WestMont: Mixed-Use Development Coming To Montrose

[lockmat]

When Kirk Baxter made his presentation to Neartown about the proposed Memorial, he said he had spoken to new owners of the property about the posibility of putting the Memorial to Mary's on the SE corner of Waugh and Westheimer so the glass would reflect the the renovated building that was formally Mary's. He went on to say the owners of the property had told him they are planning a 6 story mixed use project. He told us the owners seemed to favor his proposal.

Maybe I missed something, but what memorial?

[trymahjong]

Maybe I missed something, but what memorial?

 

I started a different thread on the proposed Memorial of Mary's--it's in the Montrose forum.    

[Howard Huge]

This is about as prime as prime real estate gets.

I'm talking about the huge retail strip center thats been abandoned at the corner. I think this is a very crucial/critical piece of land in the Montrose/Lower Westheimer/Neartown area, it connects everything and was once dubbed the "coolest/most entertaining intersection in Houston" by local press.

Any info or ideas? I'm hoping that entire strip center gets razed for a GIANT residentail/retail high rise ala West Ave. (fingers crossed)

[HoustonMidtown]

Thread here:

 

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26185-strip-center-at-the-corner-of-montrose-and-westheimer/?hl=blockbuster

 

 

[Howard Huge]

Thread here:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26185-strip-center-at-the-corner-of-montrose-and-westheimer/?hl=blockbuster

Whoops! Delete this thread!

Thanks

[Howard Huge]

So I guess nothing is brewing here huh?

[trymahjong]

This thread and the one about what is proposed for the SW corner of Montrose and Westheimer seem very similar--

[Random]

So I guess nothing is brewing here huh?

 

 

I have no info either way, but my guess would be they are waiting for leases to expire?

[IronTiger]

I dunno, from what I've heard about the Half Price Books it's great, and to me, the street corner is already pretty "urban", no need to slap up some stucco monstrosities there.

[TowerSpotter]

Bizjournals:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/11/happy-retail-tenants-could-slow.html

 

 

PM Realty Group has plans to turn a long-standing strip center in Montrose into a mixed-use development, but prosperous tenants in the location are not prepared to close their doors just yet.

 

The Houston-based real estate company purchased the 2.14-acre block at Montrose and Westheimer earlier this year with the knowledge that the tenants, Half Price Books, Spec’s, Papa Johns, 3-6-9 China Bistro and Jack in the Box, had long-term lease agreements in place.

 

At this point, they are in negotiations in the tenant buyout phase, and design plans for the new structure are not finalized.

“We knew, going in, it would tie us up for at least seven to 10 years,” said Wade Bowlin, executive vice president with PM Realty Group. “If we could work out a way to get the property sooner, mixed-use would be our intent.”

 

PM Realty Group did not share early design plans, but several sources confirmed the mixed-use structure could include residential with retail on the ground floor.

 

The Half Price Books in the strip, at 1011 Westheimer, takes up 8,000 square feet, and sales were up 14.5 percent in October from the same month in 2012.

 

The company said it has yet to make a decision on whether to stay in the current center after construction is complete or move to another location.

 

“We are in conversations and negotiations with them (the owner),” said Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president. “We are talking amicably about it, and they really want us to stay. But we would have to move out for a couple of years, and we haven’t made that decision yet.”

 

Bowlin said the project could still be years away, and if at some point the company is unable to buy out the groups there, PM Realty will begin to lease the vacant space in the strip.

 

Edited November 19, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[HoustonIsHome]

I kinda like the tenants at that strip. I hope they work something out to return after construction

[gene]

agreed, i like the tentants there too but good riddance eye sore of a plaza!!!!!! best news this year haha! (hopefully it doesnt take 7 to 10 years!)

[arche_757]

Another shame - this center was(still is) an Art Deco shopping center.  It was very poorly covered by that nasty concrete/pea-gravel stuff in the 1970s.

http://swamplot.com/big-block-on-the-corner-of-westheimer-and-montrose-goes-up-for-sale/2012-03-08/

 

http://www.houstondeco.org/1930s/towercomm.html

Edited November 20, 2013 by arche_757

[HoustonIsHome]

Would have been nice if the shopping strip was at the front of the lot up against the side walk and the mix use development developed behind and over it in a sort of monster ashby hirise sort of way.

