BLVD Place Mixed-Use: 1700 Post Oak Blvd & Upcoming Development At 1800 Post Oak Blvd.

[ProHouston]

Updates pic from this morning. It looks like they're filling dirt around the concrete pillars they've added. Maybe the pillars were to support the structure and it will actually rise from ground level.

[mls1202]

ProHouston, looks like you are going to be our prime contributor for all updates related to BLVD Place! Thanks for sharing the pics.

[houstonartstudent]

hey I have an interesting brochure that goes into the history of the site, I think I'd much prefer it over what's currently going in that spot where the construction is...hehe http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...c=14856&hl=

[wernicke]

This development is going to be totally massive if the Ritz specs are correct... which is exciting... but I'm with the other posters on the traffic issue though. I just don't see how this area can accommodate all the increased traffic that is on the way, it already is a total cluster ****.

And add a rail line chopping up intersections... Sheesh.

[DevelopmentX]

This development is going to be totally massive if the Ritz specs are correct... which is exciting... but I'm with the other posters on the traffic issue though. I just don't see how this area can accommodate all the increased traffic that is on the way, it already is a total cluster ****.

And add a rail line chopping up intersections... Sheesh.

DEVELOPMENT X heard a rumor earlier today that Whole Foods is exiting the BLVD. Place project. I, for one, hope this isn't true. As a strong advocate for this project, I think Ed Wulfe needs to announce the Ritz Carlton project ASAP as well as a new timetable for the Hanover apartment tower. Ed- please tell us that Whole Foods is not leaving- in fact, I keep hoping to hear that they will increase the size of the flagship from 78,000 sq. ft. to 89,000 sq. ft.

Also, aggressively sign a mix of exclusive, destination, high-traffic retailers like: H&M, Tootsies, Ralph Lauren Flagship (I've heard they are looking at sites in Highland Village)- maybe you should offer them a high-profile, architecturally interesting space to drive traffic; Barneys New York Flagship (I've heard they are scouting locations as well); maybe an upscale cinema similar to the Arc Light or the Bridge Cinema de Luxe from Los Angeles- with bar/lounges included in the theatres.

Think Big but start making announcements before the rumors drive potential deals to other multi-use projects coming on line in 2009-2010.

[mls1202]

I don't really see Whole Foods abandoning the idea of a flagship in Houston (since there is not one here yet). If this "rumor" is in fact true, I would see them moving to one of the other mixed use developments, perhaps just down Westheimer. But then again, that get's awfully close to the Kirby location.

[lockmat]

DEVELOPMENT X heard a rumor earlier today that Whole Foods is exiting the BLVD. Place project. I, for one, hope this isn't true. As a strong advocate for this project, I think Ed Wulfe needs to announce the Ritz Carlton project ASAP as well as a new timetable for the Hanover apartment tower. Ed- please tell us that Whole Foods is not leaving- in fact, I keep hoping to hear that they will increase the size of the flagship from 78,000 sq. ft. to 89,000 sq. ft.

Also, aggressively sign a mix of exclusive, destination, high-traffic retailers like: H&M, Tootsies, Ralph Lauren Flagship (I've heard they are looking at sites in Highland Village)- maybe you should offer them a high-profile, architecturally interesting space to drive traffic; Barneys New York Flagship (I've heard they are scouting locations as well); maybe an upscale cinema similar to the Arc Light or the Bridge Cinema de Luxe from Los Angeles- with bar/lounges included in the theatres.

Think Big but start making announcements before the rumors drive potential deals to other multi-use projects coming on line in 2009-2010.

I don't know how the tenant signings work. But why would they need to make official announcments? Do tenants COME to projects on their own, or are they 'RECRUITED'? If they're recruited, isn't the development company telling them who they've signed already?

[LTAWACS]

I'm not sure but the sooner they start on this thing the better.

[TheNiche]

I don't know how the tenant signings work. But why would they need to make official announcments? Do tenants COME to projects on their own, or are they 'RECRUITED'? If they're recruited, isn't the development company telling them who they've signed already?

A little bit of both, in truth, but the situational response to your question depends on which party you're asking.

[swtsig]

DEVELOPMENT X heard a rumor earlier today that Whole Foods is exiting the BLVD. Place project. I, for one, hope this isn't true. As a strong advocate for this project, I think Ed Wulfe needs to announce the Ritz Carlton project ASAP as well as a new timetable for the Hanover apartment tower. Ed- please tell us that Whole Foods is not leaving- in fact, I keep hoping to hear that they will increase the size of the flagship from 78,000 sq. ft. to 89,000 sq. ft.

