arche_757

^They're identical. That's how the operate. Personally, while this is good for Downtown (at least the onslaught of residential construction) I'd have rather seen this little fella over by the Mosaic or something near Hermann Park. Spread the love. And I really wish the developers had more money to spend at least an additional $10,000 on design and build some buildings that have some slight differences - like more or less floors, slightly different footprint etc.

This is a good observation. I like the idea of a Target. Perhaps Target could focus on something new "UrbanTarget" or something like that where the store carries all their usual wares minus clothes? Eliminate clothes and Target greatly reduces its footprint.

I didn't quote the wrong statement from you. I think its a fine location. That's a big no-mans land around Hoff (I went to UH and hated that part of campus) and always felt like it was unfriendly, and a waste of space. Eventually - or so I thought - UH plans to close Cullen to vehicles. When that is done I expect it will feel less cluttered?

This has been planned for years. Nothing new. The eventual plan is to redo the "Hoff" as its in really bad shape - compared to top tier facilities elsewhere. The cost of upgrading the arena is much more expensive I believe. Besides, the basketball has a working arena, but they don't have a quality practice facility.

I believe the closest any "big box" store (in grocer terms) that we'll see around/in Downtown would be the neighborhoods just outside the Downtown Loop. Probably on a rail line, probably as a part of an overall larger mixed-use center incorporating apartments+retail+specialty retail+some office or maybe healthcare space. Downtown would be able to support it, but I think the costs of land would be prohibitive to someone like Krogers or HEB going in and building a downtown store. Personally I think Greenstreet missed a chance to use a bunch of their space for something (perhaps they tried?) by getting a Trader Joes or similar into place. For one it alone would draw people all the time, for another it'd be a boon to the oncoming spat of soon to be downtown residents. I drew up plans (rough sketches) of the re-use of the old Sakowitz building with some ground floor dry goods and about half that space being used for grocer cafe and food to-go space. The upper 2 levels would be shoping otherwise, while the top floor (assumed it was 4 not 5 back then) would of been all storage (perhaps I've got it skewed?) but that was my take on it years ago. This was a big grocer mind you. Big. I think that building could be re-used for a smaller Whole Foods (bear in mind storage space required) with room to spare for an auto ramp to parking above.

I had been under the impression HEB is done building new Central Market concepts? HEB could do a smaller scale market for Urban areas but I'll bet they're not going to. Any one want to wager how many years it is until Midtown Randalls is bought by another grocery company and re-opened as a Kroger, HEB, Trader Joes etc?

I agree a Target would probably be a great addition, but I think the proximity to the Sawyer Heights Target would exclude them from extending into Downtown. If anything I'd assume that eventually we'll find a Target one direction or the other down one of the new-ish rail lines probably down in the Navigation area in the next 4-5 years. Whole Foods probably makes the most sense in that its an urban sort of market in its own right. Though I think a smaller place like Sprouts or Fresh Market would jump at the chance to get into that market first. For what its worth Fresh Market is like a smaller Whole Foods, they also specialize in pre-made just need to cook, and pre-made take home foods that would be a hit with both workers and residents. While they do sell paper towels and some TP and other household items of need, they do not have near the scale of these items as Target.

I think you're selling the day time crowd short... Anything that eventually goes into Downtown will play heavily towards the work crowd (like Phoenicia) with deli's/instore cafe's and pre-made meals for sale. Aldi would probably be a pretty good addition, though it is far from being a "sexy" addition. I think a one-off HEB or Kroger would work great if it was attached to the right project and close enough to some of the new residential. Maybe not a 95,000 sq ft one, but something around 45 or 50,000? I'm thinking it would need to be two levels (maybe three?) with one of those cart escalators - similar to Targets Downtown Minneapolis store.

So your answer is: "Nothing works for Downtown Houston." "Never will work." Talk about a defeatist attitude. Do you ever not argue for arguments sake? What do you suggest?

Canada has wildlife crossings too - they're either overpasses or underpasses for roadways. Personally I think its a good idea. It'll bring the park together better. Makes sense to me - I've long wondered why this wasn't thought of previously. Besides, it'll give us a few more hills in Houston for our kids to roll down, sit on watching fireworks and concerts and just gaze upon. I'm all for it.

