HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – The first phase of Lower Heights, a new 24-acre mixed-use district, is nearing completion with a tenant lineup that includes SheSpace, a women-focused coworking facility.
Located along Interstate 10 between Studemont and Sawyer streets, the Lower Heights project features a striking geometric mural visible to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on Studemont. Created over a month by Guatemalan-born graffiti artist Gelson Danilo Lemus Lopez, also known as w3r3on3, the expansive piece produces an optical illusion and pays tribute to mid-century geometric design.
Developed by Gulf Coast Commercial Group, a Houston-based firm specializing in retail development, management and leasing, Lower Heights sits on an assemblage of former industrial sites just west of downtown and adjacent to the First Ward Arts District.
One of the project’s notable tenants is SheSpace, a first-to-market multifunction coworking and meeting space tailored to women. SheSpace has leased 6,000 square feet on the second floor. Bob Cromwell and Spencer Starkey of Moody Rambin represented Gulf Coast Commercial Group in the transaction, while Brandi McDonald Sikes and Meredith Kelly of Limestone Commercial represented SheSpace.
“We evaluated more than 25 potential sites across Houston for SheSpace,” said founder Stephanie Tsuru. “Beyond its appealing vibe, analytics showed Lower Heights places us at the center of our target demographic and offers unmatched convenience — from freeway access to walkable amenities like grocery stores, retail and restaurants.”
Anderson Smith and Brett Levinson of Capital Retail Properties are overseeing retail leasing for the development.
The initial retail component at 2857 Katy Freeway comprises a 37,000-square-foot block that welcomed Total Wine and Ulta late last year.
A more recent addition, 1440 Studemont, is an approximately 35,000-square-foot, two-story building featuring street-level retail beneath loft-style offices that open onto terraces. Build-out is in progress for the first tenants, both scheduled to open early next year.
In early August, Gulf Coast Commercial Group plans to open a landscaped crushed-granite hike-and-bike trail along the property’s eastern edge. The trail will link the development to Stude Park and the Heights neighborhood via the MKT Trail beneath I-10. The site also provides immediate access to existing hardscape trails through the First Ward.
Jerry Alexander, Gensler project manager and principal, said, “Our design intent for Lower Heights was to intentionally weave a curated mix of urban amenities with the eclectic character of the historic Houston Heights. The development achieves that experience through a walkable, pedestrian-friendly plan and an industrial material palette that creates a welcoming, active environment for round-the-clock community engagement.”
Gensler also provided consulting services to guide building material selection and the configuration of just over 15,000 square feet of ground-level retail and office space within Alexan Lower Heights, the district’s multifamily hub developed by Trammell Crow Residential.
Move-ins are under way at the five-story, 375-unit apartment building at Lower Heights.
Future phases of the project envision a movie theater along with additional retail, office and multifamily components.
Central Bank will lease 3,687 square feet within the center. Danny Miller represented Gulf Coast Commercial Group in that deal, and Joan Collum of Collum Commercial represented Central Bank.
Founded in 1999 and led by Tom Lile, Gulf Coast Commercial Group continues to advance development and leasing efforts in Houston.
July 29, 2020 Realty News Report Copyright 2020
Image: Via Gulf Coast Commercial
File: New Heights Project Pops — New Heights Project with a SheSpace coworking spot
