Amlaham

I realllllly hope they plan on replacing some of the dead landscape :( it really makes a huge difference 

15 hours ago, august948 said:

Five residential driveways?  That will not have moving traffic 99% of the time?  The existing lot looks to have been commercial with the five existing driveways composing more than 50% of the total curb.  Sounds like an upgrade for pedestrians, especially if they plant some trees.

Just pointing out that the walkability isn't significantly impaired by this.   In fact, it's probably going to be improved.

Its 5 driveway, the developer could have easily made it easier for pedestrians without making it harder for vehicles (not going to explain how, being on this forum you should already know how). I know you've seen the case scenario where cars block sidewalks, its VERY common in these type of developments, just look at similar developments around. Also, whatever the lot WAS does NOT matter. If we were to build based off of what a site previously was, there would be no change in Houston. 

Like I said previously, YES this is an improvement to what was already there, however, it could have been even much better, especially since this will most likely sit unchanged for the next 50+ years. 

14 minutes ago, august948 said:

Are they going to destroy the sidewalks then?

Many driveways make it harder for people to walk safely 

Like what does your comment even insinuate? 

3 hours ago, Texasota said:

boo 5 driveways on mcgowen

That livable places ordinance needs to go into effect already and stop all the damage that these developers are creating. Yes, this is better than whats there now but does little for walkability. 

These are great recommendations! Any ideas on when these would most likely get implemented? It seems like Houston is starting to get plagued by the poorly designed multiple driveway lots :/ 

A new 2 story building will be built here. This is right next door to the Durham Row development.  Not sure what the site plan is, where it will be to demolish all the buildings or just replace one of the buildings on the lot. Hopefully, the building in the front will go and the 2 story building will take its place. 

New building looks GREAT! No more parking along 45th st or in front of the building along Seawall blvd! Plus, more palm trees landscape! 

At this point, they should just sell the land and find a new location. First, requesting less parking was an issue, now the parking itself and the building is an issue.  

1 hour ago, 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.

Im pretty sure the building is going to be well insulated. I don't think it's they used regular glass windows for the building. Think of the buildings in UAE, Qatar, Saudi, etc, where temps can reach 120 degrees, these buildings aren't made with average glass.  

12 hours ago, august948 said:

 

 Now we pretty much have to elect Trump in 2024, whether we like it or not. 

Democratic party operatives have already shown that impeaching during a election year and burning and rioting in American cities in the run up to the election can influence the presidential election.  Now, if they are successful with this they will prove that weaponizing the legal system and pursuing political prosecutions can also influence the presidential election.  If they are successful with that you can be sure that you will be seeing these tactics used over and over and over again every election cycle from now on.

Good job Dems, I'm sure y'all thought this all the way through.

Why would anyone use his tactics after seeing him suffer the consequences of his own actions? Trump and his son in law has legit called their supporters "stupid" and the shoe is clearly fitting. 

Trump supporters constantly proving our point that he could literally "shoot someone and wouldn't loose any voters" - Trump himself. Its actually crazy how Culty his following is, he could do ANYTHING and you guys would still kiss his butt, like the obsession is sooo weird. The counter arguments are "but dems, but liberals, but dems....." the other side does NOT praise any president or leader as much as a Trump supporter and never has. Imagine Idolizing an almost 80 year old fat spray tanned convicted felon 💀 There's definitely lead in some of ya'll water system because y'all are legit hallucinating and acting like Trump is Jesus himself

I might be wrong, but it looks like they're going to keep the larger building and remodel it, while demolishing the front building and the back house to make way for more parking

I would have thought they would green up the lot to make it more like a patio/garden. I may be judging this too early, but this kind of just looks like a parking lot with a tiny building :(

31 minutes ago, editor said:

Someone who works in the Galleria told me that LV and Gucci are each going to have two locations.  But he couldn't speculate about why. 

Also, this person has about 60/40 success rate with predictions about the Galleria, so don't take it as Gospel.

As for Prada, he says the location next to Creed is temporary while a new, larger store is being built.

Louis Vuitton already has 2 stores in the Galleria. One of them is for men only while the larger one is for women. I believe Gucci is in the process of doing the same! This concept is common in other big cities like Milan, Paris, and NYC. Essentially, I believe the purpose of having 2 stores instead of 1 big store for both men and women, is to maintain a boutique atmosphere instead of a giant super center type of atmosphere. Both Gucci and LV have a massive following and having lines outside of their stores is pretty much the norm on a regular weekend, so for them it makes sense. I don't see any other luxury retailer having 2 stores or separating men/women in Houston just yet. 

