WestMont: Mixed-Use Development Coming To Montrose

[Ross]

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.

No, no, no, that's all part of the charm. As an added plus, it helps prevent speeding🤣

On 1/13/2021 at 11:44 PM, 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.

Is there room for a roundabout there? I don't think one could be installed without taking a piece out of each of the corner properties.

On 2/1/2021 at 11:43 AM, Andrew Ewert said:

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

 

... a boy can dream

That actually sounds like a nightmare to me, given the lack of suitable alternatives and the weird street angles that abound in the area. Of course, we could do what they did in Doha, Qatar, and just tear down all the old stuff and build new that looks old, but with street realignment, new infrastructure, etc.

[Response]

 

10 hours ago, toxtethogrady said:

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

Gotta keep the Q-loons out. 

[MarathonMan]

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.

I’ve never driven down a stretch of road with more narrow lanes.  Any time there’s heavy traffic I’m white-knuckling the steering wheel.  Reconstruction would be soooooooo nice!

[Triton]

3 hours ago, MarathonMan said:

I’ve never driven down a stretch of road with more narrow lanes.  Any time there’s heavy traffic I’m white-knuckling the steering wheel.  Reconstruction would be soooooooo nice!

Whelp, my coworker just faced the wrath of this street last week. 

He was driving his Kia Stinger in the right lane and a car came to close to him and he created "canyons" in his rim as he scrapped the curbs... I mean just chunks of metal taken out.. never seen that before. Had to do a major repair on his wheels and cost him a pretty penny. Honestly surprised they were repairable and weren't just replaced. That's seriously why I never drive in the right lanes.

[Texasota]

Yeah, anyone who drives Westheimer regularly knows it's actually only two lanes unless you're turning right. 

[por favor gracias]

On 3/11/2021 at 7:47 AM, Ross said:

Is there room for a roundabout there? I don't think one could be installed without taking a piece out of each of the corner properties.

You're probably right...I don't see how there would be enough room with the current design.

 

[cityliving]

[HoustonMidtown]

 

[hindesky]

[thatguysly]

So weird to see it come down. Of all the projects where demo happens, this one hits home the most. While I won't miss it, I spent a lot of time in that Half Price Books and Specs.

[Urbannizer]

https://www.bisnow.com/houston/news/construction-development/montroses-development-activity-is-off-the-charts-attracting-national-and-international-interest-108262

The party doesn’t end there. Skanska announced in August that it had purchased a 2.86-acre site at Westheimer Road and Montrose Boulevard, diagonal from Montrose Collective, for $27M. The details of that development are still in the process of being finalized, but Skanska Executive Vice President Matt Damborsky told Bisnow the property will definitely feature multifamily and retail. Other possibilities, such as a boutique hotel component, are also being considered.

[wilcal]

It honestly feels not fair that the lot is cleared and we still don't know what they are going to do! 

[trymahjong]

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Fabled-Montrose-corner-cleared-to-make-way-for-16062205.php
sent to me this morning

[cityliving]

Montrose has really changed since I’ve lived here. I remember this shopping center back when there was a small H.E.B pantry store there also a Blockbuster video and a Eckerd drug store were located there. 
I hope Texas Art Supply on Montrose doesn’t go away too that would be bad. 😢

Edited March 30, 2021 by cityliving

[cityliving]

Some pics from the demolition this morning.

[Response]

Beautiful. (not kidding)

[mkultra25]

11 hours ago, cityliving said:

Montrose has really changed since I’ve lived here. I remember this shopping center back when there was a small H.E.B pantry store there also a Blockbuster video and a Eckerd drug store were located there. 

Also when Soundwaves used to be there in the 90s (on the end where Half Price Books was), before they relocated to the old Walgreens building at Hawthorne and Montrose.

[hindesky]

https://realtynewsreport.com/skanska-adding-montrose-kroger-site-to-westheimer-project-no-comment/

[Naviguessor]

Monstrous potential.   Now add the Walgreens site.   

[houstontexasjack]

9 hours ago, hindesky said:

https://realtynewsreport.com/skanska-adding-montrose-kroger-site-to-westheimer-project-no-comment/

The link has a click-baity headline, but there’s not really any news. Skanska has not added the Kroger site. Any developer *may* be considering adding another significant parcel adjacent to their development. 

[phillip_white]

30 minutes ago, houstontexasjack said:

The link has a click-baity headline, but there’s not really any news. Skanska has not added the Kroger site. Any developer *may* be considering adding another significant parcel adjacent to their development. 

In my opinion, temporary community use of the site is a pretty big bullet point. They have nothing to gain from allowing that, but it's a major win for the neighborhood.