I know a lot of people who observe the pride parade is going to miss that spot. Many people viewed it from stands built in that lot.

I hope these developments cling to each other instead of encroaching on the charm of the Montrose neighborhood.

Would suck if say the BJ Oldies building was replaced by these lookalike residential buildings.

And can we make a pact to limit the use of the term "eyesore"????

[august948]

Bizjournals:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2013/11/happy-retail-tenants-could-slow.html

 

It'd be cool if half-price rennovated a large old house in the area.  They have one like that in San Antonio.

 

[Gary]

Half Price did have a large old home at one time that was just a few blocks from the current location. Regardless, this thing isn't going to happen anytime soon unless all the long term tenants reach an agreement with PM. 7 to 10 years is a long time.

 

 

[TowerSpotter]

Imagine how the plans would grow overtime.

[august948]

Half Price did have a large old home at one time that was just a few blocks from the current location. Regardless, this thing isn't going to happen anytime soon unless all the long term tenants reach an agreement with PM. 7 to 10 years is a long time.

 

No doubt.  But I suspect the end result will be half price moving to a new permanent location as it wouldn't make much sense to move temporarily for 2 to 3 years and then move back unless they really sweeten the deal or half price can't find another good location nearby.  I don't think they'll be under much pressure to add too much sugar at that particular location.  They will most likely have plenty of potential tennents without half price.

 

[Gary]

No doubt.  But I suspect the end result will be half price moving to a new permanent location as it wouldn't make much sense to move temporarily for 2 to 3 years and then move back unless they really sweeten the deal or half price can't find another good location nearby.  I don't think they'll be under much pressure to add too much sugar at that particular location.  They will most likely have plenty of potential tennents without half price.

 

All of that being said, and considering their long term lease (at least 7 years), and the fact that the stores numbers have risen from last year, nothing's going to happen for a long time. 

[august948]

All of that being said, and considering their long term lease (at least 7 years), and the fact that the stores numbers have risen from last year, nothing's going to happen for a long time. 

 

Yeah...I guess it's a "who knows?" situtation right now.  A lot can happen in 7 years.

 

[H-Town Man]

Another shame - this center was(still is) an Art Deco shopping center. It was very poorly covered by that nasty concrete/pea-gravel stuff in the 1970s.

http://swamplot.com/big-block-on-the-corner-of-westheimer-and-montrose-goes-up-for-sale/2012-03-08/

http://www.houstondeco.org/1930s/towercomm.html

Gotta disagree. Although I love Art Deco, this was run of the mill for what was a suburban intersection when it was built. Now it is one of the most important intersections in urban Houston, and it is time to build up.

[HoustonIsHome]

Really? I always thought the time to build up was when you run out of empty land.

[cloud713]

Really? I always thought the time to build up was when you run out of empty land.

while i see your point, we cant keep sprawling forever. its not economically efficient. we have to build denser areas and building up is one of the main ways to do that.

[HoustonIsHome]

while i see your point, we cant keep sprawling forever. its not economically efficient. we have to build denser areas and building up is one of the main ways to do that.

Not taking about sprawl. Talking about building out the core.

My understanding is that you build up after there is no more room, but we have so much room downtown, midtown, and even Montrose.

I do agree with him in that the corner of Montrose and Westheimer is prime real estate.

[august948]

while i see your point, we cant keep sprawling forever. its not economically efficient. we have to build denser areas and building up is one of the main ways to do that.

 

Houston can and will keep sprawling out to the extent that people are willing to drive and employers are willing to locate outside the core.  The economic efficiency of that is on a case by case basis.  Since we don't live in a command economy there isn't much that can or will be done to enforce maximum efficiency for the city as a whole.

[HoustonIsHome]

Houston can and will keep sprawling out to the extent that people are willing to drive and employers are willing to locate outside the core. The economic efficiency of that is on a case by case basis. Since we don't live in a command economy there isn't much that can or will be done to enforce maximum efficiency for the city as a whole.

Look who built the city. Just in Houston city limits alone we have Greenspoint, Clear Lake, Kingswood, built by Friendswood development group which was a subsidiary of Exxon. Exxon stretched our limits to the extreme- wonder why?

