Houston Center Redevelopment

[tigereye]

39 minutes ago, urbanize713 said:

It is scaled back? yes

Do I wish they had stuck with the original plans? yes

Were those plans drawn up before covid? yes

Was the construction that started before covid match the renderings? yes 

Did covid probably have a significant effects in altering those plans? Unfortunately, yes.

I hear you but at least we are still have some momentum in the right direction. 

 

Is COVID slowing Rice’s momentum at The Ion? Nope. 

Is COVID slowing Skanska’s momentum on Discovery West? Nope.

This isn’t some cash strapped slumlord. This is Brookfield. I’m not pleased with “some momentum.” They could do better then these plans and they cheaped out, plain & simple.

 

Edited November 17, 2021 by tigereye

[Eastdwntwn]

I'm also disappointed that they decided to make it only slightly more inviting than the current jailhouse design. But also agree it is better than nothing. 

[j_cuevas713]

Wow who are they kidding with that bs? Now don't get me wrong, this will still be great because it is more of a dedicated entrance but damn. Hopefully as foot traffic increases and Brookfield gets their head out of their ass, they could always upgrade the rest. 

[editor]

Quote

For more information, please visit www.HoustonCenter.com.

And by "more information." Brookfield means "no more information."  There's nothing there about The Highlight.

Interesting that Gensler is doing the design.  Isn't Gensler in Houston Center?  Good dogfooding opportunity. 

[iah77]

15 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said:

Wow who are they kidding with that bs? Now don't get me wrong, this will still be great because it is more of a dedicated entrance but damn. Hopefully as foot traffic increases and Brookfield gets their head out of their ass, they could always upgrade the rest. 

I mean I do think the interior renovation still looks significan and it seems to open it up a lot more in their defence? I woudn't exaclty call it a light cosmetic renovation 

[H-Town Man]

Is this rhetorical question posting format a little irritating? Yes

Am I going to do it anyway? Yes

Is this renovation effort reminiscent of something you'd see in a last half-hearted attempt to save a 70's mall in Fort Wayne, Indiana? Yes

Will the building continue to look just about as ugly as it ever did? Yes

Does this signal that Brookfield does not see a bright future for Houston Center given disappointing leasing results following the last wave of money they just spent, and is deciding to shift their money elsewhere? Probably

Or could it be that they are just pulling back from office investments in general in the wake of the pandemic? Probably some of that too

Am I still glad that they hit it out of the park on the other side of the street? You bet

Will this joke of a renovation diminish the effect of the renovation across the street? Kinda, sadly

Will anyone shop here who doesn't work in Houston Center? Not likely

Am I able to end this post and just hit Submit Reply and move on? Not yet

Is there something helpful I can still add at this point? Why yes, there is. From Costar:

The developer has hired global architecture and design firm Gensler as the project architect for Houston Center’s retail space. Renovation costs were not disclosed. A permit filed with the state shows Brookfield Properties is spending nearly $26.6 million to renovate 98,427 square feet on retail levels 1-4 at 1200 McKinney.

 

Edited November 19, 2021 by H-Town Man

[nate4l1f3]

Prepping the face for lipstick

[hindesky]

One of the new venues to be in the redevelopment, Puttshack.

https://www.puttshack.com/find-a-location/houston

[rechlin]

Brick is now starting to be removed:

[tigereye]

Tejas Grill is closing Thursday, per a friend of mine who worked there. 

[swtsig]

No insider info but a part of me thinks the scaled back plans mean they have bigger long term plans for the 4HC site. Granted, I'm talking 10+ yrs down the road but still. The problem w the building is that as currently configured they'll never be able to maximize rents, especially on office space, without a MASSIVE capital commitment, the kind of capital commitment that would make demolishing and redeveloping a more lucrative long term investment.

 

Just my opinion.

[H-Town Man]

On 12/27/2021 at 6:24 PM, swtsig said:

No insider info but a part of me thinks the scaled back plans mean they have bigger long term plans for the 4HC site. Granted, I'm talking 10+ yrs down the road but still. The problem w the building is that as currently configured they'll never be able to maximize rents, especially on office space, without a MASSIVE capital commitment, the kind of capital commitment that would make demolishing and redeveloping a more lucrative long term investment.

 

Just my opinion.

