Alec

I appreciate the illustration, but it shouldn't be considered further evidence of where the hi-rise is going. Common Ground is apparently a very new brokerage firm (they only had half a website when they slapped up their signs on the wheeler lot a couple months back) so it's not like they are the driving force behind this major project. Furthermore, they have a strong interest in overstating the proximity and inevitability of major projects to the land they are marketing. They have probably read this thread and just prettified the same info we all already had.

The two buildings on the site are pretty basic even for the bail bonds and boxing gym currently there, as well as very inefficiently situated on the lot. If they find new tenants I'm sure they'll be building something new.

A big lot just south of here just sold "for development". New neighbor? Either way, bummer for the new residents that won't have delicious sliders.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/31174-lot-at-montrose-and-california-sold-for-development/

The large lot on the northwest corner of Montrose and California has been sold for development, according to the owner of Little Bigs.

http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/10/little-bigs-moving-to-bigger-space/

Have they made any more progress on this project?

Slow but steady. The floor pictured is above the bottom parking level. Next floor will be above grade.

Is Natachee's losing their outdoor space for this? If so, it will never be the same. The main attraction of their restaurant was the sandbox and outdoor area for kids to run around while bands played to the patio. I'm excited about this dev but hope they'll keep some sort of outdoor area.

The patio is still there but the sandbox is gone. Most of what the lost was the grass, which I never saw people occupy. If they rebuild the sandbox, I think the new shade from the neighboring building makes up for the lost grass.

No significant activity as of 9/27.

Over a month ago?

Yep.

Same Here. I can't figure out where this is. Here is my best guess:

https://maps.google.com/maps?um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&q=Houston,+TX&sa=X&ei=dm4kVPWWCseOyATEuwI&ved=0CBQQ8gEoADAA

Ha! They might have some trouble getting permits for that location.

I think it's actually at the triangle where Preston meets Washington just north of Buffalo Bayou and I45.

Variance requests were granted and plat approved 8/7.

I saw the updated renderings for Camden's project a few weeks back. This forum will love it.

CREguy is talking about the Camden project to the North, not the blocks that are the subject of this thread.

Why would this project not be on the development map? Are we sure this isn't for the new interchange ramps?

I believe they wait for a more concrete announcement than what we have now. If the map updated to HAIF rumors, skyhouse main would have been shown months ago.

Yes, it is quite the little cluster of development when combined with the new broadstone apartments on Alabama. Check out the map on devmap.io - there's a sea of blue in midtown.

The Natachee's gazebo was removed this morning.

Sky-1/4-House

Were these power generators always here?

Nope, pretty recent. I know because I used to use that sidewalk for walking.

Variance request was considered July 24. I can't find the minutes, but they probably just aren't posted yet.

Have you ever been to New Orleans? It smells like urine, trash, or vomit on practically every corner with "homeless vagrants" rampant up and down the streets, but people still congregate in the city..

That's a prime example - the undesirable behavior is ignored because there's enough other activity to draw people there. Everyone will benefit if Houston can do the same downtown.

Ah, so some people are "pollution."

Good to know.

Certain behaviors are social pollution. If 1 in 10 people smell like urine, people avoid the area. If 1 in 100, that's just city life. I challenge you to find a homelessness or mental illness advocacy organization that celebrates social isolation; mixing is good and dilution of antisocial behavior helps that to happen.

That will improve the resident to urine&sweat smelling vagrant ratio by just a little bit more!

Yep, dilution is the solution to pollution.

There's a new developer sign posted at wheeler and main caddy corner to Sears. It lists commonground.net as the developer's website, but that is clearly a work in progress. Anyone heard of this outfit? I would love to see this big lot used as something other than a base of operations for panhandlers.

Now that work is picking up on this, can we get this thread moved or mirrored back to Going Up? I doubt I'm the only one who had to dig to find it and it might be more accessible over there.

First five floors of Central Square are gutted and windowless now. This project is going to have a very ugly neighbor in the short term, but it should be much better by leasing season.

BTW, is there a thread for Central Square? I can't find it.

Yes, I did read the article. Here is the reference to a 6500 seat professional stadium that prompted my question:

Grand Texas to create sports, entertainment district on 630 acres in Montgomery County

So what's the deal with the sports complex? That article just talks about "junior" sports, but I also thought I saw the word "pro" on one of the renderings. Can we expect another minor league team like the Sugarland Skeeters? How about the New Caney New Canadians?