Houston

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Midway plans 'transformative' project east of downtown

One of the city's most prominent developers on Wednesday will give investors a look at early plans for the former KBR site, a 147-acre tract with water and skyscraper views that could be transformative for the traditionally working-class East End.

"This is generational real estate," Jonathan Brinsden, CEO of Midway, the company behind CityCentre and other high-profile projects, told the Chronicle in an exclusive preview of the project. "It will shift the center of gravity of Houston's urban core toward the east."

The abandoned office and industrial complex offers an opportunity most developers only dream of — a huge plot of mostly vacant land, a blank canvas on which to design and build a community for thousands. Specific details are still being determined, but it ultimately could be as large as 8 million square feet of shops, offices and entertainment venues. Over time, the investment could reach the billions.

Midway, which is developing the site in a joint venture, will discuss the project during its annual investor conference in the high-end hotel on the grounds of the company's CityCentre development in west Houston. For comparison sake, the new project could be as large as four CityCentres combined.

Keeping in mind the amount of planning and marketing yet to be done, and acknowledging the current challenge developers have financing large-scale projects during the energy downturn, Brindsen said he is taking a long-term view. Midway hopes to start on the project within a couple of years, building it in phases over perhaps a decade and a half.

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Astrodome renovation project gets approved

The Harris County Commissioners Court on Sept. 27 voted unanimously to take the first step in a roughly $105 million plan to put the Astrodome to use after years of sitting vacant.

The commissioners voted to approve spending $10.5 million to draw up the plan that would create parking under the dome, the Houston Chronicle reports. That cost would be paid for by the county’s general fund, hotel taxes and parking revenues, and the design process is expected to take about a year.

The underground parking plan was proposed earlier this year and met with less resistance than many previous proposals.

By raising the Astrodome’s floor to ground level, it would create more than 500,000-square-feet of rentable space. The 9-acre space would also be air conditioned. The project would create 1,400 underground parking spaces, and funding sources could include parking fees, rental fees and tours.

The project “would result in a ground level surface for potential development. … Specific proposals for this project will be brought to Court for approval in September,” commissioners court documents from June stated.

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Rendering is out for The Midtown, a 26-story, 380 unit apartment building. Construction begins in January.

http://www.wylieassociates.com/proje...ment-building/

New Apartment Building Including:

– Outdoor Pool, Fitness Area, and Club/Meeting Area

– 14,000 SF, Shell Retail Space

– 208,200 SF, Parking Garage

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The Soutmore










channeltwonews

Vantage Med Center




channeltwonews

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The Courtlandt

28-story, 150 unit high-rise proposed for Midtown across from Pearl Whole Foods.

http://www.munozalbin.com/64-courtland.html

This 150-unit, apartment tower is designed in an urban setting with a food and beverage component on the ground level. The project is a podium type facility with parking capacity to support the residents and a number of food and beverage facilities on site and on neighboring sites.

The tower massing and the envelope solution compliment the downtown corridor views it will offer the residents that is in close proximity to the tower. The architectural expression of the tower transitions from a limited progressive appearance on the upper levels to a more traditional ground and second level. The lower levels speak stylistically with the neighborhood and brakes the scale of the project to appeal to the pedestrian traffic.

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Mimosa Terrace

7-Story, 11 unit condo building proposed for River Oaks.

Leafy Green Mustaches To Help Latest Planned Mimosa Dr. Condo Midrise Keep A Low Profile

http://www.har.com/2240-mimosa--2b/sale_52763564

http://www.mimosaterrace.com

A REP FROM Citiscape tells Swamplot that the company will be starting up presales for 11 multi-million-dollar condo units in the 7-story midrise it’s planning for 2240 Mimosa Dr. The building would replace the 1965 apartment complex currently occupying the space (half a block east from the corner with Revere St. where that other condo midrise project got tangled in a protracted variance request fight last fall). Citiscape’s chief designer says the project is designed to eventually “fade into the landscape” with the help of some up-the-wall greenery on the facade. Ledges on each of the 6 residential floorsalso appears to support some over-the-edge greens.

Per the current plans, the top floor would be occupied by a single penthouse, while the 5 floors below it would be split into 2 units of 3 bedrooms each. The price tags on those start at just below $2 million for a 4,400 sq.-ft. unit on the 2nd floor; both numbers appear to rise with elevation up to the $2.65 million, 4,486-sq.-ft. units on the 6th story. Here’s one of the layouts currently on display on the trio of HAR listings for the midrise.

