HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[glowrock]

No, nothing in life's for sure, but it IS a sure thing that Galveston will be hit by storms in the future. I'm not saying a nice pier complex isn't potentially feasible, but I think a LOT of work needs to be done to ensure as much as possible it doesn't end up falling into the Gulf of Mexico in even a mild to moderate hurricane.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[N90]

Originally Posted by glowrock

No, nothing in life's for sure, but it IS a sure thing that Galveston will be hit by storms in the future. I'm not saying a nice pier complex isn't potentially feasible, but I think a LOT of work needs to be done to ensure as much as possible it doesn't end up falling into the Gulf of Mexico in even a mild to moderate hurricane.

Aaron (Glowrock)

This is the wrong methodology.

With careful planning and structural engineering comes a masterpiece to last eons. It's what Japan and California have done for generations to build structures that can withstand the likes of Earthquakes. Galveston has recently started this trend as well, and Laundry's has already stated in the past that all his new developments will keep mold to it.

Have you heard of "Beach Town" in Galveston? It was recently built in the last 4-5 years and absolutely had zero damages to it by Hurricane Ike, where as other developments including the flagship hotel saw hell come and go. It's how it was designed to withstand wind damage, which is the most deadly part for these developments against a hurricane.

Careful planning and a big pocket book will help build sustainable developments for decades with minimal renovations necessary. This project happens to be one of those.

My only gripe with it is the lame name for it, my gosh sounds like some perverted child molesting joint rather than a amusement park pier.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by N90

This is the wrong methodology.

With careful planning and structural engineering comes a masterpiece to last eons. It's what Japan and California have done for generations to build structures that can withstand the likes of Earthquakes. Galveston has recently started this trend as well, and Laundry's has already stated in the past that all his new developments will keep mold to it.

Have you heard of "Beach Town" in Galveston? It was recently built in the last 4-5 years and absolutely had zero damages to it by Hurricane Ike, where as other developments including the flagship hotel saw hell come and go. It's how it was designed to withstand wind damage, which is the most deadly part for these developments against a hurricane.

Careful planning and a big pocket book will help build sustainable developments for decades with minimal renovations necessary. This project happens to be one of those.

My only gripe with it is the lame name for it, my gosh sounds like some perverted child molesting joint rather than a amusement park pier.

Don't talk to me about poor methodology, N90. First of all, as I grew up in the L.A. area, I know all about piers and the damage that occasionally happens to them, either by unnatural causes (fires, please see Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara) or serious storms (Redondo Pier in Redondo Beach, just for one example). Again, I never once said it was an insurmountable issue, but damn it, Galveston can get some really nasty storms.

I personally love really cool pier-based entertainment venues. I think they are freaking awesome places in general. However, I think they're also extremely prone to severe issues with all manner of storms. It's a fact of life.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[N90]

The East End could soon have its own small museum district:

The other possible museum moves, the Metro rail line under construction along Harrisburg Boulevard, the management district's sidewalk improvements on major streets, and the district's vision for a trolley connecting the museums encouraged him to relocate to the East End, said Hernandez, who grew up on Canal Street.
Having several museums so close to each other would help make the area more of an entertainment district as well, said David Cook, a real estate broker with Cushman & Wakefield in Houston.
"It would be tremendous. It would be another magnet to bring people into this area," he said, noting that much interest is already being spurred by the development of the Dynamo stadium nearby.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...e/7540626.html

Navigation Boulevard Promenade in East End:

The district envisions more than just new sidewalks. A redesign of Navigation would include turning the street, which currently accommodates four lanes of traffic, into a more walkable space with only two lanes of traffic. The other lanes would be used to add parking and to expand the esplanade dividing the street into a plaza and park space with benches, gazebos, trees and kiosks.

http://blogs.chron.com/primeproperty..._of_bigge.html

Originally Posted by glowrock

Don't talk to me about poor methodology, N90. First of all, as I grew up in the L.A. area, I know all about piers and the damage that occasionally happens to them, either by unnatural causes (fires, please see Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara) or serious storms (Redondo Pier in Redondo Beach, just for one example). Again, I never once said it was an insurmountable issue, but damn it, Galveston can get some really nasty storms.

