Luminare 6042 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 1 hour ago, Highrise Tower said: Madison Marquette is listed as the Owner/Occupant on the demolition permit issued yesterday. For those who don't remember that name, they were behind The Travis in midtown, and 2929 Weslayn in the Greenway area off of W Alabama. As of right now, the only thing we can expect is greater density for this block. The Travis has left a lot to be desired however. Though that might temper expectations for this site, maybe they come out with something different than whats in their portfolio? Hopefully. They need to choose more daring architects. Lets see. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luminare 6042 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) On 1/30/2020 at 5:06 PM, TowerSpotter said: Found this from an architect at CRKTL, posted January 3rd, 2020. Potential development could be planned for this site. Renderings show a mixed-use development with retail, multifamily, condos, and office space. The site: Renderings: https://www.behance.net/gallery/90156931/Montrose-MUD-Houston-USA If CRTKL which was behind these visuals is the architect still then there is reason to be excited. I really think they need to take these and go to Michael Hsu. The stuff in these visuals fits his style, and Michael Hsu has proven in this city and others that he can do great work. Just my opinion. Edited October 28, 2020 by Luminare 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HNathoo 1185 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Highrise Tower said: Madison Marquette is listed as the Owner/Occupant on the demolition permit issued yesterday. demo permits are weird. I believe they just go off the same ownerership as the last person to pull a permit. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
houstontexasjack 2355 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 2 hours ago, Luminare said: If CRTKL which was behind these visuals is the architect still then there is reason to be excited. I really think they need to take these and go to Michael Hsu. The stuff in these visuals fits his style, and Michael Hsu has proven in this city and others that he can do great work. Just my opinion. I second that it would be cool to see a larger-scale project designed by Michael Hsu here. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gene 3046 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 (edited) wowsa i personally love that rendering and would be so excited to see that in what is THE intersection in Houston! Edited October 29, 2020 by gene 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Urbannizer 44123 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 4 hours ago, Luminare said: For those who don't remember that name, they were behind The Travis in midtown, and 2929 Weslayn in the Greenway area off of W Alabama. As of right now, the only thing we can expect is greater density for this block. The Travis has left a lot to be desired however. Though that might temper expectations for this site, maybe they come out with something different than whats in their portfolio? Hopefully. They need to choose more daring architects. Lets see. 4 hours ago, Luminare said: If CRTKL which was behind these visuals is the architect still then there is reason to be excited. I really think they need to take these and go to Michael Hsu. The stuff in these visuals fits his style, and Michael Hsu has proven in this city and others that he can do great work. Just my opinion. 2 hours ago, HNathoo said: demo permits are weird. I believe they just go off the same ownerership as the last person to pull a permit. @HNathoo Is correct, Madison Marquette no longer owns the site. It’s possible they filed for a demolition permit before the sale. PMRG built 2929 Wesleyan, purchased this site and built The Travis before merging with Madison Marquette. Now that Skanska has control of this land I expect them to partner with a different architect- therefore a new design. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luminare 6042 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 1 minute ago, Urbannizer said: @HNathoo Is correct, Madison Marquette no longer owns the site. It’s possible they filed for a demolition permit before the sale. PMRG built 2929 Wesleyan, purchased this site and built The Travis before merging with Madison Marquette. Now that Skanska has control of this land I expect them to partner with a different architect- therefore a new design. Appreciate the clarification. Was updating this on the map and spreadsheet, and noticed Skanska acquired the land, but didn't know if this displaced Madison Marquette. I do agree it changes what the final product will be. With that being said. I trust Skanska to handle this land better than Madison Marquette. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HouTXRanger 259 Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Whatever ends up there, I just hope it doesn't end up as boring as Camden Midtown or the Travis . . . that's almost the worst case scenario for a redevelopment there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post wilcal 1685 Posted October 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2020 Just seen on Twitter. JitB is gone 7 1 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gene 3046 Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🚫🍔=🏆 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post mkultra25 1203 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 Still seems odd to me whenever someone refers to the "old El Tiempo", when most right-thinking Montrosians knew it as La Jaliscience. 