Westcreek Vacant Hotel Parcel

[houstonsemipro]

Anybody seen this project before? It is called "Westcreek," on Westheimer. I've found the pictures on Skyscraperpage.com

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread...8&page=55&pp=25

[nmainguy]

I believe that is a development by the same group that was going to re-develope Hardy Yards.

Edited January 22, 2006 by nmainguy

[NewMND]

That's the project they plan on building at the old car dealership, yeah? Looks nice, and bigger than I thought. Now if only one of these big ambitious projects would actually break ground.

[nmainguy]

That's the project they plan on building at the old car dealership, yeah? Looks nice, and bigger than I thought. Now if only one of these big ambitious projects would actually break ground.

It's adjacent to the car lot but it's not the same development.

[NewMND]

It's adjacent to the car lot but it's not the same development.

Well lookee here, I looked at the map, and it seems you're right. So they plan on building two of these big honkin projects next to each other on Westheimer? Interesting.

So there's those two, Boulevard Place, Pavillions, Town&Country Center, the Memorial City "City" project, the project on Richmond at the HISH HQ. I have faith some of these will get built, just "when." Hopefully something breaks ground this year.

[HtownKid]

WOW so they are gonna tear down some old galleria are buidings? GREAT!!! This is def what the area needs! Any pictures of the Ford Dealer redevelopement

[UrbaNerd]

Whoa, sweet! Another big urbanesque project for Houston!

[lwood]

Anybody seen this project before? It is called "Westcreek," on Westheimer. I've found the pictures on Skyscraperpage.com

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread...8&page=55&pp=25

Rice Design Alliance publishes a magazine called Cite. The current issue has an excellent article about these "life style" centers being planned in Houston. I think it said this new development is by the same people who just completed the project in The Woodlands.

[WesternGulf]

Rice Design Alliance publishes a magazine called Cite. The current issue has an excellent article about these "life style" centers being planned in Houston. I think it said this new development is by the same people who just completed the project in The Woodlands.

That would be the site next door.

[RedScare]

Two high density developments next door to each other on Westheimer puts even more pressure on METRO to try to figure how to put the University line on this section of Westheimer. I realize Richmond has the room, but this section of Westheimer, plus the Galleria, would probably get more usage.

[WesternGulf]

You took the words out of my mouth RedScare. The only development on Richmond that goes hand in hand with light rail is the development in the works on the HISD grounds near Edwards Cinema. Westheimer probably has the highest ridership in the Houston metro with the 82 bus and it just seems funny that light rail will be a few blocks south and all the transit oriented deveopments will be on Westheimer. Let's not forget about Kirby at Westheimer development also.

Edited January 23, 2006 by WesternGulf

[nmainguy]

You took the words out of my mouth RedScare. The only development on Richmond that goes hand in hand with light rail is the development in the works on the HISD grounds near Edwards Cinema. Westheimer probably has the highest ridership in the Houston metro with the 82 bus and it just seems funny that light rail will be a few blocks south and all the transit oriented deveopments will be on Westheimer. Let's not forget about Kirby at Westheimer development also.

They could hit HISD and Westheimer by taking a right off of Richmond on Weslyan to Westhiemer then a left. That would cover Highland Village, the two new developments and the Galleria and save the live oaks on Richmond through Afton Oaks.

It's a no-brainer to me.

[WesternGulf]

It's a no-brainer to me.

Yeah it is but I find too many organizations in this city do not like to feed off of criticism or critique or it does not get done at all. If you did go by Higland Village, where would you make that final stop at the end of the line?

[RedScare]

Yeah it is but I find too many organizations in this city do not like to feed off of criticism or critique or it does not get done at all. If you did go by Higland Village, where would you make that final stop at the end of the line?

Initially, you could terminate in front of, or just past the Galleria. Eventually, it could run down Westheimer all the way to West Oaks Mall.

Why not?

[Htowngirl]

That's where the huge "Westcreek Apartments" complex is. It's a fairly nice, albeit older, New Orleans-style apartment complex. There are SO many more run down complexes on Westheimer - why not go tear down some of those? These actually LOOK nice. Not to mention, my friend lived there for a few months, and had some neighbors that had lived there for over 20 years. How sad.

Also, traffic there is already bad...

