Caribomoa

2 hours ago, ChannelTwoNews said:

Houston developer Al Kashani to bring more filmmaking to Houston (houstonchronicle.com)

"The space, formerly the home of Suniland and Louis Shanks furniture stores, will be divided into two sections. 

"We bought it, and we are going to re-purpose that. It is a huge facility, so in the front, we are going to do a home-improvement mall, which is going to be furniture, technology, everything that goes for the home," says Kashani, noting the cost of the renovation will run between $3 million and $4 million. "In the back, we have a 125,000-square-foot warehouse with 35-feet tall ceilings. So it's a perfect fit to put in soundstages.""

Another thing I like in the article is that the developer plans on partnering with local colleges to establish some sort of film education. if they get local colleges onboard here, that’s a big plus 
 

“While the Houston stages will be open to commercial filmmakers, Kashani says much of the emphasis will be on education through partnerships with area colleges.
"It's not just about film but creating top-quality jobs and a workforce," says Kashani. "People don't realize that the film industry is one of the top industries in the nation, right along with construction and oil and gas. With film, you have three or four actors but hundreds of (other) people ... I want to generate money, generate jobs. That's the whole thing here."
He compares it to a version of medical school. "It's like we are creating a teaching hospital, basically," he said. "Kind of like the M.D. Anderson."
Kashani says that this is a good time to open a studio because, in the last Texas legislative session, the amount of money available from the state for film/TV incentives more than quadrupled from $45 million to $200 million, making Texas somewhat more competitive with such states as Georgia, New Mexico and Louisiana in attracting film, TV, commercials and videogame production. While other states may still offer more money, Kashani says the Lone Star State has built-in advantages beyond incentives”

A potential film/tv studio appears to be going in this property. The Houston chronicle misreported that 50 Cent was behind the project. If 50 cent is involved, it’s unconfirmed

“I’m at the St Regis on Briar Oaks, hit me when you’re done with your shift” - Drake 

On 11/20/2023 at 4:34 PM, MrFubbles said:

I truly cannot put into words how much I despise this plan for the quad. It looks like the Woodlands Church

Can't we just replace the statue and move on? That curved path is offensive

Like others, I’m not a fan of the quad redevelopment. But that said, the quad absolutely needed change. The design as it stands is unwelcoming and does not create an environment to hangout at.
 

But I do wish the updated version includes more references to the original design.

On 8/3/2023 at 10:57 AM, asubrt said:

Pretty much a foregone conclusion at this point, but looks like ROD Phase II/Equinox Hotel aren’t happening, at least not any time soon. That land now has for sale signs up on the fence

In a turn of events, it appears Fertitta just bought this lot. So the possibility for phase II is back on the board now.

the Equinox Hotel won’t happen though. That brand failed nationally. Covid finished it. It ended up being a one location hotel in NYC

"Corebridge Financial is one of the largest and most established providers of retirement solutions and insurance products in the United States. We are proudly headquartered in Houston and have been at the America Tower for four decades. We’ve begun work to place the Corebridge name at the top of the America Tower later this year. It’s one of the city’s landmark buildings, and we’re very excited," a Corebridge spokesperson told Chron.
 

https://www.chron.com/business/article/aig-tower-houston-removed-18927069.php#

Question. Before AIG merged with American General (which is essentially the exact same company as today’s Corebridge), did the tower have an American General sign?

He better not run out Steam 48 tho!

On 2/29/2024 at 10:28 AM, gene said:

my god...

he needs to concentrate on that dang Post Oak Corner lot first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha 🤪

But anyway, congratulations i guess right? he is a good business man but wondering how well a Rainforest Cafe will look next to Dior? ;) 

 

I know you’re joking. But that’s not gonna happen lmao! If a Fertitta restaurant will come into this it will be a Catch Restaurant

i hope he doesn’t run off Steam 48 (even though it’s essentially another Mastro’s).

5 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

What is Catch?

There’s basically only 2 Fertitta restaurant chains that matter. Mastro’s and Catch. Those are 2 of the highest profile names in fine dining and attract celebritites. The rest are .

that being said, I would’ve preferred Willie G’s be turned into a Catch instead so the 2 could be next to eachother. But I’ll still take one in ROD!

On 12/5/2023 at 11:56 AM, hindesky said:

https://www.brioni.com/en/us

Architect - https://www.tpgarchitecture.com

Brioni was originally set to be one of the original ROD tenants. Wonder what ever happened with that. They just opened in Dallas and are about to open in Houston. Good to see brands more willing to go to 2 Texas markets rather than battle it out like they used to. Hope Alexander McQueen eventually finds its way to Houston. It’s one of the few big names missing

Did anyone mention this project will include a Jean Georges Restaurant? First location in Texas.

Daikin has been a huge thing for Waller County. Great to see high end manufacturing and engineering jobs go there

Loewe appears to be opening at ROD

In the recent earnings call, it was reported that Crown Castle plans to consolidate some 1,300 jobs into Houston at this building. The folks in Southpointe (Pittsburgh) sure aren’t happy with this move! Half of the company’s foundations happened in West Pennsylvania and now it seems they’re almost entirely leaving the area.

Some employees have mentioned Crown Castle is possibly looking for additional office space to accommodate these moves but I have no confirmation on that.

