UrbanGeranimal

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

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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

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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.)"

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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."

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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. "

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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 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.