Scharpe St Guy

Just found this: "Longer-term, the Finger family, which owns Fingers Furniture, plans a multitenant redevelopment of the Gulf Freeway property."

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto.../25/story6.html

I'm pretty sure that I heard that this would not be an Ashley Furniture location, then I heard something about Walmart going in there but that could have been pie in the sky.

Thanks,

Scharpe St Guy

All/Mod,

Finger Furniture At 4001 Gulf Fwy.

Perhaps I have missed the thread else ware and the search let me down but what is the buzz on the Fingers Furniture location across the Freeway from UofH? This is a large tract of land just south of downtown next to our largest University so what will it become, any insight?

Apologies if this is being discussed else ware,

Scharpe St Guy

With the release of the new metro rail maps and seeing how HP is currently on rail it surprises me that a Theater is not included in the project.

1. University students and near by area residents could hop on the rail when it is completed and go downtown and to a movie

2. Businesses could rent the theaters for meetings or presentations during the day.

3. Being a East End resident the nearest "true" movie theater is the Edwards off Weslayan and 59, it would be nice to have another choice which would then pull us downtown more often. Edwards at Weslayan does not have any additional draws or places to go near by unless you consider the Mercedes dealership a draw!!!

I believe a movie theater is warranted in this location and would help the surrounding area, building tenants, and downtown. After all the theater at Bayou Place is an ok "art movie theater" but it's not what I would phrase a "true" movie theater showing just released mainstream movies.

Regardless I hope that HP is a Great Success,

Scharpe St Guy

I find this very very sad, I was the high bidder on this property hours before HISD pulled it off the auction block three years ago. The non-profit by protesting and throwing wrenches in the gears may have sealed the fate of this building now. Of course nothing is beyond restoration depending upon the depth of resources (money) willingingly available to be spent upon said restoration.

All the best,

Scharpe St Guy

Play by plays are appreciated, someone on here has an office overlooking the site, could he snap a new picture or two to share with all of us who don't work downtown?

Thanks,

Scharpe St Guy

I can say that Broadmoor is changing or at least my street!!! I don't take any crap from any of my neighbors on the street and they know it. It's a pretty quiet place to live now all things considered. At one time I had a problem with a Semi Truck parked across from my house but after complaining to the City/Police it got towed twice and I have not seen it since. Funny thing is the guy brought it back after the second tow and fired it up at 7am on Saturday morning and was letting his little boy toot the horn, of course this must have awoken quite a few neighbors and myself so I went out there and my neighbors came out and I let him have a piece of my mind. No problems since and actually since then we have been pretty civil with each other and respect each other.

We have had other little problems but each one gets solved, it's amazing how people will react if they know your going to call them on it. I have no problem calling the Constables for loud late night parties or what not and when they show up that house becomes a not so fun place to party late into the night and they move else ware where they can get away with it.

Scharpe St Guy

Thanks Musicman,

I came very very close however not close enough. I was very disappointed when they announced they had pulled it and they opened my bid and the other bid and one of the guys told me mine was the highest. Oh well, other adventures out there but I would have loved to have been on HGTV's Rezoned!!!

Scharpe St Guy

Very creative SSG. I'll go play Chopsticks if you ever open the place up!

At the time I didn't have any plans set in stone but tearing it down was NOT an option. I was entertaining the thought of turning the top floor into a loft for myself, the middle floor into an ice cream social place. I spent a few years in Calgary and there was a great ice cream shop in the neighborhood, if you played the piano, brought in an instrument, or sang a song you received a free ice cream. There were always lines out the door.

The warehouse would have floated the property and hopefully contributed to work needing to be done to the school such as roofing, HVAC, stucco repair, window repair, etc.... Basiclly I wanted to turn it into a fun family orientated place to hang out or grab a cone, sandwich, etc...

Scharpe St Guy

Now you've got me curious. I am hesitant to pry but...what ideas did you have for the property?

I would still love an update on the Rufus Cage school. It was to have been auctioned off by HISD back in early 2005. I was actually the High bidder (Sealed bids) however an hour or two before the auction it was pulled due to some vocal people on the Eastwood Association I believe. Meanwhile it sits and dies. Sad on many fronts.

Scharpe St Guy

Ok to add some additional fuel to the rumor mill on the Pavilions. At my company Christmas party the husband of the Accouting Manager works for ??? don't have the name but could get it that constructs a good percentage of all high rise construction in Houston. He is currently working on another project downtown that is just getting started but he knew of the Pavilions really well and said so and so from his company had just gotten assigned the project and construction would start end of January or early February.

