Urban Style Developments Coming To College Station

[citykid09]

Developments to change the look of University Drive

http://www.theeagle.com/local/The-road-to-change--7010434

These developments are going to really change the Bryan/College Station area. It really is amazing how much this area has changed in the past few decades. I wonder will these plans slow down the efforts to revidalize downtown Bryan? Also there is a town center planned for the bio corridor, will that plan still go through with all of these other developments happening? And I can't believe they are tearing down the old plaza skyscraper.

[zaphod]

Oh well. The Plaza isn't really a skyscraper. I also wonder if it truly is the tallest building in the city sometimes or if that is a myth. The Eller Building with its antennae included looks taller, at least to me. Does anyone have a official source for its height?

Edited March 6, 2012 by zaphod

[JoninATX]

CS Council Approves Rezoning for Redeveloping The Plaza

http://wtaw.com/2012/03/08/cs-council-approves-rezoning-for-redeveloping-the-plaza/

[The Pragmatist]

http://www.campusacq...ards/index.html

I saw this on the TexAgs forums and thought it would be of interest. I don't know if this has been posted yet.

___________________

Texas A&M University – 717 University

The project is proposed to be a 16-story, 440+ bed upscale building, complete with modern amenities including a rooftop pool and hot tub, outdoor grilling station, sand volleyball, sophisticated fitness center, individual and group study lounges, and on-site management by CA's full service staff. The project is expected to break ground in April 2012 and be ready for occupancy come August 2013.

Edited March 29, 2012 by The Pragmatist

[zaphod]

Wow, is that for real?

So that will be on the site of the old bank, across the street from Taco Bell? I wonder how much if it will spell the end for the strip with Jin's and Lippman's, or if that will remain.

The architecture isn't too bad, especially near the bottom. It could do without the round crowny thing and I'm sure it's a real dog from the rear though. But beggar's can't be choosers, it will be awesome to see so much go up on University. It looks way better than the Plaza.

Edited March 30, 2012 by zaphod

[The Pragmatist]

Indeed, it is changing a lot in a short period of time. Then you have the Kyle Field renovation (or demolition and rebuilding) which is up for discussion right now for the relatively near future. It will be interesting to see everything change around the town.

[WestGrayGuy]

As an aggie who lived at the old Plaza hotel (University Tower) in the 90's, I am very excited to see this development. That has always been an eyesore.

[zaphod]

The empty bank at the location of 717 University has a chain link fence around it now.

[zaphod]

In other news, I didn't realize the Deluxe Diner was becoming a Chimy's Cerveceria. Nice.

Fatburger and A1 tutoring and Herbert's have all moved on, and the bank is now almost torn down. Still, that's a small footprint for the proposed buildings going up. I wonder if Taco Bell or Citibank will remain or if one or the other will eventually close too?

[LTAWACS]

http://www.campusacq...ards/index.html

I saw this on the TexAgs forums and thought it would be of interest. I don't know if this has been posted yet.

___________________

Texas A&M University – 717 University

The project is proposed to be a 16-story, 440+ bed upscale building, complete with modern amenities including a rooftop pool and hot tub, outdoor grilling station, sand volleyball, sophisticated fitness center, individual and group study lounges, and on-site management by CA's full service staff. The project is expected to break ground in April 2012 and be ready for occupancy come August 2013.

nice

[IronTiger]

Citibank looks way too big for a bank of its size. Also, it would make the most sense to cut off that bad turn near Church Avenue and connect it up with Spence, with the Church Street ROW used for 717 University.

[zaphod]

A crane with a pile driver or drill of some kind(not a construction guy, lol) has been on the site for a while.

Wonder what that means? I imagine if we are in fact getting the tall building in the rendering it's foundation would be pretty robust compared to the slabs you see typical 3 story apartments go up on. Good news then, maybe

[zaphod]

Just to keep this thread going...

Bulldozers Rip Through Albertsons, Making Room for "The Stack":

http://www.kbtx.com/...-164090986.html

User comments on the page suck as usual. Apparently building a high density student housing development across the street from the university is not a good idea?

