HOUSTON — (Realty News Report) – GreenStreet, a mixed-use development in downtown Houston, has earned Fitwel certification in recognition of the property’s health and wellness features.
Spanning four city blocks near Dallas and Fannin streets, GreenStreet fronts the METRO Rail Line along Main Street on its western edge, providing strong access to public transit.
GreenStreet is one of only three Fitwel-certified properties in Houston and the first commercial property in Texas to receive the designation. Achieving Fitwel certification underscores the owners’ commitment to enhancing the well-being of employees and community members through design and operational strategies that support health and wellness.
The property is owned by Lionstone Investments, a data-driven investment firm, in a joint venture with institutional investors and Midway, a privately held real estate investment and development company based in Houston.
Fitwel is a healthy building certification system managed by the Center for Active Design (CfAD). Originally developed with input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. General Services Administration, Fitwel provides a rigorous, third-party framework of evidence-based strategies to promote positive health outcomes for building occupants and surrounding communities.
“We are honored to receive a 1 Star Rating from Fitwel and the Center for Active Design,” said Chris Seckinger, Vice President, Investment & Development at Midway. “Our community’s wellness, health and sustainability are our top priorities, and we will continue to improve and integrate the best strategies possible to ensure GreenStreet remains an avenue for creativity and culture in Houston.”
As a 1 Star Rated property, GreenStreet scored particularly well in categories related to proximity to transit, outdoor access and connectivity, and food and beverage options for employees and the public. “Receiving this certification from the Center for Active Design and Fitwel reinforces the high standards for health and well-being associated with both Lionstone and Midway,” said Frank Ortiz, Head of Asset Management at Lionstone Investments.
Key design and operational elements at GreenStreet include:
- Choosing a site that supports walkability and easy access to public transit, and enhancing those connections through building design and ongoing operations;
- Improving signage and wayfinding to create a cohesive, navigable environment for visitors and employees;
- Creating “The Lawn,” an outdoor green space programmed year-round for community events and activities;
- Providing access to healthy food through on-site retail options and nearby neighborhood restaurants and markets.
“Midway is a leader in the healthy building movement, and its work to support the physical and mental well-being of GreenStreet occupants helped the property become the first commercial Fitwel-certified site in Texas,” said Joanna Frank, President and CEO of CfAD. “This achievement reflects growing demand for healthy buildings and shows how commercial owners use Fitwel to optimize health and wellness across their properties.”
Alongside GreenStreet, the historic Jones on Main also received recognition from Fitwel, becoming the first multi-tenant property in Houston to earn Fitwel’s 1 Star designation and the second property in Texas overall to do so. The landmark building in downtown Houston blends modern office spaces with innovative retail.
The Jones on Main includes dedicated lactation rooms for tenants, a green purchasing policy, and plans for an outdoor tenant area featuring a rooftop patio and restorative garden.
April 25, 2021 Realty News Report Copyright 2021
Photo credit: Shannon O’Hara
For more about Texas real estate, see the book Houston 2020: America’s Boom Town — An Extreme Close Up by Ralph Bivins.
File: GreenStreet Earns Fitwel Certification for Wellness