I personally love really cool pier-based entertainment venues. I think they are freaking awesome places in general. However, I think they're also extremely prone to severe issues with all manner of storms. It's a fact of life.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Actually when I wrote "this is the wrong methodology" I didn't mean for it to sound so serious and rude. I apologize for that, I could have edited my post but the "this post has been edited by N90 with time table" is just an eye sore for me when scanning through older posts so I left it as is.

Internet communication shows no emotions, but I definitely didn't mean it to be in an abrasive tone haha. And what I meant to say was, I mean we're very common civilians and the ideas that we come up with "a hurricane will destroy it eventually because its on a pier in Galveston" are ideas that developers have already thought about before proposing their plans for these things. What I mean is, if they're going to pursue building something like his out there and knowing the history of the area, they'll do it cautiously or they'll do something to it to withstand. Pleasure Pier used to exist in Galveston decades ago but had to be torn down for another development or something, it was successful then being in the same island, it can do better now with advancement in technology to withstand natural disasters.

From what I understand personally, they need to scrap that name though, otherwise it looks great.

[N90]

Not much action this year it seems but for what its worth theres some stuff happening. 3 new things in Metro Houston.


Bay Area Houston Regional Medical Center Hospital Development:

Medistar Corp. is partnering with Surgical Development Partners to build the 248-bed Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster.

Read more: New hospital coming to Webster | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/p...o-webster.html
New Office Building Development in The Woodlands:

The Woodlands Development Co. plans to break ground in four to six months on its next Class A office building following the recent Newfield Exploration Co. lease that fills the remainder of 4 Waterway Square

Read more: Newfield HQ move prompts new office development in The Woodlands | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/p...ew-office.html

Dinerstein cracks Galleria area with first multifamily complex:

Dinerstein’s third Millennium-branded apartment project in the Houston area will rise at 2525 McCue, on the north side of the Galleria. The 237-unit complex is adjacent to the site of a 380,000-square-foot office building under development by Redstone Cos.

Read more: Dinerstein cracks Galleria area with first multifamily complex | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/p...area-with.html

[glowrock]

I like the article concerning the relocation of several museums to the East End. I agree with the tone of the article, hopefully that will help to revitalize the entire area!

Also, it appears that the new apartment complex on McCue Rd. is the site of the old 60's or 50's garden-style apartment complex literally across the street from the Residence Inn on McCue. Nice to see another nice complex enter the area. Too bad I'm sure it will be priced so high as to keep it out of reach for the majority of Houstonians...

Aaron (Glowrock)

[AusHou]

I like the design of the McCue complex.

[N90]

Not in the city of Houston but in Metro Houston.


Sam Houston State University Master Plan:

The 6-Year Phasing Plan was designed to follow this last approach.
It is an aggressive strategy that will allow SHSU to achieve several
important goals:
1. Begin to make up for current deficiencies in laboratory,
classroom, and office space and accommodate the increased
student population expected by 2014.
2. Continue to house 20 percent of students on campus, which
accommodates the required on-campus freshmen and a small
percentage of upper classmen.
3. Build a new south plant that will be necessary before any
additional academic buildings are constructed in the south
quadrant of campus.
4. Balance parking needs that will increase due to rising enrollment
and loss of surface parking lots to new building construction.

http://www.shsu.edu/~masterplan/docu...alityPrint.pdf

TMK IPSCO to build Houston R&D center:

TMK IPSCO will hold a groundbreaking ceremony May 3 for a new 51,000-square-foot research and development facility to be built near the Sam Houston Tollway in northwest Houston.
A company spokeswoman said the facility would open by the late fall of 2011.


