Downtown By 2017

[j_cuevas713]

Whats downtown going to be like in the next 3 to 4 yrs? I was thinking about all the projects going up downtown and I cant even completely wrap my mind around everything going on!

[TowerSpotter]

Well for one 2017 should be the year all lot of the proposed skyscrapers should be completed. By 2017 we should be seeing another wave of proposals for Houston and cranes for one that haven't even been announced yet. Most of us here are looking forward to that year.

[Purdueenginerd]

Right now we have over 1000 apartment units on the drawing board or under construction in downtown. There are currently just under 3000 total living units in downtown Houston. My guess is that a 33 percent increase in people living there will be followed by a small retail boom.

Hopefully the housing construction continues and more people move into downtown

[LarryDierker]

If my research is correct:

Skyhouse 336 units

Alliance 207

Fingers Ballpark 324

Hines 289

Texaco Building 309

 

If my math is correct:

1465 total units soon to be under construction.

[downtownian]

Here's my best guess. Let me know if you have better info.

[ClutchCity]

With the residential incentive ending in 2016 there should be at least 2500 units added or under construction by then. Hopefully that means we get some pretty interesting towers! So the residential part of downtown will be be vastly different. It is yet to be seen if it can get it's mojo back to attract office tenants to a shiny 40+ story tower instead of a cheaper building in the burbs.

[Purdueenginerd]

Here's my best guess. Let me know if you have better info.

This is great. Gonna save this

[Urbannizer]

Here's my best guess. Let me know if you have better info.

Nice. There's the 38-Story residential tower that can be listed as a "Potential Development", it's the second phase to the Texaco building redevelopment. Also, 609 Main will break ground in early 2014; expected to be complete by late 2016. 

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/realestate/03-14-13-hines-touts-new-41-story-skyscraper-in-downtown-houston/

Edited September 2, 2013 by Urbannizer

[downtownian]

Nice. There's the 38-Story residential tower that can be listed as a "Potential Development", it's the second phase to the Texaco building redevelopment. Also, 609 Main will break ground in early 2014; expected to be complete by late 2016. 

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/realestate/03-14-13-hines-touts-new-41-story-skyscraper-in-downtown-houston/

 

Here's an update attached. I couldn't figure out how to edit my prior post.

 

[j_cuevas713]

Here's my best guess. Let me know if you have better info.

Very nice layout!

[j_cuevas713]

In my personal opinion, the reason I even made this post is because if our downtown becomes a stable neighborhood for development, when investors decide to build something new, it will have a ripple effect for other neighborhoods such as Montrose, Midtown, the Heights, etc. And from there we can expect to see even more dense development throughout the city.

[Slick Vik]

Will be interesting to see how the rail line running to theater district and dynamo stadium fits in also.

[kdog08]

In my personal opinion, the reason I even made this post is because if our downtown becomes a stable neighborhood for development, when investors decide to build something new, it will have a ripple effect for other neighborhoods such as Montrose, Midtown, the Heights, etc. And from there we can expect to see even more dense development throughout the city.

 

 

 

I think you have it backwards. Montrose, Midtown, and Heights are still adding people and retail, it is downtown that is catching up. 

[kdog08]

Will be interesting to see how the rail line running to theater district and dynamo stadium fits in also.

 

I really think Houston will soon be a vastly underrated convention city/major sports events city by the time the Superbowl arrives in 2017. By the major sports events, I mean all star games, NCAA final 4, college bowl games, superbowls, soccer matches, world cups, and Olympics. 

[Tumbleweed_Tx]

rail line running to the theater district is a non-issue, as it's close to all the freeway exits. Since the theater district is surrounded by underground parking for all those people getting off the freeways to go see a show, none of the patrons will be using the rail line to get to a show.

 

actually, it's  ore of a pain in the ass than anything- it takes up half of Capitol Street, so there's going to be two lanes for car traffic. This leaves nowhere for tour buses to park at Bayou Music Center when there's large multiband festivals there.

[Houston19514]

rail line running to the theater district is a non-issue, as it's close to all the freeway exits. Since the theater district is surrounded by underground parking for all those people getting off the freeways to go see a show, none of the patrons will be using the rail line to get to a show.

 

actually, it's  ore of a pain in the ass than anything- it takes up half of Capitol Street, so there's going to be two lanes for car traffic. This leaves nowhere for tour buses to park at Bayou Music Center when there's large multiband festivals there.

 

I can absolutely guarantee you are incorrect in your projection that "none" on of the theater district patrons will be using rail to get to a show.  Your apparent hatred of rail is clouding your thinking.

[ricco67]

I'm one of those patrons that will utilize the rail to get to and from the theater district. When we don't stay overnight to make a weekend out of it, we park a decent distance to get agreeable parking. The hobby garage, as I have learned is a bear to get out of after a performance.

Besides it'll make it easier to have a good meal before and after the performance.

[j_cuevas713]

 

 

 

I think you have it backwards. Montrose, Midtown, and Heights are still adding people and retail, it is downtown that is catching up. 

 

That may be the case here in Houston, but once a stable downtown is created, it's only going to have a greater effect on outlining neighborhoods. Houston is spread out, so yeah those neighborhoods have developed very organically, with little to no help from downtown activity, which is really a good thing. What I'm saying is that when downtown DOES become a more centralized hub of activity, it can only build on itself outwards toward those neighborhoods, thus enhancing whats already been created.

[totheskies]

I'm a frequent Theater District patron and performer.  I see people in tuxes on the existing rail all the time.  Many actually enjoy the walk from Preston station down to the Wortham. 

 

It's not a lot of the older patrons, but trust me there are a fair amount of 40 and under that do this.  More rail means the number can only grow. 