7 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hindesky 46603 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 The only thing left is the drive thru masonry. 7 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pm91 199 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 So Disco Kroger is closing.. is this part of the plan? https://abc13.com/business/kroger-to-close-montrose-location/7860073/ 5 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MidCenturyMoldy 620 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 On 10/29/2020 at 8:31 PM, mkultra25 said: Still seems odd to me whenever someone refers to the "old El Tiempo", when most right-thinking Montrosians knew it as La Jaliscience. Mmmm! Giant burritos! 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gene 3046 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 OH MY GOSH! That store is so beloved by so many in Montrose!!! Can't believe the day has come... I guess they do have that awesome HEB on Alabama so that is good! 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Naviguessor 2184 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 Wow. Now THAT will be the end of an era. Makes me sad. 3 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MidCenturyMoldy 620 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 1 hour ago, pm91 said: So Disco Kroger is closing.. NOT DISCO KROGER!!! So many memories! 😆 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mollusk 2392 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 On 10/29/2020 at 8:31 PM, mkultra25 said: Still seems odd to me whenever someone refers to the "old El Tiempo", when most right-thinking Montrosians knew it as La Jaliscience. I miss Jolly Science... and Freaky Foods, and... 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MidCenturyMoldy 620 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, mollusk said: I miss Jolly Science... and Freaky Foods, and... I miss the pre-remodeled La Tapatia with its pickled vegetables and free soup with every order. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wilcal 1685 Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 Commenter on Reddit said that HBP's last day is Jan 16 and that they are looking for another location to reopen. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
trymahjong 546 Posted November 13, 2020 Share Posted November 13, 2020 Secretly hoping a developer offers discounted property in Montrose or Midtownthat would benefit their other interests and keep 1/2 price books relatively close. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post hindesky 46603 Posted December 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 24, 2020 Specs in Montrose is closing permanently on Dec. 26th, Mattress Firm has beds inside but has sign saying they've moved. Checked all the other stores but saw no closing signs yet. 10 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3026 Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 8 hours ago, hindesky said: Specs in Montrose is closing permanently on Dec. 26th, Mattress Firm has beds inside but has sign saying they've moved. Checked all the other stores but saw no closing signs yet. I expect something amazing for this block. I’m so excited! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Urbannizer 44123 Posted December 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 28, 2020 https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/ Located in the heart of one of the most artful and culturally rich neighborhoods in Houston, the “Heart of Montrose” seeks to build upon and grow this eclectic context in order to attract new residents and visitors to the growing district. Adding new high-rise rise mixed-use development to an existing lower scale area fronting the central intersection of Montrose and Westheimer, Perkins Eastman’s design seeks to strategically capture the quirky and unique culture of the place. Every square inch of the street level has been maximized for retail, restaurant, and cultural uses focused on the pedestrian experience. Alleys and passages create additional retail frontages ensuring every corner of the ground floor has activity and draws people into the spaces. Above the development, a series of mixed-use towers including residential, hotel, and office space. The towers rise up in a series of stepped terraces adding distinction to the Houston skyline, while the proposed rainbow bridge and dining chapel add vibrant and inviting design features below at the lower scale of the street. The design emphasis is on creating smaller scale spaces and experiences for bigger impact and greater value. 24 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moore713 784 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 31 minutes ago, Urbannizer said: https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/ Im.not getting my hopes up ..with this city obsession with value engineering 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbigtex56 1211 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Notice that the artist's rendition of the proposed building does not include a bus shelter at the corner of Westheimer and Montrose. Hopefully, this was an oversight or done for aesthetic purposes. I'd hate to think that a project so dedicated to being "focused on the pedestrian experience" would have an antagonistic attitude towards public transportation. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thatguysly 1173 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Beautiful. There is also a midrise in the old disco Kroger parking lot in the background. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CREguy13 1885 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Not seeing any mention of Skanska, makes me hesitate to believe this is current. Perkins Eastman and Madison Marquette partnered on District Wharf in DC, so unclear if this was drawn up for the previous owner. This would be significant for the area so hoping this is accurate! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cityliving 2591 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 It like the concept design, hope a new grocery store will set up in the new development. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post phillip_white 1911 Posted December 28, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 28, 2020 11 hours ago, Urbannizer said: https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/ I'm glad that Caydon's Laneways approach seems to be spreading to other developments. More photos from the link: 4 hours ago, CREguy13 said: Not seeing any mention of Skanska, makes me hesitate to believe this is current. Perkins Eastman and Madison Marquette partnered on District Wharf in DC, so unclear if this was drawn up for the previous owner. This would be significant for the area so hoping this is accurate! Not 100% sure on who the client is/was, but the upload data appears to show this was added to their site last month. 15 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 808 Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 On 12/28/2020 at 2:07 PM, phillip_white said: I'm glad that Caydon's Laneways approach seems to be spreading to other developments. And Caydon appears to have followed Crystal City in DC. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phillip_white 1911 Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 15 minutes ago, toxtethogrady said: And Caydon appears to have followed Crystal City in DC. Not to dismiss Crystal City, but Caydon's development is based off of the laneways in Melbourne, Australia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanes_and_arcades_of_Melbourne 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonMidtown 4350 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Half Price books closing Jan 17 https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/books/montrose-half-price-books-to-close-15844641?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow 2 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gene 3046 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 that will be a sad day indeed... love that store (and my buddy Bucky!)... hope they find a very nearby location in montrose...maybe the west end of that Nidda Thai plaza? (if not a cool old building of course!) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hindesky 46603 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Houston/reddit is reporting 369 Chinese Restaurant is closing Jan. 15th too. I mean none of this should come as a surprise to anyone on HAIF, we've know it was coming for almost 6-7 yrs. Just kind of sad for it to end. 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 5001 Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 On 1/4/2021 at 11:30 AM, HoustonMidtown said: Half Price books closing Jan 17 https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/books/montrose-half-price-books-to-close-15844641?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow Perhaps Rice University can get together with the Mayor's Office to find a solution to the lack of used book stores in central Houston. They could buy a large building and convert it to an incubator for used book stores, where fledgling used book dealers could find low rent space to ply their trade. The ultimate goal could be an Antiquarian Corridor, where one would find clusters of used books, architectural salvage, vintage clothing, antiques, and old hi-fi equipment all in an unbroken stretch, with street vendors and outdoor rummage shelves. I know I would be there. 3 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iah77 293 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Considering Rice raises the rent of everything they touch that seems highly unlikely... otherwise they would have savd the one in Rice Village 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MidCenturyMoldy 620 Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 On 1/4/2021 at 7:35 PM, hindesky said: Houston/reddit is reporting 369 Chinese Restaurant is closing Jan. 15th too. Sad. They had dependably good Singapore Fried Rice Noodles. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4627 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 On 1/5/2021 at 10:36 PM, iah77 said: Considering Rice raises the rent of everything they touch that seems highly unlikely... otherwise they would have savd the one in Rice Village I don't think Rice University owns the part of Rice Village where HPB was located. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cspwal 3905 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 I don't think Rice University owns the part of Rice Village where HPB was located. According to HCAD, the parcel with Jos A Bank and the former 1/2 price books is owned by someone else 2537 UNIVERSITY BLVD HOUSTON TX 77005 The parcel across the street is owned by Rice though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H-Town Man 5001 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 On 1/5/2021 at 10:36 PM, iah77 said: Considering Rice raises the rent of everything they touch that seems highly unlikely... otherwise they would have savd the one in Rice Village The post wasn't serious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Texasota 2935 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Everything on this forum is deadly serious. Have you not learned this yet? 