kbates2 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 If they go with this concept but build a couple of residential high-rises in the surface lots, this could be amazing. Unfortunately I think that the residential would need to come online at the same time or before for this to truly be successful. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timoric Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) - Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I think the saying is "retail follows rooftops." There is more residential Downtown and additional units might go up near here (looking at you Chase Motor Bank site at Milam), but this projects looks like it would require a very substantial amount of foot traffic to be viable. Could it be more of a touristy market a la Pike Place Market in Seattle as @H-Town Man alluded? With the Theater District nearby, it's a possibility. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jermh Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 I'm not sure if the construction fencing is new, but I've never noticed it before. Also, they're now flying a flag that matches the logo on the website. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 minute ago, jermh said: I'm not sure if the construction fencing is new, but I've never noticed it before. Also, they're now flying a flag that matches the logo on the website. That's 100% new. Just parked there the other day for Pride and none of that was there. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 hour ago, Timoric said: Could some large indoor entertainment rooms work? - laser tag, a movie theater, indoor skydiving, Lifetime Fitness, a rock climbing place, a trampoline or blow up birthday party joint, and an ice skating rink to name a few - you do see those places in business parks, this ain't that different I was thinking if there was a mattress store they could rent them out to slide down all those cool stairs.... 😮💡‼️ 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Don't forget that this was listed on the National Register of Historic Places when ownership was transferred. My guess is that this first phase will take full advantage of state and federal tax credits. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 If they don't make this look more interesting from the front it will be El Mercado del Sol 2.0. I wonder if a walkway from the bayou that goes under Franklin could be built? 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownbro Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 2 hours ago, urbanize713 said: Yes it is something new and hopefully it succeeds but this is terribly underwhelming. I say this for 3 reasons. 1. Hanover Buffalo Bayou 2. The Allen 3. Regent Square for god sake! Like the three projects above, this fronts the bayou/park and is actually in downtown. In my humble opinion, I would prefer for Lovett to sell (at a profit) and for a developer with a bigger vision(and pockets) to come along. Even if it sits vacant for a couple more years. I would like to think residential may come after this is completed. I hope... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Looks like some of the office space is already leased... Perhaps Lovett is moving their HQ here? Would be a smart move IMO... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gene Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 I gotta say, i am willing to give this a chance... that rooftop park sounds awesome so i look forward to seeing that! (ps...i met Bjork in this building during Day for Night when I worked her amazing VR experience...so i actually have a good memory associated with this building and glad something is being done with it. I will stay optimistic for the future) 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRFkris Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I wish they could generate some kind of architectural change with the roof maybe create a different silhouette. A small pocket may open up after the highway realignment? For residential maybe? I wish they could augment this development to include residential and better access. Someone mentioned a Franklin Street reroute or something, that would be interesting. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRFkris Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 If they took the railroad out they could put residential behind it 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 minute ago, ZRFkris said: If they took the railroad out they could put residential behind it Another good reason to wait on other phases. The reroute needs to get finalized. The possible realignment of the railroad needs to get finalized. Lots of moving pieces beyond this projects control, but could affect it later. No doubt they pursue whatever surrounding land will be available after theses move pieces settle down. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talltexan83 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 So no planned interaction with the bayou or bike path? As is, I have a hard time seeing a casual visitor to Market Square making the (short) walk to this site.........not a very pedestrian friendly environment. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRFkris Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I have faith, some people knocked the idea of discovery green at first, this could be another jewel for downtown. I wonder how long this development will take. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownproud Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I have a hard time believing this got funding. Something like this could work in the middle of downtown or midtown, but this location is an island without any foot traffic. This will be less successful than Greenstreet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatguysly Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 I like it aside from the parking lots. The one in downtown Dallas is always packed but has better access to residential and no massive parking lots. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRFkris Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 We will see what happens 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrLan34 Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Just for reference, Market Square Tower is a seven minute walk to POST. Lyric Market is a five minute walk. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGeneral Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 It is a shame this project doesn’t have multi family. In an ideal world, this project would include a couple of apartment towers and turn the warehouse into an HEB and maybe a small office component. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 7 hours ago, Luminare said: Another good reason to wait on other phases. The reroute needs to get finalized. The possible realignment of the railroad needs to get finalized. Lots of moving pieces beyond this projects control, but could affect it later. No doubt they pursue whatever surrounding land will be available after theses move pieces settle down. I am still so excited for this realignment and hope the city makes it a reality. We really need to move that railroad track as the Planning Commission proposed. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRFkris Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 1 hour ago, Triton said: I am still so excited for this realignment and hope the city makes it a reality. We really need to move that railroad track as the Planning Commission proposed. There is definitely space for residential fronting the freeway behind the post office 👀 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 7 hours ago, ZRFkris said: There is definitely space for residential fronting the freeway behind the post office 👀 It is hard to sell apartments next to a freeway. Witness the failure of the converted highrise on Bagby and Congress two blocks south of the post office. As far as I'm aware, no one has since tried to revive it in 15 years despite its great views of the skyline. It is smarter to wait until the freeway is moved and build a higher quality product. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownbro Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 15 hours ago, ZRFkris said: I have faith, some people knocked the idea of discovery green at first, this could be another jewel for downtown. I wonder how long this development will take. it will be complete by next summer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNAguy Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Am I missing something? Can't there be multiple phases to this property? I mean there is significant surface lot space that can one day be turned into multi-story residential / office / hotel, etc. I know it's not in the plan now, and a KBR-site-like complete redesign would be nice.... but what's being proposed is actually WAYYYYYY better than post office. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 20 hours ago, urbanize713 said: Yes it is something new and hopefully it succeeds but this is terribly underwhelming. I say this for 3 reasons. 1. Hanover Buffalo Bayou 2. The Allen 3. Regent Square for god sake! Like the three projects above, this fronts the bayou/park and is actually in downtown. In my humble opinion, I would prefer for Lovett to sell (at a profit) and for a developer with a bigger vision(and pockets) to come along. Even if it sits vacant for a couple more years. This has an access problem those places don't have. Casual shoppers will think of driving to this location next to downtown and all the freeway spaghetti and get psyched out. They need to look into putting some really good directional signage on Washington Avenue, Houston Avenue, maybe even Memorial Drive/Texas coming into downtown to make it easy for westsiders to get here. Not sure what is possible with the signage laws. I got a little pessimistic thinking about this last night. There needs to be some kind of exclamation point to draw people in, so that it doesn't just seem like a larger food hall with a rooftop garden next to a freeway. I wonder if building an observation tower here is feasible. It's a perfect location and would draw people from all over the city, who will then stop by the market hall and rooftop garden. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timoric Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) - Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric 1 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarathonMan Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 To me, Lovett is trying to make a quick buck by doing a quick-turnaround, relatively cheap warehouse makeover and selling it as a state-of-the-art pushing-the-envelop urban space. It is typical for Houston developers. Safe, unimaginative, and unmemorable. I think it’s comical (or sad, depending on how you look at it) that the most aggressive innovator in this city is from Australia! 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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