Aga Khan Foundation: Islamic Community Center

[shasta]

Looks like activity is starting at this location. Anyone have any news on what is going up?

[htownproud]

my assumption is that building is for the construction of the bridge across buffalo bayou, but i don't know for sure...

[Howard Huge]

I thought that was the tract that Marvy owns and has condos planned for

[sevfiv]

Isn't ground breaking (or has been broken) for the Islamic Center on the old Robinson Warehouse site? Or maybe it's the bridge..

edit: wait - you started that thread

[shasta]

Isn't ground breaking (or has been broken) for the Islamic Center on the old Robinson Warehouse site? Or maybe it's the bridge..

edit: wait - you started that thread

Ha.... I guess I did. I remember that article and I wonder if they are starting to build.

[skwatra]

the construction trailer is on the SW corner of Montrose and Allen is for MDC (Millis Development and Construction). They have signs up on the other side of the bayou as well, and on the north side of Memorial, as well as farther east away from the bridge site. looks like there's other work planned as well to clean stuff up around there.

so it is a staging site for the bridge.

[sevfiv]

Plans are still in the works to build a Muslim Ismaili center at the corner of Allen Parkway and Montrose, according to the group that bought the property in 2006 and tore down the art deco warehouse that had sat on it for decades.

The Aga Khan Foundation purchased the 11-acre property with plans to build a facility to house conferences and lectures relating to the Aga Khan Development Network as well as for recitals and exhibitions to educate the public about Islam's heritage.

The building was also expected to contain a prayer hall, classrooms and offices, the group said when it bought the property.

The design concept and timeline for development weren't known when the property was purchased, however, and they still aren't.

“At the moment, no concrete plans have been developed,” said Zahir Janmohamed, CEO of the Aga Khan Council for the USA.

For now, the site is being used as a construction staging area for work being done on a nearby bridge.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/sarnoff/6973867.html

[kbates2]

The massive lot located on Studemont between Allen Parkway and Dallas (as the title suggests) had fence posts going in this morning all around it. Any idea of what is going on here? Seems like a pretty money spot. Hopefully that picture comes up,

[DrLan34]

I think that is the Agha Kahn site yeah?

[LTAWACS]

I do believe it is supposed to look like the mosque in Kazan.

[DrLan34]

Construction fence is going up as posted before by kbates2

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26842-lot-on-studemont-btw-allen-pkwy-and-dallas/#entry405436

Edited July 19, 2012 by DrLan34

[htownproud]

It would great if they were going to do something there, but I feel as if there would have been an announcement. Maybe they just want their property to look like Regent Square. . . .

[DrLan34]

http://swamplot.com/hark-a-fence/2012-07-19/

[Subdude]

Note dupe topics merged.

[wxman]

I'll keep my comments to myself about this project.

[west20th]

Thanks for the post telling us you are not telling us anything.

[LTAWACS]

Thanks for the post telling us you are not telling us anything.

I think what he's implying is that he wishes it would not be built - perhaps motivated by his particular brand of tribalism - and that he laments not being able to truly express how he feels because it would be deemed politically incorrect.

Am I right?

[wxman]

I think what he's implying is that he wishes it would not be built - perhaps motivated by his particular brand of tribalism - and that he laments not being able to truly express how he feels because it would be deemed politically incorrect.

Am I right?

Pretty close.

[LTAWACS]

Pretty close.

How so?

[DrLan34]

http://www.buffalobayou.org/documents/July2012FAQs-BuffaloBayouParkShepherdtoSabine.pdf

Will the planned Ismaili Center construction begin at the same time as Buffalo Bayou Park construction takes place?

We are hopeful that Houston is next on the list of construction for an Ismaili Center at Allen Parkway and Montrose by the Aga Khan Foundation; we have met with representatives from the Aga Kahn Foundation, however we do not have information about those plans at this time.

[ricco67]

Chaka Approves.

[DrLan34]

looks like construction has started, Montrose dancing rollerblader in the foreground for added bonus

[lockmat]

What is his performance schedule like? I'd like to drive by some time while he is there. Any idea how long his act is in town?

[King Owl]

What is his performance schedule like? I'd like to drive by some time while he is there. Any idea how long his act is in town?

 

He's been doing this for years.  It's quite refreshing to watch, actually!

[Jax]

Not to get too off topic but...
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=82l257T2ok0

 

 

82l257T2ok0

(hmm youtube embed option doesn't seem to be working)

[shasta]

Do we expect to get a rendering of this so called 'architectural wonder' or is it their game plan to just build it and let the final product do the talking?

 

I say this because it is such a prominent site and with the spur of development, and quality of development, going up in the NearTown/Montrose/West Gray area, i really hope it is a memorable building.

[Triton]

So this community center owns all the land from Allen Parkway to Dallas?

[shasta]

So this community center owns all the land from Allen Parkway to Dallas?

 

I believe so. Remember this is the site that had that  abandoned 1920's era art deco warehouse. I really wish they could have renovated that one but I imagine it had asbestos issues.

[lockmat]

I believe so. Remember this is the site that had that abandoned 1920's era art deco warehouse. I really wish they could have renovated that one but I imagine it had asbestos issues.

