nativehoustonion Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 A friend of mine is moving to Houston from San Francisco due to Chevron relocation. He wants a highrise downtown this would have beautiful views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 The surface lot next to the Market Square Parking Garage will be closing on July 6th due to upcoming construction. As I recall, this project is to be residential. Thats what I hear... But what is the source if you don't mind me asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 A friend of mine is moving to Houston from San Francisco due to Chevron relocation. He wants a highrise downtown this would have beautiful views.One Park Place.If he is coming from San Francisco, he likely won't get sticker shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Based on the description given to me via PM, I think this may actually be the soil test. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Based on the description given to me via PM, I think this may actually be the soil test. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Makes a lot of sense... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehoustonion Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Oh so true, more then a sticker shock. He has 5 more years to retire. Good idea One Park Place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Oh so true, more then a sticker shock. He has 5 more years to retire. Good idea One Park Place.OPP has an occupancy rate reportedly in the low 90% range. I suggest that he look there "early" in his process.If outside of downtown would work for him, try Windsor highrise on Studemont and memorial. The views facing downtown are shockingly lovely. He could also rent a condo at the royalton. Similar views. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 so today was the 6th.. does anyone know if the lot was fenced/closed off or not? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) so today was the 6th.. does anyone know if the lot was fenced/closed off or not? I saw it roped off today Edited July 7, 2014 by DrLan34 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I saw it roped off todayExcellent. Any soil samplers on site at the time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Excellent. Any soil samplers on site at the time?There's a hobo joke in here somewhere... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I saw it roped off today 2014-07-07 20.09.15 by marclongoria, on Flickr 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Scrape my theory. This is no longer just a quick soil sample and then bring back the parking until construction like we've seen with other projects. Looks like this is actually the beginning of construction and here's why I say all of this... I'm on the lot right now and they have completely removed everything. There's no sign indicating this is parking anymore and they have scraped off the payment machine. Looks like this an early go but let's wait for a press release perhaps. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Pics? Thanks for the update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Sure thing. I'll post pics when I get home tonight. Got an update for a lot of other projects too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Pics? Thanks for the update! The pay machine is gone 2014-07-12 13.40.16 by marclongoria, on Flickr (OLDER PHOTO) And this parking sign is now gone but I forgot to take a picture: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
por favor gracias Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Cool...thanks for all the great pics and updates! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Do we know if the parking garage is part of the development? Will it be torn down and a new one built or will it be saved and simply incorporated into the project? Or, I guess, is that garage not part of the development at all and the new building will have a new garage?The Downtown development map shows the whole block as this new project (I seem to recall). So, is the garage coming down or staying? Edited July 13, 2014 by UtterlyUrban 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 they are reworking the garage into this development. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Just passed the site and there was a tiny green backhoe thingie on there. It looks like something that would be used for land scaping. It was no bigger than a lawn mower. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 The street parking meter is gone on that block too, and they have confusing "Emergency - No Parking" signs. Parked there Saturday and didn't get towed or ticketed, but it seems like street parking might be about to be blocked off for construction as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 Groundbreaking within the next few weeks. Looks like Skyhouse, just much taller. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Record-size-residential-project-set-to-rise-5621007.php?cmpid=btfpm 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) Urbannizer just beat me to the Chronicle article. It looks pretty--like something out of Miami Beach. Look at that rooftop pool! Edited July 14, 2014 by houstontexasjack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I like it. I know it's plain but something about it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) woah! pool on the 40th floor?! niceeee... that will be by far the tallest pool in the city. and i really dig the design too. its understated, yet something about it is elegant. perfect for market square.Edit.. just noticed the rooftop pool is cantilevered with a glass wall. NICE!! Edited July 14, 2014 by cloud713 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I can see my wife and I living there. OPP will have some competition.Exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) From Bob Eury: Tomika, Thank you for your interest and letting us know of your concerns about the new residential building to the west of Market Square. The project is being developed by BMS, owner of the entire block 35 for many years. Their plans include Market Square Garage which will primarily serve the residents of the new building. In review of the plans the District took into consideration the active ground floor uses on the entire block which includes reuse of the existing retail space along Congress and Milam, new retail space along Preston and the entrance and lobby area. Total retail space in the project is over 22,000 square feet or 35% of the block, and 59% of the block will have active ground floor uses including the retail space. We support the owners' desires to have the front door on Milam Street at the park and have encouraged them on the design of the entry area to make it as open as possible. Adding 600 to 700 new residents from the building to the Market Square neighborhood will be a real boost to pedestrian activity and patronage at existing and new food and beverage establishments and other retail. Best regards,Bob Eury I am not sure what he meant by the front door being on the park. By now it is clear that the front door is on Preston - this based on the footprint of the building and the article's mentioning of the rooftop pool being on the south side of the building. I am trying to figure out where the new GFR will be, if there really is any. There is apparently an entrance driveway on Milam, and an exit driveway coming out on Preston, based on the curb cuts in the rendering (strange why this is necessary though, considering that the garage already has an existing entrance/exit on Milam). I am hoping that the space in between them on the corner, the 1x3 bay section, will be ground floor retail of some sort. It looks kind of open air though in the rendering, so I have my doubts. Looking at the existing ground floor retail space in the garage, which wraps from Milam all the way down Congress to Louisiana for a grand total of two tenants, it looks like this might by itself by the 22,000 sf / 35% of the block that Eury was talking about above, and there is no new retail space in the plans. If so, what a shame. Edited July 14, 2014 by H-Town Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 classic design that should fit in