Edited July 28, 2012 by zaphod

[txshady]

Never thought I'd see the day when that empty Albertson's would get torn down, it is great to finally see these vacancies getting replaced with modern development.

[IronTiger]

The developments don't seem to be going too well. Campus Pointe has been approved but has gone nowhere yet: the old College Avenue Apartments are long gone. The Rise at Northgate (717 University) is slowly building but not yet a symbol in the skyline (and no leases signed). Legacy Point is stopped: the Stack is stopped, the demo on Albertsons stopped; and the Plaza redevelopment isn't due until 2013 at the earliest. Still an empty lot.

[Nate99]

These idea for high-ish rent property right next to campus struck me as awfully ambitious.

Students with money typically lived in houses when I was there, permanent residents would probably steer well wide of campus for every day living.

Wish them luck though.

[JoninATX]

http://www.campusacq...ards/index.html

I saw this on the TexAgs forums and thought it would be of interest. I don't know if this has been posted yet.

___________________

Texas A&M University – 717 University

The project is proposed to be a 16-story, 440+ bed upscale building, complete with modern amenities including a rooftop pool and hot tub, outdoor grilling station, sand volleyball, sophisticated fitness center, individual and group study lounges, and on-site management by CA's full service staff. The project is expected to break ground in April 2012 and be ready for occupancy come August 2013.

It's nearly topped out.

http://m.facebook.com/riseatnorthgate?v=activity&refid=17

[zaphod]

I just noticed, there is now construction equipment on the old plaza tower site

Edited March 13, 2013 by zaphod

[IronTiger]

Called "Northpoint Crossing" now. Wake me up when they start actually building something...

[lockmat]

Called "Northpoint Crossing" now. Wake me up when they start actually building something...

 

 

....all the renderings for it.

 

http://www.humphreys.com/portfolio/northpoint-crossing/

 

If built, this will be pretty awesome. Very urban

[citykid09]

....all the renderings for it.

 

http://www.humphreys.com/portfolio/northpoint-crossing/

 

If built, this will be pretty awesome. Very urban

 

lockmat, this is already under construction and yes it has already changed the feel of the area.

[IronTiger]

Yes indeed. It's a somewhat different corridor now...the Rise at Northgate is complete with a CVS on the lower level (two other spaces are empty, one of which has been leased by Great Wraps). Over at Legacy Point, about 2/3 of the center was demolished (including the old Albertsons), and a huge new apartment building was built. University Apartments will be turned into "Century Square" and sealed off. It looks like the old apartments are going through abatement procedures. Northpoint Crossing already has a few structures up but not anywhere close to being done.

 

The St. Mary's Catholic Church is going through an expansion as well, planning a huge new cathedral/sanctuary on the current Mud Lot area (which was converted to paved parking lot some years ago), as well as tearing down the Gleissner Hall Apartments (French Quarter Apartments) for a massive parking garage with retail below.

[zaphod]

You ought to do a blog post on all this.

 

Personally I dislike Century Square. All it's streets are insular, it has parking on all sides. For a place that is ostensibly pedestrian friendly.  It looks like Sugarland Town Center.

Edited December 10, 2013 by zaphod

[EllenOlenska]

Some pictures of the Rise.

 

[EllenOlenska]

And because the Plaza and Rise are conflated...some pictures of the redevelopment.

[JoninATX]

Thanks for the updates Ellen Olenska!

[Urbannizer]

14-story high-rise proposed for 711 University Dr. by Dinerstein Co.

 

http://www.dinersteincos.com/properties-grid/

 

[ChannelTwoNews]

From the past weekend...

 

 

 

 

 

[EllenOlenska]

Wow, I had no idea. 

[texan]

A couple more developments have happened in the area since the Rise and a couple more are in progress now.

 

Aspire:

 

The Standard:

 

Sterling Northgate: on Wellborn but still adds to the whole neighborhood

 

Z Bar & Bistro: former Loupot's

 

The Hudson:

 

St. Mary's Catholic Center JPII Center: Filled out the main block that had a small parking lot on it.

