2112 Posted June 9, 2008 Share Posted June 9, 2008 (edited) ^CBD FetishismIt oughta be in the DSM-V.I'm not sure what I said to warrant the "CBD feitshism" comment. The great downtowns and cities that are really exciting happen for a reason. They happen with time and vision. Maybe some of them start out as simple dreams. That's where I am at this point. Sure, I think it's bad to simply copy another city, that's cheasy. But I know our city can do better with time and persistence. And since I will not ever give up on Houston, I refuse to stop dreaming about what it could become. We can have a blan central city if we allow it and just sit around and delicate flower about it. Or we can be persistent and drive a consistent message "out there" so that maybe someday it will force something good to start happening. Edited June 9, 2008 by 2112 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasaNova Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 (edited) Aaahhhh what this project coulda been. Well at least I hope we have those giant plasma screens to look forward to. I wonder if they will still be placed along the lines of the originals. Edited June 10, 2008 by CasaNova Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Well, they just started working on the garage connection this past weekend. I guess that means 4-6 spaces are going to bite the dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 But you could have invested in the project if you wanted the excitement. Let the free market deal with shopping malls.Oh lord. There is a bigger picture that you obviously cannot see why cities invest in bringing retail back into downtown. It would be nice to have a centralized city again, belive me there are benefits that every large city in this country are aware of, than the doughnut that Houston currently is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Oh lord. There is a bigger picture that you obviously cannot see why cities invest in bringing retail back into downtown. It would be nice to have a centralized city again, belive me there are benefits that every large city in this country are aware of, than the doughnut that Houston currently is.It's not like Houston isn't making strides to bring retail back into the core (like every other city in America). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 It's not like Houston isn't making strides to bring retail back into the core (like every other city in America).I know that and overall that is not my point. Believe me I appreciate the efforts that the city is making. It is just frustrating to hear the same ol' about my tax dollars this etcetera etcetera when the city brings up things like incentives for businesses and residents that move into downtown that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the center city and the city as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 i'm continuing to hear very bleak outlooks and expectations for this thing... as of today, there are currently ZERO office tenants signed, and supposedly III Forks (which was set to replace Lawry's Steakhouse) has backed out. a prject like this should be generating serious buzz, especially as we near completion, and yet we hear nothing... 3 prime blocks of downtown space and they're struggling to sign a single office tenant and starting to lose retailers. i dont care who you are, that is NOT a positive sign.consider me in the camp of "grand opportunity wasted" as of now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 i'm continuing to hear very bleak outlooks and expectations for this thing... as of today, there are currently ZERO office tenants signed, and supposedly III Forks (which was set to replace Lawry's Steakhouse) has backed out. a prject like this should be generating serious buzz, especially as we near completion, and yet we hear nothing... 3 prime blocks of downtown space and they're struggling to sign a single office tenant and starting to lose retailers. i dont care who you are, that is NOT a positive sign.consider me in the camp of "grand opportunity wasted" as of now.What do yall speculate could be the reasons why no office tenants have signed? With one Hines tower for sure going up and a second possibly on the way, I'm really surprised to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wernicke Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 They should have kept the residential component... this much retail in a DT with such a small residential population seems to have the potential to go the way of Bayou Place, which is nowhere. On the other hand, I still think it has the potential to succeed... if they have LCD screens and 40 ft tall banners. JK . Regardless, it is still good for DT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggity Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 They should have kept the residential component... this much retail in a DT with such a small residential population seems to have the potential to go the way of Bayou Place, which is nowhere you're right...the 200 units they planned on at the beginning will certainly be the difference b/w success and failure for the project as a whole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 The office component is the least of my worries. The retail/restaurant space is more crucial to this project's success. And with that, the proximity to the Houston Center (and the general despise for the Park Shops), Main St., South Texas Law, Minute Maid, Toyota, the park, and GRB....are all keeping me optimistic. I work on the east side of downtown, and the shortage of restaurants is really frustrating. You can only eat at Longhorn Cafe, Massa's, and Treebeards so much.The local economy is doing fine, and shows no sign of slowing down. This 11 story office space will be filled in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 The office component is the least of my worries. The retail/restaurant space is more crucial to this project's success. And with that, the proximity to the Houston Center (and the general despise for the Park Shops), Main St., South Texas Law, Minute Maid, Toyota, the park, and GRB....are all keeping me optimistic. I work on the east side of downtown, and