Hometown Glory

Building right: Hines wins major green building award

Gerald D. Hines, chairman and founder of the Houston-based Hines real estate development firm, has received the President’s Award from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in recognition for his firm’s outstanding track record in sustainable development.

The U.S. Green Building Council organizes the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program that certifies the sustainability programs and energy efficiency of buildings. In recognizing Hines, the organization said: “Hines is a longtime leader in the real estate industry with an unparalleled commitment to green building.

"With more than 100 million square feet of LEED-certified space, Hines has built a legacy of sustainability that continues to expand and evolve.”

The company has $1.7 billion of projects under development in Houston alone.

Also receiving awards at the organization’s Greenbuild International Conference in Philadelphia were: Mike McNally, president of Skanska USA; Greensburg, Kansas Mayor Bob Dixson; Joel Ann Todd, chair of the LEED Steering Committee and the Intel Corp.

Hines has a number of environmentally-friendly developments underway around the world. But none is more environmentally ambitious than LPL Financial at La Jolla, a 13-story, 415,000-square-foot building under construction in the San Diego area. That building will be “net-zero” meaning it will produce as much energy as it uses. In addition to being constructed with extremely high energy-efficiency standards and green materials, LPL Financial will have on-site fuel cells that convert carbon-neutral methane into electricity.

Hines founded his company in Houston in 1957. The company currently has $1.7 billion of projects under development in Houston alone, including a 47-story downtown office tower at 609 Main and a 33-story residential tower across from downtown’s Market Square, at Travis and Prairie. In addition, Hines is developing the 21 Eleven apartments on the site of the former Café Adobe restaurant on Westheimer; the 25-story Southmore residential tower in the Museum District at Southmore and Caroline streets; the 17-story 2229 San Felipe office building and the 46-acre Somerset Green infill residential community off of Old Katy Road.

Hines’ historical and current portfolio of projects that are underway, completed, acquired and managed for third parties includes 1,283 properties representing more than 516 million square feet of office, residential, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical and sports facilities, as well as master-planned communities and land developments. Hines has offices in 111 cities in 18 countries

Ralph Bivins, former president of the National Association of Real Estate Editors, is founding editor of RealtyNewsReport.

Gerald D. Hines, chairman and founder of the Houston-based Hines real estate development firm (File photo)

Photo by © Fulton Davenport PWL Studio

Gerald D. Hines, chairman and founder of the Houston-based Hines real estate development firm (File photo)

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How Sweet

Sugar Land's first new apartment complex in 13 years breaks ground

Pearl Lake Pointe luxury apartment complex Sugar Land.

Rendering Courtesy of Morgan

Pearl Lake Pointe is a 376-unit luxury apartment complex slated for early summer 2027 in Sugar Land.

Sugar Land is welcoming its first new apartment development in more than a decade. Pearl Lake Pointe, a 376-unit luxury community from developers Morgan and Carlyle, is underway at 16435 Creekbend Drive.

Construction began in November, with an official groundbreaking held this week. “The groundbreaking of Pearl Lake Pointe marks an exciting new chapter for the Lake Pointe peninsula,” Sugar Land Mayor Carol K. McCutcheon said in a statement. “After years of planning and collaboration with Morgan, this project delivers much-needed, high-quality multifamily housing and strengthens our long-term vision for a vibrant, connected district. This milestone will help drive continued reinvestment and momentum throughout Lake Pointe and across Sugar Land.”

Set across 6.46 acres, the five-story complex will feature five live-work units, a six-story parking garage, and 9,940 square feet of commercial office space. Fitness centers, a resort-inspired pool, a golf simulator, a sky lounge, and a cafe are among the planned amenities.

Inside the residences, features include open-concept floor plans, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, washers and dryers, and balconies in select units.

“Pearl Lake Pointe is a unique opportunity to elevate the living experience and set a new benchmark for luxury in Sugar Land,” Kase Pappert, Morgan senior development manager, said. “We are grateful for the City’s partnership and look forward to helping re-energize the Lake Pointe peninsula with a welcoming community that feels like home and connects residents to the amenities right outside their door.”

Roughly 20 miles from downtown Houston, the site has views of Brooks Lake and is adjacent to the former Fluor corporate campus currently being transformed into the Lake Pointe Green mixed-use development.

The first Pearl Lake Pointe units are slated for delivery in early summer 2027. Morgan and Carlyle will own and manage the community, with project financing provided by Texas Capital Bank.

“With Pearl Lake Pointe, Carlyle and Morgan are redefining multifamily living and adding meaningful momentum to address the demand for high-quality housing in the Sugar Land submarket,” said Adam Buchwald, Carlyle managing director and partner. “Partnering with Morgan — an accomplished developer with a strong track record — makes this project even more exciting, and Pearl Lake Pointe is a standout addition to Carlyle’s portfolio of high-quality multifamily developments.”

construction groundbreaking apartments