ArchFan Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 I agree that WF probably screwed up by downsizing this location. Originally, it was planned to be as big as the flagship WF in Austin. I was looking forward to something akin the the flagship store, which would have filled the void left by Eatzie's demise. Personally, I find the underground parking convenient if/when I drive there after work. Other times, when I walk, I find it odd that the developers made access so unfriendly to pedestrians -- all the access routes are designed for car traffic. The shortest route for a pedestrian walking from the north requires cutting cross-country through the cheap ligustrum hedge or else going further to contend with automobile traffic at the entries for them. I do shop there anyway, because it is closer to my home and my office. However, I actually prefer shopping at the WF on Alabama or the one in Montrose. Ultimately, I will go to the Central Market in Highland Village more often (despite the crowds there, which I don't like) because they have a better selection. CM has a much better selection of stuff that I like to buy, such as breads and Spanish and Italian hams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Archfan,Have you mentioned this to anyone with Ed Wulfe. Terrible decision and hopefully they'll see the error in their ways and make some alterations. I'd let them know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Personally, I find the underground parking convenient if/when I drive there after work. Other times, when I walk, I find it odd that the developers made access so unfriendly to pedestrians -- all the access routes are designed for car traffic. The shortest route for a pedestrian walking from the north requires cutting cross-country through the cheap ligustrum hedge or else going further to contend with automobile traffic at the entries for them.They must have felt confident that there would never be pedestrians on Post Oak Blvd through the usable life of the store. Which was stupid of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkylineView Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 So, as many of you know, I live two blocks away. While I have walked to WF several times, I generally drive since the underground parking is outrageously convenient (seriously, this is the number 1 feature of the location, and I cannot overstate the greatness of the design). That said, I have a huge issue with the store. Regardless of the time of day or day of the week, there are never enough people working the registers. Without exception, I spend 10+ minutes in line, each time, every time. The weird part is... it doesn't matter how many people are in the store. The store can be empty... I still wait 10 minutes. The store can be packed... I still wait 10 minutes. Why bother when I can go to any other grocery and not wait in line. Also, what's the deal with the prepared foods? Again, there are never enough people working there. The point of this location should be flow... get in, get out. Instead, it's easy to park, but then you get trapped inside with no one to help you. Hire some more people... I'm begging. I want this place to be a success. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 interesting comment...I live on post oak and work 2 blocks from Whole Foods...I go in (almost) daily either at 815am or at 515pm to grab something to eat or drink etc and never wait more than 1 person or 2 in line at the "express" checkout so I haven't had to deal with a regular check out lane yet....maybe try a little different time of day than you usually go or maybe I am just lucky that I never actually shop for more than 10 items haha! it has been nice to see this place get a little busier because I too love my WF! (I will note that there is one express check out worker who is VERY slow...she moves in such slow motion that its almost like she is moving backwards in time haha...so I always avoid her register ) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkylineView Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Good comments Gene. Since I'm usually buying beer, I'm too lazy to walk to the far end where the express is. I will say... I went there Friday at 5pm sharp. No express checkouts were open, only 3 registers working. I just don't understand their business plan. When people are buying basket-loads of single-item prepared foods, you need more people working the stands. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxtethogrady Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Personally, I find the underground parking convenient if/when I drive there after work. Inside the Beltway in DC, something like BLVD Place could not survive without some covered parking. Especially for a high-end grocery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I know it's weird to say but this project has become a letdown, even with the future towers.This was going to be so much more dense and cohesive. Unless they get the perfect tenants, how will the space on Post Oak lane survive with no Post Oak Blvd and San Felipe visibility. Maybe I'm overstating the disappointment. They still have an opportunity to redesign the unbuilt spaces and make it into a place more like CityCentre. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I know it's weird to say but this project has become a letdown, even with the future towers.This was going to be so much more dense and cohesive.Unless they get the perfect tenants, how will the space on Post Oak lane survive with no Post Oak Blvd and San Felipe visibility. Maybe I'm overstating the disappointment. They still have an opportunity to redesign the unbuilt spaces and make it into a place more like CityCentre.upon my view, RIVER OAKS DISTRICT just came out of nowhere, and grabbed basically every ounce of momentum / thunder that the BLVD PLACE had going for it. let us please remember, some of the tony boutique's that are now headed for ROD, were at one time pinpointed as per BLVD PLACE. it certainly seems to me, that BLVD PLACE is now trying in earnest to reposition itself. where is that gorgeous proposed RITZ CARLTON that we all know was once slated for this development? why is it now so very sparse, as opposed to it's once promising and yet ambitious plan of high end retailers and such? we shall all just have to wait and see... as well as pray... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 upon my view, RIVER OAKS DISTRICT just came out of nowhere, and grabbed basically every ounce of momentum / thunder that the BLVD PLACE had going for it. let us please remember, some of the tony boutique's that are now headed for ROD, were at one time pinpointed as per BLVD PLACE. it certainly seems to me, that BLVD PLACE is now trying in earnest to reposition itself. where is that gorgeous proposed RITZ CARLTON that we all know was once slated for this development? why is it now so very sparse, as opposed to it's once promising and yet ambitious plan of high end retailers and such? we shall all just have to wait and see... as well as pray... You are right about the tenants, but I am just speaking from a design perspective mainly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 other major cities have multiple luxury retailer clusters. timing has a lot to do with where a store is ultimately located; delays and alterations in design at blvd place may have lost them a retailer or two. (all that really matters is that tom ford is coming to houston.