Even as we speak Exxon is stretching it. They are building on land that was planned by the developers of Springwood estates, who in turn are building another masterplanned community. They were lobbied strongly for the grand parkway which coincidentally runs right in their front yard.

So you are right. It can sprawl for as long as people are willing to put up with these places

I don't think Houston will ever fill in completely, but certain areas will get denser.

For the topic at hand I just wish Montrose will be one that fulls out and fulls up in places. The residential put the situation with the empty lots at a much lower level than downtown/midtown, its the suburban businesses with huge parking garages that I wish would thin out.

[bobruss]

Smart marketing on Exxons part. Build subdivision way out in the boonies and make people use more gas to get downtown.

[gene]

Would have been nice if the shopping strip was at the front of the lot up against the side walk and the mix use development developed behind and over it in a sort of monster ashby hirise sort of way.

I know a lot of people who observe the pride parade is going to miss that spot. Many people viewed it from stands built in that lot.

I hope these developments cling to each other instead of encroaching on the charm of the Montrose neighborhood.

Would suck if say the BJ Oldies building was replaced by these lookalike residential buildings.

And can we make a pact to limit the use of the term "eyesore"????

 

 

 

oh god forbid that eye sore changes so that people can enjoy that parking lot once a year for a parade haha

 

[gene]

Half Price did have a large old home at one time that was just a few blocks from the current location. Regardless, this thing isn't going to happen anytime soon unless all the long term tenants reach an agreement with PM. 7 to 10 years is a long time.

 

that was the best location ever and they should definitely move to something similar...loved the vibe of that house/half price books!

[HoustonIsHome]

Bobruss it is beyond smart, they are are not just making people drive more to downtown, they are driving more to everywhere.

With an employment base of over 80,000 the Energy corridor is the 4th largest business center in Houston. Over 1/3 of the employees work outside the western catchment area.

oh god forbid that eye sore changes so that people can enjoy that parking lot once a year for a parade haha

Didn't say that it should not be changed because of a parade. Just said it was a popular spot and people are going to miss it.

Like I said in my first post on here, I like the tenants. Its not a big deal if they move, I just liked where they were.

Then again, the area is such a prime spot I figure many things would be popular if placed in that spot. I used to ride my bike from UH all the way to half priced books (the quarter priced books on Shepard too). I admit I have patronized specs on a number of occasions. I've bought pizza from that location when I lived a few blocks east. I have gotten on and off metro countless times at that stop. Its just a very nostalgic block for me.

Lol, if there was an underground running under westheimer, that parking lot was where I imagined the train stop to be. Just little heads popping up from underground.

[arche_757]

Gotta disagree. Although I love Art Deco, this was run of the mill for what was a suburban intersection when it was built. Now it is one of the most important intersections in urban Houston, and it is time to build up.

I think my point was missed?  I meant - its a shame that this centers original facade was covered with what is there now.  Not that it must be saved.

 

Run of the mill Art Deco trumps almost anything else (in my opinion).

 

And this intersection is important, but both sides need attention, and I doubt (from what I've read above) that we will see that any time soon.

 

[infinite_jim]

1/2 Price Books would look good in SoundWaves' location. SoundWaves could probably downsize at this point too, does anyone go there anymore (or am I officially olden)?

Edited November 21, 2013 by infinite_jim

[H-Town Man]

I think my point was missed?  I meant - its a shame that this centers original facade was covered with what is there now.  Not that it must be saved.

 

Run of the mill Art Deco trumps almost anything else (in my opinion).

 

And this intersection is important, but both sides need attention, and I doubt (from what I've read above) that we will see that any time soon.

 

 

Sure, always a shame when an original facade is covered up by blandness. But the time is past for a one-story strip center with parking in front at this intersection, unless it was a strip center of international architectural distinction, which this one isn't.

 

To my mind there are two truly great historic strip centers inside the loop that should be saved no matter what, and one of them has been butchered by Weingarten. That was the only one that could be called a landmark of regional/national significance, on par with Highland Park Village in Dallas.

[arche_757]

Indeed.  Weingarten has been quiet lately, even amidst the current boom.  But then I suppose they were fairly active while everyone else was quiet.  This center isn't the best, but its not the worst.  I was just pointing out its more "storied" past, if you will?

