Angostura Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 On 6/1/2016 at 9:38 PM, mkultra25 said: There are far too many alternative places that serve outstanding burgers in Houston to ever justify a 45 minute to 1.5 hour wait for one. Perhaps they think they're the Franklin Barbecue of burgers. Must be an Austin thing, they all seem to view waiting as a competition and labor under the impression that there's a correlation between the length of the wait and the quality of the resulting experience. Austin has a much higher tolerance for waiting in line for food than Houston does. Hopdoddy, yes, but also Torchy's, Tatsu-ya, Franklin, etc. Maybe Austin has more people with nothing better to do than wait in line for food. I would expect the Houston Hopdoddy line to run considerably shorter than in Austin within a few months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 ^^^ OMG, the new exterior of the magnificent HARRY WINSTON boutique at ROD is simply brilliant, stunning, and opulent. one can only imagine just what the interior shall look like once construction is completed this summer. WOW! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 wow thanks for the update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Quote JPMorgan Asset Management has purchased Houston's posh mixed-use complex, River Oaks District, in a partnership with the property's developer, according to sources familiar with the deal. The cash transaction was more than $550 million, according to a source, a high price for the Inner-Loop shopping, office and apartment development and one that demonstrates the resilience of Houston's retail market amid an economic slump due to collapsing oil prices. While the city's office market has been hammered by energy's decline, retail real estate is still benefiting from population gains and lower gas prices, according to a recent report from CBRE Group, a commercial real estate firm. "The sheer size of the market has captured the attention of retailers, placing Houston as their third most sought after market for expansion behind New York and Los Angeles," the report stated. Still, CBRE warned that by the end of the year or early 2017, retail sales could soften as more high-paying jobs are lost. OliverMcMillan, the San Diego-based real estate firm that developed River Oaks District, retained an ownership stake in the property and a management role in the partnership, sources said. The seller was an entity including OliverMcMillan and Baupost Group, a Boston-based hedge fund. OliverMcMillan also had a $150 million loan on the property from Bank of America, according to property records filed in Harris County. OliverMcMillan and JPMorgan declined to comment. Such sales of properties aren't uncommon after the developing process is finished, said Ed Wulfe, longtime real estate developer and chairman and CEO of Wulfe & Co. "It happens often and I think the bottom line is this is just ensuring the financial stability of the project with a major financial institution, which again protects the viability of the project," Wulfe said. Those changes typically don't affect retail tenants. Essentially, a landlord change may be the only impact they'll experience, and in this case, the original developer is still involved the project. River Oaks District spans 14 acres at 4444 Westheimer, just inside the West Loop. The project, some 10 years in the making, opened last fall with some of the world's top luxury brands, including Cartier, Dior, Hermes and Tom Ford. A slate of restaurants have or will soon open, including French bistro Toulouse Café and Bar, Taverna, Steak 48, Le Colonial and Hopdoddy Burger Bar from Austin. Several River Oaks District retailers and their representatives contacted by the Chronicle declined comment on the purchase 4 http://www.chron.com/business/real-estate/article/River-Oaks-District-fetches-550M-plus-in-cash-7973054.php 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Been going to hopdoddy ever since they opened in Dallas three years ago (though I'm sure Houston was always in their expansion plans). Like Gene said, you can skip the line if you eat at the bar, which is funner anyway. I recommend the Diablo if you like spicy stuff, I can't get anything else there now. Whataburger has a more traditional burger taste, I'm not sure what it is about hopdoddy's burger patties but something isn't conventional. Of course half the time you eat at Whataburger you get cold food, which doesn't happen at hopdoddy. Another thing - the signs at the Austin locations are a little racier than in Dallas, lots of "smack my buns" type stuff. Be interesting to see which version Houston gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 2 hours ago, H-Town Man said: Been going to hopdoddy ever since they opened in Dallas three years ago (though I'm sure Houston was always in their expansion plans). Like Gene said, you can skip the line if you eat at the bar, which is funner anyway. I recommend the Diablo if you like spicy stuff, I can't get anything else there now. Whataburger has a more traditional burger taste, I'm not sure what it is about hopdoddy's burger patties but something isn't conventional. Of course half the time you eat at Whataburger you get cold food, which doesn't happen at hopdoddy. Another thing - the signs at the Austin locations are a little racier than in Dallas, lots of "smack my buns" type stuff. Be interesting to see which version Houston gets. I will be there around 1:30 today if anyone wants to join me. Green sear-sucker shorts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 i didnt see this posted before (so if it has, then sorry!) but here is a good news update on iPic and the pending lawsuit that will now go to court in October! http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/iPic-chain-gets-another-win-in-fight-with-AMC-7940805.php i love iPic and the amenities and food etc so i have found the higher price is acceptable and warranted in my opinion... and it keeps the riff raff away which is honestly the best part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dml423 Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Went by last week and took some pictures of Harry Winston and the new store Saint Bernard. Compared to the other stores, Saint Bernard had a lot more people in it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 HW is likely never "busy". They probably only need to make a handful sales a month to do just fine. Did I read at one point (I think before Apple NYC) that HW was the highest grossing store per sq ft in Manhattan? It only takes a few 0.1%-ers to make a month at HW, I would guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoustonMidtown Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 29 minutes ago, UtterlyUrban said: HW is likely never "busy". They probably only need to make a handful sales a month to do just fine. Did I read at one point (I think before Apple NYC) that HW was the highest grossing store per sq ft in Manhattan? It only takes a few 0.1%-ers to make a month at HW, I would guess. I've never had the pleasure of shopping at HW - how expensive are they ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 58 minutes ago, HoustonMidtown said: I've never had the pleasure of shopping at HW - how expensive are they ? I have not been inside either as it would be a pointless waste of time for me. They don't list prices on their website bit a google search is revealing (if true, and I suspect it is more true than not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 ^^^ @HoustonMidtown @UtterlyUrban please pardon me gents, but if you have to inquire.. then you don't want to know. HW is super exclusive. super super super super exclusive.