Sovereign At The Ballpark: Multifamily At 100 Crawford St.

[LarryDierker]

Everytime I open this thread, I expect to see a bunch of kayaks on Buffalo Bayou.

[UtterlyUrban]

I too am confused.  From the renderings, I thought this was a demo and new build.  What is going on here?  

 

 

[j_cuevas713]

It looks like they are doing asbestos abatement first. I did work like this on the old courthouse downtown. 

Edited May 29, 2018 by j_cuevas713

[Avossos]

They certainly have power washed this and removed the awning. Confusing why they didn’t just demolish...

 

still hope they dont.

[j_cuevas713]

10 hours ago, Avossos said:

They certainly have power washed this and removed the awning. Confusing why they didn’t just demolish...

 

still hope they dont.

Because they have to remove the asbestos first. then they'll demolish it

[cspwal]

But why power wash it then if they're just going to remove the asbestos?

[dbigtex56]

4 minutes ago, cspwal said:

But why power wash it then if they're just going to remove the asbestos?

(I'm guessing) the plastic would confine any loose asbestos from scattering, but it could still settle in the crevices of the bricks. The power washing would remove the last of the residue.

[j_cuevas713]

3 minutes ago, cspwal said:

But why power wash it then if they're just going to remove the asbestos?

I was just about to say that. The power washing is to keep the powder from floating around. 

[Elseed]

On 5/25/2018 at 9:37 PM, bobruss said:

When we lived across the street from this building I would walk our border collie around here over to the field under the Elysian Viaduct. If you look along the sidewalk there are open slots under the building and there were people living all under there. The first time we were walking back at night I thought I heard someone talking but didn't see them. Then I saw someone smoking a cigarette and smoke coming from the slots. It was one of those moments that catches you  totally off guard and scared the hell out of me. The dog went crazy barking and scared the hell out of them too. In the day time you could see clothes and blankets and all kinds of things when the light was right down there. It was like an underground tent city. On the Franklin side where  Jackson's barbecue is, was Fiesta Ballroom, a Mexican dance hall with great neon and young girls who would dance with the customers for money. I never went in but there was a story about it in the chronicle.

It was a crazy scene back then.

 

Out of curiosity, what year was this? 

[bobruss]

This was around 1998 -2000. We lived in the PPG building on the south side of the Wagon Works building from 97-2002. I took the dog for a walk at least once a day every day. Sometimes walks over to check on construction of Metro rail, and the Enron ball park and sometimes around Irma's original and the the Jackson exit ramp. We'd walk out to the end of the ramp before connected and would be above the old 59. Great view of downtown and a long way down.Then I'd take her out in the early evening.  Love the old power plant along the bayou and it seems that Brinks or Rollins had a building where the trucks were stored. Of course I always kept my eyes out for that bag that fell off the back off the truck, but I never found one.

Used to go over to the biscuit building while under restoration. That building had the most incredible space on the top floor where the ovens were originally run.. Huge steel beams and great windows. It was big enough to play basketball games in . Very tall ceiling and all brick. The light was fantastic. Just a wonderful space that I hope has been utilized. They eventually built the Star of Hope building across the street from it. 

2 hours ago, Elseed said:

 

Out of curiosity, what year was this? 

 

[lockmat]

On 4/19/2018 at 5:49 PM, HNathoo said:

That looks almost as bad as the Hamilton at 45 and 59.

 

Looks like it's sibling. *barf emoji*

[dwf402]

For the past few weeks they have been chiseling the smooth surface of the face of the building. Why would they go through all this effort if they are going to demolish it?

[Texasota]

Stop giving me false hope!

[dwf402]

This week they are chiseling the white paint off the building at the corner of Crawford and Commerce, exposing the brick under it.

[bobruss]

I just have to wonder if this is not the Regalia property. 
Like I said several posts ago I lived in the Wagon Works building and our address was 101 Crawford. 

In most blocks 100 would be just across the street or the western side  of the Wagon Works building putting it in  the vacant parking lot just south of the bayou.

Just saying.

