scottf

The only reasonably authentic name for the area I that I can think of is Old Chinatown.

If it is that important to come up with a new name, then why not simply hire one of the developers who do it all the time? Something like "The Oakes at Somerset Place" might be nice, or maybe "The Reserve at Olde Towne".

The whole idea that they can name their way to hipness just strikes me as silly. It would be like changing your legal name to Cool Dude. It would only make you seem shallow and idiotic, not cool. The Montrose seems to have done fine with a somewhat frumpy name.

I think Montrose is a cool name. I'm not a Sammy Hagar fan but he was in a band called Montrose back in the day. As far as names go for East End I have no idea. I like East Town but I don't think that wil be considered "sexy" enough.

It pisses me off to see the people throw there Shi$ out the window...You car, clothes, and hair already stink like... Keep the butt in the car...

Smoking may kill but it will always remain eternally cool... Ever see a hot chick light up in a bar? Damn, you just know she's a bad girl...Littering, however, is not cool. Use an ashtray.

and it's all just wishful thinking. I drive around that area regularly, and yesterday cruised down St Emmanuel to Harrisburg looking ...imagine my shock and surprise. I didn't see a single hipster!

It just offends me so much that people feel a need to copy Denver, or whomever. So slavishly buying into everything the overpaid development marketing consultant says. It's contrived, offensively uncreative and unnatural and smacks of snake oil hucksterism. I said as much in an email, in lieu of suggesting a name.

I was at Lucky's Pub yesterday on St. Emmanuel and Rusk watching a bit of basketball. I saw plenty of cool people in there though I am not sure if they would be defined as "hipsters". It was a nice, diverse group of people. This part of town is getting ready to "blow up" regardless of what they call it. There are just so many people moving into the warehouse district that it's inevitable. The near east end demographics are rapidly changing also. And then with the Houston Dymano stadium getting built in "Old Town/East Town, this area is going to be virtually unrecognizable in 5 years of so (in a good way). As I said in an earlier post, I am excited that a marketing group is taking the time to name the area. It shows me that somebody is getting ready to invest big bucks in the area. And as long as much needed retail follows, I am all for it.

Just my opinion...

No problem. They always show UH games (like tonight), so I've been a few times. They just recently started serving lunch, but I haven't tried the food.

I stopped by for a quick drink and a burger. Very good burger. Good waffle fries. Friendly bartender that used to work at the B.U.S. Looks like I've found a new home!

This is dumb. What is wrong with "The East End"? Changing the name sounds like a thinly -veiled attempt at denying the existence of the perceived "bad" qualities of the area (blight). However, it also denies the good qualities of the area (history, unique character, etc.) and moves it a little closer towards a gentrified ersatz environment, like other areas of the inner-loop.

This sounds like the work of real-estate agents and creative marketing to me...

If it helps to create interest and excitement in the area and it ultimately brings some retail to the area, I am ALL for it. I have no problems with it whatsoever. Actually, I think it's a great idea. Warehouse district just doesn't cut it. Neither does Near East End in my opinion. I'm busy thinking of names to submit to the website...

It is. Nice joint with a Woodrows crowd

What's the "Woodrows Crowd"?

perhaps an exaggeration.......26 year old dudes with the same variation of untucked, striped dress shirt, who high-5 themselves every 30 seconds on the Golden Tee.

(midtown woodrows......other locations tend to have a wider mix of people, I've found)

LOL Great description...too funny...yeah, those guys can get a bit obnoxious. Those guys do realize that untucked dress shirts have been out of style for quite some time, right? Anyhow. Definitely a place I will try. Similar to Front Porch Pub I suppose. Go in, drink a bit, and head out when the "Woodrows Crowd" comes in.

Thanks everyone. This has been helpful.

Lucky's Pub is close.

Coog, I just checked out the website www.luckyspub.com. That place looks awesome! Thanks Coog! I had no idea it was even there. And it's much closer to where I live than the Midtown bars. Fantastic! I will be giving it a shot soon. But from the website, it looks EXACTLY like what I'm look for. Too cool...

I've been thinking about giving that place a try. Have you been? I get the impression it's a Woodrows-type crowd.

What a "Woodrows" type crowd? I've never been.

I did go to "1820" bar just on the other side of Highway 59 a block from Minute Maid. That place is nice with an excellent jukebox and an very cool bartender. But the place could not have been more dead. It was on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, I don't remember which. I'm sure it does a good business during Astros games. I used to go to the BUS before Astros games last year but no more. I will hit 1820 instead.

