houstonfella Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 LinkAnyone have the scoop? Is Hard Rock overall having financial difficulty and will others close as well? Curious because I work close to the Houston one and I like going there for lunch. Plus the All Access Hard Rock card is a good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 LinkAnyone have the scoop? Is Hard Rock overall having financial difficulty and will others close as well? Curious because I work close to the Houston one and I like going there for lunch. Plus the All Access Hard Rock card is a good deal.That stinks... hope the one in Houston is doing ok. If they aren't... maybe they will move to Houston Pavilions where I am sure they will do better. I know Hard Rock Cafe always gets bashed by people, but I personally really like going there and I really like their food. The only problem is that I never think of going there when I want to go out to eat... so I hardly ever go! I always pass it and say... "why don't I go there more often!" ha ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfwcre8tive Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Hard Rock Caf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 most likely its mediocrity is the culprit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian De La Ghetto! Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 The food isnt bad, ive tasted worse. I enjoy watching the videos. We usually eat there before concerts at Verizon, or sometimes when friends visit. It's always dead when i go though, wonder when it gets packed. Maybe lunch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonfella Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 The food isnt bad, ive tasted worse. I enjoy watching the videos. We usually eat there before concerts at Verizon, or sometimes when friends visit. It's always dead when i go though, wonder when it gets packed. Maybe lunch? They do a pretty good lunch crowd at Hard Rock Houston; the bartenders tell me that when Verizon is busy, they do a great business. Sometimes, though, it is pretty dead because Theater District people tend to eat at Mingalone's, Sake and those less hard rock type of restaurants. I appreciate the feedback on this; I know Big D will get a bigger and better Hard Rock in the near future, no doubt. I absolutely love the Grilled Chicken Haystack salad at Hard Rock.... it doesn't rock with my diabetes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banking214 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 There are rumors that Hard Rock plans to scout the Dallas area for a Hard Rock Hotel. If gambling passes, could a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino take the place of Reunion Arena? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citykid09 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 I thought Austin had a Hard Rock Cafe? They must have closed also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slfunk Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 A group of us from work went there last week before it closed. We asked our waitress what all was going on, and she replied that the building sold much faster then they anticipated so they are closing up. She continued telling us that they plan to reopen in a couple years in a condo/hotel development, but she did not know anything more compelling then that. So we'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantanamo Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Blurb from a meeting on the current building saying Victory Park Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 The original Hard Rock in Houston was the franchise's fourth U.S. location (other HAIFers will have to help me recall the exact location). From what I see of the current Bayou Place location, it does a decent amount of business--lunch crowds are pretty strong from about 11:30 to 1:00 M-F and they do fine on weekened evenings when there's something going on at the theaters. The Miami, Orlando and Vega$ locations also do very well.So it really comes down to location and how each specific location is run. The Dallas location seemed to be in a good enough area and the building was appealing (on McKinney, IIRC) so I'm not sure what the overlying issue was. Maybe competition from nearby eateries was too great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 The original Hard Rock in Houston was the franchise's fourth U.S. location (other HAIFers will have to help me recall the exact location).it was on kirby south of westheimer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 It was on Kirby, between Richmond and Westheimer. It opened in 1986, IIRC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 It is where 2727 is building right now. In fact, I think the crane marks it's exact location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slfunk Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Not exactly a clear cut answer...but hears some insight to what is going on.Home News Entertainment Restaurants Music Movies Best Of Promotions Classifieds Search http://www.dallasobserver.com/blogs/?p=2552March 9, 2007Landmark Commisison Caught Between a Hard Rock and Hard PlaceFiled under: News You Can Actually Use, Actually "So, we were informed late yesterday that everything is not as hunky or as dory as Angela Hunt led us to believe concerning the fate of the now-former Hard Rock Cafe on McKinney Avenue. (Hunt herself hinted as much in a late-day blog entry on Thursday.) Indeed, from what we hear, this thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddleman Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Austin's Hard Rock did close. It was at 6th and San Jacinto. Hard Rock said it was a bad location. Sure, right in the middle of downtown and on 6th street. What a bad location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceCity Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 How could a little 2 million dollar land deal impact a 100 million dollar project in the same city. Proportionally, it just doesn't make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasStar Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 How could a little 2 million dollar land deal impact a 100 million dollar project in the same city. Proportionally, it just doesn't make sense.You raise a good point. The issue with the McKinney property is what it is. Why would a resolution, or ongoing non-resolution, of that issue have any bearing on the supposed new project? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 How could a little 2 million dollar land deal impact a 100 million dollar project in the same city. Proportionally, it just doesn't make sense.it will only affect the victory project in that hard rock won't be there IF they don't get their way with their old location. the historical designation issue is a big issue with developers in houston(and everywhere) and that is why council is very hesitant to pass a "real" preservation ordinance in houston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 it will only affect the victory project in that hard rock won't be there IF they don't get their way with their old location.Huh? Are you suggesting they will re-open the old location if they don't "get their way", or that they will take their ball and leave Dallas permanently?? Unless you think one of those two moves are in their plans, I don't see why the old location would affect their supposed plans for a new development (unless they are playing a cynical and transparent game of "chicken" aka extortion). They will surely be able to sell the old place to someone fairly easily, whether or not it is encumbered by historical preservation mandates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 (edited) Huh? Are you suggesting they will re-open the old location if they don't "get their way", or that they will take their ball and leave Dallas permanently?? Unless you think one of those two moves are in their plans, I don't see why the old location would affect their supposed plans for a new development (unless they are playing a cynical and transparent game of "chicken" aka extortion). They will surely be able to sell the old place to someone fairly easily, whether or not it is encumbered by historical preservation mandates.He says the Hard Rock Cafe is actually planning to move into Victory Park, but that if the city screws up this deal for the McKinney Avenue property, well, that could endanger the Hard Rock Edited March 14, 2007 by musicman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 He says the Hard Rock Cafe is actually planning to move into Victory Park, but that if the city screws up this deal for the McKinney Avenue property, well, that could endanger the Hard Rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Yeah, I understand all that. I understand that someone said that the McKinney outcome could endanger their supposed Victory development. What nobody has even tried to explain, however, is what one (moving into Victory Park) has to do with the other (getting their way on the McKinney property). I could make more sense of it if they had not already closed their operation at McKinney. But, of course, they have. There is something wrong with this picture. Either they are just playing a cynical and rather transparent game of "chicken", or they really have no intention of developing anything new in Dallas and are just pretending to in order to try to get their way on the McKinney property. Why would they forego the development of a presumably profitable restaurant, or, as 'rumored', a $100 million hotel because of failing to get their way on the disposition of their old property? It makes no sense, especially when, even if they don't get their way, they will surely have no trouble selling the McKinney property.i made the assumption that they are using the funds from the sale for the development of the new one. i don't know the amount of cash hard rock is willing to invest vs funds from the sale.they could be playing chicken however the tag of historical property could work two ways. if you find a buyer interested in the property as is (and willing to invest money for restoration if needed) then you're ok but potential buyers might be interested in altering the structure and/or putting something else on the property which in turn eliminates them as possible buyers because of the historical designation.i remember the last time i was in the french quarter, there was a couple restoring a home. i asked her if i could look around and she gave me a tour. they were doing work at the time and i remember her commenting that she just couldn't hire any electrician but she had to hire one that has approved by the french quarter historical commission. she said she could have found one cheaper but had to use the one on the limited list so prices were higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 i made the assumption that they are using the funds from the sale for the development of the new one. i don't know the amount of cash hard rock is willing to invest vs funds from the sale.Wow, do you think Hard Rock's finances are so tight that they don't have the cash to go forward with a $100/$200 million project until they sell their little building on McKinney? Seems unlikely. By doing so, they are delaying the day of getting any profits out of Dallas or returns on the rest of the money that will be invested in their new project. Sounds like a strange way of doing business, but who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Wow, do you think Hard Rock's finances are so tight that they don't have the cash to go forward with a $100/$200 million project until they sell their little building on McKinney? Seems unlikely. By doing so, they are delaying the day of getting any profits out of Dallas or returns on the rest of the money that will be invested in their new project. Sounds like a strange way of doing business, but who knows?i believe hard rock is just a small portion of the 100/200 milllion dollar victory park project. there's no way a hard rock can cost 100 million dollars to make. i dont know the status of their finances but if they did have the money, one would think the sell wouldn't be such an obstacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceCity Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 (edited) i believe hard rock is just a small portion of the 100/200 milllion dollar victory park project. there's no way a hard rock can cost 100 million dollars to make. i dont know the status of their finances but if they did have the money, one would think the sell wouldn't be such an obstacle.Victory is a $3,000,000,000 project. The 100 million dollar project is purportedly for a Hard Rock Hotel/Condo tower. (Like Vegas minus the casino). I still don't understand how a proportionally "little" 2 million dollar land sale would seriously impact a 100 million dollar hotel/condo project. Edited March 15, 2007 by SpaceCity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 (edited) Victory is a $3,000,000,000 project. The 100 million dollar project is purportedly for a Hard Rock Hotel/Condo tower. (Like Vegas minus the casino). I still don't understand how a proportionally "little" 2 million dollar land sale would seriously impact a 100 million dollar hotel/condo project.ah ok light bulb on.....i just thought it was a restaurant like their old location and was going to be just a small part of the section of victory they are constructing. if it is a hotel and could cost up to 200 million, then they are being petty on the sale. i was just reading what was posted and all it said was hard rock. didn't make any mention of hotel/condo.i just read the first article and it said The cafe has been loosing money and it's been decided to close the doors. There is talk of the cafe reopening possibly in a hotel/cafe/live venue in a few years but after March 4, the grand cafe where the current Hard Rock is located, will be no more. so when they say there is talk of the cafe reopening possibly? that doesn't sound definitive to me. guess i will have to read on. Edited March 15, 2007 by musicman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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