HOUCAJUN

On 8/31/2023 at 3:07 PM, LosFeliz said:

That penthouse is really cool but practically speaking, you're gonna need a lot of drapes and thousands a month to keep the place under 80 degrees in the summer months.

If someone can afford the penthouse then the their power bill will be no issue

12 minutes ago, kennyc05 said:

No I was saying the area where the Spurs currently play in San Antonio would be the equivalent of if the Rockets built their arena in Sunnyside.

You're right. I thought the same thing when I passed by it for the first time. I wasn't expecting it to be in an area like that.

On 7/21/2023 at 3:36 PM, shasta said:

I also wonder about NRG Stadium.

I fully expect to start hearing some rumblings about needing a newer stadium in the next decade.

The new stadiums are light years better than what we built in 2000-2002.

Hopefully they will build the new one in Ea-Do so we can have a true sports district.

At this point, it will be a multi billion dollar building. Who's footing the bill? 

38 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ dude, why on earth are you constantly contradicting yourself?  (do you harbor some strange "fetish" of being the naysayer?)  now, you are hereby stating "i'm all for another convention hotel of any label".  really?  well, what if it's a ritz carlton brand... a st. regis brand... a hotel kempinski brand... a fairmont hotel brand... a loews hotel brand?  none of these aforementioned brands are BRAND NEW TOTALLY HYBRID BRANDS/CONCEPTS... right?  therefore, whatever brand is going to be constructed per se, it is going to be a modern/contemporary and state-of-the-art brand that we are all aware of.  (just like the W HOTEL brand)  

as i have stated in a prior post, "maybe, you can take your argument to HOUSTON FIRST".  it's not about harboring a "fetish" for a W brand, it's about keeping up with all of the other selected cities throughout this country that now already have this brand, or getting ready to construct this W brand (san antonio, tx).  personally, i have visited/resided at many many W HOTEL brands throughout the world, and they have all been extremely qualitative, elegant, vibrant, cool, state-of-the-art properties.  I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ONE CONSTRUCTED IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. 

however, since it is being planned to be constructed on top of the HOUSTON FIRST TOWER, i am most certain that HOUSTON FIRST shall have a big say in it's overall design... right?  just as they did with the MARRIOTT MARQUIS and the convention related HILTON AMERICAS.  they shall need/require for the hotel to be one of the best and successful in downtown houston to hereby market it as a convention center property to out of state guest.  i highly doubt that this new convention center brand shall resemble anything constructed in "pearland, tx".  

i think that i shall stand with the convention professionals at HOUSTON FIRST...

I agree but this person you're replying to always seems to be very condescending. There must be a shortage of Seroquel... btw,  do you think the W or the hotel Jim Crane has proposed ground breaks first?

3 minutes ago, houstontexasjack said:

I interpret that remark to mean it could also be in the later stages of designing and planning. If it were under construction, there’d be permits.

Maybe that's one of the reasons why he said he screwed up

10 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

He did not say it’s already under construction.

In the 25 minute mark of the video, he said " we're building a $70 million dollar practice facility right now" after he mentioned that the Rockets have the only private 767

9 hours ago, thatguysly said:

There was once a building shown where the valet lot is behind WIllie G's on something Tillman put out. It is probably in The Post Oak thread. I hope it is that corner lot though. Parking is an issue with The Post Oak and he probably cant afford to lose his valet lot. Maybe if he built the practice facility on top of a garage in that location.

Well he said it's already under construction so is there any current activity going on around the Post Oak?

New practice facility slipped out today by Tillman. Apparently it's going to be located in the Galleria area and will be stool to lite free agents. I'm wondering if this will be near the Post Oak?

6 hours ago, hindesky said:

Too bad there isn't a light rail stop close by. Students at UH and TSU will have to walk to the housing and to the Food Truck Park if they don't have transportation.

 

Walking past those two corners or through Lucky Seven to get there is scary enough. Those corner stores got to go

4 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ i absolutely concur.  you have just gathered my entire point, dallas has already long completed their respective W HOTEL.  yet, we in H-TOWN, are still scratching our heads...

