If the panoramic photo above makes it look like these newly erected concrete tilt walls, having been boiled and baked on the ground and then propped into place, are about to envelop the 2-story strip center building to its north on S. Shepherd Dr. just south of Welch known to most as the longtime home of the Hot Bagel Shop — well that appears to be the idea. These photos were taken over the weekend. Last November, Swamplot reported on plans for Shepherd Commons, at 2015 S. Shepherd, a new 2-story replacement strip mall which Hot Bagel Shop and River Oaks Nails, according to the source, were intending to move into. After the move, it was reported, the original strip center would be knocked down and a second phase built in its place:
***
- Shepherd Commons [LoopNet]
- The Hot Bagel Shop [Webstarts]
- Previously on Swamplot: The Hot Bagel Shop’s Strip Center Future, Hot Bagel Shop: Not Going Too Far Away
Photos: Swamplot inbox. Rendering:Â Dang La Architecture
Hot Bagel certainly deserves a new home and that old strip center is way past its useful life. Shepherd could benefit from a more cohesive look and feel, for sure, and this design is pleasing enough.
However, as with all retail on Shepherd, access will continue to be an issue. Without a dedicated turn lane and no left turns allowed at most intersections, it will either a) will mess up traffic even more with people trying to turn left into the center; or b) affect the overall patronage of the retail tenants. I’ve seen plenty of businesses fail in this section of Shepherd because of poor access.
I have been wondering something now for a while. I know they are going to be working at westheimer at shepherd continuing what they started last year when the first round of road closure happened. (finishing burying power lines, expading sidewalks.) But I have also heard now that they are going to be taking 3 feet from each buisness property to widen shepherd. Starting at Allen parkway then down to Richmond. I can’t find anything online about this maybe someone on here can find out.