ULI Recognizes Houston’s Top Innovative Real Estate Projects
The Star, a multifamily redevelopment in downtown.
HOUSTON – (By Dale King, Realty News Report) – Houston projects including The Star, Heights Mercantile, HARC and Emancipation Park were honored at the Urban Land Institute Houston’s 2019 Development of Distinction Awards.
The awards recognize developments and public open spaces that exemplify best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management.
Since 2008, nearly 80 projects and public spaces have been named finalists or winners of the Development of Distinction awards.
This year’s top-rated projects were:
For-profit, large: The Star, by Rusk at San Jacinto Partners, LP, and Provident Realty Advisors. Vacant since the late 1980s, The Star in downtown Houston has been transformed into a vibrant, amenity-rich community of luxury apartment homes, revitalizing a long-dormant site into a modern urban residence.
For-profit, small: Heights Mercantile, by Radom Capital, LLC. A refined, pedestrian-focused shopping and dining destination, Heights Mercantile introduced first-to-market retail concepts such as Warby Parker, Marine Layer, Will Leather Goods, Chubbies, Aesop, The Gypsy Wagon, Rye 51 and Postino. The project was designed to preserve neighborhood character and retain the historic charm of existing buildings.
Not-for-profit recipient: HARC (Houston Advanced Research Center). HARC developed a sustainable headquarters using innovative design strategies that reduce energy use by about 70% compared with a typical building. The project is on track to become Texas’ first certified commercial net-zero energy building.
Open-space category: Emancipation Park. Led by design director Phil Freelon—who also served as lead architect for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture—the expansion and renovation honor a long history that dates to 1872, when four formerly enslaved men pooled resources to acquire the land. The project pays tribute to those founders with public sculpture and adds a new entry plaza, cultural center, recreation center, updated swimming pool, new sports fields and play areas, an event lawn and restoration of the historic Blessing Theatre, creating a meaningful community gathering place.
Exploration Green won the People’s Choice award after receiving the most votes in ULI’s online survey.
Other 2019 finalists recognized during the awards ceremony included:
For-profit (large): 609 Main, by Hines.
For-profit (small): East Village, by Eado Investments, LP and Ancorian.
Not-for-profit: Moody Gardens Aquarium Redevelopment, by Moody Gardens.
Open space: Exploration Green, by Clear Lake City Water Authority; and The Woodlands Waterway, by The Howard Hughes Corporation.
The Urban Land Institute is a global nonprofit research and education organization focused on the responsible use of land and the creation and maintenance of thriving communities worldwide.
ULI Houston counts nearly 1,000 members who participate in educational programs and other events to share knowledge and professional experience.