I'm unimpressed with the developers of this tower. Houston's BOOMING and they could make this project happen, however short sighted vision has limited them to ONLY a 41 floor office building. They're firmly competing against Hines, Skanska and Trammel Crow (?) and those are heavy hitters compared to Stream/Essex. Sad they didn't try to jump into a mixed use tower and convince Hyatt Place or JW Marriot to jump into their building on 15-20 floors and then build only a 20 floor office tower. The economics are much different, but since its unlikely this thing even gets built... quite sad to see them not even attempt it.

This is pretty much what I was trying to convey in a previous thread about Memorial Park. I'm glad someone else thinks like me about this park.

Suffice to say this is truly a first world problem. Can you take more pictures of the over all bathroom/bedroom combo? Hard to ascertain what might be the proper response to this issue from the two pictures shown. Also, a fairly reasonable floor plan - hand sketched - would be helpful. If the bathroom is vented then you shouldn't have any big issues. However, it sounds like its not and you like reeaaaallllllyyyyyy hot showers (hot enough to steam up 2 rooms) so you may not have a fix without spending quite a bit?

I'm of the opinion that it will eventually grow into 1 large skyline spanning North-South from Downtown-Midtown-Musuem District-TMC. East-west from Downtown-Allen Parkway/Buffalo Bayou-Upper Kirby-Greenway-Uptown. It won't be solid, but it will be much tighter nit than it currently is. ...of course this is probably in 25-45 years when we've added double the people we currently have living here (provided they all move).

I know. This is a discussion about the Energy Corridor becoming something bigger/better than what Uptown is. To do that quality must pass quantity...at least in my perspective (architecturally speaking). I've mentioned in the past that I define a district with greater constraints than what real estate types will. To me the Energy Corridor is not a district, so much as it is a loosely defined real estate zone that is easier to identify with to potential buyers than Katy East, West Memorial City etc. Again - I'm criticizing the architectural aspect of the "district" and the feel/look of the area. Improvements are being made, but I doubt it will ever truly-truly feel like what Uptown does. But then again, I'm sure the same could (and was) said of Uptown in the 1970s and look where we are today. I'll be the first to admit I've been wrong in the past.

Look, I wasn't attacking people for working or living nearby to the EC. I'm just saying that if its 14 or 10 million (whatever it is) sq ft. that size would have added to an existing area closer in quite well. As a "district" its very raw. The buildings are largely uninspired - architecturally they're weak - and the distance between the western and eastern most points is considerable. As a commercial real estate zone its no doubt quite strong, but its just got a long way to go to be anything greater than the sum of its parts. That's all. And when I speak of density I'm not saying it needs to be like Midtown NYC! Just saying that it might have been nice to have a more cohesive feel to the "district." Again, its large, but far from in charge. Uptown, TMC and Downtown will always be much greater than this linear stretch of tilt-walls, and spec 14 floor buildings designed in revit.

The EC may be bigger, but it will not have the number of residential highrises, nor will it ever likely have the same density of hotels as Uptown. Also, the EC has the must mundane and boring skyline (if it really counts as one) in town - heck, even Greenspoint is more interesting! Uptown is far more interesting, and while perhaps square footage of office spaces are smaller the architecture is of a much higher quality (Randall Davis and the Mercer notwithstanding). I'm really never clear why people love the EC so much? If anything its existence has greatly dimenished the density of Westchase, Memorial City and the inner Beltway I-10 frontage areas.

Most of the renovation work I see starting to ramp up in Dallas' downtown is conversion from strictly office to multi-use - mostly residential/hotel. I think if Dallas can eliminate some of the vacant space by turning it into residential space, then there may be some demand down the road for some additional office towers...even some that may be no taller than 20-25 floors.

Why the hostility Metro West? This is the Dallas sub-forum in HAIF. There was a time .... just a few months ago when Houston would have been good to have 3 highrises under construction in DT. Relax. Take the negative Dallas vs Houston stuff somewhere else.