The ground floor will be mostly occupied by parking spots.

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After art controversy, soaring sculpture unveiled at George R. Brown Convention Center

After a contentious history, the clouds have lifted over the George R. Brown Convention Center. Houston artist Ed Wilson’s Soaring In The Clouds, a 67-foot-high mobile of shiny metal clouds and cutout birds commissioned for the facility's atrium, was unveiled last week as part of Houston First's $175 million project to spruce up the area before Super Bowl LI early next year.

The large-scale sculpture was the center of controversy last year after the Houston Arts Alliance rescinded Wilson's commission to create the $830,000 project, alleging it had been awarded prematurely, amid documents that revealed that some members of the selection committee believed that Wilson did not have enough of a national reputation to receive the commission.

Director of civic art and design Matthew Lennon, who is a friend of Wilson, resigned in protest. The selection process was reopened and the project got back on track when Wilson was awarded the commission once again.

DSC09263 by Justin Anderson, on Flickr


DSC09268 by Justin Anderson, on Flickr


DSC09236 by Justin Anderson, on Flickr


DSC09242 by Justin Anderson, on Flickr

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http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/n...ject-hits.html

Developers of The Kirby Collection, a 1 million-square-foot luxury mixed-use project underway at 3200 Kirby Drive, announced on Nov. 21 the property's office tower has topped out.

The Kirby Collection is on schedule for a fourth quarter 2017 delivery.

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Apartment developer to share plans for historic Heights waterworks

Said to be a new complex with retail; existing structures will undergo renovations.

Apartment builder Alliance Residential will outline plans late this month for a proposed development of nearly four acres the company is buying in the Heights.

The properties, catty-corner lots along Nicholson at West 20th streets, are owned by the city of Houston and include one of the city's early pumping stations that provided water to residents of the Heights.

The historic waterworks includes a 1928 concrete and brick reservoir building recorded in the National Register of Historic Places; an Art Deco pumping station from 1939; and a pump building constructed in 1949.

"The preservation of the three historic structures ... is a top priority for Alliance," according to the flyer.

"The decommissioned water plant is a City of Houston protected landmark, which means it cannot be demolished; a certified rehabilitation of the historic structures could qualify for city preservation incentives with the approval of the Houston Archeological & Historical Commission and City Council.

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609 Main & Aris Market Square




brijonmang

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609 Main above the clouds.

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Market Square Tower's pool extends 10 feet beyond rooftop

Downtown's Market Square Tower hasn't formally debuted to the public, but it's already drawing attention for one unique amenity.

The new apartment building features a swimming pool, dubbed the "sky pool," which extends 10 feet beyond the side of the building. The pool has an 8-inch-thick plexiglass floor that allows swimmers to look directly down 40 stories — or 500 feet — onto Preston street. The dramatic view is almost as impressive from the ground level, where a look up shows the cantilevered pool bottom.

For those afraid of heights, there's another pool on the fourth-floor terrace.

Market Square Tower, at 777 Preston, is new to Houston's downtown scene and is accepting leases now. As of Wednesday, 25 percent of the tower's 463 units have been leased.

[Ross MacLochness]

Market Square Tower's pool extends 10 feet beyond rooftop

That pool is pretty sick

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Deal finally closed on Hanover River Oaks, construction to begin within a year.

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/n...article_search

But on Nov. 17 — about two-and-a-half years since the deal was initially set to close— Hanover finally purchased a nearly 1.7-acre site off Kirby Drive near Kipling Street, near the West Ave mixed-use project. The longtime developer plans to build a 40-story, 300-plus-unit apartment tower and a standalone restaurant on the property, where the 1940s-era Kirby Court apartments used to stand.

Hanover hopes to start construction on the $150 million project, designed by Chicago-based architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, within the next 12 months.

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Texas Medical Center to develop hotel at TMC3, rest of campus still in progress

Dr. Robert Robbins, CEO of the Texas Medical Center, announced Dec. 1 the TMC plans to push forward on its planned hotel and convention center, but offered few details on the rest of the TMC3 campus at the annual State of the Texas Medical Center.

The hotel, expected to open in 2020, is the first piece of the puzzle for the planned TMC3 campus, a 30-acre district focused around life science and health care commercialization. According to a slide in the State of the TMC presentation, the hotel is estimated to be 350 rooms, but Robbins told the HBJ the exact size of the hotel and conference space could fluctuate depending on upcoming studies.

