htownproud

Looks great. I don't live in the area, so can't comment on the roads, but I would note that if you couldn't build large developments on rough roads, then nothing would ever be built in this city.

I think a real grocery is needed. One that sells cokes, toilet paper, cereal, etc. we already have one speciality grocery store.

Since this is a fantasy list, my vote is for Feiline's Basement. Don't think there is one in Texas, so it would draw folks into the city.

really like the design.  i assume that is chelsea street that we are seeing, so that would mean the U would open up towards the SE. i guess that makes sense so folks aren't looking at the freeway.   

Wow that's bland (note that it shows 6 stories, not 5).  

Jamals grocery stores (I think where pet smart is on shepherd and near Alabama and Kirby)

The various Buteras grocery stores/cafés (rice village where Brian O'Neill is; Chelsea Market; and the grocery next to where Ravens is now).

City Streets (who wouldn't love 4 bars in one)

the Houston BBQ cook off and stickers. Back then, each booth would have stickers made, and the sponsors would slap the stickers on girls backsides. If you had a sticker on your bum, you could get into the tent. Girls would walk around with a hundred stickers on their jeans.

The apartments next to best buy at 59 and 610 used to also be a mound of dirt. In December, Wolfes would use it as a Christmas tree lot.

And the lonestar amphitheater was a kids play land back in the 80s. Good times.

Alamo Draft House is planning on a grand opening at Regent Square for the 200th anniversary of the Alamo.

It looks like an Urban Living townhouse, but 8 stories high. Lots of grey stucco. I like infill, but this just seems very bland.

Not sure how to respond to the suggestion that the Heights was rapidly developing and safe in 1996, when parts of it are still not safe today.  That's certainly not how I remember the Heights in the 1990's or how the old Heights residents tell stories, so we'll just have to agree to disagree.  

And I suppose if people think that Main Street has developed from the Museum District to Downtown as a result of the rail and that this stretch is a good face for the City of Houston when visitors come to our city, then again, we'll just have to agree to disagree (and I would urge you to actually ride the rail).  

Yes, the rail line has completely destroyed Midtown. If we had never built it, things would have been so much better. Midtown in 1996 was a hotbed of development. New towers were planned for every block and Baldwin Park was set to become Houston's version of Central Park. Then the rail was announced and everything dried up. Even the best haunted houses are gone. Stupid rail ruins everything.

In 1996 Washington Ave and the Heights were very attractive and hotbeds as well. If only those areas had the rail then they would have improved. . . .

You can also add Mid main and Match to that lists of projects to be started in the near future. Both of these projects are being built because of the rail. Along with all of the other exciting things that have happened in Midtown I really think the skid row comment was a little out of line. Also concerning the rail and for whatever reason people choose to ride, which I do when possible, it is one of the most heavily used rail lines in America on a rider  per mile ratio.

As someone that rides the train more often than not to work, I will say that statistic--which is often trotted out--is wildly misleading.  It is one of the most heavily used light rails because of medical center parking.  It is packed between that parking lot and the stops in the medical center.  After the medical center stops there are always open seats (going towards downtown), and very few other business men/women ride it to get to work.  

None of the "completed" projects mentioned above are directly along the rail between the museum district and downtown (please read my post; the Venue Museum District is shockingly in the museum district).  I counted them as I rode the train in this morning -- the CVS is it (admittedly there is a West Gray cleaners just south of 59 that could be in new building--I couldn't tell).  And as noted in my original email, things are finally getting built along the rail line--no one is denying that (please read my post), so please refrain from personal attacks.  The point is that it has taken nearly 15 years.  And I really don't think it can be disputed that without the rail these lots along Main would have been developed long before this past year (all of the new projects noted by others in the surrounding area confirm this).  I don't doubt that speculators are the reason for the lack of building along Main, but they are speculating because of the rail; therefore, the rail stunted development along Main.    

And as one of the first occupants in Post Midtown when it opened, I fully understand and appreciate how the area has changed.  The change is truly remarkable, and one of the reasons why I stated that midtown is great.  It is the area along that rail that is embarrassing.  If you really think the area between the museum district and downtown along the rail is aesthetically pleasing and markets Houston well when visitors ride the train, then I don't think you have ridden the rail before.  

And finally, I'm sorry if I was unclear in my original post.  I don't think the rail is the reason the trip from downtown to the museum district is like riding through skid row.  Those fine folks were there before the rail.  My original message was in response to the statement "If you like light rail or not, this spurs development," and my point was simply that the rail has not spurred development directly along the rail as demonstrated by the skid row that still exists along main.  

