HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – One of Downtown Houston’s oldest buildings is being transformed into a Henderson & Kane market that will sell essential groceries, produce and prepared foods in the Market Square Historic District.
The market will be located in a two-story brick building, constructed circa 1870, at 315 Travis. The building has been vacant since Treebeards moved out over five years ago.
Three high-rise residential towers, including Hines’ 46-story Brava apartments, are located within one block of the new 5,000-SF Henderson & Kane downtown market location.
Demand for downtown groceries has increased as Houston’s supply of downtown housing has surged in recent years.
The grocer will be located in 9,000-square-foot brick structure is located across the street from Market Square Park, a city block bounded by Travis, Milam, Congress, and Preston streets.
The conversion of building will be enabled with $500,000 of economic development funds designated to sustain and advance the growth of Downtown Houston.
Downtown’s population density, the historic buildings, and the vibe of Market Square Park will enhance the business prospects for the new grocery market, said Kris Larson, President and CEO of Downtown Houston+.
“This deal marks a watershed moment for Downtown Houston and is emblematic of the importance of layering strategic implementation atop insightful and visionary planning. It occurs in a part of town buoyed by high density residential, adorned with our delightful Market Square Park, and made unforgettable by the charming authenticity of the neighborhood’s historic fabric. After years of experimenting with a farmer’s market in Market Square Park for a few Saturdays each year, we are so proud to deliver a permanent market to the neighborhood,” Larson said.
The Downtown Redevelopment Authority TIRZ #3, which is affiliated with Downtown Houston+, approved the $500,000 economic development inducement to convert the property.
“This project reflects exactly what our community has asked for: a more complete, livable Downtown with access to everyday essentials,” said Allen Douglas, Executive Director of TIRZ #3. “By investing directly in the building, we’re lowering the barrier for a high-quality local operator and helping meet the needs of Downtown residents, workers and visitors.”
According to Downtown Houston+, more than 3,400 residents, 18.7 million SF of office space and 2,600 hotel rooms are located within a 10-minute walk of the new Henderson & Kane store location.
The building has been owned by the Meyer family for many years. In the mid-1800s, an early version of Houston’s City Hall was located on the park’s site before it was destroyed by fire.
In 1867, Joseph F. Meyer opened a hardware and wagon-wheel parts store at the corner of Milam and Franklin. He went on to acquire a number of downtown buildings including the building that is destined to become the Henderson & Kane market.
“We’re grateful for the progress and investment happening in Downtown Houston, which created the environment for this opportunity,” said building owner Kenny Meyer, president of the Meyer Carrington real estate firm. “One of the oldest buildings in Downtown, this building has been in our family for five generations, originally part of the estate of Rebecca Baker, who married Joseph F. Meyer, Sr. We were patient in finding the right use, and Henderson & Kane is exactly the kind of partner that honors the history while adding new energy to the Downtown community.”
The cost of redeveloping the ground floor of the building with the cold storage, refrigeration and other necessities are too high to make the redevelopment feasible, Meyer said.
Since 2018, a 3,500-SF Henderson & Kane General Store has operated in the Historic Sixth Ward, near Washington Avenue, just west of Downtown.
“The Downtown location at 315 Travis Street gives us the chance to do something the Market Square Historic District urgently needs; a walkable, full-service grocery option that offers responsibly sourced produce, dairy, pantry staples, prepared foods and quality everyday essentials,” said Veronica Avila, Co-Owner of Henderson & Kane, which also functions as a small Historic Sixth Ward restaurant serving barbecue and the like.
The downtown new market is expected to contribute to the energy of the new, pedestrian-oriented Main Street Promenade and the scads of international tourists in Houston for the FIFA World Cup soccer matches next summer.
The development of the Main Street Promenade, which is under construction, will transform seven blocks of Main into a linear plaza with wide walkways where the international soccer fans will celebrate.
The Henderson & Kane market will be less than a block from the transformative Main Street Promenade.
The addition of more hotels has prepared Downtown Houston to welcome a significant number of tourists. The hotel inventory has grown from about 5,000 hotel rooms 10 years ago to 9,276 rooms today.
But the improvements to Main Street, like the new Henderson & Kane store, will have lasting impacts on Downtown Houston long after the soccer tourists have departed from the Main Street Promenade.
“This is a street where, yes, we are building in time for the World Cup,” said Kris Larson of Downtown Houston+ in Main Street comments earlier this year, “but it is a place we are building for all Houstonians.”
Dec. 16, 2025 Realty News Report Copyright 2025
Caption. Downtown ‘s 315 Travis building photo by Justin Jerkins, Downtown Houston+
Caption: Henderson & Kane Sixth Ward location photo by RNR, copyright 2025
THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT PODCAST
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with David Hightower
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Alex Kamkar of Bold Fox Development
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Brad McWhirter of Trahan Architects
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Lacee Jacobs of Rebel Retail Advisors
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Danny Rice of Colliers
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Trey Odom of Avera
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Kris Larson of Downtown Houston +
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Jim Carman of Howard Hughes Holdings
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT with Sam Scott of CommGate
File: Downtown Grocery Set for Historic Building Redo