houstontexasjack

3 hours ago, hindesky said:

There are no sidewalks from from Genesee St. to Crocker St, not so walkable unless you like to be the ball on a pinball machine.

I’d think sidewalks would be required to meet city code, no? As I recall, there’s not a big gap between this and those new sidewalks across from Lankford Grocery.

A strip mall….in one of Houston’s more walkable areas…..(sighs).

10 minutes ago, X.R. said:

Wait, based on those renderings, I'm guessing the old Fiesta is gonna get raised to the ground? Or something is at least going on top of it? If so, the minimalist improvements makes sense. Plus, the chicken place that took over shipley's old location doesn't look so out of place with its outdoor patio and stuff if Ion District will put up buildings behind it.

Transformational is thrown around alot, but this is at least something very, very unique. Something we haven't seen before in the H. The renderings also highlights that the city/metro need to do something with that empty lot by Wheeler. If they don't want to spend any money, just make it a food truck park or something, easy cash flow for the city, gives people opportunity for successful business. I dunno, but if more stuff is coming, that empty lot is going to look weird.

I think the longer term plan is for the old Fiesta building to be razed, yes.  The lot to the southwest catty corner for the Ion is also listed for sale, although I have to think the price being asked is exorbitant or Rice would have scooped it up.

23 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

You've toured around the world... from London to the Bay.

 

 

 

 

You can’t touch this!

1 hour ago, H-Town Man said:

The first sentence of my post acknowledged that we are not lacking in hotel rooms.

Do you really think that permanent residents who have kitchens and pantries eat out nearly as often as hotel guests, who usually have neither? I'm sure the permanent residents like to go out on Fridays and Saturdays, maybe a weeknight or two, but as often as hotel guests?

You do make an interesting point about the businesses that each supports. Permanent residents support groceries, dry cleaners, maybe a florist, and some dry goods. Hotel residents I would think are more supportive of restaurants and touristy things like POST.

I’d think a permanent resident that selects Downtown Houston as a place to live would go out to eat more than 1 or 2 nights a week. It’s one of the major advantages of living in a dense location. 

5 hours ago, arche_757 said:

Would proximity to the private school hinder potential bar/entertainment venues on the parcel just south of MMP?

There’s no state law requirement of a minimum distance between a bar and a school. I’m not sure about a city of Houston ordinance, but I’d think the Astros could apply for a variance if need be. I wouldn’t think School/ bar hours would overlap much. 
 

Now, if the Astros wanted to operate a strip club or other s.o.b. as part of the entertainment, that’d be another story.

I tried going today. Unfortunately for me, POST was packed and my toddler would not tolerate waiting in line to get in.

On the bright side, I’d say the opening day crowds portend well to the popularity of this development. I’m looking forward to visiting. 

52 minutes ago, X.R. said:

I was reading through some of the comments from the local groups who are celebrating this, and there may be some value in having Rice reallocate some legal capital to either making a separate agreement with the local groups or giving them a larger say in the re-investment into the area that Rice promises to make. Based on the comments online and whats been published, alot of people are passionate about this and if they can get council members to pause like this then maybe its worth listening, dunno.

Buuuuuuut that is all contingent upon them getting their legal situation together. For example, Greentown Labs had quite a few medium to large law firms around town donate time to them in the startup phase here in Houston (reviewing and negotiating contracts, helping with intellectual properties, formation, ect). The local coalition basically needs to go and do the same, see if some decent sized firms in town, or nationally, wouldn't mind helping them out with negotiations and the contracting, tell them whats reasonable and whats not in their experience, etc. I cannot imagine laypersons, or a small outfit, doing this by themselves. That isn't smart, and it could cause more harm than good if they are passing up on reasonable opportunities that Rice offers for things that no real estate/govt attorney would consider possible. 

edit: For example, Jane from Baker Botts saying "All they want is x,y, and z and Rice should be able to accommodate this" is so much easier to gain traction on than whatever is happening now.

