MadMax

I've been trying to find old pictures of T&C Village, pre-mall if possible, for a while now. I can't seem to find any. Was hoping to show my wife what it used to look like. If any of you can find and post any pictures like that, I'd appreciate it.

Went there this weekend to Studio Movie Grill. The parking garages are super convenient. You definitely get the idea of the potential this project when you walk through it.

Real estate that ended up getting owned by the government was resold very quickly and efficiently to new owners that could turn distressed assets around and make money on them again. Investors are so skittish right now that transactional volumes have basically collapsed. Nothing is going on and prices aren't really coming down (in Texas). The market is stuck in disequilibrium.

"In Texas" being the operative words in this phrase. I can tell you absolutely distressed financial assets (many secured by real property) from around the country are being auctioned off like crazy at very low prices. They are finding buyers now. Many of the same people who made tons after the last downturn have positioned for the next wave of this stuff.

The S&L crisis is almost a mirror image of what we see going on in NY right now.....nearly every bank in Texas failed. I think Frost Bank was the lone survivor. This problem is to NY was the S&L crisis was to Texas. And eventually it spreads.

I'd just like to say that the Cuban tacos at El Rey are proof of the existence of God, andI'm thrilled it's closer to home now. That is all.

Wait...one more thing...when does Freebird's open? I haven't seen any signage there that this is opening up there.

It's my understanding that most of the tenants committted to the second office tower have backed out now. Economy sucks.

Looking forward to Studio Movie Grill, though!!!

here's a real life example of what's going on. just got back from shopping a class "a" community, stabilized (93% occupied), 2 years old, and in a prime location (greenway/river oaks).

1) 2 months free

2) $1,000 look and lease

3) 100% locator fee

4) $99 move in

effectively, that's almost 4 months free on a 13-month lease. that's not a gimmick... ask any other board members that know the business (niche and tnj come to mind) how bad these concessions are.

is it a sign of things to come? no one knows for certain but it aint looking pretty.

My antecdote:

I own a business that had a 4 year lease come up in January. All year our agent was telling us that our class B space on the west side would get for their space whatever they were asking with no concession. Because that's just the way it was.

But we waited, anyway....

and in November, they matched an offer we had from Class C space down the street and added 3 months of free rent to sweeten the pot.

I'm happy we waited.

The Randall's at Dairy Ashford @ Memorial used to be a Handy Andy.

Safeway was across Dairy Ashford where HEB is now.

TG&Y was where Sandy's Produce Market is now, on I-10 between Dairy Ashford and Kirkwood. That was a KMart, as well, after being TG&Y.

Definitely an interesting story there - Swamplot had a good write-up on it earlier this year: Link

Wow! Thanks so much!!

I'm putting this in the historic section becauase though this building is still standing...there's no activity there....and as far as I know, hasn't for years.

In high school we used to drive by this thing to figure out what it is.

It's near the Alief area....it's off Dairy Ashford south of Westheimer, but before you get to Elsik/Hastings cross-street (name of that street is escaping me).

Anyone know what I'm talking about?? Any history on it if you do??

Here's a link to a picture I found by googling: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x277/ma.../GoldGlobe2.jpg

Wasn't it on Westheimer, near Fountainview. I think in a building that later became Mama's or some diner type place.

Actually there is still a Christie's at that location. I guess what I'm asking is.....is that the same location as in this old picture? If so, it's an interesting look at what Westheimer looked like.

Anyone know where that Christie's Seafood was?? That's not Westheimer, is it??

The book cover of, "Houston: The Unknown City 1836-1946" by Marguerite Johnston, Copyright 1991, by Texas A7M University Press. Excepts from Chapter Thirty-Six titled, "Mutiny", pgs. 200-2004 to follow.

I guess I figured it out! Maybe!!

CampLogan1917

This book is amazing. It reads like a textbook....but chapter by chapter has amazing tidbits and information that are just fascinating to read through. Gives you a real understanding of the culture of Houston in its earliest days.

There's a place called Shotgun Dans's in Little Rock that is EXACTLY how I remember Panjo's. Down to the western themes, the thin crust and the great toppings. It's virtually identical.

Exhilarama....Kids' Kingdom...and Outer Limits....they were all there.

Exhilarama was near the food court....Kids' Kingdom was upstairs near the center of the wing that now leads to the ice rink...and Outer Limits was generally where the ice rink is now.

Kids' Kingdom was for little children...Outer Limits had batting cages and a roller rink....Exhilirama had virtual reality games and other activities that catered to an older segment.

I worked the batting cages at Outer Limits one summer!

The next year I had a summer job as a sort of bookkeeper/cash control for these. We had a big safe locked away in a safe room guarded by alarms and cameras, near where the mall offices used to be. I would sit back there and let in the cashiers...count back their tills at night for deposit...make tills for them to take out...and then go on "token runs" where I'd grab the money out of the token machines with a security guard escort. Great job for a kid. I read...listened to the Astros on the radio...but it was creepy being the very last to leave the mall at night after counting all the tills. Walking through an empty mall at night, I kept expecting to hear a chainsaw start up!

2. Ruby Red's - another hamburger place famous for allowing you to throw your peanut shells on the floor. If I remember correctly it was on Westheimer inside the loop, near where Sullivan's is now, but I could be wrong

I would have been very young, but I have really vivid memories of this place. Red curtains. The peanuts on the floor. And there was some sort of electronic device at each table...what was that?????

Where did you hear the Randall's in T&C Village was closing down???

I can't imagine that's true.

Except that I-10 and Gessner is currently the demographic center of Houston (or centre! ) and that's projected to move further west -- not surprisingly, to I-10 and the Beltway, exactly where CityCentre will be located -- within the next 5-10 years.

West Houston's population will grow by 20% in the next 10 years, according to estimates I've read...it's average household income will grown nearly proportionate to that.

The new courthouse is great! New technology in the courtrooms for exhibits...native limestone facade behind each bench...great views of the city from windows in the courts...cafeteria in the basement...much more needed space. Looks great and functions very well! I'm really impressed.

Anyone remember York Steak House that used to be in Memorial City Mall?

My grandfather owned a Sinclair gas station on Shepherd near 59 in the 1950's...right where there's a sort of point between it and Greenbriar. I so wish I had pictures of it...but I can't seem to find any in my family's old photos.