BLVD Place/Hanover Towers/Apache Headquarters

[Urbannizer]

From Golyadkin, on SSP:

BLVD Place has had some work going on for the passed few months. They recently installed a stoplight that will service the little road that goes through the middle of the project (which they named BLVD Place Drive. Seriously? Those are all the suffixes of actual road names.) They also put up signs around the site. The ones that go with any construction project: "The building in this picture is going up at this location" and some phone numbers for leasing info. In the passed 3 weeks, there were also surveying crews working on the site and some holes were drilled, although I have no idea what for. I drive by the site about ten times a day (I'm a delivery driver for a shop a block away, and I live across the street from the site), so nothing has escaped me. The project is definitely moving. As soon as the first bit of construction equipment shows up, I will definitely let you guys know.

Link

[LTAWACS]

Cool

[lockmat]

And now there was two (down from three) towers:

[Pumapayam]

BLVD HISTORY . . .

MAY 2009

JUNE 2010

JANUARY 2011

[lockmat]

the June 2010 building labeled "7" was supposed to be a movie theater. Guess that's gone.

Other than that and the garage changing shapes and the two towers becoming one, not much has changed. Although the rotunda from the original plans would have been awesome.

I wonder how the potential Hines tower would be included in this plan? I'm guessing it would RE-take the place of one of the lost towers, naturally, so maybe they'd revert back to similar plans from last year.

Also, the southern tower is the hotel, which is to include 100 condos. There's a lot of blue space to the south and north of the tower, I wonder if those will be 4-6 stories high to surround the tower and give it a better feel?

[gene]

Its killing me that we have been waiting for this darn Whole Foods FOREVER and now the Waugh location is about to open in a couple of months!

just wanted to vent haha

[Jrnavid]

What about the Ritz Carlton?! Is it still on?

[Golyadkin]

Cool! I was quoted from another site.

The Ritz Carlton is one of those things that we probably won't know for sure until the building is done and the signs go up. Initially, it was going to be a 50+ story Ritz, then two 30+ story towers, then one 30+ story tower, then it was cancelled entirely, then they said it was going to happen, then they cancelled again. Now all we have is that there is a planned "luxury hotel" on the site.

One thing I like to see from all of the site plans is that the Hanover Residential Tower has not changed at all. That tells me those plans are pretty set, regardless of what the press releases say.

As for progress on the site, I can keep you guys updated daily as soon as something starts happening. Even more so in about a month. Right now, I'm in a unit in my building that on the first floor looking away from the site, but by the end of February, I should be moved into a unit on the 6th floor with a pretty good view over the entire site. Right now it's a giant field of grass, but, as I told SSP, the minute something interesting happens, I'll let you know.

[lockmat]

I have what I think is a reliable source that says they are supposed to break ground on the resi tower in June or July. They said this Hanover tower is their "baby" project and they really want to get it off the ground. It'll be under "close watch to make sure it turns out better than ever expected."

[fatesdisastr]

I have what I think is a reliable source that says they are supposed to break ground on the resi tower in June or July. They said this Hanover tower is their "baby" project and they really want to get it off the ground. It'll be under "close watch to make sure it turns out better than ever expected."

My fingers are crossed on that source.

[TheNiche]

I have what I think is a reliable source that says they are supposed to break ground on the resi tower in June or July. They said this Hanover tower is their "baby" project and they really want to get it off the ground. It'll be under "close watch to make sure it turns out better than ever expected."

Hanover sold the site as part of a national portfolio. It seems unlikely that Hanover would be involved again. You're probably confusing the news about the tower with news about the summer groundbreaking on the second phase of BLVD Place. And my source is Ed Wulfe, as of last month.

[bachanon]

I have what I think is a reliable source that says they are supposed to break ground on the resi tower in June or July. They said this Hanover tower is their "baby" project and they really want to get it off the ground. It'll be under "close watch to make sure it turns out better than ever expected."

in the recent issue of 002, a rendering (seen earlier in this thread, i think) of a tower for this development was included.....ed wulfe notes...."We are talking to one high rise rental developer about a site on the property. I am also excited about talks with a hotelier about a boutique property as well." 002 article

.........this is exactly what niche is talking about.