So in conclusion the Construction Superintendent has been assigned apparently and construction end of January or early February.

Scharpe St Guy

Not denying, rejoicing.

Those are the infamous Enron Buildings. The ring is an elevated walk way above street level that connects the buildings which are now occupied by ChevronTexaco.

Scharpe St Guy

I'm not from Houston so I have to ask... what is that "ring" that runs through the buildings on the 7th pic? It;s really cool looking whatever purpose it serves.

Personally I would not live in a high rise however I wonder about the baby boomers? Those that do live in Pearland and are getting close to retiring, no longer wanting nor needing the yard or upkeep associated with.

I would think that quite a few baby boomers will take into consideration the High Rise market due to the amenities and perks associated with them. Ie.. Gyms, Pool, Hot Tub, Valet Service, etc... The ability to catch a shuttle to the airport and jet off to places unknown and not have to worry about anything. Once these high rises also contain in house medical care facilities/offices they will take off. After all Houston is #2 to New York for Theater/Arts from what I have read and then you can run downtown to catch a Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, or shop at Houston Pavilions.

My .02cents,

Scharpe St Guy

Why pay $175k for 733 sqft when one can buy 2,000 sqft for the same price plus a yard 30 minutes (on avergae) away in beautiful and exciting Pearland, TX? That is the argument high rise developers must answer to a select few in order to build more buildings. Unfortunately, it is a very, very, select few citizens who prefer to live this way here in Houston.

<---- Me Thinks that Idylwood_Chick may be one of the family that owns/runs Cafe Flores??? New member, back door advertising the Internet HotSpot and the A M A Z I N G Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Hmmmmmmmm???

Scharpe St Guy

There is quite a cool new coffee house that just opened on the East End (Lawndale and Wayside) called Cafe Flores. Good sandwiches, internet hotspot and great coffee, and amazing desserts.

Live music this Saturday, Oct. 14th

Check it out.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the updated report and supporting the new "classy" place on this side of town. My wife and I have not been there for about two weeks. We are about due though.

All the best,

Scharpe St Guy

Were you the guy with the Ayn Rand T-shirt?

No, I was there around 3 or so. I told the son of the owner that he was getting some good publicity on the internet and he said, "yeah, there's a Yahoo group talking about us and some architecture forum". I told him we're all supporting him cause the East End has never had anything classy.

Just drove it twice today. It will be a huge freeway that is for sure however I have seen too many lost loads and police sprawled all over a road when they could be minimizing the after affect of an incident they tend to prolong and make worse. Doesn't matter if it's 30 lanes going each way, one nice fender bender and everyone has to slow down to take a look and cause another accident.

I'm just "half empty" on this one!

Scharpe St Guy

The next time you happen to be on I-10 heading outbound, especially that part that has already been completed between 610 and BW8, briefly survey the enormity of the ROW. Amazingly, it'll all be concrete. I'd be much less concerned with I-10 than with BW8, I-45, and the North/West Loop that'll be fed by I-10.

Also, accidents and debris apply to all freeways, congested or not. Doesn't keep people from using them.

Sounds to me like a great atmosphere that will suck up the supply of cookie cutter townhomes on the fringes of Downtown and the like. I understand that I-10 will be getting better but really how much better? For how long? It only takes one minor fender bender or a lost load and police parked all over looking busy to tie up the whole freeway.

Scharpe St Guy

Chevron is also not only considering moving its west houston office to DT. It also moving many satelite offices in other cities and states. All Chevron offic employees from Louisiana will be moving to the new building. I've heard of this over two years ago. My cousin in Lafayette Louisiana got word two years ago of this move. She is starting to look at houses to move here family here when the office space is completed.

Seems to me this may entice many Chevron employees living out West to move on up to the East Side. Any date on when the consolidation should begin? I figure after a few weeks of I-10 traffic listings in West Houston should go up and listings Inner Loop should drop. Any thoughts?

Scharpe St Guy

That was in the article; probably CoStar data. I've also seen numbers in the low 40's. I'm thinking that the 50's may account for courthouse and public buildings as well as the St. Joseph hospital complex.

It's really hard to say. The data from the article leaves several possible places for flaws.

I think your actually talking about the big two level complex that is gated in and has signs for Womens Clinic and I think Dentist on the sign. But the lower level looks empty. This is located approx a mile possibly less before Wayside coming from the Downtown direction.

Scharpe St Guy

me thinks so

Musicman, thanks for the update. Can't wait to have a new and closer Costco to go to.

