out that I think is most important and exciting is that their plan is to turn the rest of UP into a high-density development. This residential tower is just the first step.

 

Yea I agree but they did leave a question mark behind the title suggesting it might be the final plans for it. 

[lockmat]

Yea I agree but they did leave a question mark behind the title suggesting it might be the final plans for it. 

 

You're right. Most people commenting on the post think that's what is planned, though.

[KinkaidAlum]

Can we please stop spewing the marketing nonsense about Uptown Park being a European shopping experience?

 

It's a gussied up strip mall and nothing more. 

 

That said, it would be nice to see them add a mixed-use residential tower on-site and I think an apartment (rental) tower would be successful.

[Ross]

Can we please stop spewing the marketing nonsense about Uptown Park being a European shopping experience?

 

It's a gussied up strip mall and nothing more. 

 

That said, it would be nice to see them add a mixed-use residential tower on-site and I think an apartment (rental) tower would be successful.

 

Most of my European, and Middle East for that matter, shopping experience is gussied up strip malls with a slightly different format - a strip of stores along a street, but with no parking in front. The lack of parking is a pain. Except for Selfridges and Harrods in London, which are stand alone buildings with a single store in them.

[LarryDierker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines

 

 

Betteridge's law of headlines is an adage that states, "Any headline which ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no."

 

[TowerSpotter]

Here are more interesting proposals.

 

The Austonian? Sure looks like it but slightly different.

 

 

Here is one that I like the best.

 

 

 

A So and So Design IMO.

 

 

https://vimeo.com/71610193      Fast Forward to 5:25

Edited August 24, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[TowerSpotter]

Deleted. (Duplicate)

Edited August 24, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[lockmat]

Holy cow the building in that that second screen shot is hideous, haha. Nice find, though! I like that they're splitting the property down the middle and creating some pretty good density, though. Hopefully, they make it cozier than these initial plans, though. Some of those renderings looked bulky and uninviting.

 

They've been marketing this for a while. The first video we found said it would be available in 9 months and this one said 18.

Edited August 24, 2013 by lockmat

[TowerSpotter]

Lockmat, which building is hideous, the tall blue one or the short brown one.

BTW the ones in the 3rd picture would balance out the Uptown Skyline with the William's Tower.

[lockmat]

Lockmat, which building is hideous, the tall blue one or the short brown one.

BTW the ones in the 3rd picture would balance out the Uptown Skyline with the William's Tower.

 

The blue tall and skinny one. It's not so much the tower portion, but the base makes it look awful imo. I'm sure these are just place holders though.

[TowerSpotter]

The blue tall and skinny one. It's not so much the tower portion, but the base makes it look awful imo. I'm sure these are just place holders though.

 

Agreed, Most of these are not fully designed, so probably who ever wins the bid would have to work more on the design. I'm hoping it's the one with 3rd picture.(high density)

 

Weird thing, had a dream last night I saw a proposal for the site it was like the 'Austonian except when it got to the top it look like stacked boxs on top each other.(the crown) 

Edited August 24, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[ArchFan]

I would agree that this site is ready to undergo redevelopment away from the suburban strip mall paradigm.  I also think the conceptual renderings for tall buildings here are hideous.  If UP gets more tall residential buildings, my expectation is that they will be more Ziegler Cooper designs.  So far, I'm starting to see their Houston work as being a bit too formulaic.   They also designed The Austonian, which is different from their work here.  Considering that ZC seems to be getting the lion's share of highrise residential design in Houston these days, I hope they'll be given free rein to do something a little different here from what they've done in the past.

[TowerSpotter]

I would agree that this site is ready to undergo redevelopment away from the suburban strip mall paradigm.  I also think the conceptual renderings for tall buildings here are hideous.  If UP gets more tall residential buildings, my expectation is that they will be more Ziegler Cooper designs.  So far, I'm starting to see their Houston work as being a bit too formulaic.   They also designed The Austonian, which is different from their work here.  Considering that ZC seems to be getting the lion's share of highrise residential design in Houston these days, I hope they'll be given free rein to do something a little different here from what they've done in the past.

 

The funny thing is that RTKL designed the one that looks like the Austonian by Zeiglar Cooper. Look at the bottom right logo. I wonder what that means.

[TowerSpotter]

Bisnow also reports that they are "considering" redevelopment for Uptown Park. Also I think they even hinted that a tower would go up at Westheimer and Post Oak.

 

http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/is-this-the-new-face-of-luxury/

 

 

Jason and Kenneth say Houston's retail changes will include thedeath of single-floor infill retail in new development. Multifamily development is pushing land prices so high inside the Loop, single-floor retail is no longer the highest and best use, no matter the success of the project. Even Uptown Park is considering a redevelopment (perhaps underground parking?), and Jason wouldn't be surprised to see the center at Westheimer and Post Oakrepositioned vertically with higher density. (Grandma never stops telling you to have better posture, even when you're a building.) Opportunity alert: Sites that size at such a killer intersection are rare.

