Gary

Unless it serves as a random topic bump to get this thread noticed, then I guess what LTAWACS is doing is fine silly. I agree, I'd like more relevant updates on BLVD place too.

I wish developers would at least publish a tentative project schedule on their websites, even if they are off track.

I'm sure at this point it's very difficult to speculate at all.

This is not good at all.

Damn man, do you ever think positive about anything? Everytime you post this stuff you get sarcastic responses, or did you not notice.

You can count me as a naysayer.

Geeez man, your a constant downer. In fact, your the king of the "naysayers".

This isnt candy land. Why would any sensible business man do such a thing? Unless there were some kickbacks involved.

I understand that it's not smart business my friend, but why can't a guy who's filthy rich give a tax deductible donation to a city he loves? Anyway, it was just a comment about how cool of an idea it would be to have a park in that location. Don't take it so seriously.

They've had a sales trailer up from the start, so I'd guess that is nothing new.

If they couldn't finance this thing before the last few weeks of credit market turmoil, I can't imagine it'll get done anytime soon. The least they could do would be to plant some grass and turn in into a park in the meantime. It's a big piece of land - people could bbq, play soccer, fly kites...etc. I guess I'll stop daydreaming and get back to work.

What a great idea! To bad Davis wouldn't donate the land to the city for a park.

I knew it...

LOL!!!! I've got a good shrink, if you need his number let me know.

Record predictions anyone?

Same as last year... 8 & 8

Two things:

1. Am I wrong, or isn't the economy in Houston fairing much better relative to the rest of the country, and

2. Have you been to Mem City Mall lately? It's packed and you can't find a parking spot.

I think he was being sarcastic.

If I remember correctly, it was close to Sugarland. I passed by it just last week.

This isn't in Sugarland, it's in West Houston, on the Beltway 8 between I-10 & 290 (1 block north of Clay).

Yea, I think I'll go with the facts from the Houston House staff instead of the story from someone who was a friend of someone who lived in the building for a couple of years a long time ago.

Ok then, Sounds like a "weiner"...

That sign hasn't been there since "at least 91" so you must have been hallucinating. I just spoke with Debra whose worked at Houston House for EIGHTEEN years and she told me the sign wasn't put up until after Enron Field/MMP was completed so CERTAINLY IT DOES APPLY to apply to people going to baseball and basketball games as that was the managements intention.

I knew Deborah from back in the day and i can tell you that she's wrong. In fact she used to join us for the wine tasting classes they used to have in the lobby.

Anyway, I know for a fact that sign was up in 91 as my buddy Mike and I had a coversation about it while he was moving out.

My first thought was the game of life.

That's neat.

That's the way I took it.

That sign has been there since at least 91. I had a buddy that lived on the 18th floor from 88 to 92, who I regularly visited, and the sign was in place then. Certainly it wouldn't apply to a baseball game since Minute Maid wasn't in existance then.

I can see another renovation in 5 years, especially once everythin else fills out.

I can see a total demolition of this place considering it's location. What a bigtime drag of a renovation.

Ugly, but a twin would have at least balanced the ugliness better, if you get it.

Two skinny "ugly's" would at least looked planned, by itself, it really stands out as a mistake.

Poor uptown.

Had the original concept been implemented it probably wouldn't look that bad. It would have at least covered up that storage building look on the backside.

I know i shouldn't, but I really take that building as an insult to Houston. It's the worst modern building I've ever seen, in any city.

Edit: just felt like writing "edit".

Well it's either a blessing or a tragedy, the second "stained urinal" will no longer rise. The second condo tower is officially cancelled. WaMu bought the empty lot next to the existing tower and is building a typical bank. They already broke ground.

Figures... The Mercer is blasphemous. Of course a bank in this spot isn't that much better, but at least it's not sticking up 300' plus.

Edit: I wonder if the possible lack of sales have much to do with the cancelation of the second tower.

Went to the Gingerman yesterday evening, and can tell you that there was nothing at all going on at the site.

How's this comin along?

I was over there this weekend and the 10 story building has topped out.

she told me that they were wanting 4 in the upper kirby area so you may get that wish.

Now that's good news! Let's hope demand doesn't wane before they get built

mgmt of the gables upper kirby told the residents that they are planning a hi rise on alabama somewhere near mission burritos.

I wish Gables would consider another project similar to West Avenue, versus a highrise.

On the other hand, the PM I talked to led me to believe that the boys at MDA were planning to build at least one more tower on Kirby.

Very nice. What did he mean by similar? ...high-rise condos? ...high-rise condos near that location?

Thanks for the info!

Yes, Condos... As far as location, he mentioned Kirby but was pretty quiet as to where.

A little bird told me that sales are going well, with some big, big purchases.

Far be it from me to EVER have any inside info, but alas I do.

By chance I met the project manager for 2727 on Saturday, and he mentioned that sales are at almost 80%. He also mentioned that there were several more projects similar to 2727 in the works.

I could have sworn there was a thread on this from last year, trouble is I can't find it. For some reason I thought the project was slated for the spot where the current Walgreens is.

Looking at the photo.

2 floor plans do have front doors and rear garages, and 2 have front doors and front garages.

The latter of the 2 so-called brownstones are just glorfied 3-story townhomes

Classy.

Half your statement is correct. Those "so called brownstones" don't qualify as "glorified 3-story townhomes", they qualify as nice apartments with a townhome layout. I really had high hopes when the brownstones were anounced, but unfortunately they took the cheap route.

By the way, $800,000 is a joke.

Just my two cents: You are right, for a large majority of us who dont live downtown, we dont have a burning need to shop there. Heck, there are plenty shopping districts in Houston that are worth going to, and in that respect Houston is not lacking. But it has nothing to do with that lack of urgency to shop in the CBD. It's about creating a downtown in our city we can all be proud of. How cool would it be to have a downtown that is just a little small version of Times' Square? Or maybe more realistically something that resembles downtown Seattle or Denver? There are proud Houstonians that would love to see thier downtown flourish, regardless where in the city they actually live. I'm sure with the 2 and a half million Houstonians and the 6 million in and around around the city, there is enough critical mass to make such a dream come true.

Agreed.

On a side note, the wife and i stayed at the Courtyard by Marriot this weekend (Humble Oil building) which is directly across the street, and I must say that this is going to be a lot of fun. Although it doesn't have the residential componant, it's really a huge place, and i can imagine how much this part of DT is about to change. I for one am stoked.