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 (all that really matters is that tom ford is coming to houston.)Yes I was running out of places to buy $700 sunglasses. Just kidding. I think it's also significant Dolce & Gabanna is returning. Wikipedia states the first one in the US opened in the Galleria, but later vanished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beparr Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 I don't get how the parking garage is a negative.... Similarly to the flagship whole foods in Austin, the garage makes parking infinitely more convenient. It's dedicated to the store, it's covered and climate controlled, it has parking space indicators and you're rarely more than 100' from the entrance. Exactly, I can't think of a better plus. Wait until summer when it is 100 degrees and raining (at the same time!!), your car is in the shade and protected. I can't believe all the negative posts here. WF has only been opened a few months and already people are citing its demise (some comments a month ago). It does take some time to readjust and fine tune the program, give them a break. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placoors Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 Gray Matters on the new urban-suburban Whole Foods: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/The-new-urban-suburban-Whole-Foods-6117506.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I just wanted to let everyone know that North Italia http://northitaliarestaurant.com/locations/houston/ opened up the other day and i LOVE it! great food, good prices (3 to 6pm happy hour m-f and ALL DAY SUNDAY!) i really like the decor, then the atmosphere and the food is really great (margherita pizza, the roasted artichoke and the olive oil cake are all favorites so far...) but its the STAFF that really makes the place...the bartenders especially are personable and cool and have had a blast a few times already sitting at the bar and hanging out drinking, eating and meeting some super cool people. check it out! (south side/middle of the building) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I just wanted to let everyone know that North Italia http://northitaliarestaurant.com/locations/houston/ opened up the other day and i LOVE it! great food, good prices (3 to 6pm happy hour m-f and ALL DAY SUNDAY!) i really like the decor, then the atmosphere and the food is really great (margherita pizza, the roasted artichoke and the olive oil cake are all favorites so far...) but its the STAFF that really makes the place...the bartenders especially are personable and cool and have had a blast a few times already sitting at the bar and hanging out drinking, eating and meeting some super cool people. check it out! (south side/middle of the building)ok. thanks gene for the heads up regarding north. their foods look fresh / handmade / and simply remarkable! i shall definitely be heading that way for sure... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Apache tower moving forward: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/04/permit-filed-for-apaches-new-tower-in-the-galleria.html A building permit for a long-discussed Galleria-area tower for Houston-basedApache Corp. (NYSE: APA) has been filed at 1770 Post Oak Blvd., valuing the high-rise office building at $172 million. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 (edited) A building permit for a long-discussed Galleria-area tower for Houston-basedApache Corp. (NYSE: APA) has been filed at 1770 Post Oak Blvd., valuing the high-rise office building at $172 million.The filing of a permit seems to indicate the company plans to move ahead on the tower, although representatives from Apache declined to comment on the permit and said the company has no immediate plans for the site. Apache's current headquarters is nearby at Post Oak Central, where the company occupies nearly 500,000 square feet.http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/04/permit-filed-for-apaches-new-tower-in-the-galleria.html?ana=twt urbannizer beat me Edited April 15, 2015 by Mab 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Apache tower moving forward:http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/04/permit-filed-for-apaches-new-tower-in-the-galleria.htmlWow!!! Such great news. Did not expect this at all. I am happy to hear. Same design from before? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota79 Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Wow!!! Such great news. Did not expect this at all. I am happy to hear. Same design from before?Best news ever!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 I hope its the same design. I really liked the footprint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Would be another nice addition to the Uptown skyline. Apache just sold an Australian subsidiary for $2.1 billion, supposedly to refocus on North America. That might give them some capital to move forward on this. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 so...is the rendering in urbanizer's comprehensive going up! thread the most current that we know of? i just posted it on the haif facebook page but it seems as though that design was early on...and we know how these things change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 so...is the rendering in urbanizer's comprehensive going up! thread the most current that we know of? i just posted it on the haif facebook page but it seems as though that design was early on...and we know how these things change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 there was a slight redesign early last year - nothing major. no idea if it's changed since then, though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-TownChris2 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Can somebody post the latest known rendering? This was like a 30-ish story tower, wasn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota79 Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 The HBJ updated the story to say the permit was filed in 2013 (when oil was $100 barrel) and that Apache has no immediate plans for the site. How long is the permit good for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 there was a slight redesign early last year - nothing major. no idea if it's changed since then, though. Is this happening or still on hold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Is this happening or still on hold? they posted this link that was just published yesterday:http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/04/permit-filed-for-apaches-new-tower-in-the-galleria.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Apache Corp announced they will be closing their tula office and relocate some to Houston, in line with what will become one of three super regions. .I was just wondering does this increase the odds of them building their tower or decrease it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curbur Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Apache Corp announced they will be closing their tula office and relocate some to Houston, in line with what will become one of three super regions. .I was just wondering does this increase the odds of them building their tower or decrease it?Super regions? I'm intrigued now and I didn't find anything searching via Google, so if you'd care to elaborate on that I'd appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 http://m.