Maybe Houston should relook at venue locations in the future and head for the suburbs to get things done sooner. I personally prefer having venues in the city core but what is Houston's Arlington and Frisco? I believe Jerry World was originally planned for Fair Park but failed then Arlington bailed him out. Less red tape.

25 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ everyone knows that TILMAN FERTITA is all about the money... right?  therefore, maybe he should venture forth to austin, tx, and visit the brand spanking new ($400mm+) MOODY CENTER... directly on the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS campus.  the MOODY CENTER is one of the most magnificent and spectacular sporting/concert venues in the entire world... interior and exterior wise.  this particular facility, was just voted THE #1 HIGHEST GROSSING VENUE IN THE WORLD.  (oh, and did i care to mention, that it's located on a university campus?)  you see, this is what can actually transpire when you construct something RIGHT the FIRST TIME.  (and stop being so afraid and ultra-conservative like the houston venues) i have journeyed up to austin and frequented a few games this past season.  MOODY CENTER is utterly amazing in all facets.  talk about absolutely beautiful.  HOOK'EM!

UOfH wishes it had the funding and fund raising capabilities of UT. Being in the Big 12 and arguably the most notable university in Texas help creates a facility like this. UH has a long way to go to get to this level.

46 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ i'm being "a bit dramatic"?  actually, from the way that i see it... I'M BEING COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY DRAMATIC.  YET, VERY FACTUAL.  therefore, should you not be able to actually comprehend just what i am speaking of, then why on earth, are you replying/quoting me?  THIS IS NOT NEUROSURGERY.  don't you think that i'm astute enough to actually compare the houston sporting venues to the facilities in dallas?  THEIR FACILITIES TOTALLY OUTCLASS OURS in every facet. 

i am completely aware of the AT&T STADIUM super bowl debacle.  this was due to the unexpected ICE STORM disaster that basically tore AT&T STADIUM from the NFL SUPER BOWL rotation.  yet, their stadium still outclasses NRG STADIUM by miles because houston did not construct it's stadium correctly in the first place.

have you been to THE STAR lately?  the COWBOYS new training facility totally outclasses anything that the TEXANS could  have ever dreamed of.  the TEXANS practice in a freaking air bubble for GOD'S sake.  talk about embarrassing.  yet, the McNAIRS have been talking about improvements to their antiquated facility... and subsequently, have not done shit yet.  the COWBOYS have not won anything significant in decades.  yet, they harbor the very best athletic facilities in the entire league.  yet, people wonder just why they are so very wealthy.  heck, they make a whole lot of money because their respective facilities are so very superior.

"Who cares about an entertainment complex in the middle of nowhere?"  well, apparently, JIM CRANE does... did you watch the video?  he now wants to emulate the rangers gorgeous entertainment complex here in downtown houston.  

I do understand where you're coming from but the Cowboys' fan base and history is the reason why they can build these facilities. The Texans are still a young franchise relative to the others in the league. If the Oilers would've stayed, I think you would have a point on venue size etc... No other franchise in the league has the caliber of facilities the cowboys have. As for the Astros, this new development is long overdue and way late to the party among other things. I'm still baffled at the idea that Jim Crane can pull off building a 4star hotel before the W hotel gets started. I'm scratching my head on this.

17 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ our fair city of houston, tx, is constantly ESPOUSING TO THE ENTIRE WORLD that "we are the fourth largest city in america".  yet we constantly allow for the greater dallas metropolitan areas to constantly OUTCLASS us with their WORLD CLASS sporting facilities/venues... along with their WORLD CLASS hospitality developments.  everyone of their state-of-the-art sporting venues, totally outclasses anything that the greater houston areas have to date.  EVERYONE!  heck, isn't dallas supposed to be the more conservative city?  houston always seems to be coming from behind and playing catch-up to the dallas metro areas.  heck, as we all know, THEY REALLY DID NOT NEED A BRAND NEW BALLPARK FOR THE RANGERS... RIGHT?  yet, here we are, they now harbor a brand spanking new state-of-the-art venue, along with a MAGNIFICENT NEW mixed-use baseball entertainment district with gorgeous new hospitality facilities.  yet, here is the TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ASTROS owner JIM CRANE, espousing/dreaming/planning to the media about finally bringing forth concepts/renderings and possibly "breaking ground sometimes at the end of the year".  as long as i live, i shall never comprehend this fact.

