BLVD Place/Hanover Towers/Apache Headquarters

[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.

[Jax]

Whole Foods

Is there going to be a Whole Foods inside Blvd place? Isn't there already a Whole Foods just a block or two away?

[ChrisPHous]

Is there going to be a Whole Foods inside Blvd place? Isn't there already a Whole Foods just a block or two away?

I think the closest one is on Woodway near Voss. This whole foods will work but is kinda unnecessary since there is Rice across the street, Randalls a block away, and Kroger further down San Felipe.

[stmkit37]

I would definitely drive to this one over the Voss/ Woodway store. The Voss store is the smallest WF in the Houston area, and they have a pretty small selection of items.

Sad to see America's go, but was lucky to dine there on their last weekend open. Food was delicious AS ALWAYS!

[Golyadkin]

It's not gone forever. There's an Americas at West Gray and Shepard. I'm just kicking myself that I didn't stop buy and eat there at least once in the 4 years that I lived across the street.

[largeTEXAS]

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.

Not true. If the developer had wanted to develop to the sidewalk, aka zero lot line, it could have. The developer caved under pressure from some of the retailers, especially Whole Foods. It's a shame. Such a great-looking and permanent-looking project except the dang parking strip in front. Too bad.

Edited September 13, 2011 by largeTEXAS

[citykid09]

Not true. If the developer had wanted to develop to the sidewalk, aka zero lot line, it could have. The developer caved under pressure from some of the retailers, especially Whole Foods. It's a shame. Such a great-looking and permanent-looking project except the dang parking strip in front. Too bad.

I agree, Why did they not put it up to the street? You would think that with the rail eventually going through and with other mixed use developments like the BBVA Compass Bank development down the street going up that they would want to make it pedestrian friendly.

[swtsig]

I agree, Why did they not put it up to the street? You would think that with the rail eventually going through and with other mixed use developments like the BBVA Compass Bank development down the street going up that they would want to make it pedestrian friendly.

b/c we're in houston and the automobile rules all.

[JamesL]

I agree, Why did they not put it up to the street? You would think that with the rail eventually going through and with other mixed use developments like the BBVA Compass Bank development down the street going up that they would want to make it pedestrian friendly.

Just speculating, but could they be anticipating some property takings when the rail line is built?

[Golyadkin]

Not true. If the developer had wanted to develop to the sidewalk, aka zero lot line, it could have. The developer caved under pressure from some of the retailers, especially Whole Foods. It's a shame. Such a great-looking and permanent-looking project except the dang parking strip in front. Too bad.

There is a law that you can't build within 15 feet of the property line along a major road. That's the reason the Perennial Post Oak development two lots down from BLVD Place filed a variance request: so they could build 1 foot from the property line and not 15 feet.

[largeTEXAS]

There is a law that you can't build within 15 feet of the property line along a major road. That's the reason the Perennial Post Oak development two lots down from BLVD Place filed a variance request: so they could build 1 foot from the property line and not 15 feet.

Exactly, that's all - a variance request. Had Wulfe wanted to built to the curb, he could have, almost without resistance. No one in the city would have protested. A development of this quality and scale should not be allowed to add a row of parking in the front. Houston needs to get its act together.

[Golyadkin]

I don't see how the parking is such a problem. It serves as a drop off area and provides a small amount of store-specific spots that couldn't be put in a garage. It doesn't affect the walkability of the development in any noticeable way.

[lockmat]

Exactly, that's all - a variance request. Had Wulfe wanted to built to the curb, he could have, almost without resistance. No one in the city would have protested. A development of this quality and scale should not be allowed to add a row of parking in the front. Houston needs to get its act together.

I think we all agree it would have been simple to get a variance approved, however I firmly disagree that putting a row of parking, "should not be allowed." Having a row of parking is neither right or wrong. Better or worse is up for debate as it's opinion.

[infinite_jim]

It's psychological. The apron parking desgin is a conditioned response for drivers that says "hey! come over here!"

