ricco67 Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 I recently noticed that some interesting structures had popped up across from the Montague Hotel. Having no clue what they are, I was wondering if someone did. Could this be part of the Montague Hotel's way to accommodate parking for their customers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I thought the lot across the street from the Montague was owned by Club Quarters hotel. Somehow I didn't think the tenants at the Montague required too much parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 ^^^ Heh. Agreed. And certainly nothing all that elaborate. Although, I think the tent coverings will have an overall better effect on the area. The lot used to be one of the filthiest downtown (I'm sure 'Coog can back me up on this).If the nearby Texaco building does see a renovation and the Montagu continues to evolve, then maybe this lot becomes an actual garage over the next decade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 The other day I was walking by the area and saw a few workmen putting up lights (or whatever) in the tents and I asked them about it. Turns out the tents are for Club Quarter's guests. I don't know if they own the lot, if they don't, then they're probably paying a premium for that particular section for their guests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bach Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 The other day I was walking by the area and saw a few workmen putting up lights (or whatever) in the tents and I asked them about it. Turns out the tents are for Club Quarter's guests. I don't know if they own the lot, if they don't, then they're probably paying a premium for that particular section for their guests.Club Quarters (Master Works) purchased the lot in 2006. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 So it's exclusively for CQ's clients? I guess they're going to have someone full time to monitor people coming and going on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bach Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 So it's exclusively for CQ's clients? I guess they're going to have someone full time to monitor people coming and going on it.I believe the tent-covered spaces are for guests of the hotel. But the parking lot is more than what the hotel needs, so it's probably the same parking operator working the lot, for public parking as well as for the garage.Man, is the guy operating that lot is good. Squeezes a ton of cars on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted July 9, 2007 Author Share Posted July 9, 2007 I received this e-mail today.I just went by the property and the management told me it was closed. It has been sold and the residents have been told to relocate by the end of the month. I hope the new owners save the structure. It is a beautiful building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToolMan Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 (edited) I heard a rumor that Hines (or some big developer) bought the entire block, which includes The Old West building. Not sure if that's true or not... Edited July 9, 2007 by ToolMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchitecturalPRGirl Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I heard a rumor that Hines (or some big developer) bought the entire block, which includes The Old West building. Not sure if that's true or not...Well hopefully someone does something with it. My office is down the street so I pass it several times a day and it's an eyesore, not to mention the fact that they never got rid of all the shady people that live there or whatever they do there. They are always outside. We walk on the other side of the street when going to lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Well hopefully someone does something with it. My office is down the street so I pass it several times a day and it's an eyesore, not to mention the fact that they never got rid of all the shady people that live there or whatever they do there. They are always outside. We walk on the other side of the street when going to lunch.i know a few who've lived there for years. for the owner to sell, i'll bet there were some big bucks involved. With the way the market is, i hope that the Rebirth in the title doesn't become Burial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbaker Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 i know a few who've lived there for years. for the owner to sell, i'll bet there were some big bucks involved. With the way the market is, i hope that the Rebirth in the title doesn't become Burial.It had been on the market for the past several months. I believe the asking price was 6.5 million. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 My kingdom for the renovation of that entire block. I'll even throw in the turkey sandwich I'm currently eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 i know a few who've lived there for years. for the owner to sell, i'll bet there were some big bucks involved. With the way the market is, i hope that the Rebirth in the title doesn't become Burial. HA! I know people who have been KICKED OUT of there! You are right, though. At $6.5 mil, it is not likely to look anything like it has. Hopefully, it is a redo instead of a teardown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 My guess would be a parking garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 If whomever bought the Mound-A-Goo Hotel also owns the rest of the block...c-ya ole gal.Hopefully it is Hines (who has been rumored to be sniffing around the Old West Bldg.) because that could possibly mean something BIG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Even if Hines has purchased it, that is far from any kind of guarantee of a quality redevelopment. Witness the "architecturally significant" parking garage that is replacing the old San Jacinto building. After Hines bought the Lamar Hotel block and demolished all the buildings it sat as a surface parking lot for 15 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbaker Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Even if Hines has purchased it, that is far from any kind of guarantee of a quality redevelopment. Witness the "architecturally significant" parking garage that is replacing the old San Jacinto building. After Hines bought the Lamar Hotel block and demolished all the buildings it sat as a surface parking lot for 15 years.This is one block where I'm willing to accept virtually anything in place of what is currently there. This site is the Greyhound Bus Station of downtown proper. Be it a parking garage, CVS with parking lot, or even surface lot, I don't care. As long as it makes the smell go away I'm happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Spire did a nice job on the exterior Stowers (even though Spire later defected), and the Bond store in between it and the Montagu isn't so bad inside. There is no reason someone with the expertise, money, and initiative to restore couldn't turn this block into something great. Now, Hines - I wouldn't count on them for anything (for reasons Subdude gave above) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehou Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 ... the Montagu isn't so bad inside.I went in the Montagu back in May when I was in the area. I had read about its "comeback" and wanted to see it first hand. For any seasoned traveler, it would be quite a shock. It wasn't horrible by any stretch, but it certainly wasn't like any hotel my middle-class self had ever stayed in. I was hoping for its continued improvement, but perhaps it's not in the cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchitecturalPRGirl Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I went in the Montagu back in May when I was in the area. I had read about its "comeback" and wanted to see it first hand. For any seasoned traveler, it would be quite a shock. It wasn't horrible by any stretch, but it certainly wasn't like any hotel my middle-class self had ever stayed in. I was hoping for its continued improvement, but perhaps it's not in the cards.Wow, you're brave. How was the crack? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fernz Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 There is an article from the HBJ somewhere in this forum that talks about the development on this block. It is a Hines development, and they will tear down everything except the the white building in the corner that was converted to office condos recently (can't remember the name). It is very uncommon for a developer to go hard on a contract unless they are ready to go, although with Hines' deep pockets it might be different.Hines' plans for that block are a 40-50 story building, all curtain wall. It's no Pennzoil, but it is definitely better that the Calpine building they did at 717 Texas. I hope they get started on it soon, although they are waiting to get a major tenant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I went in the Montagu back in May when I was in the area. I had read about its "comeback" and wanted to see it first hand. For any seasoned traveler, it would be quite a shock. It wasn't horrible by any stretch, but it certainly wasn't like any hotel my middle-class self had ever stayed in. I was hoping for its continued improvement, but perhaps it's not in the cards. i meant to write that the old Bond store wasn't too bad inside, but both deserve to be rehabbed, imo There is an article from the HBJ somewhere in this forum that talks about the development on this block. It is a Hines development, and they will tear down everything except the the white building in the corner that was converted to office condos recently (can't remember the name). It is very uncommon for a developer to go hard on a contract unless they are ready to go, although with Hines' deep pockets it might be different.Hines' plans for that block are a 40-50 story building, all curtain wall. It's no Pennzoil, but it is definitely better that the Calpine building they did at 717 Texas. I hope they get started on it soon, although they are waiting to get a major tenant. the white building is the old Stowers furniture building. It would be great if Hines could use the remaining structures - i know they have the $, and it might make up a little for the parking garage fiasco where they tore down the old San Jacinto/Bender hotel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Maybe it will be a 50-story concrete parking garage with no skin or facade, just pure rough concrete slab and wires! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehou Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Wow, you're brave. How was the crack? lolI wouldn't have gone in by myself. I had some family with me -- and they reluctantly agreed to go in. When we walked in the woman at the desk was talking to some disheveled man, and they both stopped talking and turn to look at us like we really didn't belong there (not in a rude way, just in a surprised way). You could tell the place was decent back in the day, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I wouldn't have gone in by myself. I had some family with me -- and they reluctantly agreed to go in. When we walked in the woman at the desk was talking to some disheveled man, and they both stopped talking and turn to look at us like we really didn't belong there (not in a rude way, just in a surprised way). You could tell the place was decent back in the day, though.it used to be a nice place (Hotel Cotton era). the rooms aren't too small, but there are no phones - that, and many other upgrades would be necessary. good bones, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 There is an article from the HBJ somewhere in this forum that talks about the development on this block. It is a Hines development, and they will tear down everything except the the white building in the corner that was converted to office condos recently (can't remember the name). It is very uncommon for a developer to go hard on a contract unless they are ready to go, although with Hines' deep pockets it might be different.Hines' plans for that block are a 40-50 story building, all curtain wall. It's no Pennzoil, but it is definitely better that the Calpine building they did at 717 Texas. I hope they get started on it soon, although they are waiting to get a major tenant.Source? I am not aware of any article from HBJ about this, or anything on HAIF. Is this getting confused with the Shamrock block proposal up the street? I can't imagine there would be two such similar projects so close to one another at the same time. Somehow I think the rumor about Hines originated on this board. I am also skeptical because of the proposals for Disco Tower and the one by Allen Center. Could downtown really absorb so many new towers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 from Kinkaid's post in this thread:http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=101474) Hines of Houston are denying the rumors but they are still out there that the firm is planning to build something at the junction of Main, Walker, Fannin, and Rusk on what is described as the last "seedy" block on Main. No other details.this may be the HBJ article referenced (and the topic of the above thread), but there is no talk of a project like that:http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto.../12/story1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 from Kinkaid's post in this thread:http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=101474) Hines of Houston are denying the rumors but they are still out there that the firm is planning to build something at the junction of Main, Walker, Fannin, and Rusk on what is described as the last "seedy" block on Main. No other details.this may be the HBJ article referenced (and the topic of the above thread), but there is no talk of a project like that:http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/sto.../12/story1.htmlThanks Sev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToolMan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 The crack shack on the corner is closed today, but I don't know if that is a permanent thing or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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