38-Story High-Rise & Office Building At 2811 Kirby Dr.

[MidCenturyMoldy]

Isn’t “The Banausea” a Randall Davis development?

[004n063]

On 8/2/2023 at 10:20 PM, aachor said:

I don't know why you all aren't excited over any high-rise development that doesn't completely look like ass (e.g., Mercer Condominiums). It's an increase in density without being another doughnut. And, to be fair, even a mid-rise doughnut or a good looking podium construction are a huge improvements over the low-rise apartments with surface parking that were a construction staple in this city in previous decades. I think any increase in density which diminishes the plague of surface parking is a step in the right direction.

Regardless of whether it's 30 or 40 floors, this and the development at 2311 Westheimer are both excellent developments for this neighborhood. 

I think virtually any high-rise in Houston is ultimately a net good, for exactly the reasons you mention.

But I personally can't think of a single one that I am or ever was (post-renderings) excited about. For me it all comes down to streetscape. I want my city to feel like a city. Once upon a time, I thought that that meant tall buildings, but I've come to realize that not only are highrises not necessary for an inviting urban environment, but often - especially in Houston - they are kind of formally antithetical to that goal, whether due to setbacks, parking podia, or just large blank walls fronting streets. 

I don't think those are intrinsic features of highrises, and density good et al, but I do think that there is an element of remove that is inherent to the form and intrinsic to the appeal of highrise living. Obviously I think that's a lot better than a gated enclave of suburban mansions, but it still runs counter to the ethos of incidental community and public realm that (to me) is characteristic of great urban environments.

Again, not intended as a critique of this project or as any kind of active opposition to highrises. But personally, I'd choose Fort Greene over Downtown Brooklyn, Boston's South End over its Seaport, Roma/La Condesa over Paseo de la Reforma in CDMX, etc.

(Granted, I none of those places will ever be in my price range, so it really doesn't matter...)

That's probably a lot more explanation than is really needed in defense of indifference, but there it is.

[hindesky]

All the construction netting has come down except the parts with the SLC Communities.

[Bassclef]

I would be surprised if this happens.

[strickn]

On 8/5/2023 at 8:21 AM, 004n063 said:

I think virtually any high-rise in Houston is ultimately a net good, for exactly the reasons you mention.

But I personally can't think of a single one that I am or ever was (post-renderings) excited about...

there is an element of remove that is inherent to the form and intrinsic to the appeal of highrise living. Obviously I think that's a lot better than a gated enclave of suburban mansions, but it still runs counter to the ethos of incidental community and public realm that (to me) is characteristic of great urban environments.

Again, not intended as a critique of this project or as any kind of active opposition to highrises. But personally, I'd choose Fort Greene over Downtown Brooklyn, Boston's South End over its Seaport, Roma/La Condesa over Paseo de la Reforma in CDMX, etc

yes, I agree.  I don't know how to refer to or relate to a place I live if I only have a hotel-room's-eye presence and not a garden or porch

[Houston19514]

15 hours ago, Bassclef said:

I would be surprised if this happens.

Why do you say that?

[j_cuevas713]

15 hours ago, Bassclef said:

I would be surprised if this happens.

Well it's going to happen very soon, so...

[Urbannizer]

https://issuu.com/bryan_velastegui_cordova/docs/portfolio_bryan_velastegui_issuu


 

 

[pablog]

8 minutes ago, Urbannizer said:

https://issuu.com/bryan_velastegui_cordova/docs/portfolio_bryan_velastegui_issuu


 

 

Just confirming this is Houston 😂

The presentation says Austin, TX. 

[Urbannizer]

4 hours ago, pablog said:

Just confirming this is Houston 😂

The presentation says Austin, TX. 

Not sure why- but it’s Houston. Maybe to throw off one who discovers the flip book? Or just mistaken for another project he may be working on? 2811 Kirby is the name of this development and there’s no Kirby street in Austin.

