High Fashion Home At 3100 Travis St.

[hokieone]

Looks like Midtown is getting some more retail, and even better in an existing building. Even if it is furniture, retail is retail and it sounds like it will be nicely renovated and large when done.

Chron Article

[RedScare]

I read that. 120,00 sf is pretty big. I wondered what "stylish furniture" means. I suppose it could mean many things, but it almost certainly includes that furniture that would look good in downtown, midtown and Montrose area lofts, townhomes and apartments.

Still, what is that? modern, maybe?

[kjb434]

If want see what the furniture will be like, go into High Fashion's home decorating fabric store. They a sampling of what they will sell there. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the furniture is older pieces they recover and sell.

[Lectro]

http://www.highfashionhome.com/index.asp

[Guest danax]

4 floors of fabric, furniture and lighting. Not very exciting maybe but it should make that area look a bit better.

I had never heard of High Fashion Home before but it turns out they already have 2 other stores right around the corner on Louisiana.

They must be doing well and obviously believe in the future of Midtown as a moderately upscale residential neighborhood.

[RedScare]

Is this a redo of an existing building? Opening in a few months, it seems like it has to be.

[largeTEXAS]

This project is going to be great. Toured today and it's looking pretty spectacular...if they pull everything off.

[kjb434]

Yeah,

I've been to the Home Fabrics and the regular Fabrics store when I was doing work in my house.

The Home Fabrics store had some furniture. I guess they want to venture into a larger facility when a lot more choices.

[dbigtex56]

Is this a redo of an existing building?

[kjb434]

My sister is a fashion designer in Louisiana and regularly shops there to when she comes in.

[Trophy Property]

My sister is a fashion designer in Louisiana and regularly shops there to when she comes in.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I live right down the street. Too bad I have never shopped for fabric in my life.

[Talbot]

Looks pretty nice, can't wait to see what comes of it.

[happytown]

I live right down the street.  Too bad I have never shopped for fabric in my life.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I bought some drapery material there. The people are very friendly, very professional. If you live in the neighborhood, check it out.

[kjb434]

Yeah,

The service there is great. They are very helpful in the Home decorating fabric store. The seem really willing to accomodate to make a sale.

[MidtownCoog]

Yes, they were trying to sell this property as a Data Center.

It's rock solid, that's for sure. And I love the mural out front.

[midtown 4.2]

High Fashion Home had their private preview last night . . . and their public opening today. The store looks nice, I like the design of the central stairwell, there's a small cafe, and what looks like space for an outdoor patio. The furnishing still looks sparse, I'm guessing they rushed to meet the deadline. I can only see good things coming out of this endeavor. Don't forget to check out the downtown skyline view from the 4th floor!

I hope this store plus the smaller ones down Milam will be the beginings of a trendy furniture / design district for Midtown; now all we need is to get Cities, Kuhl Lindscomb, and Design Within Reach to setup shop in the area. Then comes the cafes, bistros, and smaller unique mom and pop shops.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

The furnishing still looks sparse, I'm guessing they rushed to meet the deadline. I can only see good things coming out of this endeavor. Don't forget to check out the downtown skyline view from the 4th floor!

Yeah the smell of fresh paint was still in the air. Over all it was pretty nice.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Yeah, pretty nice store, and it looked as if they were getting deliverires during the day, as I saw a few delivery trucks being unloaded when I left Saturday afternoon.

I'm really interested to see what the retail center caticorner from it will look like, if it will have a similar focus as the more urban retail center that was built on Smith @ Elgin.

[travelguy_73]

The prices weren't too bad for a boutique store, either! There is a set of retro aluminum tables there I have my eye on. Coincidentally, I was at Great Indoors not 2 hours later and spotted the same tables--except they were 18% more than at High Fashion.

[sifuwong]

Is that a great view of downtown or what!!Acutally, i think it was 3rd floor.

Edited September 25, 2008 by sifuwong

[Houston19514]

Is that a great view of downtown or what!!

No joke! I noticed that too.

[kwic]

No joke! I noticed that too.

definitely third floor, with the bed in the window.

