ricco67 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 I believe it's possible that the entire center got a bit of a reprieve when the Allen Center Project was announced. I'm sure the theater and that particular section of the mall will be saved from the wrecking ball, but the rest of it is up for grabs when construction is completed and property values soar further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 I believe it's possible that the entire center got a bit of a reprieve when the Allen Center Project was announced. I'm sure the theater and that particular section of the mall will be saved from the wrecking ball, but the rest of it is up for grabs when construction is completed and property values soar further.What is the Allen Center Project you refer to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 What is the Allen Center Project you refer to?I meant to say "Allen House Project" discussed here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 The only recent news I heard was the GHPA report that Preservation Texas added the River Oaks shopping center and theater, and the Alabama theater, to its 2007 list of "Texas' Most Endangered Historic Places". Along with the West Mansion and a large portion of Galveston. Can't hurt, I guess - particularly given that the future of the theaters and the shopping center hasn't been as hot a topic as it once was, in the absence of any recent developments, good or bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 the idea is that after the initial uproar, the long stretch of time between it and the possible redevelopment is enough that folks eventually forget/lose interest. that, coupled with the fact that weingarten won't be too forthright means that they are more likely to get away with whatever they choose, at anyone's (or thing's) expense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 (edited) ... Edited March 30, 2007 by Highway6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 (edited) Sounds promising...Weingarten press release.HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2007--Houston-based Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE:WRI)(www.weingarten.com) announced today that the company is investing more than $15 million in a redevelopment of the section of River Oaks Shopping Center located at the northeast corner of Shepherd and West Gray.Scheduled for completion in 2009, the project will add retail capacity and modernize utility infrastructure while preserving the unique curved facade, art deco and moderne architectural influences that customers and neighbors have come to enjoy and appreciate. Plans include a multi-story parking garage to be located behind the center and outdoor pedestrian areas for shoppers....Bender underscored the fact that the announced plan does not in any way impact the River Oaks Theater building. Edited March 30, 2007 by Highway6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Sounds promising...Weingarten press release.HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2007--Houston-based Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE:WRI)(www.weingarten.com) announced today that the company is investing more than $15 million in a redevelopment of the section of River Oaks Shopping Center located at the northeast corner of Shepherd and West Gray.Scheduled for completion in 2009, the project will add retail capacity and modernize utility infrastructure while preserving the unique curved facade, art deco and moderne architectural influences that customers and neighbors have come to enjoy and appreciate. Plans include a multi-story parking garage to be located behind the center and outdoor pedestrian areas for shoppers....Bender underscored the fact that the announced plan does not in any way impact the River Oaks Theater building.definitely, i hope the proposed parking garage fits in well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 man, I was hoping they'd tear the theatre down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 "With improved access, increased retail space and design enhancements reflective of the center's art deco and moderne character, we will be creating the future of the center within the context of the past," added Bender.this doesn't sound good, "design enhancements reflective of the center's art deco and moderne character". i wonder if they are going with an architectural firm that will be sensitive to the existing center. art deco and moderne "enhancements" can mean whatever weingarten wants it to mean.on the other hand, if they keep the existing radius and covered walkways, it might not be too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonzo1976 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 From the article:Weingarten said it is in the final states of negotiations with Barnes & Noble to anchor this redeveloped section of the shopping center.I wonder what this will mean for the Alabama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I wonder what this will mean for the Alabama.Yeah - not to focus on the negative in what seems to be a fairly positive development (at least compared to what many feared)... but I hope this doesn't mean bad things for the Alabama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Now that Weingarten has released this statement, I'm sure the Chronicle will run a story on it.... hopefully we'll have renderings to see in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 they didn't mention the theater because these plans are only for the corner segment - as far as i am concerned, the theater still is in danger.and we'll see just how architecturally sympathetic these new structures will be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwrm4 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 (edited) Here's the rendering: Edited March 30, 2007 by cwrm4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highway6 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Where'd you find em ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwrm4 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Where'd you find em ?? Inside a cereal box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 article from chron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 the pictures were included in a ghpa email (no source) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 they didn't mention the theater because these plans are only for the corner segment - as far as i am concerned, the theater still is in danger.Now that I've seen the drawings and the Chronicle article, I'm not feeling nearly as encouraged. That's one mighty big parking garage... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Now that I've seen the drawings and the Chronicle article, I'm not feeling nearly as encouraged. That's one mighty big parking garage...What's wrong with the parking garage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 What's wrong with the parking garage?I just said it was big... Which may suggest additional plans for development in the area other than just what's been announced. Just trying to read the tea leaves.Does the size of the garage look to you in keeping with (just) the other announced development? If so, that would be good to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I just said it was big... Which may suggest additional plans for development in the area other than just what's been announced. Just trying to read the tea leaves.Does the size of the garage look to you in keeping with (just) the other announced development? If so, that would be good to hear.If they're getting a Barnes & Noble and some office space, they really have no choice but to add structured parking. Each of those users generate a lot of parking demand, and they're nowhere close to being able to fulfill those needs at present.You might also consider that if they must build around the RO Theater in future phases, then there is a smaller footprint on the opposite block to build structured parking. Parking garages that are more horizontal than vertical tend to use space more efficiently and have lower costs per parking space. Weingarten probably prefers to build any structured parking in the central blocks of the RO Shopping Center, preferably on the west side of McDuffie so as to provide excellent pedestrian access from the garage to the most expensive retail space, which would be nearest Shepherd, as well as at least fair access to the rest of the center. So having one larger garage serving the entire center once it is fully redeveloped might be more desirable from their standpoint than having two smaller ones. This is just my speculation, of course, so take it for what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banking214 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Feel free to mass email the below persons. I sent an email earlier today to everyone on the list I built. I also included a very brief statement that can be found after the emails.mayor@cityofhouston.netatlarge1@cityofhouston.netatlarge2@cityofhouston.netatlarge4@cityofhouston.net atlarge5@cityofhouston.net districta@cityofhouston.net districtd@cityofhouston.net districtg@cityofhouston.net districtc@cityofhouston.net districte@cityofhouston.net districtf@cityofhouston.net jessica.willey@abc.comandy.cerota@abc.comgene.apodaca@abc.comdominique@click2houston.com parcher@click2houston.com jerome@click2houston.com nancy.sarnoff@chron.com loren.steffy@chron.comken.hoffman@chron.com rda@rice.eduinfo@ghpa.orgir@weingarten.compbender@weingarten.com gcrump@weingarten.comaferguson@weingarten.comjpearson@weingarten.comLet us not forget our past or the former civic leaders that built Houston to the city it is today. By slowly destroying such wonderful buildings and structures, we are wiping away our history, our heritage, our way of life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmariar Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 This is just my speculation, of course, so take it for what it is.But good points, all. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 I hate Barns & Noble. I hate the lighting in the stores and the smells from their stupid cafes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OkieEric Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Hmmm...this doesn't bode well for the Bookstop, and ultimately the Alabama Theatre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwrm4 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 At least they kept the curve, white facades, and some resemblance to an Art Deco structure. They could have very easily knocked down Starbucks and thrown up (npi) a red-brick B&N like every other one in suburbia. Since there was absolutely no way that this development could have been stopped, I think we should be glad they made some efforts to integrate into the existing structures. Trust me, it could have been a lot, lot worse.The renderings must depict the location at 5:30 am on a Sunday morning, however. In real life, the surface parking will be as jammed and gridlocked as the Williams-Sonoma/PF Chang's lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 cwrm4:They could have very easily knocked down Starbucks and thrown up (npi) a red-brick B&N like every other one in suburbia. Isn't that the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Feel free to mass email the below persons. dominique@click2houston.com yeah dominique can save houston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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