Trae Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Empty projects that will eventually get filled one way or another and then those cities will have a heritage of mixed-use projects and we won't.They can try to fill them, because I'm sure some developer will build another (not needed) condo tower, mixed-use development, etc., right next to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Its always bad timing for Houston. Whenever Houston starts to go building crazy it gets hit by some economic meltdown right before all the really cool projects get off the ground. Very upseting!This might have something to do with Houston being a little out of phase with the rest of the nation's economic cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyEvilTwin Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 The Chronicle has a pretty long article following up on the dispute over that little bit of land that the city condemned to make a park that was very convenient for BLVD Place. A couple of interesting excerpts...Mayor Bill White and council members insist they condemned the land last year as a matter of good faith to taxpayers. The city needed some of the land to widen San Felipe and will turn the rest into the park.But documents obtained by the Houston Chronicle show the move also helped BLVD Place developer Ed Wulfe, a major donor to White, seal the deal on a $12.5 million land sale related to his ambitious mixed-use development.Councilman Peter Brown's vote to condemn the land next to BLVD Place is the kind of action the state's conflict-of-interest rules were meant to prevent. Brown is married to oil-services heiress Anne Schlumberger, who is an investor in BLVD Place. Under Texas conflict-of-interest law, a public official should recuse himself from a vote involving a property if he, his spouse or close relative has a "substantial interest," valued at more than a $2,500.In the end, the city condemned the land, offering the brothers $433,800, only $70,050 more than they paid for the property in 1982, and a million less than what Wulfe had offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 (edited) That is very interesting. It appears that the Collins brothers were getting on everyone's nerves for years. They had a tiny piece of land that was almost useless in itself but perfectly positioned to stop both a needed road widening and a major development, and they refused to sell it for a decent price, either to the Uptown Development Authority, Wulfe, or the city, instead preferring to rent it to a palm reader. Then here comes the dilemma.... Let's say you're Bill White. You have a major donor who wants to do a major project that will benefit the city, and all that's standing in his way are these stubborn brothers with their little piece of land. It would help your donor A LOT if you just condemned the land and made it a park. Things like this are done legally all the time in other states. No one would have to know. Do you do it? Of course not. It's illegal, no matter how small, and would be scandalous if ever found out. But wait... the city has been needing to widen a road running next to the land, and the land will have to be condemned and acquired anyway for the road to be widened (!). Then there's the fact that if they condemn the tract for the part that's needed for the road, they pretty much have to pay for the whole piece of land anyway. So now things are looking a little better... you get to do this thing that benefits your donor friend, and you have a perfect rationale for how it helps the city! I mean, heck, you probably would have acquired the land for the road and made the rest of it a park even if it WASN'T perfectly convenient for your friend. Right? Right? Edited December 31, 2008 by H-Town Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 That is very interesting. It appears that the Collins brothers were getting on everyone's nerves for years. They had a tiny piece of land that was almost useless in itself but perfectly positioned to stop both a needed road widening and a major development, and they refused to sell it for a decent price, either to the Uptown Development Authority, Wulfe, or the city, instead preferring to rent it to a palm reader. I read somewhere they they were willing to sell it, but they wanted a lump sum payoff, not over time, which was being offered. I can understand that when they're near the end of their life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 i heard this weekend that some potential tenants are backing out. whole foods was not mentioned but other well known companies were..unfortunately, due to the sensitivity of negotiations, i cannot disclose who they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 i heard this weekend that some potential tenants are backing out. whole foods was not mentioned but other well known companies were..unfortunately, due to the sensitivity of negotiations, i cannot disclose who they are.Does this mean that more of the smaller buildings will be put on hold? It seems only the front building is built because it started before the economy really went into the crapper. I have yet to see anything else spring up.Without the Hanover and Ritz, what else are they going to put on hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarface Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 dang this current economy is screwing us out of everything!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I hope Hermes doesn't close. They have the best soap & cologne... mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 This is going from bad to worse. Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 This is not good at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 This is going from bad to worse. Ugh! This is not good at all. Short Term Memory Man. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 This is not good at all. Damn man, do you ever think positive about anything? Everytime you post this stuff you get sarcastic responses, or did you not notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Damn man, do you ever think positive about anything? Everytime you post this stuff you get sarcastic responses, or did you not notice.Unless it serves as a random topic bump to get this thread noticed, then I guess what LTAWACS is doing is fine silly. I agree, I'd like more relevant updates on BLVD place too.I wish developers would at least publish a tentative project schedule on their websites, even if they are off track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Unless it serves as a random topic bump to get this thread noticed, then I guess what LTAWACS is doing is fine silly. I agree, I'd like more relevant updates on BLVD place too.I wish developers would at least publish a tentative project schedule on their websites, even if they are off track.I'm sure at this point it's very difficult to speculate at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 According to this hbj article, Colvill is leasing the office space. However, I don't see it listed as one of their current projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 According to this hbj article, Colvill is leasing the office space. However, I don't see it listed as one of their current projects.it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 it isI emailed them yesterday and received a prompt response. I simply asked if information would be put up on their website soon. They said yes.http://www.colvilloffice.com/property.