Also, aggressively sign a mix of exclusive, destination, high-traffic retailers like: H&M, Tootsies, Ralph Lauren Flagship (I've heard they are looking at sites in Highland Village)- maybe you should offer them a high-profile, architecturally interesting space to drive traffic; Barneys New York Flagship (I've heard they are scouting locations as well); maybe an upscale cinema similar to the Arc Light or the Bridge Cinema de Luxe from Los Angeles- with bar/lounges included in the theatres.

Think Big but start making announcements before the rumors drive potential deals to other multi-use projects coming on line in 2009-2010.

man, i sure as hell hope that isn't true.... a flagship whole foods would KILL at BLVD place.

[DevelopmentX]

More on the rumors of Whole Foods abandoning Ed Wulfe's BLVD Place. Evidently, retailers across the street are telling people that Whole Foods has pulled out of the deal. If true, then this is a major blow for Ed Wulfe. Without Whole Foods, he has no new retail anchors on which to pull in all the high-end retailers needed to lease out the square footage.

If all of these rumors are true, then this might explain why the Ritz Carlton deal has still not been publically announced- 4-5 months after Wulfe suggested it would be disclosed.

The schematics of Whole Foods are no longer on Wulfe's website.

Hoping that someone can verify these rumors. For my part, I hope this is not true. I was the most vocal supporter of 2727 Kirby when naysayers insisted that the "plug had been pulled on the project" and look at it now.

I'd like everyone to check in with their contacts and clarify this issue ASAP.

Thanks

[swtsig]

More on the rumors of Whole Foods abandoning Ed Wulfe's BLVD Place. Evidently, retailers across the street are telling people that Whole Foods has pulled out of the deal. If true, then this is a major blow for Ed Wulfe. Without Whole Foods, he has no new retail anchors on which to pull in all the high-end retailers needed to lease out the square footage.

If all of these rumors are true, then this might explain why the Ritz Carlton deal has still not been publically announced- 4-5 months after Wulfe suggested it would be disclosed.

The schematics of Whole Foods are no longer on Wulfe's website.

Hoping that someone can verify these rumors. For my part, I hope this is not true. I was the most vocal supporter of 2727 Kirby when naysayers insisted that the "plug had been pulled on the project" and look at it now.

I'd like everyone to check in with their contacts and clarify this issue ASAP.

Thanks

that is absolutely mind-blowing if true.... how could something like that fall through? it almost seems like wulfe would have to go out of his way to lose whole foods. the scope of this project, along with the location and the fact that houston doesn't yet have a flagship WF practically makes BLVD Place a lock to land one.

this is a HUGE blow if true.

[Rweil]

that is absolutely mind-blowing if true.... how could something like that fall through? it almost seems like wulfe would have to go out of his way to lose whole foods. the scope of this project, along with the location and the fact that houston doesn't yet have a flagship WF practically makes BLVD Place a lock to land one.

this is a HUGE blow if true.

I looked on the Whole Foods website, under store development, and this location on Post Oak and San Felipe is still there. I am including the link to that page.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/newstores.html#tx

[LTAWACS]

Strange. I've not heard of anything...

[gene]

interesting

it MAY be just a rumor

i spoke to someone at whole foods headquarters in austin and they said their "in development" site is 100 percent current

and like someone posted, it is still listed

[jayshoota]

From the website:

Houston (Post Oak)

Whole Foods Market

Post Oak & San Felipe

Houston, TX

78,000 sq. ft.

Relocation. Opening date to be announced.

Does "Relocation" mean they are closing another store? Half the stores on the site have this while the other half just say the "opening date to be announced" part. Can anybody in the biz elaborate?

Edited February 12, 2008 by jayshoota

[KatieDidIt]

From the website:

Houston (Post Oak)

Whole Foods Market

Post Oak & San Felipe

Houston, TX

78,000 sq. ft.

Relocation. Opening date to be announced.

Does "Relocation" mean they are closing another store? Half the stores on the site have this while the other half just say the "opening date to be announced" part. Can anybody in the biz elaborate?

I know they just bought Wild Oats, so maybe they are restructuring. From what I've heard, its still a go.

[TheNiche]

Does "Relocation" mean they are closing another store? Half the stores on the site have this while the other half just say the "opening date to be announced" part. Can anybody in the biz elaborate?

They're closing the Whole Foods store at Woodway and Voss.

[KatieDidIt]

They're closing the Whole Foods store at Woodway and Voss.

Bummer, this is one of the easier locations to get to and find parking.

