HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Hines and Watermark Retirement Communities have completed a seven-story seniors residential building four miles north of downtown Houston in The Heights area.
From the balcony, above the treetops and townhome rooftops, the naked eye can sweep from downtown, to Medical Center to Galleria skylines – a panorama of Houston’s major three employment centers.
The Watermark at Houston Heights, located 1245 West 18thSt between T.C. Jester Boulevard and Shepherd Drive, has 222 residences.
Development started before Covid hit and was completed on schedule, despite pandemic and supply-chain delays, says David Freshwater, CEO of Tucson-based Watermark Retirement Communities. With highly regulated seniors housing and its required multiple inspections, keeping on schedule was no easy feat, said Freshwater.
For architecture, the developers engaged Munoz & Albin, which designed of the new 46-story Brava downtown apartment tower, rather than hiring an architect that specializes in seniors housing.
“The design of The Watermark at Houston Heights was carefully curated to cater to older Houstonians who want to maintain their current lifestyles. From distinguished architecture and inspired interiors to its hyper-amenitized environment, the building has the look and feel of a high-end multifamily building or five-star hotel,” said John Mooz, Hines senior managing director.
Mooz said the Watermark design emphasizes a key feature that Hines seeks to incorporate in its projects – a sense of arrival. A long sloping driveway leads up to the second floor entry of the building evoking the feel of a luxury hotel.
Watermark has four restaurants, which are called “culinary offerings” in PR materials, a golf simulator, and a virtual reality lounge.
Three levels of care – independent senior living, assisted living and memory care are offered at Watermark at Houston Heights. Monthly rents range from about $3,000 to $8,000.
The 370,655-SF project sits on 1.9 acres at the corner of W. 18thStreet and Bevis Street.
With townhomes all around, the location has restaurants and bars within walking distance.
When selecting the site, the developers were also mindful of the ability of incoming residents to have their families living nearby, said Meg Meliet, director of senior living and healthcare development at Hines.
The development team also includes: Looney & Associates, interior design; Kirksey, architect of record, TBG Landscape Architects; and the general contractor is Harvey Builders.
Hines recently developed another senior project in Houston’s Inner Loop. Hines and the Morning Star Senior Living organization are nearing completion on a six-story residential building in the Upper Kirby area of Houston. The seniors community is being constructed one block from the Southwest Freeway near the corner of Richmond Avenue and Kirby Drive.
May 2, 2022 – Realty News Report Copyright 2022
Image: Courtesy Hines
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File: Hines and a High Watermark in The Heights