TOM PLANT'S HOUSTON REAL ESTATE BLOG

Carrabba’s Italian Grill on Kirby Drive

Owners of the original Carrabba’s Italian Grill on Kirby Drive plan to raze and rebuild the restaurant, build two additional eateries and redevelop the surrounding block into a pedestrian-friendly dining complex.

Documents filed with the City of Houston Planning and Development Department show that Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola intend to keep their flagship restaurant open while a replacement is being built, but all parking will be off-site in a new 275-car parking garage scheduled for construction first on Branard Street.

According to the site plan:

• The new larger Carrabba’s is slated to go up south of the existing restaurant, which will be replaced by a parking lot.

• Two new restaurants — one at 9,340 square feet and the other at 3,115 square feet with office space upstairs — are planned for the blocks north of Branard, one facing Kirby and the other at Argonne.

Carrabba and Mandola were unavailable for comment regarding details on the redevelopment.

A variance approved at the June 10 meeting of the city’s planning department allows project designers to place the two buildings close to the street, well within the normal 25-foot setback regulations.

In return, designers are building a 15-foot-wide pedestrian area and street-front entrance along Kirby.

Promoting walkability

Suzy Hartgrove, spokeswoman for the city planning department, says the variance was necessary because the owners couldn’t take advantage of the transit corridor incentives passed by Houston City Council last year due to the fact that nearby Richmond Avenue hasn’t yet been designated as a transit corridor by Metro.

The site plan conforms to most criteria laid out in the transit corridor initiative, meeting requirements for a certain number of transparent windows and six-foot-wide sidewalks.

The Carrabba’s at 3115 Kirby is one of two still owned by founders of the Houston-based Italian restaurant chain.

Carrabba and Mandola launched the brand in 1986, and sold it to OSI Restaurant Partners LLC in 1995.

More than 200 locations nationwide are owned by the Tampa, Fla.-based firm, which also owns Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Outback Steakhouse.

Jamie Brewster, executive director of the Upper Kirby District, says Carrabba’s project will definitely enhance the pedestrian environment being promoted in the area.

Brewster notes that the district intentionally keeps landscaping rules simple to give developers more options in enhancing the streetscape to fit the design of new projects.

She adds that Carrabba’s has been very thoughtful to preserve greenery in the area.

Says Brewster: “Three restaurants in close proximity will help create walkability. And the more trees you have, the more inviting it will be to pedestrians — especially with the heat that we experience in the summer.”

Source: Houston Business Journal

Pelican Builders Inc. on May 20 celebrated the grand opening of Highland Tower, a 16-story condo building that features 93 luxury units.

The first six of 16 floors has been completed, and is ready for residents to move in. Thirty-five percent of the condos are spoken for.

Highland Tower is located at 2109 Bancroft Lane, inside the 610 Loop between Westheimer and San Felipe.

The building, which was designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects, is near The Briarglen, a 68-unit condo project developed by Pelican Builders that sold out in 2007.

Construction began on the project in 2008, before financing dried up for new developments.

One-, two- and three-bedroom units in the tower range in size from 825 square feet to 2,134 square feet. Prices start in the $400,000s and go up to $1 million.

The condos include luxury features such as stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, oversized Kohler soaking tubs and floor-to-ceiling glass to maximize views.

The fifth-floor terrace level features a resort-style, infinity edge pool; an outdoor pavilion with kitchen and fireplaces; and a putting green in a park-like setting. A fitness center, private dining room with catering kitchen and a resident lounge are also on the same level.

Pelican Builders has a track record of developing townhomes and condos in Houston over the past 30 years.

The firm is responsible for The Woodway, Greenway I & II, 5000 Montrose at the Museum and Woodway Place.

Source: Houston Business Journal