BLVD Place/Hanover Towers/Apache Headquarters

[sttombiz]

st michael's will want to have some creative control over the project like every church wants in every project around town. (well at least every well recognized catholic church)

my primary concern is the displacement of 5050 ambassador way residents (hopefully it will not happen)

but wulfe needs pay for his newly acquired $3 mil house in memorial

[ProHouston]

s post lane is east of ambassador. I saw the map, but St Michael's backyard (bazaar area) sits directly west of the center now. also, Wulfe has been in talks with 5050 Ambassador in order to get them to sell but the residents will not, but nothing more has been said to them. both St Michael's and 5050 are watching the project closely.

See this Uptown Houston map, it shows that 5050 Ambassador is not included in the BLVD Place plan nor does the proposed connection of South Post Oak Lane with Ambassadors Way go thru this property (see below).

With or without 5050 Ambassador's Way, I think BLVD Place will commence on schedule. It doesn't appear that any of their plans hinge on this property.

[wendyps]

A poster on the Woodland Heights BB posted this. She found it on a google news search. I didn't find any other posts about it (no way can I be the first on here to know something!!!), but there were a few topics about activity in the Galleria area...

...Local developer Wulfe & Co. announced Thursday that 21 acres of prime Galleria-area land will become a major mixed-use site for retail, office, hotel and condominiums, anchored by Houston's flagship Whole Foods Market.

Located at Post Oak Boulevard and San Felipe, it will be called BLVD Place (pronounced "Boulevard Place").

The project is set to break ground at the end of this year and open in 2009, with parts opening much sooner.

The project's plan boasts 600,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and boutique office space, as well as 800 residential high-rise units and a luxury hotel/condominium with 300 hotel rooms and 80 condos.

..."BLVD Place is perhaps the most significant new development in the area since the Galleria, and 21 acres is about as big as the original Galleria," Breeding said.

David Crossley, president of the Gulf Coast Institute, a nonprofit group promoting quality of life issues, thinks the project's impact will be significant.

"As a very large urban mixed-use project, it may become a model for future developments in Houston," he said. "It will add more urbanity to the western part of Houston, which should be interesting."

Landing Whole Foods as the anchor is a coup, said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a national retail consulting and investment banking firm in New York City.

Getting a 80,000-square-foot Whole Foods flagship store is "gigantic," Davidowitz said. "It almost guarantees the success of the entire project."

[ProHouston]

This one is well documented in the following thread. Thanks for keeping us updated.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...p;hl=blvd+place

[wendyps]

Thanks, I KNEW this board must know something about it! I just wasn't able to find it.

Moderators, go ahead and delete if you would...

[Captain Impossible]

When is this scheduled to start? I just took a job at 93Q and I'll have a great view of this.

Edited November 5, 2006 by Captain Impossible

[hokieone]

This sucks, I liked Eatzi's. Hopefully they'll open another one soon, I don't think there was a lack of business:

Eatzi's Closes

[Houston19514]

This sucks, I liked Eatzi's. Hopefully they'll open another one soon, I don't think there was a lack of business:

Eatzi's Closes

Man, that does suck. They should open one in Houston Pavilions OR in the base of One Park Place Apartments.

[UrbaNerd]

AFAIK, they're going to reopen in the BLVD place project.

(from what I heard in the Video on Wulfe's website)

"Every attempt is being made to maintain the well known retailers in the center, including Eatzi's"

Edited November 16, 2006 by UrbaNerd

[groovehouse]

Yup... I hear they are tearing down the whole corner of the block there for the new Whole Foods/mid-rise housing/shopping center!

[Pumapayam]

It is fine, I am sure they will find a great spot somewhere again.

Sucks that Central Market and Whole Foods copied their tradmark format.

That is what I call "a Wal-mart" move.

[skwatra]

that sucks. i never made it there. hope they reopen somewhere in Houston.

[Parrothead]

Thank god, I was gonna freak out! I love me some Eatzi's!!

[ProHouston]

It is fine, I am sure they will find a great spot somewhere again.

Sucks that Central Market and Whole Foods copied their tradmark format.

That is what I call "a Wal-mart" move.

Whole Foods has been around much longer than Eatzi's. I'd even venture to say that Central Market has as well.

[Pumapayam]

Whole Foods has been around much longer than Eatzi's. I'd even venture to say that Central Market has as well.

I can't speak for Whole Foods, but I can pretty much confirm that Central Market was born after Eatzi's.

[Houston19514]

I can't speak for Whole Foods, but I can pretty much confirm that Central Market was born after Eatzi's.

Whole Foods was around long before Eatzi's. You are correct about Central Market being born after Eatzi's.

If they reopen in Houston, I would expect it would be somewhere other than in the same shopping center as a new flagship Whole Foods, but ya never can tell.

It seems very odd that they would close so suddenly and just drop orders they've already taken. That suggests to me that they are not in a good relationship with Wulfe and want out NOW (and won't be back for BLVD Place.)

Edited November 16, 2006 by Houston19514

[Pumapayam]

It seems very odd that they would close so suddenly and just drop orders they've already taken. That suggests to me that they are not in a good relationship with Wulfe and want out NOW (and won't be back for BLVD Place.)

Maybe they can temporarily setup an abreviated shop at the soon to be forgotten "Surprises" nearby.

[pineda]

It seems very odd that they would close so suddenly and just drop orders they've already taken. That suggests to me that they are not in a good relationship with Wulfe and want out NOW (and won't be back for BLVD Place.)

I knew their old location was being torn down, and I had heard that they were in negotiations with Wulfe for a new location. Their overhead is supposedly outrageous, and maybe they just couldn't make the numbers work for them. I'm going to miss them! Out here, the closest thing we have to it is Panera's or Pie Town. BTW, has anyone heard if Dean & Deluca is coming out to the Woodlands area? If so, when & where? Thanks!

[Moose]

Houston Business Journal

From the article:

"EatZi's Market & Bakery was expected to close its doors at 6 p.m. on Nov. 16.

The shelves at the bakery were nearly empty by Thursday afternoon and several employees at the store confirmed they were notified that the store was to be shuttered at the end of the business day.

Store employees have informed customers that all future orders, including Thanksgiving orders, will not be filled.

In fact, The Houston Business Journal had an order for an event next week and was informed today that the store was closing."

------------------------------

I've noticed that Eatzi's quality and selection has slipped some the past few times I've gone, but I was not expecting this. They always did crazy business at lunch and a solid dinner take-out. Plus, I've been to plenty of holiday parties where the host just stocked up at Eatzi's.

[musicman]

repeat post...should be merged

[Pumapayam]

repeat post...should be merged

Poor Moose, just missed the chance.

[ProHouston]

Whole Foods was around long before Eatzi's. You are correct about Central Market being born after Eatzi's.

If they reopen in Houston, I would expect it would be somewhere other than in the same shopping center as a new flagship Whole Foods, but ya never can tell.

It seems very odd that they would close so suddenly and just drop orders they've already taken. That suggests to me that they are not in a good relationship with Wulfe and want out NOW (and won't be back for BLVD Place.)

Hmm, here is what I found out. Whole Foods opend in Austin in 1980, Central Market opened in Austin in 1994, Eatzi's was developed in Dallas in 1996.

Also, this is interesting (conspiracy theories begin), according to Wikipedia:

The chain's Atlanta, Houston, and Rockville locations abruptly closed in mid-November 2006.

[buildingunbuildingrebuilding]

Dallas Morning News reports this morning that Dallas location was sold back to its founder and all other locations closed. Doesn't sound like they will be reopening in BLVD Place.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...is.31bb0e7.html

[MidtownCoog]

I had been thinking Eatzi's was a trend whos time had passed.

But if you can't cook I suppose it was good.

[hokieone]

I don't think the trend had passed. I was hoping they would eventually open up a second location closer to downtown even. For lunch, for some reason no one I know of had sandwiches as good as theirs. Even though it seems like it shouldn't be complicated, they actually used good meats, had good bread, and I never have found anywhere else that seems to do it as well. While upscale, it was the closest thing to a take out place I know of.

hopefully someone sees there is a market for it and opens a similar concept around houston. It was always pretty busy when I went there.

