The Jones On Main: 708 / 712 Main Renovations

[adr]

I peeked in for a look around lunchtime.  Didn't stay for anything to eat, but wow.  It's a great looking space completely unique in downtown (so far). Lot's of energy and the pictures don't do it justice. Great amenity for both downtown workers and residents.  Looking forward to some late nite Mala Schezuan soon.

[Triton]

On 12/5/2018 at 11:31 AM, Vy65 said:

 

$14 for two tacos from Goode Company is outrageous. $7 for a slice of pepperoni from Mr. Nice Pie is outrageous. I had the tacos but not the pizza since the pizza oven was down. 

 

Compared to the Tacos a Go Go location downtown, Goode Co.'s prices were nearly double for an inferior product. 

 

It's not just those two stands either. $14 for a falafel sandwich during brunch (Oddball) or $13 for a grilled tofu bowl are also ridiculous. 

 

It's a couple of bucks and ultimately not a big deal if the food were good. But the food was average and the servings were far from abundant.   

 

It's comical that whenever someone airs some criticism, the immediate reaction is to flay them as though they were some pariah. I hate to break it to the posters here, but, predictably, the experience at a glorified mall food court really is just below-average. 

 

I think it has to do with the locations that they are at, since I'm sure the rent prices there are high. I too was shocked when I spent $28 for Vietnamese food at Sit Lo there. That was just for a bowl of pho and "Vietnamese tots".... which really confused my Vietnamese fiance but that's another matter entirely. Overall, I think you're going to have to pay a lot more because of it's location and you can bring a large group of friends here, as I did, and they can have the option to eat whatever they want. That's another plus. The vibe and atmosphere is great too... especially the upstairs bar lounge.

[ttuchris]

Are there any historic pictures of this space?  I went last night.  They preserved the original terrazzo and the columns appear to have the original stone.  There was also an original railing and air grate up in Swallow's Nest.  Other than that, very few historic details left.

 

I didn't pay attention to my meal price, but my friend did note her meal was $20 for a cheeseburger, onion rings, and a tea. 

 

A homeless man came in towards the end of our meal and asked if he could help clear our table.  I imagine they have some sort of control for this.  

 

Additionally, the pizza place was still closed.  Not sure what is going on there. 

[Vy65]

39 minutes ago, Triton said:

 

I think it has to do with the locations that they are at, since I'm sure the rent prices there are high. I too was shocked when I spent $28 for Vietnamese food at Sit Lo there. That was just for a bowl of pho and "Vietnamese tots".... which really confused my Vietnamese fiance but that's another matter entirely. Overall, I think you're going to have to pay a lot more because of it's location and you can bring a large group of friends here, as I did, and they can have the option to eat whatever they want. That's another plus. The vibe and atmosphere is great too... especially the upstairs bar lounge.

 

You may very well be right on the reason fro $28 pho (which is absurd), but the space/vibe/etc... doesn't come close to justifying the price tag. Hopefully Lyric market pans out better.

[Triton]

1 hour ago, Vy65 said:

 

doesn't come close to justifying the price tag.

 

I think that's a fair argument, really. It was a bit of a turn off for my fiance, but I still want to come back and try the other food.

[CaptainJilliams]

A fair argument for sure. A lot of it does come down to location and convenience, but at the end of the day, the only way these food venues can do business is if customers value the food more than they value their money. Time will only tell how successful Finn is.

 

I'll have to swing by sometime this weekend and see for myself.  

[Luminare]

On 12/5/2018 at 11:31 AM, Vy65 said:

 

$14 for two tacos from Goode Company is outrageous. $7 for a slice of pepperoni from Mr. Nice Pie is outrageous. I had the tacos but not the pizza since the pizza oven was down. 

 

Compared to the Tacos a Go Go location downtown, Goode Co.'s prices were nearly double for an inferior product. 

 

It's not just those two stands either. $14 for a falafel sandwich during brunch (Oddball) or $13 for a grilled tofu bowl are also ridiculous. 

 

It's a couple of bucks and ultimately not a big deal if the food were good. But the food was average and the servings were far from abundant.   

