Downtown Houston+

Earlier this week, a cohort of city center leaders from across the globe gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, to reflect on the macro- and micro-level challenges affecting cities and to better define the opportunities for organizations operating at our scale to help design and implement sustainable solutions. Over the coming days, we’ll be drafting a declaration which synthesizes leadership principles to position our industry to respond to many of today’s most important issues and opportunities. We hope to present it to the International Downtown Association Board for ratification at our spring conference in Cleveland this May. This effort is part of the IDA’s World Towns Leadership Summit, which helps bridge global city building knowledge and bring international knowhow back to the districts we manage. With David Downey, CAE, IOM Kate Borders, Tim Kocur, Ojay McDonald and many more.

Downtown is ready for Opening Day! While the Astros take the field for the first time this season, we've been busy in the offseason enhancing Downtown's sense of place. New placemaking banners now brighten Daikin Park and neighborhoods across Downtown, celebrating the energy of our city. We also teamed up with the Houston Astros to update hundreds of wayfinding signs, making it easier for visitors to navigate Downtown and find their way to the newly renamed Daikin Park. Read more about the project in the Houston Business Journal: https://lnkd.in/gUa7Uz7u With these fresh updates in place, Downtown is ready for another great season. Let's play ball!⚾

Downtown Houston+ is turning bold ideas into action with strategic investments that create a more walkable, dynamic city center. As the Main Street Promenade prepares to break ground, businesses across Downtown have a unique opportunity to be part of this transformation. Our Thrive Storefront Grant program is delivering $750K to help businesses bring their storefronts to life with projects like outdoor seating, greenery, facade improvements and more. Matching grants are available across Downtown, with double the funding for projects along high-traffic corridors like Main Street, Texas Avenue, McKinney and Preston. Plus, additional funding through the Strategic Retail Plan and Facade Grant program will provide even greater opportunities to shape a thriving, pedestrian-friendly Downtown Houston. Applications are open! Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/gQutF3Yx Read more about our grant programs in the Houston Business Journal: https://lnkd.in/gs7N3hbw

Another milestone has been reached for one of Downtown Houston's premier office towers! The 47-story Texas Tower has hit 99% occupancy after securing a lease with international firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates. The deal, led by Hines and negotiated with the help of Jackson Walker LLP, adds 52,000 square feet of Class-AA office space to Skadden's Houston footprint. Texas Tower's leasing success underscores the sustained demand for next-generation office spaces—those built with purpose, connectivity and top-tier amenities. With just two spec suites remaining, Texas Tower has cemented its place as a model for the future of work in Downtown Houston. Congratulations to Hines, Jackson Walker LLP and all who played a role in reaching this monumental achievement!

Cooler days are ahead at Trebly Park!☀️➡️🌿 We're adding custom shade structures and large umbrellas to make Trebly Park an even better place to gather, play and relax. Houston summers are no joke, and without mature trees, some areas of the park become sun-drenched hotspots. Adding shade can make outdoor spaces feel up to 20 degrees cooler, creating a more comfortable experience year-round. What's coming: ✅ A trellis shade structure over the playground area ✅ New shade elements to the dog park's existing trellis structure ✅ Shade umbrellas near Tout Suite and in the dog park ✅ 3,470 square feet of new shade coverage Construction is already underway and wraps up later this spring—just in time for summer! In the meantime, Trebly Park is still buzzing with daily games, fitness sessions and our pup-ular Yappy Hour series: https://lnkd.in/gNX4iqMy Stay tuned for updates, and we'll see you at the park!

One year into a new era, Jones on Main is helping shape Downtown's next chapter. The Downtown landmark—a 1929 Art Deco masterpiece adorned with handcrafted details—marks its first year under The Wideman Company next month. Leasing has surged at the historic property, anchored by a 65,000-square-foot deal—Downtown's largest lease of 2024—an achievement we recognized with our first-ever Keystone Award in December. But that's just the start. With major leasing momentum, a Michelin-starred chef reimagining Finn Hall, and even more on the horizon, Jones on Main is on the move. What's next? Hear from Harrison Loew, Director of Acquisitions at The Wideman Company, as he looks ahead.

Join Downtown Houston+ and BikeHouston for a Downtown Loop & Learn Bike Ride on Friday, March 21st, from 5:30-7:30 PM! 🚴🏻♀️ 🚴🏻♀️ 🚴🏻♀️ Yours truly will lead a tour of Downtown Houston's newest and upcoming development, including key projects like the Main Street Promenade and POST Houston's Art Club. This 3-mile ride will be an easy breezy way to familiarize yourselves with our Downtown "Bike Loop" while gaining a unique perspective on the city's growth and future vision. To top it off, we'll conclude with a celebratory happy hour. Details and RSVP (which is required!): https://lnkd.in/gjAhuEqq

We're thrilled to welcome Reside Houston Downtown as the newest member of Central Houston, Inc.! Located in the heart of the Theater District, Reside a Wyndham Residence blends historic charm with modern hospitality, offering a uniquely Downtown experience for visitors and residents alike. With its prime location and deep connection to Houston's history, Reside Houston Downtown supports CHI's mission to fuel a thriving Downtown—a place where people want to be, whether for business, entertainment or an extended stay. Join us in welcoming Reside Houston Downtown and General Manager Margaret Smart as they take a step toward shaping Downtown Houston's future!

University of Houston-Downtown is growing! This week, we joined UHD to celebrate its new expansion at 1801 Main, adding 17,000 square feet for academic and professional services. This new space will also house the Center for Crime, Urban Research and Education, focused on tackling complex urban challenges through research, education and collaboration. Easily accessible from UHD’s main campus via METRORail, this southward expansion strengthens the university’s role in shaping Downtown’s future. Congratulations to UHD on this exciting new chapter!

Big changes are on the horizon for Downtown's convention district! This long-term vision will connect neighborhoods, create new public spaces and amplify the visitor experience in a burgeoning entertainment district on Downtown's east side. As work gets underway, we're looking ahead to a more connected and dynamic Downtown. Watch the full vision here: