East End/EaDo Real Estate

[AtticaFlinch]

Chinatown no longer

Neighborhood rebrands itself as EaDo — ‘east downtown’ — as it undergoes a cultural shift with a new look and identity

Chinese pagodas, with sun-faded green tiles and gold columns, decorate a concert venue in this area east of downtown, a reminder of this neighborhood’s ethnic heyday as Houston’s Chinatown.

But like many Houston neighborhoods, this one is ebbing and flowing into a new identity.

Its new residents — urban professionals, entrepreneurs and young singles — are touting it with the trendy moniker of EaDo, short for “east downtown.” They're holding a debut party of sorts Saturday at Francisco Studios, dubbing it “EaDo Palooza” to help create buzz about the restaurants, bars and art businesses that have opened in recent years.

It's a significant cultural shift for a neighborhood with roots going back decades.

full article

Guh... The two alternatives were just as bad. Saint E? Sounds like the city canonized Ecstasy. Which wouldn't be so bad, I suppose, if those old warehouses were converted into rave space instead of apartments.

The neighborhood name will come on its own, without marketing experts and committee panels making the decision for us.

[Dan the Man]

Saint E? Sounds like the city canonized Ecstasy. Which wouldn't be so bad, I suppose, if those old warehouses were converted into rave space instead of apartments.

[JLWM8609]

The neighborhood name will come on its own, without marketing experts and committee panels making the decision for us.

I've always thought of that area as sort of a buffer between Downtown and Third Ward. How about DownThird or ThirdTown? It sounds just as contrived as EaDo or ugh... Saint E.

Edited October 19, 2009 by JLWM8609

[Jeebus]

Guh... The two alternatives were just as bad. Saint E? Sounds like the city canonized Ecstasy. Which wouldn't be so bad, I suppose, if those old warehouses were converted into rave space instead of apartments.

The neighborhood name will come on its own, without marketing experts and committee panels making the decision for us.

I agree. I took an informal poll of my friends at a birthday party tonight, and the most common reply was "Old Chinatown" and "The Warehouse District".

Whatever it is, you can't make me call it "Eado" no more than you'll make me call the Galleria "Uptown".

Here's the link: http://www.eadohouston.com/ :barf:

[samagon]

The only problem with 'Old Chinatown' or 'warehouse district' is, when all the old buildings are ripped up (and this is Houston, it will happen) the buildings that help to identify the name to the area will be gone, 50 years from now, people will scratch their heads and say, "what makes this area Old Chinatown? All I see are condos and townhomes?"

They could go with something like they did for Upper Kirby, or Washington District... Upper St. Emanuel District, or "USED" for short (pronounced "you-zed" so we don't get it confused with any negative connotations that BMW has been working so hard to get rid of by using the word Pre-Owned).

In all seriousness, no matter what name is 'given' to the area, it will be a bad one, unless they wait for one street to stand out over the others as the major thoroughfare, and just name the area after that.

Edited October 19, 2009 by samagon

[barracuda]

I don't know if they're still there, but I recall signs on northbound 59 and 288 indicating the "Chinatown" district just before you reach DT (Gray St. exit). I wonder if they'll eventually place "EaDo" signs in their place.

[VicMan]

I don't know if they're still there, but I recall signs on northbound 59 and 288 indicating the "Chinatown" district just before you reach DT (Gray St. exit). I wonder if they'll eventually place "EaDo" signs in their place.

AFAIK those signs have been whited out. It was strange seeing "Chinatown" disappear. I have not seen the EaDo signs yet...

[samagon]

AFAIK those signs have been whited out. It was strange seeing "Chinatown" disappear. I have not seen the EaDo signs yet...

I think there is still one on the 45 exit to downtown going northbound. I have to go to the grocery store tonight, I'll look for it and see if I can snap an iphone shot.

[mkultra25]

The only problem with 'Old Chinatown' or 'warehouse district' is, when all the old buildings are ripped up (and this is Houston, it will happen) the buildings that help to identify the name to the area will be gone, 50 years from now, people will scratch their heads and say, "what makes this area Old Chinatown? All I see are condos and townhomes?"

