lockmat 2340 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Was this demo work recent? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Screen Shot 2012-05-24 at 3.53.05 PM by wools, on FlickrYeah, from the renderings, this is clearly going on the red lot above; the green lot will still be available for future high rises. Great news! And the new renderings look much better. Still not great, world-changing, visionary architecture.. but perfectly OK.Also, amusing -- I guess they don't own that parking lot and no one would sell. It's in the renderings.If you are correct that the red shaded area is where the Hanover highrise is going, that means their old spot, which is the green shaded area, is now available again. That seems kind of weird for them to change parcels, or maybe not? I don't know, but it seems like it. The red shaded area was supposed to be a hotel per blvd place's website. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hopefully it means Apache builds a corporate headquarters tower in the future. Always thought The Apache Tower had a nice ring to it.You know, Apache just renewed a lease at Post Oak Central through 2018. Why the purchase now? Just getting it cheap and holding on to it until then? http://www.crescent.com/files/news/1-30-12%20PO%20Apache%20renewal.pdfhttp://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26033-apache-expands-office-at-post-oak-central/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SkylineView 1405 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Out in 2018 would mean moving in 2017 would mean construction starts in 2015 which means design is done in 2014... (ish). So they have 18 months to plan their new home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Exactly. 2018 is not as far away as it sounds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DevelopmentX 28 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I spoke with someone very close to the project and they gave me the following details on the sale of 6 acres to Apache:All areas to the left of Blvd. Place Ln. (which runs through the center of the property) with the exception of Building #6 (which is where RDG, Philippe & Hermes are now located) have been sold to Apache.This means that Buildings #4, #5 and the South Garage as illustrated in the renderings on the Blvd. Place website are no longer a part of Ed Wulfe's project.What this means? Hermes which had signed a lease for a 2 story flagship location in the Northeast Corner of Building #4 facing Post Oak Blvd. has lost their long planned space. There is no word on what this means for the French luxury boutique which has flourished during the recession.Additionally, other retailers "penciled in" for Building #5 were rumored to have been a new 20,000-25,000 sq. ft. Bloomingdale's location.It makes one wonder how cohesive the development will be with Building #6 off on its own next to the Apache office tower.As for the rest of the development, Hanover is breaking ground on a nice high-rise rental building and of course, the Whole Foods location will break ground late summer/early fall 2012 which a planned opening of February 2014.The sale of the southern side of the development to Apache allows Wulfe to break ground on buildings #1,#1N, #1W, #2 & #3. Unfortunately, the only leases of note in the new buildings are:PinkberryOcean Prime seafoodan Aveda salonThese developments really leave me wishing that Houston could shed it's 1985 "Boom to Bust" reputation and attract the type of deep-pocketed investors who have the national and international reputation to secure a mix of "high end" and destination retail.One has to wonder why the local leasing team has been unable to secure any high-profile leases after marketing the project for almost 6 years.It's a shame as a prime parcel of land like this only comes into play once in a generation.I'm pleased about the Whole Foods location, however at 48,500 sq. feet it now has the footprint of many of the suburban locations that the chain is building.Where of where is Gerald Hines and his vision and international reputation when we need him?Oh, that's right. He's developing a large commercial warehouse project near IAH. Things have changed so much.Development X 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SkylineView 1405 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Thanks for the info DevelopmentX... I have to ask though, why is this such a prime spot for a Whole Foods? There a Rice Epicurean literally across the street, and there's a Randalls Flagship one block down San Felipe. Going the other way is another Rice, a Target (full grocery store), and a Central Market. Given that Blvd place will ultimately have traffic and (if convenient) 'complicated' parking, I just don't see how this works... unless they really do put 1,000 residential units on the west side of the development, but that seems optimistic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swtsig 2960 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 You know, Apache just renewed a lease at Post Oak Central through 2018. Why the purchase now? Just getting it cheap and holding on to it until then?http://www.crescent....che renewal.pdfhttp://www.houstonar...st-oak-central/b/c land values are cheaper now then they will be a few years down the road and mainly b/c ed wulfe was likely desperate to sell. i mentioned this a while back but a 5 yr lease for 500K sf is nothing more than a short term renewal. a firm like apache will have no problem vacating that space well before lease expiration if they so desire. it happens ALL the time... just look at nexen or murphy oil - both have decent term left on their existing leases but both will be relocating to new buildings on I-10.and to SkylineView... not sure if that's a serious comment or not. you seem familiar enough with the area but to question why the corner of post oak and san felipe is "such a prime spot for a whole foods" seems odd at best. it will work exactly for that reason... it is practically the nexus of high-end houston. the same traffic doesn't seem to deter any other businesses in the area so i fail to see why it would deter a flagship (read: destination) WF. to site stores like rice, randalls and target as barriers to entry is - for lack of a better word - foolish. there could be zero residential in BLVD Place and a flagship WF would still do gangbusters. i'm still holding out that WF will come to their senses and increase their footpring closer to their original plans. you seem to forget how well eatzi's did in the exact same location or how well central market does with rice, costco and target within a stone's throw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Based off Development X's comments, is it likely Wulfe will alter the plans of the remaining development and possibly make it slightly bigger; not big enough that it covers the exact amount of space that was lost, but maybe at least add a quarter of it.Also, a typical floor plate these days is 25,000 square feet, right? Is the 600,000 square feet Apache currently has in Post Oak Central the only office space they have in Houston? If so, that means about 24 floors of office space alone, and what, maybe an 8-story parking garage for a little over 32 stories total? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LTAWACS 162 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I spoke with someone very close to the project and they gave me the following details on the sale of 6 acres to Apache:All areas to the left of Blvd. Place Ln. (which runs through the center of the property) with the exception of Building #6 (which is where RDG, Philippe & Hermes are now located) have been sold to Apache.This means that Buildings #4, #5 and the South Garage as illustrated in the renderings on the Blvd. Place website are no longer a part of Ed Wulfe's project.What this means? Hermes which had signed a lease for a 2 story flagship location in the Northeast Corner of Building #4 facing Post Oak Blvd. has lost their long planned space. There is no word on what this means for the French luxury boutique which has flourished during the recession.Additionally, other retailers "penciled in" for Building #5 were rumored to have been a new 20,000-25,000 sq. ft. Bloomingdale's location.It makes one wonder how cohesive the development will be with Building #6 off on its own next to the Apache office tower.As for the rest of the development, Hanover is breaking ground on a nice high-rise rental building and of course, the Whole Foods location will break ground late summer/early fall 2012 which a planned opening of February 2014.The sale of the southern side of the development to Apache allows Wulfe to break ground on buildings #1,#1N, #1W, #2 & #3. Unfortunately, the only leases of note in the new buildings are:PinkberryOcean Prime seafoodan Aveda salonThese developments really leave me wishing that Houston could shed it's 1985 "Boom to Bust" reputation and attract the type of deep-pocketed investors who have the national and international reputation to secure a mix of "high end" and destination retail.One has to wonder why the local leasing team has been unable to secure any high-profile leases after marketing the project for almost 6 years.It's a shame as a prime parcel of land like this only comes into play once in a generation.I'm pleased about the Whole Foods location, however at 48,500 sq. feet it now has the footprint of many of the suburban locations that the chain is building.Where of where is Gerald Hines and his vision and international reputation when we need him?Oh, that's right. He's developing a large commercial warehouse project near IAH. Things have changed so much.Development XUgh. I guess we can pencil in another blundered vision for Houston. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I spoke with someone very close to the project and they gave me the following details on the sale of 6 acres to Apache:All areas to the left of Blvd. Place Ln. (which runs through the center of the property) with the exception of Building #6 (which is where RDG, Philippe & Hermes are now located) have been sold to Apache.This means that Buildings #4, #5 and the South Garage as illustrated in the renderings on the Blvd. Place website are no longer a part of Ed Wulfe's project.What this means? Hermes which had signed a lease for a 2 story flagship location in the Northeast Corner of Building #4 facing Post Oak Blvd. has lost their long planned space. There is no word on what this means for the French luxury boutique which has flourished during the recession.Additionally, other retailers "penciled in" for Building #5 were rumored to have been a new 20,000-25,000 sq. ft. Bloomingdale's location.It makes one wonder how cohesive the development will be with Building #6 off on its own next to the Apache office tower.As for the rest of the development, Hanover is breaking ground on a nice high-rise rental building and of course, the Whole Foods location will break ground late summer/early fall 2012 which a planned opening of February 2014.The sale of the southern side of the development to Apache allows Wulfe to break ground on buildings #1,#1N, #1W, #2 & #3. Unfortunately, the only leases of note in the new buildings are:PinkberryOcean Prime seafoodan Aveda salonThese developments really leave me wishing that Houston could shed it's 1985 "Boom to Bust" reputation and attract the type of deep-pocketed investors who have the national and international reputation to secure a mix of "high end" and destination retail.One has to wonder why the local leasing team has been unable to secure any high-profile leases after marketing the project for almost 6 years.It's a shame as a prime parcel of land like this only comes into play once in a generation.I'm pleased about the Whole Foods location, however at 48,500 sq. feet it now has the footprint of many of the suburban locations that the chain is building.Where of where is Gerald Hines and his vision and international reputation when we need him?Oh, that's right. He's developing a large commercial warehouse project near IAH. Things have changed so much.Development XI had gotten the impression that the Apache property would still be part of the Blvd Place development, and that, while obviously requiring a substantial redesign, there might still be a continuous flow of retail from end to end of the development. Is that not the case? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 I wouldn't be surprised, given the layout of the property, if the Apache site was designed into the BLVD site, rather than just its own thing sitting in the middle of another development.Also, given that this site was sold to Apache, I'm assuming that the Astoria tower will now die? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swtsig 2960 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Astoria will end up elsewhere on post oak. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SkylineView 1405 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Well that's an interesting comment. Is it possible that the dilapidated trailer parked at the McDonalds on north Post Oak is the future sales office of something? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Not sure if they used another rendering service/architect or what, but this is what Ocean Prime has on their website for BLVD Placehttp://www.ocean-prime.com/oceanprimehouston.aspx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Got back into town last night. Got quite a bit of a shock when I saw this across the street. I only have one picture for you guys today, but given how there hasn't been a photo of the site uploaded in a while, this one is rather big:Not only is the building completely gone, but you can also see that they've put up banners of the different stores on the upper levels of the one completed building on the site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