 

St Mary's New Church and master plan: this is the most exciting one in my opinion

 

New 19 floor high-rise student housing on site of former Lutheran Student Center Chapel: The Lutherans will have space in the first floor for their new chapel. If news reports are correct, this will be the tallest building in the area.

[texan]

One new project by Parallel Co. is in the works and another property will likely soon be redeveloped as high-rise student housing.

 

The block bounded by Wellborn, First, Louise, and Maple Streets will become a 10 story student housing complex replacing multiple very old duplexes and fourplexes.

https://www.cstx.gov/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18348854 (Page 3)

 

509 University Dr, the former FedEx, is for ground lease for high density student housing.

https://d3k1yame0apvip.cloudfront.net/website-5285/f9e236c05ef7f86/509_university_drive_om_red.pdf

 

Development of these two sites will do wonders for Northgate!

Edited March 13, 2022 by texan

[zaphod]

That fedex used to be a kinko's and had a subway conjoined to it. Oh well, a highrise would be much better.

[texan]

8-floor student housing complex in permitting at College Main and Cherry St called the Everett. This is right down the street from Parallel's project currently under construction. College Main will soon be an urban street too!

https://www.cstx.gov/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18469393

Parallel's second project in College Station (between Wellborn, Maple, Louise, and First St) is slated to begin construction in June.

[texan]

401 First St, 10 floors, 750 beds has broken ground. Major addition to Northgate as it replaces a number of duplexes/fourplexes.

https://wtaw.com/austin-based-developer-breaks-ground-on-second-student-housing-building-in-the-northgate-district/

[ChannelTwoNews]

On 5/16/2021 at 4:27 PM, texan said:

St. Mary's Catholic Center JPII Center: Filled out the main block that had a small parking lot on it.

 

St Mary's New Church and master plan: this is the most exciting one in my opinion

 

I went to mass with my family the weekend before Christmas last year at this parish and was blown away by how packed it was. Granted, there had been a wedding the day before and many of the families were still around from out of town, and it tends to be the busier part of year for most churches in general - but I understand this particular parish regularly has issues providing seats for people. We lucked out and packed into a pew near the back, but there were still lots of people standing in the narthex near the front doors. 

Needless to say, I really liked the place regardless. I can't wait to see the new church when they get it finished.

Edited July 8, 2022 by ChannelTwoNews

[texan]

On 7/8/2022 at 8:31 AM, ChannelTwoNews said:

I went to mass with my family the weekend before Christmas last year at this parish and was blown away by how packed it was. Granted, there had been a wedding the day before and many of the families were still around from out of town, and it tends to be the busier part of year for most churches in general - but I understand this particular parish regularly has issues providing seats for people. We lucked out and packed into a pew near the back, but there were still lots of people standing in the narthex near the front doors. 

Needless to say, I really liked the place regardless. I can't wait to see the new church when they get it finished.

Context for everyone else on the new St. Mary's. Jimbo said he came to A&M for better facilities and the whole community responded in addition to new athletic facilities: big new H-E-B, big new city hall*, big new churches.

 

*new city hall for those who haven't seen it

[Urbannizer]

315 College Main

[texan]

Additional Northgate updates:

Non-photo updates:

301 University - Former Gas Station: Demolition underway or completed, destined for high-rise student housing

509 University - Former FedEx: Being marketed for high-rise student housing

315 College Main - The Rev (Photo not by me)

415 College Main - The Everett: I've been told this is under construction but I have not been back to BCS to see it for myself.

203 Church Street: Early stages, I believe they got a height waiver from the city to go taller than the limit.

St. Mary's new church

My speculation/hopes for what's up next:

201 Boyett (Former Christian Science Center): Half of this block is owned by the company behind the Rev and 401 First St, I believe. The Christian Science Center is being used as the Rev's leasing office. This whole block could become a great mixed-use high-rise student housing building.

306/308 College Main - A&M Methodist parking lot: It's got to be just a matter of time before A&M Methodist partners with a student housing developer on that lot.

Casa Del Sol: Would love to see these blocks redeveloped

St. Mary's rear lots: There are still plans to partner with a developer for mixed use housing.

