The Woodlands Town Center Developments

[texasboy]

I don't know people. Some things don't look rightin dwntwn and some things fit new urbanism ad that is the Woodlands. The two things that I wouldn't mind in downtown from Woodlands Town Center are the Borders and the sidewalk retail aligned with trees. Here are some more shots.

[bachanon]

seeing how they could have built this in downtown it makes me a little sick.

the demographics are completely different. check out page six of the market street fact sheet.

market street fact sheet

[UrbaNerd]

seeing how they could have built this in downtown it makes me a little sick.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Downtown? Are ya kidding me? I went to Market Street once, and for some reason, for me, at least, it has a similar ambiance to Rice Village, except, newer, more "planned", etc. If anything, this should go into the Heights, Midtown, or one of the neighborhoods like that. It just isn't "Downtown-ey" enough.

Nice place, though, albeit a tad faux-ish.

Yes, please excuse my usage of hyphen-isms.

[Guest danax]

it's more than just shopping, midtown coog.  you have dinner, linger, throw a frisbee, catch a movie, get some coffee.  kids are hysterical in the water jets.  you run into neighbors, coworkers and that nice lady from the express lane at HEB.  also, it's quiet in the middle of market street (except for the sound of people, music and the occasional car alarm).  what i mean by quiet is NO freeway noise.  it's almost eerie.

come visit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The quiet would be nice, but where are the trees? The Woodlands to me means tall pines with everything else as hidden as possible. I'm talking about trees within the shopping area, not surrounding it. Isn't that the theme of the Woodlands? It should be dining and shopping amid the pines. Looks like they either couldn't swing it with this project or just decided not to bother.

OK, I don't want this post to be negative because it is definitely a good thing for the residents who now no longer have to get on the freeway to dine etc. but it just looks more like the backlot of 20th Century Fox than the Woodlands. I just think they should be careful not to stray from the original Woodlands feel too much. Better than strip malls and lifestyle centers though.

[nmainguy]

Man! An Instant Downtown! As far as the demographics go, I did see one black guy as [i'm assuming] paid entertainment. All in all, however, it looks whiter than white to me...somwhat like Disneyland when I was a kid. I'll take my grungy old downtown any day of the week. Each to his own, I suppose.

[RedScare]

Pleasant, but a little too sedate and faux for my tastes, though. For those who like visiting malls for entertainment and dinner, this is a huge improvement, though. In a lesser of evils battle, I'd take this over Deerbrook, Willowbrook or Katy Mills anyday.

[SpringTX]

I don't think the suburbs needs to be downtown. Some of us like things clean, plastic, and shallow. I say that in semi-seriousness. Let the surburbs be the suburbs. Downtown isn't far away if you want to experience both. I think most Houston residents get to experience both inner-city city and suburbs on a semi-regular basis. We're talking about only a 30-minute drive from one to the other.

[bachanon]

Construction Underway on

Three New Buildings in Town Center

Three new buildings totaling 36,123 square feet are under construction in The Woodlands Town Center near The Woodlands Waterway

Edited February 6, 2006 by bachanon

[Talbot]

Looks and sounds pretty nice. Cool.

[PureAuteur]

I went to eat at Sweet Tomatoes not too long ago in the Woodlands, and driving up to it, I noticed how much things had changed even in the last 2 years.

One thing that bothers me is that now that the Waterway has been developed, the mall seems out of place. It was a really nice mall during the late 90s and early 00s, but it seems like indoor malls are starting to become obsolete. Also, it just doesn't look approriate next to the Waterway, but other than that, the Woodlands is designed almost perfectly.

I'm wondering if maybe it will get redeveloped eventually once more mixed use buildings go up and the area begins to urbanize.

[bachanon]

the woodlands mall is quite successful. there are new stores on the horizon and others expanding. so far, much of the new businesses i've read about that are going in near or on the waterway will be entertainment oriented (restaurants, bars, etc.) and will not compete directly with stores in the mall or at market street.

it will be interesting to see if the mall parking lots on the waterway side become more high-density, mixed use developments (like the new lifestyle mall extension). there is now an empty mervyn's on this side as well as a mall entrance that was originally intended for another anchor store.