Edited April 22, 2011 by bachanon

[swtsig]

i've been under the impression that a residential highrise was back on the drawing board but niche is correct, hanover did sell the BLVD property in a portfolio dump. i was fairy confident that we would see the announcement of a major office development at BLVD Place in the near future but very recently heard that those plans may have been scrapped.... who knows at this point.

and what's the word with Whole Foods?

[TheNiche]

i've been under the impression that a residential highrise was back on the drawing board but niche is correct, hanover did sell the BLVD property in a portfolio dump. i was fairy confident that we would see the announcement of a major office development at BLVD Place in the near future but very recently heard that those plans may have been scrapped.... who knows at this point.

and what's the word with Whole Foods?

Phase II will include a limited quantity of office space and the Whole Foods. No highrises, though.

[Golyadkin]

According to the BLVD Place website, Phase II will be done in 2012. It doesn't say what part of 2012 though. I just hope they get going on something soon. I just moved into my new place about a month and a half ago, and it overlooks the site, and however nice a big field is out your window, I'd rather have a Whole Foods, or at least some construction to watch.

Currently this is my view off of my balcony:

Hopefully, once they get working, I'll have some photos of it that are actually interesting (and don't necessitate me getting dressed to take them ).

[bachanon]

According to the BLVD Place website, Phase II will be done in 2012. It doesn't say what part of 2012 though. I just hope they get going on something soon. I just moved into my new place about a month and a half ago, and it overlooks the site, and however nice a big field is out your window, I'd rather have a Whole Foods, or at least some construction to watch.

Currently this is my view off of my balcony:

Hopefully, once they get working, I'll have some photos of it that are actually interesting (and don't necessitate me getting dressed to take them ).

nice view. i look forward to your construction pics!

[asubrt]

What are they planning on doing with the building housing the America's (and seemingly nothing else these days)? I ate there a couple weeks ago and it was pretty empty, and it's between Phase I and Phase II of BLVD place as far as I can tell. Are they going to demolish it or remodel it or just leave it?

[Golyadkin]

Judging by the map on their website, it looks like they are going to demolish the pavilion and use the space for a traffic circle for drop offs/pick ups and part of the walkway between section 6 (the already built one) and sections 4 and 5:

Edited April 24, 2011 by Golyadkin

[Golyadkin]

Ok. I just had probably the 10 most enlightening minutes about this project.

As I mentioned before, I live across the street from the development. I noticed on blvdplace.com that the address for the leasing office is in the only structure currently built, and I was bored, so I decided to walk over and see if I could get any information about the project. I have no idea why I didn't do this sooner.

They were really happy to hear that this project actually has people following it and excited about seeing it go up.

Here's what I got from them (the big important things are in bold):

-In the next few weeks, they will be moving the temporary power supply for the Pavilion closer to the building, opening up the area for construction.

-Groundbreaking for Phase 1 (the Whole Foods and the little shops around it) WILL be in June.

-The residential tower (in the small block formed by Skylark and Post Oak Lane) will begin construction at approx. the same time as Phase 1.

-They are a little concerned about both projects starting at the same time, as there isn't really a lot of room their for trucks to coming and going.

-The Pavilion will be demolished in September.

-Construction on Phase 2 will begin before then end of this year.

-Construction on Phases 3 and 4 MAY being before then end of this year, and if not, than early next year.

-The project WILL contain a total of 3 towers: the residential tower, a hotel in the back, and the 10-story tower at the corner of BLVD Place Dr. and Post Oak Blvd. seen on the left in this rendering:

-Also, that rendering is apparently new. They told me that the render of final design for the exterior of the Whole Foods (that picture) was only completed last week. There was another view they had posted on their wall, but it isn't on their site, apparently.

For comparison, here's the old rendering of that angle:

-The parking garage will being construction by the end of this year. It will be 7 stories tall, and MAY have an additional 2 stories for a gym at the top.

-The person I was talking to also made mention of one of the towers being 60+ stories tall, and quickly back tracked from it. He was probably thinking of the old plans, but I like to think that they are going to build something massive and just don't want to let anyone know.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Golyadkin

[citykid09]

Ok. I just had probably the 10 most enlightening minutes about this project.

As I mentioned before, I live across the street from the development. I noticed on blvdplace.com that the address for the leasing office is in the only structure currently built, and I was bored, so I decided to walk over and see if I could get any information about the project. I have no idea why I didn't do this sooner.