Scharpe St Guy

Well the wrecking ball is at the Taj Majal (old HISD headquarters). ch 13 confirmed Costco and a few other retail stores will be there.

Danax,

If you mean the Chinese/Tapioca place next to the Fiesta and Amegy Bank then GO. The food is Cheap yet very good and they make the best smoothies/tapioca there. We love them over there and they know us by name now!

It's funny that Cafe Flores made us think that we are some how becoming legit over here on this side of town! It's a nice place to go, grab a bit and a drink in a nice atmosphere. Anyhow glad to hear the great report RPS, good luck on your closings.

Scharpe St Guy

The trickle into the East End a few years back is now a solid flow so hopefully the economy won't tank and these places will survive. I guess I'll have to go check it out. I still haven't been to the new tapioca/Chinese food place near me.

I love living in a place undergoing the transformation from junky to funky, ick to slick. And it happens so fast in Houston.

Niche,

Hopefully you can get your deal closed. Is the city still holding it up?

Glad to hear that people are trying out the new Cafe, they are still learning over there and getting processes put in place but the family is nice and sincere and it's a nice place to sit outside and have a bite and a drink. I have had there Chicken Salad Sandwhich twice now on the nut bread and it's pretty good. I'm going to be intrested to see who moves in the two empty units in the strip.

MusicMan, what did you think?

Scharpe St Guy

Starting to wonder, myself...and Lisa has just about made up her mind to pull out of the deal altogether...fortunately, I've got another limited partner sitting on the back burner for just such an eventuality.

I'm always reminding myself that if worse came to worse, I'd be picking up this unique and highly-visible property for about $10.50 per square foot of land. Lots in Eastwood seem to fall in the $10.50 to $12.50 range these days. So even if I were to find out a month or so after closing that the bones have been all eaten out by past termite infestations, I've still got a viable exit strategy.

I tried out Cafe Flores last night, by the way. Had the Old Faithful sandwich and a vanilla frappucino. Both were good, although their frapp could use a slightly less thorough run through the blender. I like having little granules of ice in those things. Its a good place though...it'll be a good test for the East End yuppie demographic. If Flores does well, other businesses catering to that demographic are sure to come.

RPS,

This is one time that I would strongly encourage you and ask you to go talk to the owner and let him know. We go there almost every Sunday and love the place, food, and people. If it were my business and my employee did that to a customer I would want to know.

MusicMan,

They serve sandwiches as well!!! Last time I checked (Sunday), DinnerBell did not serve any Sandwiches!!! Cafe Flores is going to serve Ice Cream soon as well. I mentioned that one of the two empty slots between them and the Insurance Agent would be prime for Ice Cream and was told that they would have Ice Cream soon. Good basic sandwiches though and good desert and nice atmosphere, I would encourage you to try.

Niche,

You are seriously working on the "longest" close ever!!! Is it worth it? Try the new Coffee shop while your waiting on Closing!!!

Scharpe St Guy

Scharpe St Guy

Not the bake shop! Enough temptation to ruin any attempts at a good Adkins diet. I am boycotting the Dinner Bell though. I used my debit card in there the other day, someone there padded my bill by 20% for a tip. It was only a couple of bucks, but the principle of the thing really pissed me off. I won't go back.

Hello All,

Just want to report that a new quite upscale for our area Coffee Shop and Sandwich shop opened at the new small shopping center at Lawndale/Wayside this past Thursday. So it's been open for a Week now.

Wife and I have gone there twice now and love it. Family run and a very nice family at that. Apparently profits go to help children in Guatemala which makes one feel good about going there if not for the great sandwiches and drinks.

They have a website for the coffee side of the business at www.cafeflores.com check out the Community link to read how they are helping.

All the best and let's support these new and much needed shops,

Scharpe St Guy

Looks like two older trailers used for classrooms and the Taj are left standing. Does anyone have an update on this property? A prior post mentioned Costco possibly locating a store there. Any truth to the rumor?

Scharpe St Guy

The tax office is getting ready to come down, they removed all the glass from the building recently.

Honestly it appears to be a very nice house, yes overbuilt for the area however it's not out of the realm of some family's on this side of town. I have met a few family's that live very modestly and yet own house after house after house along with business after business. There are some wealthy individuals living in the "East Side". Would I pay $620k heck no but I'm sure someone will pay a pretty penny to live there and close to downtown. Brave brave agent though.

Another oddity is the commisson to the Buyers Agent is 1.2%. Yes that is still around $7,000 for the agent but in essence she flipped all agents the bird on that one.

Scharpe St Guy

Damn. What was he thinking?