[Montrose1100]

31 minutes ago, phillip_white said:

In my opinion, temporary community use of the site is a pretty big bullet point. They have nothing to gain from allowing that, but it's a major win for the neighborhood.

I agree - just hope there is no weeping over the closing of the temporary use from the neighborhood. The cries about the strip center on Westheimer are getting to me. 

[trymahjong]

I have seen lots of recollections (few of them fond ) on the Montrose Nextdoor concerning the  tiny HEB that was once there.........among my “pie in the sky” wishes

( along with lowered rent for 1/2 price books and a lush green wildscape along Westheimer side)is a newHEB like the one on Waugh and Westheimer.

wouldn’t that be a lovely “ coming full circle “ event.🙂

 

[MidCenturyMoldy]

7 hours ago, trymahjong said:

I have seen lots of recollections (few of them fond ) on the Montrose Nextdoor concerning the  tiny HEB that was once there.........

That HEB Pantry store was nice. I really missed it after it closed.

[hindesky]

One of the cashiers at the W. Alabama HEB told me once that he worked at that Pantry store. He is the older skinny guy that is there weekend mornings when I shop at the HEB.

[hindesky]

Everything is torn down, just loading out and start tearing out the concrete and asphalt.

[MidCenturyMoldy]

19 hours ago, hindesky said:

Everything is torn down, just loading out and start tearing out the concrete and asphalt.

Imagining Skanska releasing a statement saying "PSYCH!" then building a huge public square with a big fountain and a statue of Ray Hill. 

Edited April 4, 2021 by MidCenturyMoldy

[hindesky]

2 hours ago, MidCenturyMoldy said:

Imaging Skanska releasing a statement saying "PSYCH!" then building a huge public square with a big fountain and a statue of Ray Hill. 

I'm guessing that's highly unlikely after they spent $27 mil to just buy the property plus what the demo is costing.

[gene]

It is just CRAZY to see that whole space leveled! Drove by yesterday and man Montrose is really evolving at a fast pace...

it was so fun too to see lots of people at Nidda Thai and Voodoo Doughnut (complete with employees out front waving everyone in) and seeing the work being completed at ACME seafood (and the huge ACME up on the tower) and then see the new Montrose Collective rising above the surrounding buildings... despite all the changes some see as good or bad, it was really awesome to see Montrose buzzing and it made me happy 🙂

 

 

[hindesky]

[HNathoo]

20 minutes ago, hindesky said:

Wow, you can really see the potential of this site now that it's been razed. I'm so glad Skanska got a hold of it.

[kennyc05]

A nice Walmart with plenty of parking out front should do it 😏😏😏 lol jk

[monarch]

3 hours ago, kennyc05 said:

A nice Walmart with plenty of parking out front should do it 😏😏😏 lol jk

^^^ especially, if you can SAVE MONEY & LIVE BETTER.  i'll play...

[EllenOlenska]

Folks are all excited and I think we should be. Right down the street there's two massive towers. This spot is destined for a big development. 

[houstontexasjack]

Skanska got Bjarke Ingels Group to design their property Downtown. Having paid $27 Million for this site, I tend to think they will similarly bring in a heavy hitter to design this site as well. 

[HouTXRanger]

Although I like Skanska, I am super nervous about the whole thing. There is so much potential, meaning there's so much potential for this to get screwed up! I'm crossing my fingers for something like Drewery place at the minimum, but . . . who knows?

I really wish Montrose had gotten Walkable Places applied and approved for by now!

[H-Town Man]

58 minutes ago, HouTXRanger said:

Although I like Skanska, I am super nervous about the whole thing. There is so much potential, meaning there's so much potential for this to get screwed up! I'm crossing my fingers for something like Drewery place at the minimum, but . . . who knows?

I really wish Montrose had gotten Walkable Places applied and approved for by now!

Pray for a quick lease-up with high rents at Montrose Collective. That is what will guarantee that something of high quality happens here.

 

[Urbannizer]

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

Looks like these renderings may be  accurate after all. JLL lists the architect as Perkins Eastman.

http://houstoninnovation.resource.jll.com/uploads/1/3/3/1/133109397/mixed_use_development_2021.pdf

Residential: Units TBD

Retail:~67,000 sf

Office:~50,000 sf

Hotel: Boutique Hotel 

 

[wilcal]

34 minutes ago, Urbannizer said:

 

Looks like these renderings may be  accurate after all. JLL lists the architect as Perkins Eastman.

http://houstoninnovation.resource.jll.com/uploads/1/3/3/1/133109397/mixed_use_development_2021.pdf

Residential: Units TBD

Retail:~67,000 sf

Office:~50,000 sf

Hotel: Boutique Hotel 

 

SOLD.

