Work starts on Big Project

In Houston, Portman has started work on Gateway 1960, a three-building industrial park that will deliver 714,233 SF in the third quarter of 2027.

The construction site is along FM 1960 at Aldine Westfield Road, just north of George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Gateway 1960 includes a 440,323-SF cross-dock building, a 157,723-SF front-load building, and a 116,293-SF rear-load building. The buildings are designed with flexible configurations with spec office space, LED lighting, and dock-high loading with levelers allowing immediate occupancy.

Angler Construction is the general contractor, Powers Brown Architecture is the architect, and Langan serves as the civil engineer.

“Gateway 1960 will offer regional and national users a strategic platform to expand their Houston operations given its proximity to George Bush Intercontinental Airport and seamless access to the region’s key transportation corridors,” said Fritz Wyler, managing director of industrial for Portman. “This work start brings us one step closer to delivering premier, move-in-ready industrial space in a market with strong and sustained demand.”

Although construction work has begun, a ceremonial work start marking the start of construction will take place on Oct. 12.

The Houston industrial market is active.

In another deal earlier in October, Austin-based Buchanan Capital Partners reported it has teamed up with Houston-based Vault Partners on developing Wildcat Distribution Center, a 321,120-SF spec industrial facility at 222 Holmes Road, just outside Loop 610 in south Houston.

Recently, Trammell Crow Co. and joint venture partner Daiwa House Texas Inc. reported the sale of Building 3 in southwest Houston’s Blue Ridge Commerce Center for $26.8 million. Applied Optoelectronics Inc. has been leasing the 153,928-SF building, which is located in Fort Bend County at 16851 Blue Ridge Commerce Drive.

Houston-based Hines, a global real estate firm with 4,600 employees, has three additional industrial projects in its Houston development pipeline.

Portman is a privately owned, full-service real estate investor, developer, and investment manager founded by architect and developer John C. Portman Jr. in 1957. With $5 billion in assets under management, Portman develops office, residential, industrial, hospitality, and retail multi-use projects across the U.S.

Since launching its industrial line in 2021, Portman has developed a portfolio of 4.5 million sq ft and has 6.4 million sq ft under development in key markets, including Austin, Boston, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Charleston.