WestMont: Mixed-Use Development Coming To Montrose

[j_cuevas713]

43 minutes ago, Moore713 said:

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 

I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower West.

[Triton]

If we are going to have all these major developments along Westheimer, then it seems clear to me that Westheimer is clearly due for reconstruction now. The road is in horrible shape.

[ttuchris]

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

Swamplot has some old pictures of the Tower Shopping Center. 

[tangledwoods]

Quote

Swamplot has some old pictures of the Tower Shopping Center. 

 

you are such a tease, i thought for a second that swamplot was coming back.....

[Amlaham]

The other day I drove down Westheimer from Midtown for the first time in 6 months and WOW. I might sound crazy, but this area is starting to look like Melrose Ave in LA. Not as dense, but I swear it looks like an up and coming Melrose. 

• 101 Westheimer Rd is repainting their buildings from a yellowish color to gray/black/white (matches the Pearl Whole Foods building) 
• 215 Westheimer Rd went from a small building + big parking lot to a massive building with a small/ hidden parking
• 223 Westheimer Rd went from an old shotgun/suburban looking house to a extremely contemporary white building 
• 243 Westheimer Rd went from an old rundown house/ restaurant + big parking lot to a massive contemporary building with hidden parking
• 424 Westheimer Rd went from a parking lot to an urban park 
• 516 Westheimer Rd is remodeling and went from an ATROCIOUS Orange/ yellow paint to a dark gray/ black paint job 
• 802 Westheimer Rd went from a shopping center with a huge front lot to whats becoming the Montrose collective 
• 1001 Westheimer Rd.....THIS PROJECT!
• Even 3207 Montrose Blvd right across this project is undergoing some sort of renovations 

This is only what I observed and this is only from Bagby to Montrose blvd. If they rebuild the street with wider sidewalks with trees lined up, this area would seriously rival major streets in LA. 

Side note: I keep referencing LA because I feel like our architecture is most similar to LA compared to east coast cities. Sorry this post is so long 🙃

Edited January 15, 2021 by Amlaham

[LBC2HTX]

7 hours ago, Triton said:

If we are going to have all these major developments along Westheimer, then it seems clear to me that Westheimer is clearly due for reconstruction now. The road is in horrible shape.

Should’ve been done 10 years ago. It was BAD then. 

[por favor gracias]

11 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower West.

 

I would love to see this as well, along with some really nice landscaping. I remember bobruss mentioning a year or two ago how he envisioned Montrose Blvd having a roundabout at Westheimer & Montrose and art all along the corridor between Allen Pkwy and Mecom Fountain...and I to this day I think that's a great idea. Certain thoroughfares like Main St, (lower) Westheimer and Montrose should have first class mobility, light synchronization, road smoothness, signage, surface markings and landscaping.

[Houston19514]

.

8 hours ago, por favor gracias said:

 

I would love to see this as well, along with some really nice landscaping. I remember bobruss mentioning a year or two ago how he envisioned Montrose Blvd having a roundabout at Westheimer & Montrose and art all along the corridor between Allen Pkwy and Mecom Fountain...and I to this day I think that's a great idea. Certain thoroughfares like Main St, (lower) Westheimer and Montrose should have first class mobility, light synchronization, road smoothness, signage, surface markings and landscaping.

 And, in the case of Montrose... A boulevard for the entire length.

[H-Town Man]

17 hours ago, Amlaham said:

The other day I drove down Westheimer from Midtown for the first time in 6 months and WOW. I might sound crazy, but this area is starting to look like Melrose Ave in LA. Not as dense, but I swear it looks like an up and coming Melrose. 

• 101 Westheimer Rd is repainting their buildings from a yellowish color to gray/black/white (matches the Pearl Whole Foods building) 
• 215 Westheimer Rd went from a small building + big parking lot to a massive building with a small/ hidden parking
• 223 Westheimer Rd went from an old shotgun/suburban looking house to a extremely contemporary white building 
• 243 Westheimer Rd went from an old rundown house/ restaurant + big parking lot to a massive contemporary building with hidden parking
• 424 Westheimer Rd went from a parking lot to an urban park 
• 516 Westheimer Rd is remodeling and went from an ATROCIOUS Orange/ yellow paint to a dark gray/ black paint job 
• 802 Westheimer Rd went from a shopping center with a huge front lot to whats becoming the Montrose collective 
• 1001 Westheimer Rd.....THIS PROJECT!
• Even 3207 Montrose Blvd right across this project is undergoing some sort of renovations 

This is only what I observed and this is only from Bagby to Montrose blvd. If they rebuild the street with wider sidewalks with trees lined up, this area would seriously rival major streets in LA. 

