thedistrict84

11 minutes ago, ljchou said:

a business that "clusters and manages mixed-use properties in walkable urban neighborhoods".

Sounds good to me! Very excited that this kind of mentality is becoming more prevalent in developments popping up in Second Ward.

32 minutes ago, samagon said:

well, if they're going into a brand new, never been used suite (which I think this is a brand new strip center), they will be breaking ground, the first thing to go into a brand new strip suite is plumbing, specifically the pipes to tie into the sewer, they gotta break the concrete to put in those pipes.

so maybe break concrete?

I completely understand the need to dig up slab and whatever other work is needed for plumbing and so forth during a buildout of an existing suite in a strip center, I just have never heard the term "break ground" in that context. I just have exclusively heard--and therefore always associated--that exact phrase with the beginning of construction of the building itself. 

Admittedly, I do not work in the construction industry, so maybe someone who does work in the field can interject. 

Noticed a few pieces of heavy equipment on site, seems like this is going to get moving very soon.

5 hours ago, 77011transplant said:

Teaspresso, a boba tea shop, broke ground a few days ago (https://www.instagram.com/teapressobarhtxeado/). This will be their second location (first location is in the Heights). Looks like they're slated to open this summer. 

I know they said “broke ground” in their post, but I don’t think that’s the proper term in this context, right? I associate that phrase more with construction of a building commencing (when you have a literal ground breaking ceremony). They’re just leasing a suite in an existing shopping center.

(sorry for being pedantic)

Puppies for Breakfast is going on today until 3 pm at East River.

Midway has an East River tent set up with a few reps present, if anyone has any questions they want to ask point blank.

Very interesting spot for an office building, but pretty much anything is better than an empty, overgrown lot that is commonly used as a dumping ground.

I'm also curious how they are going to handle parking: a front lot facing Commerce would be super disappointing, but Velasco has a narrow ROW and would probably not be ideal for additional traffic. I guess we will see. 

Great news, hopefully they do something with it soon so I stop having to submit 311 Service Requests for overgrown weeds and tree limbs blocking the sidewalk. 

12 minutes ago, linearmovement said:

A while ago (probably >1 year), there was a little Giant Leap placard on the door farthest from Harrisburg, closest to the back parking lot along Sampson. I also vaguely recall seeing something (maybe an Instagram story) suggesting the storefront closest to Harrisburg might be Popston

I've noticed that the Giant Leap placard has been variably placed in different locations along Sampson. I assume it was initially put there just to remind passersby that they would be moving there shortly. I did not give much thought to where exactly it might have been placed, but your observation is consistent with that. 

Of course, for the last several months it has been in front of How to Survive, since they have been operating out of that suite. It seems to be an arrangement that is working for both entities for now, so I'm not sure Giant Leap is in any rush to move out. The ongoing buildout being the suite for Popston would make sense in that context. 

Drove by today. They are making progress on the buildout of the last storefront along Sampson, nearest to Harrisburg. They've also added a sliding window to the wall facing the front patio of How to Survive.

I assume this particular suite will be the permanent location of Giant Leap? 

Houston City Council to Vote on Plan for Installation of Information Kiosks - 5/5/2021

Not sure how I feel about this plan. These kiosks seem very large and look as though they could block sizable portions of sidewalks or disrupt any businesses near where they may be installed. Not to mention, it feels like something one step closer to Minority Report-style targeted advertising. 

9 hours ago, phillip_white said:

I've been dying to figure out the connection. There's absolutely no way the name is a coincidence. 

I guess that would mean that the East End is the Peruvian jungle in this scenario? 

I saw a (very small) piece of construction equipment present here, at the lot on the southeast corner of Sherman and Sampson. Hopefully it’s a sign that this is about to get going?

(Although it is InTown Homes after all, they like to take their sweet time)

4 hours ago, zaphod said:

I'm sure Werner Herzog approves. Probably.

You can ask him personally. He’s totally still alive.

2 hours ago, ljchou said:

Cool patio furniture has been added.

@Montrose1100, the pillars of eternity remain.

Helicopter moved to a more strategic location near the patio. Fence has privacy screening added.

Hopefully we'll see this place open up soon enough.

I am unreasonably excited about checking this place out. We have already landed a handful of other "trendy" cocktail bars in this area (along with White Rhino and Night Shift), which will definitely help with the appeal of the neighborhood and lead to more young professionals seriously considering living in the East End. 

Excited for Forth on Navigation to come online next month, and I think we are maybe one more large market-rate apartment complex away from turning a corner to where the East End is no longer the first answer to the question "where should we put this affordable housing complex"?

1 hour ago, ljchou said:

This property is too valuable as a major industrial asset to simply be changed into a "cool" retail building.

Aside from that, I wouldn't think the layout would be conducive to conversion into retail. This building is mostly vertical and likely has some layout intricacies which would get in the way of a straightforward conversion.

The closest analogue I can imagine offhand is the silos in Sawyer Yards, but that building had a much more conventional shape and is maybe half the height of this facility.

12 minutes ago, pm91 said:

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/New-Center-for-Pursuit-campus-expands-autism-16140134.php

 

The Center for Pursuit, which sold its West Dallas Street campus in 2019, will begin moving to the campus in May. The 5.8-acre campus includes two acres north of Harrisburg for future expansion.

 

Where?? lol

I think it could be the large block (which is currently a surface lot) running along Super St, between Harrisburg and Garrow. 

From my understanding, this warehouse is home to a local real estate developer's private car collection. I think that helps explain the overall Area 51-vibe of the building and the fact that security is always present on site. 

(I know who it is and what kind of collection is there, but don't know that disclosing those details in a public forum is the best idea) 

13 hours ago, phillip_white said:

Those trees are going to be huge by the time they get done with this. 

One can hope. They ripped out a bunch of mature trees in more or less the same locations during construction. It will probably take 20 years at a minimum for these to get back to the size of the previous trees. 

7 hours ago, ljchou said:

Mark Dana has "EaDo Lofts" listed on their website with the typical cheap apartment look as the photo.

 

“EaDo Lofts is a home for families”

19 minutes ago, JBTX said:

Did you grab yourself a gift bag?

Yes, but I haven't gone through it yet. I just recall there being a reusable water bottle, of which I already have too many. 

1 hour ago, JBTX said:

I spoke to the property management folks as they were out hustling people at the East End Farmer's Market.

I stopped by and chatted with them as well. Probably walked right past you at some point while I was there. 

1 hour ago, ljchou said:

812 Live Oak has a permit open to convert it to a self storage center.

Hey, perfect! Just what this City needs--more self storage centers.

If only it were a combination self storage center/church, they could fill another dire need in this City AND enjoy some nice tax benefits! The Holy Order of The Cardboard Box has a nice ring to it. . .

City Counsel unanimously voted to approve the 800 Middle St. project yesterday, without discussion.

12 hours ago, kbates2 said:

God I hope I'm not a young digerati.

I guess I'm technically an Urban Achiever given my age range, which is fine because I am a big fan of The Big Lebowski.