arche_757

That highrise bares a resemblance to the Hyatt going up in Uptown/Galleria... I think?

You know not of what you speak if you think Houston's luxury hotels are "fine". It is a market EXTREMELY underserved in a metropolis of 6.5M people with a heavy influx of international visitors and is the reason flags such as Alessandra, the W, ritz and others will be setting up shop soon.

Only reason I said that was I had a friend who worked with the "VIP" section at Four Seasons... apparently based on what was said by VIP guests that hotel was considered quite nice and "up to snuff"

Other than that I don't stay in Houston hotels so I wouldn't know how they compare to other cities, but I would think they are ok.  Do we need more for the population?  You bet!  Glad more are on the way.

Fair point.  I see what you are saying.

^Hotels are rated based on exemplary performance of its staff and the services they provide to guests.  It has nothing to do with gimmicky trick doors, and rotating restaurants.  Those are neat, and might make a place more unique to the traveler, but have little to do with making the hotel a truly outstanding place to stay.

Houston's luxury hotels are fine.  They may not be "cutting edge" but they are plenty nice.  At the end of the day I don't care if a hotel offers me a 23rd floor check-in desk, rotating restaurant I may or may not visit, or a world class spa... I want a great bed, comfortable and well appointed restroom and enough space in said room that I don't feel claustrophobic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_rating

No such thing as 7 stars.

Hotels and resorts have to be awarded ratings by outside agencies.  I'm sure some of the companies are more generous with certain brands than others...?  Quite frankly, who cares?  We just want infill, and whether this is a 3, 4, 5 star hotel does not matter.

Hotels aren't built as "5 star" or "4 star"  these are ratings that they earn.

^I think he is only leaving the Sideline coverage during Texans games?  Still on the air.  I have no real opinion of Rich.  I neither like or dislike him.  What irritates me though, is the continual usage of the word "professional" to describe him.  Most of the 610 on-air people are professionals who decided to make radio their career; and from listening to Rich (over the years) I really can't say I think he's better than this guy, or that guy.  To me, he's somewhat stale.  I think 610 could keep him another decade and they would be fine, but if they cut him loose they would still be fine!

I've long thought this immediate area was ripe for some more of these buildings.  The proximity to Montrose and the Museum District cannot be ignored.  Though to be honest I almost wish some more of these would crop up along the north and east sides of Herman Park.

Some of these are priceless... bravo!

To be serious:

- Trader Joes over near Market Square

- Whole Foods in the old Sakowitz Building with some additional retail mixed in (maybe a full service spa on the upper level with cafe+roof terrace?)

- Whole Earth Provision near Sunset Coffee Structural Frame (or similar company)

- Bookseller that's unique - think Brazos Books with an attached lecture/multi-use space somewhere historic district

- Maybe another Ginger Man/Flying Saucer type of place DT?  I mean Flying Saucer doesn't have anything more than a table or two outside.  Something with a beer garden and maybe a few pub grub places nearby.  Something for people who want an evening out that's not $$$.

I realize most of these are not going to happen, but the question was asked.

Right.  I was being idealistic.

However, I have seen many a land owner sell property when they did not have it listed if the right price was there.  Sometimes folks will sell if you ask them.

That's all I meant.

Plus I really HATE that Walgreens and the ridiculous size of that tract of land on Montrose.  Just pathetic.  I hate it!  So I can get quite passionate about using that land for anything other than a single suburban grade tilt-wall pharmacy.

Thus, you get semi-crappy apartments that are expensive.

Kind'a like a lot "some" of the 4-8 floor apartments here that are new.  Semi-crappy design, expensive, and will rot/sag/sway etc. with the years (like plenty around town from the last big boom), and then be eyesores without any semblance of character - rather than salvage something that could become a more unique item on the rental market.  And yes, this 30+ floor highrise could be something great, and will no doubt be a landmark for quite some time.  At least they aren't replacing a fairly substantial building with a 2x Wood Stud framed monstrosity.