Side note: I keep referencing LA because I feel like our architecture is most similar to LA compared to west coast cities. Sorry this post is so long 🙃

I was in town over Christmas and drove down this stretch of Westheimer. I remember being impressed and thinking, I don't remember it being quite this urban, this visually striking. Your inventory of changes helps explain why it seemed this way.

 

[trymahjong]

That roundabout idea was always brought up in any meeting I attended for last five years or so. I love the idea.......a huge topiary of a stiletto shoe  in the middle of the round about could bring back a lot of the myth of Montrose— also helping traffic problems..... I think 🤔 ?

[dbigtex56]

19 hours ago, Amlaham said:

The other day I drove down Westheimer from Midtown for the first time in 6 months and WOW.

Among the improvements listed is the repainting of buildings. To each his own, but I don't understand the appeal of painting everything black, gray, or white (or any combination thereof).
Is all color considered to be in bad taste now? Are people afraid of it? What did color ever do to you?
While I accept that growth involves change (and destruction) I'd rather see some of the elements of the original Montrose retained - a few century-old houses, quirky architectural details, bold colors used with abandon. 
While Melrose Ave may be a great street in its own right, I'd rather see Houston be Houston, not L.A., Jr. 

[wilcal]

Edit: As mentioned below, this was designed for a previous owner. 

 

Is this what is planned?

 

https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/

 

 

 

 

 

On 1/13/2021 at 12:19 PM, Triton said:

If we are going to have all these major developments along Westheimer, then it seems clear to me that Westheimer is clearly due for reconstruction now. The road is in horrible shape.

The city is clearly desperate to try to have someone else foot part of the bill. When it was pulled from CIP they said that they would add it back when HGAC had a call for projects again.

Edited January 15, 2021 by wilcal

[wilcal]

I'm counting 32 stories on the tallest structure. 

 

Also, kind of interesting that they have a 10 story building sketched in for the Kroger parking lot. 

 

[houstontexasjack]

7 hours ago, wilcal said:

Is this what is planned?

https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/

 

 

No. This was done for the prior owner, PMRG.

[dbigtex56]

4 hours ago, wilcal said:

I'm counting 32 stories on the tallest structure. 

 

Also, kind of interesting that they have a 10 story building sketched in for the Kroger parking lot. 

 

I notice that there's no trace of a parking garage in this rendering, and wonder how deep they'd be willing to go for underground parking. Perhaps instead they have somewhere close by in mind.
Is it sheer coincidence that Kroger is shuttering just as this project is getting underway? While Montrose Blvd is making progress to become a more pedestrian friendly destination street, the focus seems to be more on Lower Westheimer.
A parking garage adequate for both this development and another could be squeezed onto the Kroger lot, especially if the developers petition the city to abandon that block of Lovett Blvd. (which would almost certainly be granted).

[trymahjong]

 

“I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower Westheimer.”

 

 

=> Notice faint sound of teeth grinding

please remember ALL of the renovations of   LOWER  WESTHEIMER were COMPLETELY funded prior to Hurricane Harvey- The money as THERE!  COH set of big committee , arranged community input, made a terrific little you tube video...etc...etc..etc

big puff of breath

At present renovations to Lower Westheimer have been attached to Renovations of Westheimer West of Montrose; that project is only partially funded........is the money de dictated to lower Westheimer available now? Who knows

big sigh
 

[hindesky]

Signs being removed, only Half Price, Signature Med, 369 (last day for them is today the 15th) and the med supply are still open. 

[Response]

O happy day!

[gene]

I went to Half Price this weekend...they are almost cleared out of all merch except lots of vinyl and dvds.

the guy at the door (my buddy bucky was off) said that they have not been able to find a new location but are hopeful to find one this year...

he said that they just have in their mind what they want to pay and are able to afford and haven't found that as of yet...

 

[thedistrict84]

On 1/18/2021 at 10:53 AM, gene said:

I went to Half Price this weekend...they are almost cleared out of all merch except lots of vinyl and dvds.

I saw a post on Reddit with a bunch of photos of barren shelves and didn't bother stopping by . . . but if I had known they had a ton of vinyl left, I would have gone. I've found some hidden gems there in the past!

I hope they relocate inside the loop somewhere. I would strongly encourage them to check out the East End . . . and not just because that would put them in my backyard. There are bound to be some attractive spaces with reasonable rent that might fit their expectations. 

[Triton]

On 12/28/2020 at 1:46 AM, Urbannizer said:

https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/

 

So this rendering does not include what will become of the Kroger property, right?

[Texasota]

I don't think we have any reason to believe that rendering reflects current plans in any way, do we?

[j_cuevas713]

9 minutes ago, Texasota said:

I don't think we have any reason to believe that rendering reflects current plans in any way, do we?

Unless Skanska is buying that parcel and giving us a hint. Otherwise no. 

[gene]

so if i am correct everything in the plaza is now closed and cleared out except the 24hr med clinic...does anyone know their closing date as the new building/location is being worked on almost nonstop... 

