The Great Hizzy!

Sweet like candy!

Looks like something that's more comfortable in Heights. Nevertheless, I like the columns and the low-lying porch/patio (it looks like it could also be the rear of the house).

$200 million development.

The positives here in terms of the odds of project realization is that they already know going in that construction and development costs will be high. This suggests that they already know what type of retail tenants they'll need in addition to the commercial office and residential space that would be available. Signing retail tenants would be big because it makes the residential aspect that much more appealing. And residential space makes the potential commercial space that more appealing.

But the biggest positive is that they've done a very similar project in Denver and the conditions there at the time of pre-development were much like what they are here in Houston. In other words, they've been here and done this before, so they're very likely to know exactly what they need to do. I'd caution patience about ground breaking, however, because there are still a variety of developmental factors that can make pinning down an actual ground breaking difficult.

I wonder if they are talking about the sign that's up on an empty lot on Binz across from the Children's Museum. The sign advertises a highrise condo of some sort. I can't really make out the design but it's been there less than three months.

If done right, it could really heighten the profile of Reliant Stadium as a premiere location to hold world class events under any circumstances. You've already got transit in place. You already have a lot of parking access. Now, if you can provide retail and lodging and do it in a manner that's asthetically pleasing, you'd have something pretty sweet.

Fear the wrath of Tierwestah!!

I'd think, though, that if the "news" is that they're are, in fact, closing on the land that it probably wouldn't be major news in that you'd see a big write up in any of the relevant publications (I could be wrong about that). Nevertheless, it would be really sweet to read continuing news on the progress of the project now that the city's given its blessings and acquiesced to the developer's requests to make this financially viable for them.

They're just trying to market the Pearland area, where the development is located. They're the only ones who have ever used such a designation. Thus, they're just trying to sell homes.

Doesn't mean much if they say that they're the #1 selling development in the Houston-Cypress Metroplex, for example. No, they're trying to promote 1) their product and 2) the location of their product.

Wasn't the one on Calvacade turned into a Dairy Land or a Dairy King or some other cheesy sounding place that no longer is Dairy Queen.

Yes. It reminds me of the McDowell's/McDonald's deal that John Amos's character in Coming To America pulled off.

semipro, you can say it all you want, but if the Texans have the No. 1 pick, they are taking Bush. You keep forgetting that the NFL is not about winning football games, but about making money. Every fan, except you, expects them to take Bush. If they don't, ticket holders will be furious, translating into cancelled ticket orders and lost revenue. Bob McNair, like Drayton McLane, is all about the marketing. He knows we all expect them to take Bush and build around him and (maybe) Carr, and that is what he will do.

You also forget that the Texans O-line is a decent run blocking group. Where they totally suck is pass blocking. Bush will do well in the NFL. He might as well do well here.

I'm in the minority in that I don't think it's a fait au compli that the Texans take Bush. I think they'd seriously entertain trade offers and if they come across one that's sweet, they'll trade down.

By the by, this is a pretty deep draft in some areas, including tight end and offensive line. From a marketing standpoint, I could see the Texans drafting Bush (and I wouldn't be too upset, though I think we'd be more going with a pick that'll pay off in three or four years rather than one that would be an essential building block).

You don't win games with skill position. You when it with linemen on both sides of the ball. That said, you push yourself over the top with superior skill position talent.

Take the Colts: Manning, Harrison and James get all the glory, but the Colts have an excellent offensive line and a pair of the best pass rushers (Freeney and Mathis) in the NFL. You take away the OL and the pass rushers and the Colts, even with Manning, Harrison and James, are still a 6-10 type team--just as they were when Jim Mora provided the best press conference ever with his "Playoffs?!" meltdown.

Unless the Texans trade the pick and draft some guy you've never heard of in the first round, I don't think they can screw up their first round pick next year. Where they ALWAYS seem to screw up is in Rounds 2-4. I hope they figure that out this year.

