astrohip

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.

1 hour ago, Specwriter said:

It looks like this would be at the intersection of I-69 (formerly US 59) and Timmons

If the drawings are accurate, it shows it immediately north of the 24 Greenway Plaza bldg. That puts it where the Regal Edwards was (which of course is what this thread is about). It's the NE corner of Norfolk & Weslayan.

13 hours ago, 004n063 said:

Those poor Southamptonites. Such a downtrodden bunch.

The person who started the protest is from Southgate, not Southampton. So technically it's' "those poor Southgatorades".

So this appears to be more of a "leave my Village alone", than a neighborhood protest, since Southgate is a good distance from this project. But I think the "leave the Village alone" horse has long left the building.

Wow, very interesting. 

PS: Westheimer doesn't look like that in reality. There are no trees in the medians.

On 4/2/2024 at 1:10 PM, urbanize713 said:

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston/2023/09/06/461609/houstons-memorial-and-buffalo-bayou-parks-to-be-connected-by-forthcoming-trail/

Anyone have any further update on the proposed connection betwwen BBP and Memorial Park? 

 

I am being told: "We are working through contract reviews on this now. Short answer is that we will start design this spring, that will take 12-18 months, then another 12 months of permitting and then construction (another 12-18 months). We are at least three years out. These projects take forever. "

19 hours ago, hindesky said:

The dump trucks are coming and going in droves.

There were three more lined up today, waiting to enter, when I drove past at 11am.

43 minutes ago, Amlaham said:

Already $250 Million in sales, more than half the units are sold!

https://www.papercitymag.com/real-estate/ritz-carlton-residences-the-woodlands-draw-250-million-sales-first-week-real-estate/

That seems... astounding.

I wonder if the buyers are all future residents? Does anyone know if the HOA rules prohibit renting, short or long term? I'm thinking maybe people buying as an investment property, with intentions to rent?

Because $250MM is an unbelievable number.

Yes, lots of memories. We lived on Lexington just down the street from Phil's. Our rental house backed up to the SW Fwy. Our kids (both under 4 at the time) loved to sit on the edge of the freeway (behind a fence) and wave to truckers. We could walk to Phil's.

That's considered "Upper Kirby District"? Might as well call it the River Oaks area.

No drive-thru. Doesn't Starbucks require them in Houston?

That's a tough location, not easy to get in & out of. A driveway redesign would help. Maybe ROB buys it?