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 ^^^ JOHN HARDY is coming to ROD. another top brand jewelry retailer.... nice..... Houston will get the first of three U.S. retail locations for John Hardy, an international luxury jewelry maker. The 1,000-square-foot Houston boutique is scheduled to open in September in River Oaks District. It will be John Hardy's first U.S. location, according to the company. A New York City flagship store is scheduled to open in November, followed by a third store in an as yet unannounced U.S. city. The retailer touts its expansion into U.S. markets as part of an ongoing transformation for the 41-year-old brand, which has included developing global digital commerce to be a "business that reaches customers at multiple touchpoints." "As we work to grow the John Hardy brand and bring the best luxury jewelry and service to our clients, expansion in to retail boutiques in the U.S. is a natural next step," CEO Robert Hanson said in a statement. John Hardy began its artisan, handcrafted jewelry business in Bali in 1975. The company sells its collection in the U.S. through several other retailers. The retailer has a design studio and workshop in Ubud, Bali. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 ^^^ opens this evening at ROD... bon appetit! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 ^^^ welcome to ROD, JO MALONE now open..... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 ^^^ aaaahhhhh.. just as i once thought, BONPOINT (french children's boutique) shall be opening at ROD this summer. very nice.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 ^^^ NARS is now open at ROD. welcome to houston.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 ^^^ FINALLY, AKRIS has set an opening date for their new ROD houston boutique.... AUGUST 1, 2016... yes! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UtterlyUrban Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 (edited) Akris: the home of a $2000 sack dress. Yippie. https://www.akris.ch/us_en/akris/dresses/7646 or this thing for $3000: https://www.akris.ch/us_en/akris/dresses/7435 Edited June 28, 2016 by UtterlyUrban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucleareaction Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 2 hours ago, UtterlyUrban said: Akris: the home of a $2000 sack dress. Yippie. https://www.akris.ch/us_en/akris/dresses/7646 or this thing for $3000: https://www.akris.ch/us_en/akris/dresses/7435 The fabric feels nice? Who knows... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 i will say it has been so awesome to see this development come alive since the restaurant openings!!! it seriously was a ghost town for the longest time it felt like! and hopdoddy, while still busy doesnt have the super long lines like the opening week so its been great getting to go there often! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 4 hours ago, UtterlyUrban said: Akris: the home of a $2000 sack dress. Yippie. https://www.akris.ch/us_en/akris/dresses/7646 or this thing for $3000: https://www.akris.ch/us_en/akris/dresses/7435 Apart from the first one being Wool, you pay for the name. It's exclusive and you have to afford the admission. Meanwhile I'll feel fancy with brooks brothers & j crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Inb4 pretentious comment from our resident Triple Comma Club member 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asubrt Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 41 minutes ago, BigFootsSocks said: Inb4 pretentious comment from our resident Triple Comma Club member He wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 ^^^ the usual suspect.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share Posted June 28, 2016 Not about brand nowadays. It's how you wear it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdotwill84 Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 12 hours ago, gene said: i will say it has been so awesome to see this development come alive since the restaurant openings!!! it seriously was a ghost town for the longest time it felt like! and hopdoddy, while still busy doesnt have the super long lines like the opening week so its been great getting to go there often! what time are you going? ive tried 3 times to go. everytime....an hour + wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 admittedly i go at weird times...usually at opening (11am) or around 3 to 5pm haha! I have also gone late and not too bad of a wait.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 ps...you have to admit. their creations look (and probably taste) amazing! cant wait to go in august: http://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2016/6/17/amorino-gelato-will-open-in-river-oaks-in-august Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagoman Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 On 6/28/2016 at 3:16 PM, monarch said: ^^^ the usual suspect.... Someone referred to ROD coming alive (more?) with the most recent restaurant openings, and that makes sense to me even though I personally am not impressed (quite the opposite) with some of the restaurants. I love ROD, and am excited about the few stores signed and yet to open, like the gelato place, etc. What I find most interesting, however, from a business perspective is how many empty spaces still remain. If one looks at the current site plan in the brochure, there is a LOT of unleased space, much of which could be described as 'among the least attractive locations within the property." I would guess that the somewhat of a recession Houston is experiencing, or slowdown, or employment dips, or whatever a person chooses to describe our current economy, is the primary factor in what seems to me to be a dramatic slowdown and loss of momentum. Just interesting to me, and makes me wonder about the future of ROD in particular, and the undeveloped (and 'to be redeveloped someday') properties surrounding it. I hope this makes sense to you. All thoughts as always are welcome as I continue to enjoy the beauty of ROD's total experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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