Jump to content

GreenStreet And The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection


JLWM8609

Recommended Posts

What would the city need to do to just "put" a big retailer in the Sakowitz building or "get rid of" the corner store on Main?  This is naive thinking, imo. I agree that these things would help improve DT retail; however, I don't see what the city has to do with both of these commercial entities.  The owners are there to make money and obviously the corner store is doing just that or it would have closed by now.

 

Tax incentives and renovations to promote growth is one thing, wishing the city would "get rid of" or repurpose private businesses because we prefer something else is another.

Edited by quietstorm
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What would the city need to do to "just put" a big retailer in the Sakowitz building or "get rid of" the corner store on Main? This is naive thinking, imo. I agree that these things would help improve DT retail; however, I don't see what the city has to do with both of these commercial entities. The owners are there to make money and obviously the corner store is doing just that or it would have closed by now.

Tax incentives and renovations to promote growth is one thing, wishing the city would "get rid of" or repurpose private businesses because we prefer something else is another.

Does the corner store owner own the property as well or do they rent? Incentives to refurbish and restore older buildings might be a good idea. Maybe then a developer would make an offer on the building itself rather than the store? Edited by Montrose1100
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does the corner store owner own the property as well or do they rent? Incentives to refurbish and restore older buildings might be a good idea. Maybe then a developer would make an offer on the building itself rather than the store?

 

Good idea.  For the "Just a Dollar" store at 901 Main, HCAD shows it is owned by Indus Business Corp and its current appraisal value is $1.5 million (which I'm sure the owners would ask for more).  The Main Food Store at 1101 Main is owned by a Valika Real Estate and is appraised at just over $1 million.

Edited by quietstorm
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good idea. For the "Just a Dollar" store at 901 Main, HCAD shows it is owned by Indus Business Corp and its current appraisal value is $1.5 million (which I'm sure the owners would ask for more). The Main Food Store at 1101 Main is owned by a Valika Real Estate and is appraised at just over $1 million.

This maybe selfish & off topic but if that building was restored and turned into a two-story Starbucks it would be awesome. Close to all the hotels, good for lunch too. Every time I pick up a coffee and then drive downtown, everyone asks where the closest one is. I have no idea.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are Starbucks in the tunnels under 600 Travis (Chase), Pennzoil, and One Shell (that come to mind).  There's one at ground level at 1100 Louisiana, one in the Park Shops, and I wanna say there's another on the gerbil tube level of One or Two Houston (but I might be wrong about that).  And of course the new one at the Hilton Americas, and another at the foot of Main at UHD.

 

There are also a number of Seattle's Best - Two Shell and Centerpoint at the tunnel level come to mind.

 

The Coffee Borg is just about everywhere - if you can't find one, you're not looking too hard.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are Starbucks in the tunnels under 600 Travis (Chase), Pennzoil, and One Shell (that come to mind). There's one at ground level at 1100 Louisiana, one in the Park Shops, and I wanna say there's another on the gerbil tube level of One or Two Houston (but I might be wrong about that). And of course the new one at the Hilton Americas, and another at the foot of Main at UHD.

There are also a number of Seattle's Best - Two Shell and Centerpoint at the tunnel level come to mind.

The Coffee Borg is just about everywhere - if you can't find one, you're not looking too hard.

Are they open on the weekend?

Edit: I guess easily accessible on the weekend is the real question*

Edited by Montrose1100
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Three story starbucks

 

 

 

 

Also, forgot the starbucks they just opened in GRB

 

I went by that Starbucks last Sunday and the prices are more expensive than other Starbucks. Like $1-2 more per drink (Coffee). Wine glasses were like $15 and beer was $7.5. With that said, it was still packed with the weight lifters from the international tournament they had and a bunch of little girl cheerleaders and their moms. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Two popular Italian restaurants announced chef changes on Monday, but one will have a more immediate impact than the other. 

