mistergreen

Here are a few examples of some fairly decent looking Wal-Marts:

http://www.heraldonline.com/2008/03/08/415172/not-your-typical-big-box.html

http://www.backbencher.org/2009/05/the-luxury-walmart.html

http://www.sustainabilityninja.com/wind-turbine-sustainability/walmart-and-duke-energy-team-to-use-wind-power-in-texas-stores/

I'm not an advocate, just did some looking around. Funny thing, I was hoping that Target would go in a better direction, but look what happened there.

i think this was discussed before but the big issue with the demographics is they are a decade old. the area has changed considerably in the last 10 years. apparently, target didn't make the store a super target b/c of these outdated demographics and now they are stuffing produce on any shelf they can because their food sales are through the roof. they made their decision based on the heights/washington corridor of 10 years ago. too bad for them.

the problem is the location is so good that even the bad places do well. this shopping center services a pretty underserved population- like downtown, the heights, rice military, etc... even the snobbiest yuppie will grab a panda express or taco bell on a night when they worked until 8 and they don't have to get out of their car...

I agree 100%.

My hope was for restaurant tenants like Cafe Express, La Madeline, Amazon, and that ilk. But the demographics obviously did not bear it out. All in all though, it's pretty handy.

Speaking of El Rey, anyone here ventured out to their new location at Bunker Hill and I-10. Pretty nice...

Whatever happened to Fatburger going into this development?

Fatburger is out. As for the new building, according to the developer's site, it is going to more strip center type stuff. Right now they show Arby's (ugh) and a Vitamin Shoppe.

Southwell's is now open. It's nice to have so many decent choices for lunch walking distance from my studio.

That being said, Southwell's will never replace Someburger, Panda will never replace Sam's cafe, Dickey's will never replace Pizzitola's and Freebird's will never replace El Rey.

Still it's cool to have options.

Looks like Pot Belly's out, Arby's in.

Yuck.

FWIW - According to their website, Panda Express due to open in May.

Their place looks pretty good, too bad they were overzealous with the signage in front and ruined the look of it approaching from the north.

Chili's opens tomorrow (March 20).

A sign on the door of Chili's says Opening March 20.

Which website?

http://www.propertycommerce.com

mistergreen,

I enjoy driving by your place going to and from Washington. It and Wachovia are defiantly bright spots on a dreary drive. While I enjoy the Target, I can't help but think the remaining acreage will just be a reproduction of what could be found in any Sugarland across the country.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm happy with the gardens this season.

Hmmmm not sure how to make the image show up in the body of the post.

A person from Property Commerce suggested that Subway would be going in there (likely next to the mattress store). Confirmed the Chili's. Said they were trying to woo another big box store such as Best Buy or Circuit City. Chick - Fil - A has not committed.

All in all, pretty disappointing considering what might have been. Way back when this was first announced here is some of what was said:

Sawyer Heights Village will be an urban shopping center, similar in style to Highland Village and Town & Country Villages, Moss says. The developer is turning Taylor/Sawyer into a heavily landscaped boulevard with brick roadways, and has designs to make the entire project pedestrian-friendly.

Not exactly.

I am still a supporter.... but it is a shame that it seems more like every other suburban center than like a Highland Village. There is still time, and the lofts will help the look, but another Big Box retailer will be a real blow to that concept.

Coming soon ... Amegy Bank.Not much to get excited about, but they are my bank so I'm pleased.

Yeah, I noticed that too, that there were some updates to the plan. The stand alone Starbucks though is shown on the March 2006 plan, whereas the May 2006 plan just shows it as "food". And an Amegy bank? I thought someone said it was a Wachovia?

The Wachovia is a given as I understand it. The May plan shows an Amegy as well.

They are being extremely tight lipped about it all.... I wonder why that is?

This would be great. Unfortunately this location has been planned from the start as a "future lease space."

On a more happy note though, according to the property commerce website, there is going to be an independent Starbuck's.

Yes a "real" Starbucks will be nice. The newest .PDF on the Property Commerce site has a few new additions.

I'm pleased to see an Amegy Bank going in over there. That's my bank... how conveeeeenient.

I've been invited to a "private opening" at the Target preceeding the Grand Opening next weekend. I guess I rate as a neighborhood VIP ;-). Should have quite a bit of gossip by mid week.

Does anyone know what that steel building with the gazebo in front is? It's now up for sale... It would make a cool little restaurant.

The building houses Dakota Framing and Photography. They are a custom shop specializing in corporate installations and fine art. It is also the couple's home. The gazebo is actually "in the back".

I know! It can't get here fast enough for me.

July 23 actually.

They also planted trees along Sawyer yesterday..... some nice (but small) oaks. Looking good.

I just spoke to some Target trainees outside waiting for the bus, and they said the........ drumroll please.....

Chick-Fil-A

is going in next to Target.

They could be wrong I suppose, but that's the latest.

Like this, I hope:

I would assume so. That seems to be a somewhat standard Wachovia design, and it's pretty nice to look at.

FYI - If anyone is interested, here's a gallery of photos of my place: MGP2.

I drove past Sawyer Heights tonight and saw that they had broken ground and started working on the area next to (attached to?) the Target...future retail or 24 Hr Fitness or something else??

Not sure, but I was given a positive ID on the work at the NW corner of Spring and Sawyer. FWIW - Wachovia Bank.

Oh I forgot to mention that after they finish the street repairs from I-10 to Crockett, they will proceed immediately to resurfacing the road from Crockett to Washington.

Man, let's hope so. That street is torture right now.

Taylor / Sawyer from I-10 to Crockett will be completely re paved and landscaped prior to Target's move in. They are almost through with all of the curbs and wheelchair ramps (they finished my curbs today!) along Sawyer. It will be great when it's done.

Regarding the Target, at least they have done a little landscaping. And, since I can see it, at least their logo is a good one. I thnk that it will be a big hit.

I totally agree about chains, but if I had my choice for the Target center it would be of the Cafe Express, La Madeline, Carabbas, Jamba Juice or Starbucks variety.

The homes in the parking lot have been erased.

From the Houston Press story:

In August commercial photographer Mark Green built a swanky new production studio on Sawyer Street near the Trevino property. "I wanted to get back into a more artistic, industrial area," Green explains. Now he's faced with the challenge of "trying to be creative and artistic next to a Target."

Mistergreen gettin' some press time.

Interesting how the printed press works. I actually did not say what he wrote. And I do not recall saying that it was "a challenge". Just that it was a different dynamic. Also, I am "across from a Target" not next to.

However I do think the descriptor "swanky" is cool.

The old houses in the middle of the parking lot have now sold (according to my source). The owner has a sentimental streak, as he's having one of them moved because his father built it (his family has lived there for 40+ yrs.). I understand that he got around $450K each for the two houses (that number is strictly conjecture... but it was told to me by someone who might know such things). If so, good for him.

I did look at the new drawings on Property Commerce.... looks like they'll just pave over where the houses were for parking.

According to my guy, they're making a small green space around the two big oaks, he called it a "little park". The only tenant he mentioned by name was Wachovia Bank, to be on the larger bank parcel just North of Spring Street. Oh he said "maybe a La Madeline might go in there".

I'm still real skeptical.