Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/660799
HOUSTON'S Sky-High Guide MONTROSE MUSEUM DISTRICT MIDTOWN Luxe Factor: Bluetooth surround systems, wine refrigerators and a keyless entry system set Alexan Midtown apart from its Midtown neighbors. Walkability: The light rail couldn't be much closer, and the Mix in Midtown complex with gym, restaurants and the sweet shop Dolce Delights is across the street. Why We'd Live Here: Finding a somewhat unique building in Midtown isn't easy. The Alexan stands out. Dollar: For lease; $1,415 to $3,397 monthly. Move-in Date: Now. Contact: On-site leasing office, 713.522.2310, alexanmidtown.com, alexanmidtownmkt@ windsorcommunities.com. Project: HANOVER MONTROSE Address: 3400 Montrose Boulevard. Developer: The Hanover Company. Floors & Units: 30 floors, 330 units. Status: Under construction. Square Footage: 543 to 3,100 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: Chicago-based Solomon Cordwell Buenz. Amenities: Technogym fitness club, resort-style pool with private cabanas, outdoor kitchen and grilling stations, catering kitchen and private dining room, private screening room, valet dry cleaning, cold storage room with lockable freezers, wine cellar and tasting room, bike storage and repair room, pet washing station and pet park. Luxe Factor: You'll be living at the site of the old Skybar Houston, and the ghosts of so many parties past will surely smile on you. Plus, its Montrose location is great for arts and dining. Walkability: Steps away from the 1920s-era La Colombe d'Or hotel and its luxe French dining, Restaurant Cinq. Why We'd Live Here: You'll never lack culinary options. It's minutes from Westheimer Restaurant Row with spots such as Uchi, Underbelly and Triniti. Dollar: For lease; $1,785 to $7,715 monthly. Move-in Date: Pre-leasing begins Spring 2016; first occupancy, July 2016. Contact: The Hanover Company, 713.267.2100, hanover.com. Project: 3615 MONTROSE Address: See above. Developer: Michael Carroll, Riverway Properties. Floors & Units: 7 floors, 34 units. Status: Construction begins Spring 2016. Square Footage: 1,900 to 4,149 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: NYC-based Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie Architects (PJAR). Man on the ground: Marko Dasigenis. Amenities: Neolith stone countertops, German Gaggeneau appliances, electric car-charging stations. Luxe Factor: This distinct, curved-glass building is modeled after Philip Johnson's famed Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, which was Johnson's home and is now a National Trust Historic site. Walkability: The art scene beckons — the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Contemporary Arts Museum Houston; The Menil Collection; University of St. Thomas, where Phillip Johnson designed a building; and Lower Westheimer restaurant row. Why We'd Live Here: "We've told developers that if they want the typical boxes piled on boxes apartment building, we're not the architects for you," Dasigenis says. Dollar: For purchase; $1 million to $2.5 million. Move-In Date: Early 2017. Contact: Michael Callihan, on-site sales office, 713.596.2222, mcallihan@riverwayproperties.com, 3615montrose.com. Project: THE SUSANNE Address: 3833 Dunlavy Street. Developer: Marvy Finger, Finger Companies. Floors & Units: 8 floors, 396 units. Status: Completed. Square Footage: 1,000 to 1,800 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: Kirk Schultz of Portland-based SERA Architects designed the brownstone-modeled façade; Atlanta- based Niles Bolton Associates oversaw the project. Amenities: High-tech fitness center, club lounge, videoconference equipment in business center, dual showers, oaks floors, wine chiller. Luxe Factor: The Susanne replaced a Fiesta strip center and already owns a special spot in Houston real estate lore. To close the deal, Marvy Finger agreed to break from tradition and name the place after the former property owner, Suzanne Levin — but the "z" changed to an "s" by opening day. Walkability: H-E-B is across the street, The Menil Collection is a block away, and Common Bond and Paulie's restaurants are both easy reaches. Why We'd Live Here: With its brownstone façade modeled after old Chicago homes, this is one of the most striking mid-rises in Houston. "I feel like a peacock showing it off," Marvy Finger tells us. Dollar: For lease; $1,650 to $3,300. Move-in Date: Now. Contact: On-site leasing center, 713.528.3300, thesusanneapartments.com. Project: TOPAZ VILLAS Address: 4520 Yoakum Boulevard. Developer: Ron Lozoff, CondoSmart Realty. Floors & Units: 6 stories, 15 units. Status: Construction to begin in next 30 days; in presales. Square Footage: 3,000 square feet each. Starchitect/Designer: