monarch

this is 100% spot on. it's not that it can't work, it's that there is no precedent in Houston on projects like this to base it on. capital sources for these types of projects need verification that the numbers they need to achieve will justify the project costs before moving forward - unfortunately for us, those comps do not exist in Houston. sure it's easy to look around and say with confidence that of course a project like a ritz would work but without hard data validating that notion it will never get past the investment committee.

 

what i'm trying to say is don't hold your breath on a ritz coming anytime soon.

swtsig, you know that you are like EF HUTTON.  whenever you speak, we tend to stop.. look.. and listen.  however, once again may i ask, does your aforementioned statement incur that dallas is so much more significant than houston, that they can acquire all of these first rate luxury brands (with seemingly reckless abandon).  i mean i can certainly comprehend what you are hereby stating... however, if what you are hereby espousing is indeed correct, then is dallas considered the unparalleled super center of texas?  heck, even austin has a w hotel, along with many more luxury brands being constructed. therefore, just where on earth does this leave houston... the largest city within the state of texas, and the fourth largest city within these united states? 

Monarch is it true you're an alien? Also since I'm on mobile can a mod take a look at this? Butthurt and racist...

hey, i'll play..

it's friday, right?

Thats cause we got lame developers and too many backwards people in this city plus so many people in this city has had a anti urban and anti 24hr street life attitude for such a long time....finally we're actually starting to see houston actually be somewhat vibrant and forward thinking...its depressing to go to cities like chicago which is not that much bigger than us population wise and there is so much life in the heart of the city streets at all times...I mean look at the stupid tunnels downtown they've literally ruined streetlife downtown......vibrancy at the streetlevel is so important having a vibrant downtown is so important any city you go to most people want to go downtown because downtown is the center of the city...but Houston....oooooh noooo....no real landmarks...no real tourist attractions...and if you want anything like that in houston people flip out and think you're trying to be like "noooooo yoooork" really at the end of the day its the people...its there mentality...alot of people even though they're generations removed from the country they still want a simple country life in a city with 6 million people in the metro area...personally I feel every great city should have something for everyone...good country area, good suburban area, and a good urban area....but then again its houston...no planning..no vision...he who has the most money can create the city that he/she wants.....also no rail? Hov lanes are worthless...sometimes I feel like this city just recently came out of the stone-age 

preach elseed preach!

now this is what i want in this debate...

passion!

Why do you post?

why do you breathe?

We're not doing anything wrong.

 

The first one to take the chance will be rewarded greatly.

 

People though old Marvy was nuts to propose One Park Place. They then thought he was nuts to try and charge the price per square foot. Now, how many are copying him?

 

It'll be the same thing with the luxury hotel brands but we'll need just a bit more patience since it is much harder to get funding for a hotel, especially in an unproven market like Houston.

kinkaidalum i love you, but unproven market?  houston?

in regards to the ritz carlton, that particular brand, used to call houston home as per many proven years.

then due to some strange brand image mishaps, they departed the houston market.. and then comes the St. Regis Hotel.

the situation that is just so very vexing to me, is just why does dallas tend to offer so very much significance to these particular luxury brands?

what does dallas have (smaller city) that houston is totally devoid of (much larger city and economy)

we have always known that dallas seems to always get things done city wise.  not to mention, they seem to have an incredible global image.

however, is this all that it takes to constantly acquire all the best worldwide hotels?  this is indeed strange....

anyone?

very nice illustrations gents.

am i the only one that feel's that this is the perfect concept as per a omni brand?

the people at omni, should be swooning all over this ready made location... it's perfect!

BIG.  BODACIOUS!  simply perfect, as per the right place at the right time.  midtown is on fire!

awesome illustration howard!

you rock!

oh my urbannizer, judging from that ferociously dark and yet quite ominous cloud above, as well as that shocking GREEN SUIT that the gentleman is donning... was everyone entirely safe?  WOW!

I know for a fact that the transformation of the Sakowitz building is in the works, as part of the Mayor Parker's Dallas Street Retail Corridor Project. The Ritz Carlton is considering the lot on Dallas Street at the end of the Corridor across from Discovery Green. W Hotel has been asked to build along the Corridor, as well. Add the already announced Hotel Alessandra and that's 3 new luxury hotels along the new retail corridor. Additionally, Macy's is planned to relocate along the Corridor, and they own Bloomingdale's giving them 2 large stores in the project. And many other retailers will have street-level shops along the new retail corridor. This is huge, so be patient. The project involves a collaboration with a multitude of people.

I don't know if it will all be ready for the Superbowl, but some of it will. Dallas Street will probably still be in major construction/transformation mode.

please htown live, after reading your account, i feel as though i have died and evolved straight into heaven.

3x count prospective luxury hotels along the planned dallas street retail corridor.

isn't this a beautiful cross to bear...

great illustration nate99!

Apparently, people will jaywalk across Holcombe without looking at oncoming traffic to go to this building. It may be responsible for thousands of fatalities before all is said and done.  I couldn't help but notice the light on for Cambridge is red while people cross the street anyways.

funny... WINNER!

Apparently this happened last night. He took off his shoes and belt then took a swan dive onto the pavement.

Anyone know this guy?

http://video.newsfixnow.com/Houston-four-seasons-hotel-building-jumper-suicide-27491936#.VDHRFlAo7qA

OMG howard!  so now we have to worry about the downtown four seasons being haunted?  this shall be terrible for forthcoming tourism.  simply horrible!

Reminds me of Dubai.

sky-guy, i would have to concur.  at least certain parts of dubai...

i actually had the pleasure of witnessing the few cranes and such, that were assisting upon the construction of burj khalifa in the far background.

the beautiful sunset within the gorgeous illustration, could have come right out of dubai, uae.

i wish that everyone could experience dubai... it's a magical place.

pretty soon, i shall be headed back.  i have a new job position coming forth in the middle east.

very nice.  i cannot wait to see the new GREENSTREET signage.  

wow!  these developers mean business.  fast work already...

is that hermann park?  gorgeous!

The work they are doing on this thing looks insanely meticulous. Pretty awesome to see 

i concur completely!  the money behind this redevelopment, has to be incredible...

COH outer landscaping is gorgeous!

can you just imagine how it shall look upon the completion of skyhouse main?  oh my...

cool illustrations!

TEXAS, lost another game today triton.  your great illustrations, seem to lift my spirits considerably...

i concur.  nice illustration update.

this new concept look's as though the company has hereby taken a GREENER approach.  just take a really good look at the edifice itself.  very modern, cleaner lines than before, and much more greener.

would love to see a ritz carlton downtown houston.

however, should they decide to place it upon the uptown area, i hope that it is not hidden.

this particular brand, shall need to stand out.

houston, has indeed arrived.  it is high time for the world to know it.

would love to see a w hotel downtown houston.

although, this may seem to be a bit far fetched... houston, should be able to accommodate two w hotels.

uptown w / downtown w

we already have a aloft galleria.  soon construction shall begin upon aloft downtown.

i cannot wait to reference concepts / renders of both brands.

if they arent in downtown i dont think the super bowl will matter much. sure they will be nice to have around, but all the real action for the super bowl is planned to go on in downtown and obviously at NRG.

pal, are you kidding?  where were you upon the last superbowl in houston (patriots vs carolina panthers) (feb 2004)?  basically, every hotel from houston to galveston to beaumont, were hereby packed to capacity.  the galleria area was basically crammed bumper to bumper.  inside the galleria... was simply unbelievable!  trust me, any and every viable hotel property, shall reap a financial windfall.  period.  surely the new W HOTEL vs RITZ shall want to be open for this form of business.