[dwf402]

My guess is they have the address wrong. The article states it is the property bounded by Crawford, Commerce, Jackson and Ruiz. Which makes it the old Thermal Supply building directly north of our Wagon Works building.

[CaptainJilliams]

So what is happening with the building in question? Maybe I missed something, but it sounds like the work going on now is for something different from The Regalia.

 

 

[dwf402]

They could still be doing asbestos abatement. I am just not that familiar with it. But they are prepping the buildings for something.

[bobruss]

Could the paint on the exterior have been lead, and they're abating it before demo?

On 6/4/2018 at 1:37 PM, dwf402 said:

For the past few weeks they have been chiseling the smooth surface of the face of the building. Why would they go through all this effort if they are going to demolish it?

 

[CaptainJilliams]

Is this the development?

 

Swamplot posted an article saying the site is to be redeveloped:

http://swamplot.com/east-downtowns-houston-post-building-now-airing-out-in-preparation-for-whats-next/2018-06-06/

 

Edit: This isn't for Regalia, this is actually for a development in Eado. My bad.

Edited June 6, 2018 by CaptainJilliams

[Urbannizer]

On 5/25/2018 at 11:39 AM, cspwal said:

According to the plat Urbannizer found, this is the block that the "Regalia at the Park" is going

 

 

 

 

Latest development map also confirms this...it's listed as under construction (see #5).

 

https://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2018-05-29/180529_Development_Map__Renders_11X17.pdf

[bobruss]

Drove around the site today. It looks like they've finished the paint removal. There is a fence around the property.

I did notice a large yellow sign in the door way at the southwest corner of Crawford and Commerce.

It might have been a sign that had been up on the building and taken down to remove the paint.

The sign said  NOW LEASING

Loft Conversion opportunities

Office, Retail and Medical .

I called the number on the sign and it went directly to a voice message saying nothing.

If there had been someone there I would have found out.

[j_cuevas713]

Just now, bobruss said:

Drove around the site today. It looks like they've finished the paint removal. There is a fence around the property.

I did notice a large yellow sign in the door way at the southwest corner of Crawford and Commerce.

It might have been a sign that had been up on the building and taken down to remove the paint.

The sign said  NOW LEASING

Loft Conversion opportunities

Office, Retail and Medical .

I called the number on the sign and it went directly to a voice message saying nothing.

If there had been someone there I would have found out.

I actually like this idea better. Re purposing the building IMO is a better option. 

[thedistrict84]

49 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said:

I actually like this idea better. Re purposing the building IMO is a better option. 

 

Agree. I really like the idea of keeping that little nook of downtown as a “warehouse district” with renovated and repurposed commercial buildings (Wagon Works building, Nabisco building, etc.).

[Nole23]

I just checked street view on google maps from April 2016 and it has the lofts opportunity sign there so its been there a long time.

 

 

[Nole23]

*Accidental triple post*

Edited June 11, 2018 by Nole23

[Nole23]

*Accidental triple post*

Edited June 11, 2018 by Nole23

[tigereye]

2 hours ago, Nole23 said:

*Accidental triple post*

 

We have a Triple Crown winner! The long drought is over...

[AREJAY]

FAA case for the construction crane on this one. Construction schedule of 09/03/2018 - 03/02/2020

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=367668913&row=98
 

Overview
Study (ASN): 2018-ASW-9119-OE Prior Study:   Status: Work In Progress		Received Date: 06/13/2018 Entered Date: 06/13/2018 Map: View Map
Construction Info		Structure Summary
Notice Of: CONSTR Duration: TEMP    (Months: 18    Days: 0) Work Schedule: 09/03/2018  to  03/02/2020		Structure Type: Crane Structure Name: SOLERO REGALIA AT THE PARK FCC Number:
Structure Details		Height and Elevation
Latitude (NAD 83): 29° 45' 39.70" N Longitude (NAD 83): 95° 21' 12.90" W Datum: NAD 83 City: Houston (and vicinity) State: TX Nearest County: Harris		Proposed Site Elevation: 41 Structure Height: 180 Total Height (AMSL): 221   Frequencies Low Freq High Freq Unit ERP Unit

[lockmat]

1 hour ago, AREJAY said:

FAA case for the construction crane on this one. Construction schedule of 09/03/2018 - 03/02/2020

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=367668913&row=98

 

 

So the height and elevation are in reference to the crane, correct?

