The past year has been an exciting one in Houston real estate and development: The Houston Center for Ballet debuted its brand new Center for Dance and the latest outpost of Austin supermarket Whole Foods just opened in Montrose. But many of the most anticipated store and restaurant openings have not been located in downtown or the Galleria: Some of the most rapid growth is taking place in CityCentre, located on the southeast side of the Beltway 8 and I-10 intersection.

In recent months, Cyclone Anaya’s, Flora & Muse, Sweet, Free People and Red Mango have set up shop in the popular mixed used development. Urban Outfitters is opening today, and the third office tower — CityCentre Three — is under construction in front of the Hotel Sorella, facing Beltway 8.

But the folks at Midway Companies have even more exciting things on the horizon this fall:

• Paper Source will open its second Houston area location, bringing an excellent selection of stationary and custom invitation design to outside-the-loopers.
• Fort Lauderdale-based G.R.E.A.T. Grille Group is about to begin construction on an 11,000 square foot upscale sports restaurant and bar on the south end of CityCentre, near Eddie V’s. G.R.E.AT. has won accolades for its six other U.S. locations, including Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 in Pittsburgh and Eddie George’s Grille 27 in Columbus. While officials report that the venture is currently unnamed, the website for Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 lists Houston Texans Grille as a location expected to open in 2011.
• The Hotel Sorella Meetings & Events Centre, anchored by a 4,000 square-foot ballroom and featuring four boardrooms that average 570 square feet, plans a fall opening.The team at renowned Brennan’s family owned restaurant Bistro Alex will oversee food and beverage operations.

And if that isn’t enough exciting news, construction crews will break ground on the fourth CityCentre anchor building in the fall. If you live outside the loop, it’s going to be a good several months.