invisibletrees Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 15 minutes ago, gene said: Is too much to ask to have a Velvet Taco AND a Twin Peaks mixed-use development at that corner!!!??? 🤩 (oh AND still have Dillards redone and build that sky bridge to the Galleria of course!) #knockitalldown !!! FTFY. We deserve better 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 1 hour ago, invisibletrees said: FTFY. We deserve better 1 hour ago, invisibletrees said: FTFY. We deserve better I might agree with you depending on what it is you think should be at that corner... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 3 hours ago, CrockpotandGravel said: I neither like or dislike Velvet Taco, but my opinion of this is, "moo." It will be a great late night dining choice. Can't really speak to the tacos, but if I worked in the area, the Mondays where I picked up a $10 backdoor chicken on the way home would probably outnumber the Mondays when I didn't. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 I hope they either do a new build or at least completely redesign it...i have hated the look of that building foreverrrrrrr! 🤮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Zone d'Erotica's closing made the 3 o'clock news (KTRK Channel 13). 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainJilliams Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 22 minutes ago, gene said: I hope they either do a new build or at least completely redesign it...i have hated the look of that building foreverrrrrrr! 🤮 Reeeeeeeally hoping they bulldoze that building 😂 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisibletrees Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 3 hours ago, gene said: I might agree with you depending on what it is you think should be at that corner... A residential mid-rise/high-rise with retail taking over the entire corner (including the Dillard's parking lot) would be ideal. Are we sure soil testing at the Shell is related? No news articles mention the gas station as part of the sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arbpro Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Just on Ch 13 ZDE to be Velvet Taco. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerHerman13 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Just saw on ABC 13 it’s going to be a velvet taco. At least it’s not Twin Peaks... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 34 minutes ago, arbpro said: Just on Ch 13 ZDE to be Velvet Taco. 'Velvet Taco' sounds like an article that could have been sold at Zone d'Erotica. 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arbpro Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Just now, dbigtex56 said: 'Velvet Taco' sounds like an article that could have been sold at Zone d'Erotica. That was my initial reaction too. Warped minds....lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Y’all are sleeping on Velvet Taco fr 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 6 minutes ago, BigFootsSocks said: Y’all are sleeping on Velvet Taco fr They are Torchy’s Tacos competitor I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBreedlove Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) Velvet Taco already has two locations in Houston -- Montrose and the Washington corridor -- so planting one on the west side of town makes sense. They're not bad and, even if they aren't the greatest tacos ever, it's a heck of a lot better than an abandoned porn store. ETA: I guess they're going to be opening one on North Shepherd as well, according to the Chronicle. Edited June 5, 2019 by BillyBreedlove 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmitch94 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) Can someone with more knowledge about construction tell me if a one story restaurant would need soil testing done? I feel like this only gets done for larger projects but I'm not informed on the subject. Edited June 5, 2019 by jmitch94 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 9 hours ago, jmitch94 said: Can someone with more knowledge about construction tell me if a one story restaurant would need soil testing done? I feel like this only gets done for larger projects but I'm not informed on the subject. If its a brand new building. Yes. For a new building, its often worth it. The soils in the Houston Area are typically described as "high plasticity soils" which can mean the soil is susceptible to expanding or contracting based on the moisture content of the soil. For a new building, you want the geotech engineer to provide recommendations on how to mitigate that. From a structural engineering perspective, the code has prescriptive minimum values for soil that can be used, but theyre really crappy. So the owner can save a bunch of construction costs on foundation by getting a geotechnical report. For a renovating building, its less common, but I have required Geotech reports if theyre expanding the building or performing significant modifications--- or if the original report/data is missing. I'm working on a project right now (not in Houston) where the building was 2 stories, and they decided to build a substantial patio outside the building... they got soil samples for that. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 I actually really like the Velvet Taco on Westheimer near Montrose...cool upstairs/downstairs with patios off of each and their Chicken & Waffle taco is dang good especially... (i mean i would prefer Torchy's but in a similar building like VT! honestly just happy with all the new stuff popping up in my area!