I've thought the same thing about the Vietnamese street signs in Midtown. Just had lunch at Cali Sandwiches a couple of weekends ago, and on the way there noticed that a trendy restaurant had appeared on the corner where Pho Cong Ly used to be. Pretty far removed from when metal window shutters were installed in the wake of a drive-by shooting there.

[LTAWACS]

I agree. I took an informal poll of my friends at a birthday party tonight, and the most common reply was "Old Chinatown" and "The Warehouse District".

Whatever it is, you can't make me call it "Eado" no more than you'll make me call the Galleria "Uptown".

Here's the link: http://www.eadohouston.com/

Everyone I know calls the galleria area "Uptown". I've heard ppl say:

Person says, "Yeah I work in the gallera"

Me, "Oh yeah that's right they DO have a visible changes in there"

Person, "No I mean in the galleria area"

Me, "Oh you mean UPTOWN"

Person, "Huh? Downtown?"

Me, "No... I mean UPTOWN"

Person, "I'm lost lol. Well whatever. All I know is that from my house in Katy I take I-10 or get on the westpark tollway"

Me, "Get out of my office."

[kylejack]

Everyone I know calls the galleria area "Uptown". I've heard ppl say:

Person says, "Yeah I work in the gallera"

Me, "Oh yeah that's right they DO have a visible changes in there"

Person, "No I mean in the galleria area"

Me, "Oh you mean UPTOWN"

Person, "Huh? Downtown?"

Me, "No... I mean UPTOWN"

Person, "I'm lost lol. Well whatever. All I know is that from my house in Katy I take I-10 or get on the westpark tollway"

Me, "Get out of my office."

So not everyone you know calls the Galleria area Uptown. For example, Person does not call it Uptown, but you do. I call it "the Galleria area".

[LTAWACS]

Oh and by looking at the map on the site, it should really be called South East Downtown...

So not everyone you know calls the Galleria area Uptown. For example, Person does not call it Uptown, but you do. I call it "the Galleria area".

I hardly know this person. It was an example of various conversations I've had throughout the years I've been in Houston. And you're right. Not EVERYONE I know calls it that. Just 99.97% of them.

[AtticaFlinch]

Everyone I know calls the galleria area "Uptown". I've heard ppl say:

Person says, "Yeah I work in the gallera"

Me, "Oh yeah that's right they DO have a visible changes in there"

Person, "No I mean in the galleria area"

Me, "Oh you mean UPTOWN"

Person, "Huh? Downtown?"

Me, "No... I mean UPTOWN"

Person, "I'm lost lol. Well whatever. All I know is that from my house in Katy I take I-10 or get on the westpark tollway"

Me, "Get out of my office."

Did the person actually say "lol"? I would have made someone get out of my office for that crime against the English language alone.

[LTAWACS]

Did the person actually say "lol"? I would have made someone get out of my office for that crime against the English language alone.

No they didnt. It was more like a nervous laff. Because she was about to mention she lives in katy. Dont worry... EaDonians/EaDonites will laff the same way soon.

Edited October 19, 2009 by LTAWACS

[rsb320]

No they didnt. It was more like a nervous laff. Because she was about to mention she lives in katy. Dont worry... EaDonians/EaDonites will laff the same way soon.

I'm partial to "Easton".

[CHiPs]

No they didnt. It was more like a nervous laff. Because she was about to mention she lives in katy. Dont worry... EaDonians/EaDonites will laff the same way soon.

This is how the conversation will go:

Person#1: I live on Live Oak.

Person#2: Where is that?

Person #1: "Eado"

Person #2: Oh, you mean the East End.

Person#1:

Edited October 19, 2009 by CHiPs

[AtticaFlinch]

This is how the conversation will go:

Person#1: I live on Live Oak.

Person#2: Where is that?

Person #1: "Eado"

Person #2: Oh, you mean the East End.

Person#1:

Let's call it Eatopia and be done with it.

Just thinkin'... that would be a good name for a restaurant.

[kylejack]

I still like East End, and Near East End for the warehouse stuff if you like.

[samagon]

I still like East End, and Near East End for the warehouse stuff if you like.

this makes too much sense, therefore, this is not a trendy enough name.

