texas911

Partners in Building. But they'll nickel and dime you to death.

Too bad Houston doesn't have a Chicago style Magnificent Mile type area. Post Oak could have been that if everyone just worked together.

Maybe, but that is a super busy pedestrian corridor, what with all the foreign tourists that go to the Galleria and think Houston is a walkable city. That's what's wrong with Houston, every development is an island to itself. Look at lower Westheimer, could have been a premier pedestrian friendly district, but ruined because everyone can't see a bigger picture.

But not to its neighbors.

Cougar Place is being replaced by more stick construction? What the heck is wrong with UH. They need to build only with long lasting materials, like concrete blocks and steel! There is nothing more destructive than newly liberated from parents 18 year olds living by themselves. No dorms should ever be built with stick construction methods. That's why they had to tear down Cougar Place after only 30 years!

It sure doesn't engage Post Oak very well. Could have made a nice pedestrian connection, but didn't.

People think they NEED garages but I've never had enclosed garage parking anywhere I have ever lived.

Of course, most folks think we all need cellphones to survive too. The world worked just fine without them. In fact, I'd argue that I enjoyed life a helluva lot more without them.

Of course if the human race thought this way, we'd still be in caves. We don't need a lot of things but a lot of things make our lives easier. They probably don't have garages or cellphones in third world countries, ask them if they want them.

People need a three car garage to fit one car and 2 bays worth of crap!

There is also the option of making the whole crawl space conditioned space by insulating the beam footing around the perimeter of the house. It involves creating a giant moisture proof barrier on the ground but I've seen companies that make giant sheets of plastic for the purpose. The insulation isn't spray foam but rigid foam sheets installed on the inside of the beams. Might be worth a try.

Just sold my lot in Ayshire in Braes Heights (77025). It sold in 2 days and it went for higher than listing price, way higher, with a cash transaction. The market sure hasn't abated in one year! 77005 is still going strong, if you can even find a home for sale. I haven't seen the inventory this low ever, well at least not since I've been browsing Zip/Har/Zillow on my iPad!

Oh I've done my share of upgrades. Windows, insulation (not the crawl space though) and upgraded to a high efficiency dual speed a/c (which we love), just can't beat a modern home that was designed from the start to be efficient. I think the only way to get my house that efficient is to use spray foam insulation everywhere. I'm looking into it.

Doubts its below grade right next to the bayou.

You read that right. And its being built by Lovett Homes. Its great to see real architect designed houses pop up again in West U.

Lake Flato Architects

http://search.har.com/engine/3212-Georgetown-West-University-TX-77005_HAR57132449.htm

http://images-06.har.com/e1/mediadisplay/06/hr2906206-22.jpg

We need to get the Super Bowl again.

If you want bit nicer neighborhood, check out Braes Heights. Just north of Braes Bayou and south of West U. Its in the city of Houston but they have a strong HAO, not control freaks that require you to paint your house a certain way, but one that keeps up the community spaces and organize a private patrol. They were also instrumental in tearing down the crack house apartments and had them replaced with a YMCA, a library and senior services building. Then HISD rebuilt Pershing and Twain. Its basically all new in the heart of Braes Heights. The lots are huge with a mix of new "McMansions" and ranch homes, but there are some architectural gems within. They also parlayed Allison Flood funding to redo all the streets and sidewalks. Really changed the look of the neighborhood. Really a strong sense of community and lots of kids and young families. What's great is that West U is such a well to do city that all around its borders, business have really invested a lot to cater to them and neighborhoods close to West U also benefit. HEB and Kroger come to mind. Plus as mentioned its close to the Med Center and there are lots of educated neighbors to be had. I believe the Little Couple reside somewhere there. If you do like Linkwood/Knollwood, just stay away from the West U sewage treatment plant on Braes Bayou near Kirby. The smell can carry quite a distance.

I'd just be happy with "Slower Traffic Keep Right" signs.

Wow! Great projects. And I love that the new buildings are tall. I only wish that UH would do more infill projects. It seems like UH is experiencing urban sprawl. They should take into account how long it takes a student to walk between classes.

Just came back from NYC and went the the 5th ave Apple store. It was amazing and a tourist attraction in its own right. What I found completely crazy is that its open 24 hours a day!

Of course they've thought of those things! What do you think architects do?

WOW, the site is 100X faster loading compared to before. Maybe now we'll get more posters. Great work guys!

Right across the street from the West U sewage treatment plant! Wonderful.

TXDot are morons. At least their engineers are. How could they have made such a silly design on the spur, or countless other places around Houston! Crazy.

if red light cameras were about safety, then they should lengthen the yellow light's time by two seconds.

oh... wait... then no one would run them, and the camera company wouldn't make any money.

Like that's going to work with the aholes that think they are above the law. Or think it doesn't apply to them since they probably don't have a license, insurance, or registration.

So I like to browse har.com for my zip code, 77005, and am amazed with all the high dollar sales! It seemed to have started in January. Are people just trying to take advantage of the low interest rates? Even builders are starting to build again, when before they were trying to unload their lots. What gives? Is Houston just immune?

Put parking lots in the back and put the building right up to the street with a wide side walk. That alone would solve lots of eye sores.