Here’s a cool idea – a blog dedicated to the Houston real estate scene. It’s called Swamplot, and it’s a good resource. They have a daily report on what buildings have had demolition permits pulled for them, which by itself makes them useful. I thought this post from a few months back was pretty thought-provoking, as well as a bit dispiriting:
Disposing of older buildings used to be so simple. It’s tougher now, but it’s not impossible. You’ll just need to use some new techniques. If the buildings you want to demolish have a high enough profile, you’ll also need a good PR consultant who can help you with strategy.
For a while, it looked like Weingarten Realty might have some trouble tearing down its historic River Oaks Shopping Center, River Oaks Theater, and Alabama Bookstop (which used to be the Alabama Theater–back in the day when people watched movies instead of reading so much). When rumors first began to circulate, there was the big hullabaloo about the River Oaks Theater, and all those online petitions.
But since then, not so much. Weingarten clearly has its winning gameplan mapped out. How did they do it? How do you tear down an immensely popular older building in Houston today, and do it right?
The technique you need involves outrage bait. What’s that? Read on, after the jump!
Food for thought. Anyway, Gus the site owner sent me an email about Swamplot, I liked what I saw, and now I’m telling you about it. Check it out.