[kylejack]

By the way, Yelp is throwing gasoline on the fire by throwing an EaDopalooza later this month http://www.yelp.com/events/houston-yelp-presents-eado-palooza

[crunchtastic]

By the way, Yelp is throwing gasoline on the fire by throwing an EaDopalooza later this month http://www.yelp.com/events/houston-yelp-presents-eado-palooza

Heh. Scene-chasers on YELP tend to have the attention span of a gnat, so the fire will burn out quickly.

I'll continue to do my part to support the greater East End by hitting the sweet spot this week (aka the Dowling/Leeland intersection) for a Sparkle burger, and an after dinner treat from the Royal Crown liquor store.

[Subdude]

By the way, Yelp is throwing gasoline on the fire by throwing an EaDopalooza later this month http://www.yelp.com/events/houston-yelp-presents-eado-palooza

Gee, combining "Eado" and Lollapalooza. Could they be any more self-consciously hip?

[kylejack]

Gee, combining "Eado" and Lollapalooza. Could they be any more self-consciously hip?

EaDoCon

[LTAWACS]

Let's call it Eatopia and be done with it.

Just thinkin'... that would be a good name for a restaurant.

What kind of food would they have? Like taco truck food?

[LTAWACS]

I'll continue to do my part to support the greater East End by hitting the sweet spot this week (aka the Dowling/Leeland intersection) for a Sparkle burger, and an after dinner treat from the Royal Crown liquor store.

I thought you quit drinking Night Train... ?

[AtticaFlinch]

Heh. Scene-chasers on YELP tend to have the attention span of a gnat, so the fire will burn out quickly.

I'll continue to do my part to support the greater East End by hitting the sweet spot this week (aka the Dowling/Leeland intersection) for a Sparkle burger, and an after dinner treat from the Royal Crown liquor store.

Whatever you do, don't do the double. It's an insurmountable challenge that even if you beat it, you still lose.

What kind of food would they have? Like taco truck food?

With a name like Eatopia, you know it's going to give you heartburn.

[samagon]

I thought you quit drinking Night Train... ?

First he went to Joose, now he's doing a mixer of Joose and Drank, they call it the JooseDrank, it is kind of like a redbull vodka, but different.

[totheskies]

I don't know what all the fuss is about with EaDo... over half of the city still has no earthly idea where EastWOOD is, so it's not like they're going to find Eado anytime soon.

Houston east of I-45 doesn't exist... unless it's near the airport.

[LTAWACS]

I don't know what all the fuss is about with EaDo... over half of the city still has no earthly idea where EastWOOD is, so it's not like they're going to find Eado anytime soon.

Houston east of I-45 doesn't exist... unless it's near the airport.

Wrong. 96.7% of the locals dont know where DOWNTOWN is. Ugh.

[kylejack]

Wrong. 96.7% of the locals dont know where DOWNTOWN is. Ugh.

Told somebody in Spring that I live in downtown yesterday, she asked me which part, Montrose or Heights or what?

[LTAWACS]

Told somebody in Spring that I live in downtown yesterday, she asked me which part, Montrose or Heights or what?

They will never learn. Ughlol.

[mkultra25]

I don't know what all the fuss is about with EaDo... over half of the city still has no earthly idea where EastWOOD is, so it's not like they're going to find Eado anytime soon.

I'm waiting for the inevitable ad campaign featuring Boz Scaggs singing the "EaDo Shuffle".

[arisegundo]

I don't know what all the fuss is about with EaDo... over half of the city still has no earthly idea where EastWOOD is, so it's not like they're going to find Eado anytime soon.

Houston east of I-45 doesn't exist... unless it's near the airport.

"Here Be Dragons" would be a neat neighborhood name.

[samagon]

Exciting times this weekend, Saturday I get home from some grocery shopping and plop down in front of my TV (blazing saddles was on) and I hear a loud bang and my house rattles. So I turn off the TV and go onto my front porch and do a cautious visual inspection of my exterior. Nothing out of place, no one visible. So I plop back down in front of the TV and turn it back on, but have the sound real low, just in case.