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post CREguy13 1885 Posted January 12 Popular Post Share Posted January 12 HBJ Article: Skanska plans demolition of Montrose retail plaza By Jeff Jeffrey – Reporter, Houston Business Journal Jan 12, 2021, 1:37pm CST Skanska USA Commercial Development expects to begin demolishing a key retail plaza in Houston’s growing Montrose area to make way for a mixed-use development within the next six weeks, a spokeswoman for the company told the Houston Business Journal. The retail plaza located at the southwest corner of Westheimer Road and Montrose Boulevard had been home to Half-Price Books, Mattress Firm, Spec’s Wine and Spirits, and Mattress Pro for several years. Half-Price Books recently revealed that location would close on Jan. 17, according to reports. Other tenants have also been moving out. While Skanska has not yet finalized its master plan for the site, the company plans to clear the property in the coming months to allow for the development to begin moving forward, the spokeswoman said. According to Harris County Appraisal District records, the land and buildings on the site had an appraised value of $13 million as of Jan. 1, 2020. An entity affiliated with Houston-based PM Realty Group had owned the property since June 2012, according to HCAD. PMRG was acquired by Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette in June 2018. Sweden-based Skanska paid $27 million to acquire the 2.86-acre site in August. Skanska said the new project it is planning on the site is targeting LEED Platinum certification. While the final plan for the site is being sketched out, the company plans to build a pop-up retail shop on the site. “We want to put something that is Covid-19-safe on the site that the community can enjoy while we finalize the plan for the site,” the spokeswoman said. More details about the project will be released within the next few months. The property, at the corner of Westheimer and Montrose, has long been a target for developers looking to convert it to a mixed-use development. When PMRG acquired the property, it had similar plans to build a residential building with retail on the first floor, according to reports at the time. But the company ran into opposition from some of the site’s existing tenants, who had long-term leases in place. For Skanska, the acquisition of prime real estate in Montrose is just the latest in a series of splashy deals the company has done in Houston. Last year, the company purchased four parking lots near Discovery Green for a planned mixed-use project that will include office, multifamily and retail space. Skanska paid $55 million for the four parcels, which total around 3.5 acres. Skanska is also the developer behind the 35-story Bank of America Tower in downtown Houston. In December, the company announced it had sold a 90% stake in the tower to an affiliate of Boston-based Beacon Capital Partners for $373 million. 8 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j_cuevas713 3026 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 So exciting to be a Houstonian right now. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toxtethogrady 808 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 On 12/28/2020 at 9:12 AM, CREguy13 said: Not seeing any mention of Skanska, makes me hesitate to believe this is current. Perkins Eastman and Madison Marquette partnered on District Wharf in DC, so unclear if this was drawn up for the previous owner. This would be significant for the area so hoping this is accurate! That's a good way to get an answer quick... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ZRFkris 313 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 On 10/28/2020 at 1:48 PM, Urbannizer said: @HNathoo Is correct, Madison Marquette no longer owns the site. It’s possible they filed for a demolition permit before the sale. PMRG built 2929 Wesleyan, purchased this site and built The Travis before merging with Madison Marquette. Now that Skanska has control of this land I expect them to partner with a different architect- therefore a new design. Excited for Skanska’s involvement with the project after seeing their recent activity level. Bank of America tower and the 1550 on the green render both look nice for downtown. Interesting to think what their approach would be for a neighborhood development that can accommodate so much culture and diversity. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
midtowndweller 279 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 After years and years of looking at this strip center in disgust, I will be in attendance at the demolition with a couple bottles of champagne! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
clutchcity94 380 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 I wonder what this pop up will be all about. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gene 3046 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 has anyone found out if and where Half Price Books will relocate? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moore713 784 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 For decades this area has been the unofficial main corridor to montrose .. the entrance if you will... it where back in the day the parade and block parties congregated... now I feel like it will finally reflect that in appearance 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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