cspwal Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 I don't think Rice University owns the part of Rice Village where HPB was located. According to HCAD, the parcel with Jos A Bank and the former 1/2 price books is owned by someone else 2537 UNIVERSITY BLVD HOUSTON TX 77005 The parcel across the street is owned by Rice though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 On 1/5/2021 at 10:36 PM, iah77 said: Considering Rice raises the rent of everything they touch that seems highly unlikely... otherwise they would have savd the one in Rice Village The post wasn't serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 Everything on this forum is deadly serious. Have you not learned this yet? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CREguy13 Posted January 12, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 12, 2021 HBJ Article: Skanska plans demolition of Montrose retail plaza By Jeff Jeffrey – Reporter, Houston Business Journal Jan 12, 2021, 1:37pm CST Skanska USA Commercial Development expects to begin demolishing a key retail plaza in Houston’s growing Montrose area to make way for a mixed-use development within the next six weeks, a spokeswoman for the company told the Houston Business Journal. The retail plaza located at the southwest corner of Westheimer Road and Montrose Boulevard had been home to Half-Price Books, Mattress Firm, Spec’s Wine and Spirits, and Mattress Pro for several years. Half-Price Books recently revealed that location would close on Jan. 17, according to reports. Other tenants have also been moving out. While Skanska has not yet finalized its master plan for the site, the company plans to clear the property in the coming months to allow for the development to begin moving forward, the spokeswoman said. According to Harris County Appraisal District records, the land and buildings on the site had an appraised value of $13 million as of Jan. 1, 2020. An entity affiliated with Houston-based PM Realty Group had owned the property since June 2012, according to HCAD. PMRG was acquired by Washington, D.C.-based Madison Marquette in June 2018. Sweden-based Skanska paid $27 million to acquire the 2.86-acre site in August. Skanska said the new project it is planning on the site is targeting LEED Platinum certification. While the final plan for the site is being sketched out, the company plans to build a pop-up retail shop on the site. “We want to put something that is Covid-19-safe on the site that the community can enjoy while we finalize the plan for the site,” the spokeswoman said. More details about the project will be released within the next few months. The property, at the corner of Westheimer and Montrose, has long been a target for developers looking to convert it to a mixed-use development. When PMRG acquired the property, it had similar plans to build a residential building with retail on the first floor, according to reports at the time. But the company ran into opposition from some of the site’s existing tenants, who had long-term leases in place. For Skanska, the acquisition of prime real estate in Montrose is just the latest in a series of splashy deals the company has done in Houston. Last year, the company purchased four parking lots near Discovery Green for a planned mixed-use project that will include office, multifamily and retail space. Skanska paid $55 million for the four parcels, which total around 3.5 acres. Skanska is also the developer behind the 35-story Bank of America Tower in downtown Houston. In December, the company announced it had sold a 90% stake in the tower to an affiliate of Boston-based Beacon Capital Partners for $373 million. 9 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 So exciting to be a Houstonian right now. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxtethogrady Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 On 12/28/2020 at 9:12 AM, CREguy13 said: Not seeing any mention of Skanska, makes me hesitate to believe this is current. Perkins Eastman and Madison Marquette partnered on District Wharf in DC, so unclear if this was drawn up for the previous owner. This would be significant for the area so hoping this is accurate! That's a good way to get an answer quick... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRFkris Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 On 10/28/2020 at 1:48 PM, Urbannizer said: @HNathoo Is correct, Madison Marquette no longer owns the site. It’s possible they filed for a demolition permit before the sale. PMRG built 2929 Wesleyan, purchased this site and built The Travis before merging with Madison Marquette. Now that Skanska has control of this land I expect them to partner with a different architect- therefore a new design. Excited for Skanska’s involvement with the project after seeing their recent activity level. Bank of America tower and the 1550 on the green render both look nice for downtown. Interesting to think what their approach would be for a neighborhood development that can accommodate so much culture and diversity. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midtowndweller Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 After years and years of looking at this strip center in disgust, I will be in attendance at the demolition with a couple bottles of champagne! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clutchcity94 Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 I wonder what this pop up will be all about. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 has anyone found out if and where Half Price Books will relocate? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 For decades this area has been the unofficial main corridor to montrose .. the entrance if you will... it where back in the day the parade and block parties congregated... now I feel like it will finally reflect that in appearance 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 43 minutes ago, Moore713 said: For decades this area has been the unofficial main corridor to montrose .. the entrance if you will... it where back in the day the parade and block parties congregated... now I feel like it will finally reflect that in appearance I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower West. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Triton Posted January 13, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 13, 2021 If we are going to have all these major developments along Westheimer, then it seems clear to me that Westheimer is clearly due for reconstruction now. The road is in horrible shape. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttuchris Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 http://swamplot.com/big-block-on-the-corner-of-westheimer-and-montrose-goes-up-for-sale/2012-03-08/ Swamplot has some old pictures of the Tower Shopping Center. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangledwoods Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Quote Swamplot has some old pictures of the Tower Shopping Center. you are such a tease, i thought for a second that swamplot was coming back..... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Amlaham Posted January 13, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) The other day I drove down Westheimer from Midtown for the first time in 6 months and WOW. I might sound crazy, but this area is starting to look like Melrose Ave in LA. Not as dense, but I swear it looks like an up and coming Melrose. 101 Westheimer Rd is repainting their buildings from a yellowish color to gray/black/white (matches the Pearl Whole Foods building) 215 Westheimer Rd went from a small building + big parking lot to a massive building with a small/ hidden parking 223 Westheimer Rd went from an old shotgun/suburban looking house to a extremely contemporary white building 243 Westheimer Rd went from an old rundown house/ restaurant + big parking lot to a massive contemporary building with hidden parking 424 Westheimer Rd went from a parking lot to an urban park 516 Westheimer Rd is remodeling and went from an ATROCIOUS Orange/ yellow paint to a dark gray/ black paint job 802 Westheimer Rd went from a shopping center with a huge front lot to whats becoming the Montrose collective 1001 Westheimer Rd.....THIS PROJECT! Even 3207 Montrose Blvd right across this project is undergoing some sort of renovations This is only what I observed and this is only from Bagby to Montrose blvd. If they rebuild the street with wider sidewalks with trees lined up, this area would seriously rival major streets in LA. Side note: I keep referencing LA because I feel like our architecture is most similar to LA compared to east coast cities. Sorry this post is so long 🙃 Edited January 15, 2021 by Amlaham 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBC2HTX Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 7 hours ago, Triton said: If we are going to have all these major developments along Westheimer, then it seems clear to me that Westheimer is clearly due for reconstruction now. The road is in horrible shape. Should’ve been done 10 years ago. It was BAD then. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
por favor gracias Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 11 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said: I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower West. I would love to see this as well, along with some really nice landscaping. I remember bobruss mentioning a year or two ago how he envisioned Montrose Blvd having a roundabout at Westheimer & Montrose and art all along the corridor between Allen Pkwy and Mecom Fountain...and I to this day I think that's a great idea. Certain thoroughfares like Main St, (lower) Westheimer and Montrose should have first class mobility, light synchronization, road smoothness, signage, surface markings and landscaping. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 . 8 hours ago, por favor gracias said: I would love to see this as well, along with some really nice landscaping. I remember bobruss mentioning a year or two ago how he envisioned Montrose Blvd having a roundabout at Westheimer & Montrose and art all along the corridor between Allen Pkwy and Mecom Fountain...and I to this day I think that's a great idea. Certain thoroughfares like Main St, (lower) Westheimer and Montrose should have first class mobility, light synchronization, road smoothness, signage, surface markings and landscaping. And, in the case of Montrose... A boulevard for the entire length. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 17 hours ago, Amlaham said: The other day I drove down Westheimer from Midtown for the first time in 6 months and WOW. I might sound crazy, but this area is starting to look like Melrose Ave in LA. Not as dense, but I swear it looks like an up and coming Melrose. 