take me to the river

Game-changing waterfront mixed-use development flows into East Downtown

East River will encompass 150 acres and 60 city blocks.

Rendering courtesy of Midway

As well-traveled locals know, great cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London) boast strong, waterfront urban presences. Now, Houston is set to join that mix with an ambitious, years-long development along the East End.

Dubbed East River, this new, 150-acre mixed-use project promises to transform Houston’s waterfront — east of downtown — into a new economic center. East River (as the name implies) will be nestled in the East End, less than a mile from downtown, and bounded by Hirsch Road to the east, Jensen Drive to the west, Clinton Drive to the north, and Buffalo Bayou to the south.

By the numbers, East River will encompass 1,000,000 square feet of new construction extending 60 city blocks. The development, which will break ground this year with a full build-out plan spanning 20 years, comes courtesy of Midway; architects include Page, Munoz + Albin, Mayfield and Ragni Studio (MaRS), and OJB.

To launch the development, a mixed-use project is planned on some 26 acres at the intersection of Jensen Drive and Clinton Drive. A five-story, modern-industrial multifamily community of 360 apartment homes called The Laura will serve new residents.

Approximately 250,000 square feet of office space is designed to fit a wide variety of business needs, according to press materials. An additional 110,000 square feet of retail at the ground floor of the office buildings, garage, and freestanding plaza, and bayou pavilions will feature hospitality, retail, medical, and entertainment.

Outdoors, visitors can expect more than 13,000 square feet of plaza green space — with a full calendar of activations including events and live music. Hikers and bikers will enjoy the Buffalo Bayou hike and bike trails and the nearly 500 miles of bike lanes nearby.

Speaking of green spaces, Midway saved almost 300 trees from the redevelopment of Post Oak Boulevard and other sites around Houston and replanted them in a nursery on the northern boundary of East River. The company also installed two beehives on the East River site in collaboration with Alvéole, a social beekeeping company, in effort to help visitors connect with nature and the environment.

Midway has also unveiled a new 60-by-20-foot Houston-themed mural on the corner of Jensen Drive and Clinton Drive by local artist David Maldonado. The piece was spray-painted on-site over a two-week period, using six shipping containers as the canvas.

Expect more announcements and public events and activations as the project breaks ground.

openings downtown

HAUTE PROPERTIES

675-acre Hill Country ranch where George Strait rehearsed lists for $19.5M

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

Lone Woman Ranch, the Hill Country estate where country stars like George Strait, George Jones, and Ace in the Hole Band rehearsed, is up for sale for $19.5 million.

Located 65 miles from San Antonio in Hays County on 675 acres, the secluded ranch once served as an artistic getaway for emerging Texas artists. The property, listed by Olmos Park firm Republic Ranches. is named after the nearby Lone Woman Mountain, and its elevation gives an incredible view of the county. On a clear day, you can see downtown Austin.

The land comes with two residences, both built near the entrance gate. The primary stone house has original hardwood floors, a recently remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a new HVAC system. The secondary residence was used as a rehearsal space. Both have had long-term residents who made improvements, and both have their own septic systems, wells, and electric meters.

The real appeal of Lone Woman Ranch, however, is the extensive woods, creeks, and natural setting. It is next to 6,000 acres of conservation land, including Storm Ranch. The entire mountain is also included in the property, making it a veritable mini-kingdom for the owner with unobstructed privacy on three sides.

Two ponds are on the site — a 4-acre and a 1-acre — both fully stocked. Runoff from the larger pond creates picturesque seasonal limestone waterfalls.The surrounding woods are full of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, doves, and more. The property is under wildlife exemption.

It's little wonder the ranch was a muse to so many country musicians. A network of ranch roads provides access throughout the property, including most of the way up Lone Woman, giving views around every corner. Only Strait can tell you whether his 1996 hit "King of the Mountain" was inspired by the ranch.

Photo by Michelle Watson CultureMapSnap

George Strait developed his early sound at Lone Woman Ranch.

ranches hill country hays county celebrities george strait george jones listings