'Stonian 362 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Thanks Golyadkin! Question about a near by development - Have they started demolition of the old 24 hour fitness gym further down Post Oak for the proposed new office tower? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Not that I can tell. From my window, the 24 Hour Fitness building still looks completely intact and there's no sign of any equipment around it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 They appear to be starting to dig where the underground parking for the Whole Foods is going to be, and are filling in the pit where the Pavilion underground parking was with the dirt from it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ArchFan 324 Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Yes, I was watching the dig from my office yesterday. They were excavating on the north side, about where Eatzi's was, and trucking the dirt over and dumping it in the south part of the hole where the Pavilion's underground parking was. It made me wonder if this was an indication that Apache's tower would not be directly adjacent (and north) of Phillippe. OTOH, I guess they could always move the dirt again later.Also, they seem to have mostly cleared the Pavilion site, except for the concrete walls that were part of the underground Lowe's Cinema. Not sure what's going on there, but they seemed to be moving dirt around there too. In any case, its nice to see that there is activity over all of the BLVD Place site east of Post Oak Lane. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 They've started tearing into the last underground section, and have made a lot of progress clearing the site. They've also set up fences in the area where the Whole Foods is going and have what looks like chain link fencing ready to put up. What you can't really see in this picture is there appears to be some fencing over at the corner of San Felipe and Skylark, and there was an excavator working over there earlier today, so that might be an indication that the condo tower is moving ahead. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bamaluke 6 Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Anybody else notice the little parking lot at the corner of Skylark and San Felipe has been fenced off? There are a few pieces of construction equipment on site and a sign advertising a future location of Soverign Bank. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 (edited) This is a time lapse I made of the site on July 31. I just happened to pick the day they brought down the last wall. Unfortunately my camera stopped working for about 30 minutes during which they brought down one section, but I managed to catch the other section being taken down (it falls around 5:58). The bulldozer in the front also gives a really good idea of how they are filling in the hole with the dirt from the Whole Foods site. Edited August 10, 2012 by Golyadkin 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brijonmang 5611 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 That was really interesting to watch, thanks for sharing. Looks like you've got a front row seat for watching this thing go up...so I think I speak for everyone when I say we expect weekly updates at the bare minimum Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 very cool. Thanks Golyadkin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 That was really interesting to watch, thanks for sharing. Looks like you've got a front row seat for watching this thing go up...so I think I speak for everyone when I say we expect weekly updates at the bare minimum I'll do my best. I travel a lot (for example I am writing this post from a waiting area at Tokyo Narita International Airport), but when I can, and when something of interest happens, I'm sure to update. If I can get myself a proper intervalometer, I'll try to make some more of these time lapses of the site. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) With the exception of where the theater was, the site has now been pretty much entirely filled to street level, and they paved and opened up the bottom left corner as a driveway for the shops and restaurants: Edited September 1, 2012 by Golyadkin 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I'll do my best. I travel a lot (for example I am writing this post from a waiting area at Tokyo Narita International Airport), but when I can, and when something of interest happens, I'm sure to update. If I can get myself a proper intervalometer, I'll try to make some more of these time lapses of the site.Just send your mom over to take pics. ;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 If this were true, this would be exciting news. Except none of us have confidence in any of the plans on this website. Notice the layout change and multiple towers(6) planned. Does this reflect Apache?While the layout below simply labels the buildings as towers, the .pdf for the plan calls for 3 residential only towers, one hotel/residential tower, one future tower and another 33-story office tower.They've also labeled some of the space around whole foods as office and financial. Some of the spaces have names of companies it seems have preleased.pdf http://www.blvdplace.com/Downloads/BLVD_retail_Plans.