PRIME EXAMPLE of just what i'm speaking of:  the city of houston, utilizes taxpayer funds to construct a state-of-the-art retractable roof football venue for their newly proposed HOUSTON TEXANS football team.  finally, this gorgeous new facility is completed and is introduced as a marvel of engineering to the entire nation/world.  (heck, although, i LOVED the overall design of the new venue) I REALLY HATED THE FACT THAT I KEPT THINKING THAT THE NEW VENUE WAS CONSTRUCTED MUCH TOO SMALL... TO HEREBY REMAIN VIABLE, WITH THE EVER EVOLVING NFL SUPER BOWL ROTATION.  subsequently, dallas comes along and constructs their HUGE EXPENSIVE MAGNIFICENT NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FOOTBALL VENUE and TOTALLY OUTCLASSES THE HOUSTON FACILITY.  hereby, making it appear smaller and meek by comparison.  therefore, currently, the NFL is expressing that in order for houston to hereby remain viable in the SUPER BOWL ROTATION, NRG STADIUM IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY REIMAGINED AS A FOOTBALL VENUE.  why on earth, couldn't they just construct the DAMN FACILITY right in the first place...?  

The new rangers ball park gets made fun of because of it's horrible exterior. The cowboys were going to build something larger because of their large fan base. The winter weather in Dallas has the NFL nervous so I wouldn't be expecting to see a Superbowl there soon. Lastly, the newer NFL stadiums are nice but they lack in overall seating capacity. But you're absolutely right. Don't understand it.

On 2/12/2023 at 7:18 PM, kennyc05 said:

If I'm being honest it depends on what group of people you're talking about if I'm mainly talking to black people they love the hell out of Houston or other minorities as well. Not saying that white people don't but it's just depends who you're talking to. 

I've been to New Orleans and New York City. We look pretty good compared to them. 

On 2/10/2023 at 6:18 PM, wxman said:

👀 Mmk bro. If that’s what you think makes Houston exciting then more power to ya. There’s not a single person more than 30 miles out that would visit any of that. And if you have to include crawfish and fried chicken as part of the appeal, that does nothing but endorse my point. Houston is ghetto and lame with a sexy skyline. 

I don’t think Dallas or Austin is all that either but what I will say is that Dallas certainly appears to be a nicer, cleaner city but that’s a fairly low bar to clear when compared to Houston. 

Usually when people say Dallas is cleaner, they're referring to Plano and Frisco. Houston is an appealing and a destination place to the black community, especially black women and their girls' trips. This hotel, when it opens, will be among the ones featured on YouTube 

7 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

Further to this topic, I personally wouldn't give much credence to Google Maps star ratings. Forbes Travel Guide and other such publications are better sources.  Forbes shows two 5-star hotels in the entire state of Texas.  1 in Houston (The Post Oak) and 1 in Dallas (The Ritz-Carlton).

Forbes 5-star and 4-star hotels:

• Boston:  5 5-star and 5 4-star
• Chicago:  3 5-star and 3 4-star (all in Mag Mile area)
• Houston:  1 5-star and 4 4-star
• DFW:  1 5-star and 2 4-star 
• Philadelphia:  1 5-star and 1 4-star
• Seattle:  1 5-star and 1 4-star
• Atlanta:  Zero 5-star; 3 4-star
• Denver:  Zero 5-star; 2 4-star
• Austin:  Zero 5-star; 5 4-star
• San Antonio:  Zero 5-star; 1 4-star

Again, it looks like we're not as far behind as we routinely tell ourselves we are.

Good info

7 hours ago, editor said:

Good to hear.  Houston is a little short on luxury hotel options, considering the city's size.  Especially near downtown. 

Why are we so behind?

