Texans tycoon plots new ultra-luxury hotel in Uptown Park ! (Houston: hotels, zoning)

[MAROON79]

well at least you will be able to walk to The Men's Club from there and overlook some really ratty apartments across Richmond (I'm sure those we be torn down at some point an a much more expensive complex will be built).

[Jimmy1953]

Very cool building as well!

[madrone2k]

I am hoping that the dedicated bus lanes can eventually be converted to rail. Designing them for that possibility was a point of contention in the past, between the no-rail-ever folks and the rest of us. To me, it seems rather dumb to design things so as to preclude changing our collective minds in the future.

On another note, I'm glad to see McNair and family use their considerable wealth to do something very visible that benefits the city. As with Fertitta and his family with The Post Oak. Of course, their descendants will reap rewards from it, but so will the city at large.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by MAROON79

well at least you will be able to walk to The Men's Club from there and overlook some really ratty apartments across Richmond (I'm sure those we be torn down at some point an a much more expensive complex will be built).

I was thinking that the adjacent environs of the McNair project aren't immediately appealing. A Best Buy and Cost Plus and parking lots across the street, with 1960s-era apartments behind. An unspectacular strip mall directly west. And the West Loop right across the Boulevard.

[madrone2k]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

I was thinking that the adjacent environs of the McNair project aren't immediately appealing. A Best Buy and Cost Plus and parking lots across the street, with 1960s-era apartments behind. An unspectacular strip mall directly west. And the West Loop right across the Boulevard.

I agree, the current neighborhood is a big step down from what's just up the street. Perhaps McNair's development will spur changes around it, also.

BTW, as an old dude, I can remember when what is now the Men's Club was a bowling alley. I bowled there quite a few times as a kid :-)

[hbcu]

why do you all want to run the neighbors out for some super building 80% of houstonians won't even set foot in? the developers CHOSE that location so they knew what was involved.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by hbcu

why do you all want to run the neighbors out for some super building 80% of houstonians won't even set foot in? the developers CHOSE that location so they knew what was involved.

Oh, I don't have a problem with it. But, the developer definitely has to create their own compelling environment to make up for what's around it. If the surroundings were already cool, the developer could get away with less.

[dallasboi]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Oh, I don't have a problem with it. But, the developer definitely has to create their own compelling environment to make up for what's around it. If the surroundings were already cool, the developer could get away with less.

This is the drawback of no zoning. Mixing the bad with the good is like pouring oil into a glass of ice water and STILL presenting it as a refreshing drink.......as if the oil is not visible.

[Texyn]

Originally Posted by dallasboi

This is the drawback of no zoning. Mixing the bad with the good is like pouring oil into a glass of ice water and STILL presenting it as a refreshing drink.......as if the oil is not visible.

It's all about recognizing that the bad can indeed become good. And that's the sort of flexibility that cities with zoning aren't able to achieve without government meddling.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by Texyn

It's all about recognizing that the bad can indeed become good. And that's the sort of flexibility that cities with zoning aren't able to achieve without government meddling.

Bingo. Even without zoning, that area is primed to be the Main Street of upscale Texas in the near future. Only a matter of time now...