[MidtownCoog]

I keep waiting for Pret a Manger.

YUM!

[houstonmacbro]

This sucks, I liked Eatzi's. Hopefully they'll open another one soon, I don't think there was a lack of business:

Eatzi's Closes

this was one of the first restaurants i ate at when i moved back to houston. it was take-away, but still...

while i am no longer living in the west loop area, i am sad to see them go. they had a great concept, great service, and fantastic foods (although $11 salads are a bit much for me unless once a month or so).

they will be missed.

[Parrothead]

BTW, has anyone heard if Dean & Deluca is coming out to the Woodlands area? If so, when & where? Thanks!

Are you kidding?!?!!?

[ssullivan]

Wow, how sad. I've been out of town the last couple of weeks and too busy to keep up my HAIF habit during that time, so I had no idea. I was just in there about five days before they closed too, and wondered if something was up just because there seemed to be a lot less variety in the take-out cases. I still have some cookies I bought on that trip there in the freezer.

I'll definitely miss Eatzi's. While I can cook quite well, with my work travel schedule stocking up on groceries and cooking doesn't always make sense, and Eatzi's was one of my regular spots to run in and get a good meal to take back home.

I will definitely miss them, although places like Whole Foods, Central Market, and Yapa are still around with similar things.

And I ditto MidtownCoog's vote for Pret a Manger in Houston! They could make a fortune with locations in areas like Downtown, Uptown/Galleria, Greenway, and the TMC.

[SWM]

Does the closing of Eatzi's negatively impact or delay this project in any way?

[ricco67]

I seriously doubt it.

While Eatzi's is/was a local institution, I seriously doubt it would even be a blip on the corporate radar was far as it affecting a project such as BLVD place. If was was a tenent with a signed contract, they might have some recourse, but I seriously doubt they would care otherwise.

[Pumapayam]

They are lazy, the sign is still up.

[TxDave]

This may have been addressed in another thread, but I am looking for info about the redevelopment of the southwest corner of Post Oak and San Felipe.

The real estate professionals I work with have mentioned several new retailers planned for this project (prime national retailers), but they referred to it as 'the Pavilion project'. Is this similarly named to the Downtown Pavilions project, or are my sources confused?

Either way, any info on development at this site would be appreciated.

[Houston19514]

This may have been addressed in another thread, but I am looking for info about the redevelopment of the southwest corner of Post Oak and San Felipe.

The real estate professionals I work with have mentioned several new retailers planned for this project (prime national retailers), but they referred to it as 'the Pavilion project'. Is this similarly named to the Downtown Pavilions project, or are my sources confused?

Either way, any info on development at this site would be appreciated.

BLVD Place

[bcnet]

Here is a HAIF thread discussing the project.

BLVD Place

[ricco67]

BLVD Place

Here is a HAIF thread discussing the project.

BLVD Place

I know of redundant threads, but redundant referrals??

[Subdude]

Closing this one.

[TxDave]

I have been hearing great things from my real estate contacts about the national reatilers going into this project. It should be a great addition to the Uptown/Post Oak area.

Any news on the development progress?

[The New Juniper]

I have been hearing great things from my real estate contacts about the national reatilers going into this project. It should be a great addition to the Uptown/Post Oak area.

Any news on the development progress?

They are a year out at best.

[ProHouston]

I have been hearing great things from my real estate contacts about the national reatilers going into this project. It should be a great addition to the Uptown/Post Oak area.

Any news on the development progress?

Can you name the retailers?

[Houston19514]

They are a year out at best.

A year out from starting construction?

[ricco67]

I'm anxious for this project to get started, I want afton oaks to get swamped with traffic.

[Houston19514]

They are a year out at best.

I'll ask again. Do you mean to say they are at least a year away from starting construction? If so, why do you say that?

