Prepared by: Richard Ray
Below is some of the information I found while doing some research of the projects that are listed in the Collaborate Announcement that was part of the information provided for the Village Center Project. The section “About Collaborate” was taken directly from the announcement document. The “Collaborate Projects” section is my opinion after the research of these projects, which were all of the projects provided. Below that are some details of each project that was pulled from the internet with no direct contact with anyone involved with those projects. While I have provided my opinion based upon what is presented below, each person should draw their own opinions.
About Collaborate
Houston-based Collaborate is a privately owned, fully integrated development and multi-disciplinary AEC firm that has provided the highest level of quality, service, value and resource management to clients for a decade. Collaborate’s and it’s development partners portfolio of participated projects completed and/or underway in Houston and the nation includes Greatland Center, Shadow Creek Center, Jabal Omar Development Company project, Hyatt Regency Sacramento, East Aldine Town Center and Crown Plaza Arlington. Collaborate and development partners portfolio project types range from mixed-use destinations, office, industrial facilities, and multi-family residential communities. Collaborate develops projects of distinction, quality, appeal and lasting value for clients, and the people who live, work, and play in the
environments created.
Collaborate Projects: I have found no documents on the internet that mention Collaborate being involved with any of these projects. None of these projects are comparable to the Jersey Village – Village Center project.
East Aldine Town Center: This development is being built with funds from the East Aldine District with 1% sales tax plus funding from government sources. There is a Harris County Call Center (25,000 sf), Lone Star Community College (80,000 sf), Baker Ripley Campus (50,000 sf), and have a building for the East Aldine District Offices (25,000 sf). Also planned, but not built at this time is 100,000 sf of retail and office space within the project. An amphitheater and community green with a capacity of 1,500 people is planned for the future. A stormwater detention pond will serve as a large-scale passive green space.
This area used to be like a large hill of dirt that had been dug out of various areas to create retention areas and increasing drainage due to heavy flooding in that area of the county. To this point, no commercial retail or office space has occurred. This is south of the airport on Aldine Mail Route close to Eastex 59 Freeway.
Jabal Omar Development Company project: Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Hill is providing design review and project and construction management services for a 2 million SM urban regeneration scheme. Built on a hillside with a land area of 230,000 SM, the high-density development is located to the West of the Grand Mosque and comprises 38 towers on 16 podiums oriented toward Al-Kaaba at the center of the mosque. The project includes the construction and fit out of first-class accommodations and supporting religious, social, and commercial facilities and services for the visitors and residents of the holy city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Works consist of 218 residential units, 24 international hotels, commercial space, public parking spaces, and associated support facilities such as public assembly and prayer areas.
Crown Plaza Arlington: Located by the Arlington Ballpark Stadium where the Texas Rangers play their home games. Crowne Plaza Hotel – Arlington, TX (Under Construction), Hospitality – Renovation Project, Project Architect – GSR Andrade Architects, Project Square Footage: 18,500 sq. ft.
Hyatt Regency Sacramento: This is an $8.1 million renovation project that is being done by HRGA.
HRGA was founded to provide the highest quality architectural services to a broad range of clients in both the public and private sectors throughout Northern California and the Western Region.
Shadow Creek Center: This appears to be planned within the Shadow Creek Ranch Area where the massive area has been built up in recent years. This looks like a fairly small project very close to a Hilton Garden Inn and next to a proposed Fire/Police Stations with schools, apartments, shopping centers, all within walking distances. I have not located any information regarding this project or details about any buildings within what is called “Shadow Creek Center. There is no comparison to the JV Village Center project.
Greatland Center: Located at 9710 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77036, a retail shopping center on Beechnut close to the Brays Bayou. Not a new shopping center, perhaps a renovation project.