Kirby Grove: Mixed-Use Development In Upper Kirby

[swtsig]

Midway is planning on redeveloping the current Levey Park on Richmond between Eastside and Wakeforest into a mini CityCentre-type development that will include a 16-story office, lofts, retail and a park. i've heard additional development is possible as well.

renderings should be floating around soon i'm sure.

[brijonmang]

Very interesting. This will be a neighbor to the new development at Richmond and Buffalo Speedway. I wonder if they plan to just clear cut the whole block or if they will be leaving some of the existing buildings. It's a pretty small area to squeeze all that into.

[lockmat]

Does all this Richmond/Greenway development have anything to do with developer confidence in the University line being built one day?

[Howard Huge]

Midway is planning on redeveloping the current Levey Park on Richmond between Eastside and Wakeforest into a mini CityCentre-type development that will include a 16-story office, lofts, retail and a park. i've heard additional development is possible as well.

renderings should be floating around soon i'm sure.

You have a lot of inside scoops, tell us what you do

[Sellanious Caesar]

Awesome infill.

swstig, I have a question: Is there any hope for the surface lot situation in downtown? Will they ever stop tearing down existing (historic) buildings and start covering the lots?

[mfastx]

Does all this Richmond/Greenway development have anything to do with developer confidence in the University line being built one day?

Doubt it. Maybe they've heard otherwise from the city/mayor but all indications point to the University Line being delayed for the forseeable future, and who knows what can happen between now and then. I'd say confidence is faily low.

[lockmat]

Doubt it. Maybe they've heard otherwise from the city/mayor but all indications point to the University Line being delayed for the forseeable future, and who knows what can happen between now and then. I'd say confidence is faily low.

My thinking behind that was because PM Realty, in my opinion, "randomly" (Why Greenway all of a sudden?) chose to build mixed-use there, is building a resi tower "close by", a rumor of a possible mixed-use was to be built across the street from PM's site and the Chronicle wrote a vague article last week saying Metro was confident it was still happening.

And now I just read this quote from PM's director of development,

"Inside the loop . . . is the area that we are very focused on," said Gregory. The Greenway Plaza area — which is centrally-located, generally walkable and situated along a planned light rail route — is attractive for mixed-use developments that serve an increasingly urban younger population.

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/11-29-12-16-20-a-first-for-houston-developers-vow-to-save-grove-of-oak-trees-at-greenway-plaza-mixed-use-complex/

Maybe the developers know something we don't.

[mfastx]

My thinking behind that was because PM Realty, in my opinion, "randomly" (Why Greenway all of a sudden?) chose to build mixed-use there, is building a resi tower "close by", a rumor of a possible mixed-use was to be built across the street from PM's site and the Chronicle wrote a vague article last week saying Metro was confident it was still happening.

And now I just read this quote from PM's director of development,

"Inside the loop . . . is the area that we are very focused on," said Gregory. The Greenway Plaza area — which is centrally-located, generally walkable and situated along a planned light rail route — is attractive for mixed-use developments that serve an increasingly urban younger population.

http://houston.cultu...ed-use-complex/

Maybe the developers know something we don't.

Very interesting find, perhaps you're right then. We shall see.

[elecpharm]

For those wondering, here is the location of the park

Edited December 7, 2012 by elecpharm

[swtsig]

Awesome infill.

swstig, I have a question: Is there any hope for the surface lot situation in downtown? Will they ever stop tearing down existing (historic) buildings and start covering the lots?

i'm really not the person to ask to be honest with you... i'd venture to guess that theNiche could provide a much more educated answer. i do think you are starting to see a bigger push to develop surface lots, though, particualrly in the east side near the convention center especially now w the development incentive the downtown district is providing for residential. as for the tearing down of "historic" buildings, that simply comes down to their ability to be repurposed in a cost effective manner (duh).

[Houston19514]

Awesome infill.

swstig, I have a question: Is there any hope for the surface lot situation in downtown? Will they ever stop tearing down existing (historic) buildings and start covering the lots?

We will probably always see the occasional demolition of older buildings downtown (as do almost all cities, by the way).

As to covering the lots, about 45 blocks have been covered in the last 15 years or so.

Another 1/3 of a block of parking or so just recently disappeared to be replaced by a building (day-care facility).

Within the next year or 2, we will probably see another 5-10 blocks of parking disappear.

--1 1/2 blocks are in the process of disappearing right now for Finger's apartment building.

--The Atlanta company's high-rise apartment project will take another 3/4 block (and I guess take another old building out, unfortunately).

--The new convention hotel will probably take 1 1/2 blocks of parking out late next year/early 2014

--The associated parking garage will take another 1 1/2 blocks

--The new visitors center/museum will take some

--The 1 1/2 blocks behind the proposed convention hotel are being marketed and I think we'll probably see development reasonably soon.

