River Oaks District: Mixed-Use Development At 4444 Westheimer Rd. & 4702 Westheimer Rd.

[editor]

Since my previous request to keep this thread on-topic were ignored, I moved the off-topic posts about Dallas into their own thread: Yet another Houston vs Dallas thread. Blah blah blah

If you don't want people to think that Houston has an inferiority complex, then perhaps you should stop compulsively comparing yourselves to Dallas.

[mattyt36]

23 hours ago, SMU1213 said:

Our hotels' RevPARs are too low to support new development (with the exception of The Post Oak which doesn't release their information since they aren't part of a chain), especially with the rapidly rising construction costs. Houston's hotels rely on business travel which typically has a cap on room rates and their RevPAR peaked in 2014 when oil peaked. Our only hope for a new hotel that isn't an ego tower (Tilman's) is that the high energy prices start translating to higher RevPAR.

Any insight as to what is behind this?  Is it purely an issue of volume?

[SMU1213]

17 minutes ago, mattyt36 said:

Any insight as to what is behind this?  Is it purely an issue of volume?

Supply, lack of quality product, lack of tourism, age of existing hotels, etc. 

Think about how poorly our high-end hotels compare to the same flags in other cities. Our Four Seasons just got a face lift, but you still have low ceiling heights and other issues that couldn't be fixed due to it being an older building. Our JW Marriott and St Regis are two of the worst ones in the country. 

I'm hopeful that The Thompson will get some high rates. If they do, I bet we see three hotel starts in the next few years (if hard costs normalize).

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 2/7/2022 at 6:51 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

The name of the Italian restaurant is no longer Ti Amo. The owners switched it to Bari sometime late last year. Houston Chronicle reported this is in an article listing anticipated restaurant openings for 2022 (but failed to inform readers it was previously reported as Ti Amo).

 

 

A rendering of Bari, the Italian restaurant opening soon at River Oaks District. The address listed is 4444 Westheimer Rd, Ste A-175.

 

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Photo of the entrance of Bari. The Italian restaurant is coming soon to River Oaks District (posts about it in this topic). It's taking over the unit previously home to Tom Ford.

From Papercity Magazine

[Highrise Tower]

Noticed an equipment staging area at 4608 1/2 Westheimer Rd.  I got my hopes up for "ROD Phase II" but it's probably just for the ROD remodel.

We need a hotel on Westcreek! Or a new office tower!

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 6/9/2022 at 11:23 AM, Amlaham said:

New restaurant/ cafe from Mexico City! It looks more casual, with a focus on health and exercise. Didn't expect this kind of place to open here, but I think it adds a nice diverse touch to the district (I don't think everything has to be super high end)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXhA0LfvCel/

Ojo de Agua, the Mexican cafe and juice bar opening at River Oaks District (4444 Westheimer), announced their Houston outpost on Instagram earlier this week. A video accompanied the announcement with footage of the coming soon signage posted on their storefront at 2321 Westcreek Ln, Suite D-140.

Below are screenshots from the video.



"This 2022... Ojo de Agua Houston
—
Who else is excited for this?!

📍Location revealed:
River Oaks District
4444 Westheimer Rd, Houston TX 77027"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjjMxJ7KK4u/

 

Edited November 17, 2022 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

Coming soon signage for Ojo de Agua at 2321 Westcreek Ln, Ste D-140. Ojo de Agua is a Mexican cafe and juice bar from Mexico opening in River Oaks District (4444 Westheimer).

The photo is from Ojo de Agua's Houston location on Google Maps, posted this month.



 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Rendering of Ojo de Agua's Houston location at 2321 Westcreek Ln, Ste D-140. Ojo de Agua is one of the newest restaurant additions opening soon in River Oaks District, located at 4444 Westheimer Rd.

The rendering is from a Papercity article published yesterday.

There is also this blurb regarding the design:

"The colorful, open-air markets of Mexico inspired the interior design of Ojo de Agua, with unique elements like light fixtures made from milk-bottle crates, and vibrant, hand-painted murals."


https://www.houstoncitybook.com/new-restaurants-houston-2658447492/beloved-eatery-adds-third-location

[IntheKnowHouston]

In a press release this week, Ojo de Agua says it's aiming to open at River Oaks District in November.

From Houston Press today:

"Ojo de Agua, 4444 Westheimer, is coming to Houston in November. The Mexico-based restaurant chain has 40 locations across Mexico and most recently opened its first U.S. restaurant in Miami in early 2021. The River Oaks District will be the first Texas location for the health-conscious brand."

Pop up-free article: https://www.houstonpress.com/houston/Print?oid=14302141

https://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/lyric-market-debuts-glamorous-gatsbys-seafood-opens-14302141

Another rendering of Ojo de Agua's Houston location (2321 Westcreek Ln, Ste D-140) was included in the article.

Edited October 14, 2022 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

Floor installation photos of Little Hen at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite H-110. The photos were posted in October and earlier this month by Riva, a flooring business in Houston.

