HTOWN LIVE
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That was 7/8 years ago. It's a different Houston now. It's really amazing. A litany of new development has changed everything, especially the costs. The Ritz is going to have to spend a lot more money now to return to Houston. Houston benefits, because it's viewed as a major investment now (they'll have to make a statement), so they'll do whatever it takes to impress and that means a fabulous exceptional Ritz, not just traditional luxury (Houston won't respect that). They have to do something monumental in a city well acquainted with luxury or risk being overlooked in the midst of all the new towers and luxury developments going up. Indeed, a tall order.
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Soon after Hotel Alessandra gets going. That is a major part of the catalyst that will begin another wave of announcements of transformative developments downtown. A lot of delay centers around parking and the current boom which has driven the price of lots/sites downtown sky high. Most of that should be resolved by the end of the year. So by the end of the year or 1stQ 2015.
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Because it really isn't working. Atlanta is a lot like Dallas, over the years (in an effort to try to keep up with and outdo Houston) they've both overbuilt and use intense hype machines...but behind the curtain they're struggling.
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And Ritz is the only luxury hotel in each market. Charlotte is relatively new, but St. Louis and Cleveland are dated and granny-esqe, as are many of their properties. These 2 were built way back in the 80's when the Ritz was in Houston. Houston has 30 year old luxury hotels much more fabulous than any of these. That's why I said whatever they decide to build in Houston has to be some of their best work and undeniably impressive, or luxury spoiled Houston will yawn.
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We can resolve this now. I've seen the plans drafted by the city regarding the Ritz and W...it's all still being negotiated. If for some reason they don't go up (which is unlikely now as the Houston economy is a winner and ripe for them), Houston wouldn't miss a beat. It's as simple as that.
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And I'll repeat, Ritz not happening is not a problem. Houston has been there, done that...the St. Regis trumped Ritz in Houston. The St. Regis trumps Ritz everywhere. The Ritz is not the standard. Having stayed at several Ritz hotels around the world I assure you that many of their properties are not up to par. Several hotels in Houston surpass them. As for the South, their property in Dallas, and all 3 in Atlanta are weak traditional granny-looking bores. There are a couple in South Florida that Houston couldn't top, but otherwise the Ritz has lost a lot of luster. As for W, again, Houston has better...we would welcome it, but certainly wouldn't miss it. ...no hotel in Houston that compares to ritz? You're obviously referring to Houston County, Georgia, as Houston, TX, has several.
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But Austin does not have any Westin's, and neither Austin nor Dallas have a Marriott Marquis. And Houston certainly doesn't obsess over commercials/movie, film/music industry approval or favor. When those industries want to feature Houston, they come here and the results are always stellar...but unlike Austin/Dallas, Houston does not chase/seek after pop-culture, either.
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And trumping all of these with the highest numbers in the state is the luxurious Hotel Granduca Houston (another flag absent in Dallas although opening soon in Austin)...but you wouldn't know it because Houston doesn't shout it from the rooftops as flashy (please look-at-me, please pick-me) Dallas would.Again, Houston is not in the business of chasing/seeking glitz, tv/PR, ritz or fluff, etc. Ritz and W are nice, but their levels of luxury are represented by other brands here, and more hotels at every level are either under construction or have announced. But when those 2 decide on a location here, we'll certainly welcome them to the party. Dallas chases/seeks it. Houston doesn't have to do that. That's not Houston's style...it comes to Houston, or Houston will create it.
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I agree. And Houston surpassed Dallas on luxury some time ago...but you wouldn't know it because Houston doesn't shout it from the roof tops, as Houston isn't in the fashion business like Dallas; rather, Houston spends more heavily on luxury which has attracted all of the major luxury players from around the world.
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Dallas and Houston are about the same as far as tourism. The difference is that whereas Dallas craves attention and goes after flashy ritz and glitz, Houston is undaunted and let's the market/demand make it happen. For example, the Houston Galleria is drenched in luxury, and didn't ask for more. But explosive growth, especially Houston's rich getting even richer, has caused an insatiable demand for even more luxury...hence, River Oaks District. Houston is clearly one of the top 5 cities in America for luxury...because of its size and its extraordinary oil wealth and economy.Dallas, on the other hand, works overtime seeking and focusing on it. Those hotels are definitely coming, and both will have to be very impressive, as the rich here are filthy rich and the economy is now demanding they come...which means their Houston locations will be off the charts luxurious.
