Jump to content

travelguy_73

Full Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,030

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Everything posted by travelguy_73

  1. travelguy_73
    I didn't realize the original plans were so old. I have been watching the progress with interest since the pricing seems much more competitive than the nearby Live Oak lofts. They are currently increasing the size of the original windows and doing something on the interior with a bulldozer. There is also a big "hole" in the middle of the building on the upper floors, don't know if that is new or existing. Sort of OT, but I wish the City would do more to encourage development in this area. Once you get past Lofts at the Ballpark, the streets are a complete mess, and I imagine the sewer and other infrastructure is just as bad. I realize there are limited resources to go around, but IMO if anywhere deserves a TIRZ, this is it!
  2. travelguy_73
    From my office, it appears that the CenterPoint/Reliant/Whoever covered parking lot backs up to the Reserve on Dallas St. So no, it doesn't appear to hit Dallas St.
  3. travelguy_73
    Already discussed here
  4. travelguy_73
    Well, I slammed the Federal Reserve design and got crap for being too negative. So I thought I would lighten up and give positive feedback on the church to see if it got me any brownie points with the "everything that's new is beautiful" crowd, LOL.
  5. travelguy_73
    Not sure how many of you drive the Eastex freeway, but I do on a regular basis out to IAH. I have been watching the SLOW progress of a massive Parthenon-style church being built just outside the loop. They have recently picked up speed on it, and I'm curious as to the opinions of my fellow HAIF members. At the risk of being slammed , I actually think it's sort of attractive. But it's so out of place as to make me chuckle every time I drive by. Anyone else seen it? The shiny gold dome is the icing on the cake! I'll try to remember to take some pics next time I drive by, but if anyone else has them, please post!
  6. travelguy_73
    Didn't this start just to compete with the Houston Press' Best of Houston? *That's* where many of the more interesting questions probably came from. I'm both a Chron and Press reader and always save my Best of Houston from the Press, but I get more chuckles than anything from the Chron's list.
  7. travelguy_73
    I have a friend who just moved out of Post Oak, and I always thought his place was something I would actually buy--so definitely prime candidates for flipping to condo. Much more so than some of the glorified apartment complexes that have gone condo in the past couple of years. Museum Tower is prime for conversion in a few years, IMO.
  8. travelguy_73
    W Bellfort to 610 (and the part of the neighborhood inside 610) is zoned to Bellaire HS (vs Westbury HS), which probably is part of the difference. The Westbury half seems to be valued about the same, perhaps due to being all the same neighborhood. I lived in the Westbury half (where this mod is located) and actually found it to have a better housing stock with more heavily remodeled properties, and it was a bargain compared to Meyerland. As for flooding, there was certainly flooding along Cliffwood and near 610 during Allison. There is an open ditch that runs between Cliffwood and Willow Grove that went over its banks (not sure how much over or if it was along the entire stretch). It was sad to see all the hardwoods and carpet out by the curb the weeks following the flood. Outside 610, I don't believe there are any real flood concerns outside of something like Allison. Inside 610 might be in a flood zone, but I don't know for sure.
  9. travelguy_73
    Is the extension original?
  10. travelguy_73
    A few blocks away from my old house in Willow Meadows. From the pictures, it looks to be a good condition, which would make sense given its premium price for the neighborhood (heavily remodeled ranchers go for about the same). 10111 Cliffwood http://harpictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/73/hr1491773-1.jpg
  11. travelguy_73
    Cafe Japon, Miyako (both consistent IMO), Sushi King, Yan, Fish, (crowd watching), Rickshaw (Thursday night about 9pm when the DJ starts spinning), Kirin for lunch (buffet!). With the exception of Kirin, these are all inner loop locations. I'm sure there are a ton more in town, but that's all I can think of right now.
  12. travelguy_73
    As an aside, I recall watching cartoons as a child where anytime they mentioned a phone number it was KL5-something ("Klondike 5"). I guess that is the equivalent to today's "555" prefix, a generic prefix that perhaps never existed in real life.
  13. travelguy_73
    I don't think American General or 3333 are overpowering from the street level, which is where I'm viewing them from. From a car or while running the trails, you only see just a small portion of most of the buildings. They are each pretty basic and your eye seems to move from one to the next without actually registering them (actually American General is quite nice now with the water feature). The plantings, mature oaks, and sweeping lawns help to soften their impact as well. The Federal Reserve, with its large retaining walls, doesn't accomplish this as well IMO. Upon further reflection. maybe that is what I really don't like. As bland and basic as that cluster of buildings is, the American General complex seems like it fits into the natural terrain. It feels more integrated. Like many have said here, it is all in the eye of the beholder.
  14. travelguy_73
  15. travelguy_73
  16. travelguy_73
    They have a section where you can sign up to be notified if they open a store nearby. Perhaps if everyone was to sign up with their Houston zip codes, it would get their attention? Or not, LOL, since it probably just goes into a database never to be communicated to mgmt.
  17. travelguy_73
    I have always liked the style of the Court. And the location can't be beat! Once 59 is fully recessed below street level, it will be even nicer!
  18. travelguy_73
    Check out Alexan (Tramell Crow) and Rice (Post properties) as well. Lots of rent specials out there so if it seems overpriced, there is something else right around the corner.
  19. travelguy_73
    I know the inventory seems to be kinda low in Idylwood & Eastwood right now (mainly the homes that were on the market all winter), but spring always has a number of new homes show up on the market. If you don't see anything you like this weekend, just sit tight!
  20. travelguy_73
    RE #5, hasn't that sign been up for some time? They have had a variance sign up near Post Midtown, and I thought they both appeared in the same timeframe.
  21. travelguy_73
    In fact, in many parts of the east end, you can get BETTER mortgages because they are considered areas in need of investment. Even in my neighborhood of Idylwood, where some homes run into the upper 200's, Bank of America offers some sort of 0-down loan (they must get credit from the Fed gov't for this).
  22. travelguy_73
    Is Sabine Street an old building or new construction? I know Lefts at Ballpark are new (or at least mostly new) so it doesn't appeal to me like legitimately old buildings. I'll have to look for Dakota, thanks! Travelguy_73
  23. travelguy_73
    OK, I'm SO not a rental apartment type of person, but the Alexan Lofts are pretty darn cool. I have a couple of friends who live there, and they seem to be high quality and very urban (unlike the new construction pseudo-lofts in other parts of downtown). Apparently, they were lofts before the management company took them over and renovated, but I'm not sure. The only major downside, apart from the lack of retail, is the proximity of the well-used train tracks. I can't imagine that those trains are quiet as they come roaring just feet from the building at all hours of the day and night. My friends say they are oblivious to the sound, but still....I guess that is why they are rentals and not individually owned. Does anyone else know of cool, not-as-well-known loft rentals? It might be good to get a list going to show that there is more to the downtown area than Post, Rice, and Calais! Travelguy_73
  24. travelguy_73
    Just to close the loop on the question of Neighborhood Protection--it is a department within the City that is responsible for enforcing city ordinances. They are now part of HPD (perhaps Public Works before that?). They are sort of effective, but have of course a massive bureaucracy of rules that they have to follow before any real action is taken. I'm sure it is as frustrating for them as it is for residents trying to improve the city. In my mind, they are a solution in only the worst cases. Travelguy_73
×
×
  • Create New...