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Velvet Taco appoints new CEO https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2019/08/29/velvet-taco-clay-dover.html Quote Dallas-based Velvet Taco has appointed President Clay Dover as the company’s new CEO. Dover joined Velvet Taco as president in early 2017 and has helped grow the brand from four restaurants to 11 locations, with five more scheduled locations to open in the remainder of 2019. The company already has two locations in Houston — one on Washington Avenue and the other on Westheimer Road in Montrose. A third is expected to open at 2001 N. Shepherd Drive in the Heights this October, and another is planned for the former Zone d'Erotica space at 2626 W. Loop S. in the Galleria. That fourth location is expected to open in 2020. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted September 3, 2019 Share Posted September 3, 2019 Man i wish they would hurry up and get started on the Zone d'Erotica location...i hate seeing that building haha!!! 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ctaf Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Last I saw, they hadn't started on the Heights one either at the old Jack in the Box, I'm not sure what the hold up is because I'd also like to see both buildings gone 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 I spoke to an employee at the westheimer location this past weekend and he said that from what he knew they were completely knocking down zone d erotica and doing a new build but it wont open until next October...that means it could even be months before it's knocked down darnit. 😐 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 The Shell gas station is listed on Loopnet. The current long-term lease ends in 2039. 2602 W Loop 610 S https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2602-W-Loop-610-S-Houston-TX/17729892/ Quote Total SF: ± 960 SF Land: ± 24,479 SF Floodplain: Not Located in the 100-Year or 500-Year Floodplain Lease: In Place Tenant Until 2039 Location: Located on the Hard Corner of Westheimer Road and West 610 Loop South in the Houston Galleria Area Traffic Count: 610 - 255,390 CPD Site Features: Eight (8) Operating Fuel Pumps, Two (2) Cashier/Register Areas, Two (2) Fully Operational Restrooms 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 20 hours ago, ekdrm2d1 said: The Shell gas station is listed on Loopnet. The current long-term lease ends in 2039. 2602 W Loop 610 S https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2602-W-Loop-610-S-Houston-TX/17729892/ I think it might be time they update that aerial photo. Yikes thats gotta be from the early 2000's? Thats before they redid that section of 610. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 @ekdrm2d1 now we just need news as to when they are actually knocking down the Zone D' Erotica building...yikes! Come on Velvet Taco....put us out of our misery! haha! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 1 hour ago, gene said: @ekdrm2d1 now we just need news as to when they are actually knocking down the Zone D' Erotica building...yikes! Come on Velvet Taco....put us out of our misery! haha! Whatever the date, I'm sure it will be on a Tuesday. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 Can it be THIS tuesday? Who wants to meet for an impromptu demo day!? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 20, 2020 Share Posted January 20, 2020 (edited) well darnit...here is the update from Velvet Taco directly: "Thank you for reaching out! Velvet Taco has not taken possession of the building. Once we do, we will be sure to get it cleaned up." Edited January 20, 2020 by gene 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 Zone d' Erotica is boarded up as of this past weekend... so at least "something" is happening... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 1 hour ago, gene said: Zone d' Erotica is boarded up as of this past weekend... so at least "something" is happening... Someone finally got them to cover up. That's hard to do in the age of Instagram.😀 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Permit issued. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 and in related news: YahOOOOOooooOOOooOOoOoooooOoooOOoOoOOooOoOooo!!! 😮😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 Well during these crazy times there is some good news to report... there is now a chain link fence around the future Velvet Taco!!!! Let the remodel (or demo) begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) ^^^ and so it begins... Edited March 21, 2020 by monarch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 what in tarnation is the holdup with this place? i want my tacos from a block away!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) In the most amazing news maybe ever (haha!), all the signage for Zone D'Erotica has been removed, the entire roof facade has been removed and the place has been completely gutted over the weekend. Workers were out there again this morning framing out something. whoooohooooo 🌮 Edited June 22, 2020 by gene 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainJilliams Posted June 23, 2020 Share Posted June 23, 2020 Wow, it's truly the end of an era 😂 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 30, 2020 Share Posted June 30, 2020 (edited) well the whole building currently is an empty shell of just metal and brick and those ugly rock column bases with no roof whatsoever...this morning they were taking away the last portions of wood that was used. i was hoping this would be a 2 story building like the montrose location but from what i could gather from a worker i tried to talk to, he said no, but not sure if he fully understood my question... hope to see plans or a rendering soon. Edited June 30, 2020 by gene 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 Things are moving quickly! Looks like partial demo. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 tons of workers here this week and looks like they have built out the building where you can no longer drive or cut through the parking lot between the gas station and them which is good so you don't have that high cut through traffic in front of what i am guessing will be the entrance and probably some sort of outdoor seating area. I wish they would have duplicated the montrose location since that upstairs area is a cool feature. anyway...i won't say they have really made significant progress until they knock down those horrible boulder rock columns haha! I HATE those and it would be hilarious if they made them a design feature just to spite me Bet this is open by the end of the year! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 8 hours ago, gene said: anyway...i won't say they have really made significant progress until they knock down those horrible boulder rock columns haha! I HATE those and it would be hilarious if they made them a design feature just to spite me Clearly, the Velvet Taco architects are displaying their sensitivity to history by preserving those columns as an ironic, postmodern nod to the building's origin as a Roy Rogers restaurant. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 I mean, this is a restaurant chain from *Dallas* called *Velvet Taco.* You wouldn't exactly expect them to have good taste. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 On 8/26/2020 at 9:35 AM, gene said: tons of workers here this week and looks like they have built out the building where you can no longer drive or cut through the parking lot between the gas station and them which is good so you don't have that high cut through traffic in front of what i am guessing will be the entrance and probably some sort of outdoor seating area. I wish they would have duplicated the montrose location since that upstairs area is a cool feature. anyway...i won't say they have really made significant progress until they knock down those horrible boulder rock columns haha! I HATE those and it would be hilarious if they made them a design feature just to spite me Bet this is open by the end of the year! Those columns will likely remain. VT makes a point to get funky / awkward buildings and keep some of the original features. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 OMG you better be wrong @Avossos !!! I am trying to remember if i know anyone that owns a sledgehammer that doesn't mind taking risks under the cover of night... 🤔⚒️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted August 30, 2020 Share Posted August 30, 2020 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) On 8/27/2020 at 9:54 AM, Avossos said: Those columns will likely remain. VT makes a point to get funky / awkward buildings and keep some of the original features. I am not kidding when i say that the entire main structure is now framed and those dang boulders ARE in fact still there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG you might be right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! * 😭😲🤪 *unless they are following this thread and leaving them up until the last minute on purpose haha!!! 😂🙏 Edited September 16, 2020 by gene 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 1 hour ago, gene said: I am not kidding when i say that the entire main structure is now framed and those dang boulders ARE in fact still there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG you might be right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! * 😭😲🤪 *unless they are following this thread and leaving them up until the last minute on purpose haha!!! 😂🙏 😬😬 I had a feeling. It might work, aesthetically... but it also may be very strange to have a eccentric building next to the 'ritzy' galleria... Are those stones painted? I don't mind stones in architecture, but i really dislike PAINTED stones... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 24 minutes ago, Avossos said: 😬😬 I had a feeling. It might work, aesthetically... but it also may be very strange to have a eccentric building next to the 'ritzy' galleria... Are those stones painted? I don't mind stones in architecture, but i really dislike PAINTED stones... dangit @Avossos ....if YOU willed this to happen or worked any kind of voodoo magic to make this happen i will never forgive you and you WILL be blocked! 👹 and ps...yes those horrible stones are painted...haha 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 3 hours ago, gene said: dangit @Avossos ....if YOU willed this to happen or worked any kind of voodoo magic to make this happen i will never forgive you and you WILL be blocked! 👹 and ps...yes those horrible stones are painted...haha I just think your critique maybe led them to keep the stones despite your protest 😘 we need a photo shoot infront of those stones. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted September 16, 2020 Share Posted September 16, 2020 I guess they figured out how to sanitize the little ziggurats enough to keep in a food establishment. Historical note: The original Carrabba's building on Kirby was previously an adult bookstore in all the glory came with being adjacent to Montrose in the late 70s. It was years before I could bring myself to eat there. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted September 23, 2020 Share Posted September 23, 2020 lots of progress being made...and yes, it looks to me that the rock columns are indeed staying and being worked into the design... oy haha 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now