I will admit not every mid-century building should be saved.  My argument about 3400 Montrose was that there was land - probably available in 2 directions to be had that wouldn't have required the demolition of 3400 Montrose.  Moving on...

That's a decent idea.  Since that land is already sullied by the jails being there, why not attempt to at least make it somewhat better by adding HPD?  Plus, like you mentioned there is decent access to area freeways from that location.

If you have a really unique structure like the Rice hotel or the Texaco building, these risks are balanced with the expected demand of people wanting to live in such unique buildings. But for your average old building, the risks aren't worth it - purely speaking from a financial point of view.

Yet this is done all over the country - except in Houston.  Seems to be the norm to salvage/save old structures rather than demolish them, the exception is Houston.  I think part of that problem comes from incompetance in the design community here (Houston).  Not trying to personally insult, but I've found that firms in Houston are generally clueless on proper historical restoration.  There are a few, but in general those companies are smaller and hence get left out in the cold for larger projects and jobs.  I'm not speaking to any particular project - again just generalizing.

And while I won't say I'm an expert, my firm does specialize in Historical Preservation and we're based in Galveston.  Most of the GC's we work with (down here) are experienced with this sort of specialized construction, same with the consulting engineers.

Unlikely at this time, though I believe it is possible in the long term.  Perhaps an alternate route for the canal can be found?

The jails temper much of what could/would be the district just north of Downtown across the Bayou.  Would be interesting to see what will come of that land in 20 or 30 years.  Hopefully it won't take nearly that long for those facilities to be relocated elsewhere.  Like someone else proposed earlier (on this topic or another) maybe we could get a highrise jail facility - like Chicago has?  Or build the county facilities elsewhere?  We can wish.

Note:  The South Canal is much longer, and serves as a visual for a much greater length than does the North Canal.  Obviously the North Canal will probably happen first, and would be a great addition to the formal area known as Downtown (I honestly do not consider anything the other side of Buffalo or White Oak Bayous to be Downtown).  Both would serve as flood control based on what the BBP has said in documents/online/what have you.

If I am remembering correctly - the Buffalo Bayou Partnership presented the Master Plan post Tropical Storm Allison?  So any large development mentioned at that time was quite clear to have adequate verbiage dedicated to flood control.  Much of the BBP Master Plan is dedicated to flood control with the neighborhoods being proposed around the bayou being mentioned as having porous street surfaces, water basins and storage throughout the site(s) along with new parkscape where water can flood as a natural event without really causing damage.

Personally I've long considered the potential arboretum component built at the old wastewater treatment facility east of Downtown as one of the highlights of the whole plan.

As an aside:  I find this whole project very exciting.  The fact that it is actually happening is beyond amazing in this town of big talk and small work.  Truly estactic about this!  In 20 years we will have a continuous park system along this whole bayou that has cultural/economic/residential impact for the whole region beyond the turning basin.  Really fun to think of what can be.  What will be.

^Great posts guys.  Thanks for the information.  A few years ago I had time to read up on things like this, but a few years removed from my last HBJ subscription and I'm afraid I'm just not as up on things as I ought to be.

One area where an Albertsons could come in right away and do pretty well: Clear Lake/League City areas.  We have only HEB and Krogers, 2 Aldi's and 1 Fresh Market (which is technically in the wrong location across from Baybrook Mall - just opened by the way).

Actually, come to think of it, I believe Galveston the city would be a decent location for a new grocer like Albertsons?  Only 3 grocery stores on the island.  A decent Krogers, small Randalls, and an Arlan's!  Arlan's would and could be squeezed out of business if someone better came along.  And the Randalls site is somewhat limited in size.  If it were my choice I would try to anchor a new center on the land in front of the county courthouse buildings on Broadway with a big new Albertsons.  You could have another 10,000 sq ft of retail and maybe a pad site or 2 out there as well.  The problem would be offloading that Randalls?  A new center off Broadway at 61st street would be more accessible to people in Texas City, Tiki/Bayou Vista and elsewhere.  Plus it would have the benefit of being accessible to downtown/utmb/anico employes driving back north at the end of the workday.