I noticed they don't have anything listed for the Woodlands. I thought they were getting one up there.

[bkjones98]

They're closing the Whole Foods store at Woodway and Voss.

I think closing this would be a positive for the flag ship. WFMI has always tried to keep the exclusivity to their brand through keeping the number of stores limited.

[ProHouston]

Bummer, this is one of the easier locations to get to and find parking.

I noticed they don't have anything listed for the Woodlands. I thought they were getting one up there.

I've never heard that The Woodlands was to get a store.

[gene]

i think alot of the woodlands residents have always just wanted a store but for some reason it hasnt worked out...

i think i remember some petition to bring one in a couple of years back or something

[MyEvilTwin]

More on the rumors of Whole Foods abandoning Ed Wulfe's BLVD Place. Evidently, retailers across the street are telling people that Whole Foods has pulled out of the deal.

If by "retailers across the street" you mean retailers at Post Oak Plaza -- haven't the owners of that location been trying to compete with BLVD Place for some time now? I think I remember something in the Chronicle a while back about competing for tenants. Could this be a deliberate misinformation effort? If a prospective tenant was choosing between signing a lease now in Post Oak Plaza and waiting a year or two for BLVD place, they might swing towards Post Oak Plaza if they heard the anchor was about to pull out of BLVD Place.

(I'm not suggesting that the rumor is right or wrong -- I'm utterly clueless -- just thinking about the source though)

[Rweil]

If by "retailers across the street" you mean retailers at Post Oak Plaza -- haven't the owners of that location been trying to compete with BLVD Place for some time now? I think I remember something in the Chronicle a while back about competing for tenants. Could this be a deliberate misinformation effort? If a prospective tenant was choosing between signing a lease now in Post Oak Plaza and waiting a year or two for BLVD place, they might swing towards Post Oak Plaza if they heard the anchor was about to pull out of BLVD Place.

(I'm not suggesting that the rumor is right or wrong -- I'm utterly clueless -- just thinking about the source though)

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[KatieDidIt]

I've never heard that The Woodlands was to get a store.

Its still on there construction website to be coming Fall 2008. A Wild Oats, of course it got bought out by Whole Foods but its still up on it. Of course this site is notorious for saying really neat things are going to come, and then it folds. <just looked at the site again> And now its not listed.

[(Otto Mation)]

Uptown residents have had a lot of fun speculating about just how enormous and feature-filled the new Galleria Whole Foods flagship store on Post Oak Blvd. will be. The Whole Foods website lists it at a massive 78,000 sq. ft. — though the page it’s on hasn’t been updated since last October.

But now from our mailbox comes this gushing report:

Rumors have been circulating

for the last week that

Whole Foods

has pulled out of Ed Wulfe’s

BLVD Place

development on Post Oak Blvd. The owners of a

prominent jewelry store

across Post Oak Blvd. have been telling people that the

deal fell through.

Is this just shopping-center trash talk? Or has something changed? Our informant provides more Boulevard Place and Whole Foods FUD:

(more…)

View the full article at Swamplot.com

[King Owl]

Nancy reiterates that a Whole Foods will be at BLVD Place.....in the same article she quotes Ed Wulfe.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...iz/5557350.html

[(Otto Mation)]

It may not count as confirmation exactly, but we now at least have repetition — from two separate sources — that the new Whole Foods Market our readers have been worrying about will in fact be coming to the Galleria area.

The first source is the Chronicle’s Nancy Sarnoff, who — after interviewing Boulevard Place developer Ed Wulfe — states that a new Whole Foods will be the anchor of Wulfe & Co.’s new mixed-use development on Post Oak Blvd. . . . though it won’t open until 2010.

The second source is . . . a little unusual. We’ll tell you about it in our next post.

• Get ready for more retail this year [Houston Chronicle]
  
• Is Whole Foods Coming to Boulevard Place . . . or Not? [swamplot]
  
• Supermod Boulevard Place: Replacements First [swamplot]
  

Boulevard Place Whole Foods image: DMJM H&N

View the full article at Swamplot.com

[C2H]

I hope the above is true but based on some comments i've read on this forum regarding Nancy Sarnoff's lack of accuracy, i question if her information can really be trusted.

[TheNiche]

I hope the above is true but based on some comments i've read on this forum regarding Nancy Sarnoff's lack of accuracy, i question if her information can really be trusted.

Nancy is far from perfect, but my experiences in dealing with her have been far better than with her collegues. It's the difference between a small specific error or lack of grammatical clarity and having what you've said torn apart, words reconfigured, meanings butchered, all within what was supposed to be the safety of quotation marks.