East River: Mixed-Use Development By Midway

[Brooklyn173]

I stand corrected. Thank you

[hindesky]

 

This garage is half finished.

 

I wonder if the PHA building would be here?

 

 

I think the pool will be here.

 

[HoustonMidtown]

 

 

[cityliving]

[Naviguessor]

This would be a good time to talk, again, about the color of the Bayou.   

[hindesky]

32 minutes ago, Naviguessor said:

This would be a good time to talk, again, about the color of the Bayou.   

Hasn't rained in weeks so it doesn't look like chocolate milk.

[hindesky]

"City Cellars owner Daniel Wolfe states that he plans to relocate the restaurant to the East River development in the Fifth Ward. He adds that the new location will open in early 2024."

https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/city-cellars-htx-wine-bar-restaurant-moving-2023/

[kennyc05]

Damn they're moving a bit away from the neighborhood 😵‍💫

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 1/10/2023 at 8:03 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Sometime between November and now, Midway released an updated retail leasing brochure.

https://global-uploads.webflow.com/60fabed9899a525885269ae4/639ba229c658fc4ed3b7f006_221215 East River Retail-compressed.pdf

Midway released an updated Office Guidebook for East River a few days ago. In the brochure is the latest retail tenant roster.

It appears EaDo Eye Studio is leasing a unit in the mixed-used development. I don't know if it's an optical /eyewear store or not.

Omitted from the latest tenant list is El Condor. As mentioned a few months ago, the all-day cafe and coffee shop announced the closure of its NYC location. El Condor's announcement also alludes to the shop halting expansion plans:

On 5/24/2023 at 4:23 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

I don't think El Condor is moving forward at East River. The coffee shop and cafe recently announced the impending closure of its NYC location.

In the announcement shared on Instagram last week, there's also this:


...although we have been doing better (thanks to your loyalty!), this little cafe of ours is a fragile operation without a larger footprint. And as you know, we were working on additional locations around the country, but unfortunately not able to secure the necessary capital quickly enough to make these projects a reality. So we made the difficult decision to call it quits for now, and find ways (and funds!) to bounce back even stronger soon.

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

 

EaDo Eye Studio joins the following retailers at East River:
 

• Lick Honest Ice Creams - 2920 Riverby Rd, Suite 120
• Urbn Dental - 2921 Riverby Rd, Suite 110
• Broham - 2921 Riverby Rd
• Tomi - 2810 Riverby Rd
• Le Tesserae - 2990 Clinton Dr, Ste F-500
   

Link to the latest East River Office Guidebook:

https://issuu.com/docs/95140a483963a438ea9acd8e0936cef2

[HoustonMidtown]

 

[hindesky]

Impact Networking move in day video.

http://videos.impactmybiz.com/watch/s5xg4Nt2xi4Z1rDWeP4Njp?

 

 

[hindesky]

[IWantTransit555]

Can we have more trees and vegetation along the bayou banks and less concrete and metal pilings? Or is flood control and erosion more important than trees (whose roots can actually help prevent erosion) and nature? 

And any way to have green bayous as opposed to brown would be nice too.

[I'm Not a Robot]

I am curious if we will get an updated tenant list or if what we see is what there is. I have to say, from wanting a grocery store, a gym and a movie theater (which was originally in the plans) to getting another dentist in the area is pretty underwhelming. I would have thought Midway had a little more pull than this, but from what I've heard is there is a lot of apprehension to being an early adopter but that list of tenants is bleak. 

[J.A.]

2 hours ago, I'm Not a Robot said:

I am curious if we will get an updated tenant list or if what we see is what there is. I have to say, from wanting a grocery store, a gym and a movie theater (which was originally in the plans) to getting another dentist in the area is pretty underwhelming. I would have thought Midway had a little more pull than this, but from what I've heard is there is a lot of apprehension to being an early adopter but that list of tenants is bleak. 

I'm wondering if Midway should aim for tenants that aren't quite as 'high end' as what we might expect to find at City Centre... More businesses local-ish to the East Side of town would probably be more appropriate for the area anyway? I have no idea what those might be as far as a gym or movie theater (1st inner loop Alamo Drafthouse?)... For a grocery store, maybe Foodtown, Fiesta or similar? Maybe Midway is looking for this tenant mix already... but from afar it seems like it's probably out of their comfort zone.

[I'm Not a Robot]

13 minutes ago, J.A. said:

I'm wondering if Midway should aim for tenants that aren't quite as 'high end' as what we might expect to find at City Centre... More businesses local-ish to the East Side of town would probably be more appropriate for the area anyway? I have no idea what those might be as far as a gym or movie theater (1st inner loop Alamo Drafthouse?)... For a grocery store, maybe Foodtown, Fiesta or similar? Maybe Midway is looking for this tenant mix already... but from afar it seems like it's probably out of their comfort zone.

Alamo Drafthouse would make any future tenant just icing on the cake for me. 