[pineda]

Let's hope that this bodes well for poor, neglected Pinecroft Center. The new owners of that strip center still haven't announce any plans for revitalization. Have you heard anything, Bach?

[PureAuteur]

I'm not saying they should begin immediate transformation of the mall, but looking further ahead in time, I don't think it will be able to hold up the land value if the Woodlands becomes urbanized, and that area is prime real estate. You could easily fit a downtown the size of Portland Oregon's in that area where the mall is.

One thing they could do more immediately, which would be a compromise for those concerned about aesthetics, would be to leave the mall intact, but reduce the size of the parking lot that faces the new development. They could cut it in half even. It may be an inconvenience to some, but it sends a good messsage to move away from use of cars.

[bachanon]

no, i haven't heard anything. i'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a super target.

[houstonsemipro]

Is it true that the Woodlands getting a Steve and Berry's University Sportswear? I love this place. I shop until I drop at Alemeda Mall, and Katy Mills. Prices are $7.99 on down at Alemeda, and $9.99 on down at Katy Mills.

This would be a great addition in the Woodlands.

Edited February 9, 2006 by houstonsemipro

[Montrose1100]

Town Center? Is that like were the Marriot is? or past that, down the little canal? Because I only know of the Mall and Market Street. Gosh how many places does the Woodlands have?

[bachanon]

that's the first i've heard of steve and barry's. there are announcements pending for the retail at 21 waterway avenue and 25 waterway avenue. there is also space still available at market street.

town center is bordered by woodlands parkway on the south, lake front circle on the north (i think), i-45 on the east and grogan's mill on the west. market street, the waterway, the marriott & convention center, the mall, pinecroft center are all within the confines of "town center".

town center map

Edited February 9, 2006 by bachanon

[bachanon]

Taco Milagro, Steak 'n' Shake hunger for The Woodlands

Allison Wollam

Houston Business Journal

Restaurants chains Taco Milagro and Steak 'n' Shake are planning to expand into The Woodlands.

full story

[pineda]

Revenues are up in Town Center according to story in today's Chronicle

[bachanon]

the lot has been cleared for the taco milagro location at six pines and lake robbins. i hate seeing those pine trees gone, but i'm looking forward to the new restaurant and increased pedestrian activity.

Edited February 9, 2006 by bachanon

[bachanon]

May 30, 2006, 11:43AM

Town Center maps plan for future goals

Business district in The Woodlands creates wish list

By BETH KUHLES

Chronicle Correspondent

Since 1999, The Town Center Improvement District has accomplished most of its long-term goals, so it decided to add a few new ones.

The district recently revised its plans for the future in its 2010 visioning document.

full story

ok, on the agenda...........convention and visitor's bureau, new funding, more entertainment venues, but, aerial trams? come on.

[PureAuteur]

What's an aerial tram? and what cities or towns currently have them?

[bachanon]

an aerial tram is a people mover.

[PureAuteur]

Oh, like those new things they have at the Intercontinental Airport terminals. They're pretty cool for an airport. I don't know about the Woodlands though.

You really don't need something like that, I don't think. Once you're in the Town Center, it should be easy for any healthy person to walk all around. The only thing you need is water taxis, as mainly a touristy thing and to make the town center more lively, and then the trolleys, which I assume are being used to move people around the town center once they've already driven there, right?

[bachanon]

i don't think town center would be a great place for any sort of aerial tram.

[KatieDidIt]

i don't think town center would be a great place for any sort of aerial tram.

Agreed Bach. Town Center/Market Street is only a few city blocks. If you can't walk that, then you are just lazy.

Miami has the Monorail, and it took 15 years for anyone to ride it. Its more of a 100 million dollar novelty.

[bachanon]

here's a couple more.

anadarko tower 1

waterway view 1

waterway view 2

waterway avenue. buildings left to right: 21 waterway avenue (churrasco's on retail level/the goose's acre pub on waterway level), 25 waterway avenue (new street front retail), tinseltown.

Edited September 2, 2006 by bachanon

[Pumapayam]

Wow, our Houston downtown does have one thing in common with the Woodlands town center, lack of people to be seen in photos. How depressing it looks compared to the weekends.

[bachanon]

it was also 96 degrees today during the afternoon when these were taken. the families are at the pools, the movies, the mall or at home in the AC.

[Trae]

What are they doing with all of the dirt here:

[Captain Impossible]

That's an exciting night for us up in Huntsville. Doesn't mean I enjoy what The Woodlands stands for. It just means that Houston traffic is the worst I've seen besides Mexico City, and another forty miles is a bit far for just one evening.

[bachanon]

What are they doing with all of the dirt here:

the dirt to the left is the north side of the waterway. this is the preparation for waterway square by sasaki and associates. there is another thread with more information on this project. waterway square will be surrounded by a mid rise boutique hotel and multi story condo project both with restaurants, clubs or retail on the lower levels. in the picture i posted previously with 21 waterway avenue and 25 waterway avenue, waterway square will be to the right or east of that picture. the parking garages between these structures will have street front retail, similar to what you see on the 21 waterway ave. picture, going back to and across from tinseltown. it's a freakin' walkable downtown.

the downside is, it's not funky. no resale shops or hole in the wall drinking establishments.

the upside is, it's across the woodlands parkway from home.

bachanon prays......please god, let me make enough money to purchase a second home near the new richmond line and main in order for me to enjoy and admire the diversity of life inside the loop on a more regular basis.

[mrfootball]

I noticed that the Metroplex suburb of Southlake recently opened its Town Square which looks remarkably like Market Street (with a larger 'square').

Edited July 31, 2006 by mrfootball

[PureAuteur]

I figured they might be doing this thing all over the country. I was hoping the Woodlands was unique with this project. Speaking of "unique", what is with all the corporate retail on Market Street? It's the same stuff you see anywhere else in Houston's sprawl limits. I want to see locally owned businesses that have character. The Town Center itself is great. They just need to hurry up and incorporate so they can make a government ordinance to prohibit chain stores from leasing at Market Street. This would be beneficial to the community in the long run. It would promote town unity and keep the Town Center from seeming fake-looking. I understand that the rents are high, but once they enact that ordinance, I'm sure it will be more affordable. Think Kaplan Ben-Hur in the Heights: independent store and a famous staple of the community. (Too bad it closed down; they sold excellent coffee). I'd use San Marcos downtown as an example. It has just the right balance of touristy gift shops and mom and pop stores that locals visit on a regular basis, for instance a pizza place, a martini bar, a shoe store, or a tobacco store. As it stands now, Market Street has basically the same stores you could find in the Galleria or in the Rice Village.

[bachanon]

I figured they might be doing this thing all over the country. I was hoping the Woodlands was unique with this project. Speaking of "unique", what is with all the corporate retail on Market Street? It's the same stuff you see anywhere else in Houston's sprawl limits. I want to see locally owned businesses that have character. The Town Center itself is great. They just need to hurry up and incorporate so they can make a government ordinance to prohibit chain stores from leasing at Market Street. This would be beneficial to the community in the long run. It would promote town unity and keep the Town Center from seeming fake-looking. I understand that the rents are high, but once they enact that ordinance, I'm sure it will be more affordable. Think Kaplan Ben-Hur in the Heights: independent store and a famous staple of the community. (Too bad it closed down; they sold excellent coffee). I'd use San Marcos downtown as an example. It has just the right balance of touristy gift shops and mom and pop stores that locals visit on a regular basis, for instance a pizza place, a martini bar, a shoe store, or a tobacco store. As it stands now, Market Street has basically the same stores you could find in the Galleria or in the Rice Village.

lilly pulitzer? orvis flagship store? cru, a wine bar? yes, most of them are the same, but there are a couple of stores unique to the houston area.

the extensive survey that the founders of market street completed before they broke ground found that nearly 90% of woodlands residents went into or around the loop on a regular basis for shopping, dining and entertainment. when asked if they would shop locally if the same options were here, over 90% responded yes (of course). don't quote me on the figures, but they were quite high for both questions. couple the survey with the demographics and bingo........j. crew, la madeleine, berryhill, grotto, etc.

[PureAuteur]

Hmm, that's new to me. I always thought the Woodlands was known for its anti-mainstream tastes and a preference for locally owned businesses. I have never even heard of those three stores you mentioned. (Do you know how they're doing business-wise?) Can you tell me what businesses are, indeed, locally owned in the Town Center? Those are the ones I'd want to visit first the next time I'm at Market Street.

