HOUSTON | Development Thread II

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by Houston Business Journal

Exclusive: Energy company snatches up former Dow site in Westchase

Cameron International Corp. (NYSE: CAM) recently purchased the former Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE: DOW) site in the Westchase District, according to Harris County Appraisal District documents.

The sale price of the vacant 22 acres was not disclosed; however, the HCAD had appraised the property for about $14.4 million as of Jan. 1.

Houston-based Cameron did not comment on their plans for the site. However, Houston-based Patrinely Group confirmed this week it was selected to develop the site for the company, with a groundbreaking on the project sometime next year.
“We are assisting them with the design, but nothing has been finalized yet,” said Dennis Tarro, executive managing director for Patrinely Group.

Although Tarro could not confirm Cameron’s plans for the site, he said the oilfield services company could have a goal of creating a campus-style development with a series of buildings, rather than a large tower.

Houston has had a number of corporate campuses announced recently by energy companies, which are competing with each other for top talent.

Read more: Which Houston energy companies have new digs on the way?
Patrinely has experience with creating corporate build-to-suits for energy companies, such as with the Woodlands-based Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) and with Houston-based Halliburton Co. (NYSE: HAL).

The site recently bought by Cameron is at 400 W. Sam Houston along Beltway 8. It belonged to Mariner Energy for years after Dow Chemical vacated the site in 2008, then Mariner was purchased by Houston-based Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA). The land was sold to Cameron in the third quarter, the Westchase District confirmed.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/b...-dow-site.html

[cloud713]

i really liked the plans Mariner had for the site. hopefully Camerons plans are similar and not a boring cluster of low rises like Exxons campus.

[Urbannizer]

2929 Weslayan




Photos by Cloud713

Skyhouse




Photos by cloud713

609 Main at Texas: The work going on is more apparent now.




Photos by rechlin

Jennie Sealy Hospital








Photos by xsatyr

[Urbannizer]

BLVD Place: 11/9/13









Hanover Post Oak


Flickr - Mabry Campbell

[toxteth o'grady]

Originally Posted by cloud713

i really liked the plans Mariner had for the site. hopefully Camerons plans are similar and not a boring cluster of low rises like Exxons campus.

For some reason, I thought Cameron was interested in a site in the Galleria/Uptown area. They must have wanted some room to stretch out.

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by Houston Business Journal

Potential buyer under contract to purchase iconic Montrose tower

A notable structure in the heart of Montrose could come down to make way for future development, according to the Montrose Management District.

The 10-story, 96,849-square-foot structure at 3400 Montrose — which once held Scott Gertner’s SkyBar and now stands vacant — may soon have a new owner.

Houston-based Hanover Co. is under contract to purchase the building, which has an estimated value of $1.9 million, according to Harris County Appraisal District documents.

The company could not comment on what it might do with the structure. But Hanover is known for its many luxury multifamily projects in the Houston area, including the Galleria area’s next high-rise next to Blvd Place.

“I would expect a major component of the project will be luxury apartments,” said Ray Lawrence, director of economic development with the Montrose District. “It’s an older building, and I understand that it does have asbestos that would have to be abated. It’s really an obsolete building; there’s no way they could remodel.”

Full Article: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/b...ll-bow-to.html

Hanover will build a 30-story residential high-rise on the site. Solomon Cordwell Buenz assigned as the architect; construction expected to begin next year.

[Bailey]

When do you think we'll see the first "tower of traffic" sign? ha ha

[Urbannizer]

Adventure Pointe: 35-acre theme park proposed for Texas City.

Originally Posted by Adventure Pointe — Facebook

Coming Soon, to the Heart of Texas, the 35 acre site will host a thrilling and innovative theme park, a hospitality center with amazing restaurants, retail and hotel accommodations, and an entertainment section complete with a state of the art concert venue.

https://www.facebook.com/adventurepointepark

[glowrock]

Another amusement park proposal for the Houston area... While I would love nothing more than to see something good happen for Texas City, I have a feeling that this proposal will die off relatively soon. Seems like Texas City is just cursed when it comes to major proposals like this one.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Sic'EmBears]

I'm sorry, but that proposal is pathetic.

[bobbyv]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Hanover will build a 30-story residential high-rise on the site. Solomon Cordwell Buenz assigned as the architect; construction expected to begin next year.

I do not understand why they have to tear down this building when there's so much vacant land around, I know it's not the most charming building but as little as Houston has preserved I would wish they rehab it.

[TexasPlaya]

Originally Posted by bobbyv

I do not understand why they have to tear down this building when there's so much vacant land around, I know it's not the most charming building but as little as Houston has preserved I would wish they rehab it.

Because this building was not maintained and the economics wouldn't work.

[bobbyv]

Originally Posted by TexasPlaya

Because this building was not maintained and the economics wouldn't work.

That's a shame, wouldn't it be easier to build on empty land than to raze this building, haul out rubble, and start building a foundation? I'm not an economist but common sense tells me it would be much cheaper to build on a parking lot, am I missing something?

[Urbannizer]

2929 Weslayan: First signs of glass, by aarosurf



806 Main: by urban909

[photoLith]

806 Main is going to look amazing. It's so nice to see at least one historic building being restored instead of blown up downtown.

[Urbannizer]

Originally Posted by photoLith

806 Main is going to look amazing. It's so nice to see at least one historic building being restored instead of blown up downtown.

Reno work on the old Texaco building has begun; a few other historic buildings downtown are planned for renovations.

[photoLith]

And a couple more are getting blown up, most notably that Art Deco tower. Such a shame. The texaco building is actually getting restored? Ever since I can remember they've been trying to restore that block, I really hope it happens this time.

[toxteth o'grady]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Hanover will build a 30-story residential high-rise on the site. Solomon Cordwell Buenz assigned as the architect; construction expected to begin next year.

It's a shame that old building is coming down; it has a character that fits in with the Montrose. But I suppose it's too expensive to retrofit...

[toxteth o'grady]

Originally Posted by Sic'EmBears

I'm sorry, but that proposal is pathetic.

Part of the problem is it's competing with the Boardwalk. I think if the dog track had been paired up with a horserace track, then this facility could function as an entertainment venue for the gamblers. And if casinos were legalized, that would be the final element. Mosquito Junction!

[cloud713]

Originally Posted by photoLith

And a couple more are getting blown up, most notably that Art Deco tower. Such a shame. The texaco building is actually getting restored? Ever since I can remember they've been trying to restore that block, I really hope it happens this time.

you mean the "art deco" tower that barely resembles its former self and had all of its art deco decor ripped off over 50 years ago and has sat empty for so long, infested with asbestos? totally worth saving. just like the Montrose building, it wasnt worth it and is more economical to tear it down and build something else. if the Texas Tower was still in/near its former glory i would be all for renovating it, but its just an empty shell of its old past that needs to come down so Houston can move on and build its future.

Yes the Texaco building is getting converted into residential, and there are plans for a possible 38 story tower in the hole next to/on the same block as Texaco.

they are also preserving that old 1928 State National building on Main Street, and the Savoy, though im sure there are others im forgetting.
i wish they would take the facade off the Just a Dollar store, its got a great art deco siding underneath it.