(3209 montrose blvd just across the street from this location on montrose)

[wilcal]

On 1/22/2021 at 4:52 PM, Triton said:

So this rendering does not include what will become of the Kroger property, right?

Correct. That car making an illegal left turn is on Lovett. There is a random greyed out building on the Kroger parcel though.

On 1/22/2021 at 5:05 PM, Texasota said:

I don't think we have any reason to believe that rendering reflects current plans in any way, do we?

But there's this. Something I learned when I posted it up above 😄

[trymahjong]

On 1/15/2021 at 12:57 PM, trymahjong said:

 

“I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower Westheimer.”

 

 

=> Notice faint sound of teeth grinding

please remember ALL of the renovations of   LOWER  WESTHEIMER were COMPLETELY funded prior to Hurricane Harvey- The money as THERE!  COH set of big committee , arranged community input, made a terrific little you tube video...etc...etc..etc

big puff of breath

At present renovations to Lower Westheimer have been attached to Renovations of Westheimer West of Montrose; that project is only partially funded........is the money de dictated to lower Westheimer available now? Who knows

big sigh
 

The real wonderment is........why can’t those 2 projects that were joined be separated again and renovations on lowerWestheimer started....... the cost of street repair only gets more expensive.......

[j_cuevas713]

2 hours ago, trymahjong said:

The real wonderment is........why can’t those 2 projects that were joined be separated again and renovations on lowerWestheimer started....... the cost of street repair only gets more expensive.......

I think maybe the city wants to tackle both lower and upper Westheimer at once. When they refer to upper Westheimer are they talking about that area from Buffalo Speedway to 610? Because that def needs some TLC

[astrohip]

11 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said:

I think maybe the city wants to tackle both lower and upper Westheimer at once. When they refer to upper Westheimer are they talking about that area from Buffalo Speedway to 610? Because that def needs some TLC

Quote for truth. One of the busiest, most visible stretches of Westheimer--Highland Village, RO District, etc--and it's paved like a third-world street. They recently finished the stretch east from BS to Kirby, so now let's go westward!

[trymahjong]

36 minutes ago, astrohip said:

Quote for truth. One of the busiest, most visible stretches of Westheimer--Highland Village, RO District, etc--and it's paved like a third-world street. They recently finished the stretch east from BS to Kirby, so now let's go westward!

Is there a chance that the UKMD is contributing to those renovations?
Likely any fancy brickwork was from them?

[Texasota]

The BS to Kirby stretch? Yes, that was them.

[j_cuevas713]

1 hour ago, astrohip said:

Quote for truth. One of the busiest, most visible stretches of Westheimer--Highland Village, RO District, etc--and it's paved like a third-world street. They recently finished the stretch east from BS to Kirby, so now let's go westward!

I think that section is what the COH planned to reconstruct, not RO. But I could be wrong.

[skooljunkie]

Westheimer from the railroad to BS was annexed into the UK TIRZ a few years ago (Along with Weslayan). Perhaps that can get rebuilt using some TIRZ money eventually.

[j_cuevas713]

18 minutes ago, skooljunkie said:

Westheimer from the railroad to BS was annexed into the UK TIRZ a few years ago (Along with Weslayan). Perhaps that can get rebuilt using some TIRZ money eventually.

UK TIRZ has done a really good job getting their infrastructure updated. So hopefully soon this section finally get's started. I'm really excited about South Shepherd. We'll finally see some continuity and the ability to stroll through a neighborhood safely. 

[hindesky]

Parking lot is full of contractors trucks for what I assume is removing equipment from the interiors. Mattress Firm's windows are boarded up. The only places still open are Signature Med and Safeway Medical Supply.

[trymahjong]

On 1/23/2013 at 1:56 PM, trymahjong said:

 

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.

I reread this post

i wonder if there is a chance for that Memorial in the new landscaping—- is anyone still advocating for it?

[trymahjong]

On 3/8/2012 at 6:13 PM, trymahjong said:

Wish the "powers that be" would consider moving moving 1/2 price books into that old house next door to Katz's-- i think it would be a cool place filled with bookshelves. .lots of nooks to read in. . . it's a great ole house. .I'd settle for any business really. . . . . . . I'm always afraid that instead of renovating, those woeful houses will get torn down like the one by Indika.

I reread all the posts on this thread, my concern about losing my Montrose 1/2 PriceBooks was there at the beginning of this thread. My suggestion of the old house I mentioned won’t work since Poscol has gone in. That abandoned mansion at Austin andElgin must  be complicated to rent since it’s still  empty. The Abandoned restaurant at Montrose and Marshall seems too small.
But is there somewhere else within Montrose or midtown? 
maybe 1/2price books monitors HAIF and might post something..
i’ve become jaded enough to doubt the new developers would offer 1/2 PriceBook# reduced rent in new structure—-sigh

guess after 8 years this is still percolating in my brain.