I wish I could spend the night just to wake up to the view.

[editor]

No one has a camera phone?

[LTAWACS]

No one has a camera phone?

They probably make patrons leave them at the door.

[midtownuser]

They probably make patrons leave them at the door.

i don't understand what you are suggesting. if you are trying to be funny, you failed in my opinion. the people that run this place are very cool. when i was buying my furniture i was very indecisive. they let me take pictures with my digital camera so I can take it home and ask my friends what they think. so, i'm pretty sure if Jax wanted to walk in there with his film crew and shoot a movie, he could.

[sheeats]

i don't understand what you are suggesting. if you are trying to be funny, you failed in my opinion. the people that run this place are very cool. when i was buying my furniture i was very indecisive. they let me take pictures with my digital camera so I can take it home and ask my friends what they think. so, i'm pretty sure if Jax wanted to walk in there with his film crew and shoot a movie, he could.

You can afford to buy furniture there?!?!?!?!

[Karick42]

Does anyone have a photo of it?

[Vertigo58]

Speaking of this place (not sure if discussed before on Haif) but they have some of the rarest fabrics & rare materials available to the public. It is more expensive than the average fabric store but they got what you need. I think mostly designers and hardcore fabric enthusiasts visit on a regular basis. One of the sales clerks said they import items from all around the world. I believe it. It is very similar to another place in So Cal called Hyena Silks. We have a friend that own her own folkloric dance org and they always buy their costume materials here and have professionally made for stage. You must visit both buildings when possible. Its mind boggling.

http://64.251.200.101/home.aspx

and very similar material Socal store - Hyena

http://www.hyenaproductions.com/index.asp

[cla]

Speaking of this place (not sure if discussed before on Haif) but they have some of the rarest fabrics & rare materials available to the public. It is more expensive than the average fabric store but they got what you need. I think mostly designers and hardcore fabric enthusiasts visit on a regular basis. One of the sales clerks said they import items from all around the world. I believe it. It is very similar to another place in So Cal called Hyena Silks. We have a friend that own her own folkloric dance org and they always buy their costume materials here and have professionally made for stage. You must visit both buildings when possible. Its mind boggling.

I made a homecoming dress for my daughter and found this store - my jaw just about hit the floor when i saw the selection!

[ttuchris]

What did the 3100 Travis Building use to be? It is really cool inside and out.

[editor]

On 1/24/2011 at 3:29 PM, ttuchris said:

What did the 3100 Travis Building use to be? It is really cool inside and out.

I'm resurrecting this decade-old thread because I came across a recent picture I took of 3100 Travis, and have the same question:

[strickn]

https://aoghs.org/petroleum-in-war/oil-pipelines-big-inch/

Probably shows a follow-up project to the original pipelines that Texas Eastern bought after WWII?

Second guess:  Northern Natural Gas, which later was Enron?

[ChannelTwoNews]

Wasn't this a building for Transco at one point?

I seem to recall it appearing in a few of the Houston Architectural Guides - none of which are near me at this time. Maybe someone can confirm?

[BeerNut]

I hope this relief is saved if the building is ever tore down.

[mkultra25]

It was Transco. From the 1990 edition of the Houston Architectural Guide:

 

[dbigtex56]

Thanks for clearing that up, @mkultra25

Love the line "....a measure of design desperation over how to cope with windowlessness, an anxiety perhaps shared by the occupants"
Having worked in a windowless building, I feel confident that the anxiety was shared. It was modified during the energy crisis circa 1980, and had insulation five feet thick.
Everyone had a pounding headache by the end of the day: I heard later that it was declared a 'sick' building and all that insulation was emitting toxic vapors.

[IntheKnowHouston]

There's an existing topic for this property that predates this one by a month. Moderators, please consider merging this with the topic for High Fashion Home - 3100 Travis St. It's the same property. 

@Urbannizer @Triton


https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/2722-high-fashion-home-at-3100-travis-st

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Does anyone have further insight into forthcoming renovations at the 3100 Travis St property in Midtown? High Fashion Home is located here. Supposedly, there are plans for a massive two-level food hall.
 