the shortage of restaurants is really frustrating. You can only eat at Longhorn Cafe, Massa's, and Treebeards so much.The local economy is doing fine, and shows no sign of slowing down. This 11 story office space will be filled in time.I haven't been hearing much of anything about HP on the news, and that's kind of frustrating... but they maybe be keeping a cool head for a reason. Basically HP is well set up for success. Discovery Green is experiencing it's ultimate test time right now (the heat of summer), and currently passing with flying colors. Come October when this thing opens, people will still be going to games, the theater district, the GRB for conventions, and taking their kids to play in the water fountains at Disco G. Houston Pavillions has all of this to pull from. Oh yeah, and lest we forget how much midtown has filled in within the last few years?? As of October, the closest major bookstore, bowling alley, high-end shopping, and first-class dining options will locate in downtown. Look at Kansas city. Great urban core, but the downtown was pretty well on life support just like us. The Power and Light district (with many of the same tenants that we will have at HP) has brought downtown back in full force. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memebag Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 As a taxpayer (and therefore co-owner of HP), I demand they do something immediately to ensure its success. I want to see a check cashing place and a matress store in there pronto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 you're right...the 200 units they planned on at the beginning will certainly be the difference b/w success and failure for the project as a whole. HA! that actually made me chuckle out loud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian0123 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Oh yeah, and lest we forget how much midtown has filled in within the last few years?? As of October, the closest major bookstore, bowling alley, high-end shopping, and first-class dining options will locate in downtown.I agree. My wife and I just bought a townhouse in midtown, and we plan to spend a lot of time at HP. I'm sure we will be bumping into many of our neighbors there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Are the screens for sure not happening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 HA!that actually made me chuckle out loud.I think a hotel would have had a bigger impact than a residential component, but both would have been nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Are the screens for sure not happening?The screens were approved, and are for sure happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 I think a hotel would have had a bigger impact than a residential component, but both would have been nice.Agreed. Although, if this development is successful, the block directly east would make a perfect location for a new hotel. That would mean another surface lot (or at least 3/4 of one with Josephine's on there) would be gone...so in the long run it could turn out for the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Trea:The screens were approved, and are for sure happening. Oh, good! I thought they weren't. The screens will for sure turn downtown around. Kidding. I'm pro-screens, though, so I'm glad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfre81 Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuroAztlan Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 As a taxpayer (and therefore co-owner of HP), I demand they do something immediately to ensure its success. I want to see a check cashing place and a matress store in there pronto! Or at least one of these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALMSP Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 so what is the total res units at the place?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 so what is the total res units at the place??0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 (edited) And??? I'm confused Edited June 19, 2008 by lockmat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I'm lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 While 200 apartments and a smaller sized hotel (150 rooms or so) wouldn't have ensured success, it would have ensured some business and some signs of life after work hours. I do think that M-F, the Pavilions will give people staying at the Hilton, Four Seasons, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, Club Quarters, Magnolia, Inn at the Ballpark, Holiday Inn Express, etc... some options. Downtown is VOID of anything other than dining options most nights. I've stayed in dead downtowns before and they don't leave a good impression (Fort Wayne, Tulsa, Alburcrackie, Syracuse come to mind). It's amazing what a bookstore, coffee shop, cheap eats/thrills can do for image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 While 200 apartments and a smaller sized hotel (150 rooms or so) wouldn't have ensured success, it would have ensured some business and some signs of life after work hours. I do think that M-F, the Pavilions will give people staying at the Hilton, Four Seasons, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, Club Quarters, Magnolia, Inn at the Ballpark, Holiday Inn Express, etc... some options. Downtown is VOID of anything other than dining options most nights. I've stayed in dead downtowns before and they don't leave a good impression (Fort Wayne, Tulsa, Alburcrackie, Syracuse come to mind). It's amazing what a bookstore, coffee shop, cheap eats/thrills can do for image.You know what would be nice is if that new free service from the electric cars took people from hotel to downtown destination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pm91 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 i dont know how to get pics off of my computer (My Pics) to here... can some one help? i got a few of HP.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Make a photobucket account, and upload them onto there. Then copy and past the "img" codes over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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