[HoustonIsHome]

I like it 👍

[hindesky]

I'm going to nickname it "The Mullet", business up front and party in the back.

[strickn]

The Frogger as pedestrians dash and dodge thru those three wide curb cuts

Go go go go ohhhh too late

[jhjones74]

22 hours ago, Urbannizer said:

Not sure why- but it’s Houston. Maybe to throw off one who discovers the flip book? Or just mistaken for another project he may be working on? 2811 Kirby is the name of this development and there’s no Kirby street in Austin.

Probably just put Austin in his portfolio thinking that’s a more recognizable city internationally. Even though Houston has probably 3x the number of highrises. 
 

Uneducated guess, it’ll be a year before this breaks ground, if they get the construction financing.

[houstontexasjack]

10 hours ago, jhjones74 said:

Probably just put Austin in his portfolio thinking that’s a more recognizable city internationally. Even though Houston has probably 3x the number of highrises. 
 

Uneducated guess, it’ll be a year before this breaks ground, if they get the construction financing.

SLC’s press release referenced groundbreaking in “Spring 2024.” My thought was “May 2024 at the earliest.”

https://southernland.com/luxury-high-rise-development-planned-for-northeast-corner-of-kirby-drive-and-kipling-street-in-houstons-upper-kirby-district/

 

[shasta]

Not sure if this is the official rendering.

Looks like an "on the board" rendering....or even a competition.

Has this been formally released by the developer?

[Bassclef]

I hope not. It’s another boring box.

[KirbyDriveKid]

Wow, we are picky nowadays. I'm skeptical this gets financing, but if it does I will 100% celebrate this lot's Wachovia branch to 36 story highrise glowup. Maybe I'll even dance a little jig on the Beck's Prime deck.

[DotCom]

On 9/3/2023 at 1:15 PM, Urbannizer said:

https://issuu.com/bryan_velastegui_cordova/docs/portfolio_bryan_velastegui_issuu


 

 

Confirmed this is the architect and their design.  The portfolio says the drawings are 90-100%

[ChannelTwoNews]

16 hours ago, DotCom said:

Confirmed this is the architect and their design.  The portfolio says the drawings are 90-100%

If that's the case, then we have an idea of how much of an impact this will make.

To the top of the parapet: 430' 7"

Top of tower core wall:  424' 10"

Machine Room: 413' 11"

Top of Roof: 404' 7"

37th Floor:  388' 11"

36th Floor: 369' 11"

Office Core Wall: 135' 3"

Office Roof Top: 131' 1"

Office F&B Level (4): 113' 1"

Top of Garage: 69' 7"

Figured I'd snap the pages of it in case it ever disappears...

[Urbannizer]

https://streamrealty.com/stream-realty-wins-leasing-assignment-for-new-office-building-in-upper-kirby/

A Nashville-based development firm has awarded Stream Realty Partners the leasing and marketing assignment for the office component of a new mixed-use development being built on a two-acre site in the Upper Kirby section of Houston. 

Stream, a national commercial real estate firm offering an integrated platform of services, will handle leasing and marketing for the 83,322-square-foot Class AA office building, one of two towers being developed by Southern Land Company (SLC), a national real estate developer of award-winning mixed-use developments and master-planned communities. The project, located at 2811 Kirby Drive, will break ground in summer 2024 with anticipated completion of spring 2027. 
 

The office building will be situated over a podium-style garage, providing unmatched views of the Kirby Drive corridor. Office occupants will have access to a dedicated fitness center and a private outdoor elevated park space. The project will offer 16,500 square feet of restaurant space including 1,000 square feet of outdoor seating.  

The development will also feature a 38-story residential tower that will include 312 luxury apartment homes and 18 penthouses, and a robust amenity collection including a 7th floor rooftop garden, fitness center and resident spa, with additional amenity spaces on the 38th floor, highlighted with an outdoor pool deck. 