Nice building but the houses and corner stores near it is very sketchy

3 hours ago, sapo2367 said:

Keep putting that H‑E‑B energy out into the world y’all — we’ll manifest one in the east end eventually :)

HEB is aware and has this development on their radar based on an Instagram post they responded to during last summer

10 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

Fifth and Sixth Hyatt Regencies are opening soon (Baytown and Conroe).  Unlikely to be a Hyatt Place or Hyatt House because it's not planned to be that type of hotel.  It could still be a Hyatt Regency.  No reason a city of 7+ million people is limited to six Hyatt Regencies.  Nevertheless, among Hyatt brands, it seems Grand Hyatt might be the most likely. (And Hyatt is far less well-represented in Houston (and everywhere else for that matter) than Hilton or Marriott.)

Similarly, a city of 7+ million people is not limited to only 2 Autograph Collection hotels (We actually already have 3 in the metro - Grand Galvez is now flying the Autograph flag).  But for other reasons this is very unlikely to be an Autograph Collection.  Same applies to Tribute Portfolio - just having two (also Tremont House) already doesn't make it impossible or even unlikely we would get another.  But for other reasons, very unlikely to fly that flag. Similarly, the fact that we already have a JW Marriott (actually we already have 2), doesn't exclude that flag from consideration.  In fact, I would consider JW Marriott to be a pretty strong contender. W doesn't seem likely - to me W seems like kind of a tired brand anyway, but it doesn't really seem like the vibe a Medical Center conference hotel would be going for.

Also from the earlier post, InterContinental seems like one of the least likely, as they already have a location in the Medical Center. Kimpton is unlikely as it's just not that kind of hotel. Hilton and Embassy Suites are not upper upscale.  Among the Hilton brands, the most likely flags would be Waldorf-Astoria and Conrad.

 

 

 

 

A Waldorf Astoria would be great! Do you really think the W Hotel brand has lost its luster?

3 hours ago, Lux said:

Has anyone heard any updates regarding the downtown W Hotel development?  I haven’t seen a thing from Horizon and HoustonFirst since the spring 2022 BisNOW article.

This hotel thing going on in Houston has to be the most frustrating topic for me on this site. No updates. No news. No hope. Nothing should take this long. As you can see, I'm very impatient with this.

Why is it called Design District?

4 hours ago, KinkaidAlum said:

Reasons why Dallas and DFW have more hotel options include;

1) It is a regional hub for finance and merchandising. If you work in the design field anywhere in the region, you will often have to travel to Dallas for sources and the large Merchandising Market trade shows. I've been at least a dozen times when I owned a retail store. When I renovated my Houston house, I also had to travel to Dallas overnight for showroom visits to places like Waterworks that don't (at least didn't) exist in Houston. 

2) It takes advantage of a more central location and the huge airport to land large conventions.

3) It takes advantage of its location to host lots of large scale sporting events including 4 bowl games, 3 NCAA conference tournament championships, PGA events, etc...

4) It is less international and filled with a lot more folks from nearby places meaning it gets more frequent "friends and family" visitors. 

5) It is a regional entertainment draw with things like a large amusement park that we lack. 

6) It's an educational hub with two schools with lots of out of state students  (SMU and TCU) and several large public universities in the region (UT-D, UT-Arlington, North Texas)

Lastly, Dallas has a reputation for glitz and glamor that Houston lacks. It makes it a safer choice for brands to test the Texas market. We've always taken a back seat and the rise of Austin isn't helping.

That said, Houston is improving in so many ways. For too many years we were simply ok with being a place people came to make money but didn't plan on sticking around. But the last two decades have seen massive improvements with quality of life issues that have made Houston so much better. The continued growth of the TMC, stealing away XOM, the planned growth for Rice, and UH's improving standing will all help. Additionally, word is out that Houston is an incredible place for food and art. I've met a growing number of people who have visited specifically for the Menil and restaurants. We should play that up hard.

In the black community, Houston ranks higher than Dallas in coolness and things to do. Although Houston has done a 360 in its reputation, it's still slower in certain things. Often times we we're mentioning Dallas can we please leave Arlington and Fort Worth out of the discussion. 

4 hours ago, KinkaidAlum said:

Dallas has several brands we currently do not have including Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont, W, Rosewood, Kimpton, and Virgin. 

Whose fault is this?