UrbanGeranimal

"Case in point, I wanted to take my daughter to the restroom to wash her hands before eating our meal. I was informed that this brand-new million-dollar restaurant had no public facilities."

"I asked one of the servers at the restaurant why they had no public facilities for us to wash up in since we had just come from outside, and that it didn't seem very sanitary to not have facilities available to do so. He said it had to do with the high cost of real estate (!?) in downtown Houston."

"In my best Law & Order voice:

"I'm not at liberty to divulge that information at this time...""

"Something tells me that this is a common practice not to provide them in downtown Houston, but I don't know why. Is it because of plumbing/sanitary sewer issues?"

"Their response was that restrooms were not even a consideration due to the site location, and the impossibility of plumbing and sewers."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry, but something seems a little fishy with all of these comments. A new restaurant in downtown Houston would be required to have public restrooms, period. (International Building Code Chapter 29, Table 2902.1 - Minimum Number of Required Plumbing Facilities) No one is allowed to opt out because of the "high cost of real estate" or lack of access to plumbing and sewer. How could it be that a restaurant does not have access to a sanitary sewer? Kitchens must have water. And it has to drain somewhere. If there is access for the sinks and dishwasher in the kitchen then there would be access for restrooms. And if the line is not big enough it is the responsibility of the owner to make it so.

I don't think you are telling the whole story. What really made me suspicious of these comments was the one where you would not name the restaurant. How noble. Of course it keeps anyone from checking your story.

If they really do not have public restrooms, turn them in.

Why live downtown when you can live in Uptown, Midtown, Montros, etc?

Also, I work downtown.

That does seem a bit high. Is your place less than 1,000 sq. ft.? I had heard that the prices were mostly in the $200K range.

Thanks for the info.

TNJ

---------------------

Just under 1,000. One of the reasons for the price is that it is on an upper floor facing Main. The corner place is around 1500 sq ft and $308/sq ft, because of the view.

Has anyone visited St. Germain lofts since Randall Davis began selling them off?  The website is www.stgermainlofts.com, which seems to be pretty well done.  It needs floorplans, but pretty cool.  I have not been in for a tour.  Anyone?

TNJ

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I live in the St. Germain. They are a little high on the prices, $289/sqft for my place. But the lofts that have been upgraded look really nice. I think the prices may come down some. They have sold about 12 to 15 so far.

This is an interesting topic (downtown grocery store) - one which I have struggled with a lot recently.

"But, regarding the general concept of a downtown grocer, you need people living there who will shop there. Downtown Houston has that, but maybe not the same numbers that the "traditional" suburban stores have."

"I feel like I am being 'Debbie Downer', but until downtown has enough people to support a traditional store by itself (even with the inconvenience of reduced parking, etc.)"

--------------------------------------------

If they build it, I will shop. You are right that the density is just not there. Even though there are around 2,500 to 3,000 of us it is not in one or two blocks. And that is the key. The store would have to be close enough that car crazy Houstonians would walk to it. Just thinking I would walk about 4 to 6 blocks to shop. Others will not cross the street.

"Laura Van Ness, Central Houston's director of business development, said she has increasingly seen young couples with children frequenting downtown Houston. District officials see that as a hopeful sign."

--------------------

Yep, that is what they want, families. I am fine with this as long as they don't plan on putting in a Chuck E Cheese to get them here.

"I'm not sure downtown can support too large an infusion of residential right now. "

--------

I agree with that. There are not enough people that would seriously consider moving downtown. The long range plan by the downtown association relies in some part on attracting families. I have to disagree with them on this point. Families enjoy suburbia too much to be enticed to downtown. And that is fine with me.

I would start with getting rid of the Aquarium restaurant.

I did a walk-thru of the building in '99 when they originally wanted to turn it into lofts. It was creepy. A lot furniture was still there. And since it had been used as storage there were files and x-rays all around. The weirdest part was the psycho ward that was caged off on the east end of one floor.

If any grocery went in within walking distance I would shop there. I am not a fan of driving to the Randall's in midtown.

We also need a liquor store within walking distance.