Given the current speed limit on Post Oak Blvd a setback is necessary for greater signage cognition. A zero lot line design would dispostiion many motorists to circling the block. In effect a pedestrian design would turn away paying customers. So let's not kind ourselves into thinking the super block master planning of the Galleria area can be hammered into pedestiran scale density overnight. Post Oak Blvd needs to develop as a linear corridor first before it can re-reoute or grade level separate it's modes of transport.

[Golyadkin]

Signs of progress! Over the past two days, they've erected a chain-link fence around the entire site. Looks like they are going to get some work started soon.

[Sellanious Caesar]

This project is in a suburban business district, in Uptown Houston. It's not downtown, Greenway Plaza, nor Texas Medical Center and its outside the loop. Although I would like to see less parking lots between sidewalks and storefronts and more garages or parking lots behind the shops, it wont be taking place in Uptown. Uptown is primarily suburban, you know it and Houston knows it.

I do like this project though, I'd support shopping there over the Galleria if I were to be in the neighborhood to shop.

[Golyadkin]

The project will have some limited parking along the front, but will be primarily served by two parking garages: one in the back behind building 6 (the only building currently completed) and one under the Whole Foods.

[lockmat]

This project is in a suburban business district, in Uptown Houston. It's not downtown, Greenway Plaza, nor Texas Medical Center and its outside the loop. Although I would like to see less parking lots between sidewalks and storefronts and more garages or parking lots behind the shops, it wont be taking place in Uptown. Uptown is primarily suburban, you know it and Houston knows it.

I do like this project though, I'd support shopping there over the Galleria if I were to be in the neighborhood to shop.

But you have to admit the Galleria/Westheimer area is not your typical "suburban" area; it's not even close to say, Katy. It's more urban than most places inside the loop, wouldn't you say?

[SkylineView]

Good evening all!

After trawling this forum for 2 (?) years I'm happy to have something to add. They have now put up a chain-link fence and black semi-transparent material around the entire San Felipe / Post Oak / S Post Oak Blvd Lane site. The fence has been up about a week. There were several fine gentlemen out this afternoon doing various ground level activities with a backhoe. While I am not ready to announce that the site is "under construction", this is a significant step away from the grass field that we have all enjoyed for the last few years.

I'm looking forward to future growth in the area. Have a great night.

[Golyadkin]

Pictures I took around 3:30 this afternoon:

The old Pavilion building. It's falling apart:

And they have removed some of the columns:

And they've laid down about 2-3 feet of dirt all over the site across Post Oak Ln. from BLVD Place:

[burgower4]

http://www.blvdplace.com/Downloads/BLVD_Place_Plans.pdf

I look at this site plan for offices and it say Bloomingdale on it?? do you think blvd place is getting a Bloomingdale??

[fatesdisastr]

http://www.blvdplace...Place_Plans.pdf

I look at this site plan for offices and it say Bloomingdale on it?? do you think blvd place is getting a Bloomingdale??

That certainly looks like the case to me

[Houston19514]

http://www.blvdplace.com/Downloads/BLVD_Place_Plans.pdf

I look at this site plan for offices and it say Bloomingdale on it?? do you think blvd place is getting a Bloomingdale??

That certainly does say Bloomingdale's. Not sure it necessarily means anything...

[houRealtor]

Hello HAIF community! I'm very new to this site and am quite thrilled to find there are so many enthusiasts regarding urban development. I know this question has probably been answered, but is that really cool looking high rise that's depicted in the photo gallery still going to be built?

[Golyadkin]

Nope. As of now, the word is that the two sites that the highrises were to stand on were sold to other developers and the current BLVD Place site has no planned highrises as part of it.

[Golyadkin]

I just got an email from the BLVD Place mailing list that confirms that there is going to be a Pinkberry here. What this tells me is the map that burgower4 found is accurate.

[KinkaidAlum]

If the Ritz Carlton hotel and condo tower and the Hanover luxury apartment tower are both gone then essentially all that is being done is replacing an older strip mall and mall with a fancier new one.

[Golyadkin]

If the Ritz Carlton hotel and condo tower and the Hanover luxury apartment tower are both gone then essentially all that is being done is replacing an older strip mall and mall with a fancier new one.

Well, a significantly nicer one that will have a Whole Foods and potentially a movie theater.

Also, the condo tower isn't cancelled, it's just being done by a different developer as a separate project. Last I heard it's still going to happen as planned.

