astrohip

17 hours ago, 004n063 said:

I just hope they get tap pay sometime this century

So the HEB I use in Brenham recently completed a year long remodel. Completely redid the store, expanded the footprint, etc. Really nice (btw, wanna piss off an old person--rearrange where everything is located in your store). One of the final steps, just a few weeks ago, was redoing the checkout stations, with all new terminals. Finally!

So when I first used it, I asked the cashier about using Google Pay. "Oh, these don't do that".

😭😭😭

14 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

This mayor needs to be recalled. 

As much as I dislike some of the actions he's taken since taking office, he's not going to be recalled. He was elected with a strong majority, and most people don't care about many of these issues to the extent many of us on HAIF do.

The one issue I think may come back to haunt him is the Fire Dept pay issue. I'll leave politics out of it (and this forum), and just say the budget concern caused by his agreement may end up being a significant problem.

15 hours ago, Highrise Tower said:

Can't believe Becks Prime renewed a 40-year lease here.  That's such a long time!

I can't believe someone allowed them a 40-year lease! I wonder what the buyout clause is.

Having said that, we love Beck's Prime. It's far and away our favorite burger in this area.

As you mention, this property goes farther back than it seems.

As far as condos, the area may be saturated. The RO condos will be starting soon, and Randall Davis never could get any traction for condos right down the street. The River Oaks condos are also just down the street, and offer a high-end option in that area.

On 5/13/2024 at 6:42 PM, Bassclef said:

A low rise apartment complex

Is there a reason you post this same comment in almost every thread about a potential new development?

The signs have gone up along Westheimer, from the Loop in. 

Interesting! That's right around the corner from me, I'll have to go take a look. There's been some activity on Audley recently. Up at the NE corner at Alabama, there used to be a Pediatrician's office (a busy one!). I think Oaks Cleaners bought it.

Did it show an asking price anywhere on that listing? I couldn't find it.

Wow, is that legit? Is this the first time we've seen that drawing, or did I miss it previously? I knew it was gonna be high, like 30+ stories, but don't recall seeing the actual design.

Gorgeous building. I'm really partial to mostly glass wall condos, with only balconies interrupting the flow. They look great from the outside, and even better from inside.

I'm really happy where we are, but if I was looking, that would move to #1 on my list.

5 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

This parcel may become the site of the first urban casino to be built in Texas in the last century or so.

I really don't want a casino there. I love casinos, and visit Vegas with some regularity. I would do anything to get them in Texas. But not there.

A casino in Houston should be a destination journey/event. Kemah, Galveston, the old Dome... something that says "adventure". Not on Westheimer, 1/2 mile from the Loop.

Just my .02.

Thanks for the info. Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to use a crane like this for a single use?

Nope, forget I said anything. The Lamar Towers is getting a new chiller.

They are assembling a huge crane just off-site from the RO. I'm sure @hindesky can give us a better description than "huge". I'm posting this here because there is nothing else around that needs a crane like this. It's on Buffalo Spdwy in front of Lamar Towers, but I can't imagine why they (Lamar T) would need this. And there isn't any major construction planned at the St. Johns athletic fields that I'm aware of. I'm not sure how they will get this crane over to the RO property if that's where it's going, and why they didn't simply assemble it there? If it turns out not to be for the RO, I will delete this post.

For reference, this is looking South. Lamar Towers is behind it, and the RO is in the back right side of this photo.

This is Saturday morning. They started moving this into place around midnight.

1 hour ago, __nevii said:

 

But the problem still remains with valuable land areas (proximity to CBD/walkable urbanity) being locked away, limiting the ability for demand to be satiated (in turn, driving up prices). 

Without speaking to any particular area or project... why is this a problem? If current residents have "locked away" the land use in their area, doesn't that indicate that current residents want a certain type of development? Why should you, or anyone for that matter, be able to decide how an area should be developed that is "locked away"?

This does not apply to areas that have no restrictions. If there is no zoning, or deed restrictions, or land use limits of any sort, then yes, you can develop. So an Ashby Hi-Rise would be allowed. But if there are restrictions of any sort, why should someone else decide to throw them out?

Isn't that "taking"?

Thanks for finding this. Older, less well known (to most) part of Houston. When I was born (Mesozoic Era), my parents lived with my grandparents in a house in the upper-left part of the map you pasted.

I've always liked that building. We took a hard look at it when we decided to go condo in 2018. Nice bldg, nice units, even had small (very small) windows that opened, which is rare in a hi-rise condo. Ultimately, we decided we didn't like the location, plus the limited parking situation.

14 hours ago, Highrise Tower said:

I can never get tired of taking photos of this skyscraper.  One of a kind for Houston!  Reminds me of something you would see in Miami.

Agree. We can see this from our condo balcony. At night it's nicely lit.

I have a close relationship with Amegy that enabled me to tour this building before it was opened, plus many visits since. It's as gorgeous inside as it is out. Nice pics!

On 4/16/2024 at 5:55 PM, 004n063 said:

So this is gunna be a pretty neat building, eh fellas?

I drove by it Saturday going to the Art Car Parade, first time I'd been by it since maybe last year's parade? Wow, what a magnificent edifice! Can't wait to see it.

16 hours ago, gene said:

my slight ocd hated this building

That's probably a big part of it for me. I tend to lean symmetrical and balanced, and this building is neither.

13 hours ago, HTX1121 said:

Oxy bought their site within the development.

Interesting development (and thanks for posting!). What does this mean for both their building, and the entire RO project? Does this mean they can build what they want, using who they want, and not have to go thru the developer? I'm assuming there are certain restrictions in the sale, but in general, what are the ramifications of this?

Every time I see this building (which is all the time), I'm reminded how ugly it is.

And yes, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Great location. You can get in for around $300/sqft, which is among the lowest for a high-rise in that area. I assume because it's older, and maybe doesn't have the amenities of the newer places? Not sure. Also have no idea how well it's maintained. Haven't been in it for years.

Still a very well maintained building. One of the top two condo towers in the city (IMHO).

Prime it is. My dentist was in there for decades, and I remembered when they moved. It was going to be redeveloped.

{crickets} since then.

Gorgeous building. Pictures can't do it justice (and it's a great pic!).

Here's a couple I took last year. Front & back.