 

It's comical that whenever someone airs some criticism, the immediate reaction is to flay them as though they were some pariah. I hate to break it to the posters here, but, predictably, the experience at a glorified mall food court really is just below-average. 

 

Its not that you are being called out for being critical, its that your criticism seems misplaced, and I would say bordering on arrogance. It just comes off as if you are the only client they need to please to be successful, or how dare they cater to a clientele/lifestyle that isn't your own, or how dare they price a taco when you know it should be priced by your subjective standard. I wonder if you went to a McDonald's and you would grade the place the same as a high end fancy restaurant. We also have no clue who you are or what the context was, etc... Not to mention you kind of have a rep of being a bit hyperbolic on this forum. Excuse people for maybe not taking you a bit seriously.

 

I don't know why you or some people are surprised. Just look at the interiors. Look at the building it is in and the locale. Notice the scarcity of options around it. Notice it's one of kind in some aspects. Look at the hipsterish names for each place. If it were a rattlesnake it would have bit you in the rear and stole your overpriced food at the same time! It was destined to be exactly what you are saying. My reaction to when I first read your post was "gee how perceptive of you. *sarcasm*" Its clearly catered to high-rise living downtown dwellers that have some bucks to throw around, or your in-town suburbanites looking to have a big night on the town. Its not trying to compete with areas around it. Instead its trying to compete with Uptown.

 

You might be right on the prices or the quality of the food (haven't been yet), but you are being a bit of a Captain Obvious with a slight bout of rage. Let people pay what they want to pay and let it play itself out or people will leave and it fails. I hope it doesn't though. I'm always on the side of more development, more new things, and in general more success for the city whether its for my lifestyle or others. 

Edited December 11, 2018 by Luminare

[Vy65]

Sorry to hurt your feelings bro. I won’t mock the overpriced, underwhelming tacos at the glorified mall food court. You clearly need this so go ahead and die on that hill.

[Luminare]

37 minutes ago, Vy65 said:

Sorry to hurt your feelings bro. I won’t mock the overpriced, underwhelming tacos at the glorified mall food court. You clearly need this so go ahead and die on that hill.

 

At least the "overpriced, underwhelming tacos" have economic value and are in demand. As for you? I'm not so sure.

[Vy65]

I’m happy to take the Pepsi challenge on that one Lum

[H-Town Man]

lol holy moly guys, let's get some holiday spirit and enjoy each other's company! No reason a forum for people who love architecture and their city needs to be so sinister...

 

[Nate99]

There are cheaper options out there to be sure, but not as many as there used to be. There are $11 grilled chicken salads for takeout in the tunnels. 

[j_cuevas713]

I get that everyone wishes the place was cheaper. The reality is that right next door there is a hotel with out of towners who will gladly pay that simply because of the experience. I went this past wknd and I honestly don't see this place slowing down. Not to mention that the other food halls being built are going to be really popular. Downtown has an energy about it now that it never had before. Pretty exciting. 

[kbates2]

Went again today during lunch.  Place was so packed it was hard to find room to stand.  I think that they will be fine.  It was awesome again btw.

[Nole23]

I've been twice in the past week and went to Craft Burger and Sit Lo. The prices are a little higher as mentioned before but I love this place! I'll definitely be going back often. Excellent addition to downtown in a great location.

[UtterlyUrban]

Went today.  Place was packed at 1 pm.  I liked it.  Good crowd.  Mostly 20-and-30-ish folks.  Good beer .  Good food.  Good crowd.  So far, a success, it seems.

On 12/13/2018 at 2:14 PM, Nate99 said:

There are cheaper options out there to be sure, but not as many as there used to be. There are $11 grilled chicken salads for takeout in the tunnels. 

True.

 

and even la Calle — the best joint in town - I think, may have raised prices a bit.

[UtterlyUrban]

On 12/13/2018 at 3:59 PM, Nole23 said:

I've been twice in the past week and went to Craft Burger and Sit Lo. The prices are a little higher as mentioned before but I love this place! I'll definitely be going back often. Excellent addition to downtown in a great location.

Agreed.