I did hit Mak's Ice House once or twice but I didn't feel overly welcomed by the regulars so I decided not to go back. I wasn't really feeling the music playing either. The owner was really nice though.

LOL you're in the right area.

LOL yes! I suppose I am...

best in what way?

Excellent question. Decent crowd. Minimal Drama. Good Jukebox. I am not into a meat market vibe as I am happily married. Just down to earth and laid back. Maybe a bit of a "dive bar". I used to go to Christians Tailgate and still go to Front Porch Pub during the day. But as the evening comes and the vibe becomes more "yuppie" (sorry, I hate that term but...) I'm outta there. I live in Eastwood and would like to find a place closer than Midtown. There are several ice houses around but I've only been to D&D Lounge (?) on Milby and McKinney during the day. It was fine but I've only been once.

Basically, I like to hit bars late in the week or on the weekend from Mid to late afternoon until the early evening so most places would probably be fine. I usually leave as night comes. Just curious what people had to say about some of the bars in the near East End.

Thanks musicman...I'll try to hit HAIF night at Happy Days in the future.

Eastwood's deed restrictions do not prevent townhomes from being built. They are the original restrictions and only prevent commercial land uses from entering the neighborhoods.

As a stakeholder in the neighborhood myself, I don't see any problems with townhomes, per se, so long as they are contributing to and not detracting from the neighborhood. What was the condition of the older home that got replaced?

Not sure about the condition of former home. I just can't believe they can fit three townhomes on that size of a lot. I also can't understand why someone would purchase a townhome there, next to some "rough around the edges" homes when they could purchase a wide variety of townhomes just up the road in the warehouse district.

Between Sidney and Cullen Blvd. on Dallas there is an old home that has been torn down and three townhomes are going up on the lot. It's the first I've seen of that in the neighborhood of Woodleigh/Eastwood. I thought there were deed restrictions against it but maybe that is for Eastwood and not Woodleigh since I guess, technically, they are two separate neighborhoods.

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come? I am relatively new to Houston and didn't know if this is something that should be looked upon in a positive or negative light. Does anyone have any thoughts?

What are some of the best bars on the near East End? I am somewhat new to the area...

Thanks!

95.7 sucked anyway. Good riddance. Maybe they should try playing some REAL jazz next time.

I couldn't agree more. Smooth Jazz isn't Jazz. It's background new age elevator music. But...different strokes for different folks...

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...st&p=234812

Thanks for the link. The editor was right in what he/she did. I will miss Danax, especially, because I am an East Ender. But Danax needs to chill out. There are plenty of placed to discuss 9-11 conspiracy theories and HAIF should not be one of them. Again, I'll miss Danax's postings greatly. But if he wants to take his ball and go home, whatever.

What happened to Danax? Why is he a deleted user?

Strange - this property is listed as having a structure on it.

http://www.commgate.com/index.cfm?pagename...m&ln=155782

I agree with anyone who wants to see a grocery store, townhomes or something decent and residential-oriented here. Actually I'd love to just see a whole bunch of trees here, but I know that'll never happen. Anybody have a spare 7 mil lying around?

danax, let me know if I can help at all with your idea about doing something about the RR xings in Eastwood. I'm a new East-ender, but a native Houstonian. I think just getting the area designated a quiet zone would be sufficient, but if you wanted to go the under/overpass route, I would say overpass for sure - to avoid the underpass rainy day water pit scenario like where Ernestine meets 45.

I have a question. Someone just told me that the Finger Furniture on I-45 & Cullen is being closed and the owners are trying to sell the land/building to Costco. Has anyone else heard this? Also, the Wesco/Reily Electrical Supply on Cullen Blvd is being vacated and will be, most likely, demolished. It was suggested that a mixed used condo/retail development like seen in Midtown may be developed where Wesco is now. Has anyone heard anything about this? Thanks.

I ate there last night. Yes, there is pizza, but there is so much more. I ate a lot of the sushi and it was excellent.

I don't usually like buffets but as far as buffets go, this was probably the best chinese buffet I've been to. The ambience is very unexpected and nice. Kind of a Vegas, buddha lounge vibe, complete with mellow trance techno playing through the excellent sound system. Overall, pretty trippy place. But very clean, very good service, pretty good food. I'll go again...

Ok if you just drive to work and back. You can find better bargains closer to 45/Wayside area. Trust me on that one, and much safer. That area (Woodleigh) is too close to trouble, unless you go for that sort of thing.

