phillip_white

Yep, townhomes. I think someone posted the replat in another thread. 

Ground is broken!

https://www.galvnews.com/business/buzz/biz-buzz-crews-break-ground-on-new-island-grocery-store-after-years-of-delay-hotel/article_8e7da95c-2bf1-5f38-a507-2a09cc921225.html

Apparently the developer has changed the hotel brand. Photo of current site progess in the article. 

Quote

The hotel will be part of the Ascend Hotel Collection brand owned by Choice Hotels, which bills itself as boutique properties featuring art and amenities with local flavor.

https://www.galvnews.com/business/buzz/biz-buzz-crews-break-ground-on-new-island-grocery-store-after-years-of-delay-hotel/article_8e7da95c-2bf1-5f38-a507-2a09cc921225.html

I never saw more customers than food trucks, so this is not at all surprising.

A worker said Sacco will occupy the whole building. Hopefully that means a full remodel to include the exterior. 

This project was registered in 2020, but they have just now commenced construction. They are currently boring holes for piers to be installed.

On 3/14/2023 at 3:38 PM, hindesky said:

I think the open area orientation on the building is going to face south based on these storm water detention tanks.

That's correct. See first page for renderings and site plan.

If anyone adds my name to a "plaza" at the intersection of two arterial streets next to a massive parking lot, I will aggressively haunt that location for eternity.

I truly don't know what this guy did to deserve this, but it must have been really bad.

Wow. So this is in addition to the Margaritaville RV Resort?

Per the leasing agent this is opening in May.

Quote

Market prices are as follows:
1X1/ 716 Sq. Feet             = $1431/Month
1/Den X1/939 Sq. Feet   = $1463/Month
2X2/ 1029 Sq. Feet          = $1710/Month

4 hours ago, hindesky said:

Looks like the tower crane is going up this weekend. The AT crane is being assembled. The other AT crane I posted before was just there to unload the rebar, it didn't set any of it in the excavation.

Do they still have to add groundwater detention for this phase or was it done in one location for the whole project? 

The facade looks nearly complete, except for a couple spots on the East side that need stucco and paint. Interior work seems close as well judging by the finishes in the lower rooms and number of paint buckets they've gone through. The retail space is being worked on as well, but it may just be a dry-in versus built-out for a tenant.

13 hours ago, houstontexasjack said:

I don’t have a great shot of the lights (they’ve been installed over the last couple weeks) but got these. You can see the green and blue glow reflecting off the Southmore.

Edit: third photo with the green light. I’ve yet to get a good shot with all lights installed. Also, you can see Venus and Jupiter above the Southmore in the first shot.

I didn't think it was possible, but they managed to make this building look even more tacky.

17 hours ago, Justin Welling said:

I think you're right @phillip_white

Interesting find on pinterest of all places... titled "The Underground -Wine & Whiskey Building on Mercer"

https://www.pinterest.com/minacovington/the-underground-wine-whiskey-building-on-mercer/

1 hour ago, Houston19514 said:

https://www.covingtoncommercialhtx.com/the-underground

The answer is coming soon!  (Looks to be very wine-focused -- perhaps a new wine club)

Interesting. Could be wine storage, tasting room, and event space upstairs. Seems a little all-in on wine, but who knows.

7 hours ago, BeerNut said:

It's pretty standard for places like this to rent an empty lot nearby and offer a valet service for those who insist on driving and don't want to walk.

Wow. This is such an amazing transformation from the completely brick enclosed openings. 

Saw a new conex box in the parking area and looks like the inside is completely gutted now.

Permit issued on 1/31 for convenience store buildout. Maybe that's what has been taking so long.

3 hours ago, Brooklyn173 said:

Megabus moved out of the parking lot near the Metro building almost a year ago, though they may still use the curb as a stop for some of their routes. Flix bus still uses a parking lot nearby on Gray but there are no facilities (ticket office, waiting room, etc).

From my experience in other cities, the curb works well for the bus company but transfers a lot of issues (litter, traffic, vagrancy, crime) to the neighborhood without any identifiable party in charge. That's why some cities prohibit curbside pickups.

Wow, you're right. They moved the downtown location to the Hillcroft Park & Ride lot. This effectively removes this as a convenient option for me, although I haven't used the service since 2019 due to covid.

1 hour ago, wilcal said:

And FlixBus, who know owns Greyhound, does the same. 

Although I thought I read Megabus was moving?

I hadn't heard that, but it would be disappointing if true.

1 hour ago, McD.land said:

Our understanding is that they are moving to a curbside concept, probably leasing a presence in several locations (maybe hotels) and not having a big terminal or station anymore....which is not financially effective for what they do.

This works great for Megabus. They rent a lot across from the Metro downtown bus terminal.