Read more: TMK IPSCO to build Houston R&D center | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/n...rd-center.html

Scouts Square Midtown:

Scouts Square is Midtown's newest development. 1911 Bagby will consist of a basement bar/club, 1st floor Moor's Restaurant, 2nd floor banquet space and 3 floor office. Unique opportunity to build to suit your specifications located on 3rd floor. Est 10,000 sqft and can be divisble. Across the street will be 10,000 sqft restaurant, Blackfinn American Saloon, and a parking garage directly above.

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17061...by-Houston-TX/

Midtown Scout Square Property - Dr. Lucky Chopra with Deccan Development is renovating the historic Boy Scouts Building in Midtown and Repurposing it into a mixed-use building which will inlclude club space and restaurant space as well as banquet and/or conference center and office space. The building will feature a 3-story wine tower & waterfall integrating three entertainment floors destined to be a one-stop destination for fun, food, and music. The project has great visibility from the Pierce elevate and is expected to transform the Midtown skyline. Expected completion is September 2011.

http://002mag.com/wordpress/digital-edition/

[photoLith]

Wow, I always thought Sam Houston was a podunk university, looks like its really trying to change.

[N90]

POST MIDTOWN PHASE III:

The Company today announced the development of Phase III of its Post Midtown Square apartment community in Houston, TX. Post Midtown Square® – Phase III is planned to consist of 124 apartment units with an average unit size of approximately 889 square feet and approximately 10,864 square feet of street-level retail space, and is expected to have a total estimated development cost of approximately $21.8 million.

http://innerlooped.com/809/post-midtown-phase-iii/

[CALMSP]

very happy that they will be having retail on teh bottom floor. I wish the city had more streets like it has along Gray by these apartments...has a sorta east coast/european feel to it.

[N90]

Nothing much going on this week either, just a few things here and there for this week. But hey infill is infill right? Anything, and I mean anything beats parking lots.


6 Story Mixed Use Building & 4 Story Mixed Use Bulding:

EE Reed is constructing a multi-level self-storage facility at Holcombe and Morningside. Amazing Spaces will consist of two parts, a six-story 112k SF building and a four-story 30k SF building. Edgecomb & Associates designed the facility, which will have a 1,700 SF wine storage area. Construction began this month and will take about one year.

http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commer...ry.php?p=14370

City Centre- 2 Duel Office Towers:

CityCentre’s rockin’ and rollin’. The mixed-use complex reached 100% occupancy in its office space and an average of 95% of its residential space is leased. Plus, it’s adding more residential units for sale and a new dual office tower is in the works

http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commer...ry.php?p=14343

Saved the best one for last.

West Ave Phase II ready for start:

On the residential side, leasing specialist Michelle Kluge says the units are 92% occupied and Gables is granting no concessions (you heard us). Another impressive stat: West Ave has 77 different floor plans. (You'll have to start now if you want to live in all of them.) Phase II of the project is set to break ground in January on the fenced area behind the garage. It’ll add 270 multifamily units and 150 parking spaces for retail. But that’s not all—Gables also has Phase III planned out. It’ll take up everything but the NW corner (where townhomes are) of the Kirby/Alabama/Virginia block. Included are 350 multifamily units, a 175-key hotel, a 100k SF of office, and an additional 275k SF of retail.

http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commer...ry.php?p=14798

More concept maps for West Ave, Phase II & Phase III have been switched in order, Phase II is now the initial Phase III plan on this map and Phase III is now the initial Phase II on this map. All credit for visuals go to HAIF member lockmat.
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/h...ost__p__365582

[JoninATX]

I always say anything beats nothing weather it's storage facility or just townhomes I'm just glad thing are progressing. Glad to hear that the 2nd phase of West Ave is moving forward, it's going to create alot of density in that area.

[N90]

Oh yeah I forgot about one more, my family lives in Sugar Land so if this is a success it might be on their radar but I forgot about adding this in the last post compilation.