Closer to 45 the better.

I've lived in Woodleigh with my wife and stepson for a couple of years. We've had no problems with safety or theft. It's a pretty good area. I live near Lantrip Elementary. We have some great neighbors (and one or two that aren't quite as great). We are probably going to add on to our house and stay for awhile. The neighborhood has improved a lot even the last couple of years.

I am not a native Houstonian, but I really enjoy living in the loop and we really like Woodleigh (though I always refer to it as Eastwood).

Yes. We all like Sid. She and her husband are an excellent team.

Yep. That was her name. Sid. Very nice.

Sorry I started this thread a day late and a dollar short elsewhere (see thread Chronicle Article/Eastwood) and promptly got shut down due to redundancy and copyright issues. I am pretty new to haif and won't cut and paste an article in the future.

Anyhow, good to see the near east end get props from the Chronicle. Nice to see home values go up (if you already own a home), not so much if you don't.

As far as Starbucks, I'd take one on this end of town in a heartbeat. But I had my first cup of coffee from Bohemeo's a couple of days ago and it was excellent! The place is pretty cool too. The lady that worked there (owner?) couldn't have been friendlier. I will visit again soon.

Thought I'd cut and paste the article from the Chronicle on real estate in Eastwood and the East End. Looks like Eastwood is a secret no more...not that it has been for many of us for some time now.

Reactions?

Housing buzz fuels move to East End

Area attracts those priced out of other locations inside the Loop

By NANCY SARNOFF

Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

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Moving into the East End

See available properties More than five years ago, newlyweds Trace and Jessica Morrill moved into Eastwood — a scrappy neighborhood east of downtown where historic homes mingle with rundown fourplexes and the residents are used to the sounds of trains.

They paid $85,000 for the Tudor-style bungalow, which they sold last year to move into Glenbrook Valley — a community farther south near Hobby Airport.

The young couple, a lawyer and nurse practitioner, isn't near a Whole Foods, or a Signature Kroger, for that matter. One of the best restaurants around them is a taqueria.

US cities I have been to that I loved their downtown areas...

Seattle, Portland, San Fran (not so much the Financial District but all around it), San Diego, Denver, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, NYC (Manhattan), Boston, DC, Philly, Baltimore and Portland, Maine.

US cities that I have been to that had decent downtowns...

Los Angeles, Vegas (gotta love the old time gambling scene), Minneapolis, Fort Worth, Austin, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Miami, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Rochester, and Providence.

US cities that I have been to that appeared DEAD downtown...

Milwaukee, Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, Cleveland, Tampa, Buffalo, Raleigh, and Hartford.

I find Houston to be somewhere between dead and decent. It helps if there's an event going on like I-Fest or Art Car or Cinco de Mayo but on a weekend in which there is no festival and the Astros are on the road, downtown can be quite quiet.

You really nailed it! I have been to nearly every city you mention and despite a few minor disagreements (San Antonio/Tourist Trap, Vegas Downtown/iffy, LA/downtown?Really?) I think you are absolutely accurate. We in Houston are definitely above dead and have already joined Decent territory. We are light years beyond so many other cities and the great news is downtown Houston is just getting started! So many projects and restaurants and bars are underway.

I am new to Houston and as an outsider I have to say, things are so much better in Houston than many locals give it credit for. It's a great city and the renaissance has clearly begun and is taking hold.

I am new to Eastwood. I moved here about 90 or so days ago. I lived in Plano a couple of years prior to that, and before Plano, in California for about 10 years.

I dig Eastwood. Close to downtown. Multi-ethnic, mostly quiet, and seemingly safe neighborhood. I just can't help but think this area will be an excellent investment given its location and moderately low costs for housing.

But I am not in this for the investment. Houston is now my home and I don't plan on moving for many, many years. Matter of fact, I am an new Houston Texans Season Ticket Holder (please don't hold that against me!).

Times Square has at least 10 jumbotron tvs within it, and there's many other cities worldwide that have them as well, but they're much more spread out throughout the city compared to NYC, where all seem confined to Times Square. I'd LOVE to see some jumbotrons downtown, including at least one at Pavillions, and perhaps two or three around the downtown park, Main Street, and Bayou Place.

And downtown Chicago and San Francisco don't have any downtown Jumbotrons and they are, in my opinion, far more beautiful cities than NYC.

Houston just isn't a "Jumbotron" downtown kind of a place. Think of the goal being class and taste, not crass and gaudy (NYC/LV).

Just my 2 cents.