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 You know you're a HAIFer if you email a company to update the website with proper information in regards to a project under construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 You know you're a HAIFer if you email a company to update the website with proper information in regards to a project under construction.jajaja...I think he believe I was interested in renting out space. He asked me if there were any other questions he could answer for me in the mean time. I didn't want to push it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 (edited) i am fine if they just finish this one building and then knock down the rest of the block and get that over with...that way all the tenants from the old buildings will have a new home and we can get rid of the eye sore that is the Pavillion and the Eatzi's plazaoy Edited February 11, 2009 by gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) What's the construction on San Felipe @ S Post Oak Lane? They have cleared a new driveway on the left. (Accross the street from Four Leaf Towers.)If both towers are on hold, why is there construction going on?It's in between the old Eatzi's and the Sage Plaza (Randalls shopping center) Edited February 17, 2009 by ekdrm2d1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dream Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 anyone have any news about who the new retail tenants are going to be in this development? what is the status of the development is the office still being built? the whole foods? is there a residential component moving forward? what about the hotel? i know the economy is tought right now but this is one of the top 5 locations in houston? anyone?dream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 They appear to be moving forward with the infrastructure for the project. There are workers there every day. I suppose they feel like they might have to do it since there is a lawsuit going on and it would look really bad for the City if construction for the new street and new utilities for the project also came to a hault.That's my guess.As for the residential tower by Hanover, it is on hold indefinitely. I've heard their inside design/architecture team may have even been quitfired.I can't imagine the hotel (Ritz) moving forward in this market. There is no money for projects like this in a relatively unproven high end condo market like Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 They appear to be moving forward with the infrastructure for the project. There are workers there every day. I suppose they feel like they might have to do it since there is a lawsuit going on and it would look really bad for the City if construction for the new street and new utilities for the project also came to a hault.That's my guess. As for the residential tower by Hanover, it is on hold indefinitely. I've heard their inside design/architecture team may have even been quitfired. I can't imagine the hotel (Ritz) moving forward in this market. There is no money for projects like this in a relatively unproven high end condo market like Houston. You've been banned from HAIF for spreading the bad news. . . Damn, that is terrible, I don't like that "on hold" really means, "not happening". Thanks for the update, regardless of the news. Just sad. At least West Ave. made it to it's full potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJVilla Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) They appear to be moving forward with the infrastructure for the project.This is part of the on-going Uptown improvements (both utilities and San Felipe expansion). An excerpt:San Felipe at Post Oak LaneBeginning Friday, August 1, the intersection of Post Oak Lane and San Felipe will be under construction to install a 90" storm pipe across the intersection, which will provide the future connections for work on San Felipe and the extension of Post Oak Lane south.More infor: http://www.uptown-houston.com/road/improve...provements.htmlGreat for the long-term but a hassle (San Felipe expansion & related work) that you to live with. I've been dealing with this work (on-and-off) since I moved to the area in 2002 so when I hear about opposition to general improvements across the city (light rail, etc) it kind annoys me. It's part of living in a dynamic city--you're eithering expanding or dying. Edited February 17, 2009 by JJVilla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 (edited) Thanks. Edited February 28, 2009 by ekdrm2d1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 (edited) They modifed the street lanes within the last 24 hours. I don't like it, morning traffic will become worse.Hopefully they do their work within a couple weeks. Edited February 28, 2009 by ekdrm2d1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Heads up,The intersection at Post Oak & San Felipe will be closed Friday, March 13th, 2009 thru ?The traffic is now starting to get to me. They're closing lanes on San Felipe to use the land/lanes for their big vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 From Chron on The Whole Foods (part of the BLVD Place developement.)Developer Ed Wulfe, who Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack Tripper Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 From Chron on The Whole Foods (part of the BLVD Place developement.)http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busine...ff/6310574.htmlReducing the size of the WF? Boooooooooooooooo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 An 80,000-square-foot store would have been on par with the company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Well, the land is large enough for 80,000sf. They could always add on to it later. Hopefully, we'll have a jumbo store there. I have to look at it this way: Anything being built right now is a plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 What would they do with the extra space? Parking spaces, other retail, useless concrete? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsb320 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 What would they do with the extra space? Parking spaces, other retail, useless concrete?I know. Increase the size of that bogus park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 They are lazy, the sign is still up.I thought a Whole Foods or something was moving in that space. The sign is STILL up? That was what, like two years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 I thought a Whole Foods or something was moving in that space. The sign is STILL up? That was what, like two years ago?they are. the eatzi's building still has all the signs because the building is vacant and is going to be knocked down eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 (edited) Not about the project Blvd Place.What is the latest information about the road construction on San Felipe from 610 to Sage?I noticed by the old Eatzi's, there is newly paved concrete.Lots of entrances to retail stores have the orange cones. Are they replacing pipes there?Edit:Ohh yeah! Last week I noticed the "Street Sign" at San Felipe & Post Oak was missing. The hanging facy street sign.Will it be put back, after construction? That was so cool. Edited May 2, 2009 by ekdrm2d1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Not about the project Blvd Place.What is the latest information about the road construction on San Felipe from 610 to Sage?I noticed by the old Eatzi's, there is newly paved concrete.Lots of entrances to retail stores have the orange cones. Are they replacing pipes there?Edit:Ohh yeah! Last week I noticed the "Street Sign" at San Felipe & Post Oak was missing. The hanging facy street sign.Will it be put back, after construction? That was so cool.i believe the circular sign is coming back this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 Not about the project Blvd Place.What is the latest information about the road construction on San Felipe from 610 to Sage?I noticed by the old Eatzi's, there is newly paved concrete.Lots of entrances to retail stores have the orange cones. Are they replacing pipes there?Edit:Ohh yeah! Last week I noticed the "Street Sign" at San Felipe & Post Oak was missing. The hanging facy street sign.Will it be put back, after construction? That was so cool.They relocated one of the corner posts that it hung from. No reason to believe it won't return after construction is complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 FYIhttp://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/dining/6407232.htmlGoodbye Cafe Annie; hello Restaurant RDG By ALISON COOKThese are the last days of Cafe Annie, the famous Houston outpost of Southwestern cuisine launched by celebrity chef Robert del Grande almost 30 years ago.The doors will stay open through the end of May. Then, del Grande and his partners will move the operation a few blocks south, to a location at the corner of Post Oak Boulevard and Ambassador Way. The new place -- targeted to open around the third week of June -- will gather three different dining concepts with three different menus under the umbrella name of Restaurant RDG (as in the chefs initials).On the ground floor will be the 30-seat Blvd. Lounge, described by del Grande as a drop-by meeting place for light meals, shareable hors doeuvres, cocktails and wines by the glass.Upstairs, the 80-seat Bar Annie will feature an outdoor deck extending from its front-of-the-room quarters, with a menu adapted from the current Bar Annies.Burgers, fun food, salads, all the things Houstonians like to eat, del Grande says. Fried shrimp, nachos, ceviche.Also on the second floor will be the 80-seat Grill Room, where del Grandes regional stylings will still be in play, although in less fancy form than at Cafe Annie.As Ive gotten older Im discovering I like things simpler, del Grande says. Here Ill be trying to focus on more primal fish and meats, then apply a little magic. In this era I wanted to make the restaurant more about the conviviality of dinner than the food itself.Not, he adds quickly, that the food wont be great.dine.features@chron.comBrought to you by the HoustonChronicle.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So is this thing still on or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWW Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Pretty naive question here - What are your thoughts on adding large (multiple story) signs/advertisements on the corner of the facades of developments such as BLVD Place? I can't post this on Development and Real Estate as the moderators are insisting on removing that from "Going Up", so I'll just post it on this project's thread.... I am referring to advertisements in Hollywood, CA and along Sunset Blvd., etc.... just to add to a more cosmopolitan feel and more retail oriented.... a large Ralph Lauren ad or Mikimoto or things like that...just wondering how that would impact and possibly 'spice up' Post Oak. More importantly, is anyone aware of local restrictions precluding ads such as my previous example? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUCAJUN Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 So is this thing still on or what? I passed by the other day and i saw a New Balance store about to open and Fastari. By, the way i'm back. Miss me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I passed by the other day and i saw a New Balance store about to open and Fastari. By, the way i'm back. Miss me? Thanks. And yes. Where have you been? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 I passed by the other day and i saw a New Balance store about to open and Fastari. By, the way i'm back. Miss me? First time ever seeing a post from you. But thanks for the update, glad to see some non construction activity to attract shoppers to the new site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Just a refresher. The Old Finished Project Map Current Project for this summer, with opening planned for June 2009, with the Pavilions Malls intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Anybody know what's going on this week? I think there is a closure of San Felipe @ Post Oak from 05/27 thru 06/?I think I will be using Chimney Rock, instead of the detour route on San Felipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 (edited) Galleria-Area Intersection Closed By Alana Gomez Dong Thursday, May 28, 2009 UPDATED: 7:02 am CDT May 28, 2009 HOUSTON -- A normally busy Galleria-area intersection will be traffic-free for a few days, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday. WATCH IT: Busy Intersection Shut Down For Days The intersection of Post Oak Boulevard and San Felipe Street is closed until 5 a.m. Monday. The closure is part of a project to improve San Felipe Street, eventually having three lanes going both directions and a turn lane. John Breeding, president of the Uptown Houston District, said completing the construction over the next couple of days is better than spreading it out over time. "We can go in, make all the improvements very quickly and get out of there" said Breeding "If not, it takes 12 to 15 days spread out over six weekends." But some businesses are worried the detours will also re-route their customers. "Our biggest crowd is lunch, and if they have a hard time getting in or out and they only have 30 minutes, it will really hurt," one business manager said. Other drivers said finding detours will be difficult. "I know the area pretty good, but I just don't know it well enough to actually try and get around it," said Walter Evans, who uses the intersection regularly. Breeding suggested using the recently-constructed Post Oak Lane as a detour. Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. http://www.click2houston.com/news/19587873/detail.html Edited May 28, 2009 by ekdrm2d1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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