Turns out that Radio Milano chef Jose Hernandez hasn't departed the CityCentre restaurant quite yet. He will remain at the upscale Italian spot in the Hotel Sorella for the next six months or so before shifting to the still-unnamed restaurant at theeagerly anticipated Hotel Alessandra that will open in theGreenStreet development in late 2016. The Hotel Sorella and the Alessandra are owned by The Valencia Group

A representative for the hotel couldn't say whether this move had been in Hernandez's plans all along or the company had simply made the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year nominee an offer he couldn't refuse by giving him the opportunity to shape both the design and concept for the restaurant. Either way, it's a win for both Radio Milano, which keeps Hernandez long enough for him to install a new menu, and for the Alessandra, which will be better equipped to attract diners with a talented chef like Hernandez in the kitchen.

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/11-30-15-chef-changes-two-popular-italian-restaurants-make-new-moves-at-the-helm-1/

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Apparently, someone really wanted a new window. :)

 

In more seriousness, does anyone else notice the lighter concrete square immediately around the hole? It looks like there may have been a previous repair in that exact same spot.

 

EDIT: I can't find the lighter square box in the picture before the hole appeared, so maybe not.

Edited by PeopleAreStrange
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It will be nice when it's all done - but I feel bad for that coffee shop and the existing retail. Drove past the other night and no one at the coffee shop but the barista - on a saturday night.

 

I want to tell them to HOLD the line - better times are coming - hope they can hold on.

 

I believe you are referring to Ben's Beans. I hope so too. I like that place. With that said, I think the law students help them out quite a bit and they are in between semesters right now, so it could be a reason as to why it was empty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It will be nice when it's all done - but I feel bad for that coffee shop and the existing retail. Drove past the other night and no one at the coffee shop but the barista - on a saturday night.

I want to tell them to HOLD the line - better times are coming - hope they can hold on.

Isn't the "Dallas Street Retail" project a city project? Could the city have offered the mom and pop stores some sort or concessions for ripping up the street for so long?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another question I had in regards to the enhancements for the retail district. For some reason, I could really see a Bubba Gumps, Rainforest Cafe type of restaurant doing well close to the House of Blues, close to where the Marlowe will be going. You can get the steady clientele from visitors to Toyota Center, Convention goers, and House of Blues visitors. I am a big Mom and Pop guy, but I just see the place perfect for the big chain restaurants. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Huh? Is it even economical for restaurants to build standalone restaurants in downtown anymore, given the real estate prices?

Edit: a few more recent ones come to mind, like the Landrys steakhouse place next to the Westin, but they inherited that space beside it when they acquired the hotel, I assume?

Edited by cloud713
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another question I had in regards to the enhancements for the retail district. For some reason, I could really see a Bubba Gumps, Rainforest Cafe type of restaurant doing well close to the House of Blues, close to where the Marlowe will be going. You can get the steady clientele from visitors to Toyota Center, Convention goers, and House of Blues visitors. I am a big Mom and Pop guy, but I just see the place perfect for the big chain restaurants.

How about we get something delicious? And not tragic? The aquarium could use a rainforest...

Edit: Well I guess they are inevitable for touristy areas, like the Galleria. Hard to think of a place in this city that will have those places pop up. I guess it won't be official unless we have a ripley's, then we will know for sure.

Edited by Montrose1100
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whats the point of investing all this money if you are just trying to add another restaurant ? You need retail here not more restaurants

 

 

It has to be both. Having both allows people to walk around to go from one to another and creates a more vibrant setting. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes it is a city project, and they should have offered them something. It may take a city DT retail initiative (with developer incentives), similar to the highly successful Downtown Living Initiative, to get real retail going in DT Houston.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of good news, but the City does have an assistance program available for businesses harmed by the Dallas Street retail reconstruction project.

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • The title was changed to Scott Gertner's New Downtown Venue
  • The title was changed to GreenStreet And The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...