HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – The most prominent intersection in the Montrose community – Westheimer at Montrose Boulevard – is getting an injection of energy with pop-up events featuring farmers markets, food trucks and live music.
The pop-up fun, presented by the Curb Coalition firm, is a temporary use while property owner Skanska USA Commercial Development plans a major development on its 2.86-acre site.
Skanska paid a $27 million for the tract, located at the southwest corner of Westheimer and Montrose Boulevard. The retail center there, anchored by Spec’s liquor store, was demolished aa few months ago.
The Curb Coalition, a local outfit led by Jessica Ivins, organizes farmer’s markets and community festivals, including the Heights Morning Market, Shop Along the Creek and White Oak Fall Festival.
Skanska says the Montrose activities begin this weekend. In addition to traditional farmer’s market vendors (i.e. produce, jams & jellies, nuts, salsas, vegan foods, etc.) Curb Market – Montrose will feature a wide variety of artisans and local makers showcasing the diversity of Houston. Artisan product offerings will range from canvas paintings, handmade jewelry, home goods and vintage clothing. In the evenings, attendees will enjoy live concert performances by local bands, a food truck court, crafts, drinks from local bars, and family-friendly activities such as yard games and face painting.
Meanwhile, Skanska is working on design plans for its new multi-story development on the Montrose site, which is expected to include retail, multifamily, office and possibly a hotel, according to Matt Damborsky, Executive Vice President at Skanska USA Commercial Development.
When Skanska’s construction in Montrose begins, perhaps in 2022, the fun and games series ends and the food trucks move on.
Last year, Skanska acquired the Montrose property, bounded by Westheimer, Montrose, Lovett and Yoakum Blvd., from a partnership controlled by the Madison Marquette real estate firm.
Since then, Skanska has been gathering input from Montrose community leaders, including local restaurant owners, council members, community activists and representatives of the Menil Collection, the LGBTQ Victory Institute and the Montrose Resident Coalition.
The Montrose area is seeing a number of new developments recently with new projects by Hines, Radom Capital and Hanover. Adjacent to the Skanska site, the so-called Disco Kroger store has been demolished for future development.
“Montrose is the cultural heart and soul of the city,” says, Damborsky who is also overseeing Skanska’s major new project in downtown. “It illustrates Houston’s changing urban landscape and signals our ongoing commitment to the market.”
Aug 13, 2021 Realty News Report Copyright 2021
Photo courtesy Curb Coalition
For more about Texas real estate, check out the book Houston 2020: America’s Boom Town – An Extreme Close Up by Ralph Bivins. Available on Amazon http://tiny.cc/4a2g6y
Houston 2020 Ebook version https://tinyurl.com/4xm7z8b5
File: Montrose Alert: Pop-Up Fun Starts. Skanska