"I would really love to see it break ground in late 2017, but it may be early 2018," Robbins added.

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Loews Regency Houston

*Hotel only now, residential levels have been dropped from the plans. Though the number of rooms has jumped from 175 to 455.

http://www.hidisecurity.com/portfoli...gency-houston/

HIDI Security is providing security consulting as a subconsultant to Electro-Media Design (EMD) for this 22-storey, 427,205 ft² hotel which includes 455 guest rooms as well as restaurants, bars, function rooms, an outdoor pool, spa, health club, salon, administration and BOH areas.

Previous design:

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Braun Nails Down Fastener Warehouse at I-10 and W. Loop for Heights Market, Brewery, Food Hall

HERE’S A peek at what the old Delta Fastener warehouse at 7122 Old Katy Rd. might look like once Braun Enterprises gets done with it. The property — located just inside the W. Loop in that wedge of industrial parks hemmed in by I-10 and Hempstead Rd., west of Cottage Grove — was snagged by Braun at the end of November. A handful of renderings from Tipps Architecture (also behind the design for another of Braun’s not-in-its-namesake-neighborhood redevelopments) depict the 57,845-sq.-ft. warehouse done over in brown and bearing the label Heights Market.

The renderings show some new windows, large and small, sliced into exterior of the 1940s warehouse, and an existing loading dock redone as a cafeteria space. The renderings also show a spot labeled for a brewery, a collection of vendors and some office space.

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Bank of America in talks to anchor new downtown Houston tower

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) is in negotiations to anchor Capitol Tower, a 35-story, 750,000-square-foot tower that hasn't broken ground yet.

Bank of America has been in talks with New York-based Skanska USA Commercial Development, the tower's developer, for more than a year, sources close to the deal told the Houston Business Journal. The bank would take between 200,000 and 250,000 square feet in the downtown tower.

When asked to comment on Bank of America's interest, Skanska issued the following statement to the Houston Business Journal:

“Recently, we have been in talks with a number of tenants interested in Capitol Tower, and we are optimistic that the downtown leasing market will continue to present new opportunities as we move through 2017," the statement read. "Capitol Tower is a premier address in the heart of downtown and we look forward to going from ‘in development’ to ‘under construction.’”

[warreng88]

Braun Nails Down Fastener Warehouse at I-10 and W. Loop for Heights Market, Brewery, Food Hall

That's amazing. That's what I wish they could pull off on the Co-op site.

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The new Marriott Marquis opened to guests December 26th.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-te...php#item-38488

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Sneak A Peek At The Marriott Marquis’ New Restaurant Wonderland

Houston’s newest destination hotel opens on December 26 bringing a slew of dining options catering to convenience, quality and a range of diverse culinary and entertainment preferences. Five of the six outlets will be ready for service on opening day with the final location, Hugo Ortega’s forthcoming Xochi, still in the works.

Thanks to intentional (and ingenious) architectural design, each of the five lobby level concepts are visible from either end of the extensive lobby so that guests can keep an eye on happenings and make visit selections accordingly. Other brilliant moves include inviting seating areas that encourage guests to leave their rooms and mingle, and outlets on virtually every table and chair making both formal meetings and quick charging effortless. Attention to detail takes on new heights with intricate ceilings and exquisite lighting adding both allure and grandeur to the already luxurious setting.

Cueva

Spanish for cave, this lobby lounge and wine bar features a state-of-the-art tap system where guests can choose from 12 wines and order Mediterranean tapas and small plates like crudité or gourmet cheese and crackers. Hidden behind the scenes are two beers on tap and a full bar, though the intention is to indulge in wine here and head to Biggio’s for the remaining libations.

Texas T

Casual meets comfort in this quick-service café offering coffee, tea, breakfast breads and sandwiches plus midday and evening options. Find Starbucks brand beverages, along with locally sourced baked goods in the open and airy space great for quick bites on the go.

Biggio's

The bars at night are big and bright and this one takes top honors as the largest sports bar in Texas. Floor-to-ceiling TVs anchor the two-story concept with three distinct sections highlighted by Biggio memorabilia and reclaimed wood bleachers. Find a cozy space inspired by a lavish living room with leather chairs and couches, a 26-tap bar lined with baseball bats, and cinema seating filled with recliners for viewing two massive screens – each chair features outlets for charging phones and laptops so guests can stay connected while keeping current on sports. Upstairs, find a bar area at eye level with the top TV screens plus additional tables and chairs for balcony views of the rest of the space.

