living the high life

Houston rises to No. 3 in U.S. for most downtown apartment residents

A view of One Park Place, the downtown tower that started it all.

Photo courtesy of One Park Place

A new study suggests downtown Houston has evolved into a magnet for apartment dwellers.

From 2013 to 2022, downtown Houston has added 15,607 apartments, according to a new study from StorageCafe. That puts Houston in third place among 100 major U.S. cities for the most growth in downtown apartment supplies. Atlanta ranks first (21,508), with Los Angeles at No. 2 (19,432).

During the 10-year period covered by the study, Houston’s inventory of downtown apartments rose 63 percent.

“While office workers aren’t yet returning in droves, people still seem interested in living in downtown Houston, which has another 2,700 new apartments currently under construction with completion dates spanning approximately two years,” according to StorageCafe.

For those in the know, credit goes to Houston visionary and real estate mogul Marvy Finger, who built One Park Place — the first luxury residential high rise built in downtown in more than 40 years. He followed with the popular 500 Crawford, which overlooks Minute Maid Park (its library looks right into left field) and houses Houston Astros owner Jim Crane's fine-dining Italian eatery Potente.

Following Finger's lead, myriad developments followed, as did a resurgence of downtown's scene, ushered on by hot spots such as Four Seasons and its buzzy steakhouse Toro Toro. Beyond home games with the Astros and Houston Rockets, downtowners can enjoy the bustling Discovery Green, the nearby treehouse-vibed destination restaurant The Grove, and more.

Sitting at No. 14 in the study is San Antonio, which grew its downtown apartment supply by 8,373 from 2013 to 2022. Outside the top 20 are three other major cities in Texas:

No. 21 Dallas, 7,162 new downtown apartments
No. 24 Fort Worth, 6,485 new downtown apartments
No. 35 Austin, 4,144 new downtown apartments

“The renaissance of the American downtown as a place to live has come in response to people’s changing attitudes and lifestyle preferences,” StorageCafe says. “Even as working from home enabled families to move to more affordable suburbs or to less expensive parts of the country, many people are heading back to city centers to take advantage of their unique economic and social opportunities.”

calling all shutterbugs

Luxury camera brand Leica picks Houston for first Texas store

Courtesy of Leica

Photographers will be able to see Leica's full product range at its new store.

One of the world’s most respected camera brands is coming to Houston. Leica will bring the first Texas location of its store and gallery concept to River Oaks District.

Slated to open next year next to Le Colonial, the Leica Store and Gallery is described in press materials as an “immersive retail concept” that both showcases the brand’s cameras and the work photographers create with them. Towards that end, the store will host exhibitions, educational programming, workshops, and artist talks. Its gallery will provide a museum-style display of photographs taken with Leica equipment.

“Houston is one of America’s most dynamic cultural centers, with a vibrant arts community and an entrepreneurial spirit that makes it a natural home for Leica,” said Mike Giannattasio, president, Leica Camera North America, in a statement. “We look forward to creating a space that not only showcases our products but also brings together photographers, artists, and creators.”

Of course, the store will also sell the full line of Leica cameras, including the M-System, SL-System, and Q cameras, as well as lenses, timepieces, and home cinema products. The German company is known for its craftsmanship, design, and sophisticated technology, making it a favorite among professional photographers.

“We look forward to welcoming Leica to River Oaks District in 2027,” added Robert Bernard, senior real estate manager at Fertitta Entertainment, the company that acquired River Oaks District in 2024. “We are intentional about bringing in brands that elevate the overall experience of the district, and Leica is a perfect reflection of that vision. This unique, art-forward destination celebrates local artists, craftsmanship, and one-of-a-kind experiences alongside the world’s most celebrated luxury brands.”

River Oaks District is an 18-acre development at 4444 Westheimer. It’s home to more than 50 high-end shops and restaurants, including Steak 48, MAD, Hermes, Dior, and Cartier.

openings shopping leica river oaks district