EastwoodEnvoy

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Last year the Hoods spent north of $2 million to buy a 14,000-square-foot 130-year-old building east of downtown Houston that they plan to convert into a pinball museum. They believe it is likely one of the oldest freestanding brick structures in town. Like the Vault, it has been many things: home to a succession of printing businesses, a flophouse hotel, a commercial laundry equipment seller, and, quite possibly, a brothel.

Its facade is painted a moody cerulean blue, and from its front step you can see both Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros play ball, and Shell Energy Stadium, where the Houston Dynamo kick balls.

On blueprints spread across the Hoods’ kitchen island, the building, at 2215 Congress, is called Wormhole East. It’s intended to be a shrine to pinball’s past and present as well as a playground. Most of the machines—or “pins,” as enthusiasts call them—on display at the future museum will be in working order, Tim Hood vows. Given how often both old and new pinball machines need repairs, that promise will be an engineering feat unto itself.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/underground-pinball-den-houston-museum/

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The new brewery will include a full-service kitchen that will serve pizza and other dishes, a larger taproom for hosting events, and most importantly, room for expanded brewing capacity and production.

https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/true-anomaly-brewing-new-location/

Wasn't a big fan of their beer but a lot of good folks worked there. Hope the staff lands on their feet.

Moving along. Retention pond is now reinforced with concrete. That wooden privacy fence is extremely close to the trail, just inches away.

Stopped by last Saturday and was really impressed. It was PACKED and my neighbor said Sunday was the same. I had the wings which were just okay but the drinks were great. Good selection of bourbon behind the bar. 

They're having their grand opening party on Friday

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4berCPsBEp/?hl=en

20 minutes ago, Triton said:

I posted this over on Reddit. Interesting engagement.

 

Another reminder of how thankful I am to have discovered HAIF 🤣

The site seems much more responsive than before the maintenance. Thanks!

1 hour ago, hindesky said:

Another one at Eastwood @ Harrisburg on the Union Pacific Galveston Sub.

https://www.youtube.com/@EastwoodCivicAssociation/live

Thanks - very helpful for avoiding parked trains 🤬

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CASE Chocolates will open later this spring at the Plant, the East End mixed-use development that’s home to James Beard Award-winning Thai restaurant Street to Kitchen, coffee shop Eden Plant Co., and Neighbors, a casual neighborhood bar that serves pizza and cocktails. The 900-square-feet location will serve as both a showroom for Case’s chocolates and a speakeasy-style bar.

https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/sorrento-ristorante-montrose-new-owner/

Siding repair and exterior painting is complete. Hopefully windows will be coming in soon. Fun to see this building be restored 🥰

Looks like Whitmire is trying to kill this project...

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/houston-mayor-calls-for-termination-of-controversial-east-side-housing-project

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Bottom-line - the Housing Authority misrepresented to state and federal agencies not only the size of the tower. But also the so-called potential "fall-zone."

In other words, were it to collapse, the antenna could smash directly into 800 Middle Street.

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Literally surrounded by toxic ash landfills and a lead contaminated state superfund site, Whitmire views the 800 Middle Street development as a dangerous boondoggle deserving of termination.

"We are doing everything we can, working with legal to see if we could put a halt to it," said Whitmire.

2 hours ago, wilcal said:

They honestly had a point! ...until Livable Places went into effect on Nov 27 and ADU size limitations went from 900 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft.

Also, I'm pretty sure that this is going to be a duplex and not a triplex. 

Correct, the new build on the lot is a duplex with the detached garage apartment remaining. Three dwelling units but I wouldn't call it a triplex since it's two separate buildings.

5 hours ago, Amlaham said:

So we should expect something like this, which is going to be exciting for kids and collectors! 

Yeah, they've been up at Post for two weeks or so. I know this because I got ripped off for a dollar by the machine that turns your dollars into tokens to operate the machines 😒 The toys are much more expensive than I expected. I think some were as high as $6 for a single "turn". Sending thoughts and prayers to all the parents out there who will lose a small fortune as your child begs for tokens to try to get the toy they want.

I drove past today and noticed the strip mall at I-45 N and Woodridge was vacated with signs up indicating an HCC Southeast expansion was in the works. Looks like the majority of this shopping center will be demolished to make room for a new welcome center for the campus and the Challenger Learning Center.

https://www.virtualbx.com/bid-bulletin/new-challenger-learning-center-southeast-campus-houston-community-college/

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/challenger-learning-center-hcc-houston-18184101.php

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Houston Community College will begin construction of its own multi-million dollar Challenger Learning Center in August to encourage students to broaden their interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

The facility will feature space-themed interactive activities for elementary, middle and high school students to develop thinking skills and teamwork a Challenger Learning Center spokesperson said.

Here's an updated link

https://www.scarletcapital.com/developments/eastwood-home

There was a (presumably unsuccessful) attempt by Eastwood residents to get this project's permit rejected, among other legal maneuvers. This is Eastwood's Ashby High Rise evidently 🤣

10 hours ago, hindesky said:

Final Conceptual Plan

https://ctycms.com/tx-houston/docs/231229-morespace-main-street-bod-summary.pdf

 

Well this is interesting!

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TABC policies: When patrons carry drinks out to publicly-accessible seating areas. Final resolution to be determined.

3 hours ago, 004n063 said:

(Though the stops that really need to either be eliminated or made optional are the Ambassador Way and Guilford stops on the Silver Line, but that's a separate conversation.)

Not to thread derail (pun intended), but as someone who has yet to ride the Silver Line, I just looked it up and these two stops are 0.2 miles apart -- wild!! You could eliminate both stops and still have just a 15 minute walk between the Westheimer and San Felipe stops.

A little teaser outside the 8th Wonder Distillery 

The Magnolia Fund has announced that they're under contract at 6600 Harrisburg. The Magnolia Fund is an investment fund looking to build entrepreneurial opportunities for East End residents while maintaining the neighborhood's culture. They plan to redevelop the three buildings on this lot for food entrepreneurs while also providing meeting and entertainment space.

If successful, I think this project could spur a lot of development in the blocks around the Cesar Chavez stop on the Green Line. There are some really cool buildings with minimal setbacks throughout this stretch of Harrisburg that could activate the pedestrian space along the rail.

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/6600-Harrisburg-Blvd-Houston-TX/20187877/

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xVuBQOWao/?img_index=2

Already a HUGE improvement

Figo Sugo's baked goat cheese is one of the best bites I had in Houston in 2023. I have HIGH expectations for the little caboose .

16 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

I'm not sure what Segundo Coffee Labs' plans are for the property. It will be interesting to see what's in store.

I spoke with the owner and confirmed this is an expansion for them and not a replacement for the Ironworks location 😁

On 1/2/2024 at 11:29 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

County records indicate 6865 Lawndale St recently changed hand. A warranty deed was recorded to the county's database today.

According to the documents, Segundo Coffee Lab purchased the Forest Hill property.

I hope this is an expansion for Segundo. I'll really miss them in Ironworks if they're leaving that spot!

Really exciting news. The BBQ tenant for this development will be Willow's BBQ. Willow and his wife were pitmaster and head chef at J Bar M when it first opened. They've had a largely successful food truck and pop up for years and have built up quite a following. This will be a real destination restaurant for Eastwood that I'm confident will stand toe to toe with the top BBQ spots in Houston. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1m1i1_JChI/?igsh=OHg0bnQxZjBuNXdw