--Hines may start a new building fairly soon taking another 3/4 block.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Houston19514

[Houston19514]

Edit to previous post (Edit button is not appearing in the post):

As to covering the lots, about 45 blocks have been covered in the last 15 years or so.

Another 1/3 of a block of parking or so just recently disappeared to be replaced by a building (day-care facility).

Within the next year or 2, we will probably see another 5-10 blocks of parking disappear.

--1 1/2 blocks are in the process of disappearing right now for Finger's apartment building.

--The Atlanta company's high-rise apartment project will take another 3/4 block (and I guess take another old building out, unfortunately).

--The new convention hotel will probably take 1 1/2 blocks of parking out late next year/early 2014

--The associated parking garage will take another 1 1/2 blocks

--The new visitors center/museum will take some

--The 1 1/2 blocks behind the proposed convention hotel are being marketed and I think we'll probably see development reasonably soon.

--Hines may start a new building fairly soon taking another 3/4 block.

--Construction on the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is slated to start in 2014. That will take another block.

If all of these expected projects happen in the next 1-2 years, that would be another 8 3/4 blocks of surface parking covered.

[burgower4]

For those wondering, here is the location of the park

Thanks for the map Do you think they might buy the land on 59 where the hotel is so there will be highway connection and the business on Richmond? I am really excited for this development.

[Subdude]

Do you not expect some level of protest over losing the park?

[Fortune]

Do you not expect some level of protest over losing the park?

I was curious about that as well especially since the Upper Kirby District has done a couple upgrades to the park the last decade. There are even plans for another phase of upgrades.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12468449/Upper%20Kirby%20PPS%20Final%20Report.pdf

[Texasota]

It doesn't seem like we have much in the way of concrete information here. It would make more sense if the plans are actually to redevelop the lots to the north, east and south of the park. That's quite a lot of land that looks pretty underutilized right now.

[Houston19514]

I think we can pretty safely say the park is not going away.

[Houston19514]

It doesn't seem like we have much in the way of concrete information here. It would make more sense if the plans are actually to redevelop the lots to the north, east and south of the park. That's quite a lot of land that looks pretty underutilized right now.

I think the underutilized land to the north and east you are referring to have been acquired by the Upper Kirby District for the planned expansion of the park/Civic Center. Not sure what underutilized land to the south you are referring to.

[Houston19514]

It doesn't seem like we have much in the way of concrete information here. It would make more sense if the plans are actually to redevelop the lots to the north, east and south of the park. That's quite a lot of land that looks pretty underutilized right now.

I think the underutilized land to the north and east you are referring to has been acquired by the Upper Kirby District for the planned expansion of the park/Civic Center. Not sure what underutilized land to the south you are referring to.

[swtsig]

They're keeping a portion of the park.

[KinkaidAlum]

Ah, the place where I first got drunk and made out while listening to Alphaville's the "Jet Set Society" in 1986.

Good times in that park!

[Purdueenginerd]

This song is so 80's that it becomes awesome by default. Also, I was born in 1986.

[KinkaidAlum]

Purdue-

Your typed words make me feel so old but your link makes me feel "Forever Young!"

Sorry, had to be done.

What a great time to be 16 in Houston. Cruising lower Westheimer..., sneaking in to clubs like Red Square, Power Tools, NRG, and Numbers... Shopping for cassettes at Sound Warehouse, Record Rack, and Cactus... and all while wigging on your friend's mother's E!

[lockmat]

I can only see these on my blackberry, but here are some renderings

http://www.munozalbin.com/25-mixed-use-tower-levy-park.html

[Houston19514]

I can only see these on my blackberry, but here are some renderings

http://www.munozalbi...-levy-park.html

Great find!

So, it appears the Midway proposal is to build an office building with ground floor retail on the north edge of an expanded and reconfigured Levy Park and an apartment building with ground floor retail on the south edge of the Park. Nice designs.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Houston19514

[jayshoota]

I can only see these on my blackberry, but here are some renderings

http://www.munozalbi...-levy-park.html

Thanks for the link!

Edited December 13, 2012 by jayshoota

[burgower4]

Not to get off topic, but, I clicked on the link and was looking at their projects and saw one for the downtown Macy's. Anybody have any info on that?? It looks amazing.

Yeah I saw the same thing I see that the client for this project is Hilcorp which is a an energy company which might be the offices in the macys building This project looks amazing I hope this happen!!

[lockmat]

These are the apartments on the south side. They look really nice, and even better, underground parking!

http://www.munozalbin.com/26-residential-tower-levy-park.html

[Houston19514]

Yeah I saw the same thing I see that the client for this project is Hilcorp which is a an energy company which might be the offices in the macys building This project looks amazing I hope this happen!!

Perhaps Hilcorp owns the Macy's building.

[lockmat]

Perhaps Hilcorp owns the Macy's building.