I never saw the warehouse. Does arch-ive have a photo?

[Texasota]

Old Sears: http://www.houstondeco.org/1920s/sears.html

 

My understanding is that it had serious flooding issues (as that link suggests) that made it pretty much impossible to restore and maintain.

[totheskies]

Any renderings of the Aga Khan center?  Sounds like a cool project. 

['Stonian]

No renderings yet for the Houston Aga Khan Ismaili Centre but here is a rendering of the (under construction) $300 million Toronto version to be completed later this year (scroll down for detailed renderings):

 

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2010/05/prime-minister-harper-and-aga-khan-aga-khan-museum-ismaili-centre

 

Maybe we can expect something similar - Toronto's version appears to sit on similar acreage (15 acres), the site here is 11 acres.

 

More of an Islamic Arts/Cultural Center and Museum..., This thing could be huge. 

 

Facebook page with good pics: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=571658612858938&

Edited May 8, 2013 by HOUSTONIAN (N-ATL)

[Texasota]

That's... actually pretty underwhelming for $300 million.

[swtsig]

That's... actually pretty underwhelming for $300 million.

Agreed.

['Stonian]

Remember it's in Toronto and NOT Houston. $300 million doesn't go quite as far there.  I would also think the total includes the cost of the museum's collection of artifacts and not just building costs. Who knows, one painting could be world millions.

[DrLan34]

The center is still a few years out apparently. This is going to be a temporary sports area. It will include soccer, volleyball and cricket.

[Texasota]

That's actually a great use in the short term, particularly considering its proximity to the bayou. Do you have a source?

[htownproud]

My understanding is that it's a great way for a non-profit to sit on tax free property and let the value appreciate.  Total scam.  

[Slick Vik]

I think what he's implying is that he wishes it would not be built - perhaps motivated by his particular brand of tribalism - and that he laments not being able to truly express how he feels because it would be deemed politically incorrect.

Am I right?

 

Do Muslims not have the same rights as anyone else?

[DrLan34]

That's actually a great use in the short term, particularly considering its proximity to the bayou. Do you have a source?

I got in touch with their VP of development, not sure if that was his exact title but it is close.

The half of the lot closest to Allen Parkway will be for parking. I don't think it will be paved or anything though.

[Triton]

So I guess the sidewalk all along Montrose will be forever in ruins...

[xsatyr]

My understanding is that it's a great way for a non-profit to sit on tax free property and let the value appreciate.  Total scam.  

 

It's def savvy but I wouldn't call it a scam.

[DrLan34]

http://swamplot.com/there-will-be-wickets-empty-w-dallas-lot-in-play-for-youth-sports-facility/2013-05-31/

"It doesn’t seem that this grassy, fenced-in lot along Montrose between W. Dallas and Allen Pkwy. is going to change very much: All that scraping and dragging a few weeks ago was to level the ground for a cricket field, according to a contractor at the firm responsible for doing the dirt work. The Aga Khan Youth and Sports Facility, the contractor says, will comprise that cricket field, a pair of soccer fields, and a concession stand. In 2006, the Aga Khan Foundation purchased and demolished the Robinson Warehouse on this frequently flooded 11-acre property and said it was planning to build an Ismaili Center here."

Edited June 3, 2013 by DrLan34

[cloud713]

the thread is as simple as the title sounds. sorry if this is a well known answer, it just seems like such a fairly large piece of undeveloped property that just seems to be aching for development. anyone know if there are any plans for the site?

[HoustonMidtown]

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/18539-aga-khan-foundation-islamic-community-center/?hl=+old%20+sears

 

 

[cloud713]

well thats kind of a bummer. i was hoping for another high rise or something. ah well, hopefully the architecture is cool. thanks.

[kbates2]

They did an excellent job of purposing this land for volleyball and soccer.  The volleyball courts are generally a consistent puddle on top of a small section of sand and they even have a part of a soccer goal.  No development for cricket yet. 

 

If they are really keeping this lot tax free by the work they did last year, then 'scam' is without a doubt the proper description.

[nate4l1f3]

i've always wondered why the land on Montrose in between Allen Pkwy and W. Dallas has remained empty for so long?  I'm sure this has been discussed here before but I can't find nothing on it.  Who owns it?  Has anything ever been planned here and later cancelled? What would y'all like to see here?  I would love to get some feedback on this.  

[Elseed]

49 minutes ago, nate4l1f3 said:

i've always wondered why the land on Montrose in between Allen Pkwy and W. Dallas has remained empty for so long?  I'm sure this has been discussed here before but I can't find nothing on it.  Who owns it?  Has anything ever been planned here and later cancelled? What would y'all like to see here?  I would love to get some feedback on this.  

 

If you're referring to the land on the corner of Allen Pkwy and Montrose I believe it was initially bought by the Aga Khan Foundation and they were going to build a cultural center there. That was the news a few yrs. ago as of now I really don't know whats going on but something might happen in the near future based on the article below.

 

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/Imagine-A-safe-way-to-cross-Allen-Parkway-6807170.php

[j_cuevas713]

Man something like this would really put Houston in the forefront for urban development.