well in the historic district... having this and hines' market square project delivering near the same time will be fantastic, assuming the market can absorb 800 units within a block of each other 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Huge Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Im so happy I could cry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoninATX Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 woah! pool on the 40th floor?! niceeee... that will be by far the tallest pool in the city. and i really dig the design too. its understated, yet something about it is elegant. perfect for market square. Edit.. just noticed the rooftop pool is cantilevered with a glass wall. NICE!! It will be the highest pool in the state, beating out the Four Seasons Residences pool in Austin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timoric Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) - Edited July 8, 2019 by Timoric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Do local Hines-types ever want the whole top floor for themselves and guests? Like the skyboxes of a stadium for when you pop into town? Does Hines have a place in town?My first thought when I saw the top floor and pool: "man, that will be one expensive Penthouse apartment!"Of course, it could be communal.... But, it might also be rented space! Time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston? Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I hope this has a nice impact on the skyline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I hope this has a nice impact on the skyline.It will. I can already tell I won't be able to see a big chunk of the JP Morgan Chase Tower from my home anymore. :s #SoSelfish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deut28Thirteen Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I Love this project and all the residential going up in Downtown, but I am curious about the incentive. Does the city have a certain number of residential units or goal it is trying to reach in the first couple of years of the incentive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 The financial incentive will be paid for the first 5,000 residential units under contract to participate in this Program or for a four year period from July 2012 through June 30,2016 http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2014-05-06/140506_Combined_Toolkit_Program_Description__Eligibility_1.pdf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alternativemike Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Market Square area is on the up and up! That area is going to look so different 3 years from now... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
por favor gracias Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Thanks for all the photos and updates Urbannizer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Anyone have any thoughts on how long it will take to open this one?Skyhouse is much smaller and is about 16-18 months now as I recall2929 Weslayan is about the same size and still has a lot more to be done..... When did it start?My guess on this new building: 28 months from groundbreaking to move-in. Sound right? Aggressive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 all that.. and a pool on top! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 impressive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I am not sure what he meant by the front door being on the park. By now it is clear that the front door is on Preston - this based on the footprint of the building and the article's mentioning of the rooftop pool being on the south side of the building. I am trying to figure out where the new GFR will be, if there really is any. There is apparently an entrance driveway on Milam, and an exit driveway coming out on Preston, based on the curb cuts in the rendering (strange why this is necessary though, considering that the garage already has an existing entrance/exit on Milam). I am hoping that the space in between them on the corner, the 1x3 bay section, will be ground floor retail of some sort. It looks kind of open air though in the rendering, so I have my doubts. Looking at the existing ground floor retail space in the garage, which wraps from Milam all the way down Congress to Louisiana for a grand total of two tenants, it looks like this might by itself by the 22,000 sf / 35% of the block that Eury was talking about above, and there is no new retail space in the plans. If so, what a shame. We went roundy round on this before, but I still think if the porte cochere is done well, it will look good from the park, and this thing will make the old Kim Son space more valuable. One could call the entrance of OPP facing Discovery Green its front door, but I never see anyone going in or out of it (to say nothing of the empty GFR space next to it), they all seem to use the covered drive on McKinney. The Kim Son location could be equivalent to Phonecia in this case. Not facing the park, but right there. With this and Hines a block away, there has to be some critical mass for something other than typical downtown stuff. They are going to have to do something different with the existing garage entrance off Milam, I would imagine, although by the time they are done, the whole entrance/exit/ground floor situation of the garage as it sits now might need to be completely reconfigured, how they can do that has to be a limiting factor. The design looks good to me. Can't wait to see the area in 5 years, especially if the surface lot block is claimed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I am not sure what he meant by the front door being on the park. By now it is clear that the front door is on Preston - this based on the footprint of the building and the article's mentioning of the rooftop pool being on the south side of the building. I am trying to figure out where the new GFR will be, if there really is any. There is apparently an entrance driveway on Milam, and an exit driveway coming out on Preston, based on the curb cuts in the rendering (strange why this is necessary though, considering that the garage already has an existing entrance/exit on Milam). I am hoping that the space in between them on the corner, the 1x3 bay section, will be ground floor retail of some sort. It looks kind of open air though in the rendering, so I have my doubts. Looking at the existing ground floor retail space in the garage, which wraps from Milam all the way down Congress to Louisiana for a grand total of two tenants, it looks like this might by itself by the 22,000 sf / 35% of the block that Eury was talking about above, and there is no new retail space in the plans. If so, what a shame. "new retail space along Preston" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate99 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Fence is up and there are workers on the site. The little green backhoe is digging next to the garage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Wait... I thought most people on here didn't like the way this thing was going to look? I mean most of you hated this tower. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonIsHome Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Wait... I thought most people on here didn't like the way this thing was going to look? I mean most of you hated this tower. I knew people would turn around. The first rendering was rough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 now now arche_757.. i am thinking that our initial and yet reluctant responses.. were due to the simple fact that the first rendering was not as SEXY as the above masterpiece. complete with a cherry (sorry) pool on top! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Will this have any effect on Hines market square project or do you think that they will go ahead with theirs.On the office space side Hines starting 609 Main seemed to take the sails out of Stream Essex's project.Just wondering if this would have a similar result. I am well aware of the size and scope of the work Hines does but I justdon't see the urgency to get their project going like this one has. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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