[citykid09]

That's where the huge "Westcreek Apartments" complex is. It's a fairly nice, albeit older, New Orleans-style apartment complex. There are SO many more run down complexes on Westheimer - why not go tear down some of those? These actually LOOK nice. Not to mention, my friend lived there for a few months, and had some neighbors that had lived there for over 20 years. How sad.

Also, traffic there is already bad...

Whats up Htowngirl, Its been a while.

[cwrm4]

That's where the huge "Westcreek Apartments" complex is. It's a fairly nice, albeit older, New Orleans-style apartment complex. There are SO many more run down complexes on Westheimer - why not go tear down some of those? These actually LOOK nice. Not to mention, my friend lived there for a few months, and had some neighbors that had lived there for over 20 years. How sad.

Also, traffic there is already bad...

Westcreek was the first place I lived in Houston, over a dozen years ago. They were a really nice place to live then...all buildings were built around a nicely landscaped courtyard, many with pools. Sad to see them go. They are very well built, and have stood the test of the time reasonably well, which is more than we will probably be able to say in 10 years about all the new mega-complexes that have sprouted up elsewhere inside the loop.

On another note, I would really like to see a rail line down Westheimer, all the way from the Galleria to Main. Given the plethora of businesses along Westheimer, as well as all the high-density residential within a few blocks of the street throughout the Inner Loop area, I think such a line would be packed day and night, weekdays and weekends.

[DJ V Lawrence]

Well lookee here, I looked at the map, and it seems you're right. So they plan on building two of these big honkin projects next to each other on Westheimer? Interesting.

So there's those two, Boulevard Place, Pavillions, Town&Country Center, the Memorial City "City" project, the project on Richmond at the HISH HQ. I have faith some of these will get built, just "when." Hopefully something breaks ground this year.

We also got Park8, Rice Village, and a Westchase development that we're waiting to see complete. I'm with ya NewMND!! I hope they ALL get completed soon! (Buffalo Bayou projects as well)

Initially, you could terminate in front of, or just past the Galleria. Eventually, it could run down Westheimer all the way to West Oaks Mall.

Why not?

I DO hope that happens to Westiemer, too!

By the way, I think it's be a wise idea to not have light rail on Westiemer's streets, but to instead have a suspended Westimer line, or have lightrail go down a parallel road from W.Mier. Perhaps spur even more development down that road. Anyone feel the same way?

[NewMND]

We also got Park8, Rice Village, and a Westchase development that we're waiting to see complete. I'm with ya NewMND!! I hope they ALL get completed soon! (Buffalo Bayou projects as well)

Speaking of, does anyone know why so many proposals for these mega-complexes in Houston are popping up all over the place? Maybe it's a trend all over the country, I dunno, this is the only architecture site I frequent.

[The New Juniper]

Speaking of, does anyone know why so many proposals for these mega-complexes in Houston are popping up all over the place? Maybe it's a trend all over the country, I dunno, this is the only architecture site I frequent.

Friend of a friend news

"These guys just recently secured the site that also gives them access through to 610, which greatly enhances the site. The plan allegedley has more than 300,000 sf of retail along with the associated rental and condo. They have secured an A+ architectural team.

First class all the way. Money guys from Hardy Yards and Development Group that has done projects all over the country, including the Woodlands Waterway...."

Sources are reliable.

[houstonsemipro]

Great news, Juniper. You know when the website be up, or groundbreaking?

[The New Juniper]

Great news, Juniper. You know when the website be up, or groundbreaking?

I hear that the architect is Elkus Manfredi. If true, that is very cool. Among other retail/mixed use sites, they did Victory in Dallas.

I don't know their website, but I am sure Google will reveal it quite easily...

There may be a half dozen or so of these type projects announced in the next 6-9 months. Early money is on this one to be the highest and best quality....

Stay tuned....

TNJ

[The Great Hizzy!]

Intriguing info, TNJ. Is this in any connected to the empty lot that used to house Central Ford or is it yet ANOTHER project that's located next door? I'm sure it's been mentioned already in this thread but I'm still not sure.

Nevermind. I took a look at the highlighted site plan and it is indeed seperate from the Central Ford project. I wonder how these two projects will affect traffic on Westheimer at the West Loop. Post construction traffic is a bit better now (finally) but that could change once these projects are in full swing.

Edited March 1, 2006 by The Great Hizzy!