Edited October 17, 2011 by Golyadkin

[swtsig]

hate to be the bearer of bad news, but i wouldn't hold my breath on this project (at least not in its current proposed rendition)... word is a major investor pulled out very recently.

and the hits keep on a'coming!

[burgower4]

http://www.blvdplace.com/Downloads/BLVD_retail_Plans.pdf

The blvd place website put a new site plan. The site plan still does not have the stores listed but it does look a little different which also include a 3 story anchor store I just hope they start this project soon

[rsanford]

Building 2 also changed - several small stores were combined into one.

[lockmat]

http://www.blvdplace...etail_Plans.pdf

The blvd place website put a new site plan. The site plan still does not have the stores listed but it does look a little different which also include a 3 story anchor store I just hope they start this project soon

It seems the main changes are that the anchor store will replace what was supposed to be a movie theater and the third and fourth floors are now exclusively restaurant space. Seems like a good strategy, trying to get fewer big tenants than many small ones. Guess the smaller ones are less likely to expand?

[Nick_G]

Any updates on this project? I have not seen much progress since they fenced it off.

Also to

Sellanious Caesar who stated

"This project is in a suburban business district, in Uptown Houston. It's not downtown, Greenway Plaza, nor Texas Medical Center and its outside the loop. Although I would like to see less parking lots between sidewalks and storefronts and more garages or parking lots behind the shops, it wont be taking place in Uptown. Uptown is primarily suburban, you know it and Houston knows it.

I do like this project though, I'd support shopping there over the Galleria if I were to be in the neighborhood to shop. "

Uptown may not be in the loop but uptown council is actively promoting development in the area as a business district, high density housing is going in left and right, it is actually arguably one of the most walkable areas in Houston and the power lines are for the most part below ground.

http://www.uptown-houston.com/images/uploads/FactBook.pdf

Many of the inside the loop areas including River Oaks, Montrose, and Midtown have above ground power lines, this by itself gives those areas a suburban feel (if I am being nice, the look of a third world country if I am being honest). I currently live in Uptown because it is as urban a feeling as I can find in Houston while also not having to see homeless people walking about, boarded up shops, or mass exodus during weekends. I do wish it was closer to downtown, a swap of locations of Uptown and River Oaks or Montrose would be ideal such that I could have access to Buffalo Bayou Park. A train line Running down Westminster starting in Uptown and running through Highland Village, Montrose and eventually linking up with the Red Line in downtown would really start bringing these parts of the city together.

[Golyadkin]

There has been literally nothing done on this project in well over a month now. No idea why it's stalled.

[swtsig]

There has been literally nothing done on this project in well over a month now. No idea why it's stalled.

see my post a few above yours from november - word had it that a large institutional investor pulled out a couple of months ago. that said i very recently heard that the goal is to break ground on the whole foods in march... who knows if that will actually happen though.

[jmancuso]

Looks like this project is slowly being widdled away into just another bland development.

[Nick_G]

I still have a lot of hope for it. If nothing else the location is excellent and I know there is going to be a new casual Italian restaurant in there which I am looking forward to.

As for Progress i emailed Wulfe & Co yesterday and this is the response I received from Elise Weatherall today.

"Thank you for your continued interest in BLVD PLACE. We are planning to begin construction later this spring."

[KinkaidAlum]

How many other grocery stores have been built, including Whole Foods, since this BLVD Place Whole Food was announced?

[Nick_G]

How many other grocery stores have been built, including Whole Foods, since this BLVD Place Whole Food was announced?

The recession got in the way. Yes there are other grocery stores in the area but Whole Foods is still an anchor, and it is the walkable space and the restaurants that I am looking forward to.

[Nick_G]

Colvill Office Properties promoting Pre-Leases per email

...can't get that up here at the moment without displaying my work email, but I will post the brochure when I get home so it can be seen..

and showing floor plans

http://www.blvdplace...Place_Plans.pdf

http://www.colvillof...lvd/index.shtml

Edited January 26, 2012 by Nick_G

[lockmat]

Colvill Office Properties promoting Pre-Leases per email

...can't get that up here at the moment without displaying my work email, but I will post the brochure when I get home so it can be seen..

and showing floor plans

http://www.blvdplace...Place_Plans.pdf

http://www.colvillof...lvd/index.shtml

This development didn't have office space before, did it?