 

 

[freundb]

Too bad this won’t be built here…

[shasta]

10 hours ago, freundb said:

Too bad this won’t be built here…

....has to be a typo, right?

 

It is interesting how Austin has zoomed past Houston & Dallas in the minds of those outside of Texas.

Architects pull their best projects out of the drawer for different cities.

A 50 story building on Miami Beach , or Austin now, is going to get a better design than a project in 2nd tier cities like Houston or Dallas.

Designers have a hierarchy for which "ideas/design concepts" they want to use where. Obviously, they want their best designs built in high profile cities.

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by shasta

[KirbyDriveKid]

The clue's in the name that I'm a fan of the Kirby area, but advertising the office space as "providing unmatched views of the Kirby Drive corridor. " is an all-timer for me 😂

[astrohip]

https://realtynewsreport.com/groundbreaking-set-for-office-tower-on-kirby-drive/

[IntheKnowHouston]

A plan reviewing fee was filed today for 2811 Kirby Dr.

Details from the permit:
 

• Use: Foundation, Foundation
• FCC Group: Non-residential alteration

Edited December 29, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[hindesky]

"Plans are starting to solidify for a mixed-use project of almost 1 million square feet in Upper Kirby.

Nashville-based Southern Land Co. plans to break ground in summer on the 913,190-square-foot project at 2811 Kirby, which will include a 38-story apartment tower, an 83,322-square-foot office building with parking, 16,500 square feet for a ground-floor restaurant and a 1,000-square-foot outdoor seating area, and separate two-story restaurant building.

Stream Realty Partners will oversee office marketing, led by Ryan Barbles, Matt Asvestas and Matthew Seliger."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/38-story-upper-kirby-tower-houston-katy-h-e-b-18566792.php

[shasta]

2 hours ago, hindesky said:

Plans are starting to solidify

Huh?!?!

[__nevii]

On 12/14/2023 at 8:48 AM, shasta said:

It is interesting how Austin has zoomed past Houston & Dallas in the minds of those outside of Texas.

Architects pull their best projects out of the drawer for different cities.

A 50 story building on Miami Beach , or Austin now, is going to get a better design than a project in 2nd tier cities like Houston or Dallas.

Designers have a hierarchy for which "ideas/design concepts" they want to use where. Obviously, they want their best designs built in high profile cities.

Maybe I'm just too "orange-pilled" from all those NJB videos. Or maybe I'm missing something. I don't know. But I just feel that these "hierarchies" are just oft-repeated imaginary fixations that force contrived (and ultimately stagnating) narratives. A self-fufilling prophecy, of sorts. Because even if such perceptions exist of Houston compared to other cities, I just ... don't see what that would have to do regarding the goals that these developments are trying to achieve.

Is the clientele in Houston somehow different than in Austin or Miami?

• If the Houstonian (whether born/raised, domestic transplant, or immigrant) attitudes are actually indeed similar to sentiments expressed in this thread, then that would suggest that there is demand for a nice building even in "lowly Houston" — in that case, the developers can/should just build with their most cutting-edge design, regardless of Houston's "profile."
   
• On the other hand, if the clientele is indeed different, then the building would simply be a reflection of the different ideals, tastes, etc ... which also wouldn't depend on "profile."

It's often stated that "organic, fine-grained" development is key to building a nicer, more walkable city. Assigning cities into "profiles" and then trying to force a "finished product" out of that doesn't seem to fit that to me. Of course, parking minimums, setbacks, etc might play a role in what dissuades developers from certain designs — eliminating/loosening them would be key, especially as it could also make room for smaller, local businesses (i.e. including new developers) to impart their own developments (i.e. and allow creativity to flourish in case that "national perception" truly is a barrier).

Edited January 3 by __nevii

[Urbannizer]

Updated renderings from his new portfolio, Page 12:

https://issuu.com/bryan_velastegui_cordova/docs/portfolio_bryan_velastegui_24_01_issue?ff