Swamplot Archives by Tag: 77019

Thursday, November 19, 2009

This Time, for the Developers

November 19, 2009 – 12:49 pm
   

Two proposals out of Mayor White’s office earlier this year — one to pay down the consumer debt of homebuyers, the other to give $5,000 bonuses to Realtors representing buyers in 8 revitalization areas — didn’t get very far. But City Council approved the latest version yesterday: $620,000 in construction subsidies from the TIRZ Affordable Housing Fund for 10 homes — 4 in Trinity Gardens and 6 in the Fourth Ward. The participating builders and CDCs are to be chosen by the city’s Housing and Community Development Director. “The developers may sell the homes after they are used for at least a year as models, but the net proceeds must be reinvested in the same community.” [Houston Chronicle, via Swamplot inbox; details on page 200 here (PDF)]

12:49 pm | 9 Comments | Read more about Development Strategies, Neighborhoods: Fourth Ward, Neighborhoods: Trinity Gardens, Quicklink
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Friday, November 13, 2009

Patio Home of the Futurama

November 13, 2009 – 12:08 pm

Over on Lovely Listing, readers are noting the resemblance of this shiny new yet-to-be-manufactured residence planned by On Point Custom Homes for 1517 Driscoll St. to a certain alcohol-guzzling teevee robot.

Both do feature state-of-the-art home automation systems.

The posting’s author begs:

Oh please oh please oh please someone buy this house and paint it silver and put your TV antenna on top please please please

How about a view of that shiny metal backside?

Continue Reading This Story >

12:08 pm | 5 Comments | Read more about Home Design, Homes for Sale, Neighborhoods: Vermont Commons, Townhomes
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Monday, October 12, 2009

The View from AIG: This Time We’re Sure Houston’s Never Gonna Flood Again

October 12, 2009 – 10:40 pm

From his perch high in the (formerly AIG) America Tower on Allen Parkway, Swamplot reader Stephen Cullar-Ledford forwards this latest dramatic scene, which aches for suitably metaphorical captioning.

A few months ago it was fog, this afternoon it’s a rainbow over downtown . . .

Photo: Stephen Cullar-Ledford

10:40 pm | 4 Comments | Read more about Economic Conditions, Flooding, Highrises, Neighborhoods: Downtown, Neighborhoods: North Montrose, Office Buildings, Weather
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Post Office Sales: Never Mind

October 7, 2009 – 12:37 pm
   

Those gargoyles-on-sticks facing Downtown from Randall Davis’s Metropolis condo building get to keep their view. Nancy Sarnoff reports that two post offices offered for sale earlier this year (including the River Oaks P.O. adjacent to the Metropolis) have been taken off the market: “‘Bids were just so low we stopped that project for the time being,’ said Charlie Phillips, postal operations analyst for the [U.S. Postal Service]. Those properties are at 1900 West Gray at Dunlavy and 2802 Timmons, near West Alabama.” No report yet on the outcome of bidding for the Downtown Post Office at 401 Franklin St. [Prime Property; previously on Swamplot]

12:37 pm | 1 Comment | Read more about Buying and Selling, Neighborhoods: Greenway Plaza, Neighborhoods: River Oaks, Public Buildings, Quicklink
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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Third West Gray Starbucks Disrupts Time-Space Continuum

September 24, 2009 – 7:54 pm

Strictly speaking, Starbucks number 3 at the corner of West Gray and Shepherd is the new “Barnes and Noble Cafe” inside the just-opened bookstore. But we all know who calls the shots there.

And now we know: The universe is without end.

