Avossos

The building above is a bit unfortunate. In all honesty, it reminds me of Ceaser's Palace in Las Vegas.

I think the Market Square Building will (should) be a modern take on Art Deco style... If done in brick, it will look more appropriate for Houston, and age better. Material means everything

That's encouraging.  One of the things I really like about OPP is how well worked out the details are - like hiding rooftop machinery inside what looks like a solid roof from below.

and on that same notion - this should be a brick facade. I think the colors we saw in the past renderings were simply a play on brick colors / illustrations.

I agree, I am also reserving judgment until it's built.

Based on the rendering's lack of detail, it could be a very nice or a very bland building.

It could be a very nice brick building, with interesting masonry detailing and relief. Or it could be a cheap-looking, flat-detailed stucco building.

Hoping and praying we get brick and stone detail

I like that storefronts are on the streets now.

I was wondering about flooding in some of these places, don't you think?

I can tell you it does not flood at all in this area. Even during Allison.

My thoughts exactly. Does anybody have any specifics? 

Correct me if I am wrong, but a high rise is anything 10 stories or above? Mid rise 3-9 stories?

So how do we know this is a high rise rather than a 6-8 story midrise? Granted Swtsig probably already confirmed but had to edit his post for confidentiality reasons. Either way I'm sure Hines has a lot more in the pipeline as well. Based on Bisnow's development summit, it sounds like developers are going to try to squeeze 2-3 more years out of this boom.

This boom may last alot longer than that. If the US economy is pushing up, we may ride that... which would mean the Houston boom would be that + 4 years

Oh wow.

A menil highrise? or a highrise near the menil?..

I think an area has to go through phases. going from industrial to highly urban is probably a far stretch. It also doesnt help that there isn't a grid system here. We will have to accept the improvement here.

I love the urban setting. I am exciting to see Houston going this direction. However, I don't think the area above Washington avenue has the "need" to be highly urban. I enjoy the diversity of development. As long as they use nice materials, plant lots of trees, and invest in the infastructure - I think it will end up nice. After a few years, we might see some of this land go through more changes. Please reference the Target on San Felipe near uptown. High rises are going right next to that large target parking lot. I can bet that this parking lot won't last. And in time - the same for this area. When the need is there, it will come.

^ yessir! We are planning to meet soon. Thanks again!

I am currently in the midst of the construction of a guest house in my backyard  (in Old Sixth Ward). The structure is intended to be a modern yet subtle cottage that compliments the look of my 2 story victorian home. My contractor has skipped town    . We are about done framing, soon to add windows and dry the structure in.

Does anyone know of a trustworthy general contractor willing to take on a project? Everything is in place for us to finish the project in 4-5 weeks. We are hoping to find someone quickly but very skilled due to the highly custom nature of the building.

We intend this building to be featured as an example of appropriate infill in old and historic neighborhoods. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or leads. This is such an incredible project and opportunity for all involved - I would like to share the experience with a qualified general contractor!

Thanks again to all

If indeed this is the case... how would we know?

Personally, I know a handful of the details they list are dated or wrong

Latest update, from JLL.

Obviously a lot of this info is not quite right...

Yep, this 3.7 something acre site has already been under contract for a bit, now. Dean Patrinely - Patrinely Group - has the entire site tied up. For redevelopment. Residential, no surprise. Over 200$/ft.

Residential as in a high rise?

Based on the description given to me via PM, I think this may actually be the soil test. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Makes a lot of sense...

Why "Jefferson"? It's nowhere near Jefferson St. Is it because it's two blocks from Washington?

No idea at all why "Jefferson"... if anything 'Baker' would have made the most sense. but this is just the name of a building... not an area.

The surface lot next to the Market Square Parking Garage will be closing on July 6th due to upcoming construction.  As I recall, this project is to be residential.

Thats what I hear... But what is the source if you don't mind me asking.

I am trying to visualize what this area is going to look like... Are we thinking brownstone-like buildings of brick with little to tiny yards? More along the Heights? Or just straight up townhomes...

I am disappointed this area will be gates. Hines seems to do a good job usually, but this is a new thing. It wont feel as much apart of the community / area as it would if it flowed organically with the area.

Thats awful. Sorry to hear that...

I think that as gentrification starts, it really puts an emotional and physical pressures on those in the area. If these types of incidents are increasing, it might have something to do with this...

Jefferson Heights. Question, is Old 6th Ward the Heights?

Great perspective! Can't imagine how the lone homeowner can hold out and always wondered what the parameters of the electromagnetic field covers. Those are some mighty transformers.

I think it is great that the one homeowner did not sell. At the end of the day this adds character, and somewhat maintains a residential, single family fabric / history of the neighborhood.

I like it

If anyone lays a finger on it, I am going to do something unreasonable,

How is fighting against townhomes a "bad" thing? 

It's not.

They don't like the idea of densification or gentrification. So it's not really just about townhouses. They don't want to see a high volume of traffic or rising taxes. That is beyond absurd considering they live right next to downtown in one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.

They are probably trying to preserve their way of life and their home... I doubt they are against "gentrification"

If Houston can continue on its current trajectory for the next few years, the First Ward is going to be the next great Houston neighborhood.  Tarkett is closing their plant to downsize their operations.  Grocer's supply is being redeveloped.  Townhome development in the area is flying along.  There are a couple of bars and restaurants planned for Washington Ave.  A total game changer of a development could go in on the old Mahatma Rice plant, potentially on the scale of River Oaks District (maybe not quite as posh). 

 

Given the current groupthink in the development community, I would see midrise apartments going in on Houston Ave with a very outside chance at some mixed use retail.  Retail sq ft rent rates are shooting through the roof inside the loop.  The returns on retail leasing are getting too high for developers to ignore anymore. 

 

I do not see a strip mall or big box grocer.  Too far from highway access and Houston ave does not have high enough traffic counts. 

 

Whatever happens, there are going to be very big things ahead for the 1st Ward if the Houston economy continues to chug along.

I agree with your thought process. I moved into 6th ward last year, and I am thrilled to see the area taking off. I had always viewed 1st ward as an area with alot of potential. I am glad it got historic status, and I hope the best for the community.