[Golyadkin]

It's always had office space. The bottom two floors are for retail and the top two floors for office. That's nothing new.

I got the email as well. The only thing on it that's new is this picture:

It also lists the square footage available.

BLVD PLACE 1 will have 22,420 on each of the two levels, and BLVD PLACE 2 will have 13,640.

[Mister X]

I like that they still have these renderings at their website. Gives me hope that this project could still amount to something spectacular as soon as the money starts rolling again.

Edited January 26, 2012 by Mister X

[Pumapayam]

I like that they still have these renderings at their website. Gives me hope that this project could still amount to something spectacular as soon as the money starts rolling again.

Considering that made the effort to create a parking garage, they should have taken advantage of the Post Oak side and pulled the stores up to the street with a common sidewalk. I thought they have variances they could get for this.

[lockmat]

I like that they still have these renderings at their website. Gives me hope that this project could still amount to something spectacular as soon as the money starts rolling again.

I'm wondering if the project is just too big and bank loan requirements are just too stiff?

[Nick_G]

Considering that made the effort to create a parking garage, they should have taken advantage of the Post Oak side and pulled the stores up to the street with a common sidewalk. I thought they have variances they could get for this.

Seriously, this is this kind of thing that has been driving me crazy. I understand Houston is a driving city and that developers need to plan for that, I also understand that someone being able to see a free space out front might just be the last bit of motivation needed to entice them to stop and shop. However, do the developers truly believe their properties will fail if there are no parking spaces right out front?

Posk Oak is becoming very developed and once you add the train line in there the traffic is probably going to get pretty ridiculous, which combined with the number of apartments and condos going up will cause more people to walk (crosses fingers). How do we get someone to plan specifically for that? We can do away with the sports authority strip center or the one across the street from BLVD place.

['Stonian]

This announcement in the HBJ this morning that Randall Davis "hopes" to secure financing for a his Astoria condo tower which sits on Ed Wulfe's property speaks volume about the status and future of BLVD Place. http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2012/01/27/randall-davis-galleria-tower-rising-on.html

I think you're correct lockmat..., piecemeal is the way to go..., maybe the project as a whole is just much too large to secure financing in this post-recession environment. The best thing about the rendering of this new tower is it looks as if the strip parking adjacent to Post Oak blvd is going away, at least directly fronting of this tower!

This development needs to be more of a City Centre type design instead of an Uptown Park clone. Previously I believe Wulfe was going for something in between, but it just wasn't working. Although it appears the whole foods aspect is still intact, I'm all for a total redesign at this point.

[Pumapayam]

This announcement in the HBJ this morning that Randall Davis "hopes" to secure financing for a his Astoria condo tower which sits on Ed Wulfe's property speaks volume about the status and future of BLVD Place. http://www.bizjourna...-rising-on.html

Ah, Randall Davis, can we trust him. . . The Titan...fail...Sonoma...fail.

Now he expects us to believe him that Astoria will go forth.

I vote no, only because Randall Davis name is attached to this.

Commence with your posting of a Debbie Downer photo.

[Houston19514]

Ah, Randall Davis, can we trust him. . . The Titan...fail...Sonoma...fail.

Now he expects us to believe him that Astoria will go forth.

I vote no, only because Randall Davis name is attached to this.

Commence with your posting of a Debbie Downer photo.

What's your issue with Randall Davis? Sure he had a couple proposed projects that did not happen. Show me a developer for whom that is not the case. You listed two that did not happen. How about a list of his projects that have happened? Here's a start:

Cosmopolitan

Manhattan

Hotel Icon

Gotham

Metropolis

Renoir

St. Germain

Rice Lofts

[lockmat]

So this Davis tower is on the corner of Post Oak and San Felipe, right were the Whole Foods is supposed to go?

And you know...I wonder if part of the reason BLVD Place hasn't taken off faster is because all the changes to the plan has created a lot of uncertainty for companies thinking about renting space.

Edited January 27, 2012 by lockmat