allynwest

Does anyone have any insight/info about whether the developers know about plans to raze the Pierce Elevated? Seems odd to squeeze a midrise building into such an armpit --- and a noisy one at that. But if the Pierce Elevated becomes a boulevard, as I've heard, then that changes things for this site.

@Little Frau, this is the site where Hines is building that 25-story apartment tower.

Thanks for posting that link! I thought the whole property would be scraped.

Selfishly, I'd love it if that anchor becomes one of the new-format HEBs (like the Montrose Market). That would not only make my life easier, but it would spell the doom for that Kroger on Cullen, which really needs to go. 

@Specwriter, I've seen those same coaches parked there in the mornings on my commute in. Last I knew, Frank Liu bought that property and is planning to build a bunch of townhouses. (The Finger building would be torn down, naturally.)

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2014/02/finger-furniture-parcel-of-gulf-freeway-bought-by-houston-developer/

A private student dorm might be built across Cullen from that site.

Last I knew, Uptown Houston was pursuing something kind of like this, in part because the hope with BRT is that, depending on how things go with TxDOT, the BRT can help to bring workers in from the 'burbs. The BRT is supposed to provide service between the Northwest Transit Center and a new TC that will be built near Westpark.

I hear it'll be near the Loop on San Felipe, near that new "River Oaks" shopping district.

Any ideas where this might go? "River Oaks" can mean just about anything. I've been told this will be a replica of the 25-story one Downtown, so they'll need quite a bit of space.

It's Vincent Mandola, the restaurant godfather.

That Days Inn takes up so much of the view from the Pierce Elevated. It's too bad. Were that knocked down and converted into a park, or even a parking lot, the view of Downtown would improve dramatically.

@intencity77: You're right, that those restaurants are heavily patronized, especially on the nights the Astros play. (What with the free stadium shuttle and all.) And there are those new-ish apartments on Delano. But I hope other people will come to use the esplanade, not just those who are trying to burn off a few calories after a taco plate. Is that farmers market coming? That would be very, very good. My point about isolation was rooted in fear that the esplanade will become a kind of treadmill. You get on, you get off, you go home. Maybe it will become a real attraction for other retailers or restaurants or amenities — there's a choice empty lot across from Ninfa's — but right now there's not much other than a few restaurants that would bring someone here.

It's a bit isolated, but it'll drive development in that area. I'm looking forward to seeing it completed.

@Urbannizer: Thanks!

@KinkaidAlum is right: This new rendering seems to have the same perspective as the first one; it's looking at the building as through from Morningside. (So it's looking west.) It'll take up half the lot; the Tangley office building and the Village Common with Benjy's, Local Foods, et. al., are staying right where they are.

My guess is that the parking will be accessed from Dunstan or Tangley.

The first complex is actually OK, as far as complexes go. It also has a water feature that sits back from Morningside. Does anyone know who the architect is?

The Swamplot tipster said it was 41 stories.

Bad news: Kirksey didn't get the bid, so these renderings (and the video, already removed from the Vimeo page) are just for show.

Here's the story on Swamplot:

No, the Renovated Bell St. ExxonMobil Building Is Not Gonna Look Like This

@jdbaker: A boutique hotel would be amazing, but it seems more likely it'll be a national chain. Where'd you hear about this Turkish company? How legit does that rumor seem to you?