HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Midway’s new East River development near downtown Houston has secured three new retail tenants and a mortgage company all of which will open in 2024 in the transformational development along the banks of Buffalo Bayou.
The three dining concepts — La Cantina by La Calle, Kyuramen and City Cellars HTX—as well as office tenant Champions Mortgage will join the mixed-use development’s first phase.
The 26-acre first phase, located about a mile east of Downtown Houston, is opening with new office buildings, retail and a 359-unit apartment community called The Laura.
“Leasing velocity remains strong as East River continues to attract local small businesses and industry-leading companies alike,” said Lacee Jacobs, Senior Managing Director of Retail Leasing at Parkway. “We are proud to provide the curated, dynamic and amenity-rich environment that tenants continue to want and need for their business to thrive, and we look forward to introducing these unique concepts to the surrounding community.”
East River, located near Jensen Drive along the banks of Buffalo Bayou on the site of the old Brown & Root campus, will also include office space, retail, restaurants and entertainment features.
The 150-acre East River “will be one of the most impactful urban revitalizations for a generation in Houston’s urban core,” according to the Midway organization.
The new East River tenants include:
La Cantina by La Calle Tacos will bring the authentic flavor of Mexico City’s iconic street food and traditional cantinas to East River. Located in a 3,357-SF space with frontage along both the central plaza and bayou park, the vibrant local taqueria serves a variety of fresh tacos, tortas and tostadas. Opening summer 2024, La Cantina’s new East River restaurant will join its existing locations in downtown, Oak Forest and Midtown.
Traditional Japanese-style ramen house Kyuramen will open in a 4,416 square-foot space adjacent to Lick Honest Ice Creams. With more than 126 locations across Asia and the United States, Kyuramen’s East River outpost will mark its second Houston location.
City Cellars HTX, the brainchild of Houston native Daniel Wolfe, will occupy an approximately 5,000 SF space along Buffalo Bayou. Known for its lively brunch service and eclectic menu, the wine bar and restaurant features global fusion cuisine, made-to-order cocktails and a curated wine list that highlights minority-owned wineries.
Champions Mortgage has leased 3,414 SF of office space in East River 2 (Building C.) Champions Mortgage was ranked the #1 Texas-based mortgage company in 2022 by the Scotsman Guide Magazine.
East River has some remaining 1,500-SF incubator retail spaces are available for rent on the ground floor facing the central plaza greenspace. The move-in-ready storefronts are intended to lower the barrier to entry for local small businesses seeking to locate at the mixed-use development. East River offers these spaces to Fifth Ward-owned businesses at a discounted lease rate. East River leasing team is comprised of Parkway’s Lacee Jacobs and Laura Harness.
Construction on East River’s first phase is nearing completion and several office tenants have moved into their new spaces including Impact Networking, Method Architecture and TEAL. OJB Landscape Architecture, who purchased one of The Studios at East River independent office structures, has also moved into their new space. Midway is also developing a new 95,000-SF build-to-suit headquarters for Port Houston. Confirmed tenants in East River Phase I include Broham Fine Soul Food & Groceries, EaDo Eye Studio, Lick Honest Ice Creams, Houston Maritime Center, Tomi Jewelry, URBN Dental, Le Tesserae by The Astorian and Suderman & Young Towing Company.
East River is developed by Midway and managed by Parkway.
Near the entry to East River, local artist David Maldonado, painted East River’s 60’x20’ Houston-themed mural on the corner of Jensen Drive and Clinton Drive.
Dec. 14, 2023 Realty News Report Copyright 2023
Image: Courtesy East River.. File: East River Lands New Restaurants 2023
THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT PODCAST
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Edward Griffin of Griffin Partners
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Michael Scheurich of Arch-Con
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Mark Taylor of CBRE
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Stephen Meek of StreetLights Residential.
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Carlos Bujosa of Transwestern
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Kris Larson of Central Houston Inc.
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Mike Spears of Lee & Associates Houston
LISTEN: THE RALPH BIVINS PROJECT podcast with Maria Perez of Gensler