1 hour ago, Caribomoa said:

So Dolce & Gabbana is opening a large store in top of LV on the third floor. This I don’t understand. The second floor is the luxury. D&G will be by itself as far as luxury goes there. There’s the YSL nearby but they’re moving down to the second floor. 

Most likely it will be a temporary store

1 hour ago, Houston19514 said:

I think what Chicago "offers" is merely the federal (IRS) allowing pre-tax payroll deductions of up to $300 per month to be used for transit.  The same program is available in Houston.

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2023/06/20/chicago-deploys-its-first-tdm-requirements-for-new-construction-in-rail-station-tod-areas

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/CDOTPRC/TDM Strategies 6.16.23.pdf

This is what i'm referring too, its related to a "Connected Communities Ordinance" in Chicago. It has to do with how new buildings are constructed, eliminating free parking for employees, there's more information in that link above. It doesn't sound like they're just manicuring a package thats merely something the IRS offers. It's obviously much more than that. 

Does anyone know if TxDot began acquiring properties again? They're now scheduled to start construction in 2024, and according to their timeline (outdated), it states that they will begin right of way acquisition well before construction begins. Mainly interested in the removal of all of the billboards along 59 near midtown. Just around Midtown/ Downtown, 11-ish billboards will be removed! 

https://mycity.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=15e9cd4512944ddb9b8f6b23fa9a68c6

23 hours ago, samagon said:

if there's a train, and it costs less for the train/uber vs rental/gas, you better believe they will make the employee take the train. not to mention that time sitting on a train is now productive time on calls, answering emails, doing normal business that would otherwise be impacted by having to concentrate on the whole driving thing. 

so the only hypothetical in this equation is that my boss may recognize that even if the train ride costs a bit more, they may tell me that I need to take the train anyway, just so I stay productive during that time.

and yeah, if my boss finds out about Vonlane, I might end up taking a bus.

A little off topic, but I believe a lot of other big cities have adopted incentives for big companies to persuade employees to use trains/ public transportation when traveling home/ offices! The incentives even includes discounting gym memberships within the immediate area to push more employees to stay local and not drive if they don't have to. I think Chicago just passed something like that. Maybe one day we'll get there (but I doubt it)

6 hours ago, 004n063 said:

Is it just me or have the neighborhood threads turned very parking-heavy in the last month or two? It seemed like we were on a good streak of mostly uninterrupted urbanization, but lately it seems like there have been an awful lot of updates and projects with a preponderance of new surface parking.

Completely agree! I feel like this is an issue thats still ongoing throughout Houston, even in areas thats supposedly aiming to become more walkable. For example, Shepherd, Westheimer, and Almeda are all getting new developments with giant parking lots fronting the street. It confusing because I thought the city was adopting ordinances to improve this issue? Its extremely annoying because its legit the simplest solution, make the damn building front the street and move the parking out of the way, this doesn't impact the business in any way, so why hasn't this been implemented yet?! 

6 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

Below are exterior renderings of Eggheadz, a new restaurant opening at 4720 Almeda Road. The renderings were posted recently to Eggheadz's Instagram.

 It's hard to tell from the rendering if Eggheadz will occupy the entire first floor or not. It's also hard to tell if this is all one building (though, I'm thinking it is) or if the adjacent lot at 4716 Almeda will extend to single-story building with retail. Perhaps someone with knowledge of this development can provide further insight.

As previously noted, JT Arc Studio is designing the 4720 Almeda building (possibly the 4716 Almeda one too).

It looks nice, if these are the final renderings, it looks like the building will just be remodeled instead of demolished.

4 hours ago, wilcal said:

There is one in River Oaks. Maybe they're doing better than we thought. 

The one in River Oaks is in a giant shopping center (which includes Marshalls/Home Goods, TJ Max, gym, many restaurants) and it only occupies a small space. This will be an entire city block in the middle of town just for them. 

3 hours ago, cityliving said:

The Museum district looks like its still in that awkward phase of dense buildings surrounded by huge parking lots, but its headed in the right direction!

2 acre lot turned to a car wash....loving all these de-urbanizing projects 

Will interesting to see how the store turns out since most of their locations are only drive through. 

I don't necessarily have a problem with dollar tree, an affordable option is always nice. However, how in the hell are they able to afford rent for an entire city block in midtown? 

I hate this sooooooo much. The entire intersection became parking lots all while UK is trying to create a walkable street. CVS lot use to have a building up to the street and now this. The Oyster place legit only has 5 cars parked....I hope they run out of business and forced to sell.