[ProHouston]

UPDATE:

Hunan and the neighboring art gallery are now closed in the Pavilion. However, America's is still open. Additionally, we already know that EatZi's is closed, well so is Blue Plate. I take this as a sign that leases are expiring and as they do, we should start seeing construction begin.

[what]

same development ^^

i don't think anyone can find enough tenants to go into a 300,000 sf of space at this location. Keep in mind, those properties have been vacant/empty with over 100,000 sf + of space for several years in just part of the property...it wouldn't surprise me if over 200,000-250,000 sf + has been vacant now that i think about it a little more. They had a hard enough time filling those two properties when they were at their prime. Partly because there was already too much duplication of tenants in the area from Steak houses, bookstores, jewelry stores,etc. i will ck. back maybe after 3 years after light rail finishes carving in front of it and closing every business in its path first...i have difficulty even reading comparisons of this to H. Pavilions when this seems no where close to materializing in my opinon. The safe bet for most is downtown in the long run and thats why i think Cafe Annie's is going to move out of this location at San Felipe/PostOak and has decided to move downtown where they are opening 2 new restaurants.

[jmancuso]

did eatzi's reopen somewhere else while this is going on? yeah, i drove by that strip center and it looked pretty desolate.

[largeTEXAS]

If all goes as planned, construction should start in the next few weeks.

[what]

i don't think anyone can find enough tenants to go into a 300,000 sf of space at this location. Keep in mind, those properties have been vacant/empty with over 100,000 sf + of space for several years in just part of the property...it wouldn't surprise me if over 200,000-250,000 sf + has been vacant now that i think about it a little more. They had a hard enough time filling those two properties when they were at their prime. Partly because there was already too much duplication of tenants in the area from Steak houses, bookstores, jewelry stores,etc. i will ck. back maybe after 3 years after light rail finishes carving in front of it and closing every business in its path first...i have difficulty even reading comparisons of this to H. Pavilions when this seems no where close to materializing in my opinon. The safe bet for most is downtown in the long run and thats why i think Cafe Annie's is going to move out of this location at San Felipe/PostOak and has decided to move downtown where they are opening 2 new restaurants.

one more time...IF... it even breaks ground it will be difficult to get enough tenants to fill it. this is the problem this location has now, which is why it is being torn down in my opinion. i think that stores in the galleria are extremely cautious about venturing outside of the galleria into projects along post oak and in fact ended up moving back into the galleria like cartier did for example. others were not as fortunate and simply closed. This area also has too many duplicate types of stores already . isn't the developer of Saks and this new concept the same. it seems that they are talking about tearing down/re-building to target the same high-end users who won't go there now and/or that there really weren't enough of to go there in the first place ?

[ProHouston]

one more time...IF... it even breaks ground it will be difficult to get enough tenants to fill it. this is the problem this location has now, which is why it is being torn down in my opinion. i think that stores in the galleria are extremely cautious about venturing outside of the galleria into projects along post oak and in fact ended up moving back into the galleria like cartier did for example. others were not as fortunate and simply closed. This area also has too many duplicate types of stores already . isn't the developer of Saks and this new concept the same. it seems that they are talking about tearing down/re-building to target the same high-end users who won't go there now and/or that there really weren't enough of to go there in the first place ?

I believe BLVD Place will be hugely successful. They have put together an urban, mixed use development that is nothing like what you see today. You're not considering the inclusion of the high rise residences, the high rise hotel, the new urban Whole Foods, etc. They aren't simply tearing down what is existing to build an updated strip center. Review the plans earlier in the post and let us know if you still think this development won't be successful, let alone break ground.

Edited March 8, 2007 by ProHouston

[what]

I believe BLVD Place will be hugely successful. They have put together an urban, mixed use development that is nothing like what you see today. You're not considering the inclusion of the high rise residences, the high rise hotel, the new urban Whole Foods, etc. They aren't simply tearing down what is existing to build an updated strip center. Review the plans earlier in the post and let us know if you still think this development won't be successful, let alone break ground.

ok. i will. But any grocery store seems odd for the tenant mix...i think it takes away more than ads to that location ? not sexy...