Continue Reading This Story >

7:54 pm | 7 Comments | Read more about Neighborhoods: River Oaks, Retail
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Comment of the Day: Apartment Model Showings

September 23, 2009 – 6:45 pm
   

“If ‘Nudist sundeck + 1 hired model –> 100% occupancy’ was the case, then the Core (on Washington Ave) and Bel Air (on Allen Parkway) and many others in the similiar ’scene’ and price range would be at 100% occupancy too. But they are not. BTW, the Bel Air pool is really really nice!” [irfan, commenting on Taking More Than Half Off at Those Apartments with the French Quarter Look]

6:45 pm | Add a Comment | Read more about Apartments, Comments, Leasing, Neighborhoods: Montrose, Neighborhoods: Washington Corridor, Quicklink, Real Estate Marketing
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No, You Can’t See Ken and Linda Lay’s Renaissance-y Highrise Condo

September 23, 2009 – 1:03 pm
   

The storied full-floor unit on the 33rd floor of the Huntingdon at 2121 Kirby is at long last on the market . . . for $12.8 Million: “The condo sale is being handled privately by Beau Herrold, Linda Lay’s son from her first marriage. Tours are by invitation only . . . When a Chronicle reporter expressed interest in seeing the condo, so as to best to describe the Italian renaissance decor and ‘villa-style living’ touted in a real estate flier, Herrold had only one comment. ‘I bet you would.’” [Houston Chronicle]

1:03 pm | 27 Comments | Read more about Condos for Sale, Highrises, Interiors, Neighborhoods: River Oaks, Quicklink, Real Estate Marketing
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

In and Around the New North Montrose Whole Foods

September 15, 2009 – 10:11 am

A few details on that new Whole Foods Market planned for the corner of West Dallas and Waugh, just south of the now AIG-sign-free America Tower: Finger Companies, the owners of the land, says the new store will be 40,000 sq. ft. — slightly smaller than reported when the company first announced the project more than a year ago. Also: The store will have “a variety of eco-conscious elements and tons of inviting space for neighbors to congregate.”

The Finger Companies says the Whole Foods will be built “in conjunction with the developer’s proposed new luxury apartment project.” That project, also announced in the spring of 2008, was slated for the eastern portion of the site, closer to Montrose Blvd.

Image: The Finger Companies

10:11 am | 28 Comments | Read more about Apartments, Commercial Real Estate, Land Development, Leasing, Neighborhoods: Montrose, Neighborhoods: North Montrose, Proposed Developments, Retail
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Monday, September 14, 2009

West Dallas Royal Norwegian

September 14, 2009 – 10:33 am

What’s happening to this brick office building on West Dallas, just east of Dunlavy? The Houston Business Journal’s Jennifer Dawson reports it’s getting an energy-conscious renovation — overseen by Bailey Architects, designer of the original building in the early eighties.

The West Dallas building used to house local advertising firm Sachnowitz & Co. The vacant site of the former Aquarium Lounge is next door.

Early next year, the Royal Norwegian Consulate General will be moving in. The consulate general currently occupies offices in a tower on Allen Parkway.

Photo: Swamplot inbox

10:33 am | 3 Comments | Read more about Green Design and Development, Neighborhoods: North Montrose, Office Buildings, Renovations
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Comment of the Day: The Elusive Essence of River Oaks

August 11, 2009 – 5:18 pm
   

“What the hell is ‘A River Oaks style Tuscan beauty’? Can you just add a couple million to the sales price of a house by adding the words ‘River Oaks’ to the description? . . .” [Bernard, commenting on Swamplot Price Adjuster: Blue Bonnet Spread]

5:18 pm | Add a Comment | Read more about Comments, Home Design, Neighborhoods: River Oaks, Quicklink
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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Comment of the Day: Bookstop Full Stop

June 25, 2009 – 3:55 pm
   

“A few comments from a reliable source who actually knows a few things about River Oaks SC and Alabama Theater.
1. Barnes and Noble owns Bookstop. They are closing it to move to the new location at ROSC.

2. Weingarten has no intent of demolishing the Alabama Theater. They have been marketing the space for re-use. They intend to restore the facade when a new tenant signs on.

3. The new portion of ROSC was designed by Altoon + Porter (of the Fashion Show flying saucer mall in Vegas fame) out of Los Angeles. Weingarten did not want the usual EIFS crap that the Houston architects do.

4. Weingarten’s long term interest in ROSC is to achieve the highest and best use for this property. They want to bring a higher density to the center that they feel is appropriate for its location.