I don't think Vince is leaving this year. I think a) like many other Longhorns under Mack Brown, he really enjoys playing at Texas and would probably enjoy yet another season (just as Roy Williams, Ricky Williams and Chris Simms did); b.) Vince could stand to improve his reads and his form just a bit when passing; he's made great improvement and I think he'll be a very good pure passer even on the pro level but he's still got a couple of glitches in his mechanics; c) He may want to see if he can help Texas repeat as nat'l champs. .

As for the Texans,

I'd try to trade down, draft D'Brickashaw Ferguson at OT if he's available at my new draft spot, then in later rounds address either TE/DB in the second round and then go after a pretty decent and athletic LB in the third round. If the Texans are able to pull an extra second or third round pickt his year as a result of trading down in the first round, I'd draft DB if I went TE with the early second round pick or the opposite.

So, for example, if the Texans trade down in the first and end up with an extra second round pick, I'd like to see something like this:

Round 1- D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia

Round 2(a) - David Thomas, TE, Texas

Round 2 ( - Greg Blue, S, Georgia

Round 3 - LB of some kind.

I'd say that that's news to me as well. Yes, I understand that they're trying to reconfigure some things concerning the original design but there's been nothing concerning an actual go ahead with the project (and even with the supposed redesign, I don't recall hearing anything about the project being even taller).

Love the Palm Trees. Houston should use more.

I agree. Given the projects location, I don't think the two varieties would clash anyway.

More good stuff. Thanks, Sam.

Yeah, pretty nice store, and it looked as if they were getting deliverires during the day, as I saw a few delivery trucks being unloaded when I left Saturday afternoon.

I'm really interested to see what the retail center caticorner from it will look like, if it will have a similar focus as the more urban retail center that was built on Smith @ Elgin.

Nice looking project. Screw whether it's parallel or face-in parking, the building design is pretty f'n nice, IMO.

You forgot Earth, Wind & Fire, Barry White and The Bee Gees.

It's still a Foley's and, yes, it looks pretty bland, which is a shame given the commercial success of that particular store.

They may be led to renovate a bit with the new ownership group. Or maybe not.

Yuck, Red. Bare bones. Expect a "Jimmy's Groceries and Bail Bonds". Bail 'em out and buy Cheetos in one trip. Talk about convenience.

I really love that street level shot. If it gets built, I wonder how close to accurate the rendering will be.

believe I did read (on haif) that there was a large residential project in the area. I think it was in an existing commercial building.

There are a couple, in fact. See threads in the Galleria/West Houston folder that speak to them specifically. There's a redo of an existing governmental building that could be interesting. Also, a residential development near the Edward's Cinema and the Mercedes-Benz dealership is supposed to go up on the empty lot next to Lakewood Church. The latter is pretty speculative at this point, though.

I wouldn't speculate too much. Speculation with regards to new projects clearly drives us all crazy, especially if we aren't getting clear updates/info (not saying that ENGCons info isn't legit, just that we can't corroborate it fully).

Best to assume the project is dead until there's clear evidence that it's not.

Looks very large. I wonder how this area of town will look in five years, after these projects (assuming that they're completed) are done and the completion of the University-to-Uptown rail line is realized?

Will these lead to an even greater transformation of the area? Will it spread west toward Greenway Plaza?

Ah... thanks.

Calpine actually has ground level retail now. Forgot to mention that some weeks ago when I first came across it. Don't know what the place is (it's an eatery, I believe), but it's there.

While the patience on this board is short, the memory may be even shorter. Does anyone remember that Main Street was the worst street in Downtown for decades prior to the rail installation? It takes time to develop, buy land and construct these projects. The rail has been open less than 2 years. In the meantime, dozens of properties have been rehabbed up and down Main Street, housing apartments, hotels, restaurants and bars.

And, why would Hines put up an 11 story garage on half a block...could it be that he knows that 3 blocks of surface parking will soon be eliminated by the Houston Pavillions? I'm not sure why the doom and gloom here.

It's what we do at HAIF, Red!!

BTW, weren't we all alerted that the original structure was being torn down for this exact purpose? This shouldn't be a surprise.