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2015/06/01/apache-restructures-including-new-leadership-plans.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxtethogrady Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I'm not sure the relocations are going to generate the demand for the new building. Apache's been under pressure from activist shareholders to "maximize shareholder value". Which is often code for sell or break up the company. It certainly does not favor new office construction - especially when oil is still only $59 a barrel. We'll see if these plans get revisited when oil hits $75 a barrel again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amashgo Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 A couple of months back (April?) development sent out asking for pricing updates on the project. But this would be the 3rd or 4th time they asked people to price and it didn't seem like much came of it; my understanding was it was purely a budget update and no design change since early last year. I personally like the building and think it would be a good add, but with all the stop start on this and with the way oil is (market fluctuations were the reason the project kept getting put on hold) it seems like it'll never happen. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted October 21, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2015 Phase II going through the city planning commission. Will be a multifamily high-rise and potentially, Apaches new HQ. SubdivisionPlatPDF_15-2162 CITY PLANNING LETTER.pdf 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 ^^^ props urbannizer, as per this BLVD PLACE update. i had totally forgotten about this development.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTHONYHTOWN Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 i thought i heard that apache is going through some hard times which might not give them the opportunity to build, anyone knows if this would be correct or maybe they would hold on before building? thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amashgo Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) i thought i heard that apache is going through some hard times which might not give them the opportunity to build, anyone knows if this would be correct or maybe they would hold on before building? thanks. I thought I heard the same, but apparently a contractor was selected a month or two ago, so I would imagine they are moving forward (for real this time)... Edited October 21, 2015 by amashgo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Awesome. Blvd place has such a big presence on Post Oak. Great to have some more vertical presence as well. Plus the grass lot where the Apache Tower will go should fill the void.Wonder how the BBVA residential/hotel project is going? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 So it'll have multi-fam and Apache HQ in the same building? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amashgo Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I thought I heard the same, but apparently a contractor was selected a month or two ago, so I would imagine they are moving forward (for real this time)... Just a thought though, a contractor was selected for 6 Houston Center like 2 years ago and we see where thats at. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 In 2012, Apache bought a site in BLVD Place on Post Oak at San Felipe to build a new tower, but never broke ground. Since oil prices began to fall, the company has been laying off workers and its CEO has stepped down. Earlier this year the company said it had no immediate plans to develop the site."Apache has been reviewing various options for its long-term facility needs, including the possibility of constructing a new building at 1770 Post Oak Blvd.," according to a company statement emailed to the Chronicle Tuesday."The lease extension gives Apache additional time to review all possibilities and make the best decision for the company. A final, long-term facility decision will be made after a thorough review of all options with a focus on what makes the most sense financially and strategically for the company."http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Apache-extends-lease-in-Post-Oak-Central-6608320.php?t=6d4f7022d5438d9cbb&cmpid=twitter-premium 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 http://realtynewsreport.com/2015/11/12/the-future-of-houston-and-its-shopping-centers-qa-with-ed-wulfe-the-dean-of-texas-retail-real-estate/ BLVD Place is a long-term, mixed-use complex of many parts. Our goal when we first started BLVD Place about eight years ago was that we wanted to raise the development bar along Post Oak and help lead the area to the next level and into the 21st century. We envisioned that there was a strong need and opportunity to create in Uptown a whole city where people can live, work and shop and show Houston’s urbanization process was underway. We’ve finished the first and second phases of BLVD Place, which are about 95 percent leased. The third phase — retail integrated with office — is scheduled begin sometime next year. It will be similar to the first and second phases — two levels of retail and four levels of office. The fourth phase, which will be multifamily residential with some offices, is still in the planning stages. Apache Corp. also owns a large site in BLVD Place with plans to build its corporate headquarters. The Uptown/Post Oak area is a super strong and substantial urban marketplace, a city within a city. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 From SSP: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7233069&postcount=9350 I see some activity next door to Hanover residential tower in Blvd Place. Construction crew has been parking there and maybe they are doing soil testing? I believe the plan is to have a hotel/residential high rise on that spot. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 I read yesterday that Anadarko's deal to purchase Apache fell through. I wonder if somebody else will move in and try and buy them? If so, bye bye headquarters, yes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 I read yesterday that Exxon might step in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Urbannizer Posted November 16, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 16, 2015 Soil testing @BLVD Place http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7237241&postcount=9355 C/o ooooaaah! on SSP. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2015/11/exclusive-major-multifamily-developer-under.html The Hanover Co. is under contract to buy land in the Galleria area, possibly for a new luxury apartment project. The Houston-based multifamily developer plans to purchase a parcel of land just south of its Hanover Post Oak luxury apartment tower off South Post Oak Lane. The deal is expected to close by mid-January. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Their Post Oak tower is severely underrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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