[Luminare]

On 12/13/2018 at 2:40 PM, j_cuevas713 said:

I get that everyone wishes the place was cheaper. The reality is that right next door there is a hotel with out of towners who will gladly pay that simply because of the experience. I went this past wknd and I honestly don't see this place slowing down. Not to mention that the other food halls being built are going to be really popular. Downtown has an energy about it now that it never had before. Pretty exciting. 

 

Definitely agree. I'm looking forward to stopping by at some point. I was on Main Street Friday night, and its amazing right now. It feels like a busy bustling city when I'm down there. Looking forward to more of downtown and other places getting this kind of activity.

Edited December 17, 2018 by Luminare

[j_cuevas713]

Just now, Luminare said:

 

Definitely agree. I'm looking forward to stopping by at some point. I was on Main Street Friday night, and its amazing right now. It feels like a busy bustling city when I'm down there. Looking forward to more of downtown and other places getting this kind of activity.

Hell yeah! And we aren't even close to downtown becoming what it needs to be. 

[Nole23]

On 12/17/2018 at 1:07 PM, Luminare said:

 

Definitely agree. I'm looking forward to stopping by at some point. I was on Main Street Friday night, and its amazing right now. It feels like a busy bustling city when I'm down there. Looking forward to more of downtown and other places getting this kind of activity.

Yea downtown is amazing right now. Took a date to the Nutcracker on Friday and there were tons of people walking around the theater district and then we ventured over to a few bars on Main street and it was packed as well. Downtown is definitely moving in the right direction. Exciting times.

[H-Town Man]

Nice to read these comments, I haven't made it downtown since last April (I don't live in Houston) but it was better then than I'd ever seen it. I wonder at what point we start getting some physical (non-food) retail along Main Street? I imagine retailers are waiting to see if GreenStreet can be successful.

 

[swtsig]

i stopped by the crow's nest at Finn Hall last week and was pleasantly surprised at how many people were there, particularly given the terrible weather we were having. i will say i though the bar lacked a little charm and the bartending definitely needed some improvement but overall it was enjoyable. Finn Hall itself was fairly crowded for an off hour so i can only imagine how busy it gets during lunch. lots of great options.

 

i really REALLY want them to do something grand with the Chase Bank lobby... that's the single grandest space in all of Houston and it would be great to see something other than a bank occupy that space.

[kbates2]

1 hour ago, swtsig said:

i stopped by the crow's nest at Finn Hall last week and was pleasantly surprised at how many people were there, particularly given the terrible weather we were having. i will say i though the bar lacked a little charm and the bartending definitely needed some improvement but overall it was enjoyable. Finn Hall itself was fairly crowded for an off hour so i can only imagine how busy it gets during lunch. lots of great options.

 

i really REALLY want them to do something grand with the Chase Bank lobby... that's the single grandest space in all of Houston and it would be great to see something other than a bank occupy that space.

 

It gets insanely packed during lunch at this point.  Agree on the general lack of charm Sparrow's (?) nest.  Wouldn't go just for the bar but the food options will keep me there regularly.

 

That lobby is phenomenal.  When I first say Denver's conversion of their Union Station, I thought about what we could do here.  With Finn already done, this lobby could be an amazing extension of some sort.

[H-Town Man]

On ‎12‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 11:32 AM, swtsig said:

i really REALLY want them to do something grand with the Chase Bank lobby... that's the single grandest space in all of Houston and it would be great to see something other than a bank occupy that space.

 

I fully agree with you on that point. Of course, back in the day when it was built, the exchanging of money... "commerce"... was probably considered the grandest thing that could occupy such a space.

 

I have a distant cousin who worked for Texas Commerce at 712 Main for over 40 years, starting I think in 1949. He is in his 90's now and lives out in the country on the land where he was born. When I mentioned the building a few years ago, he asked me, "Is there a large portrait of Jesse Jones still hanging on the wall?" I said that there was. He said, "That was hanging there the first day I went to work."

 

[Sanjorade]

Was at Finn hall last night for dinner. The place was pretty busy. 