Sugar Land concert venue plan:

The building of a new concert and performing arts venue in Sugar Land is one step closer to becoming reality. The site proposed is near the intersection of Highway 59 and University and within the commercial grounds of Telfair, one of Newland Communities' cash cows.

The city expects to purchase a 95-acre site from Newland and turn it into a multi-use environment centered around arts and entertainment.

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsde...rt-venue-plan/

[photoLith]

I went to that west ave development a few months ago and it's actually really nice and the quality of the materials used is high. It almost makes that area along with that Kirby tower, feel like NYC.... almost.

[Rail Claimore]

Houston is really starting to turn into Los Angeles, at least good chunks of it.

[TexasBoi]

Got this from HAIF

http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commer...ry.php?p=14834

In other area news, the former Houston Ballet building on West Gray, which Dave helped sell to Novare in ’09 went back to the bank and resold to multifamily developer Slosberg. (Again with Dave and Jeff’s help…seeing a trend?) Marvy Finger’s currently developing 10.3 acres at Waugh and W. Dallas (C&W represented AIG in selling the land to Marvy), and Regent Square is set to break ground next year. That project will include 400k SF of retail and restaurants, 240k SF of office, 1,000 apartment units, and 500 condos. Washington Heights breaks ground this year, and there’s a Kroger planned at Studemont and I-10. And last but not least, a tract at Sawyer and Washington recently sold to a multifamily developer. Catch all that?"

I know the multifamily market is doing pretty good in Houston right now but damn. The amount of units proposed and even under construction right now is amazing. I really really hope Regent Square gets off the ground. My favorite development in Houston and that's saying something as I like West Ave alot as well.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by photolitherland

I went to that west ave development a few months ago and it's actually really nice and the quality of the materials used is high. It almost makes that area along with that Kirby tower, feel like NYC.... almost.

Yeah, the Kirby/Westheimer development is pretty sweet, no doubt about it. Between the already-completed Phase I, along with Phases II and III, that entire area is going to be really, really awesome! Love the fact you've got five levels of apartments on top of 2 levels of retail space. Not your average 4 story "midrise" apartment complex, that's for sure!

Aaron (Glowrock)

[N90]

I like this redevelopment of an old building, more residential coming to downtown. Awesome.

Man I'm just relieved they aren't tear down another building in downtown because its old and vacant, those normally turn into a parking lot which is the enemy here folks! Houston needs to declare an all out war against parking lots, especially near the George R. Brown Convention Center!!


Texaco Building conversion to residential apartments downtown:

EFO Holdings Inc., is planning to purchase the 96-year-old building at 1111 Rusk and convert it into as many as 360 high-end apartment units.

The first phase of development, which has a $75 million price tag, calls for the construction of 240 units in the original structure, as well as commercial and retail

Read more: EFO Residential to transform 1111 Rusk into luxury apartment complex | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/p...1111-rusk.html

Oh and two other things:

Houston attracts a headquarters from Florida for key oil & gas player:

PVI Holdings, a U.S. wing of Dutch trading company Pon Holdings BV, is moving its Jacksonville, Fla., headquarters to Houston, said Jack Guidry, president and CEO of PVI.

Read more: Key oil & gas player moves to Houston | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/p...o-houston.html

Houston's real estate market much stronger then past months:

April foreclosure filings were down 27 percent in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area from a year ago, RealtyTrac Inc. reported Thursday.

Read more: Houston foreclosures dip, report says | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/m...port-says.html

Sweet news if I had to say so myself, with the housing market rebounding and the economy kicking off stronger than ever since 2007, its starting to look bright for Houston again (In terms of prospective developments).

Prospective strong growth:

Growth impacts every aspect of government and results in huge opportunities for government contractors. Transportation, technology, construction, engineering and professional services are just a few of the categories with abundant contracting opportunities

Read more: State’s continued growth means more contract opportunities | Houston Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/p...eans-more.html

[JoninATX]

The cranes are flying over Exxon moblie....



http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/.../05/Exxon1.jpg