4 Houston Center is 986,000 SF and sits on two full blocks. Using the land price per square foot from the Skanska land sale, the land is worth at least $56 million, probably a lot more given the better location. But just taking the $56 million, the building would have to be worth about $57/SF or less for them to demolish, probably more like $50/SF to cover demo cost and entrepreneurial incentive. Best comp for the building's value is probably 1111 Fannin, which sold last year for $69/SF, although this building is probably worth a bit more (but so is the land).

So... yeah. In 10 years, as the building gets more obsolete and the land value goes up, this could be a redevelopment.

[hindesky]

Permits for Puttshack.

Design architects - https://www.chipman.design

[wilcal]

Looking forward to this one!

[tigereye]

Brookfield announces 3 Houston Center renovation 

https://houston.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/03-23-22-3-houston-center-downtown-renovation-updates-brookfield-properties/?fbclid=IwAR2dZi3V0hkRqrerUhcWKHG3OKGdvdks9wypGC-GuaPiRTpy0rotMRsg2AQ
 

 

[Eastdwntwn]

[rechlin]

Forgot to post my photo of the other side of this from 2 weeks ago:

[Eastdwntwn]

I walked through the Shops yesterday and they are full steam ahead on all the renovations inside. I will try and snap a picture the next time I am there. Wanted to let the folks know that regularly update the forum. 

[editor]

On 5/4/2022 at 12:11 PM, Eastdwntwn said:

I walked through the Shops yesterday and they are full steam ahead on all the renovations inside. I will try and snap a picture the next time I am there. Wanted to let the folks know that regularly update the forum. 

I walked through last week, and the few remaining retailers must be getting massive rent abatements.   Except for lunch hour, the place is a ghost town.  And even during lunch, in my estimation, foot traffic is 10% of what it was before construction started.

As you said, construction is full steam ahead.  It's noisy and confusing, and dark in many places.   And unless you know to go past the old entrance to the end of the block, then go back toward the old entrance and duck under the scaffolding and barriers to go through what used to be a fire exit, in order to get in — you're not going in.  I've seen several people wandering around looking for the entrance.  I don't think they ever found it. 

This project is long overdue, but man it's painful.

[X.R.]

Most of my networking lunches are in the Shops, so I'm glad this is getting done and hopefully it stops feeling like a run down mall from the 90s. Before the reno, it had big Almeda Mall vibes to it.

I agree with @editor. This thing will always have business because of the entities that office in the surrounding buildings, and because of STCL, but man this shoulda been done like 5 years ago. I'm not asking for anything crazy, given how long its been the same, just open up the sides a bit to provide inviting entrances, add some glass, get two bar/food places going with decent outside space and I promise you 100% those businesses would do well.

It close to the hotel, close enough to discovery green, they get tons of people walking outside of it, but it just looks like a fortress. If you gave North Italia, for example, a sweetheart deal and just put glass on a wall like the original renderings showed with some covered outdoor seating I know 50 attorneys and accountants that would be there yesterday. What a strange development. 

Edit: If they did the North Italia thing, people would definitely have their networking events there as opposed to Adairs on Lousiana or some similar place. Counterpoint is that they actually have done wonderful work in the office buildings, so they do know how to do renos right. I'm hoping for the best.

Edited May 6, 2022 by X.R.

[editor]

[Amlaham]

Is there going to be any renovations taking place on the Lamar st portion of this building or are the renovations strictly on the McKinney side? Just curious

[sapo2367]

Had lunch inside today, from the top level you get a nice view of the interior construction. It was still bustling with office workers getting food. 

[editor]

Today (June 13, 2022):

Nothing says "Hey, wheelchair person! Go be handicapped somewhere else!" quite like having no elevator access.  There's also no escalator access.

Even able-bodied people have to hoof it up 65 stairs (I counted) to get to the retail space. 

In some cities, that would be a big fat fine.  Imposed daily.  And eventually a "cease work" order imposed by the buildings department, and the department of civil rights until proper accommodation was made for all citizens. 

But in Houston, it's just, "Sucks to be you."

I should make a big fat political donation to Governor Abbott in order to get a meeting with him, and then ask if we can meet at the Chick-fil-a.  And when he can't get there say, "Oh, sucks to be you.  Too bad we're in Texas, or you'd have equal access rights" and then rescind my donation because he couldn't make it.

