HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – New townhomes and garden-style apartments under development in Kingwood are expanding rental options in the master-planned community known as the “Livable Forest” in Humble.
The pair of projects is by High Street Residential, which is Trammell Crow Co.’s residential subsidiary, with joint venture partner Daiwa House Group.
First up, with completion this spring, is The Residences at Kingwood. It brings 240 apartment homes and 49 townhomes to the growing submarket’s housing mix. The project’s apartments average 1,046 square feet, and the townhouses, 1,530 square feet.
Meanwhile, the joint venture’s second phase of development, Reserve at West Lake, broke ground recently for summer 2025 delivery of its 109 townhomes and 72 apartments. Arch-Con Corporation is the general contractor.
The compelling drivers for investment in Kingwood were three-fold, said Yewande Fapohunda, a principal with HSR in Houston.
The site location is “superior,” as it is in one of Houston’s most established master-planned communities, with strong demographics and projected population growth.
Secondly, the projects’ density is different within the submarket. “We’re developing a deliberately less dense product with decentralized amenity program to offer a more single-family and resort-like residential feel,” she said.
Both phases target a cross-section of market segments, especially empty nesters and young families drawn to Kingwood’s quality lifestyle.
The market fundamentals also influenced a Kingwood presence, she said. “The submarket is positioned well for future rent growth.”
While suburban submarkets on Houston’s west side have commanded developer interest and supply, “the Kingwood/Humble area has experienced rebounding multifamily demand and income growth, coupled with below-average construction.”
Scandia/Wabi-Sabi Design
Project materials indicate the project design “kept in mind the fluidity of work and home life in a post-Covid era.” Examples include floor plans with flexible spaces such as dens, lofts and nooks for work at home as well as work suites in the community’s clubhouse.
The presence of green space – and access to it – was paramount Fapohnda said, citing preservation of trees surrounding the phases and creation of a green buffer between the new development and nearby single-family homes.
In addition to having access to Kingwood’s green belt trail system, project amenities include a clubhouse with fitness center, yoga room, residents’ lounge, entertaining kitchen, pool, biergarten and outdoor dining area. Recreation space includes courts for pickleball and bocce.
And for the dogs? A dedicated indoor spa and outdoor park.
The project’s architect is W Partnership, with interior design by Compasso Design.
The underlying minimalist design approach is inspired by traditional Scandinavian architecture and by Japanese “wabi-sabi” design principles, said interior designer Simona Furini. The latter refers to simplicity, natural materials and acceptance of imperfection, which renders a calm, relaxed and comfortable environment.
Image: Courtesy High Street Residential
The clubhouse is an example, incorporating tall, vaulted ceilings and large windows. The project’s color palette is earth-toned, with muted, natural hues to connect with and enhance the natural surroundings.
The project team also includes Kimley Horn, Robinson & Company and KW Landscape Architects.
High Street Residential’s background skews toward urban and infill mixed-use development as well as redevelopment or repurposing of existing properties.
The Kingwood projects are part of the company’s estimated 3,500 units in its development pipeline. Kingwood, a 15,000-acre community started by Friendswood Development in 1970, is located about 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston.
Daiwa House Group, the largest single-family homebuilder in Japan, has partnerships with developers across the U.S.
In downtown Houston, High Street Residential recently developed a 43-story apartment tower, designed by Ziegler Cooper Architects. Delivering 309 units adjacent to Discovery Green park, the tower is located on Block 98, which is bounded by Rusk, Walker, Crawford and La Branch streets.
April 1, 2024 Realty News Report Copyright 2024
Renderings Courtesy of High Street Residential
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