2727 Kirby: Condominium High-Rise At 2727 Kirby Dr.

[UrbaNerd]

Well..I was browsing..and I ran into a new rendering for the Kirby Condos:

http://www.zieglercooper.com/live/graphics/kirby/kirby-condo.jpg

Cool, eh?

[Travel_n_Transport]

I would prefer that they renovate the low-rise modernist building that already occupies this tract and raze the old hard rock for amenities.

That said, it is certainly one of the nicer designs of the current high-rise building boom. Still begs the question: Who the heck is buying all of these $$$ condos?

[BayouCityGirl]

the same fun loving guys who raise our gas prices to feed their children and have a roof over their head

[H-Town Man]

Looks pretty nice. The kind of design that works well in Houston and builds on what we have.

[DJ V Lawrence]

Well..I was browsing..and I ran into a new rendering for the Kirby Condos:

Cool, eh?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

SICKNESS, Urbanerd! LOVE the design!

Yo, do they have a projected completion date?

[kjb434]

Great to see this project on tract.

[uncertaintraveler]

Where is this going to be built? Are units currently being offered for sale? If so, for how much?

[kjb434]

its on the east side of Kirby just south of Westheimer. It will replace the Page Parkes building.

[The Great Hizzy!]

I like the color scheme much better. A nice break from the various "brick tones" that we've been seeing--brown, beige, fire brick, brownstone, etc. Also looks a bit more modern, less boxy and more artistic.

[WestGrayGuy]

I am personally not a fan of modern (50-60's style) architecture. So I am glad to see the Page Parks building go. Yes, I know we tear down everything in Houston. But the Kirby Condos will be an improvement.

Thumbs Up!

[Subdude]

I don't think they are fully demolishing the Paige-Parks building. The garage in the rendering are the same as the existing structure with a new facade.

[houston-development]

I don't think they are fully demolishing the Paige-Parks building.  The garage in the rendering are the same as the existing structure with a new facade.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe that parking garage belongs to the bank.

also i noticed the rendering shows westheimer way to close; needs to be further out because hard rock is not included.

[kjb434]

The street off Kirby by the bank is Cameron St. I used to live in the Oak Lane Apartments behind the Page Parkes Building.

It appears that the new condo tower will remodel and possible structurally reinforce if needed the existing building and build up from there.

[houston-development]

The street off Kirby by the bank is Cameron St.  I used to live in the Oak Lane Apartments behind the Page Parkes Building.

It appears that the new condo tower will remodel and possible structurally reinforce if needed the existing building and build up from there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i must have forgotten there was a street in between the bank and hard rock.

did you know atlas was also converting oak lane into condos?

[kjb434]

Yes,

After my first year lease was up and it was ready to sign, they didn't raise any rates and said that I can remain there until the had to renovate the complex. I stayed there for a little over six months until my house was finshed.

They didn't care much about any superficial damage to the unit since they are being gutted anyway. The small section of the complex is being remodeled currently and not residents are left. The residents in the larger portion are slowing moving out. Some are being allowed to stay if they are buying a unit. They will either buy another unit from which they are living or will be temporarily moved and then get their original one. Many residents in the complex have been living there for over 7 years. It was quiet place with many greenspaces for dogs.

My only objection for the condo conversion is that the units aren't a particularly good investment unless you are subletting the unit out and making money on the rents. Outside of that, I don't see much appreciation of the unit values. It may turn out like the Renaisance at Welch and Shepherd. They really seem that the units can't get sold.

[HoustonMidtown]

My only objection for the condo conversion is that the units aren't a particularly good investment unless you are subletting the unit out and making money on the rents. Outside of that, I don't see much appreciation of the unit values. It may turn out like the Renaisance at Welch and Shepherd. They really seem that the units can't get sold.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The last time I drove by the Renaisance, the sign said 1 unit left !!

[kjb434]

yeah, but they had offer incentives like no payments until 2006 and no closing costs. Signs with these offers were on there for the past 2 years. I'm glad to see the place filling up, but they had to go through some extremes to get there.

[houston-development]

also, it's taken almost five years to sell-out. most conversions only take 1.5 to 2 years (worst case).

see original hbj article here.

[VelvetJ]

I really like the design. Hopefully we are done with the whole beige cookie-cutter designs for a while.

Anyway, in the opinions of some that may be a little bit more "in the know" about certain things in our fair city, *cough* Houston-development *cough*, what are the chances this project is actually going to happen? No facts needed, just your opinion on whether this will stay in the proposal mode or actually move forward?

[kjb434]

I may not be houston-development, but I do know some realty firms were bidding to win the contract to market and sell the condos for this tower and the one planned across the street to be placed on those tennis courts.

I know Allison-Speare was making a play for this one. I think Karen Derr was also. I don't remember if it was awarded.

[VelvetJ]

Thanks kjb434, the call was really out for everyone .

Anyway, thanks for the response, it at least keeps my hope alive that this will actually be built.

By the way, the condos across the street on the tennis court you mentioned, are not going to be tall correct? Won't they be more of the typical 3-4 story apartment homes that have been going up over the past decade?

[kjb434]

I heard that it was to be a high-rise too, but it was so preliminary that it could easily change. I did see a rendering somewhere on here.

[houston-development]

originally, there were going to be two deals on the tennis courts. one track was under contract for sale to hanover for a rental high-rise. the other was a 99-year lease to gables for a rental mid-rise. in order for hanover to make their numbers work based upon a HUGE land price, they were going to have numerous upcharges for premium views. everything was going well until gables came back and said they too were going to build a high-rise which would block a majority of hanovers views. this killed hanovers deal and they dropped the contract about 3 or 4 months ago.

i am not aware if gables will end up leasing the entire site or if part of it will be sold. i'm assuming that it will all be leased, but i could be mistaken.

regardless, the deal going up on the tennis courts is being built by an apartment developer and intended for apartments. if a condo converter comes to them on a pre-sale or if gables decides to convert themsleves, then its a different story. but as of a couple of weeks ago (or at least last i heard) it will be apartments.

ooops, edited to add, sorry, i missed velvet's original post. while i appreciate the *coughs*, they are not needed. more than happy to enlighten others when i can.

in regards to the kirby condos, i would give it better than a 50/50 chance. atlas has dropped a pretty sum in the deal and is currently negotiating with the existing tennants. i would say kirby is more realistic than shamrock; however, that's not saying too much as i said earlier, he is moving forward on oak lane which he did as a jv (regardless of what he says to others). so he is getting more experience and a presence within the immediate vicinity.

[marc]

Well..I was browsing..and I ran into a new rendering for the Kirby Condos:

Cool, eh?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool yes,

but looks like something from the Sims game.

m.

[WestGrayGuy]

I personally like the detail of the rendering. Downtown looks exactly the way it should from that angle...Also I like the light mist. The former Hard Rock cafe is dead on.

[HtownKid]

Very Nice Building!! What are those green roofed buildings on the side are they part of the complex?

[citykid09]

Where is the old Hard Rock Cafe in the picture?

[houston-development]

the rendering isnt completely accurate. cameron is a two lane street, not four, and the former hard rock is where they have the trees to the north.

the green rooftop is the adjacent bank.

[kjb434]

The roundish building on the right is the old Hard Rock Cafe. It now has a sign that says Fire/Ice, but that place is closed too. It's neat building.

The building on the left is an existing bank building. Really cool looking building also. Another thing many people don't notice is that those tree tops aren't that far off from what the city actually looks like from that far up. You would be surprised forested Houston looks. I guess its from all of the non-dense development.

[SpaceCity]

Looks great!