101 Westheimer Rd is repainting their buildings from a yellowish color to gray/black/white (matches the Pearl Whole Foods building) 215 Westheimer Rd went from a small building + big parking lot to a massive building with a small/ hidden parking 223 Westheimer Rd went from an old shotgun/suburban looking house to a extremely contemporary white building 243 Westheimer Rd went from an old rundown house/ restaurant + big parking lot to a massive contemporary building with hidden parking 424 Westheimer Rd went from a parking lot to an urban park 516 Westheimer Rd is remodeling and went from an ATROCIOUS Orange/ yellow paint to a dark gray/ black paint job 802 Westheimer Rd went from a shopping center with a huge front lot to whats becoming the Montrose collective 1001 Westheimer Rd.....THIS PROJECT! Even 3207 Montrose Blvd right across this project is undergoing some sort of renovations This is only what I observed and this is only from Bagby to Montrose blvd. If they rebuild the street with wider sidewalks with trees lined up, this area would seriously rival major streets in LA. Side note: I keep referencing LA because I feel like our architecture is most similar to LA compared to west coast cities. Sorry this post is so long 🙃 I was in town over Christmas and drove down this stretch of Westheimer. I remember being impressed and thinking, I don't remember it being quite this urban, this visually striking. Your inventory of changes helps explain why it seemed this way. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trymahjong Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 That roundabout idea was always brought up in any meeting I attended for last five years or so. I love the idea.......a huge topiary of a stiletto shoe in the middle of the round about could bring back a lot of the myth of Montrose— also helping traffic problems..... I think 🤔 ? 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 19 hours ago, Amlaham said: The other day I drove down Westheimer from Midtown for the first time in 6 months and WOW. Among the improvements listed is the repainting of buildings. To each his own, but I don't understand the appeal of painting everything black, gray, or white (or any combination thereof). Is all color considered to be in bad taste now? Are people afraid of it? What did color ever do to you? While I accept that growth involves change (and destruction) I'd rather see some of the elements of the original Montrose retained - a few century-old houses, quirky architectural details, bold colors used with abandon. While Melrose Ave may be a great street in its own right, I'd rather see Houston be Houston, not L.A., Jr. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 (edited) Edit: As mentioned below, this was designed for a previous owner. Is this what is planned? https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/ On 1/13/2021 at 12:19 PM, Triton said: If we are going to have all these major developments along Westheimer, then it seems clear to me that Westheimer is clearly due for reconstruction now. The road is in horrible shape. The city is clearly desperate to try to have someone else foot part of the bill. When it was pulled from CIP they said that they would add it back when HGAC had a call for projects again. Edited January 15, 2021 by wilcal 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 I'm counting 32 stories on the tallest structure. Also, kind of interesting that they have a 10 story building sketched in for the Kroger parking lot. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstontexasjack Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 7 hours ago, wilcal said: Is this what is planned? https://www.perkinseastman.com/projects/heart-of-montrose/ No. This was done for the prior owner, PMRG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 4 hours ago, wilcal said: I'm counting 32 stories on the tallest structure. Also, kind of interesting that they have a 10 story building sketched in for the Kroger parking lot. I notice that there's no trace of a parking garage in this rendering, and wonder how deep they'd be willing to go for underground parking. Perhaps instead they have somewhere close by in mind. Is it sheer coincidence that Kroger is shuttering just as this project is getting underway? While Montrose Blvd is making progress to become a more pedestrian friendly destination street, the focus seems to be more on Lower Westheimer. A parking garage adequate for both this development and another could be squeezed onto the Kroger lot, especially if the developers petition the city to abandon that block of Lovett Blvd. (which would almost certainly be granted). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trymahjong Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 “I couldn't agree more. The transition from Midtown to Montrose is one of the best corridors in the city. I wish we could get funding for reconstruction of lower Westheimer.” => Notice faint sound of teeth grinding please remember ALL of the renovations of LOWER WESTHEIMER were COMPLETELY funded prior to Hurricane Harvey- The money as THERE! COH set of big committee , arranged community input, made a terrific little you tube video...etc...etc..etc big puff of breath At present renovations to Lower Westheimer have been attached to Renovations of Westheimer West of Montrose; that project is only partially funded........is the money de dictated to lower Westheimer available now? Who knows big sigh 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 Signs being removed, only Half Price, Signature Med, 369 (last day for them is today the 15th) and the med supply are still open. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Response Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 O happy day! 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 I went to Half Price this weekend...they are almost cleared out of all merch except lots of vinyl and dvds. the guy at the door (my buddy bucky was off) said that they have not been able to find a new location but are hopeful to find one this year... he said that they just have in their mind what they want to pay and are able to afford and haven't found that as of yet... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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