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downtownian

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  1. downtownian
    Controversially, the facade itself is considered historical (Stephen Fox is very opposed to this idea). Yet, unlike some of the historic structures nearby, the original facade of 723 Main will remain hidden beneath cladding that was placed over it 50 years ago. Franks said his group met with officials from the Texas Historical Commission who suggested the developer restore the building not to what it was in 1914, but to its 1966 vintage. When the facade was put up 50 years ago, Franks said, many of the architectural features were compromised. "In order to put the facade up, they had to bastardize the building, really shave off all the beautiful features," Franks said. "So when you take that skin off, you end up with black mastic over stone with no features, no cornices, no anything. The historic commission didn't want to do that." According to the commission, which provides standards and guidelines for the treatment of historic structures, properties must meet certain requirements to be considered historic. One of those is being 50 years old. "We're going to be one of the first buildings in the state of Texas to do a 1960s historical renovation," Franks said. 'Twisted logic' Frustrated by the commission's stance, architectural historian Stephen Fox called the 50-year rule "twisted logic to preserve a mediocre exterior." "It's a kind of fundamentalism among preservationists to stick to the rules and ignore the consequences," he said. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Downtown-s-Main-Street-to-see-more-upscale-changes-8214081.php
  2. downtownian
    This looks like it should be a condo building and not rentals. Can anyone confirm?
  3. downtownian
    They have already lease 367,000 square feet to Hines (moving their HQ here) and V&E. The total building is 1,000,000 square feet so that's pretty good.
  4. downtownian
    If you believe that a restaurant and food should reflect the local aesthetic and have a sense of place, then it should originate from where it is located. If restaurants can just cut and paste the format, design and food and place their business anywhere, it's just generic and sort of bland.
  5. downtownian
    Agree. There’s a number of austin and Dallas concepts that invade Houston. I’m not aware of many that do the reverse.
  6. downtownian
    Anyone have average rent, current occupancy, number of units currently and number of units under construction?
  7. downtownian
    100% wishful thinking but love to see a Pearl-style redevelopment similar to what San Antonio did with the old Pearl Brewery and Hotel Emma.
  8. downtownian
    I think it's part of a lot of supply coming online but the overall occupancy and rates seem to be strong. The below is a link to Transwestern's 2017 YE residential report. Some highlights: As of YE 2017, there were 23 apartment buildings in Downtown with 5,951 units Occupancy was 67.1% which is on the low side but think it is due to how many recent openings there have been. Downtown absorbed 1,086 units in 2017 Compare this to YE 2016: 4,819 units open, occupancy of 58.4% This means that 1,132 new units opened in 2017 but occupancy increased by 8.7% Average effective rent is $1,978 and rent / square foot is $2.05. This is 12% higher than Midtown/Montrose/Museum. I think it is a good indicator that rents are higher Downtown than anywhere else in the city https://assets.recenter.tamu.edu/Documents/MktResearch/Houston-Multifamily-TranswesternOutlook.pdf
  9. downtownian
    The video mentions that there will be co-working (1:35) and a food hall (1:38). I feel like downtown is already saturated with these things. We already have 4 food halls open / in planning stages and there is a 10 story WeWork coming to 708 Main...
  10. downtownian
    This building would be perfect for an Ace Hotel or a non-chain, independent boutique like the Wythe in Brooklyn.
  11. downtownian
    Agree with newer cotton exchange building. The building next to the JW is awkward... those long, horizontal windows don't seem very well suited for modern tastes .
  12. downtownian
    It was originally supposed to be residential but then got switched to a hotel in May 2017 (see link below). I really wish it was still going to be residential but I'll take it. http://www.hotel-online.com/press_releases/release/brief-report-historic-downtown-tower-could-become-luxury-hotel-by-2019
  13. downtownian
    My favorite downtown coffee shop design is Prelude. They also have the best coffee
  14. downtownian
    It actually destroys the view from my office : (
  15. downtownian
    I think the post is referring to the bar at the Marriott pool and lazy river. The pool deck and bar is only accessible with a wristband and if you are a guest of the hotel.
  16. downtownian
    Just broker speculation but thought I would share: Grocery stores will soon have little choice but to breach the downtown market, which has a large-enough mass of residents to support a grocery store, Gaines said. He's skeptical of Randall's, Kroger or Walmart taking the risk of building an urban, multistory grocery store in downtown Houston. "I think H-E-B definitely will," Gaines said. "Whole Foods will." https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/11/01/broker-downtown-houston-has-enough-residents-to.html
  17. downtownian
    I'm glad that 1111 rusk got done. If an ugly parking garage for a portion of the block is the price, so be it.
  18. downtownian
    Why? They're still available on swamplot. If they're public, they're public. http://swamplot.com/rem-koolhaas-and-omas-big-plans-to-remake-houstons-central-post-office-into-a-major-downtown-farming-shopping-eating-and-3-d-printing-hub/2017-10-04/
  19. downtownian
    Why? They're still available on swamplot. If they're public, they're public. http://swamplot.com/rem-koolhaas-and-omas-big-plans-to-remake-houstons-central-post-office-into-a-major-downtown-farming-shopping-eating-and-3-d-printing-hub/2017-10-04/
  20. downtownian
    Went on Monday. It's like a more casual oxheart (not tasting menu style) but with the same incredible attention to detail. Menu is a little bit more approachable and it's less veggie-centric. It cost about half as much as Oxheart as well.
  21. downtownian
    Yes, for the pool. I walked over, had brunch at Xochi and then went to the pool. It would have been worth it if not for the kids.
  22. downtownian
    I've done two staycations at the Marquis and both times there were tons of kids on the pool deck so I haven't gone back.
  23. downtownian
    There was a plan (and it was implemented pretty successfully) developed 13 years ago called the "Houston Downtown Development Framework." It called for increased public space and additional residents and aided in the development of Discovery Green and the Downtown Living Initiative (subsidies for 5,000 apartment units). I'm hopeful that this plan will call for and achieve additional parks and public spaces and integrate some of the various patches of downtown. Also hopeful it will have the city partner with private developers to develop a grocery store and more residential.
  24. downtownian
    "KHOU 11 met with the owners on Tuesday. They didn’t want to go on camera, but did say they have nearly completed an $85 million dollar hotel renovation plan. However, they said they are still trying to get financing." http://www.khou.com/news/future-remains-uncertain-for-dangerous-downtown-building/456267629
  25. downtownian
    That's really pushing the Ship of Theseus
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