[MidtownCoog]

Gridlock is going to kill this area. San Felipe is bad enough near the RR tracks as it is.

Bad idea.

[UrbaNerd]

Gridlock is going to kill this area. San Felipe is bad enough near the RR tracks as it is.

Bad idea.

Not if everyone is going to walk to and from everything! After all, this is an "urban" project!

/semi sarcasm

Edited March 1, 2006 by UrbaNerd

[WesternGulf]

Gridlock is going to kill this area. San Felipe is bad enough near the RR tracks as it is.

Bad idea.

Is this the scapegoat for every project? Don't make progress because of traffic?

[MidtownCoog]

Drive San Felipe at 5:15 and you tell me.

Propper planning prevents piss-poor performance.

[WesternGulf]

Drive San Felipe at 5:15 and you tell me.

Propper planning prevents piss-poor performance.

Hmmm can you tell us more about the project that we may not know about.

[DJ V Lawrence]

Gridlock is going to kill this area. San Felipe is bad enough near the RR tracks as it is.

Bad idea.

Drive San Felipe at 5:15 and you tell me.

Propper planning prevents piss-poor performance.

I think this is a good reason to expand San Felipe or reroute the rail line if possible and not a reason to stop more development in the area. It's already bumper to bumper there.

[MidtownCoog]

San Felipe is maxed out insdie the loop.

And San Felips is sans sidewalks, too. So much for encouraging pedestrian zone activity.

[The New Juniper]

The point about added traffic and congestion is valid. However, IMHO, it is not reason enough to stop redevelopment of an area. Because Houston was not forward looking to plan for traffic circulation and proper loading is not a reason to throw up our hands and say that we should just live with a car dealership that sits on 6 acres of the most coveted real estate in Houston.

Further, should an old, tired apartment complex be allowed to remain forever just b/c we don't want to deal with the ramifications of revitalization? 610 and San Felipe is a nightmare. I agree. I avoid it like the plague. However, whatever you call that area with PF Changs and Container Store and all of that just up Westheimer is nice and fairly accessible. Hopefully this new development will be like that.

Hell, if traffic were the ultimate arbiter of development, Houston would never get anything done.

[DJ V Lawrence]

The point about added traffic and congestion is valid. However, IMHO, it is not reason enough to stop redevelopment of an area. Because Houston was not forward looking to plan for traffic circulation and proper loading is not a reason to throw up our hands and say that we should just live with a car dealership that sits on 6 acres of the most coveted real estate in Houston.

Further, should an old, tired apartment complex be allowed to remain forever just b/c we don't want to deal with the ramifications of revitalization? 610 and San Felipe is a nightmare. I agree. I avoid it like the plague. However, whatever you call that area with PF Changs and Container Store and all of that just up Westheimer is nice and fairly accessible. Hopefully this new development will be like that.

Hell, if traffic were the ultimate arbiter of development, Houston would never get anything done.

AAMOF, (as a matter of fact), it wouldn't surprise me if developers of certain areas came together to push for better transportation plans to accomodate new developments. Particularly Uptown.

I love the developments Uptown, but MidtownCoog is right. (insert here). Traffic in that area is a problem. What IS the problem there? Some of them roads got, like, 12 lanes or something there...

[brijonmang]

is there any new news on this project?

[mrfootball]

This is the same group, Cypress Real Estate Advisors, that developed my neighborhood, Longwood.

Should be a very nice project as they're some of the brightest in the business. They even managed Harvard's mammoth endowment, which is now one of their biggest investors:

http://www.cypress-advisors.com/

Edited April 20, 2006 by mrfootball

[DJ V Lawrence]

http://www.cypress-advisors.com/projects/westcreek.html

Its also mentioned in the new HBJ.

Somehow I don't trust that this is going to go through...

I've seen the Westcreek pics recently, but they got some Town & Country renderings that I've never seen before.

[NYC Texan2]

The obvious trend in city development is that demand for a specific area causes people to cram in there, and to figure out alternatives when the roads become gridlocked. You can't sustain the sprawl, car-based model when you get this much development . . . Look at New York, or even Brooklyn. To me, the traffic pressure is a good thing and what I have been waiting to see.

I agree Metro needs to be paying attention here. Avoiding Westheimer avoiding the elephant in the room (is it possible that they are planning to serve the Galleria through a Post Oak line that would have a transfer station at Richmond?).