I don't think Foodtown or Fiesta is what they should aim for but maybe a smaller Whole Foods, Amazon was already looking at the area for their headquarters during that process. I know Trader Joes has a required house hold income that the area doesn't meet and I think HEB is way too risk averse to do it. 

This development is so close to Downtown and with EaDo eventually becoming more connected to the East End, I feel that these companies are missing an opportunity to get a foothold in this neighborhood that is so close to just bursting. This is the closest thing Houston has to the opportunity that Brooklyn was in the early 2000s. Cheaper land, plenty of room and an already existing artistic community. Whole Foods popping up everywhere in Brooklyn was a trademark of the dialogue surrounding that area. 

Broham is the one tenant I see on the list that fits the area, everything else (besides the ice cream spot because I always will welcome more dessert) just feels a bit redundant. I think Midway is failing but honestly, a lot of the larger local businesses are failing. They are shying away from being a pioneer to the area and staying safe by opening new outposts in the Heights. 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by I'm Not a Robot

[hindesky]

I saw a mural artist I follow on Instagram got a contact to do a mural on one of the buildings.

@Meerr_one is currently working on the mural on the north side of the building Impact has moved in to.

https://www.instagram.com/meenr_one/

 

 

Edited August 14, 2023 by hindesky

[J.A.]

18 hours ago, I'm Not a Robot said:

Alamo Drafthouse would make any future tenant just icing on the cake for me. 

I don't think Foodtown or Fiesta is what they should aim for but maybe a smaller Whole Foods, Amazon was already looking at the area for their headquarters during that process. I know Trader Joes has a required house hold income that the area doesn't meet and I think HEB is way too risk averse to do it. 

This development is so close to Downtown and with EaDo eventually becoming more connected to the East End, I feel that these companies are missing an opportunity to get a foothold in this neighborhood that is so close to just bursting. This is the closest thing Houston has to the opportunity that Brooklyn was in the early 2000s. Cheaper land, plenty of room and an already existing artistic community. Whole Foods popping up everywhere in Brooklyn was a trademark of the dialogue surrounding that area. 

Broham is the one tenant I see on the list that fits the area, everything else (besides the ice cream spot because I always will welcome more dessert) just feels a bit redundant. I think Midway is failing but honestly, a lot of the larger local businesses are failing. They are shying away from being a pioneer to the area and staying safe by opening new outposts in the Heights. 

 

 

I agree 100% about businesses failing to see the opportunity at East River. I mean, HEB for example didn't even open in the Heights or on Washington Ave. until 2019!!! Ridiculous! That's probably 10yrs later than it should have happened. I dunno about Whole Paycheck being interested in East River given that their store in Midtown didn't exactly meet business projections... unless it is now? Grasping at straws tryna think outside the box: What about a Joe V's Smart Shop (Never been there but it's owned by HEB so maybe still too risk averse?) or 99 Ranch Market? I was thinking maybe Food Town or Fiesta could be convinced to up their game into something kitschy cool while maintaining brand identity and pricing the neighborhood is familiar with. Or maybe something else we probably wouldn't have thought of that may be looking up it's visibility in a different market of the city like Phoenicia did when they opened Downtown. Still not a grocery store, though (and too close). Anything from 'China Town' or 'Mahatma Gandhi' District? Too specialized?

I feel there was/is still a lot of inertia in Houston real estate development regarding mixed use buildings and centers until very recently. Then the pandemic hit... and now the inflation aftermath...

Also, we have to remember that it took a long time for retail at City Centre to fully lease up when it was the mixed use development pioneer in Houston. I recall a lot of empty space there too for a few years. Now with East River add in a financial market and inflated construction pricing where no one wants to build anything. Hopefully, Midway will ride this out too and stick to their vision. When the market figures itself out, this area will probably take off!

[wilcal]

22 hours ago, I'm Not a Robot said:

I am curious if we will get an updated tenant list or if what we see is what there is. I have to say, from wanting a grocery store, a gym and a movie theater (which was originally in the plans) to getting another dentist in the area is pretty underwhelming. I would have thought Midway had a little more pull than this, but from what I've heard is there is a lot of apprehension to being an early adopter but that list of tenants is bleak. 

They did say that they expect it to take nearly 20 years to develop the entire site. Grocery has such tight margins, sites almost have to be perfect, and movie theater companies are not exactly doing well. I would like to think they'll start to pick up some momentum when more is open over the next few months. 

19 hours ago, J.A. said:

I'm wondering if Midway should aim for tenants that aren't quite as 'high end' as what we might expect to find at City Centre... More businesses local-ish to the East Side of town would probably be more appropriate for the area anyway? I have no idea what those might be as far as a gym or movie theater (1st inner loop Alamo Drafthouse?)... For a grocery store, maybe Foodtown, Fiesta or similar? Maybe Midway is looking for this tenant mix already... but from afar it seems like it's probably out of their comfort zone.

I think it is really a rent situation. Grocery leases last a long time, and I doubt a lower-end grocery could make that work without some type of subsidy. I think we all know it is HEB or bust. The population in the area is steadily increasing. It will happen eventually. 