[H-Town Man]

Made it there on Sunday. Nice space overall, they did a good job preserving what they could of the historic interior. Nothing jaw-dropping, just a well-done food hall. I especially liked the Sparrow's Nest bar. It has two of the original deco elevators, which the bartenders seemed excited about when I talked to them.

 

There were only a few people there but it was late Sunday afternoon. Most of central downtown was pretty dead and about half the people on Main Street were homeless. I am going to chalk this up to it being a Sunday two days before Christmas and trust that the progress I've seen in previous visits was real. Discovery Green was lively with the skating rink (I had taken my family) and when I drove through the historic district on the way out, it seemed pretty lively, west of Main.

 

[j_cuevas713]

12 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

Made it there on Sunday. Nice space overall, they did a good job preserving what they could of the historic interior. Nothing jaw-dropping, just a well-done food hall. I especially liked the Sparrow's Nest bar. It has two of the original deco elevators, which the bartenders seemed excited about when I talked to them.

 

There were only a few people there but it was late Sunday afternoon. Most of central downtown was pretty dead and about half the people on Main Street were homeless. I am going to chalk this up to it being a Sunday two days before Christmas and trust that the progress I've seen in previous visits was real. Discovery Green was lively with the skating rink (I had taken my family) and when I drove through the historic district on the way out, it seemed pretty lively, west of Main.

 

Yeah I mean people were out shopping. You also have to consider that people left out of town. 

[j_cuevas713]

http://swamplot.com/where-a-new-shake-shack-might-be-headed-downtown-next-to-finn-hall/2019-01-10/

 

This article should go in a separate thread but Shake Shack is coming downtown just down the street from Finn Hall

[H-Town Man]

This will further enhance the prestige of Main Street, and bring more people out of the tunnels. Now if somebody were to get, say, a Hopdoddy on the Main St. end of Greenstreet, you'd have office workers streaming down there all day long, regardless of whether there are homeless around.

 

[j_cuevas713]

What I've been trying tot tell people who doubt downtown becoming something great is that since redevelopment, downtown has slowly gained more stable businesses. The neighborhood went from clubs to a flurry of restaurants to stable well known businesses. It won't be long before dry goods start to show up. 

[mattyt36]

I must admit I've been surprised by how many people I've seen at Finn Hall after hours.

[cspwal]

1 hour ago, j_cuevas713 said:

http://swamplot.com/where-a-new-shake-shack-might-be-headed-downtown-next-to-finn-hall/2019-01-10/

 

This article should go in a separate thread but Shake Shack is coming downtown just down the street from Finn Hall

 

A second Shake Shack downtown!  And presumably, open for more than 81-93 days a year with no cover price to get in

[bobruss]

Downtown is alive, It has a pulse, a heartbeat and has been taken off life support systems.

Every time I go downtown on any day there are many more people walking, riding bikes, eating and drinking, in the bars and restaurants

and the parks and Avenida de las Americas are always crowded!!!!

 

Edited January 10, 2019 by bobruss

[gmac]

Drop a ton of cash (tax incentives) on another neighborhood and it would likely be alive, too.

[j_cuevas713]

6 minutes ago, gmac said:

Drop a ton of cash (tax incentives) on another neighborhood and it would likely be alive, too.

Is that a bad thing? lol

[gmac]

6 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

Is that a bad thing? lol

 

Yes, when it benefits those who don't need the help. Spend the money on low-income housing so less-wealthy people can enjoy the benefits. How many of these subsidized projects are even remotely affordable to the bulk of Houstonians?

 

• SkyHouse Houston
• Block 334
• SkyHouse Main
• The Star
• Market Square Tower
• Aris Market Square

[bobruss]

I understand your concerns. I couldn't live down town now, and live like I do where I currently live.

But try finding a closet in Manhattan that's affordable.

I'm just happy someone else is sleeping downtown besides the street people and inmates in the county jail.

 

[kbates2]

The idea behind the subsidy is that it pays for itself and thensome through increasing the tax base in the long run.  The subsidy was thought to be necessary to get the first new residential projects going, which would pay higher taxes in the long run, and to spurn new projects without a subsidy.