[ssullivan]

Moderator edit: Duplicate threads merged into this one.

[desirous]

How old is this announcement? That aerial is ancient - look at the Westpark Tollway being dug!

[nmainguy]

How old is this announcement? That aerial is ancient - look at the Westpark Tollway being dug!

What is your point?

[jmancuso]

if space would be an issue right around the galleria area for rail; make it an el. the idea was kicked around in the 80's. it would be preferable becuase traffic at westheimer/610 is already a bitch.

i like the idea of a subway station at the galleria though. i think there will be a BRT route going and down post oak as well.

[nmainguy]

if space would be an issue right around the galleria area for rail; make it an el. the idea was kicked around in the 80's. it would be preferable becuase traffic at westheimer/610 is already a delicate flower.

i like the idea of a subway station at the galleria though. i think there will be a BRT route going and down post oak as well.

A subway from Highland to the Galleria-in order to go under the SP rail and the loop-could resolve anyone's concerns regarding thier right to drive their single occupant vehicle. With a short sretch of subway, those that choose to travel in a more efficient and rapid mode won't have to deny those that choose to sit in stop and go traffic.

This may be a topic better discussed in the U Line thread.

[ProHouston]

A subway from Highland to the Galleria-in order to go under the SP rail and the loop-could resolve anyone's concerns regarding thier right to drive their single occupant vehicle. With a short sretch of subway, those that choose to travel in a more efficient and rapid mode won't have to deny those that choose to sit in stop and go traffic.

This may be a topic better discussed in the U Line thread.

I think it's time Metro seriously considers putting the University Line underground from Weslayan to Sage. I know it's costly but it'd please all parties and eliminate all construction concerns in the area.

[citykid09]

Mixed-use project flows to Westcreek

Aging Galleria-area complex to be razed to make way for potpourri of upscale uses

By Jennifer Dawson

Houston Business Journal

Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET April 30, 2006

Developers are planning to tear down more than 1,000 inner Loop apartments near the Galleria and replace them with a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development containing specialty retail space, a boutique hotel and residential units in midrise and high-rise buildings.

The redevelopment is planned for 29 acres just inside the 610 Loop between Westheimer and San Felipe where the Westcreek Apartments are located. Westcreek is adjacent to the old six-acre Central Ford dealership site on Westheimer, which is earmarked for a mixed-use redevelopment as well.

The parties that control the Westcreek and Central Ford sites are considering doing a joint development, according to sources.

To read the rest click below:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12571850/

[buildingunbuildingrebuilding]

Mixed-use project flows to Westcreek

Aging Galleria-area complex to be razed to make way for potpourri of upscale uses

By Jennifer Dawson

Houston Business Journal

Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET April 30, 2006

To read the rest click below:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12571850/

Don't believe everything you read. This is far from a done deal.

[The New Juniper]

Don't believe everything you read. This is far from a done deal.

Any update from anyone that would know?

[Trophy Property]

Any update from anyone that would know?

This project will take a while to happen. For one there are probably 12-18 month leases in place. Even if they are dedicated to this project, don't expect the buildings to be razed until late 2007-early 2008

[lilyheights]

Westcreek was my first and only apartment in town. I'm sad for that. They were nice and affordable for the area. Loads of people have lived there at one time or another. Now, I assume, they'll be really expensive and outside the price range for people with their first jobs and the older people who live there on a fixed income. That was the two typical Westcreek residents when I lived there. Kinda sad for me.

[Trophy Property]

Westcreek was my first and only apartment in town. I'm sad for that. They were nice and affordable for the area. Loads of people have lived there at one time or another. Now, I assume, they'll be really expensive and outside the price range for people with their first jobs and the older people who live there on a fixed income. That was the two typical Westcreek residents when I lived there. Kinda sad for me.

I wonder when those buildings were built. They look like late 60's or 70's. I assume they kept them somewhat updated because opccupancy always seemed to be high enough.

[MidtownCoog]

What about the SBC/ATT central office adjacent to the old Ford Dealership?

Wonder if they will keep it?

You should see the apartments (Melrose Place sytle) behind Ford. Truly a peep into the past.

[Trae]

Any news on High Street, or Westcreek?

Edited July 12, 2006 by Trae