sevfiv Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 BTW, I've heard Ben Milam's ceiling heights are too low to do anything attractive from a loft standpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 not only are the ceiling heights low, but the building is in SUCH bad shape inside, it would cost an exorbitant amount to refurbish (assuming that's why the current owner just sits on it - and for a really really long period of time). <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Which building is the one that Ben Milam owns? I noticed one on Chenevert that has a Silvestri Investments "lofts for sale" sign up, and thought perhaps it was the same one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Which building is the one that Ben Milam owns? I noticed one on Chenevert that has a Silvestri Investments "lofts for sale" sign up, and thought perhaps it was the same one.i was referring to ben milam hotel, which is on texas ave. at la branch (next to minute maid) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 is that the one that has the historical preservation sign (or something comparable) on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 1, 2005 Share Posted July 1, 2005 is that the one that has the historical preservation sign (or something comparable) on it?it says something like "ben milam square - historic shops...blahblahblah"(not verbatim...heh)but of course, that sign has been there for a really long time (years and years) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 alrighty...yesterday, i saw people working on ben milam...i waited and talked to a construction worker, and he said they were demolishing the interior. he didn't know exactly, but he did say that there was a possibility of future shops and restaurants...also, he mentioned that asbestos abatement had been already done, so the building isn't as hopeless as once thought...so yeah, looks like things may be happening around minute maid field... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houstonian in Iraq Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That sounds cool Really good news for that area. What about what this thread is about. You were just there anything on Ball Park Place? New signs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 I think the same old signs are up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomv Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 This website has an article on the old Ben Milam hotel, with some cool old postcards:Texas Bob Click on Ben Milam Hotel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 The very last post, dated 6-20-2005, states that a restoration contractor emailed him that Ben Milam is being restored. Could it be true? Stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Drove by about 10:30 today, and they had a bobcat and a crane pulling debris through a hole in the wall. They really are cleaning up. Given that it is now July, I would not expect to see anything until at least next baseball season, but given how hard they had to try just to get the wall painted for the All-Star game, this is indeed progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 :ahem: they are doing interior demolition with restaurants/shopping inn the near future a small possibility. the old crappy walls are being removed (asbestos gone - but i swear there's lead paint!) i was told another possibility is an entire demolition... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Went by there today to check things out. The interior is a mess! I'd love to see it re-used for something. I haven't seen any construction building permits for that address issued, though.Btw sevfiv: EXCELLENT website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 5, 2005 Share Posted July 5, 2005 Went by there today to check things out. The interior is a mess! I'd love to see it re-used for something. I haven't seen any construction building permits for that address issued, though.Btw sevfiv: EXCELLENT website.thanks! it is not quite what it was meant to be - yet - i just need more tiiiiime! heh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pm91 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 ok, they had signs and everything at the site, emporis says it was and is a never built. Does anyone know why it was cancelled? i thought it was going to look awesome where they were going to build it. anyways, post if you know something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 At the time it was cancelled, they blamed Enron and the subsequent collapse of the downtown market. Sounds a little bit of a cop out as we've seen other downtown projects since then. Somebody else with more inside knowledge might help out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Well, the website definitely isn't up.I liked the design, but I know I wouldn't want to live across the street from a 45k stadium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pm91 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 but wasnt this only cancelled like 6 months ago? besides, since there are more things going up, why hasnt anyone tried to build it since? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I moved this to "Downtown" because it will never be "Going Up". I thought that block had been sold or was for sale. The Ballpark Place project floundered and died several years ago. This is one project I always hated and I am thrilled it was never built. This was part of the grand revival of that neighborhood that was supposed to occur in the wake of the development of MMP (along with the Shops at Ben Milam, Unique in all of Texas). As planned, it would have stood directly across the street from the western windows of MMP, replacing the view of the northern part of downtown with a close-up view of the Ballpark Place parking garage. Along with ruining the view, when the MMP roof was closed, which is often the case, it would have blocked a good bit of light into the playing field. We should be glad this one got away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJxvi Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I moved this to "Downtown" because it will never be "Going Up". I thought that block had been sold or was for sale. The Ballpark Place project floundered and died several years ago. This is one project I always hated and I am thrilled it was never built. This was part of the grand revival of that neighborhood that was supposed to occur in the wake of the development of MMP (along with the Shops at Ben Milam, Unique in all of Texas). As planned, it would have stood directly across the street from the western windows of MMP, replacing the view of the northern part of downtown with a close-up view of the Ballpark Place parking garage. Along with ruining the view, when the MMP roof was closed, which is often the case, it would have blocked a good bit of light into the playing field. We should be glad this one got away.I dont think this would have had a very large negative impact on the view of the skyline from MMP. Those drawings make the place look a lot more impressive than it would have truned out in actual size. I dont think from inside the ball park you would have a building blocking out the rest quite like they show (nor do I think the apartments themselves would have had the view into the ball park that they were likely marketing). Would have been a nice building that added to the view from inside the park IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Judah Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 I am very glad they are not building this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 The real question is, will anything ever be built on that block, or any of the other blocks surrounding MMP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 If I had to guess, I would say it would be another decade before there is much development around there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 I am very glad they are not building this. They would've had broken glass with all the home runs we make . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 This is one project I always hated and I am thrilled it was never built. Along with ruining the view, when the MMP roof was closed, which is often the case, it would have blocked a good bit of light into the playing field. We should be glad this one got away. Agreed. Only a jerk would built something like that at such a location in Houston. I'd hope a city council member would have the gumption to protect the skyline view from MMP. Everytime the Stro's game is televised, that shot alone sells Houston. Especially in HD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehou Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 The real question is, will anything ever be built on that block, or any of the other blocks surrounding MMP?They're progressing with that new cafe right across the street from Vic & Anthony's (adjacent to the Ben Milam hotel). Construction hasn't been speedy, but it's still going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 If I had to guess, I would say it would be another decade before there is much development around there.Hmmm. Why so long? Not necessarily disagreeing; I'm just curious why you think it's still that far in the future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 While the design wasn't the best, it sure as hell beats a surface parking lot.A mixed-use building like Ballpark Place would have been HUGE for the area. Trammell Crow was the initial backer I believe and if it had been successful, I think the Ballpark Area would look very different today. Remember, it wasn't originally just apartments. It was going to have ground floor retail, a party plaze overlooking the field, apartments, and office space. I for one think it's a shame it didn't get built and that the Ballpark Area is actually more barren today than it was when it officially opened (the demise of the Penn).AND, to think that because it didn't get built, something better will come along soon isn't realistic if you've followed recent history in this city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 Hmmm. Why so long? Not necessarily disagreeing; I'm just curious why you think it's still that far in the future?I guess because even after construction of MMP that area hasn't really taken off, and it had been declining for 30 years before that. Development of the Park Tower might satiate what demand there is for downtown highrise living. I wish I could see something that might change things around there, but I don't. If it were still a vacant lot in 10 or 15 years time, I wouldn't be surprised. I always thought the scale of this was too large. Small townhouses or apartments seems like it would have been a better idea for the site, but land prices were too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSOM Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 My personal preferene would be street front mid-rise apartment living with neighborhood amenties/retail/dining on street level, similar to wrigleyville like someone previously mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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