ToolMan Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I wanted to watch Meet The Fockers and the Angelica is not showing it...I don't like to go outside of downtown but I was forced to do so. There was a lot of activity such as families, bars restaurants, and little shops. I thought that this would make a great plaza for downtown. If people drive to 610/Silber why not to downtown? If you could get the parking situation resolved I think it could be a great spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I don't think there's any question it would work downtown provided that it was planned properly and other factors were in play:1) Core population in or near downtown grows2) Access to the complex is multifaceted and sensibleYou have a mix of that in downtown already, but the problem is that that mix lacks connectivity. Want to party? Main Street isn't really near Bayou Place or Houston Center (Granted it's only three or four blocks but still).Want to play? Bayou Place isn't really near Main Street or Houston Center.Want to shop? Houston center isn't really near Main Street or Bayou Place?Get what I'm saying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 If you could get the parking situation resolved I think it could be a great spot.What parking situation? Downtown is swamped with parking. Parking availability would be the big advantage of locating downtown. Of course, the big disadvantage is the lack of bodies, but I think that once some major residential project finally gets off the ground, development like this will start coming in. On a another thread wasn't there a discussion about a potential plan to build a retail complex on Main?Off topic: How was "Fockers"? I want to see that this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I wanted to watch Meet The Fockers and the Angelica is not showing iShould have went to Edwards' Cinema.It's still "Inside the Loop". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I think a project like this would definitely work in downtown. I don't understand why a project like this wouldn't get built until there is a large enough population mass living in downtown. If you take into account the close surrounding areas of downtown such as midtown, montrose, the heights, rice university, and u. of h. I think that population would definitely be willing to support a project like this. I mean people drive from all over the city to go downtown for their nightlife,dining, and the aquarium so why wouldn't they do the same for something like this. I think if it's unique then people will come. Let's face it there's no other place like downtown in Houston, where you can walk around and experience an urban environment. I think most people gravitate towards that and that's why they enjoy coming downtown. I think a project like the one they are proposing to build on those 4 empty lots off main street in south downtown would be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 A project like this would work downtown, if it was revised a bit.1: get rid of the parking lot2: make it multistory3: tie it in with the street better.4: better architecture5: perhaps try mixing in some residential6:.......Im sure there is something else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwilson Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I don't think a Marq`e center would work simply because there isnt the availbe land there. The area at I-10 and 610 is close enough to down town to service the area.An Edwards cinema would work though. A format like their Weslayan location would work quite well.Perhaps Jillians could purchase some space (first 2-3 floors) of a new construction building there. I hear the Enron buildings have some space as well. I just don't think that right now, downtown could sustain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largeTEXAS Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 There is a developer trying to build a project similar to the Marq'e, but of much higher quality on Main Street downtown. It would be almost as big and should tie into the street more. I think he'll pull it off. Nancy Sarnoff did a story a few weeks ago about the proposal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Oh, I didn't know it was fenced off, hopefully some way they can make it open to the public, or next year if not this year. If it was open to the public than I think a lot more people would attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw2ntyse7en Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I don't think a Marq`e center would work simply because there isnt the availbe land there. The area at I-10 and 610 is close enough to down town to service the area.An Edwards cinema would work though. A format like their Weslayan location would work quite well.Perhaps Jillians could purchase some space (first 2-3 floors) of a new construction building there. I hear the Enron buildings have some space as well. I just don't think that right now, downtown could sustain it.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yeah, it was the same developer as that huge project that is soo successful in DT Denver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 The topic about the Main St. development referred to is here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted January 17, 2005 Share Posted January 17, 2005 of course it would. why would anyone want to drive ALL the way out to silber? no thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duce Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 Marqee Plaza to downtown? Don't we have Bayou Place? just need to work on filling that up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duce Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 As Bayou Place seems to be dying some I was thinking of possibly some concepts that might help...Joe's Crab Shack or Cadillac Bar maybe...HootersHouse of BluesRick's Cabareta country/western club maybeThen add some shopping in to that mix if they can or an art gallery or two...any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I can't see Tillman putting another Landry's owned facility (Joe's Crab Shack) right across the street from the Aquarium.I'd also hate to see what type of "art galleries" would want to share space with a Hooters or a Rick's Cabaret! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 Van's Skatepark died at the Marq*E but I wonder if it would have any chance downtown, especially with the tens or dozens of punkers skating around downtown in the evenings.What downtown needs is something new, hip and innovative. Not something that could be found anywhere else in the city. I understand where Duce is going but given the type of people who live near downtown and work downtown, you'll need something that's fresh.If someone can go to a Cadillac Bar in Kemah or on the west side, they probably won't be driving in to downtown. Same with a Chilli's, Black Eyed Pea and so forth.You need something that's kind of original.BTW,Is it me or is the empty building sitting due north of the Aquarium across Prairie just screaming for something touristy like a wax museum or cowboy hall of fame (all right, all right... don't get nervous, just using that second one as an example)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 Tear down the darned thing, and place a nice mixed use hub there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 It's amazing that this place can't make it. I was very excited about it back in the 90s. Maybe we could convert it into a Golf and Games ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowbrow Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I never go to Bayou Place. I suppose I'm the culprit to be blamed for its failure.I too thought it was a interesting place when it first opened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I have never been, either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFC Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I have never been, either...<{POST_SNAPBACK}>The concept for Bayou Place was never fully developed....It was supposed to be a much bigger entertainment area; however, the developers never followed through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 yes, and isn't the developer the same guy who saved Baltimore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I agree. Tire down the bayou place and just build another mixed use project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFC Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 yes, and isn't the developer the same guy who saved Baltimore?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yep....The Cordish Company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 Is it me or is the empty building sitting due north of the Aquarium across Prairie just screaming for something touristy like a wax museum or cowboy hall of fame Good point. Now that you mention it, is IS screaming for something like that. The current Bayou Place was originally supposed to be the convention center and a Space Hall of Fame, but I don't think the space part ever happened. I didn't realize that Bayou Place wasn't doing that well. It seems like any number of things might work there. The skate park is a good idea, or maybe a bowling alley. Maybe it would be a safer bet to go more mainstream than hip. It depends maybe if they're targeting visitors or downtown residents/workers. Remember that a lot of the potential visitors are spillover from the theaters and the aquarium who would be perfectly happy with something like Joe's Crab Shack, Papasitos, or an Olive Garden. Nobody's going to drive in for those, but once they are downtown a lot of those visitors and downtown workers might feel comfortable with something familiar and "safe". Go with the brand names. Doesn't Tillman have several restaurants clustered together in Kemah? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
111486 Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I don't think Batou Place is that bad. I kind of hate how far away it is from the sidewalks and to the street. I always thught Houston's Hard Rock Cafe was kind of small for a city its size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowbrow Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I've never seen Hard Rock get much business. Not that I ever went there much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw2ntyse7en Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
111486 Posted January 18, 2005 Share Posted January 18, 2005 I've never seen Hard Rock get much business. Not that I ever went there much.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I think it is kind of hidden for someone not from Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.