Avossos

So they will tear down the old church for a parking lot?

What an absolutely hideous structure 

23 hours ago, Triton said:

It's hilarious how much this forum hates this development but I will say, so many within the Asian community are talking about this place in a positive light. Bori is quite famous in Spring Branch, so to be able to attend a major event in the city and then come here afterwards or beforehand is something that a lot of foodies and people who know the Bori name are excited for.

They should have demolished this house. Why bother keeping it?

I am in the middle on zoning, but if you want to be a proponent, Lovett St is the perfect example of why zoning is a good thing... just one block south is the protected single family street of Courtland Place. That street is full of significant mansions on beautiful lots near the city center. Lovett was the same... Now its a mixture of few remaining mansions, townhome farms, commercial shops, and parking lots. It could have been 'Embassy Row' and had the mansions converted into businesses that aren't destroying the original beauty.

Last thought - This could be considered a form of 'gentrification'; the bad kind that slowly destroys the original fabric of the area. This hasn't been a wealthy area in a long time but managed to keep its character. I am still bitter about the townhome farm on the corner of Taft and Lovett that took down the Carrier Mansion.

3 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

1017 Houston Ave LLC lists local developers Jon Deal and Todd Johnson as managers. Also listed is Roland Laurenzo, the restaurateur behind El Tiempo Cantina and Laurenzo's. 

I recall seeing a LLC Laurenzo filed recently for Lil' Laurenzo's. Maybe Lil' Laurenzo's is opening at 1017 Houston Ave? Or maybe another El Tiempo location? Hopefully, details regarding the property will be reported soon.

That’s exciting! For some reason I doubt it’s another el tiempo, but I wouldn’t be mad.

lorenzos is also close, but maybe if lil lorenzos is different enough?

i am hopeful they do a nice job with the property!

love this.

How many stories are left on this?

1 hour ago, j_cuevas713 said:

Yikes so the city is going to demo 901 Main!? That sucks. I was really hoping that building was salvageable. I wish the blight removal applied to that other convenience store on Main St that has paneling covering a beautiful façade. It would be great for the city to work with the owner to help finance the restoration of that property. 

blight removal doesn't necessarily mean demolition... I would wait to hear "demo" before grieving. I do hope it is saved.

6 minutes ago, houstontexasjack said:

No word on whether Rosemary’s Baby will get involved.

If you are looking for her, she might be at Melrose' Place

Loveeee

This screams fancy hotel to me.

2 hours ago, BEES?! said:

It sounds like someone may have purchased this building and intends to do a conversion on it. 
 

From the Downtown TIRZ board of directors meeting on Jan 10th 2023 

(Page 148)

Highlight: Within the month of December, CHI was approached by a local developer to help inform an investment & development group from NYC regarding the potential acquisition and conversion of a major Downtown Houston asset which has sat vacant for years.
CHI's research lead and executive team spent approximately 20 hours responding to their research requests, including items such as the residential pipeline, historical population trends, and projected tax liabilities, and forecasts for potential development support tools. CHI management understands that the group closed on the property on Dec 31 and intends to advance the project.

I can’t think of another “major downtown asset” that’s sat vacant for years that would be suitable for conversion. Am I missing any?

Conversion to residential?

Wow, this is awesome for them. Wish our streets got the same love.

Just tear the whole thing down already

I’ll take soMe marble!

Is this moving from Montrose blvd to here?

Off with their heads!!

Words cannot express how awesome this building is.

Does anyone have info / news on the old convention center redevelopment?

it has become a make-shift homeless shelter. The amount of trash has also significantly increased.

Old, historic parts of any city can be a good anchor and marketing tool. Hopefully Houston has things that have enough value that tearing them down never makes financial sense.

It is a balance, in my opinion. And if I am honest, I lean toward preservation as there is just so much land that can be re-developed without even sniffing the historically valuable properties. Just my humble opinion.

Could we crowdfund the “lighting the torch” of embassy suites? It’s like an ode to Indiana Jones…

Might as well go all-in on this kitschy idea.

How about the Binz building?

On 10/16/2022 at 5:21 PM, editor said:

Not ignored.  Just haven't bubbled up to the top of the list yet.

I've got to get through the list of fundamental problems with HAIF first, before I can start on the cosmetic issues.

The heights tag works for me. But I speak for myself.

10 hours ago, Triton said:

Got the same and was just about to make a thread about it. . Definitely something is happening here for Chase to give up a branch location.

They have one on Yale infront of Walmart.

CapitalOne also closed on Studemont infront of Kroger - very confused about that one since it’s fairly new.

this corner could be something cool. hoping a developer does something nicer than a stucco wrap.

42 minutes ago, Ross said:

Deloitte and EOG would have to find new space. Texaco never had more than half the building.

Brookfield should just build a condo building or 2 on their empty lot (parking now) across from Heritage / Allen Center

12 hours ago, bobruss said:

I was getting gas today at the Circle k $3.07 gallon and saw a truck across the street in the northwest corner of the lot taking soil samples. Maybe things are heating up. Montrose is becoming what I always thought it would become. Probably not in my lifetime but it will be solid highrise residential from the museum  district to Allen parkway. 

Yes - linking Neartown (which is what I call the highrise cluster South of Buffalo Bayou) to museum district / TMC. I think as long as the residential neighborhood remain just off Montrose, that will be the best destiny.

I go to church at the Greek Church off Montrose. I have noticed that the amount of transient people and homeless has really increased - or seems to be worsening in terms of impact. More graffiti, more trash, more grit...

Perhaps I thought that quality development here would lessen this... but it seems it has intensified it. Is that how this area will always be? Is it just too central that people of all tracks of life merge into the montrose scene? I am disappointed that we see graffiti and trash / pollution so often in this neighborhood.