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 That. Would be. AMAZING. And that map fits with the information we have about the site so far: Apache is going to build their HQ there, there is going to be a condo tower around the outside of Skylark, etc. and the hole they're digging on the Whole Foods site seems to match up with that garage so far. This gives me a LOT of hope. I REALLY hope this ends up being the case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kbates2 1404 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 There is also supposed to be a pinkberry there according to the chronicle yesterday. Groundbreaking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 If this were true, this would be exciting news. Except none of us have confidence in any of the plans on this website. Notice the layout change and multiple towers(6) planned. Does this reflect Apache?While the layout below simply labels the buildings as towers, the .pdf for the plan calls for 3 residential only towers, one hotel/residential tower, one future tower and another 33-story office tower.They've also labeled some of the space around whole foods as office and financial. Some of the spaces have names of companies it seems have preleased.pdf http://www.blvdplace...etail_Plans.pdfThe two office tower clearly reflect Apache. Interesting that they show additional residential towers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SweetJames 12 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 One of those residential buildings is on that plot of land that's supposed to be a park. So I guess the city is abandoning the idea for the park and admitting they obtained the land for this development? Or did they already resolve this issue and I missed it?Old chronicle story.http://www.chron.com...-of-1781405.php Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Swamplot's coverage: http://swamplot.com/new-plans-show-blvd-place-with-apache-office-tower-stamped-in-the-middle-of-it/2012-09-12/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pumapayam 140 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 BLVD HISTORY . . .MAY 2009JUNE 2010JANUARY 2011JULY 2012...any else notice, we are now back up to 6 towers.We were down to two as one point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swtsig 2960 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) i would expcet the combined apache buildings to be in the 1.3M sf range (800k + 500K). there are a few prominent office tenants lined up in wulfe's buildings as well.ps - dear ritz... please come back Edited September 12, 2012 by swtsig Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Am I missing something. The most I counted prior to this plan is three. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lockmat 2340 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 i would expcet the combined apache buildings to be in the 1.3M sf range (800k + 500K). there are a few prominent office tenants lined up in wulfe's buildings as well.tenants for Wulfe's buildings? I guess the site plan could change once again, from resi to office? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 BLVD HISTORY . . ....any else notice, we are now back up to 6 towers.We were down to two as one point.According to the history you posted, didn't it start witih two towers, then grow to three, then drop back to two, and now move up to 6? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swtsig 2960 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 tenants for Wulfe's buildings? I guess the site plan could change once again, from resi to office?i'm referring to the office portion above the retail. that said, i would be surprised if 3 residential towers were built but there's no doubt that apartments are quite popular, especially luxury apartments in Houston. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 i would expcet the combined apache buildings to be in the 1.3M sf range (800k + 500K). there are a few prominent office tenants lined up in wulfe's buildings as well.ps - dear ritz... please come backI'd personally love to see a W Hotel on this site. I think it'd fit the area and the design of the site really well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pumapayam 140 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Am I missing something. The most I counted prior to this plan is three.I worded it very wrong. But I meant to point out we have more proposed towers now than we ever did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golyadkin 287 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) Well progress has picked up in a big way today it seems. They went from having one truck ferrying the dirt across the site to a single bulldozer to 5 trucks ferrying to four different pieces of equipment laying it out in the last little hole in the site and filling it in. The rest of the Pavilion site itself is filled and flattened. They also added a small parking lot on it. The hole they are digging from has also expanded significantly and is now starting to resemble the shape of the underground parking for Whole Foods.Also, is it just me, or does that look like they are installing the base of a tower crane? Edited September 13, 2012 by Golyadkin 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
'Stonian 362 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Looks like a crane to me..., Here we go!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Sweet! Thanks for the pics, Golyadkin.I wonder when we'll hear something from Apache about their tower. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brijonmang 5611 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Construction porn! Thanks for the pictures! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChannelTwoNews 2945 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 The Chronicle has an piece on the restart of construction and an updated rending of the Whole Foods location to show the Chase Bank signing, as well as construction photos.http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/Construction-resumes-at-Uptown-upscale-3866536.php 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Houston19514 4918 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 The Chronicle has an piece on the restart of construction and an updated rending of the Whole Foods location to show the Chase Bank signing, as well as construction photos.http://www.chron.com...ale-3866536.phpThat signage is Frost Bank, not Chase. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SkylineView 1405 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Just as an aside... the number of dump trucks going in and out of the site is intense today. I was at a light when four went in... and four went out, and saw more or less the same going home. Looks like they've decided to knock the earth moving bit out this weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChannelTwoNews 2945 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 That signage is Frost Bank, not Chase.NO WAI.And that's why multitasking on 3rd shift doesn't work so well at times. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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