Walker Street Kitchen

Across from Biggio’s is the hotel’s main dining restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving a casual menu of coastal and Cajun dishes. An open kitchen gives guests a glimpse at the action while multiple seating options range from booths to tables.

Xochi

Though this space is still under wraps and won’t open for a while yet, expect Hugo Ortega’s signature Mexican fare complete with patio views of Discovery Green.

[bradh]

That place looks amazing. A bunch of friends from back home have been posting about this place on social media and it looks pretty cool. I keep trying to convince my wife to take a vacation with me down there. It's changed so much since I grew up down there.

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Midway planning new 'district' near Buffalo Bayou

Developer Jonathan Brinsden remembers when hundreds of new apartment units replaced the old rice silos along South Heights Boulevard in the mid-1990s.

Despite its prime location nearly under the shadow of the downtown skyline, the area was considered blighted. Building apartments there was, back then, "a gutsy play," said Brinsden, CEO of Midway.

Today the area couldn't be more different and Midway is about to bring it even more change.

The local real estate firm is planning a wholesale redevelopment of the 19-acre multifamily site.

The proposed project, to be built in phases, will start with a mid-rise mixed-use building of luxury rentals, high-end office space and an H-E-B grocery store at the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and South Heights. Ultimately more new buildings will be added to create a "district" similar to Midway's CityCentre on the west side.

The project name, Buffalo Heights, plays off the nearby Buffalo Bayou and the revamped park alongside it.

The $58 million park project has spurred a number of high-end real estate developments, including high-rise apartments, luxury condominium buildings and restaurants.

So-called "trail-oriented development" has been a growing movement across the country as urban development includes more "people-friendly design," according to a report from the Urban Land Institute that looked at transportation and real estate.

The Gordy family owns interests in real estate, oil and gas and other natural resources, as well as ranching operations in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming and elsewhere. The family owns several properties in the area that eventually could become part of a greater redevelopment.

"There is no location like this one in Houston," Russell Gordy said in a statement. He declined to be interviewed.

Ziegler Cooper Architects designed the project and Houston-based Lionstone Investments is an adviser.

Midway hopes to start construction by mid-2017 and have the property open by early 2019.

Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B Houston, also noted the area's unique position.

"The transformation since the turn of the century to now in that area has been maybe unlike any part of the city," he said. "Now you're going to see it change again."

The new H-E-B, unlike the traditional single-story, suburban-style design, will have a cafe with outdoor seating and two-levels of parking with escalators carrying customers and their grocery carts to and from their cars. There will be an emphasis on younger shoppers who typically buy more prepared food and organic items.

"You'll see things like a poke bar, a coffee bar, pizza, different things we haven't tried in other stores that we think will appeal to the urban shopper," McClelland said.

At nearly 100,000 square feet, the store will be larger than the H-E-B on West Alabama in Montrose. It will be integrated into the larger mixed-use building, which also will have 37,000 square feet of office space, 232 apartments, parking and a small amount of additional retail space.

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Rendering is out for The Midtown, a 26-story, 380 unit apartment building. Construction begins in January.

http://www.wylieassociates.com/proje...ment-building/

Demolition now underway:


phillip_white

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New Heights retail development lands three more tenants

Three new retail tenants have been named inside the Heights Mercantile project.

The 40,000-square-foot trendy space is expected to house 20 tenants. The project broke ground in July with completion slated for the second quarter of 2017.

Here are the new tenants, CultureMap reports:

- Saint Lo Boutique, a new Houston-based women's boutique
- The Gypsy Wagon, a women's clothing store with locations in Austin, Dallas and Crested Butte, Colorado
- Marine Layer, a San Francisco-based clothing store with locations across the U.S. and one Texas store in Austin

Melange Creperie, a food cart owned by Sean Carroll and Tish Ochoa, announced plans in fall 2016 to open inside a 1,400-square-foot space in Heights Mercantile.

A former warehouse of Houston-based Pappas Restaurants at Yale and Seventh streets was leveled to make way for the Heights Mercantile project. The project also involves renovating three existing buildings along Seventh Street between Heights Boulevard and Yale Street, including a 1920s bungalow, the Houston Business Journal previously reported. Two other existing buildings that date back to the 1940s will be adapted.

AS of Jan 10th:




Marcus Chase