Edited September 11, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[swtsig]

there's been high-density redevelopment plans for both corners on the northern half of westheimer and post oak for years... they'll go vertical sooner or later, properties are too valuable not to.

[TowerSpotter]

I love the sound of that. The whole area is a hotspot for development, redevelopment, and renovations.

[Naviguessor]

A high end hotel (or two) seems like a natural at that intersection.

[lockmat]

Hopefully they include the Grand Lux into their plans, I really like that place.

My wild guess is that those are at least 2-5 years away from even being announced.

[TowerSpotter]

I hope we get a Loew's Hotel & Resorts in Uptown Park or the Intersection of westhiemer and post oak like the one in Atlanta.

[Mab]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2014/02/amreit-plans-1-billion-redevelopment-of-uptown-park/

 

The owner of the Uptown Park shopping center at the corner of the West Loop and Post Oak Blvd. is planning a more than $1 billion redevelopment of the retail project that will include multiple new towers, bringing the low-rise retail project into the modern era.

The changes will come over the next seven to 10 years and include luxury residential, office, hospitality and additional retail space, according to property owner AmREIT, a Houston-based real estate investment trust that has owned the 17-acre complex for about a decade.

In a Wednesday morning earnings call, the developer said it is negotiations with a national developer to build the first tower at the site — a luxury residential building — that would sit atop 20,000 square feet of retail space. It will be developed where the stores Baker, Pelucha Decor and Bella Rinova are now.

The deal would be structured as a 99-year ground lease to the developer.

AmREIT said it has identified seven potential development sites in Uptown Park.

 

Edited February 19, 2014 by Mab

[brijonmang]

Screenshot from the video.

 

 

Edited October 28, 2016 by brijonmang

[ChannelTwoNews]

A few more caps & a layout plan from the presentation page...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dakota79]

That's great news. All along Post Oak, the one story retail centers are doomed. That land is just too expensive for low density.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Dakota79

[richfish]

Also in the earnings release:

 

During the third quarter of 2013, we began the process of terminating leases with or relocating tenants occupying a portion of our Uptown Park property which we refer to as the Baker Site and our Courtyard at Post Oak property at Post Oak and San Felipe in Houston, in order to prepare those sites for vertical re-development.

 

The courtyard post oak is the one right in front of the cosmo

 

http://www.amreit.com/files/property/17/brochure.pdf

[lockmat]

So it looks to me that they have not finalized the design of the resi tower as there are conflicting designs.

I'm very excited there is very limited surface parking and it includes green space. But I wonder where retail customers will park.

The only disappointing thing for me is only one resi tower, but I'll take it.

Edited February 19, 2014 by lockmat

[Houston19514]

So it looks to me that they have not finalized the design of the resi tower as there are conflicting designs.

I'm very excited there is very limited surface parking and it includes green space. But I wonder where retail customers will park.

The only disappointing thing for me is only one resi tower, but I'll take it.

 

You must be looking for something to be disappointed about. 

 

There are 7 identified high-rise/density redevelopment sites.  Only one has a specified use and that is this residential high-rise.    It is unkown what the other six will be.  They could all end up being residential towers, for all we know at this time.

 

As to parking, the video says they have identified 7 sites that will "accommodated mid- to high-rise buildings and their supporting parking."

[richfish]

I'm glad these projects are making uptown more walkable since in 5 years that'll be all you'll be able to do.

[cloud713]

i was just wondering when they would announce details for redeveloping this site.. so is this the million+ sq foot development Urbannizer first linked about or is that separate? i didnt notice anything about 75,000 sq ft of retail in the info for this..

[arche_757]

That curved residential tower looks massive!  A lot like The Mark, but slightly better looking.

 

Never quite understood how this land wasn't built more vertically from the get-go?  Glad they're finally building it out.

[ClutchCity]

i was just wondering when they would announce details for redeveloping this site.. so is this the million+ sq foot development Urbannizer first linked about or is that separate? i didnt notice anything about 75,000 sq ft of retail in the info for this..

It's probably too big, especially given how big the buildings are in the conceptual renderings. I doubt they'll actually build something as large as what they show, but 7 sites at only 300-400k each is still 2 mil+.

[Juanitos Superior]

Patrinely is the developer for the Phase I residential tower

[Purdueenginerd]

I laughed at this picture. The whole presentation is filled with dozens of CAD renderings that probably took a couple of a hundred work-hours... 

 

Then they insert crayola art sketch. 

 

Anyway, fantastic project--- if it ever gets built.