I’ll agree with Monarch here for the most part. NRG Park and Stadium absolutely need to be upgraded in order for us to stay competitive in the long run. Hopefully this NRG Park upgrade is part of this answer and we get a nice upgrade to the Rodeo as well

1 hour ago, monarch said:

^^^ actually, in any of my prior posts vs comments thereafter, i have never ever stated that this PARTICULAR PROJECT was an insult per se.  actually, I THINK THAT THIS PARTICULAR DEVELOPMENT is not only quite beautiful, posh, elegant, and stately, i also think that this project shall be a wonderful asset to the woodlands vicinity or region overall.  

however, i feel that the overall INTENT to construct this particular (well-known and quite popular) luxury brand within the SUBURB of houston proper... is in itself an INSULT to the city of houston proper.  city of houston officials have been trying now for DECADES to re-capture the glory of THE RITZ CARLTON back to our fair city.  in fact, there are people that i know for whom has sworn that they have turned over every stone (that is lawfully possible) in landing this most luxurious brand back to our city.  in fact, no one really knows just why they left in the first place.

sooooooo, there you have it, it's not the development per se that i have an issue with, it's the INTENT to construct in the woodlands vs the city of houston proper... which has been trying in earnest to get them to come back for decades now...

Thank you for clarifying. I respect your opinion. But I don’t agree on this one.

It’s also worth mentioning that this flight to the suburbs is something that’s been going on everywhere. Especially since the pandemic. People, businesses, etc. In SF, the Westfield mall even closed downtown. The Woodlands and surrounding areas has established itself as a premier business and tech hub so it’s going to need hospitality projects to support this growth. I do understand that this comes at the cost of other portions of Houston that could have some of those businesses but it’s better to have it in the suburbs than not having them at all.

The Woodlands is turning itself into a heck of a high end area and will probably continue to do so for a while. I thinks rather a good thing to have the Post Oak and St Regis in River Oaks/Uptown and Ritz Carlton. I think it’s nice to have both of the premier shopping districts as well. As long as the region can support both, I think it’s completely good for the entire region to have a region like the Woodlands emerge.

As you and I both agree, Houston’s has been behind in high end hotel flags but it’s a lot better than it was in the early 2000s. In order to keep attracting more, there will need to be more places that can support them.

9 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ look, dude, mam, (or whatever) as a very frequent world traveler myself, i am not going to keep going on and on and on and on and on... toward the break of dawn... with the silly-season BS with you.  we have all been espousing from time to time, the distinct and insulting lack of hospitality brands within the houston proper and greater houston regions for decades now.  i mean, where on earth have you been residing... under a meteorite?

heck, if it's taking this long for you to comprehend prior and present circumstances within our fair city, then it's probably useless... right?  my goodness...  

I’m not disagreeing with the lack of high end hotel flags in Houston for its size. I’ve mentioned this before. You’re mixing up arguments.

I’m asking why you why THIS project is an insult. And you’re not answering. And something tells me I’m not getting an answer. Which is unfortunate because I’d like to hear your perspective.

1 minute ago, monarch said:

^^^ well, you know, if you have to ask...

Yes. Im asking. I’m a frequent travel. I’ve been away from Texas more this year than I’ve been in Texas including right now. I’ve seen great hospitality projects in many regions. I’ve seen enough of the world to know a good hospitality project when I see one.

So again, where is the insult? It’s an actual question and if you know something I don’t, I would like to hear it. And perhaps I’d agree with you. But if all I hear is “this is an insult…” then it tells me nothing. And I think you’re being ridiculous. M

2 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ oh, boy, HERE WE GO!  "do it prefer a city with bad suburbs... ?"  what a profoundly strange and ridiculous query.  actually, i'd much prefer a wonderful, hospitality-friendly, well-rounded city... period!  however, at this all-important point in our fair city's history, i would just LOVE for houston to stop being insulted via any prospective hospitality brand... just so very sick of it... 

So then where’s the insult in this project?

26 minutes ago, monarch said:

^^^ just how many more INSULTS can our fair city of houston incur?  april fool's day is now past... right?

??

Why are you viewing the Woodlands Ritz Carlton as a negative to Houston? The Woodlands is in the Houston region. Any positivity for the Woodlands is positivity for the city of Houston. The Ritz Carlton brand is returning to the Houston area and the Lake Woodlands is being developed. You should be enjoying this news. Do you prefer a city with bad suburbs?

43 minutes ago, Amlaham said:

So its official, the Houston Area will be getting it's first Ritz-Carlton Residences. It's going to be in The Woodlands off Lake Woodlands. I would have preferred it to be in Houston, but maybe this will catalyze a possible future Ritz Carlton hotel for Houston. Either way, great news!

https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/development/2023/10/12/the-ritz-carlton-residences-announced-for-lake-woodlands-area/

It’s more likely that a hotel gets added to this project in the future as Howard Hughes develops that area. I imagine they have long term plans for what’s left of the Lake Woodlands. It’s close enough to the town center while being isolated enough to make way for luxury hospitality

The Ritz Carlton brand plans a return to the Houston market in collaboration with Howard Hughes. It will be a Ritz Carlton Residencies situated on Lake Woodlands with an on site restaurant.

https://hellowoodlands.com/howard-hughes-announces-the-ritz-carlton-residences-the-woodlands/

Anyone post on the Ritz Carlton Residencies coming to the Woodlands?

Yet another luxury store joining the Galleria with AMIRI 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-05/chevron-buys-land-for-possible-new-r-d-facility-outside-houston