[cspwal]

A side effect of the new, fancy housing is the existing housing had to lower their prices to compete - Houston House's rents have gone down by hundreds of dollars since the Skyhouse duo opened

[Naviguessor]

Wow.  So, the incentives have lead to not only more housing options, but some more affordable housing options, as well. 

 

[cspwal]

Some of it may because there were more rental options downtown, and some of it may have been renovations being done (they replaced all the elevators, and that is a special hell that I would not wish on anyone), but after everything is done the rental prices are all less than what I originally signed a lease for in 2013

[BeerNut]

Walked through Finn Hall around 8pm and there was a decent crowd and they had a musician playing a guitar.   Prices were about what I expected for a place like this. The clientele looked like people staying out late after work and people on dates.  

[Luminare]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/travel/places-to-visit.html

 

Finn Hall was featured here as part of Houston being on the list of 52 places to visit in 2019. We are number 46 (don't believe its a ranking, but just a running list). Pretty good company honestly, though I think the reasons for Houston are a tad lazy. The GQ article about us was a lot more honest portrayal and really dug into what is actually exciting about the city today. Clearly we are coming to the forefront of the Food Hall boom over the past couple years and more are coming. ITs exciting to see how much the city has not only rebound, but is starting to really get into the national conversation in many areas.

[downtownian]

I’m surprised that food halls are a major draw or even worth mentioning. We’re 3-5 years behind the food hall trend compared to NY or Chicago. 

[gmac]

On 1/11/2019 at 10:34 AM, Naviguessor said:

Wow.  So, the incentives have lead to not only more housing options, but some more affordable housing options, as well. 

 

 

$1089 for 492 square feet.

 

Yowza, I'm glad you think that's affordable.

[Naviguessor]

It’s “more afforable” than $1300.  That’s my point. 

[jgriff]

10 hours ago, gmac said:

 

$1089 for 492 square feet.

 

Yowza, I'm glad you think that's affordable.

That IS pretty cheap actually. If this is what the incentives made possible then I would say they did subsidize “affordable” housing. A person living in an $1100 a month apartment is probably not rich, probably working class. My first apartment in Houston 23 years ago was $800. It was larger than this but the location was terrible.

[Luminare]

38 minutes ago, jgriff said:

That IS pretty cheap actually. If this is what the incentives made possible then I would say they did subsidize “affordable” housing. A person living in an $1100 a month apartment is probably not rich, probably working class. My first apartment in Houston 23 years ago was $800. It was larger than this but the location was terrible.

 

You can find stuff below 1000 in good areas if you know where to look. Just about to move to a new place. New place in Montrose will be 925, and my old place in Montrose was 875. These are not terrible places either. Just old houses that have been turned into apartments. As more and more midrises get built its only going to drop from there. 

[Nole23]

Mr Nice Pie inside Finn Hall closes

 

"Finn Hall has lost its first food vendor. Mr. Nice Pie, the downtown food hall's pizza restaurant, has closed. A spin-off of Montrose's Love Buzz pizzeria, Mr. Nice Pie served oversized pizza slices and whole pies. The owners of Mr. Nice Pie have yet to respond to CultureMap's request for comment about why the restaurant closed or what's next; we will update this article if they do. "

 

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/03-19-19-mr-nice-pie-finn-hall-pizza-vendor-closed-downtown-food-hall/?fbclid=IwAR2R1_0MFp4DKUQrFznV7n0o6fypq7OmKSoZZrgeT2IsXr_sy9xEQCuP9Ps

[Urbannizer]

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2019/03/19/wework-startup-incubator-program-to-launch-in.html

 

WeWork Labs, New York-based coworking company WeWork's global startup incubator program, is coming to Houston.

 

WeWork Labs will be housed in WeWork's downtown Houston location at 708 Main St., according to a March 19 press release from the company. With dedicated desk space starting at $300 a month for Houston startups, WeWork Labs develops a curriculum and a mentorship network tailored for companies that want to scale. Program members will have access to WeWork Labs' global network of over 1,000 mentors, virtual lessons, in-person office hours, panel discussions, lunch-and-learn events and more, according to the release. WeWork Labs will hold a launch event on March 26.