Bryan side of Northgate: It's only a matter of time before urban development creeps into Bryan from Northgate!

[ChannelTwoNews]

Thanks for the updates @texan!

I will be in College Station next week and am looking forward to the seeing those changes in person and maybe getting some photos as well.

[texan]

New project for the corner of University and Wellborn. Love that College Station is finally getting a dense, urban neighborhood!

[Urbannizer]

On 5/1/2023 at 6:47 PM, texan said:

New project for the corner of University and Wellborn. Love that College Station is finally getting a dense, urban neighborhood!

Nova Northgate

 

[texan]

11 minutes ago, Urbannizer said:

Nova Northgate

 

Woah! Build it yesterday!

[texan]

Pinecrest Texas A&M, southwestern intersection of Cherry Street and College Main. 20 floors, 605 beds. Great Complement to the Rev. College Main is really becoming a great urban street!

[texan]

St. Mary's Catholic Center's new church was recently dedicated.

 

[texan]

Bryan is growing up and dreaming big!

This is located at the corner of South College and Inlow, in Bryan's "North of Northgate" neighborhood.

"The City of Bryan has partnered with Lero & Associates, Inc. to acquire property, utilities and entitlements, and plan the development in order to secure a master developer to assist in creating a high-density, mixed-use community. To visualize the redevelopment, the city has partnered with OMNIPLAN, a highly qualified architecture firm. 

The project will utilize one of Bryan’s most viable redevelopment opportunities, align with future growth of the community, and continue to incorporate strategic partnerships to create a captivating and prosperous master-planned development."

 

https://www.bryantx.gov/new-mixed-use-destination-envisioned-for-the-city-of-bryan/?fbclid=IwAR2YplOPrWzKFCB0tZfPJEYXY59JMOapw3D7UXLBUhrRS6FqLX52IgjH73o_aem_Ae5-RY-xufdphapqd7_DFN9GPcVri0ZlT24IimFDq9fblbeAsr9HuUK4538NafBWbJk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

[texan]

On 9/12/2023 at 4:34 PM, texan said:

Bryan is growing up and dreaming big!

This is located at the corner of South College and Inlow, in Bryan's "North of Northgate" neighborhood.

"The City of Bryan has partnered with Lero & Associates, Inc. to acquire property, utilities and entitlements, and plan the development in order to secure a master developer to assist in creating a high-density, mixed-use community. To visualize the redevelopment, the city has partnered with OMNIPLAN, a highly qualified architecture firm. 

The project will utilize one of Bryan’s most viable redevelopment opportunities, align with future growth of the community, and continue to incorporate strategic partnerships to create a captivating and prosperous master-planned development."

 

https://www.bryantx.gov/new-mixed-use-destination-envisioned-for-the-city-of-bryan/?fbclid=IwAR2YplOPrWzKFCB0tZfPJEYXY59JMOapw3D7UXLBUhrRS6FqLX52IgjH73o_aem_Ae5-RY-xufdphapqd7_DFN9GPcVri0ZlT24IimFDq9fblbeAsr9HuUK4538NafBWbJk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Here's the building and landscaping layout for the plan above.

Of note, catty-corner to this, the Normandy Square apartments were recently under contract and the listing shows as no longer for sale. Could not confirm a deed change on Brazos CAD but rumors on local forum, TexAgs, state Normandy Square will be redeveloped into midrise/highrise apartments Additionally, it was marketed on Cruxes as a student housing development site, fueling the rumor of redevelopment to higher and better use. If so, excellent news for Northgate and it confirms my previous prediction in this forum.

https://www.crexi.com/properties/802930/texas-normandy-square-student-housing-development-site

[texan]

The city is in the process of finalizing the Northeast Gateway Redevelopment Plan, a city initiated planning effort of the area around the front of campus, centered around the Texas and University intersection. Hopefully this comes to fruition as this will vastly improve the entrance into campus and provide an expanded urban core for the city.

https://www.cstx.gov/departments___city_hall/pds/planning/small_area_plans/northeast_gateway