jdbaker Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I can't find any permits issued for that address yet (or the surrounding three streets or any address number on those four blocks). So either they are brand brand new, doing work that doesn't require a permit, or doing it without permits.Is there anything posted on the walls/windows?The only other ones were from last September when the sidewalk canopy was worked on, and one for demolition of non load-bearing/non fire-rated walls (which would be the ones in the garage).Yesterday, it looked like they were doing something with the electrical service panels on the western most side of the parking garage portion of the building. There were several workers wandering around when I drove by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Well, it has been confirmed, now it is just a matter of figuring out who "New Era Hospitality" is. Couldn't find anything on the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 I would guess its just a private investment group. The "hospitality" would suggest that it will be a hotel (again). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Sarnoff has a bit in today's Chron about the old Days Inn. It seems it has been sold again, to an entity called New Era Hospitality. Sarnoff's columnThe name of the entity suggests they are likely aiming for a hotel, rather than a loft redevelopment. Let's hope this one goes somewhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 As much as lofts may be the IN thing to wish for in downtown, it seems as if hotel rooms are both more desirable and more profitable. Besides, at this point, is there anyone out there that wouldn't take a 30 story mattress store and cell phone superstore, just to get SOMETHING in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Besides, at this point, is there anyone out there that wouldn't take a 30 story mattress store and cell phone superstore, just to get SOMETHING in there?Haha so true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 I'm trying to think of the potential clientelle of a hotel at that location. You have the Crown a few blocks to the west on Smith but that's it for the immediate vicinity. OTOH, there's not that much of an attractor in the immediate area--or at least not compared to other areas of DT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Downtown is in desperate need of a lower-priced national brand hotel. The Holiday Inn Express is very isolated and quite small. The Best Western is on the other side of the Pierce Elevated. La Quinta has announced a new project but there is definitely room for another lower type brand.Could we see a Hampton Inn, Drury Inn, etc... in that space?I hope so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfre81 Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Could we see a Hampton Inn, Drury Inn, etc... in that space?I hope so!I'm not a huge fan of the building aesthetically - even spruced up it's just too big and kills a great view of the skyline behind it looking from the SW on the ground - and wouldn't be so hurt to see it come down. But if they can get it in shape (that could actually be cheaper nowadays) and price the rooms right I think this project can succeed. There are some nice views up there and it's still just a block away from the rail while also being accessible to Midtown. It's preservation, FWIW.Now that it looks like something is happening with this, if it succeeds it gives hope to some other older DT buildings (including hotels) that need a little TLC....what if, say, having a new rail line along Texas spurs interest in bringing the Ben Milam back to life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Could we MERGE these conversations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Could we MERGE these conversations? Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Whatever "New Era Hospitality, Inc." is, it is run by this guy at this place:Syed R. Mohiuddin2800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 5800Houston, TX 77056 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHiPs Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 (edited) I'm not a huge fan of the building aesthetically - even spruced up it's just too big and kills a great view of the skyline behind it looking from the SW on the ground - and wouldn't be so hurt to see it come down. But if they can get it in shape (that could actually be cheaper nowadays) and price the rooms right I think this project can succeed. There are some nice views up there and it's still just a block away from the rail while also being accessible to Midtown. It's preservation, FWIW.Now that it looks like something is happening with this, if it succeeds it gives hope to some other older DT buildings (including hotels) that need a little TLC....what if, say, having a new rail line along Texas spurs interest in bringing the Ben Milam back to life?IMO I rather see it come down too...it blocks the DT view from the south...(being picky here)...Condos would be nice...but as always will be overpriced. Edited June 23, 2008 by CHiPs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downtown Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 You can see the abandoned hotel on the left side. Let's hope they do something with it soon. SOLD!!!!! To "New Era Hospitality" about a month ago. I've never heard of them, but it sounds like a hotel company to me. There's a story on Swamplot about it. I know I'm sick of looking at that ugly thing! It was previously owned by the Maharishi Mahesh YOGI people and was called Heaven on Earth Inn and that didn't work out and was shortly run as Downtown Plaza Hotel. I'm guessing that's when they sent a guy up with a paint brush and a bucket of black paint to paint HOTEL on top. Have you ever heard of "yogi flyers". Check it out on youtube sometime for a good laugh. One down-2 to go for my neighborhood abandoned buidings. Now someone needs to buy Central Bank at Travis and Gray. I'm sick of looking at that ugly thing too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfre81 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 In all its glory... Yes, that is very professional-looking, isn't it? I do wonder what this will look like when (if, I probably should say) it's reopened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 "Saw ugly building, don't know name" This is my favorite thread title ever. Well, in the year I've been here. It just really sums up the HAIF, and Houston. In a good way.Where else would this online exchange about the old Days Inn happen, with people that actually care? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChannelTwoNews Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 The development group that bought the shuttered Days Inn hotel on the southern end of downtown said it will spend up to $50 million converting the dilapidated structure into another hotel.New Era Hospitality, a group of doctors and entrepreneurs that bought the building in May, is negotiating with three hotel companies to brand the property.But demolition has already started on the interiors, which are being gutted and will be replaced with 340 modern suites, 60 standard guest rooms, 32,000 square feet of meeting space and a swimming pool and bar on top of the attached garage.http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busine...ff/5872453.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Looks like it's a GO! While it is ONLY going to be 400 rooms, it should be interesting on what happens in this hotel. My only problem with it is that it is relatively isolated from the rest of downtown, except by rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capnmcbarnacle Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Looks like it's a GO! While it is ONLY going to be 400 rooms, it should be interesting on what happens in this hotel. My only problem with it is that it is relatively isolated from the rest of downtown, except by rail.Isolated? Whatever. It's only 2 blocks from the Petroleum Club!!Kidding, I agree with you. A funny thing though --when I looked at Google Earth I realized it is about 7 blocks to the Pavillions, and about 7 blocks to Cyclone Anaya's in Midtown. I realize the average hotel guest in Houston is not going to want to walk either of those, but I found it interesting that you could go either way. The Pierce Elevated acts as such a physical and mental barrier that I never would have thought about walking to Midtown until I looked on the map.I am just really psyched to see this thing get cleaned up, and keeping my fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 (edited) I think as that area fills-in, 7 blocks won't seem like such a trek anymore. I personally had hoped to see lofts here, but if a budget franchise 2 star hotel, or boutique 3 star can occupy this space, then a success is a success.I wonder if it would be possible to knock out floors, to open up some of the upper floors, creating 20 foot ceilings for penthouse suites? Edited July 6, 2008 by Jeebus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Isolated? Whatever. It's only 2 blocks from the Petroleum Club!!Kidding, I agree with you. A funny thing though --when I looked at Google Earth I realized it is about 7 blocks to the Pavillions, and about 7 blocks to Cyclone Anaya's in Midtown. I realize the average hotel guest in Houston is not going to want to walk either of those, but I found it interesting that you could go either way. The Pierce Elevated acts as such a physical and mental barrier that I never would have thought about walking to Midtown until I looked on the map.7 blocks? why would they do that when they can do lone star! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorAggie Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 7 blocks? why would they do that when they can do lone star!Eliminate the 7 blocks with...REV Houston!!!http://revhouston.com/Looks to me that if REV Houston uses advertisements for funding, this new hotel group should pitch in big time--win win for the guests, the hotel, and REV, IMO.Then again, that's if REV sticks around long enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 It's best assets, geographically speaking, are that it's only a block away from the DT Transit Center rail station and that it's a reasonable walk to Midtown's more burgeoning area.Regardless, it'll be nice to no longer see that big eyesore dominating the southern end of DT's skyline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 7 blocks? why would they do that when they can do lone star!AWESOME! I totally forgot about that place. Well, it will be popular with the construction crews for awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Eliminate the 7 blocks with...REV Houston!!!http://revhouston.com/Looks to me that if REV Houston uses advertisements for funding, this new hotel group should pitch in big time--win win for the guests, the hotel, and REV, IMO.Then again, that's if REV sticks around long enough.Just saw the story about REV today. Very cool!Details came over from one of Cap'n Crunch's friends who lives in the Heights; I asume he's talking about white linen nights. Commentary I found interesting:I just read about this as a possible addition to a big retail festivalnight planned for the Heights in August. I assume they used the GEMbecause it has two rows of seats. Further research revealed that REVis trying to make money by selling ad space, while the drivers liveoff the tips, and the electricity is donated by a business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorAggie Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 (edited) For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there! Edited July 7, 2008 by GovernorAggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there! Just curious, has anyone noticed that there are more ads for "Days Inn" on HAIF lately? Coincidence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there!Yeah, I think the chron article from yesterday mentioned that they've been working on the inside already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 For what it's worth, I saw a worker tossing junk/debris out of a window today. There's also a wooden structure that's been placed inside the parking garage on the north side, where another worker was standing. Needless to say, I was very excited to see something going on there!Be still my heart. It's hard to believe something is actually happening after all these years to Houston's most prominent eyesore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 I believe that there has been some level of "work" being done to that building, even before the recent transaction, just nothing of any major note (mostly removing recyclable scraps and that sort of stuff). But to actually--finall--be doing some legitimate interior breakdowns is very intriguing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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