Camden Conte: Multifamily At 1515 Austin St.

[BigFootsSocks]

Yall need to chill for real. You can't just cry about wanting "cool tall buildings!" to go up in Houston. There are a hell of a lot more economics involved in all of these projects that almost none of you, besides someone like swtsig, would even begin to understand.

This thread is just turning into a ssc or ssp page and that's so unnecessary.

[toxtethogrady]

Says a lot about our city that this guy's heading the organization that's "leading the effort to promote Houston as one of the great cities of the world." Guess parking lots, projects that reject mixed use and literally block important parks from fully developing, and subpar apartment complexes are what some feel makes Houston one of the great cities of the world. 

 

I think Camden's presence on the NYSE was reason enough to pitchfork Campo into that position.

Edited May 3, 2015 by toxtethogrady

[HoustonIsHome]

Yall need to chill for real. You can't just cry about wanting "cool tall buildings!" to go up in Houston. There are a hell of a lot more economics involved in all of these projects that almost none of you, besides someone like swtsig, would even begin to understand.

This thread is just turning into a ssc or ssp page and that's so unnecessary.

I don't care if it's tall or not. I am more a fan of filling up empty space and adding activity. What is erring With wanting downtown to be less dead?

[BigFootsSocks]

I don't care if it's tall or not. I am more a fan of filling up empty space and adding activity. What is erring With wanting downtown to be less dead?

That's not what I said, don't put words in my mouth. I'm saying it's a hell of a lot more complicated than just saying "I want downtown'so be bigger" and jumping to weird conclusions like getting rid of Campo. You have to take into account the economics of a project and whether or not it's viable to throw in thousands of new units here when there's no clear guarantee that it will all work. This isn't China where we can build empt cities and wait for the people to come live. This is Houston and we have to actually think about these things.

[cloud713]

That's not what I said, don't put words in my mouth. I'm saying it's a hell of a lot more complicated than just saying "I want downtown'so be bigger" and jumping to weird conclusions like getting rid of Campo. You have to take into account the economics of a project and whether or not it's viable to throw in thousands of new units here when there's no clear guarantee that it will all work. This isn't China where we can build empt cities and wait for the people to come live. This is Houston and we have to actually think about these things.

so Hines, BMS/Woodbranch, Novare, Finger, Alliance, Marquette, Resolution, Leon, etc. aren't thinking things through, and are merely throwing up apartment complexes just to save 15,000 per unit on empty apartment units? right... i guess Hines is stupid.

[BigFootsSocks]

Holy crap you're taking everything I said out of context. I didn't say literally anything you just posted so idk why you think any of that is relevant.

I'm saying it's extremely naïve and childish to call for this man's job when none of you actually work in the industry. There's so much that goes on behind closed doors that we'll never know.

Besides, wouldn't you think it a little suspicious to see the man in charge of Houston First push his projects before others?

[cloud713]

do you not understand what Houston First is or the importance of their mission for downtown...?

[Howard Huge]

Holy crap you're taking everything I said out of context. I didn't say literally anything you just posted so idk why you think any of that is relevant.

I'm saying it's extremely naïve and childish to call for this man's job when none of you actually work in the industry. There's so much that goes on behind closed doors that we'll never know.

Besides, wouldn't you think it a little suspicious to see the man in charge of Houston First push his projects before others?

I wouldn't think it was suspicious at all. He'd be putting his money where his mouth is.

It's pretty sad that Houston's main cheerleader, who touts to everyone about Houston's "robust economy", doesn't believe in Houston's economy.

His company gave Houston a B minus grade, when I'm almost CERTAIN he's selling everyone else that Houston is an "A+, world class city with jobs and a booming economy."

Edited May 3, 2015 by Howard Huge

[BigFootsSocks]

No cloud I clearly have noooooo idea what it's for....

All I was saying was that there are so many reasons for why this isn't going thru immediately while others are. So many more than you and plenty of others here understand.

What the fvk ever man, I'm done arguing semantics.

[cloud713]

you still talking to me or was only the first line addressed to me? I've never had a problem with you, in fact we usually see eye to eye on most things. you just seem to fail to understand where were coming from here..?

[BigFootsSocks]

Yeah you're right, we do, but we're allowed to disagree on one thing right? I said what I said because most of the people here are very smart when it comes to these projects. I'd rather this forum not turn into the classic ssc or ssp post of "LET'S BUILD IT BECAUSE IT'S TALL" while ignoring any sense of economic responsibility. Not to say you did that, I just feel like it's unfair to simply say "we should fire Campo because he hasn't built his projects yet", I'm just saying there are a lot more reasons behind the why he hasn't built it yet...

