Boris Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I was driving down Beltway 8 and saw signs regarding the below development.Anyone know anything about it other than what's in the website?http://www.park8.com/en/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Parton my lanuage, but holy ____! This project is really going to uplift Chinatown. Plus, I love the name "Park 8 Land f Oz." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Parton my lanuage, but holy ____! This project is really going to uplift Chinatown. Plus, I love the name "Park 8 Land f Oz."http://www.chinatownmap.com/map.htmI know Beltway 8 and Bellaire are two sites with popular Asian-influenced businesses, but I thought the official ChinaTown Houston was the area across the freeway from the GRB Convention Center. If you look on this official website linked above, you'll see THREE official Chinatowns on this map.Now this is from the same website...http://www.chinatownmap.com/aboutus.htm...Says here that all of Bellaire between HWY 6 and Beltway 8 is the new official Chinatown.Don't get me wrong; this will be a GREAT project for Houston, and an excelent project for Chinatown. (I haven't been to Houston since Super Bowl '04). Please update me. I was never aware that the Chinatown beside downtown no longer is the official Chinatown Houston. And if it still is, why do I NEVER hear of any major developments like Park8 there, and why has Bellaire been more of a focal point for Chinese-American businesses than the original location by downtown?Only reason why I ask that is because I don't understand why we should even call the downtown location Chinatown anymore if Bellaire is a much more successful location. After Park8 is complete, why wouldn't Bellaire be official? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 (edited) You have two different entities claiming certain areas as "Chinatown": a local community group, and the City of Houston. I would think a local community group of Chinese would know better where "Chinatown" is, whether its official or not. Edited January 25, 2006 by Jeebus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ V Lawrence Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 You have two different entities claiming certain areas as "Chinatown": a local community group, and the City of Houston. I would think a local community group of Chinese would know better where "Chinatown" is, whether its official or not.Is that just a Houston thing, or is that common in other cities as well? Just sounds wierd promotion-wise. Kinda like having two downtowns. If someone out of town wants to go to Chinatown Houston, (and we have had people ask on HAIF in the past), where in the world would they go? The local community group Chinatown (which is more high-class), or the official City Of Houston sponsored Chinatown? Doesn't Bellaire deserve out-of-town notice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 It will take that community group going to city-council and explaining the situation before a change will occur. Will they do it? I don't know. Is this how it is in other cities? No Clue. However, if you took a random poll on the streets of Houston, I would think that most people would tell you Houston's Chinatown is infact on Bellaire - whether its officially recognized or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Man, that's just creepy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 It is definitely Oriental out there, but I doubt that anyone (that lives within the loop) would use "Chinatown" to describe any other area of town other than the area just east of downtown. I'm not saying that it matters to me personally, but if you are using the moniker as a tourist interest, which we most certainly are, the Bellaire(ish) area will just have to deal with it. I concede that there are almost no cool destinations in Chinatown except The Meridian and that big Chinese buffet, but it is nice to have a historical Chinatown near downtown as opposed to way the heck outside the loop were nothing matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 ..it is nice to have a historical Chinatown near downtown as opposed to way the heck outside the loop were nothing matters.I guess it doesn't matter whether there is actually anything Chinese left about Chinatown, as long as we keep the cool name in a defunct neighborhood that within ten years will demographically be upper middle-class loft & townhome owners.I wonder how many Asians here in Houston care that there used to be a Chinatown downtown? I could understand the fight for a historical Chinatown or Asian market downtown if it was led by the Asian community. However, at the rate of constuction out there on Bellaire, I don't think they (Asian investors, realtors, contractors, and residents) really care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elecpharm Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 existing topic:this has gone from being a "westchase district" project to a "chinatown" project. westchase district Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I don't think it was ever (supposed to be) considered a Westchase Project. This is in between Bellaire & Beechnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houstonian in Iraq Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 (edited) Can some one clear up where this development is? Is it a Westchase project or a New Chinatown project. I'm not too familiar with this side of town. According to the website it is Chinatown's, but the the articles about Westchase claim it as a Westchase project. I think they should rumble for it......my money is on Chinatown Edited January 25, 2006 by Houstonian in Iraq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I think they should rumble for it......my money is on Chinatown The furtherest south that I thought Westchase went was just north of Bellaire Blvd to snag the Halliburton complex. Maybe the Westchase Development District is going to expand further south to snag this as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 existing topic:this has gone from being a "westchase district" project to a "chinatown" project. westchase districtAre you sure this is the same project? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Are you sure this is the same project?That's what texasboy said at SSP. It looks like they might be right looking at the maps and location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkjones98 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I guess it doesn't matter whether there is actually anything Chinese left about Chinatown, as long as we keep the cool name in a defunct neighborhood that within ten years will demographically be upper middle-class loft & townhome owners.You read my posted opinion accurately. Should it matter? Perhaps in 10 years no one will call it Chinatown. It is not like either area of town has legal rights to the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeebus Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Glad to see there's enough parking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brijonmang Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 any new news on this project? i drove past the site the other day and made me wonder...anyone know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metro Matt Posted June 4, 2006 Share Posted June 4, 2006 (edited) I guess it doesn't matter whether there is actually anything Chinese left about Chinatown, as long as we keep the cool name in a defunct neighborhood that within ten years will demographically be upper middle-class loft & townhome owners.I wonder how many Asians here in Houston care that there used to be a Chinatown downtown? I could understand the fight for a historical Chinatown or Asian market downtown if it was led by the Asian community. However, at the rate of constuction out there on Bellaire, I don't think they (Asian investors, realtors, contractors, and residents) really care.Its the older generation of Chinese & Vietnamese immigrants in Houston, the ones that have been here for decades already, raised their kids here whom have kids of their own, that keep what little is left of Old Chinatown alive. You would be suprised at just how many of the younger generations don't even know such an area even exists in downtown, its really pathetic.With property being so much cheaper than anything near downtown, most Asian business owners choose to relocate to the far Southwest areas of Bellaire & beyond where everything is booming. Its also doesn't help that Old Chinatown is seperated from downtown by 59. Edited June 4, 2006 by Metro Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sooner&RiceGrad Posted June 7, 2006 Share Posted June 7, 2006 (edited) Man, that's just creepy.I second that. Has the whole world caught the damn yellow fever all of a sudden? That's just cheesey. It is a neat project and all, cheese aside. Edited June 7, 2006 by Sooner&RiceGrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchitecturalPRGirl Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 If anyone is interested in updates about the Park 8 project, I have just learned that my firm, Morris Architects is working on the design of this project. I am awaiting further information, so I can do my thing. I can forward this on to a personal email or post the main points on this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Less parking lots and more garages please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Less parking lots and more garages please! the cost difference between surface parking and a parking garage is astronomical. to build a garage, you are looking at +/- $10,000 a spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 To build a garage, you are looking at +/- $10,000 a spot Think of how much more retail you can charge rent for, most shopping center don't charge for parking, especially in Houston. I am sure the payback is many years, but if they are building soemthing of good quality and is permanent, it should not matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Think of how much more retail you can charge rent for, most shopping center don't charge for parking, especially in Houston. I am sure the payback is many years, but if they are building soemthing of good quality and is permanent, it should not matter. let me start by saying retail is not my specialty, so im sorta talking out of my rear. the village can get away with it because of their boutiqe-like setting. also, i think it's only $1. parking garage construction prices have blown through the roof since then. today, i bet it would cost $5 - $10 no one in houston is going to pay that much, unless it comes with a valet stand. in regards to passing it off to the tenant, again, i dont see how economically feasibile it would be. however, this would be better answered by someone other than me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 (edited) Parking garage construction prices have blown through the roof since then. Hence, the refence to the long payback. More retail equals more retail space More retail space equals more choices for shoppers More choices for shoppers attracts more shoppers More shoppers need more parking spots More parking spots can be achieved with more garages More garages equal happy shoppers Happy shoppers spend more money More money equals happy tenants Happy tenants equal lease renewals Lease renewals equal happy owners Happy owner raise leases! See it is the circle of Life! Edited July 11, 2006 by Pumapayam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houston-development Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Hence, the refence to the long payback.More retail equals more retail space More retail space equals more choices for shoppers More choices for shoppers attracts more shoppers More shoppers need more parking spots More parking spots can be achieved with more garages More garages equal happy shoppers Happy shoppers spend more money More money equals happy tenants Happy tenants equal lease renewals Lease renewals equal happy owners Happy owner raise leases! See it is the circle of Life! if life were so easy, you would be absolutely correct. so say it pays off 30 years down the road. how is the current owner going to justify that on a sale and recoop that investment only 2 or 3 years down the road? how is he going to convince a lender, under the same premise, to loan him the money today? in theory and on paper are two completely different things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 how is the current owner going to justify that on a sale and recoop that investment only 2 or 3 years down the road? how is he going to convince a lender, under the same premise, to loan him the money today? Don't judge me! You know I am right! Case closed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Hence, the refence to the long payback.More retail equals more retail space More retail space equals more choices for shoppers More choices for shoppers attracts more shoppers More shoppers need more parking spots More parking spots can be achieved with more garages More garages equal happy shoppers Happy shoppers spend more money More money equals happy tenants Happy tenants equal lease renewals Lease renewals equal happy owners Happy owner raise leases! See it is the circle of Life! Not quite. More retail space doesn't mean that there are any more choices for shoppers until tenants lease the space. Prospective tenants have a lot of choices, and in order to remain competitive with shopping centers down the street, rental rates will be somewhat constrained. Bear in mind that this place doesn't have the best demographics supporting it and isn't going to draw tenants like those in Town & Country or Rice Village that can even afford to pay those kinds of rental rates. They've actually done a pretty good job already of cramming retail onto their site. I think that they've got precisely what they need. It kind of looks like a downscale version of Uptown Park...which has some of the highest rental rates around without a garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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