jt16

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories...tml?jst=b_ln_hl

Swedes chose Houston over Austin

Austin's efforts to attract a Swedish consulate office have been dashed.

Austin and Houston were both in the running for the career consulate general office, which is one step down the governmental ladder from an embassy.

But the Swedish government announced on Friday it chose Houston over the capital city because of Houston's role as a major international city.

In a phone call to Houston mayor Bill White, Swedish Ambassador Jan Eliasson said Houston is the center of a very "dynamic region."

The United States is Sweden's largest export market and is continuing to grow. The Houston consulate will be Sweden's third in the U.S. The other two are located in New York and Los Angeles.

"The southern part of the United States is a vibrant and dynamic area with strong links to Sweden," says Minister for Industry and Trade Thomas

I'm confused. Why is JFK such a great name, but Bush is not? This all sounds like sour grapes. Every city tries to link themselves with presidents from the area. This isn't unique to Houston.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2896838

Apartments may become condo units

By NANCY SARNOFF

Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

A Denver real estate firm is buying 3333 Allen Parkway, a new high-rise apartment building along Buffalo Bayou that it is likely to convert into condominiums.

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BCN Development, which is expected to close on the 33-story building next month, has developed several upscale condo projects in its hometown and is starting to look in other cities.

President Craig Nassi won't talk specifically about his plans for the Houston building, but he said his firm recently began buying rental buildings to convert into condominiums.

"We believe the Houston market is on a very positive upswing," Nassi said.

The purchase price has not been disclosed, but sources say the sale will exceed $225,000 per unit, or $56.7 million.

Located midway between downtown and River Oaks, the 33-story building has 252 apartments. It is about 86 percent leased, according to O'Connor & Associates, a consulting firm. Rents average $2.09 per square foot for units that range in size from 900 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet.

Simmons Vedder & Co. developed the high-rise, which is on the former site of the Gulf Publishing Co. building.

nancy.sarnoff@chron.com

I'm sure this is old news, but more than $225,000 per unit seems a little pricey. I hope this works out for them.

apartments mean an abundance of a young professional crowd, that hasn't saved enough for a home. Do we want these people moving out of the city?

Love Thai. Subdude, how far down telephone should you go? Is it before you get to 45?

What a win. My fingernails could use a day of rest too. Did anybody go downtown to watch it? I heard that the streets were blocked off and they were showing the game on a big screen. I couldn't make it tonight, but if they do it again for game 6 (that's all we need) then I'm there.

Let's hope for a rainout tonight.

It still looks O.K. But the plaza would have been the cornerstone of this development.

districti@cityofhouston.net Carol Alvarado

mayor@cityofhouston.net Bill White

You should contact them if you feel the same way. Sometimes it takes a lot of noise to convince our elected officials to do what's in our best interest.

I don't think that's the Taco Milagro shopping center, but the one further south down the street. I think there is a clothing retailer or maybe a tanning salon in there. I can't remember now.

This is one of those rare times that I can say the building looks better than the photo, in my opinion.