[cloud713]

Of course there are. I just feel like if all these others are able to make it happen, someone with as much prowess as Campo should of been able to figure it out by now. Ah well, please forgive me for my Campo rant.

[BigFootsSocks]

No that's a good point. 

[toxtethogrady]

do you not understand what Houston First is or the importance of their mission for downtown...?

 

Given their origins, Houston First is supposed to bring new businesses, new residents, new conventions and other new things to Houston by whatever means necessary. Including beatdowns of the Perots.

[cspwal]

Drove by this block this morning, and it looked like there was a green construction fence up around half of it.  Don't know how long its been up though. (The block facing the park, north of Leeland)

[HNathoo]

I think they've had a fence up for some time now. Possibly for environmental reasons? That's prime parking for Toyota center events.

[Triton]

Drove by this block this morning, and it looked like there was a green construction fence up around half of it.  Don't know how long its been up though. (The block facing the park, north of Leeland)

 

It's been there since this post: http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/29372-camden-conte-21-stories-x2-2-phases-downtown/?p=488858

[astros148]

No activity here, what are the chances this gets built?

[Howard Huge]

No activity here, what are the chances this gets built?

Campo already said he's not building it.

He said they will "revisit the idea a few years from now, see how the economy is doing."

[Houston19514]

Campo already said he's not building it.

He said they will "revisit the idea a few years from now, see how the economy is doing."

 

Here's what the Houston Business Journal reported just last month:

 

"Camden has two tracts of land in downtown Houston that it is eying for future development, Campo said. However, Camden likely will have no construction starts in Houston this year due to the onslaught of new apartment projects flooding the market, sky-high construction costs and oil prices hovering near six-year lows, he said.

 

“Even if we wanted to start this year, we couldn’t,” Campo said. “There could be a 2016 start. We’ll watch to see if the timing is right.”"

 

Edited June 10, 2015 by Houston19514

[Lestat]

Here's what the Houston Business Journal reported just last month:

 

"Camden has two tracts of land in downtown Houston that it is eying for future development, Campo said. However, Camden likely will have no construction starts in Houston this year due to the onslaught of new apartment projects flooding the market, sky-high construction costs and oil prices hovering near six-year lows, he said.

 

“Even if we wanted to start this year, we couldn’t,” Campo said. “There could be a 2016 start. We’ll watch to see if the timing is right.”"

 

 

I wonder how this affects the downtown building incentives? I knew we hit the limit last month on the number, but if he's not going to be building does this mean technically a new party could come in and claim the incentives if they build first?

[jmitch94]

If I remember correctly no. 

[Triton]

No, no one else can. Once it is claimed, it's claimed. If they lose it, another developer can't claim. Now, when I first heard this, I thought it was simply idiotic. But then I talked to someone else that frequently goes to city council meetings and they told me, "well, it's an incentive. It's to tell them that they only have one chance to claim this tax relief and that they need to take the opportunity now. If they allowed it to be open ended, they wouldn't get the amount of apartment construction to happen all at the same time. Plus, they want this to help push retail construction as well. All of this, of course, to increase tax revenue for a part of the city that doesn't require as much new city infrastructure."

[Alec]

^Educational post of the day. Thanks Triton.

[toxtethogrady]

Here's what the Houston Business Journal reported just last month:

 

"Camden has two tracts of land in downtown Houston that it is eying for future development, Campo said. However, Camden likely will have no construction starts in Houston this year due to the onslaught of new apartment projects flooding the market, sky-high construction costs and oil prices hovering near six-year lows, he said.

 

“Even if we wanted to start this year, we couldn’t,” Campo said. “There could be a 2016 start. We’ll watch to see if the timing is right.”"

 

I remember sitting at June 2013 and hearing about projects that were going to start in 2014. As far off as that seemed, we are now in the midst of a major round of construction. 2016 will be here sooner than we think.

[Alec]

The green construction fence and brick from the demo'd building have been removed from the Northeast lot.

[Urbannizer]

 

http://www.wylieassociates.com/project/the-camden-at-toyota-center/

 

623,463 GSF, New Apartment Tower Including:

• 271 Units
• Retail Shell Space, Valet & Back-of-House Areas
• Lobby, Office & Parcel Center
• Moving Vestibule, Dog Wash Area & Bike Storage
• Fitness Center with Yoga Room
• Resident’s Kitchen, Dining & Club Room
• Media Lounge, Conference Room & Morning Room
• Rooftop Pool Deck
• Private Parking Garage

[Moore713]

So are they saying they have a abandoned the two tower concept in place of one..that fine with me if it gets this thing going

[HoustonIsHome]

This kinda looks too good for the area. I will be happy if it comes out like this rendering.

[monarch]

^^^ gorgeous illustration!