Disco Kroger Site: Montrose Apartments Break Ground on

In Houston, Midrise apartments on Aisle 7.

Southeastern, a real estate development firm based in Augusta, Ga., has started construction on Artis Montrose, a seven-story apartment building on the former “Disco Kroger” site along Montrose Boulevard, south of Westheimer.

The project, going up in the heart of the Montrose neighborhood on a prime two-acre site bordered by Lovett Boulevard, Yoakum, Hawthorne and Montrose Boulevard, will offer top-of-the-market amenities and services. It replaces a Kroger that got its nickname for its late-night crowds and festive atmosphere before shuttering in 2021 after more than 40 years of operation.

“Artis Montrose is in the center of one of Houston’s most desirable districts,” Southeastern Vice President Mary Senn said. “The development’s name and design incorporate the site’s history and the neighborhood’s rich tapestry of culture and art.”

The 528,734-SF building at 3300 Montrose Blvd. will have five floors of living space over two floors of cast-in-place concrete parking totaling 167,410 SF.

The project team includes Arch-Con Corp., architecture firm DCS Design of Virginia and Virginia-based Focus Design Interiors. Artis Montrose will have 14,000 SF of interior amenity space, including a pet spa and a cyber lounge with work-from-home spaces, a club room, and a fitness suite. A 20,000-SF outdoor center courtyard on the third floor will have a pool, event lawn, outdoor kitchens, outdoor workspaces, grilling areas, Zen garden, and fire pit.

The project is going up just south of a proposed multi-use development by Skanska at the southwest corner of Westheimer and Montrose Boulevard. Skanska purchased the 2.9-acre site in 2020. The land, which has been used for weekend farmers markets and food trucks, is slated to house a 31-story apartment tower with restaurant and retail space being marketed by Colliers.

Hanover Co., a Houston-based multifamily developer, constructed a 30-story residential tower next door across Hawthorne Street in the pre-Covid era. The 300-unit tower is located at 3400 Montrose Blvd.

In 2016, Hines, in a joint venture with TIAA Global Asset Management and Houston’s Zimmerman family, laid out plans to develop the Residences at La Colombe d’Or, a 34-story apartment near Montrose Boulevard. The project was built adjacent to La Colombe d’Or, a boutique hotel developed by Steve Zimmerman, on the 1923-vintage Fondren Mansion.

The Artis Montrose development builds upon a 40-year relationship between Southeastern and Kroger, which began marketing the property in 2021.

“When Kroger approached us with this property, we saw it as an ideal development for our multifamily portfolio,” Senn said. “We pride ourselves on creating community with thoughtful design and resident events. Our signage, finishes, unit designs, and amenity usage are all carefully considered to ensure a harmonious living experience.”

Arch-Con began working with Southeastern on pricing and concepts soon after the purchase.

“This high-end podium project will be a great addition to the Montrose neighborhood and we look forward to bringing Southeastern’s vision to life,” said Arch-Con Senior Vice President Michael Vaughn.

ParkerRodriguez is handling landscape design, Walter P Moore and Associates is the civil engineer and OCI Consulting Engineers is the MEP.