New Office Development Breaks Ground in Katy: Spec Project West of Houston

Groundbreaking attendees: Kevin Stutt of Katy Ranch Offices; Doug Pack of Avison Young; Jason Snell of LSI General Contractors; Meg Britton of Energy Solutions; Kerry, LaGrone of LSI General Contractors; A.J. Breneman of Powers Brown Architecture; Mike Baker of Freeway Properties; Patrick Greene of Wells Fargo; Lance LaCour of Katy Economic Development Council; and Sam Hansen of Avison Young.

Freeway Properties Breaks Ground on New 150,920 SF Office Building in Katy, Texas

HOUSTON — Freeway Properties has officially broken ground on a new 150,920-square-foot office building located along Interstate 10 near the Grand Parkway in the Katy area west of Houston. This project represents the second phase of the Katy Ranch Offices development and is positioned to strengthen the growing office market in suburban Katy.

The Class-A speculative building is expected to be completed in the summer of 2020. Avison Young principals Sam Hansen and Doug Pack will be responsible for leasing the new property on behalf of the landlord, Freeway Properties, a Houston-based firm led by developer Mike Baker.

“The accessibility to the Katy Freeway and the proximity to more than 800,000 square feet of nearby retail and dining options make this office building highly attractive to both employers and employees,” said Sam Hansen. “Retail stores, entertainment venues and fitness facilities are a short, five-minute walk from the site, creating an ideal live-work-play environment for tenants and their staff.”

To support increased tenant density, the development will expand an existing five-story parking garage to provide over 1,100 parking spaces. A skybridge will connect the expanded garage directly to the main lobby of the new speculative office building at 24279 Katy Freeway, improving pedestrian access and convenience for employees and visitors.

“The momentum generated by Phase I will carry into Phase II,” said Mike Baker. “With the collaborative effort and support of Powers Brown Architecture, LSI Construction, Avison Young and the Katy Area Economic Development Council, we expect this new addition to be a successful asset for the greater Katy community.”

Rendering of Katy Ranch office building under construction west of Houston.

Project Team and Community Support

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together key partners, including representatives from Avison Young and Freeway Properties, Lance LaCour, President and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council; A.J. Breneman, Principal at Powers Brown Architecture; and Kerry LaGrone, Managing Partner of LSI General Contractors & Construction Managers. Their involvement underscores the collaborative approach driving the project from design through construction and leasing.

Phase I Performance and Future Outlook

Phase I of the Katy Ranch Offices was completed in 2015 and is fully leased. That initial building hosts nearly 20 tenants, among them Flagstar Bank, Escalate Workspace, US Silica, JMT Engineering, Price Gregory International and KGA/Deforest Design. Together, the two buildings will offer more than 300,000 square feet of office space, providing substantial new inventory to serve corporate tenants seeking a Katy address with easy freeway access to Houston.

In addition to the office development, Freeway Properties is the developer behind the nearby Katy Ranch Crossing retail center just west of the Grand Parkway, further contributing to the area’s mixed-use and amenity-rich environment.

Project Highlights

  • 150,920 square feet in the new Phase II office building
  • Completion targeted for summer 2020
  • Expanded parking garage with more than 1,100 spaces linked by a skybridge
  • Prime location along I-10 near Grand Parkway with walkable retail and services
  • Leasing handled by Avison Young for Freeway Properties

The Katy Ranch Offices expansion reflects continued demand for suburban office product with strong access and amenities. With experienced development, architecture and construction teams collaborating, the project aims to deliver modern office space that meets tenant needs and supports growth across the Katy submarket.

July 18, 2019 Realty News Report Copyright 2019