 

[HNathoo]

1 hour ago, trymahjong said:

I reread all the posts on this thread, my concern about losing my Montrose 1/2 PriceBooks was there at the beginning of this thread. My suggestion of the old house I mentioned won’t work since Poscol has gone in. That abandoned mansion at Austin andElgin must  be complicated to rent since it’s still  empty. The Abandoned restaurant at Montrose and Marshall seems too small.
But is there somewhere else within Montrose or midtown? 
maybe 1/2price books monitors HAIF and might post something..
i’ve become jaded enough to doubt the new developers would offer 1/2 PriceBook# reduced rent in new structure—-sigh

guess after 8 years this is still percolating in my brain.

 

I’ve heard they wanted to buy, not rent, and want to buy for $.50 on the dollar. Not much you can do to satisfy unrealistic expectations. Maybe they eventually give in and rent - there are plenty of locations with mom & pop landlords that can’t give the TI packages that result in crazy high rent amounts. 

[hindesky]

Safeway Medical Supply is loading their stuff up. So Signature Medical is the last remaining tenant.

[bobruss]

I spoke with a representative at the Dallas corporate headquarters last week, and she said that they have not been able to find anything inside the loop in their price range.  They  had concluded that there would not be a new store in  the near future. I suggested that the East end - U. of Houston area would be something they might look into. She said they had put off adding a new store within the loop or the Houston market for that matter. 

[hindesky]

Glad to see you back @bobruss haven't seen you posting in a long time.

[H-Town Man]

1 hour ago, bobruss said:

I spoke with a representative at the Dallas corporate headquarters last week, and she said that they have not been able to find anything inside the loop in their price range.  They  had concluded that there would not be a new store in  the near future. I suggested that the East end - U. of Houston area would be something they might look into. She said they had put off adding a new store within the loop or the Houston market for that matter. 

Well... their locations on North and South Lamar in Austin have much higher rent than a lot of places inside the 610 Loop. The question is, what kind of sales were their stores doing in Houston? You have to have a certain ratio of sales to rent to make it work. 

This is kind of like when we lost our full time FM classical musical station, to much dismay. Many people in Houston like classical music. But more people like country, rap, Latin, adult contemporary, Christian, etc. Only a finite number of radio stations. Lots of Houstonians may like used books, but more of them like restaurants, mattresses, cell phones, nail salons, massage, video games, tae kwon do, etc. So those places push the rent up to a level where used book stores can't go.

[trymahjong]

14 hours ago, bobruss said:

I spoke with a representative at the Dallas corporate headquarters last week, and she said that they have not been able to find anything inside the loop in their price range.  They  had concluded that there would not be a new store in  the near future. I suggested that the East end - U. of Houston area would be something they might look into. She said they had put off adding a new store within the loop or the Houston market for that matter. 

Wow

This IS the time for PBS to step in and film a series ( with lots of underwriters) on rehabbing a semi important building within Midtown or East end.  An historic building saved, accolades for KUHT........TaDa 1/2 books would be perfect move in client.

Uh 2 birds 1stone— 

uhOh

my gullible wishful thinking is showing — my worst fears of last 9 years coming true- #$%&!

[gene]

dang the new clinic looks to be finished (across the street) and ready to relocate from this plaza! 

i would say by weeks end this plaza will be empty...do you think they will knock down this plaza almost immediately once empty like they did Jack In The Box? 

[clutchcity94]

31 minutes ago, gene said:

dang the new clinic looks to be finished (across the street) and ready to relocate from this plaza! 

i would say by weeks end this plaza will be empty...do you think they will knock down this plaza almost immediately once empty like they did Jack In The Box? 

I think they will. They should turn it into a temporary outdoor movie theater while they figure out next steps! BYONoiseCancellingAirpods.

[Andrew Ewert]

Thoughts of a pedestrian/light-rail only stretch of Elgin/Westheimer between 59 and Shepherd...

 

... a boy can dream

[CREguy13]

5 hours ago, gene said:

dang the new clinic looks to be finished (across the street) and ready to relocate from this plaza! 

i would say by weeks end this plaza will be empty...do you think they will knock down this plaza almost immediately once empty like they did Jack In The Box? 

I just drove by, and it looks like they could start demolishing this in the next few days.  The whole block is already fenced off and Signature care is out with their sign taken down and a banner stating they've relocated across the street. 

[gene]

wow thanks for that update @CREguy13! 

[hindesky]

[Response]

That's the most beautiful chain link fence I ever saw in my entire life.

[toxtethogrady]

On 2/5/2021 at 2:37 PM, Response said:

That's the most beautiful chain link fence I ever saw in my entire life.

Beats what surrounds the White House at the moment...