sidegate Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 That old antiques store beside the gas station at the corner of Westheimer and Woodhead is gone after a lengthy demolition sale. Anyone know what is planned for the site...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hopefully something nice. It seems to be a pretty hot area! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Sorry to see that one go - not because the building itself was any great shakes, but because it contributed to the density of the neighborhood. Even if one wanted to, could a new building be built as close to the street? Or would current building codes prevent that?It would be great if something that contributes to the neighborhood is built on that site. I'm not optimistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westguy Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 I'm always picturing a bus (which is twice as wide as that stretch of Westheimer) will jump on the curve and run over a pedestrian. Setbacks should be a bit further from the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Sorry to see that one go - not because the building itself was any great shakes, but because it contributed to the density of the neighborhood. Even if one wanted to, could a new building be built as close to the street? Or would current building codes prevent that?It would be great if something that contributes to the neighborhood is built on that site. I'm not optimistic.Ordinances probably require a 25' setback from Westheimer, since it is a major thoroughfare, but a developer could get a variance from the City if they are willing. Parking requirements may also come into play, though, and if it is retail, you can be almost assured that they'll just stick the parking out front and avoid either issue.If it is residential, they'd be much more likely to pursue the variance, build structured parking, and cram as many apartments into a four-to-six-story structure as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Why am I not getting a picture of this one in my head?Was it the long store with the almost garage-like doors that opened up to the street? It that is what has vanished then that is a HUGE loss if only for the vitality it added to the sidewalk culture. I hope it wasn't that one.The only other one I can think of on that block is the old Trash and Treasure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Is this the red boarded up looking building? I think there is a sign on the site for what is coming. Doesn't it say office and retail or am I thinking of the wrong lot?Not a full shot of the building but is this it?http://flickr.com/photos/groovehouse/384262337/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnu Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Why am I not getting a picture of this one in my head?Was it the long store with the almost garage-like doors that opened up to the street? It that is what has vanished then that is a HUGE loss if only for the vitality it added to the sidewalk culture. I hope it wasn't that one.The only other one I can think of on that block is the old Trash and Treasure.actually it's more like westheimer and elmen. northwest side.across elmen from empire cafe and across westheimer from the antique store with the roll up doors (old brick dry cleaners bldg) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 It would be great if something that contributes to the neighborhood is built on that site. I'm not optimistic.Me neither. Let's face it, those antique stores are part of an older, funkier Montrose and, although very popular, sit on very valuable land. With this one gone, the seal might have been broken. The others' days are probably numbered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Why am I not getting a picture of this one in my head?Was it the long store with the almost garage-like doors that opened up to the street? It that is what has vanished then that is a HUGE loss if only for the vitality it added to the sidewalk culture. I hope it wasn't that one.The only other one I can think of on that block is the old Trash and Treasure.This was a dilapidated barn-red wooden building situated right next to the sidewalk, on the north side of Westheimer.The building with the overhead doors is the old Hollyfield Laundry building, which still houses several antique dealers. Trash and Treasure is still in operation.Is this the red boarded up looking building? I think there is a sign on the site for what is coming. Doesn't it say office and retail or am I thinking of the wrong lot?Not a full shot of the building but is this it?http://flickr.com/photos/groovehouse/384262337/Yes, that's the one; kind of hard to picture it from so close a view (but great shot, groovehouse!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Ah, glad to hear it wasn't the Hollyfield Laundry Bldg or the Trash and Treasures. I like those two a lot.Wasn't the red one called BJs Oldies or something like that? I could have sworn I noticed that sign the last time I was down in Houston...or is that across the street? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehou Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Wasn't the red one called BJs Oldies or something like that?Nope. BJs is in the Hollyfield Laundry Bldg that's still there. The red building needed to go. I'm excited and hopeful about whatever goes in next. Maybe the return of Dietrich's following its unceremonious ouster from two blocks west! I know some people who would be thrilled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnu Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I'm excited and hopeful about whatever goes in next.seems like i remember, the last time i was at empire, seeing a sign on the subject property stating "future shopping center". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 yeah the red building looked like ass, and did so for a long time. good riddance.I like the zero ft setbacks. I can't think of many other areas that have that feeling of intimacy that comes with dozens of people milling about looking at antiques, cool clothes shops, drinking coffee in a street-side patio. But what the hell am I smoking....it will turn into generic stripcentersville before we know it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 If the developer can pull of what he's proposed, the new building will be 2.5 floors with zero setback. He's had a hell of a time with the city getting permitted for the parking because of the density of the project (parking in back). The thing that really concerns me about the current plan, though, is that it could be another cheesy stucco Mediterranean structure. There's actually a rendering on the corner of the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 i didn't see that. hope he pulls it off. yeah, stucco is less than optimal but could be worse. 2.5 floors is a sensible size. will it be retail only or residential on the second floor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Office on second floor and one apartment on the top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I concur about the stucco but what largeTexas wrote has me hopeful. No setbacks, parking in the rear, apartment above office above retail sounds PERFECT in that location.Of course, only in Houston would this type of development have a hard time getting permits. However, if some nutjub came in and wanted to pave the entire streetscape, place about 50X more parking spaces than truly needed out front, and plop down a strip center with a nail salon, a dry cleaners, and some type of sandwich shop (Subway/Quiznos) it would probably already be built! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 lol. don't forget the office supply store anchoring the development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 rip all down and build a sam's![/sarcasm] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 if some nutjub came in and wanted to pave the entire streetscape, place about 50X more parking spaces than truly needed out front, and plop down a strip center with a nail salon, a dry cleaners, and some type of sandwich shop (Subway/Quiznos) it would probably already be built!LOL. Don't forget Jackson Hewitt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 BTW, the setup of the building reminds me of this place in Oakland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted March 21, 2007 Author Share Posted March 21, 2007 looks cool; a coffee shop would be nice. even with brasil and empire there I don't think there'd be a shortage of people wanting to hang out on that little strip... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capnmcbarnacle Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 yeah the red building looked like ass, and did so for a long time. good riddance.I like the zero ft setbacks. I can't think of many other areas that have that feeling of intimacy that comes with dozens of people milling about looking at antiques, cool clothes shops, drinking coffee in a street-side patio. But what the hell am I smoking....it will turn into generic stripcentersville before we know it....I was up there today and saw they were getting prepared for a foundation and it looked like the piers were along the sidewalk. According a guy who works next door, it looks like the guy finally got his variance and can build along the sidwalk. The rumor is for a 1st floor retail and restaurant (with possible patio tables on the side street), second floor office, third floor residence. I hope that is the case.On another note, the old architectural emporium is being dismantled and apparently the owners will redevelop that block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 I was up there today and saw they were getting prepared for a foundation and it looked like the piers were along the sidewalk. According a guy who works next door, it looks like the guy finally got his variance and can build along the sidwalk. The rumor is for a 1st floor retail and restaurant (with possible patio tables on the side street), second floor office, third floor residence. I hope that is the case.Sounds just about perfect to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Was that the old Futon place that was torn down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidegate Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 no, it was the old red antiques store with the zero setback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 BTW, the setup of the building reminds me of this place in Oakland. Just out of curiosity do you recall this intersection? I can barely make it out in this pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Just out of curiosity do you recall this intersection? I can barely make it out in this pic.Shattuck and 65th near the border of North Oakland and Berkeley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 Sounds awesome. I am glad it's going to be close to the street as well. Everything in Montreal is close to the street and I bet no more people get run over there than in Houston. Sorry for the random Montreal comparison, I know that can get me in trouble here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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