 

In regard to the Montrose @ Westheimer strip: I've long thought this site, if also incorporating the Disco Kroger- would be a great location for a nice mixed-use development.  I'm glad there is a developer on board who also shares this sentiment, though, as previously mentioned I will be curious to see just how long it will take the tennants to vacate their current square footage?

 

I wonder just how large of a mixed-use development we will see here?  Maybe another condominium highrise with 2-4 levels of retail with office space around?  Curious to see what they are planning for.

 

I also hope that Half-Price Books will find a nice place nearby if they are not signed into a long term lease in the new center.

Edited November 21, 2013 by arche_757

[Urbannizer]

• 250 residential units
• 100,000 sq ft of office space
• 50 hotel rooms
• 75,500 sq ft of retail space

http://www.slideshare.net/ColinKillian/about-pmrg

Edited December 13, 2013 by Urbannizer

[arche_757]

So a boutique hotel then?  That's good.  This area of town is the right location for additional smaller hotels with more upscale services.

[Naviguessor]

Wow. That sounds dense. And maybe a little tall even. The hotel component is very very exciting and good news.

[LTAWACS]

How tall will it be?

[Gary]

How tall will it be?

My lord! Would you please read a little before posting? Thank you.

[aarosurf]

This'll be a good addition - Montrose needs more hotel options.

[Naviguessor]

An Hotel option.

[gene]

A hotel option

 

[gene]

So a boutique hotel then?  That's good.  This area of town is the right location for additional smaller hotels with more upscale services.

 

I agree...Montrose is prime for something like the Austin hotel - Hotel San Jose or their sister property Hotel Saint Cecilia... for awhile there, the owners of those hotels were looking at the spot across from Firkin and Phoenix...maybe now is the time!

[cloud713]

My lord! Would you please read a little before posting? Thank you.

I don't see a height listed anywhere?

[LarryDierker]

My lord! Would you please read a little before posting? Thank you.

 

Maybe I missed something. How tall?

[Nucleareaction]

Doesn't list any height or number of floors in the pdf. Just SF for offices, hotels, etc.

 

In short, we don't know yet.

[trymahjong]

It'd be cool if half-price rennovated a large old house in the area. They have one like that in San Antonio.

How about combining the two old houses at Stanford and Westheimer to one fab place for 1/2 price books? I have given up my dream that the old Diedrich coffee would return and take over one of them--since Southland Expresso Moved in.

[trymahjong]

How about combining the two old houses at Stanford and Westheimer to one fab place for 1/2 price books? I have given up my dream that the old Diedrich coffee would return and take over one of them--since Southland Expresso Moved in.

Hmmm

I forgot that Vin Poscal was going in at 608 Westheimer . . . . But I love the idea of an old house venue for 1/2price books-- maybe that old house down the street next to 'jus Mac- by Bagby.

Edited December 18, 2013 by trymahjong

[Urbannizer]

Some disappointing news on the project.

The owner of a partially vacant strip center at the high-profile corner of Westheimer and Montrose will have to wait until at least 2020 to redevelop the property because the remaining tenants refuse to leave.

PM Realty Group, which bought the 44,194-square-foot property a couple years ago with plans to create something new there, tried to buy the existing tenants out of their leases in hopes of moving forward on redeveloping the site.

"They wanted a number more than what we can afford," said Wm. Roger Gregory, president of affiliate PMRG Investments. "They love the area. They didn't want to leave. That's their right."

The owner is now working to lease the center's 20,000 square feet of vacant space.

The nearly 3-acre property at the intersection's southwest corner is located in the heart of the culturally diverse Montrose neighborhood. Spec's and Half Price Books are two of the larger tenants.

The center, which dates to 1937, was designed by City Hall and residential architect Joseph Finger in the Art Deco style to complement the adjacent Tower Theater, which now houses the El Real Tex-Mex restaurant. In the 1980s, the center's facade was covered with stucco.

The property's longest existing lease will expire in about 6 1/2 years, Gregory said.

Until then, he said, the company will fix up the center, spending money on lighting, cleaning, painting and other necessary upgrades.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/sarnoff/article/Energy-Corridor-office-space-to-have-upscale-5660838.php

[lockmat]

ah well, hopefully the plan will come back bigger and better by then