Love it! I think it looks great and will match the Montrose Collective well imho. 

[MidCenturyMoldy]

On 3/12/2021 at 8:03 AM, MarathonMan said:

Any time there’s heavy traffic I’m white-knuckling the steering wheel.  

My knuckles blanch just thinking about Westheimer east of Montrose. 

[MidCenturyMoldy]

These two are looking up and smiling, which has me worried they're tearing down Aladdin and building a high rise! 😱

 

Or maybe the blimp comes back. 

Edited April 8, 2021 by MidCenturyMoldy

[phillip_white]

1 hour ago, Urbannizer said:

Looks like these renderings may be  accurate after all. JLL lists the architect as Perkins Eastman.

http://houstoninnovation.resource.jll.com/uploads/1/3/3/1/133109397/mixed_use_development_2021.pdf

Residential: Units TBD

Retail:~67,000 sf

Office:~50,000 sf

Hotel: Boutique Hotel 

 

Wow. And those renderings were created prior to the possible buyout of the Kroger site. The plot thickens.

[gene]

dang @Urbannizer those renderings make me SOoOOoooooOOooooooOoo darn excited! 

if Montrose keeps adding these amazing new projects WHILE keeping some of the old and or cool buildings/businesses/projects then Montrose is shaping up to be my favorite part of town even more and STILL for the past 26 years!!!  

Just freaking beautiful...

 

 

[hindesky]

Everything is loaded out, now they only have to breakup the concrete and the asphalt parking lots.

[hindesky]

At rest, I don't see a concrete hammer on either of these 2 track hoes. But a sign says till 12, 2021.

Edited April 10, 2021 by hindesky

[Urbannizer]

https://realtynewsreport.com/keep-montrose-weird-combining-growth-flavor-and-funk/

“It’s happy sad,” says Davis, speaking only hours after bulldozers moved in for the kill. “The good news is it wasn’t the best-looking shopping center. They’ll put a temporary user in there which will be a drive-in movie theater concept, for 12 to 24 months while percolating their master plan.”

Skanska terms it “temporary activation.” On the weekends, the property may be used as a farmer’s market. “Most likely, ultimately it will be a large mixed -use development with a boutique hotel,” says Davis. “They are also talking about office space to cater to a piggy back on the technology spaces at the new innovation hub, The Ion.” The Ion, a redevelopment of the old Sears building on Main Street on property owned by the Rice University endowment.

[trymahjong]

https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/?fbclid=IwAR04ZJo6lPJpiwxvF8ai_9Ed_QDvlsfO7U66jFDC-b-QLdzy-e_R01s4BSM
 

 

geeeeeeee, My pie in the sky hopefulness is taking a nose dive. Not sure why new development refuses to honor anything that made this location so desirable.Absolutely no hint of the “ mythology of Montose”

you’d think any developer could have given a nod..........even a small one that maybe only residents would recognize..........it could have been some thing subtle like matching stiletto topiary near the entrance?😇

 

[CREguy13]

45 minutes ago, trymahjong said:

https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/?fbclid=IwAR04ZJo6lPJpiwxvF8ai_9Ed_QDvlsfO7U66jFDC-b-QLdzy-e_R01s4BSM
 

 

geeeeeeee, My pie in the sky hopefulness is taking a nose dive. Not sure why new development refuses to honor anything that made this location so desirable.Absolutely no hint of the “ mythology of Montose”

you’d think any developer could have given a nod..........even a small one that maybe only residents would recognize..........it could have been some thing subtle like matching stiletto topiary near the entrance?😇

 

This is not the final design.

[Houston19514]

1 hour ago, trymahjong said:

https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/?fbclid=IwAR04ZJo6lPJpiwxvF8ai_9Ed_QDvlsfO7U66jFDC-b-QLdzy-e_R01s4BSM
 

 

geeeeeeee, My pie in the sky hopefulness is taking a nose dive. Not sure why new development refuses to honor anything that made this location so desirable.Absolutely no hint of the “ mythology of Montose”

you’d think any developer could have given a nod..........even a small one that maybe only residents would recognize..........it could have been some thing subtle like matching stiletto topiary near the entrance?😇

 

 

1 minute ago, CREguy13 said:

This is not the final design.

It's never too early for a HAIFer to find something to complain about.

And what about the rainbow?  That seemed like a pretty nice nod to the community.

[Response]

How about a 30 story erection? How's that for a tribute to what made Montrose so popular for all these years.