HOUSTON – Brookfield Property Partners L.P. announced the completion of the first phase of the Allen Center redevelopment, a 3.2 million-square-foot complex located at the southwest corner of Smith and Dallas streets in downtown Houston.
The initial phase included removal of a skybridge, renovation of the One Allen Center lobby, and creation of a one-acre public park.
Costing $48.5 million, this redevelopment responds to a larger trend affecting many downtown office properties erected in the 1970s and 1980s. Owners now face a choice: invest in modernization to meet contemporary tenant expectations or allow older towers to slip into lower-tier classifications.
The Allen Center’s first tower was built nearly 50 years ago, with two additional main towers added soon after. To reimagine the campus, Brookfield engaged Morrison Dilworth + Walls of Dallas and the Office of James Burnett landscape architects to execute what Brookfield calls the “Reimagining of Allen Center.”
“Through the Reimagining of Allen Center, we are transforming this major mixed-use complex in the heart of downtown Houston into a vibrant destination that fosters innovation and productivity,” said Travis Overall, Executive Vice President and Head of the Texas Region for Brookfield. “All facets of the redesign have been carefully crafted and executed, and we are excited to unveil this important first phase. The initial reimagining of the Allen Center is just the beginning for this complex. Looking ahead, Brookfield will continue to refine the experience for current and future tenants.”
Overall, a veteran of the Hines organization, was recently hired to oversee Brookfield’s Texas operations during a period of expansion in the region. Long-time Brookfield executive Paul Frazier departed the firm earlier this year.
A central element of the project was removing the skybridge connecting One Allen and Two Allen. That structure, along with an earthen berm, had previously shielded Smith Street and the public sidewalk from the complex—an example of older urban design that favored tunnels and elevated connections over street-level engagement.
In place of the skybridge is a lawn lined with trees that opens directly to Smith Street. The project retained some existing trees and added 171 new specimens. The open area includes tables, chairs and space for group activities or performances; Brookfield has branded it “The Acre.”
“In designing The Acre, we wanted to create a space aligned with Brookfield’s commitment to place-making,” said Chip Trageser, managing principal at the Office of James Burnett.
The Office of James Burnett, founded in Houston in 1989, has experience with urban parks and public spaces, including the award-winning Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. During a recent tour of the Allen Center, Trageser noted the firm is also interested in projects near the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.
Alongside the new park, One Allen Center—a 1 million-square-foot, 34-story tower at 500 Dallas Street that opened in 1972—received a fresh street-level presence. The tower now features a two-story clear-glass façade that showcases artwork by Tokujin Yoshioka and includes a space designated for a chef-driven restaurant.