Macy's hcad account http://hcad.org/records/details.asp?crypt=%94%9A%B0%94%BFg%84%8D%80%7Clh%8El%87tXtYW%9E%99%A2%D3%89%95%C2e%7CU%8A%7E%86%C0%AB%A8%AD%86%5E&bld=1&tab=2

Some form of Macy's or foleys owned it through 2006 when 1110 Main Partners took over.

Edited December 14, 2012 by lockmat

[Houston19514]

Macy's hcad account http://hcad.org/reco...��^&bld=1&tab=2

Some form of Macy's or foleys owned it through 2006 when 1110 Main Partners took over.

Thanks for that info. The discussion in the master plan refers to Macy's landlord, etc, making it sound as if their is an independent third party that owns the building. From the Cincinnati address of 1110 Main Partners, LP, I would venture to guess this is an LP owned by Macy's.

[lockmat]

I emailed the lady from the downtown management district that is mentioned in the culturemap article and she said she did not have any new information.

[wxman]

http://blog.chron.co...greenway-plaza/

New rendering:

http://www.munozalbin.com/25-mixed-use-tower-levy-park.html

Edited January 1, 2013 by wxman

[Triton]

Not bad at all! I'm sure that top balcony is going to have an impressive view.

[hoothrewpoo]

Thanks for that info. The discussion in the master plan refers to Macy's landlord, etc, making it sound as if their is an independent third party that owns the building. From the Cincinnati address of 1110 Main Partners, LP, I would venture to guess this is an LP owned by Macy's.

According to the circles I run in, Jeff Hildebrand owns the land Macy's sits on, as well as the surface parking and Americana Building. Word was tenants in the Americana Building were told their leases weren't going to be renewed, and that they should begin to look elsewhere. There's more to it than that, but, you get the gist. Morris Architects was alleged to be the designer of the new building/parking structure going in on that site.

[Houston19514]

According to the circles I run in, Jeff Hildebrand owns the land Macy's sits on, as well as the surface parking and Americana Building. Word was tenants in the Americana Building were told their leases weren't going to be renewed, and that they should begin to look elsewhere. There's more to it than that, but, you get the gist. Morris Architects was alleged to be the designer of the new building/parking structure going in on that site.

What surface parking? Are you referring to the Macy's parking garage?

(Most, if not all, of the ground level retail has already been closed in the American Building and Macy's parking garage building)

Edited January 2, 2013 by Houston19514

[hoothrewpoo]

What surface parking? Are you referring to the Macy's parking garage?

(Most, if not all, of the ground level retail has already been closed in the American Building and Macy's parking garage building)

yes, the parking (garage) directly behind the Americana, and across from Macy's (corner of Travis and Lamar?).

[ChannelTwoNews]

Saw this in today's edition of Bisnow...

 

"Kirby Grove"?

 

Bo says Midway is about to launch 600k SF of office developments across a few projects. It's planning Kirby Grove, which will be the firm's first project in Greenway. (This is the first time we've heard a name for the development planned near Levy Park, which will include 240k SF of office and 300 multifamily units, word has it.)

 

[lockmat]

I think Kirby Grove has been on the planning commission agenda for a while now so hopefully they're pretty close to ground breaking.

[hoothrewpoo]

I think Kirby Grove has been on the planning commission agenda for a while now so hopefully they're pretty close to ground breaking.

 

I don't think they are on the office portion... I can't find my notes currently, but I think I remember a Q2-2014 ground breaking. 

[Urbannizer]

New rendering:

http://www.munozalbin.com/25-mixed-use-tower-levy-park.html

I guess they took the renderings down, but I came across this earlier today:

http://midwaycompanies.com/img/annual-reports/Midway_Annual_Report_web_022713_(2)_new.pdf

[TowerSpotter]

I guess they took the renderings down, but I came across this earlier today:

http://midwaycompanies.com/img/annual-reports/Midway_Annual_Report_web_022713_(2)_new.pdf

 

Why would they take the rendering down?

[hoothrewpoo]

exterior of the building is changing... I think. I recall a discussion about the geometry not being ideal for tenants.

[lockmat]

Do they want something less rectangular?

[hoothrewpoo]

No, it had something to do with the structure (again, going by memory), or column footings. I don't remember. 

 

to clarify, the interior geometry was the issue, not the exterior.

Edited August 1, 2013 by hoothrewpoo

[Houston?]

How likely will this get built?

[hoothrewpoo]

It's a when, not if. They already have tenants lined up for the office portion.

[Howard Huge]

It's a when, not if. They already have tenants lined up for the office portion.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AND ALL YOUR INSIDE INFO AGAIN!

Don't ever let any of the dickheads around here drive you away from the board please, you're too valuable a poster, ok?

[uscats35]

This is going to be great!

[Mab]

I don't know if this was posted but here is the levy park leasing package

 

 http://midwaycompanies.com/img/leasing/leasing-packages/130723_Levy_Park_Package_-_Updated_CFC__eversion-low.pdf