Ah, ok.  Interesting.  While I believe Kroger capable of buying it, didn't know Albertsons could...guess that's where Cerberus comes in?

I heard Kroger was looking at buying Safeway?  If so - no more Randall's.

People like HEB because they feel a sort of Texas loyalty to it.  My brother lives in SA... he likes some of what HEB does, but he wishes there was more competition.

I prefer Krogers over HEB: better international foods and they have some better sales on things I actually want to buy.  But HEB near my house is better than the local Krogers so weekday shopping = visiting HEB, weekend shopping = Krogers (where I can get discounts on fuel, yet another plus).  HEB also has a smaller organic foods section nearby, so that's disappointing.

Albertsons would need to refocus there identity/brand a bit if they re-entered the market.  Maybe focus more on just being a grocer and not trying to sell too many non-food related items.  Perhaps have a big focus on natural/organics?  To be honest there just isn't enough of that in the Houston area, particularly in certain neighborhoods, and I feel like that would help them a bit.  Though if they went out of business before (here) due to price problems and lack of traffic then that may be a really fine line to walk.

Albertsons failed here - hence why they moved out.  I think they could work if they revamped the image of Albertsons.  Perhaps be innovative some how that other area grocers are not.

I would say drivers see pedestrians as a nuisance when pedestrians aren't being mindful.  Granted there are always exceptions to the norm - just saying in general.  But how many of us are really, truly bothered by someone crossing the road?  I see people every day all over Galveston (which is probably one of the most walkable cities in this state) and drivers don't seem to mind people walking across the street provided they do so in an orderly fashion.  It does irk me when people cross without looking at the lights to see if they have a safe crossing signal and just run across when they should wait a few seconds.

I still say slowing traffic through major urban zones is one simple, cheap (cost of how many signs - paid by traffic tickets) answer.  In small towns throughout California there are posted speed limits of around 15-20mph everywhere.  While initially annoying, I enjoyed the idea that people walking are given a greater chance at being safe.  Plus, there is a law requiring drivers stop at certain areas marked as pedestrian crossings.  Again, initially I thought "this is odd, and annoying" but when I used it, and saw how easily people there adapted and didn't mind stopping for 20 seconds to allow someone a chance at safely crossing the road it didn't bother me.  I'm not saying all urban streets should have this or all urban streets should be lowered to 20mph, just some.

^You are correct.  Sweden/Norway/Finland etc. are all placed on a pedestal as if they are the model country for the rest of the world.

One plus that these Nordic countries have over much of the rest of the world is a very high level of education.  Not everyone has a college degree, but their primary schools are quite well regarded internationally (which this might be where lack of diversity helps them - perhaps?).  Certainly helps to have so many people fairly well educated and literate.

But I don't want to pull this off topic.

Just noticed the "hills"... my focus on that rendering was on the blumpy/fuzzy lighted buildings elsewhere.  Never a good sign when the building you are trying to pop-out is the second or even third thing you notice.  Ziegler probably paid some Turkish or Chinese foreign rendering company a LOT of money for those too.

Sweden doesn't have the population of NYC, the density, or the complexity of Manhattan to deal with.  I also don't believe the fact the country is 93% Swede has anything to do with traffic accidents or pedestrian deaths.  Just a casual once over of the Chronicle on Monday's shows that drunk driving isn't a white/black/hispanic problem - its just a problem.

NYC needs more pedestrian only zones in my opinion - many European cities have entire districts closed off to traffic except the occasional delivery truck.  I don't see why this couldn't be implemented slowly in some areas in NYC (more so than what they have already).  Given the number of streets and relative closeness of alternative routes it wouldn't be a big deal to close some blocks here and there to create safer pedestrian zones.

One really quick way to reduce fatalities is to lower the speed limit:

Shifting over to Houston - why can't Post Oak and Westheimer (and all side streets) around the Galleria have a posted speed limit of 25 or even 20?  Much of the time people travel through there around that speed any way due to traffic, lowering the speed limit wouldn't cause that much of a headache but it would allow drivers a chance to brake in time, and avoid pedestrians with ease.  Just an idea.