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It's actually across from ES...one of the vacant lots.
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I know for a fact that the transformation of the Sakowitz building is in the works, as part of the Mayor Parker's Dallas Street Retail Corridor Project. The Ritz Carlton is considering the lot on Dallas Street at the end of the Corridor across from Discovery Green. W Hotel has been asked to build along the Corridor, as well. Add the already announced Hotel Alessandra and that's 3 new luxury hotels along the new retail corridor. Additionally, Macy's is planned to relocate along the Corridor, and they own Bloomingdale's giving them 2 large stores in the project. And many other retailers will have street-level shops along the new retail corridor. This is huge, so be patient. The project involves a collaboration with a multitude of people.I don't know if it will all be ready for the Superbowl, but some of it will. Dallas Street will probably still be in major construction/transformation mode.
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W Hotel and The Ritz Carlton will announce, the residential tower adjoining the new Saks Fifth Avenue, the new tower proposed for the lakes on post oak, the tower and development at post oak and Richmond that could be as tall as Williams Tower, the perennial on post oak and other towers for Blvd place, we know something tall is coming at San felipe and post oak, New hotel and tower and conference center behind Rolls Royce dealership, the towers and hotels in phase 2 of ROD, the new towers coming in the massive uptown park redevelopment, the high rise living coming to The Woodlands, etc...and downtown which is already hot will be on fire...the planned major downtown retail corridor, and on and on.
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Yes W Hotel is also considering ROD. The next wave of big development announcements in Houston are going to really blow our minds.
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Actually, the odds are good. ROD is one of 2 locations they're considering in the Galleria area, as well as downtown and The Woodlands.
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Lol, Atlanta is a nice place, but it's no Houston...certainly not in regards luxury retail. They have a happening fashion scene, but not on the level of Houston.
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Target will be gone by Superbowl. Everything around it has gone luxe...they're out of place now. It's safe to say developers have plans in the works, just not announced yet.
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Agreed. Phase 2 and the demolition of Target will allow for several towers, and is probably where the Ritz Carlton will decide to build.
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By that train of thought, Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive isn't that damned fantastic...because River Oaks District/Houston Galleria is to Houston, what Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive is to L.A. With the exception of about 5 luxury shops, both luxury retail meccas are comprised of the exact same roster of luxury retailers. And those 5 are opening at ROD. L.A. and Houston are clearly in the top 5 cities in America for luxury retail.
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The Beverly Hills plan/layout is just like ROD. Beverly Hills has about 3 or 4 elegant streets of shops (Wilshire, Rodeo and Brighton)...ROD will probably name the streets in that plan closer to opening. Beverly Hills also has strip parking and street-side and diagonal parking. ROD will also have a sleek state-of-the-art parking garage just like Beverly Hills. The only difference is Rodeo shoppers have NM and Saks right across the street with additional huge parking garages behind each store, whereas in Houston NM and Saks are a half mile away at the Galleria.
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The Houston Galleria is already on par with the Magnificent Mile and Rodeo Drive. Houston has so much money that the remaining luxury players want in, and ROD will supply that demand in a walkable outdoor expansion of Galleria luxury in a Beverly Hills style layout only 5min up the street. The same luxury players in Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive are in River Oaks District/Houston Galleria. Houston has enjoyed world class shopping for decades, as the Houston Galleria is a legendary world renowned powerhouse (generating 1.2 billion annually...DAMN!)...the addition of ROD will send Houston into the luxury stratosphere and unequivocally on par with NY and L.A.
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Yikes! You're right, it's inadequate. The fence killed it and made it tacky. Ironically, a tasteful stone and/or rod iron gate to go around it would have at least made it tolerable. Now it's uninspiring fill in, and should be renamed to Simply Sola.
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Pardon the multiple posts...computer flipped out.
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I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3. I have to agree that a downtown Ritz Carlton will also be great. When the Ritz finally decides on what to do, Houston will probably end up with 3...downtown, uptown and The Woodlands. Atlanta has 3.
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Target At 4323 San Felipe St.
HTOWN LIVE replied to citykid09's topic in River Oaks/Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza/Bissonnet
Agreed. It's a great location for a 40-50 floor Ritz. The Ritz Carlton Hotel and Residences River Oaks.