As I recall, the HCEDD was offered an eye-popping 4 positions on that council that worked on the agreement and declined. I’d think serious counsel would’ve told them what a big offer that actually was.

I wrote to Councilwoman Shabazz-Evans today to express my support for the proposed agreement. 
 

Edit: @BeerNut posted a letter from Rice last November indicating Rice offered 4 of 15 spots on the CBA Working Group to the HCEDD. 

6 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

Dillard's doesn't have to let the space go. They could partner with a developer to redevelop with four 50-story towers and a Dillard's at the bottom.

 

Actually, as it turns out, the title history on this one is convoluted.  I pulled a deed in 1991 to “R. U. Corporation,” which is listed as the present owner in HCAD. That deed is subject to the 1961 Joske’s ground lease. The ground lease (Vol. 1402, page 240 of the Harris County Real Property Records) provides for an initial lease term of 35 years and two 20 year renewal periods. That would put the lease expiration in the 2030’s, not in the 2040’s as I thought. 
 

It would be tough for Dillard’s to recoup investment in any towers in that timeframe. 

55 minutes ago, H-Town Man said:

If they are building this at the corner of Post Oak and Richmond, think what could be done with the Dillard's site, which is at least twice as desirable, without the freeway interchange stigma and dingy Richmond Ave. surroundings. I think we are going to see a lot of redevelopment along Post Oak Blvd. in the next 10 years.

 

The Dillard’s site is subject to the sweetheart Joske’s ground lease. I think it runs through the 2040’s. It’s not out of the question to buy out, but certainly an impediment to development as long as Dillard’s doesn’t go bust.

Down it goes! I also spied fresh survey stakes by the site.

Kamalan is one of my favorite bakeries. I got cakes from them for my wife and son’s respective birthdays this year. This is a welcome addition.

On 10/20/2021 at 9:42 AM, sailor said:

336E Track Hoe has arrived at Hermann Dr Surgical Center, 2001 Hermann.

Soon, Walls will be tumbling down.

Wonder what is next for the 3+ acre tract.

Great location.

It was under contract in early September, then listed as not under contract, then appeared to be back under contract again today.

I spoke to a couple guys at Tema at this site to congratulate them on the permits. They told me they’re looking to break ground by “Summer 2022 but hopefully sooner.”

It looks like they have financing. I’d say this one is a “go:”

On 8/26/2021 at 12:05 PM, kennyc05 said:

If you ever watch Rockets and Astros post and pre game shows on AT&T Sportsnet part of the set is limestone 😂

I’ll have to try to look away from Calvin Murphy’s suit to check that out. 😆

21 minutes ago, Highrise Tower said:

Second Draught, Suite 130.

It’s a first draft for Second Draught?

11 minutes ago, Highrise Tower said:

On the newest planning commission packet there is Arbor Multifamily by Luxurway Museum Park LLC.  Related?

No. I think this application regards a small recently renovated multi-family on Arbor St that sits behind the Turkey Leg Hut closer to Almeda.

In looking at the property records, there was a tax lien filed against the owner, Supo Corporation, by the IRS this past July for $65,000 in unpaid taxes…..I don’t think that bodes well.

9 hours ago, hindesky said:

You know, the parking garage covering doesn’t look half bad in this shot. It might come together after all.

As always, thank you for sharing @hindesky. 

This one is back under contract. 

10 minutes ago, hindesky said:

 

The different colors of glass really pop in this shot @hindesky. I like how playful it looks. 

2 hours ago, X.R. said:

What was the litigation about? Was this a visa-based investment property?

The lawsuit was over fraud to get the investor to put up cash the she thought would go for construction but was actually used to buy the land. The investor wasn’t looking for a green card themselves but alleged she was told there was visa-based (EB-5) money waiting in the wings. She was also apparently told Neil Bush (Dubya’s younger brother) was somehow going to be involved overseeing the project.