- Average-Priced Homes Are Further Out of Reach for Average Earners Than They Have Been in a Decade, Finds National Report Finds [Houston Chronicle]
- As Demand Increases, a Texas Affordable Housing Crisis Looms [The Texas Tribune]
- Downtown and Midtown Are the Most Popular Neighborhoods for Renters Right Now, According to ApartmentGuide.com [Houston Chronicle]
- Why Some Tech Companies Are Choosing Houston Over California or Austin [HBJ ($)]
- Smith & Wollensky Won’t Renew Its Lease After 15 Years in Highland Village [Culturemap]
- Poke Spot Moku Bar Opening Second Houston Location in the Heights [Eater Houston]
Photo of jack-‘o-lantern decorations in West University Place: Russell Hancock via Swamplot Flickr Pool
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Is it just me or does Highland Village seem to be forcing everyone out? I’ve walked through there recently and there are tons of vacant store fronts. Victoria’s Secret, James Avery, West Elm and now Smith and Wollensky. I don’t understand how empty storefronts could benefit anyone in the area.
I have never understood why anyone would choose to eat at Smith & Wollensky (this went double for the former New Orleans location) when, even limiting yourself to chain steakhouses, there are better options.
@Jeremy, I assume high rise developments are in the works. I agree with you – err’body’s splitting.
S&W was mediocre at best. The land value economics are driving newer development. Out with the old in with the new. Recycle / renew /reuse. Own INCOME producing land / real estate -it’s a gold mine.
In the late 1970’s the Ritz Disco occupied the space where Williams/Sonoma is /was. Those were the days. If the walls could talk some people would be wiring hush money to numbered off shore accounts !!!
The eastern pad of Highland Village will start a whole scale renovation in early 2019. Upgrades to the parking lot, new facades with the addition of 5 new tenants-Sephora, Warby Parker, Brandy Melville, Away Luggage and We Works. No one was forced out but the economics of already high rent, soaring property taxes and a host of merchants who all signed 10 year leases in 2008 which expired in 2018 made it easy for merchants to relocate or close down. The vacant storefronts are most assuredly hurting the existing merchants sales in that section of the center.