They were really happy to hear that this project actually has people following it and excited about seeing it go up.

Here's what I got from them (the big important things are in bold):

-In the next few weeks, they will be moving the temporary power supply for the Pavilion closer to the building, opening up the area for construction.

-Groundbreaking for Phase 1 (the Whole Foods and the little shops around it) WILL be in June.

-The residential tower (in the small block formed by Skylark and Post Oak Lane) will begin construction at approx. the same time as Phase 1.

-They are a little concerned about both projects starting at the same time, as there isn't really a lot of room their for trucks to coming and going.

-The Pavilion will be demolished in September.

-Construction on Phase 2 will begin before then end of this year.

-Construction on Phases 3 and 4 MAY being before then end of this year, and if not, than early next year.

-The project WILL contain a total of 3 towers: the residential tower, a hotel in the back, and the 10-story tower at the corner of BLVD Place Dr. and Post Oak Blvd. seen on the left in this rendering:

-Also, that rendering is apparently new. They told me that the render of final design for the exterior of the Whole Foods (that picture) was only completed last week. There was another view they had posted on their wall, but it isn't on their site, apparently.

For comparison, here's the old rendering of that angle:

-The parking garage will being construction by the end of this year. It will be 7 stories tall, and MAY have an additional 2 stories for a gym at the top.

-The person I was talking to also made mention of one of the towers being 60+ stories tall, and quickly back tracked from it. He was probably thinking of the old plans, but I like to think that they are going to build something massive and just don't want to let anyone know.

+1 for you. Thanks for the information! Very informative! Will it be a 2 story Whole Foods? Have they gone back to the Flagship Plan or is it still a smaller one? It looks pretty big from the rendering. The should have just eliminated the few parking spots they have at the front and bring the building up to the street.

[Golyadkin]

As far as I know, it's still going to be the smaller Whole Foods.

I suspect the whole project is recessed from the street a bit because of the light rail proposals. Also, from what I read on the variance request from 2200 Post Oak, there is a city code that prohibits buildings from being within 15 feet of the property line alone a major road.

If anyone has any other specific questions on this project, I can go back in the next few weeks and I can ask them then.

[bachanon]

excellent update!! thank you!

[lockmat]

This sounds awfully aggressive, does it to anyone else?

Plus, River Oaks District may be starting up soon, too. Hopefully we'll hear something from Nancy on this.

[citykid09]

This sounds awfully aggressive, does it to anyone else?

Plus, River Oaks District may be starting up soon, too. Hopefully we'll hear something from Nancy on this.

Aggressive, but I hope its true. Hopefully Golyadkin didn't talk to someone that really didn't know what they were talking about. He did mention that the guy said a 60+?? story building was going in and then the guy said it wasn't. We will all know very soon if it is true and we know that we have a source here that can keep us updated. Thanks Golyadkin! You should work for swamplot or the Chronicle or something, LOL!

[Golyadkin]

The guy I talked to seemed to know a lot about the project, and the person at the front desk directed me to him as someone who could answer pretty much any question I had.

One thing I forgot to mention is that he said that Hines was going to be building one of the towers. He pointed to the hotel on the rendering on the wall, but I think, given the context of the conversation, that he meant the residential tower. I think he was caught a little off guard that someone had walked in off the street and was really excited about information about the project. I got the feeling that they had no idea that anyone other than them even cared that this is being built.

I'm probably going to go back some time next week to get some clarification on all of this. If you guys have any questions for them, let me know and I'll ask them.

I was too giddy and excited that they were willing to dump information on me so readily that I forgot a lot of the specific questions I had. I honestly went over there expecting them to tell me that they couldn't give out any information or something like that.

[The Pragmatist]

Swamplot just put up a story about groundbreaking occurring this fall for Phase 2.

http://swamplot.com/construction-of-new-galleria-whole-foods-market-this-fall/2011-05-20/#more-29050

[swtsig]

great info! the galleria chamber of commerce is pushing very hard to get a few more 4 star+ hotels so hopefully they can revive the ritz carlton. had you asked me a month ago i would've bet good money that a large office building was going to be part of this project (35+ stories). now.... not so much.

[Golyadkin]

Ok. So I went back today, after work failed to start in June like I was told. Here's the story I got:

-Construction cannot start until the Pavilion is gone, because the underground parking garage for Whole Foods needs some of the space it's currently sitting on.