5. Before the crash last fall they were working on a plan to improve the walk-a-bility of the ROSC through landscaping and art. I believe the project is on hold right now. Its interesting how everyone is in favor of density (less driving and more walking) except when it affects something in your backyard. If you don’t like the scale of the building or the lack of protection of historic structures in the city, call the mayor and the planning department. Disclosure: I do not work for Weingarten and don’t always agree with their decisions, but thought that this info would be useful. Flame on everyone!” [mt, commenting on Coming Soon to the River Oaks Shopping Center]

3:55 pm | 20 Comments | Read more about Comments, Commercial Real Estate, Houston Architects, Neighborhoods: Montrose, Neighborhoods: River Oaks, Quicklink, Retail
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All That Empty Retail on South Shepherd: A Drive-By Photo Tour

June 25, 2009 – 12:36 pm

Armed with a camera, two enterprising Swamplot readers set out to document the retail carnage along South Shepherd, between 59 and the Shepherd Curve:

The sheer number of businesses that have disappeared along Shepherd in 4 months has been stupefying. This is with a large, new, empty Weingarten development at one end …and the chronically empty Shepherd Plaza at the other. Hell, we have gone from 4 Starbucks to 3!!

That’s a 25 percent reduction in mocha lattes alone. How about in some of the other sectors?

Granted, there have been some new businesses, a Hallmark store, a dance studio, and something seems to have filled the lingerie place at Welch and Shepherd, but the vacancy rate now stands at 22%!!! We counted 172 retail “units” and found 37 of them to be empty. As recently as February, I remember only about a dozen vacancies.

What are the sights?

Continue Reading This Story >

12:36 pm | 24 Comments | Read more about Commercial Real Estate, Leasing, Neighborhoods: Montrose, Neighborhoods: Shepherd Curve, Neighborhoods: Shepherd Square, Retail
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Coming Soon to the River Oaks Shopping Center

June 24, 2009 – 1:52 pm

Writing in the River Oaks Examiner, Cynthia Lescalleet has a few updates on the River Oaks Shopping Center. Here’s what Swamplot has pieced together:

  • That well-trafficked space across the atrium from The Gap on the south side of West Gray will soon have a new tenant. Yes, this is the spot previously occupied by clothing retailer Harold Powell (whose parent company, Harold’s Stores, declared bankruptcy in November). Before that, it was occupied by M. King Interiors (which skipped out in the night a few years earlier, according to reports), before that Mesa Restaurant (ditto), and apparently way before that a restaurant called XIT. A new 6,200-sq.-ft. Mutual of Omaha Bank will be moving into the space soon.
  • Meanwhile, across the street, Barnes & Noble will be opening in its brand hulking new building around October 1st.

What else?

Continue Reading This Story >

1:52 pm | 57 Comments | Read more about Commercial Real Estate, Leasing, Neighborhoods: River Oaks, Openings and Closings, Restaurants, Retail, Shopping Centers
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Friday, June 5, 2009

Restaurant Row

June 5, 2009 – 4:42 pm
   

Six-month-old, heavy-tweeting, “new world creole” Richmond Ave. restaurant Sauté announces it has closed . . . on Twitter: “I guess this weekend saw three inside-the-loop restaurants close: us, Rickshaw, and Cafe La Jadeite. Sigh.” [Twitter; more on the other restaurants at Eating Our Words]

4:42 pm | 4 Comments | Read more about Neighborhoods: Upper Kirby, Openings and Closings, Quicklink, Restaurants
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Where You Want It: Best Locations for a Houston Townhome

June 3, 2009 – 12:02 pm

A reader calls attention to the listing for 902 Rhode Place Unit C, heralding a brand-new 4-story multi-pack townhome with a singular location:

UNIQUE 4 STORY ROOF TOP TOWNHOUSE OVER LOOKING DOWNTOWN AND MEMORIAL PARK. 1 BLOCK FROM MEMORIAL PARK‘ALLEN PKWY AND TAFT.

The listing photos include the requisite Downtown skyscraper and Memorial Park jogger views shown above. So . . . what else is within eyeshot?

Continue Reading This Story >

12:02 pm | 12 Comments | Read more about Homes for Sale, Neighborhoods: Montrose, Neighborhoods: North Montrose, Real Estate Marketing, Townhomes
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