Subdude
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Everything posted by Subdude
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I remember that house on Fannin. It is hard to see in the photos, but it had a distinctive "witch's hat" roof over the turret. It is always odd to see houses like this remaining from when that was Houston's most exclusive neighborhood.
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I'm guessing HAIF traffic must be really high the past few days. I keep getting bounced to the "too many users" error page!
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Something I'm curious about. Weingarten insists it has to be a "high-end destination" to make economic sense. Are they currently losing money on the theater? It's hard to see how the place survived in business for more than 60 years, and then now all of a sudden it has become this terrible economic burden on Weingarten. What is it that has changed to make them want to demolish it? I keep thinking it's out of spite as much as economics. *barf* This guy's remarks are so fatuous, on so many levels. -
Zarima...Indonesian diva in Houston once
Subdude replied to worldlyman's topic in International Houston
Yes, few people realize that Houston has a long, proud tradition of serving as a place of refuge for beautfiful foreign divas. Thirty years before Zarina, a lovely singer from Iceland arrived in Houston. Though she came from humble roots in Reykjavik, Houston provided a home and here she blossomed. Soon she was a major star playing glamorous venues like the Summit Club, where she enthalled audiences with her many moods, and hits such as "Yellow Bird" and "A Sprengisandi". The Houston Icelandic community still talks about her. She was... Hulda. Of course, now she's gotten up a little in years. -
Wasn't the old One's-a-Meal next to the River Oaks Theater open 24 hours? But then Weingarten chased them out because they weren't "upscale" enough, ie a "high-end destination".
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Here's today's update from the Chronicle, which by the way has done a really good job of keeping on this story. Good work Lisa! The CEO of Weingarten has finally deigned to speak on the subject, saying that they are open to ideas, as long as the ideas make money, and yes they might raze the River Oaks. Highrises are indeed being considered for both the Alabama and River Oaks theater locations. He makes a stab at preservation by token gesture, saying that the facade or even the auditorium could be preserved within the highrise, although that would be "expensive and problematic" due to the need for a parking garage. The important thing is, "whatever the new use... it would have to bolster the shopping center's viability as a high-end destination." Psychic Subdude predicts you can kiss both theaters goodbye. Really the most infuriating statement he makes is "We try to be good corporate citizens." Baloney.
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Here's today's update from the Chronicle, which by the way has done a really good job of keeping on this story. Good work Lisa! The CEO of Weingarten has finally deigned to speak on the subject, saying that they are open to ideas, as long as the ideas make money, and yes they might raze the River Oaks. Highrises are indeed being considered for both the Alabama and River Oaks theater locations. He makes a stab at preservation by token gesture, saying that the facade or even the auditorium could be preserved within the highrise, although that would be "expensive and problematic" due to the need for a parking garage. The important thing is, "whatever the new use... it would have to bolster the shopping center's viability as a high-end destination." Psychic Subdude predicts you can kiss both theaters goodbye. Really the most infuriating statement he makes is "We try to be good corporate citizens." Baloney.
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CityCentre: Mixed-Use Development At 800 Town And Country Blvd.
Subdude replied to Parrothead's topic in Going Up!
Note two open topics on this were merged. -
I was recently at Millenium Park, and it's about like that. Corporate sponsorship is about to the level of "Verizon Park Bench" and "Bank of America Water Fountain." I think you will see more and more of it.
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Buried in the fine print in the article: So it sounds like the River Oaks Theater will be saved, but, typically, Weingarten won't exactly commit itself.
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The discussion here is turning into insults and flame wars. It doesn't belong on HAIF. Can we get it back on topic please? Thx.
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Shopping mall movie theaters were common at one point but have pretty much gone extinct. My guess is that mall operators figured out that moviegoers weren't shopping, so there was no reason to devote space to theaters. Also, theaters became significantly larger with multiplexes and stadium seating, so the two-screen setup common in malls became uneconomic, and theaters in general have become less profitable due to over-expansion and DVDs. I doubt Simon would see much point in building potentially money-losing Galleria movie theaters when Edwards covers the same market. Their goal isn't to be Times Square - it's to lease space to the most profitable tenants.
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Additional investment occurs in regulated electricity markets as well. The requirement for large capital investment was actually one of the traditional justifications for regulation. Speaking as one of the lowest common denominator of society, I'm not sure I see any reason to think that deregulation will ultimately work to our benefit. It runs counter to my instincts, but his point is well taken that "it could have been worse" isn't a very compelling argument, or one that can convincingly be proven. The inevitable snappy comeback is, "Well, it could have been better, too!"
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2314 MacGregor, by where 288 is now.
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It was renamed St Joseph's "Parkway". I think it was more in the way of City Council giving some publicity to the hospital. The name should be changed back.
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Irish and German. This works out to a STRONG genetic predisposition to love beer.
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I don't know. The thing about sports finance is that the goalposts are always moving, so to speak. At one point it was unheard of to sell naming rights, or expect tax support for stadium construction. Now both are the norm. If a team could claim that selling team name rights was saving taxpayers money by relying on private rather than public funds, I think a city could well go for it. People would gripe at first, but like anything else, they'd get used to it quickly.
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From today's Chronicle, on why electricity deregulation hasn't worked out so well. Link to full article
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Used to play it a lot, but I got out of the habit. It is one of those games that you start playing, and hours go by without you realizing it. I always made my cities a lot like downtown Houston - totally flat with a regular street grid.
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No names really seem to leap out for the park. That area really doesn't have any particular historical significance that would suggest a name. Could they just call it Houston Center Park? It makes the location clear, and it is close to the "Central Park" idea they want to convey.
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I'm thinking your best bet is to invest in DVDs. A lot of old series are available now.
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There are pictures of the Safari Restaurant and Normandie in other threads, and several of Bill Williams. The Safari Restaurant building is still standing, although you would hardly recognize it now.
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Super Cool Mid-Century Modern Appliance Exhibition Opening In Houston
Subdude replied to mdadm's topic in Houston Mod
Sounds interesting. Any examples of what will be included? -
I thought the Arizona stadium was meant to evoke a cactus or some other desert plant. I give them points for trying something different, not just another retro-theme. Last I heard the redevelopment ideas for Fenway were on hold. The lucky residents of Hennepin County Minnesota just yesterday were rewarded with a sales tax increase to pay for a new stadium for the Twins.
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Somehow I doubt we'll ever return to not selling naming rights. If anything, I'm surprised that they haven't hit on selling team names, something like the Exxon Mobil Astros.