-America's lease at the Pavilion will be up August 31st. Demolition will start in September.

-Demolition is expected to take around 3 months.

-Actual work on the site is scheduled to start in December.

-The current plans do not call for the 10 story tower pictured in the renderings or mentioned previously.

-The site in the back, on the other side of Post Oak Ln. has been sold to another developer.

-Ritz Carlton isn't part of any plans for any of the sites at this point.

[LTAWACS]

Ok. So I went back today, after work failed to start in June like I was told. Here's the story I got:

-Construction cannot start until the Pavilion is gone, because the underground parking garage for Whole Foods needs some of the space it's currently sitting on.

-America's lease at the Pavilion will be up August 31st. Demolition will start in September.

-Demolition is expected to take around 3 months.

-Actual work on the site is scheduled to start in December.

-The current plans do not call for the 10 story tower pictured in the renderings or mentioned previously.

-The site in the back, on the other side of Post Oak Ln. has been sold to another developer.

-Ritz Carlton isn't part of any plans for any of the sites at this point.

So in other words... we're getting just another strip mall, eh? As long as it has another sushi, mediterranean, or gelato place then Im sure it'll be awesome.

Edited July 15, 2011 by LTAWACS

[Golyadkin]

It's still going to be the awesome development we're expecting, just (maybe) minus the 10 story tower in front, and the rear property won't be developed by Ed Wulfe.

[Golyadkin]

Also, I went by yesterday around the Pavilion to get some pictures of it, and inside in one of the rooms (everything seemed hastily abandoned except for America's) I saw this:

I recognize the one on the left as the plans for the new YMCA downtown, but what are those other buildings?

And in another room out in front facing the main open space inside the Pavilion, I saw this, a scale model of the original plans for the site:

[KinkaidAlum]

Those are all hotel renderings next to the rendering for the downtown YMCA.

The first two were the earliest designs for the Embassy Suites in downtown. Funny that they aren't showcasing the actual design that was built!

The last two are Hilton Garden Inns. The top one is one that MCS Architects built (I believe near Chinatown) and the bottom one was a proposal being floated for downtown Houston that never came to be.

This actually worries me... Could we be going from a Ritz-Carlton skyscraper to a typical tunnel-form beige stucco cheapo design? Mitchell Carlson Stone (I think that's the name of the firm) is the architecture firm behind all of those renderings and they build blah hotels.

[LTAWACS]

Those are all hotel renderings next to the rendering for the downtown YMCA.

The first two were the earliest designs for the Embassy Suites in downtown. Funny that they aren't showcasing the actual design that was built!

The last two are Hilton Garden Inns. The top one is one that MCS Architects built (I believe near Chinatown) and the bottom one was a proposal being floated for downtown Houston that never came to be.

This actually worries me... Could we be going from a Ritz-Carlton skyscraper to a typical tunnel-form beige stucco cheapo design? Mitchell Carlson Stone (I think that's the name of the firm) is the architecture firm behind all of those renderings and they build blah hotels.

See post #897.

[Montrose1100]

beat me to it...

Edited July 15, 2011 by Montrose1100

[lockmat]

It's still going to be the awesome development we're expecting, just (maybe) minus the 10 story tower in front, and the rear property won't be developed by Ed Wulfe.

What rear property are you talking about, the part where the hotel and residential high rise were going to be built???

[Golyadkin]

The hotel tower. The residential building has been a separate property for a long time now.

[Golyadkin]

They took down the sign for Americas on the front of the Pavilion about 10 minutes ago. Looks like they are right on schedule to start demolition in September.

Edited August 26, 2011 by Golyadkin

[gene]

my god i cannot wait to see that building gone!!! now if we could just get to work on that Whole Foods!!!

[Golyadkin]

They said they need to demolish the Pavilion before they can start work on the Whole Foods. Something to do with the underground parking the Whole Foods will have.

They are scheduled to start actual site prep work in December.

[Golyadkin]

I'm on their email update list, and have been for over a year now, and today for the first time I actually received an update from BLVD Place! Looks like BLVD Place is gaining a high-end seafood/steak restaurant:

And tomorrow is the last day of America's lease in the Pavilion. Demolition is slated to begin very soon.