Sure enough a minute or two later, glass breaks. I am quicky mcgee on the phone to 911 and stand by the front door ready to flee if need be. as I am finishing up my conversation with 911 two late teens kids are moving through my kitchen. I yell at them (while still on the phone with dispatcher) to leave my F---ing house. One of them looks at me with a deer in the headlights expression for a moment then they bolt the same way they entered.

About 20 seconds later I hear sirens, and about 10 seconds later the police are pulling up in front of my house.

within 1 minute 2 other cruisers showed up and did some searching for these kids, but didn't find anything.

More than anything I wanted to alert everyone that something happened, and see if anyone else had any recent happen to them either.

The descriptions of the kids aren't that great, and could describe a large chunk of the population, but I'll give it regardless.

two kids, both similar in build and hair style.

5'8" - 5'10"

hispanic

late teens possibly early 20s

140-160lbs

very short cut hair

clean shaved

upon further inspection of the exterior of my house, they looked in through the kitchen window (they stood on and broke a junction box off the exterior) and probably saw a 30 year old RCA tv I had sitting in my spare room, cause they didn't even look from the kitchen into the rest of the house, they went straight for that room.

needless to say, I am currently in the market for an alarm, and I was planning on getting a dog as a companion in the next 6 months to a year, which I will now speed that process up. as far as the dog goes, I had already pretty well set myself on a norwegian elkhound based on their traits, and now I'm sure of that selection (they are very territorial and will bark menacingly at anything weird going on around the house, in addition to the other traits I liked).

I'm a bit confused on the security system though and reading online references and reviews isn't of much help. does anyone (either in the area, or other areas) have first hand experiences they are willing to pass along? response times, customer service after the sale, cost, quality, etc.

also, my fiance wants me to put up a fence, are there any reputable installers? what options do I have in this realm?

stay safe, and thanks to all for any input!

[kylejack]

Wow, that sucks. My condolences. That sounds scary as hell.

[RedScare]

The dog is a good choice. While the elkhound looks sufficiently mean, any dog with a good stern bark is acceptable. My boxer looks and sounds sufficiently mean. Luckily, few people know that he is really just a puss. Burglars tend to have a healthy respect for dogs, as they are apparently afraid of being bitten. A fence is useful and needed to go with the dog. My dogs spend much of the day barking at passersby at the front gate. Mostly, they are barking at other dogs, but if someone gets close to the fence, the bark changes to a much more menacing and insistent bark, causing me to go look outside.

I believe that monitored alarm systems are a ripoff, but to each his own. Burglars tend to know that when an alarm goes off, they have 10 to 15 minutes before the police arrive. Like car alarms, because so many people set their alarms off inadvertantly, they lose their effectiveness. If you really want an alarm, a local alarm with a loud localized siren on the outside of the house would seem to be more effective at getting neighbors to look outside, and burglars to leave quickly. Silent alrms strike me as useless. I cannot ever recall hearing of the police catching a burglar in the act due to a monitored alarm. I can think of much better uses for $300-500 per year, such as motion sensitive lighting.

Some may suggest cameras. Remember that cameras do not catch anyone. However, if a suspect is found in another house, a good quality picture or video can help identify the burglar in your house. Neighborhood police may also recognize the guy if he has been active for awhile.

Finally, simply parking a car in your driveway can be a good deterrent. Burglars do not like occupied homes, as your thugs showed. A home that appears occupied is usually skipped for one that looks empty. However, since you had your television on, it sounds like your thugs may have been too stupid to notice.

[CHiPs]

Sorry to hear what happened. Wow, the response time was excellent. Guess it helps to have Mr. Trevino as our neighbor. Thanks for the heads up.

[LTAWACS]

Glad you're ok. Perhaps you should consider a gun. That way you would be prepared to handle things if they decided they wanted your TV anyway.

[TheNiche]

Glad you're ok. Perhaps you should consider a gun. That way you would be prepared to handle things if they decided they wanted your TV anyway.

I second that and recommend a 12GA shotgun. Load birdshot if your walls are thin and you've got people in the house. Otherwise, go with #1 buckshot. Don't use a choke. A bayonet could come in handy in close quarters.

[AtticaFlinch]

I second that and recommend a 12GA shotgun. Load birdshot if your walls are thin and you've got people in the house. Otherwise, go with #1 buckshot. Don't use a choke. A bayonet could come in handy in close quarters.