Edited September 10 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 9/10/2023 at 1:20 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Does anyone have further insight into forthcoming renovations at the 3100 Travis St property in Midtown? High Fashion Home is located here. Supposedly, there are plans for a massive two-level food hall.

 

I asked around and there is a food hall in planning for 3100 Travis St. Apparently, it will be two levels.

The food hall will feature somewhere between 15 to 25 food stalls. There will also be several bars situated throughout.

There will be space for visitors to play games and other activities. Some activities include simulated golf and karaoke rooms. 

I don't know the name of the food hall or the operators involved. Perhaps more details will be revealed soon.

[Brooklyn173]

I'm a little confused. Is High Fashion leaving and being replaced by the massive food hall, or will the food hall be an expansion of the existing building and High Fashion stays?

[j_cuevas713]

Is this for this main building or the little building across the street on Louisiana? I keep hearing that building is going away soon

[IntheKnowHouston]

39 minutes ago, Brooklyn173 said:

I'm a little confused. Is High Fashion leaving and being replaced by the massive food hall, or will the food hall be an expansion of the existing building and High Fashion stays?

 

34 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said:

Is this for this main building or the little building across the street on Louisiana? I keep hearing that building is going away soon

My understanding is High Fashion Home is not leaving 3100 Travis St. 

The food hall will occupy the first and second floor. Retail will be on the other floors.

This is going to be a huge project from what I'm hearing. The first and second levels are expected to undergo major renovations. I think with the size of the food hall and location, an announcement is likely soon to come.

[Sanjorade]

On 9/11/2023 at 1:25 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

 

My understanding is High Fashion Home is not leaving 3100 Travis St. 

The food hall will occupy the first and second floor. Retail will be on the other floors.

This is going to be a huge project from what I'm hearing. The first and second levels are expected to undergo major renovations. I think with the size of the food hall and location, an announcement is likely soon to come.

Was told from someone very close to this company that it’s not happening. 

[IntheKnowHouston]

2 hours ago, Sanjorade said:

Was told from someone very close to this company that it’s not happening. 

I reached out to High Fashion last week prior to posting about the proposed food hall. I was told by someone by phone and email there were no plans for a food hall. So, I messaged the person who originally posted the news.

After asking the person on Facebook for clarification, they sent a screenshot of construction and demo plans. The design is from Eimer Design, a Philadelphia architecture team whose robust portfolio includes a number of food hall designs across the county. 

I noticed the plans were dated April 2023. So, I inquired if this was moving forward or on the back burner. The poster shared contract bids went out for this in July. Bids were due last month.

Following that exchange, I reached out to High Fashion again with the new information. Their response: "while it's not currently official, anything is possible." 

It's been my experience businesses aren't very forthcoming regarding plans that have not been publicized to the general public. The same can be said when asking about closures or rebranding. And I get it. Businesses have their own timeline and plans in place for announcements of any kind.  I also understand plans aren't always set in stone. Things can change for a number of reasons.

Still, time and time again, I'll ask if something is in planning only to be told no or a response similar to the one provided by High Fashion. Then a few days later - even weeks or months later - there is a press release or a social media announcement confirming plans that were previously denied.

I suppose like everything that's posted here, we'll find out in due time if this is moving forward or not.

When I can, I'll post the proposed plans for the food hall.

[tigereye]

As a Midtown resident who also shops at High Fashion Home occasionally, a food & beer hall on the lower levels may help draw people to the building and maybe to their store. It’s typically empty on all 4 floors most times I walk over. The occasional sidewalk sales don’t really move the needle much either. With numerous multifamily developments within walking  distance, this could attract more people within its walls, offering more revenue potential to the store itself if they can convert those foodies into new customers. Glam foodies and glam shopping. It could work. 

Edited September 19 by tigereye

[IntheKnowHouston]

10 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

I inquired if this was moving forward or on the back burner. The poster shared contract bids went out for this in July. Bids were due last month.

Correction: I meant to type, "The poster shared construction bids went out for this in July. Bids were due last month."