[burgower4]

Hello I am new here but I am so excited for this project this weekend I went to the Blvd Place webside and looked at the offices leasing are where they show a site plan for Blvd Place and let me say the stores are going to be AMAZING!! The listing of stores includes Whole Foods, H&M, a nike store, Ralph Lauren and so much more I am really excited for this project what do you think of the listings??

here is the website just click on it and click on site plan and it show it

http://www.colvilloffice.com/properties/blvd/availabilities.shtml

[Golyadkin]

I had not seen that website. The site plan PDF is great. I hadn't seen any ideas of what kind of stores/restaurants to expect there.

One thing I see is that Ocean Prime is listed as the stand alone building at 1N on the corner of Post Oak Ln. and San Felipe, while the new release I got from them says it's going to be where the Nike store is located on the site plan.

Interesting that H&M is there. There was talk that they were looking at expanding into the Houston market, and everything I have heard says they were looking at the Galleria. It'd be interesting to know just how accurate this plan is.

If I get the chance, I'll go over and talk with them and see just what they'll be able to tell me about who's leased what (if they're willing to tell me anything about that ).

[burgower4]

I had not seen that website. The site plan PDF is great. I hadn't seen any ideas of what kind of stores/restaurants to expect there.

One thing I see is that Ocean Prime is listed as the stand alone building at 1N on the corner of Post Oak Ln. and San Felipe, while the new release I got from them says it's going to be where the Nike store is located on the site plan.

Interesting that H&M is there. There was talk that they were looking at expanding into the Houston market, and everything I have heard says they were looking at the Galleria. It'd be interesting to know just how accurate this plan is.

If I get the chance, I'll go over and talk with them and see just what they'll be able to tell me about who's leased what (if they're willing to tell me anything about that ).

Yeah i do agree the site plan is great. Ocean Prime looks great and is a nice dinning concept I hope this plan is accurate. And when you go over there please ask if there is more information about the stores on the 2nd level? Thanks so ready to knock down the old pavilions so we can finally start on this project!!

[citykid09]

Welcome burgower4, +1 for you!

Looks Like BLVD place will be the Houston's Galleria of the 21st Century. Here is a list of most of the stores I found listed from just the first floor:

Badgley Mischka

Bellini

Brioni

Chopard

Cos Bar

Courage B

Diane Von Furstenberg

Gregory’s

H&M (Thats news)

Hermes (Moving)

J. Crew Collection

Jimmy Choo

John Lobb

Karen Millen

Lafco NY

Leggiadro

LMD

Luca Luca

Michael Stars

Nike

North

Peeper

Ralph Lauren

Robert Talbot

Tod’s

Vilebrequin

Vince

Whole Foods

Edited August 30, 2011 by citykid09

[burgower4]

Thanks I am so excited for this project and ED Wulfe already have some amazing stores comming

[houstonartstudent]

I've heard from a few sources that it will be difficult for H&M to enter places like the Galleria and Memorial City, as they have waiting lists to get in...whereas places like Willowbrook and Baybrook mall are easier to get into, so although the closing Borders in the Galleria would seem to be the perfect place for a new H&M, there's probably already another company looking to go in there. This would be great news for BLVD Place if they really are getting all those tenants!

[livincinco]

Welcome burgower4, +1 for you!

Looks Like BLVD place will be the Houston's Galleria of the 21st Century. Here is a list of most of the stores I found listed from just the first floor:

Badgley Mischka

Bellini

Brioni

Chopard

Cos Bar

Courage B

Diane Von Furstenberg

Gregory’s

H&M (Thats news)

Hermes (Moving)

J. Crew Collection

Jimmy Choo

John Lobb

Karen Millen

Lafco NY

Leggiadro

LMD

Luca Luca

Michael Stars

Nike

North

Peeper

Ralph Lauren

Robert Talbot

Tod’s

Vilebrequin

Vince

Whole Foods

Curious where you got that list. Last I heard H&M hadn't finalized any deals in Houston.

[houstonartstudent]

It's on the plans that you can find in the post provided just a few posts ago

Curious where you got that list. Last I heard H&M hadn't finalized any deals in Houston.

[kennyc05]

Why does the first phase have parking in the front, I thought it was suppose to be pedestrian friendly?

[Golyadkin]

It is pedestrian friendly. It's just a small strip of parking. I believe it's because of the restrictions against building too close to the properly line along major roads.