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Montrose gets a fancy new movie theater, while Midtown loses its theater chance — for now

On the heels of the news that Florida luxury movie theater group iPic Entertainment will be moving into River Oaks, Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse revealed that it also will be opening a theater inside of the Loop.

Regent Square is the newest spot for the Austin-based cinema chain, which already has locations at Mason Park in Katy and Vintage Park in northwest Houston.

Consistent with the development's plan to be "all about the pedestrian," Alamo Drafthouse will also host outdoor screenings.

Construction of phase one began in September on the long-delayed Regent Square, a mixed-use development near the corner of Dallas and Dunlavy that aims to offer everything a resident needs — restaurants, retail, offices and entertainment — in 24 acres.

In addition to the 35,000-square-foot, nine screen, 950-seat cinema, the second phase of Regent Square construction — expected to begin in late 2013 — will include 160 residential units and 15,000 square feet of restaurant space.

Consistent with the development's plans to be "all about the pedestrian," Alamo Drafthouse will also host outdoor screenings in the on-site park.

Alamo Drafthouse announced in May 2012 intentions to open a theater at 2901 Louisiana Street, but Alamo representative Neil Michaelsen tells the Houston Business Journal that, in light of construction delays, the company is "reviewing alternate sites in Midtown for an Alamo and is committed to bringing the concept to that market."

Regent Square is set to begin the second phase of construction in late 2013.

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warehouses to wow

New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

The rapidly-growing area around Memorial City Mall will soon add another new development. Called Greenside, it will transform a group of industrial buildings into a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses.

Located just north of Memorial City Mall at 1085 Gessner Rd., Greenside unites Memorial City owner Metronational with Radom Capital, the Houston-based developer behind M-K-T Heights, the Montrose Collective, and the ongoing redevelopment of the historic Tower Theater. They’ve retained the Texas-based Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to transform a group of industrial warehouses into 35,000-square-feet of new businesses.

Plans call for a one-acre green space that includes a mix of seating options and strings of lights. Walkways will connect Greenside with nearby restaurants and bars such as Torchy’s Taco, Mia’s Table, and Kirby Ice House.

“The community continues to ask for more unique retail and restaurant offerings, and with the help of Radom Capital and Michael Hsu, we will deliver a one-of-a-kind offering to the Memorial City area with a great outdoor experience,” MetroNational president and CEO Jason Johnson said in a statement. “This project represents MetroNational’s commitment to creating spaces that foster community and deliver long-term value for Memorial City and the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Construction is expected to begin in the spring. If everything goes according to schedule, the first tenants could open in summer 2026.

The past year has seen a number of new additions to the Memorial City area. They include Texas comfort food restaurant Haywire, Detroit-style pizzeria Via 313, live fire restaurant Credence, and a second location of Montrose barbecue favorite The Pit Room. Next year, new locations of The Burger Joint and the Taco Stand will open nearby at 1016 Gessner Rd.

memorial city greenside openings