Houston-based Clerkey Watkins Group, 2 Scale Architects. Amenities: Rooftop terrace, 24-hour gated parking; double-paned, insulated windows. Luxe Factor: Three full bathrooms in every unit is a nice start. Walkability: Richmond Avenue and Montrose Boulevard restaurant, bar and cafe scene is in easy reach. Why We'd Live Here: Views of downtown and the freeway should be fantastic at night despite the modest six-story height. Dollar: For purchase; $900,000 to $1.15 million. Move-In Date: February 2017. Contact: Donald R. Dowling, on-site sales office, 713.474.1000, ddowling@ topazvillas.com, topazvillas.com. Project: THE CARTER Address: 4 Chelsea Boulevard. Developer: Street Lights Residential. Floors & Units: 20 floors, 305 units. Status: Under construction; pre-leasing begins Summer 2016. Square Footage: 723 to 3,329 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: Dallas-based GDA Architects. Amenities: Pool with lounge area and fire pits, 19th-floor dining and entertainment area, private garage with electric car charging stations, fitness center and dog park. Luxe Factor: Two-story townhomes on the first two floors, which range from 1,691 to 2,373 square feet, give you the privacy of a single residence with the benefits (and luxury perks) of a high-rise tower. Walkability: Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood Kitchen and Little Bigs — and many more restaurants and bars nearby. Why We'd Live Here: The developers vow to create "a luxury hotel-like environment." And who doesn't want to live in a hotel. Dollar: For lease; rates to be determined. Move-in Date: Mid 2016. Contact: thecarterhouston.com. Hanover Montrose Project: THE MONDRIAN Address: 5104 Caroline. Developer: Oxberry Group. Floors & Units: 8 floors, 20 units. Status: In presales, construction has not begun. Square Footage: 2,730 to 4,400 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: Houston-based Perkins+Will, Houston-based MaRS. Amenities: Outdoor terraces with fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, soaking tubs, art walls, Japanese Zen Gardens in the two 4,400 square foot penthouses. The Susanne 3615 Montrose 3615 Montrose Alexan Midtown Topaz Villas The Mondrian The Carter 3615 Montrose Project: MUSEUM FLATS Address: 5717 Almeda Road. Developer: Urban Flat Builders. Floors & Units: 6 floors, 24 units. Status: Under construction. Square Footage: 1,096 to 1,627 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: Houston-based Mirador Group. Amenities: Balconies with views of Museum District, downtown, Medical Center. Luxe Factor: Similar to Oaks on Caroline, each unit has cast-in-place concrete and post tension floors to absorb sound, and E-low glass systems help regulate utility costs. Walkability: Easy walk to Houston Zoo, Hermann Park and Hermann Park Golf Club; about one mile from Texas Medical Center. Why We'd Live Here: A great fit if you travel a lot and can't use all the amenities typically offered by luxury high-rises and mid-rises; HOA fees significantly lower, units individually metered. Dollar: For purchase; $300,000s to $500,000s. Move-in Date: Third quarter 2016. Contact: Peek Reality, off-site sales office at 5925 Almeda Road, 713.527.7335, museumflats.com. Project: OAKS ON CAROLINE Address: 4820 Caroline Street. Developer: Urban Flat Builders. Floors & Units: 6 floors, 28 units. Status: Completed. Square Footage: 1,014 to 1,486 square feet. Starchitect/Designer: Houston-based Mirador Group. Amenities: Private balconies with sweeping views. Luxe Factor: Each unit has cast-in-place concrete and post tension floors to absorb sound. Walkability: Houston Zoo, Hermann Park and Hermann Park Golf Club. Two blocks from the Metro Rail for convenient access to Texas Medical Center and downtown. Why We'd Live Here: The rustic design provides a Texas Hill Country vibe. Dollar: For purchase; $300,000 to the $500,000s. Move-in Date: Now. Contact: On-site sales office, 713.527.7335, oaksoncaroline.com. Museum Flats Oaks on Caroline The Southmore Luxe Factor: Some units boast 20-foot ceilings — plenty of room for a Moroles, and terraces are outdoor luxury spaces. Why We'd Live Here: The developers vow that The Mondrian will live up to the design bar set by the nearby Asia Society Texas Center designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, so you know this is going to be one striking building. Dollar: For purchase; units start at $1.25 million. Move-In Date: Mid 2017. Contact: Sudhoff Companies, Mike Reddell, off-site, 832.320.2063, mike.reddell@sudhoffco.com, mondrianhouston.com. Project: THE SOUTHMORE Address: 5280 Caroline Street. Developer: Hines. Floors & Units: 24 floors, 255 units. Status: Under construction. Continued on page 64 APRIL | PAGE 63 | 2016