You can now carry on telling me why I'm wrong   

I think Midtown is great, but the areas around the Wheeler station and Greyhound are horrible. And there is not a single new, completed building along the rail line between the museum district and downtown other than a CVS (and only one new building in the museum district). This is especially curious because so much of the land along the rail is open lots and dilapidated buildings. If the rail wasn't built, I don't think this would be the case based on the outstanding growth elsewhere inside the loop.

I like it. I hope they include a nice restaurant and upscale bar--they would be great additions for the area.

yes, the rail has spurred the wonderful skid row we have between downtown and the museum district.   admittedly 15 years after it was built some things are in the works outside of downtown along the rail, but it is almost as if all other areas in the city have been bombing but the areas immediately next to the rail.  

I don't understand people that live in downtown and don't realize that sun dance doesn't show normal movies. Really? And grass on top of roofs. really? Folks in Des Moine did that and everyone thought it was a wasted subsidy. Just like here. I don't want to encourage spending on useless things like that. And someone wants to walk to a Walmart, target, h&m, and other suburban stores in the middle of downtown. Really? Do you know what a pain it is to get to those places in urban cities like Chicago and NYC? And you want to step out of your place down town and walk to one? You clearly don't appreciate how amazing it is to have a store like Phonenica within walking distance.

Those balconies with the a/c units on them are going to turn into an absolute mess in the future. Imagine the rust  stains coming off the sides of the balconies.

agreed, rust stains would look horrible, but the AC's for homes don't rust all over the place, so I bet these will be fine.  

I think this will be hotel overload for downtown.  Where are all these people staying now?  We get a lot of visitors for the O&G industry, but a lot of those companies are not located downtown (unfortunately).  And for the Superbowl and OTC it will be great, but the rest of the year I would imagine that these places will have a high vacancy rate.  I'm sure these companies do the math, but I am suspect . . .

There was about 8 blocks of concrete trucks lined up one after another this morning to pour the foundation. It was pretty impressive (sorry no pics!)

good stuff

I'll keep my fingers crossed, but . . . .

I suspect that Weingarten is better positioned than Rice to buy property in the Village. I need to get out my Access database with the HCAD data and do some analysis on property ownership in that area.

See the link regarding Rice's ownership of part of the village:

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Rice-to-take-control-of-Village-Arcade-5236558.php

Glad to see them pushing dirt.  As I was going by it today, I noted that the folks with a north view will have a good view of downtown, but will also be staring at the giant Shell station across the street.  

If in 10 years that property hasn't developed, then someone else will have come along and bought it and developed something else.  Far too valuable of land to NOT do anything with it.

Agreed, although one would think that this land is too valuable not to do anything with for more than 7 years as well.  Hopefully the developers get their act together . . . .

In 10 years Houston will be quite different from what it is today.  Regent Square + the other 3-4 walkable mixed-use "districts" will help transform Houston into a more walkable town and one where people will engage with the outdoors more often.  Quite exciting!

 

I'm glad that RS is moving forward, The Allen House was a realatively affordable and decently kept up place that close in, besides that - my parents met there many years ago when it was far more fashionable.  Gone, but something better in its place... which is all we can ask for in most of the tear-down circumstances in this town.  Sadly it isn't always the case.

In ten years we will be lucky if there is anything being built on those empty lots Regent Square created.  

probably not.. its on 12 stories of parking garage. plus, 2929 Weslayan is 40 stories. and that 40 story Market Square residential should hopefully be in the pipeline soon (though also on a garage)..

id be interested in a list of all the residential highrises going up or proposed for Houston.

42 story Hermann Place

40 story 2929 Weslayan

40 story Block 35)/Market Square block

38 story Block 98

38 story Texaco redevelopment

36 story Gables Post Oak

33 story Hines Market Square

30 story Hanover Montrose

30 story Uptown Park

29 story Hanover Post Oak

28 story Marquette 1400 Texas

28 story Astoria

26 story Belfiore

25 story The Southmore

25 story SkyHouse River oaks

24 story SkyHouse downtown

21 story The Sovereign

20 story Chelsea Montrose

20 story The Woodlands condo tower

18 story Azalea Court/Mid Lane Phase III

17 story Azalea Court/Mid Lane Phase II

17 story Bunker Hill mixed use development

15 story Azalea Court/Mid Lane Phase III

13 story The Kirby Collection

12 story Camden highrise Phase I

12 story Camden highrise Phase II

10 story Allied Orion Group

(sorry to get off topic.. did i miss any? thats quite an impressive list of residential highrises)

A lot of buildings planned.  It would be nice to see some above 40 floors, but I'll take it.