I'll speak only to the areas I'm currently really familiar with. Clear Lake/League City/Seabrook/Webster... all fast growing (not quite as bad as Katy or Cypress etc) but still growing none the less. The Clear Lake area is "older" but the area is still the only place where you'll always have access to salt water, and quickly I might add without having to life on the island - where schools suck. Seabrook is older, but moving to develop their waterfront into a Kemah boardwalk sort of thing, but with less games and more shops (or so I've read). League City - is the big town in this particular area (over 90,000 right now, probably closer to 100k). There are developments moving forward in this area that will enliven it some, and bring new life into the mix, right now it feels like a big stretch of unincorporated suburbs with developments here and there. It needs a more cohesive "downtown" (which there is an old town, actually). I feel like this area will eventually be reworked over time into a more 24-7 sort of civic destination. Webster is questionable; mostly commercial developments and probably not a good place to live/move to. All of these are privy to having access to one of the best school districts in Houston: Clear Creek ISD. Its a large school district with 5 high schools (probably soon 6), and for a large district its a good district, well run, teachers paid fairly well, happy with leadership etc. Probably one of the top reasons to move to the area - particularly if you're thinking of your children. Friendswood/Pearland: Also pretty good schools. Friendswood is older, but fairly stable. The city itself controls development to the extent you'll probably never see any new apartments built there. Older homes, but still a nice community. Pearland is growing rapidly, and also adding lots of new development. It is probably more diverse than League City and some other major suburbs in and around. Pearland is also adding more lifestyle centers than elsewhere, if that's important? League City/Webster/Seabrook - probably about 45min - 1hr on weekday commutes in bad traffic to DT. I-45 is being widened and worked on, so weekend traffic is rough. Pearland - about 40 mins to DT, its closer in lesser traffic than just about any other major suburb around. TxDot/Harris Toll Road assoc. plan on adding a tollway down the middle median of 288 to Pearland in the future. Thats my two cents. Best of luck. If you have any specific questions about League City area (where I reside) I'll be happy to help. In my opinion Sugar Land and The Woodlands are the most "happening" suburbs in the area. But for 350k you can probably find a decent home inner Beltway? Depends on what you want. Schools would be either great, or terrible (such is HISD's reputation).

Blue Ciel (wonder the pronuciation?)... looks somewhat similar to the one time proposed 2nd Residential Highrise at Regent Squre at the former Allen House location off Allen Parkway. And like many in Houston - while I'd love to see a masterpiece of tall architecture - I'm happy with the quality Hines is currently putting out there in all their buildings. Not grand/world beating architecture, but significant and relevant, and quality. Houston and Dallas are similar in that both have seen plenty of mediocre architecture (like any big city) over the years. Dallas' Theater/Museum District area is really moving forward with nice architecture - even if I feel that some of those architects are purely around for flashy/neighborhood clashing designs (OMA... pretty much anything Foster does etc.)

Sounds - and looks like - a lot of renovation projects. Which is great! That'll be one way for Dallas to minimize the amount of available CBD office space. Conversion. Good to see them moving forward. And Uptown Dallas is certainly happening.

Ah. That commission! Well, hopefully they don't have too much influence or this privately funded study and company will take its bag or tricks to route B and go forward there. A stop in College Station - while someday needed, and certainly will get used on Aggie football gamedays - is not the best allocation of TCR's resources currently at least in my opinion. Why not stop too in Huntsville and Corsicana? I mean this thing can get dragged out by all those podunk places who want to sit at the big kids table but aren't big enough yet.

Yes I know. I don't want a ski-dome. I want an Alpine dome. Go ahead and project a 360 degree view of the Rocky Mountains all around while at it! Seriously though, why not? Houstonians love to ski. I think this sort of thing would go over like gangbusters. Of course there would likely need to be a cost for entering said facility - county owned or not.

That's what I'm asking... how is the "commission" connected to the Texas Central Railway? Seems to me its some sort of quasi-governmental types that will have more say than it probably should considering its represented by people from all those little north-Texas Metroplex suburbs.