I like the machete for close quarters action.

As an added side benefit, if they pull out a knife of their own, you get to do a Crocdile Dundee impression: "Crikey! That's a wicked sheila!"*

*Note: I get easily confused when it comes to Australians. They all look alike to me.

[kylejack]

How about a shotgun with a mounted bayonet?

[Highway6]

How bout a personal flamethrower?

[AtticaFlinch]

How about a shotgun with a mounted bayonet?

I have a buddy who built one of those. He put a laser sight on it to quicken his reaction time too. He called it his zombie gun, but it would have worked beautifully on house burglars as well.

Edit: It also had a pistol grip and a folding stock. This gun was 360 degrees of awesome.

Edited January 11, 2010 by AtticaFlinch

[RedScare]

Clearly, you people all have maids...and free lawyers.

[AtticaFlinch]

Clearly, you people all have maids...and free lawyers.

Who needs a lawyer when we've got free legal advice on HAIF?

[TheNiche]

How bout a personal flamethrower?

My grandfather was initially trained to operate a flamethrower, but the fumes made him vomit uncontrollably so they reassigned him. But...he did learn all about the guts of the flamethrower, and as a machinist after the war he did repair one that was owned by someone out in Bastrop County. They are legal to own and operate, btw, and even to build and sell if you have the know-how. Not very practical for home defense, though.

I can only imagine that this is the scene on that guy's ranch every New Year's Eve:

How about a shotgun with a mounted bayonet?

Yeah, that's what I meant by my earlier remark.

[RedScare]

Who needs a lawyer when we've got free legal advice on HAIF?

I know it is fun to fantasize about blowing burglars and other thuggage into the next life, but EVERY shooting goes before the Grand Jury. Taking one's chances by going in alone runs the risk of the jury misunderstanding one's intentions and returning a murder indictment. While an attorney for a Grand Jury appearance can run several thousand dollars, defending a murder indictment can cost tens of thousands.

Now, as for the method of ridding the world of your favorite thug, I've seen a few crime scenes in my day. Few of them were neat or orderly. If you are lucky, you shoot him with less than Dirty Harry's dogleg, and the bullet does not leave the body. Fewer holes means less blood. Also, hopefully he bleeds on linoleum, or some other surface that does not absorb the blood. Otherwise, the blood soaks into the surface and you are stuck with it for awhile. If you're one of those cowboys that fancies blowing the guy to smithereens, you'll have smithereens all over your carpet, walls and furniture. Good luck cleaning that up. And, heaven forbid you aim for the head. Brain matter splattered on walls can make even a seasoned detective puke. Oh, and if you miss, repairing all of your walls and belongings can be expensive. Oh, and did I mention that, your home now being a crime scene, you can expect a dozen or so cops to be stomping through for up to 2 days afterward? Oh, and don't forget the exhaustive interviews about what happened. And, no, you don't just get to tell the story once.

This is why I prefer to simply make my home less attractive to burglars. While talking tough on internet forums and Chronicle comment sections can make one feel really tough to a bunch of strangers, I promise you none of us will want to come watch the Super Bowl at your house until you have tidied things up a bit. And, let's face it, no one sounds tough discussing what solution of bleach best cleans blood stains or what brand of rubber gloves is best to keep body fluids off you. And, who the hell wants to chill in your crib, knowing a guy died there?

Sorry for the reality check. Now, back to the tough guy talk.

[kylejack]

Texas grand juries are pretty friendly to armed homeowners. Perhaps a little too friendly if the case of Joe Horn is any indication.

[Highway6]

Seems KyleJack has the solution to RedScare's messy reality check.... Chase them outside. Then blow them away.

[TheNiche]

Sorry for the reality check. Now, back to the tough guy talk.

This is why I changed my load to buckshot. Dead men cannot be called as a witness. But I agree, making your home unattractive to burglars is Step One.

Seems KyleJack has the solution to RedScare's messy reality check.... Chase them outside. Then blow them away.

Note that that strategy only works if they are actually taking something of yours with them. If they hadn't burgled yet and were only trespassing at the point that you chased them out of your home, then shooting them creates a legal mess for you.