12 minutes ago, J.A. said:

I agree 100% about businesses failing to see the opportunity at East River. I mean, HEB for example didn't even open in the Heights or on Washington Ave. until 2019!!! Ridiculous! That's probably 10yrs later than it should have happened. I dunno about Whole Paycheck being interested in East River given that their store in Midtown didn't exactly meet business projections... unless it is now? Grasping at straws tryna think outside the box: What about a Joe V's Smart Shop (Never been there but it's owned by HEB so maybe still too risk averse?) or 99 Ranch Market? I was thinking maybe Food Town or Fiesta could be convinced to up their game into something kitschy cool while maintaining brand identity and pricing the neighborhood is familiar with. Or maybe something else we probably wouldn't have thought of that may be looking up it's visibility in a different market of the city like Phoenicia did when they opened Downtown. Still not a grocery store, though (and too close). Anything from 'China Town' or 'Mahatma Gandhi' District? Too specialized?

I feel there was/is still a lot of inertia in Houston real estate development regarding mixed use buildings and centers until very recently. Then the pandemic hit... and now the inflation aftermath...

Also, we have to remember that it took a long time for retail at City Centre to fully lease up when it was the mixed use development pioneer in Houston. I recall a lot of empty space there too for a few years. Now with East River add in a financial market and inflated construction pricing where no one wants to build anything. Hopefully, Midway will ride this out too and stick to their vision. When the market figures itself out, this area will probably take off!

There was a Joe V's rumored for somewhere along Harrisburg, but it never materialized. I can't see an ethnic grocery working, really. And yeah, I don't think WF in Midtown is working well, still. Then again, the larger store is so much better and only 1.5 miles away. 

Really good point about City Centre. 

Basically, I think that East River needs at least another year before we can even start to be worried. 

[Sanjorade]

IMO a grocery store in EastRiver would be too secluded from the rest of the East End and EaDo. It needs to be in proper EaDo to make sense. EastRiver is more of a destination, not necessarily part of everyday life ... at least not anytime in the near future. 

There are multiple vacant lots on Leeland that are perfect for setting up a prime location grocery store. I think one of the lots is owned by the Catholic Church. Anyone know the Pope? Maybe he has some pull w/ HEB. 

[hindesky]

Google Maps doesn't know the streets in East River yet.

[hindesky]

Came back to see the finished mural by @meenr_one.

https://www.instagram.com/meenr_one/

(Side note: Working in the plants and not wearing a harness that is tied off while in a man lift would be an immediate reason to get fired on the spot. 100% tie of all times, no excuses.)

 

Pool is a lot smaller than I expected.

[JBTX]

That pool is very tiny, wow. I wonder how many more they will have.

[hindesky]

[hindesky]

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 7/30/2023 at 6:30 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Midway released an updated Office Guidebook for East River a few days ago. In the brochure is the latest retail tenant roster.

It appears EaDo Eye Studio is leasing a unit in the mixed-used development. I don't know if it's an optical /eyewear store or not.

Link to the latest East River Office Guidebook:

https://issuu.com/docs/95140a483963a438ea9acd8e0936cef2

 

6 hours ago, hindesky said:

EaDo Eye Studio will occupy a ground level unit in The Depot at East River. It will be locate alongside Broham and Urbn Dental at 2921 Riverby Rd, Suite 104.

EaDo Eye Studio's sister location is Heights Eye Studio at 1533 N Shepherd Dr, Ste 120. The forthcoming location is included on Eye Studio's website (although the map on the website shows East Downtown instead of the Fifth Ward area where this is opening).



https://www.heightseyestudio.com/locations/

Edited September 1, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[ArtNsf]

On 7/22/2023 at 1:40 PM, hindesky said:

 

This garage is half finished.

 

I wonder if the PHA building would be here?

 

 

I think the pool will be here.

 

Fantastic looking development.  I absolutely love it and welcome it.  Plus, it makes our Buffalo "RIVER" (yes river since that actually is what it truly is) looks so much cleaner than on the western side of downtown.  Kudos to these forward thinking developers and designers !!

[HoustonMidtown]

 

[hbcu]

Joe v's would work - alot of H‑E‑B folks have converted over to them 

[samagon]

On 9/4/2023 at 3:01 PM, hbcu said:

Joe v's would work - alot of H‑E‑B folks have converted over to them 

I wouldn't say converted, Joe V's is a HEB brand, just more of a Costco style experience.

it's not a great opportunity for a full on grocery store, and certainly not a Costco type experience. the parking setup is a primary reason..

if any grocery were to go in I'd suspect something more Trader Joe's like that's intended for picking up provisions for that day, rather than stocking up for an entire week. imagine shopping bascarts being pushed around this, or any other "City Center" style development.

although, I do chuckle at the thought of trendy moms with their kids doing their instagram on a green event space with someone in the background pushing a bascart from the grocery store to the parking garage that is loaded down with a months supply of toilet paper.