[Twinsanity02]

180 feet for structural height? This suggests a 10 to 15 story building. The renderings I've seen are for a 5 to 6 story building. What changed?

[Houston19514]

2 minutes ago, Twinsanity02 said:

180 feet for structural height? This suggests a 10 to 15 story building. The renderings I've seen are for a 5 to 6 story building. What changed?

 

This is for the crane, not the building.

[Avossos]

are the buildings gone?

[houstontexasjack]

2 hours ago, Avossos said:

are the buildings gone?

They were there yesterday when I walked by.

[Avossos]

1 hour ago, houstontexasjack said:

They were there yesterday when I walked by.

 

Just wondering if we have figured out why they would do all the effort to clean these up if they are just coming down.

[houstontexasjack]

55 minutes ago, Avossos said:

 

Just wondering if we have figured out why they would do all the effort to clean these up if they are just coming down.

Looks like the EPA has guidance on keeping asbestos wet during abatement to avoid getting it in the atmosphere:

 

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/nps5da.pdf

 

There's also guidance on wetting surfaces for removal of lead-based paint:

 

https://www.epa.gov/large-scale-residential-demolition/lead-based-paint-and-demolition 

[dwf402]

Buildings are coming down.

[Avossos]

1 hour ago, dwf402 said:

Buildings are coming down.

 

sad

[dwf402]

[Timoric]

-

Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[sevfiv]

So long Grocers Supply/Thermal Supply...
http://arch-ive.org/archive/grocers-supply/

[dwf402]

Both buildings are now down and removal and cleanup has begun.

[Avossos]

On 4/19/2018 at 5:44 PM, CrockpotandGravel said:

 

Here is the full rendering of the Regalia at the Park in downtown Houston at 100 Congress, the one posted above is cropped.


 

 

Just a reminder of what to expect:

 

- 4 yr+ construction timeline

- zero ground floor interaction

- palm trees that will freeze the first winter

- awful stucco

- ridiculous 90's curve roof architecture

- crayon font building logo

 

yay

[EllenOlenska]

Maybe it'll be a simple brick building with the tiniest bit of massing and oak trees where the palm trees are. We don't know. It ain't built yet. 

[cspwal]

It'll still be an occupied building as opposed to a vacant building

It will also be a midrise full block structure as opposed to a single story building surrounded by parking lot

 

There are worse things that they could be making

[Avossos]

the warehouse was full block / had a cool brick building attached. just saying.

[cspwal]

I would have preferred the existing building to be restored or reused somehow, but I think a newly built mediocre building will be a better thing for the area than a full block abandoned building

[Avossos]

2 minutes ago, cspwal said:

I would have preferred the existing building to be restored or reused somehow, but I think a newly built mediocre building will be a better thing for the area than a full block abandoned building

 

I agree. miracles cant happen every time and progress cant happen overnight. But I am bitter that something that had the potential for reuse/reno was torn down instead of a parking lot being built on.

[Specwriter]

Since "regalia" is paraphernalia indicative of royalty I expect each unit to come with a crown, scepter, and an orb.  Really, who comes up with some of these names. The design: eh.

Edited August 15, 2018 by Specwriter
mis-spelling

[houstontexasjack]

In looking at the design again, even the type font for "Regalia" looks like something out of the early-to-mid 90's.  I'm trying to think if the builder can make any tweaks so it might go the full "La Luz del Mundo"--so odd, so kitschy that one can't help but love it.

 

Edit: In thinking about this more, they could put points painted in a metallic gold on top of the rounded edges to mimic the points on a crown (thinking of the old Burger King crowns for this one). One could even add space for stained glass to mimic jewels.  It'd at least stand out from the generic crowd of apartments that way.

Edited August 15, 2018 by houstontexasjack