[bachanon]

i'll have to ask my friend at the chamber.

[KatieDidIt]

We went into the Orvis up here a few weeks ago, my husband is a Texan and an avid hunter. They certainly did there research and are catering to the Woodlands demographic, no custom guns or deluxe hunting accesories...just clothing, dog beds and preppy women's clothing. There was some fishing gear....

The Orvis on Augusta and Westheimer is certainly more "Texan."

[mrfootball]

I always thought the Woodlands was known for its anti-mainstream tastes and a preference for locally owned businesses

Tell me you're kidding.

[RedScare]

I always thought the Woodlands was known for its anti-mainstream tastes and a preference for locally owned businesses.

The Woodlands, Texas. Bohemia on the Bayou.

[bachanon]

[PureAuteur]

The Woodlands, Texas. Bohemia on the Bayou.

Some of the people I've met from the Woodlands were like that. Then again, they were under 25. They should get some people from the Pacific Northwest or Vermont to run the Woodlands when/if it incorporates. That would be great.

[JJ18]

..... As it stands now, Market Street has basically the same stores you could find in the Galleria or in the Rice Village.

I've been to The Woodlands Mall & Market Street several times and I've never seen a Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue or for that matter a Macy's so no I wouldn't say you'll find the same stores. I disslike cookie cutter looking buildings, in my opinion it makes its self look cheap. its ok for a theme park but not for a real main street.

[bachanon]

when the waterway is completed, it will be the "main street" of town center. market street is a shopping destination in town center, it is not "the" main street. btw, foley's will be macy's any day now. the foley's signs are currently banners covering what i believe will be the new macy's signs.

[mrfootball]

They should get some people from the Pacific Northwest or Vermont to run the Woodlands when/if it incorporates. That would be great.

Ben or Jerry?

BTW, the Democrats don't even run candidates in Montgomery County if that tells you anything.

Edited August 1, 2006 by mrfootball

[JJ18]

when the waterway is completed, it will be the "main street" of town center. market street is a shopping destination in town center, it is not "the" main street. btw, foley's will be macy's any day now. the foley's signs are currently banners covering what i believe will be the new macy's signs.

please Macy's is notting to brag about now that it will be located in every mall average and ghetto in Houston and Texas.

I like the stores in Market Street but hate the architecture it looks cheap and I belive with a little more money and creativity they could have done a better job

[bachanon]

here's a couple more.

anadarko tower 1

waterway view 1

waterway view 2

waterway avenue. buildings left to right: 21 waterway avenue (brian o'neils on retail level), 25 waterway avenue (new street front retail), tinseltown.

the woodlands resident's website is reporting that "221B Baker St. Pub & Grill has announced plans to open a 6,500-square-foot restaurant in November, 2006 in the building (25 waterway), and another 3,500 square feet of space is committed." this will the second late night establishment in town center.

[KatieDidIt]

Hey Bach, have any figures come out on how Market Street stores are doing finacially?

I noticed that unlike Highland Village, Uptown Park and like fabricated centers, Market Street is completely dead on weekdays.... even on weekend afternoons we really haven't seen much activity. It would be interesting how all those stores are doing in comparison to their other locations. However, I kinda like that lack of activity because I can get a spot anywhere and be in and out of a shop quickly.

PS- That Pot Belly sandwich shop is pretty good and cute, don't know about the entertainment though.

[bachanon]

i haven't read anything recently on sales or lack thereof at market street. i've noticed market street has been busier towards the end of the day. at the one year anniversary last year, i read that some retail chains in market street were recording top sales for their company.

there were eight new leases signed at market street this past month. there is a rumor that a boutique hotel may be in the works for the unbuilt parcel west of the parking garage. there is a temporary putt putt golf course there now. i do not think that there would be this much activity if the stores weren't doing well.

i agree with you on day shopping there. 10 AM and 3PM are good times to hit market street.

Edited August 11, 2006 by bachanon

[bachanon]

the thirteen story office building at 24 waterway avenue is set to break ground within the month. it will have retail on the waterway level and/or street level. in the picture above, 24 waterway will be to the right, across the street from 'the goose's acre' (brian o'neill's) and churrasco's.

Edited September 2, 2006 by bachanon