[Ross]

17 minutes ago, editor said:

Today (June 13, 2022):

 

Nothing says "Hey, wheelchair person! Go be handicapped somewhere else!" quite like having no elevator access.  There's also no escalator access.

Even able-bodied people have to hoof it up 65 stairs (I counted) to get to the retail space. 

In some cities, that would be a big fat fine.  Imposed daily.  And eventually a "cease work" order imposed by the buildings department, and the department of civil rights until proper accommodation was made for all citizens. 

But in Houston, it's just, "Sucks to be you."

I should make a big fat political donation to Governor Abbott in order to get a meeting with him, and then ask if we can meet at the Chick-fil-a.  And when he can't get there say, "Oh, sucks to be you.  Too bad we're in Texas, or you'd have equal access rights" and then rescind my donation because he couldn't make it.

If you know someone who is mobility impaired, have them contact the City and make a complaint. If that fails, have them file a lawsuit against the building owners, since this looks like an ADA compliance issue. Actually, first contact the building and ask them how someone in a wheelchair can get to the retail areas.

[Houston19514]

16 minutes ago, Ross said:

If you know someone who is mobility impaired, have them contact the City and make a complaint. If that fails, have them file a lawsuit against the building owners, since this looks like an ADA compliance issue. Actually, first contact the building and ask them how someone in a wheelchair can get to the retail areas.

Yeah, I imagine they will direct you to one of the other elevators.

[editor]

1 minute ago, Houston19514 said:

Yeah, I imagine they will direct you to one of the other elevators.

What other elevator?  Is there another elevator in the mall?  I've never seen one, and there were no signs at the existing elevator directing anyone to anything other than the stairs. 

Even if there is an elevator somewhere, it's not the responsibility of the disabled person to go hunting for it.  It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure the public portions of the property are accessible to everyone.

[Houston19514]

18 minutes ago, editor said:

What other elevator?  Is there another elevator in the mall?  I've never seen one, and there were no signs at the existing elevator directing anyone to anything other than the stairs. 

Even if there is an elevator somewhere, it's not the responsibility of the disabled person to go hunting for it.  It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure the public portions of the property are accessible to everyone.

I haven't been in there recently, but there always have been multiple elevators.  At least one on each end and one or more in between.  I think even more than one set in the middle.  A quick call to the management suggesting better directions be displayed might be in order. A forum rant, let alone a call to the Governor, not so much. Judging by the signage you photographed, it looks like they are trying, but as with any large renovation project, things change from day to day and the signage may not have kept up.

[editor]

18 hours ago, Houston19514 said:

I haven't been in there recently, but there always have been multiple elevators.  At least one on each end and one or more in between.  I think even more than one set in the middle.  A quick call to the management suggesting better directions be displayed might be in order. A forum rant, let alone a call to the Governor, not so much. Judging by the signage you photographed, it looks like they are trying, but as with any large renovation project, things change from day to day and the signage may not have kept up.

I've been there about a dozen times since October, and have never seen any elevator access other than the one elevator.  I wish there was another way out, because that would be much more convenient for getting to Phoenicia, which I often do after I finish my errands at Houston Center.

You are correct, a forum rant is not productive.  But sometimes grumpy old men gotta grump. 

As for day-to-day changes, that's why you have construction planners.  If your construction plan changes so radically from day to day that it exposes your company and the building owner to legal liability, then you have failed at construction planning.

They had time to print up big fancy signs instructing people to go take the stairs.  They had time to figure the rest out, too.

[tigereye]

There’s an elevator to the left of the front entrance (San Jacinto) next to the former Jos A Bank store. That’s still in use fulfilling the ADA requirement. There’s also elevators on the Lamar side as well as Austin St at the back of the dining area (next to the outdoor balcony overlooking Austin St. 
 

Passing by the other day, I’m surprised how much of the old front entrance has been dismantled. The renders didn’t really focus too much on this side so I feel like we’ve missed some details on changes to the main entrance. Are they reconfiguring the escalator setup? Also, what becomes of the old Tejas Grill space. IIRC they closed up after the renovation was started. Is rehabbing this space included in the renovation plans or left up to whomever leases the space?