[totheskies]

That may be the case here in Houston, but once a stable downtown is created, it's only going to have a greater effect on outlining neighborhoods. Houston is spread out, so yeah those neighborhoods have developed very organically, with little to no help from downtown activity, which is really a good thing. What I'm saying is that when downtown DOES become a more centralized hub of activity, it can only build on itself outwards toward those neighborhoods, thus enhancing whats already been created.

 

Couldn't agree more with this.  The development in the shoulder neighborhoods is almost dizzying.  It's Downtown's turn to get in on the hot residential market. 

 

Take it from someone who is apartment hunting right now.  I've been SHOCKED to find that Montrose/ Midtown is actually competitive with Downtown highrises.  There are garage apartments renting in Montrose right this second for $1200/mo, but it only costs 1100/mo to move to Houston House.  The inner loop market (with the exception of most things EAST of I-45) is simply bonkers right now. 

 

Downtown residential will be welcomed because any inner loop residential is being welcomed. 

 

[Slick Vik]

Couldn't agree more with this. The development in the shoulder neighborhoods is almost dizzying. It's Downtown's turn to get in on the hot residential market.

Take it from someone who is apartment hunting right now. I've been SHOCKED to find that Montrose/ Midtown is actually competitive with Downtown highrises. There are garage apartments renting in Montrose right this second for $1200/mo, but it only costs 1100/mo to move to Houston House. The inner loop market (with the exception of most things EAST of I-45) is simply bonkers right now.

Downtown residential will be welcomed because any inner loop residential is being welcomed.

Allen house is the only cheap apartment in montrose area

[infinite_jim]

Will downtown still be cheap to live in, in 2017? That's the big question, b/c if only those who can afford $1,700/month rent can live there, then I think it's a bust. If more condo's enter the market, then all bets are off. Downtown is still as sleepy as when I moved here in 2010.

[Marcus Allen]

I really think Houston will soon be a vastly underrated convention city/major sports events city by the time the Superbowl arrives in 2017. By the major sports events, I mean all star games, NCAA final 4, college bowl games, superbowls, soccer matches, world cups, and Olympics.

If ever Olympics, dear god let most of the events be indoors. Houston-summer Olympics- I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy!

[arrodiii]

Will downtown still be cheap to live in, in 2017? That's the big question, b/c if only those who can afford $1,700/month rent can live there, then I think it's a bust. If more condo's enter the market, then all bets are off. Downtown is still as sleepy as when I moved here in 2010.

 

If DT rents are still at $1700/month by 2017, I will be really happy (as a renter)

[infinite_jim]

If DT rents are still at $1700/month by 2017, I will be really happy (as a renter)

That would be the rent floor for an efficiency at only the Houston House, average rent would be in the $2500-3500 range. I'm saying having the low end of the market ($1000-2000) will help churn young professionals through the nab and establish the idea of downtown as a neighborhood. If only older professionals can afford downtown then they will not flock when they can get more space at a discount nearby or will lease the apartments as second homes (i.e. not actually live there like half of One Park Place).

edit:

Downtown's new problem will be a limited amount of the type/designs of available space. Maybe the city will allow developers to build micro-apts in the 300-600 sq.ft. range..

Edited September 6, 2013 by infinite_jim

[livincinco]

I actually think that the continued growth of downtown is going to be a short term setback for development in Midtown.

I think you have it backwards. Montrose, Midtown, and Heights are still adding people and retail, it is downtown that is catching up.

I actually think that the growth of residential downtown is going to hurt Midtown short term.

Edited September 6, 2013 by livincinco

[totheskies]

That would be the rent floor for an efficiency at only the Houston House, average rent would be in the $2500-3500 range. I'm saying having the low end of the market ($1000-2000) will help churn young professionals through the nab and establish the idea of downtown as a neighborhood. If only older professionals can afford downtown then they will not flock when they can get more space at a discount nearby or will lease the apartments as second homes (i.e. not actually live there like half of One Park Place).

edit:

Downtown's new problem will be a limited amount of the type/designs of available space. Maybe the city will allow developers to build micro-apts in the 300-600 sq.ft. range..

 

Try $1130 as the rent floor... CHEAPER than several new complexes in Montrose/ Midtown

 

Houston House

http://aim.force.com/locatormls/apex/houstonhouse?id=a19F0000001HgZ2

 

Check some other places downtown.  It's not as much as you might think...

[Slick Vik]

I actually think that the growth of residential downtown is going to hurt Midtown short term.

How's that? The midtown crowd is into partying a lot more than downtown. Seems like two separate groups to me.

[livincinco]

How's that? The midtown crowd is into partying a lot more than downtown. Seems like two separate groups to me.

Just my opinion, but I think that residential development in South Downtown will steal from development in Midtown in the short term. But then again, I've never been that bullish on Midtown. The party scene tends to move in Houston.

[Slick Vik]

Just my opinion, but I think that residential development in South Downtown will steal from development in Midtown in the short term. But then again, I've never been that bullish on Midtown. The party scene tends to move in Houston.

It seemed like party scene was headed to Washington but has come back to midtown, because there are so many places within walkable distance.

[shasta]

[LTAWACS]

Nice.

[downtownian]

Updated the development timeline for:

1) Moved Hines Residential at Market Square Park from "Potential Developments" to Q1 2016

2) Moved Green Street Renovation from Q4 2013 to Q2 2014

 

[Nate99]

 

That's pretty fun to look at.

 

Looks like it is missing the residential Market Square arrea tower though.

 

[shasta]

That's pretty fun to look at.

 

Looks like it is missing the residential Market Square arrea tower though.

 

 

You are correct, we don't have enough information on that one yet.

[cloud713]

We should now.. Full renderings and official height. Also the new 35 story residential tower to the west of market square.