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This week, we take a look at a few new startups in our area, developments along Wakefield Drive and check in with the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce..

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Adventure Sports Gym 1B · New staff announced at Heights Chamber 2B • Annual Chairman’s Gala 2B Saturday, October 3, 2015 • Page 1B

Pumped Up

Contributed Art The old Southwestern Bell switching station in the Heights will be restored and used for luxury lofts, putting to rest fears that the building would ultimately be demolished.

Contributed Art Drawings of the proposed, multi-million dollar Adventure Sports Gym from the south shows the building’s ambitious design as its ownership aims at attracting potential investors.

Proposed Heights sports complex focuses on attracting Millenials By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Guy Paproski, CEO of Adventure Sports Gym, calls his proposed project the next step in the evolution of fitness facilities. He and CFO Chuck Baldwin are currently in the midst of raising capital for the massive undertaking, which Paproski says will focus on a group of Houstonians now spending more time and money at local gyms than any other group – Millenials. “In the next five years, millenials will spend almost as much as Baby Boomers and GenX’ers combined at fitness gyms and programs across the country,” Paproski said. “Millenials also want their fitness to be fun, adventurous and ever-changing, along with having a social atmosphere and better integrated technology.” With the younger generation driving the growth of the fitness industry, and the breakout success of the CrossFit movement, Paproski and Baldwin are hoping their concept will attract investors. Adventure Sports Gym aims to offer a 115,000 square foot facility, featuring both indoor and outdoor exercise amenities, complete with spin studios, group exercise rooms, cardio and weight equipment, “spa-level” change rooms and saunas and even a ten story tower for rock climbing and other activities. Paproski and Baldwin are looking to raise a total of about $75 million through a combination of equity and investments. The facility would be located adjacent to Memorial Park near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Interstate 10. “There’s nothing really out there that gives

young people all of what they want in one location,” Paproski said. He pointed at facilities that concentrate solely on activities like rock climbing and other forms of fitness as not addressing all of the needs of what some young athletes might like to have. “In CrossFit gyms, you don’t exactly have the best amenities in terms of showers and changing rooms,” Paproski said. “There aren’t any one-stop shops to meet everyone’s needs in a Millenial family.” That’s something Paproski wants to change with ASG. One major addition for younger families will also be 20,000 square feet of access-controlled children-only play areas which Paproski called a “McDonald’s PlayPlace on steroids.” “The 5,000 square foot tower in particular will come with some amazing stuff,” Paproski said. “It will include a few 100 foot rock climbs and we’ll also have a Ninja Warrior-esque training area. We’re looking to have about 55,000 square feet dedicated to CrossFit and obstacle training.” Paproski said he is currently working closely not only with the city and potential investors as a kind of private-public partnership, but he and Baldwin are also working with the Memorial Park Conservancy to better integrate the surrounding biking trails along the bayou into the proposed project. According to an investment packet, ASG aims to be a major start-up with its four acre property aiming to begin a long line of competitive facilities over the next decade or so. “[ASG] is a start-up business that envisions building 30-50 premium 100,000+ square foot exercise facilities over the next 10 to 20 years,” according to the investment sheet.

Southwestern Bell building in Heights to be converted into new luxury lofts By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader Many of The Leader’s readers have noticed the recent commotion surrounding the old Southwestern Bell switching station located at 1714 Ashland St. in the Heights. Constructed in 1957, the unusual building features hints of Art Deco design mingled with a sober solidity not found today. Officials with Rohe & Wright Builders now say they plan on retaining and restoring the old, three-story building. The building and its parking lot occupy nearly half a city block in the heart of the community. Many locals have feared for the future of the switching station, which was originally constructed by the Bellows Construction Company, the same firm that constructed the San Jacinto Monument. Some were certain that the building would face-off with a wrecking ball. After all, the property is a short walk from 19th St. and its amenities, and the plot is large, making it highly desirable for a mid-rise development. Worse still, others have suggested the spot would surely host the Heights’ first high-rise. All the worry was for naught. The builders are converting the switching station into 24 lofts, and adding 20 traditional cottages on the remaining land. The new development is called Bell Heights and construction started several weeks ago. The lofts will range in size from 1,500 to 4,000 square feet and occupy all three floors. Each will have a private balcony with touches of New Orleans style. Finishes will be high-end, such as stone and hardwood floors, and professional-grade appliances. The top of the building will host a 10,000square-foot rooftop retreat with skyline views, an outdoor kitchen, an arbor, and a fire pit lounge so that residents can enjoy year-round entertaining. “The Southwestern Bell structure itself is very

substantial,” said Donna Sonne Wright, professional realtor with Boulevard Realty. “It is the sort of structure that would not be affordable to construct today. It was originally designed to handle a fourth floor, but my clients, Rohe & Wright, chose not to add a fourth floor, instead adding the roof-top entertainment center.” The three-story, free-standing cottages sharing the property will echo the charm found in the Heights. The same high-end touches used in the lofts will apply. The homes are available in sizes from 2,200 square feet to 2,900 square feet. Each will have its own balcony and garage. While construction started a few weeks ago, sales of the units started in the Summer of 2014. We have nine lofts, and five cottages under contact,” Wright said. “We have been able to do this without so much as a model. All we have are the plans and the lot, so we are pleased with the interest we’re generating.” The Bell Heights are currently scheduled to open in Fall, 2016.

Photo by Kim Hogstrom The Southwestern Bell switching station in the Heights as it stands today.

Developers, businesses explore options along Wakefield By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com The recent sale of The Dutchman at 834 Wakefield as well as the sale of Red’s Country Place across the street last May – both to townhome developers – are not the only real estate transactions on the street. A drive down Wakefield reveals both townhome construction and signage announcing new developments in front of modest homes which won’t be standing for long. Some existing enterprising homeowners along the street want to get in on the act too with For Sale signs dotting their yards. The motivation for these property owners? Profit, of course. While Red’s sold for $600,000 in May of 2014,

The Dutchman presumably sold for more – realtor Stacy Mathews told The Leader that they were “pushing the envelope on price.” A reader recently sent The Leader notice of another listing for sale near the CrowBar. The property at 923 Wakefield, is offered for $1,715,000. The lot size is 40,789 square feet, twice the size of The Dutchman. It’s both a warehouse and a single family residence – now used for a landscaping and contracting business – that HCAD recently appraised for $916,000. Broker Hart Schleicher who has represented the property owner for about six months said that they just reduced the price this week from $44 to $42 per square foot. He said they’ve had a fair amount of interest “mostly from develop-

Open HOuse

ers.” A preschool had signed a letter of intent for the property but ended up not following through because of concerns about a nearby cell phone

tower. Schleicher doesn’t represent any other properties on the street but says “[developers] are willing to pay in that area.”

So far that seems to be true. On the corner of Alba and Wakefield, Urban Living’s Swayze Court is nearing completion. Vinod Ramani, owner of Urban Living, told The Lead-

er in August of 2014 that the entire development is 14 three story patio homes. Phase one is six townhomes and phase See Wakefield, P. 3B

Your Neighborhood Bankers

L-R: Amy Ritter – Bank Officer/Lender, Margaret Vandever – SVP/Lender, Scott Lester – Bank Office President, Cecilia Rodriguez – AVP/Office Manager, Justin Vickrey – VP/Lender

Experienced community bankers providing value to Houston business owners. Please stop by - we want to visit with you and find out how we can help your business. 2222 North Durham Houston, TX 77008

Sunday, October 4 2:00pm - 4:00pm

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