HOUSTON – (By Ralph Bivins, Realty News Report) -Ancient Houstonians may remember when Sharpstown Mall on the Southwest Freeway opened a new-fangled food court.
Food courts, with their lineup of fast-food chains and the hideous odor of deep-fat fryers brimming with broiling grease, still exist.
But you don’t hear the words “food court” much anymore. Everybody is talking about the “food halls.” Simply put: food courts are out. Food halls are in.
“Lately, it seems to be raining food halls – the trendy, chef-driven, micro-restaurants that are quickly becoming the ultimate amenity. Since 2016, Houston has seen eight (8) food halls either open or announce their upcoming opening,” says Rand Stephens, head of Avison Young in Houston, in his recent blog. “Most of them are located downtown, with others popping up in The Heights and Rice Village. Is the collaboration of landlord and restaurateur just another flavor of the month, or will this become a signature dish of the commercial real estate landscape?”
Houston has a lot of great restaurants and great chefs who have been recognized by the James Beard Awards. The food halls allow some of the city’s outstanding kitchen talent to set up locations without taking on massive debt. Short-term, affordable leases make food courts attract to chefs.
Importantly, the food halls make the entire building more attractive to tenants in downtown office buildings. A great food hall can help corporations keep employees satisfied and retaining talent is a major item these days.
According to Avison Young, Houston’s new food halls include; Bravery, in the Hines’ Aris residential tower on Travis Street; and Finn Hall in Midway’s The Jones on Main development; the Conservatory at 1010 Prairie; Lyric Market at 411 Smith; Railway Heights at 8200 Washington Avenue; Politan Row at 2445 Times Blvd in The Village; and Oui Eats at 2645 North Main.
Finn Hall opened in a historic downtown building late in 2018. “Finn Hall was designed to be a community gathering space for Houstonians and Houston visitors that want to sample the best and diverse food offerings that represent Houston,” says David Goronkin, president of Oz Rey, an Austin firm that creates and manages food halls. “The trend of food halls coming to Houston supports the demand for great culinary offerings presented in an approachable format which allows for great interaction with chefs and the community.”
When the new 35-story Capitol Tower opens in downtown later this year is will have buzz-generating food hall called Understory.
The Understory space, designed by architect Michael Hsu, is described by Skanska the developer as “a dynamic experience-based destination that brings the community together through culture, commerce and cuisine “ It will be the first tunnel level space to be open seven days a week.