Little Hen is a breakfast and brunch restaurant out of Miami. It's one of several new dining additions coming soon to River Oaks District.


https://www.instagram.com/p/CkJYKZGPUak/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkOjAbAvP8X/

 

[kennyc05]

Bonobos moved out of River Oaks District and moved to Highland Village.

[Caribomoa]

On 6/10/2022 at 4:46 PM, iah77 said:

I think it is. What is unusual is that prime tenants have reverted back to the Galleria (i.e tom ford, akris, probably dior). ROD's sister project in Atlanta [Buckhead Village] which opened with an almost identical tenant mix has not seen the same wave of departures. I think the stores in ROD attract a lot of people to the restaurants due to making it seem very upscale. Would Toulouse be so busy if not next to a very aesthetically pleasing dior store?  Probably not? These two other similar complexes saw a boost after covid, not what's happening here. 

In Dallas, Highland Park Village's departures have led to even more niche and upscale retailers opening in the void while ROD's are left vacant a long time and heading in a direction that will scare away the original tenants.  

I don't really care, I'm just scratching my head on the re-alignment since I think Houston should be able to support 3-4 high end centers like Dallas has. 

 

 

This is hot garbage. For starters, Dior isn’t going anywhere even after the Galleria stores opening. Atleast not anytime soon. Secondly, ROD’s departures have absolutely brought in new, more niche, more upscale tennants. Akris for example was replaced with Zimmermann. Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Hermes, and Dior have been the 3 prime tennants (not Akris and Tom Ford) and they’re all still there. As is Harry Winston. Kiton is definitely one of the most niche luxury brands in the world and its there.

ROD did get some departure, but not for the reasons you stated. Many of these stores originally reframed from going to the Galleria originally because the luxury wing needed work. Then what happened? The Galleria got a much needed facelift and the market got competitive. ROD has also began work on their western wing. With a more competitive market, some original tenants. decided to save money at the Galleria  

The last thing I want to do is to turn this into a Dallas vs Houston thing, but from 2015-present or so, Houston’s luxury market has definitely grown much faster than Dallas. The main for reason is because previously, it was much smaller so Houston had more room to grow. But regardless, that was certainly wrong.

I’ll also add that a recent Forbes article had ROD rent values up 122% with respect to pre pandemic levels which was one of the highest increases for retail districts.

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 6/9/2022 at 11:23 AM, Amlaham said:

New restaurant/ cafe from Mexico City! It looks more casual, with a focus on health and exercise. Didn't expect this kind of place to open here, but I think it adds a nice diverse touch to the district (I don't think everything has to be super high end)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXhA0LfvCel/

 

On 10/14/2022 at 8:13 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

In a press release this week, Ojo de Agua says it's aiming to open at River Oaks District in November.

From Houston Press today:

"Ojo de Agua, 4444 Westheimer, is coming to Houston in November. The Mexico-based restaurant chain has 40 locations across Mexico and most recently opened its first U.S. restaurant in Miami in early 2021. The River Oaks District will be the first Texas location for the health-conscious brand."

Pop up-free article: https://www.houstonpress.com/houston/Print?oid=14302141

https://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/lyric-market-debuts-glamorous-gatsbys-seafood-opens-14302141

An update on the new estimated opening timeline for Ojo de Agua. This is an all-day cafe chain with Mexican fare coming to River Oaks District. The address is 2321 Westcreek Lane, Suite D-140.

Community Impact reported on the updated timeline yesterday:


"At first expected to open in November, all-day cafe Ojo de Agua will launch in early 2023 at 4444 Westheimer Road, St. D140, Houston, within the River Oaks District."

https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/dining/2022/12/13/5-eateries-slated-to-open-in-2023-in-montrose-river-oaks/

[IntheKnowHouston]

Over the weekend, Little Hen posted a photo of its upcoming location in River Oaks District. The brunch restaurant is located at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite H-110, across from Cos Bar.

The estimated opening for the public is likely this week, according to their response in their Instagram comments.


The caption from the post:

"New Year, New cities. It is going to be a great one!"

https://www.facebook.com/LittleHenEatery/posts/pfbid09XUGxXZQBQomw2gffeprvnkRmeeSJXcztur63kRws1H5KQsc3YvZedGZuYrz35Z1l?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm3EQoGu5Sw/

 

 

[Caribomoa]

In this group of photos:

 

the new park space that takes away the road and makes the ROD Western wing pedestrian only

posted the new Zimmermann and a precious photo of the rolex boutique since I posted it on the wrong thread

[kennyc05]

Nice addition but man they should not have built ROD with all that parking out front smh!

[Caribomoa]

If you’re talking about the front of store lots, I disagree. I think they approached it as good as they could have 

[kennyc05]

59 minutes ago, Caribomoa said:

If you’re talking about the front of store lots, I disagree. I think they approached it as good as they could have 

The Westheimer side. The buildings should have been pushed up to the street.

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 1/2/2023 at 9:51 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Over the weekend, Little Hen posted a photo of its upcoming location in River Oaks District. The brunch restaurant is located at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite H-110, across from Cos Bar.

The estimated opening for the public is likely this week, according to their response in their Instagram comments.

Little Hen is open as of yesterday. This is the brunch-centric restaurant from Miami. It's located at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Ste H-110 in the River Oaks District mixed-use development.


Here are the opening announcements from Little Hen and River Oaks Distirct:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnDQ-v6rdOV/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnCzPuqImnW/

 

 

Screenshots from various Instagram stories and posts inside Little Hen. The quality isn't the best.

Edited January 6, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[Caribomoa]

On 1/5/2023 at 7:42 PM, kennyc05 said:

The Westheimer side. The buildings should have been pushed up to the street.

That’s true. The approach to Westheimer isn’t the best. But there’s nothing on the other side, so it doesn’t strike me as a “missed opportunity”.

You’d think a neighborhood full of snobs in Afton Oaks would embrace having a Christian Dior/Cartier boutique in their front yard.

ROD should focus on connecting to the developments to the East as it’s within reach 

On 1/5/2023 at 6:07 PM, kennyc05 said:

Nice addition but man they should not have built ROD with all that parking out front smh!

 

On 1/5/2023 at 7:42 PM, kennyc05 said:

The Westheimer side. The buildings should have been pushed up to the street.

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

There was an article about Bari last month on Luxcior. Bari is an Italian restaurant opening this year 4444 Westheimer Rd. It's located in River Oaks District.

A few details of note:
 

• "The restaurant was designed by the famous Houston designer, Carlos Castroparedes..."
   
• "On a few walls, blocks of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, lit from behind..."
   
• "...diners will note the columns in the restaurant, whose bottom half is dressed with a thin sheet of lava rock, fabricated by the Grupo Porcelanosa in Spain – in honor of the famous Vesuvius volcano."

https://luxcior.com/2023/01/03/bari-ristorante-italiano/

Edited February 2, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 7/11/2022 at 8:31 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

 

A rendering of Bari, the Italian restaurant opening soon at River Oaks District. The address listed is 4444 Westheimer Rd, Ste A-175.

 

 

Additional renderings of Bari, published last month in Luxcior. Bari is a new Italian restaurant opening this year 4444 Westheimer Rd. It's located in River Oaks District.

Edited February 2, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

Ojo de Agua could open next week or later this April at Houston's River Oaks District (4444 Westheimer). The Mexican cafe and juice bar's address is 2321 Westcreek Lane, Suite D-140.


From Community Impact a few weeks ago:


"After delays pushed back the initial late fall opening of the combination casual restaurant and artisan market Ojo de Agua, officials said they are now targeting the third week of April for the opening of the River Oaks location."

https://communityimpact.com/houston/heights-river-oaks-montrose/dining/2023/03/28/ojo-de-agua-now-slated-to-open-third-week-of-april-in-river-oaks/

[editor]

2 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

The Mexican cafe

Mexican food?  In Houston?

Way to go out on a limb, there. 

[hindesky]

Architect - https://hsuoffice.com

[IntheKnowHouston]

11 minutes ago, hindesky said:

Architect - https://hsuoffice.com

@hindesky wrong development. Little Rey is not opening at River Oaks District. It's opening at Park Place River Oaks.

There are several posts about it from last year. Banners announcing the restaurant were placed on the site last fall.

https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/26802-park-place-river-oaks-mixed-use-development-at-westheimer-rd-mid-ln/page/12/

On 7/18/2022 at 12:31 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Does anyone have insight as to whether or not Atlanta chef Ford Fry is leasing space in the Park Place River Oaks development?

I noticed the entity Park Place Houston Little Rey, LLC registered last month.

Little Rey is a casual Tex-Mex inspired restaurant focused on wood-roasted meats. The menu is mostly composed of tacos and Mexican beers.

https://www.littlerey.com/

 

On 12/5/2022 at 9:40 PM, Ns1021 said:

Signs are up on the fencing. Confirms Little Rey will be going into the standalone restaurant building that has just broken ground.

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

Ouzo Bay's last day of business was April 30, according to CultureMap. The upscale Mediterranean restaurant was located in River Oaks District at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite G-130.

In its place, a new dining concept from Atlas Restaurant Group, the team behind Ouzo Bay.


Below are more details from yesterday's CultureMap's article:


The space will not stay empty for long, as Atlas plans to convert it into another, unnamed restaurant that will open later this year. 

Atlas Restaurants founder and president Alex Smith said in a statement. “Ouzo Bay had a great run, but we felt the time was right to bring something fresh and new to the River Oaks District... We hope to share details on the concept this summer, ahead of its winter debut."


https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/ouzo-bay-restaurant-closed-houston/

[IntheKnowHouston]

An exterior shot of Bari, the Italian restaurant opening soon at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite A-175. It's one of several new dining additions to River Oaks District.

The photo is from Bari's Google Map listing.

[Caribomoa]

Balmain rumored to be opening in ROD. Would be a big new tenant if so.

Ouzo Bay is now closed. It’s owner, Atlas group, plans to turn it into a different concept.