Texas booms as 3rd hottest state for international homebuyers, new report shows

global demand

Photo by Getty Images

The trend of international buyers purchasing homes in Texas shows no signs of slowing down, as revealed in the latest Texas International Homebuyers Report.

Released September 6 by Texas Realtors, the report shows that the Lone Star State remains the No. 3 hottest U.S. destination for international homebuyers. Texas ranks behind Florida and California for the fourth consecutive year.

From April 2022 to March 2023, 9,900 Texas homes were purchased by buyers from outside the U.S. These homes make up 11.7 percent of the total number of Texas Realtors sales transactions.

For comparison, Florida (No. 1) accounted for 23 percent of purchases, with California (No. 2) at 12.2 percent.

"Texas has long been one of the most popular states for international buyers," said 2023 chairman of the Texas Realtors Marcus Phipps in a release. "Our strong economy, diverse population and high quality of life make the Lone Star State an attractive destination."

International buyers spent $4.3 billion on these Texas homes during the time period, the report says. Nearly half (49 percent) of buyers avoided the need for a mortgage by paying for their homes in all-cash.

In all, 84,600 international buyers bought property in the U.S. between April 2022 to March 2023, down from 98,600 buyers in last year's report.

The report further states that the median home price for international buyers is slightly lower than the overall Texas median: $320,800 versus $342,000. However, the average purchase price for international buyers was significantly higher, at $446,100.

In a breakdown of the foreign buyers, over half (51 percent) bought a primary residence in Texas. Mexico made up 41 percent of the top buyers, followed by China (8 percent) and India (7 percent). Nigeria and Venezuela accounted for five percent each within the top foreign buyers.

Photo via Novel River Oaks

Houston tops the charts for 3rd most new apartments built in U.S. since 2020

a league apart

Shiny new apartment complexes are popping up everywhere around the country, but no more than two cities can claim quite as many as Houston.

The Houston metro area, in fact, has had the third most new apartments constructed since the beginning of the "pandemic building boom" in 2020 in the U.S., according to a new study by apartment rental marketplace RentCafe.

Third highest construction rate from 2020 to 2022
The construction analysis revealed 53,741 new apartment units opened in Houston between 2020 and 2022. Houston's numbers far outshine one of the biggest renter metros in the state – Austin (No. 4) – by nearly 8,700 units.

"The metro is also home to several major companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron — both of which expanded their presence in the area during those three years — that attract a large number of workers, further supporting demand for rental apartments," the report's author said.

Broken down by city, Houston constructed 28,423 new apartment units between 2020 and 2022, while Katy built the second highest number of new apartments: 4,859. Spring built 3,878 new units within the same time frame, and Richmond made up 2,324 new apartment units.

The only two cities to outrank Houston are New York (No. 2) and Dallas (No. 3), which developed a whopping 66,070 and 76,660 new apartment units, respectively, within the same time period. Austin and Miami round out the top five with 45,051 and 42,960 new units built between 2020 and 2022.

The remaining top 10 metros that completed the most new apartments between 2020 and 2022 are:

No. 6 – Washington, D.C. (42,723 units)
No. 7 – Los Angeles (39,842 units)
No. 8 – Atlanta (39,467 units)
No. 9 – Seattle (36,952 units)
No. 10 – Twin Cities, Minnesota (31,662 units)

New apartments to meet rising demand in 2023
Houston may have topped the charts for new apartments built during the pandemic, but it slipped out of the top five in the analysis of projected completed units in 2023. The study found that developers are set to build 13,637 new rental units by the end of December, which is 19,364 fewer than New York, which claimed the No. 1 spot in 2023.

The report commented that Houston's "slower" apartment growth earned it No. 8 in the ranking of the overall top 20 U.S. metros for construction in 2023. But the city's focus is not necessarily on building apartments.

"[The Houston] metro (along with Dallas, Austin and San Antonio) is keen on building single-family rentals to meet the needs of those who are not yet ready to become homeowners," the report said.

The top 10 metros predicted to build the most new apartments in 2023 are:

No. 1 – New York City (33,001 units)
No. 2 – Dallas (23,659 units)
No. 3 – Austin (23,434 units)
No. 4 – Miami (20,904 units)
No. 5 – Atlanta (18,408 units)
No. 6 – Phoenix (14,629 units)
No. 7 – Los Angeles (14,087 units)
No. 8 – Houston (13,637 units)
No. 9 – Washington, D.C. (13,189 units)
No. 10 – Denver (12,581 units)

The full report can be found on rentcafe.com.

Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Houston's 10 most expensive homes sold in July: Elegant estates, midcentury masterpieces, and more

enviable estates

Houston has long been home to some of the luxurious and expensive homes in the country, drawing in power players like billionaires to former professional football megastars.

From high-profile to under-the-radar, many wealthy residents favor upscale neighborhoods like Tanglewood, River Oaks, and Memorial Villages, while others seek residence in suburbs like The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, and Conroe.

With that in mind, HAR recently shared its rundown of the 10 big-budget, grandiose Houston homes that were the most expensive inventory sold in the month of July. Brand-new builds and well-kept renovated estates are among the list of astonishing abodes, ranging from a Mediterranean mansion to a mid-1960s palazzo.

1. 1923 Olympia Drive, River Oaks
List price: $5.6 million; sell price range: $5.08 million to $5.86 million

1923 Olympia Drive, River Oaks, Houston The private backyard at 1923 Olympia Dr. in River Oaks is a perfect little retreat.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Much like past reports, the most expensive home sold in Houston last month is nestled in one of the city's most prestigious and old-guard neighborhoods. This opulent two-story manor at 1923 Olympia Dr. underwent an extensive facelift in 2021 to bring it to its current modern style. The builders adding a new roof, a new kitchen, and more.

The manor spans just under 7,400 square feet across four bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half baths. Other wonderful features of the home include backlit floor-to-ceiling bookcases, a private study,, a second-floor balcony that lines the back of the house, and a pool.

2. 5328 Cherokee Street, Rice/Museum District
List price: $5.4 million; sell price range: $4.42 million to $5.08 million

Photo courtesy of HAR.com

No. 1: 1923 Olympia Dr. in River Oaks.

5328 Cherokee Street, Rice/Museum District, Houston 5328 Cherokee St. in the Rice/Museum District is a minimalistic haven.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Though this new-construction home may look unassumingly modern from the outside, the inside is a minimalist's paradise. The builders drew their inspiration from Belgian interior design, complete with wall-to-wall 60-foot sliding steel doors that eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day. The 6,949 square foot, two-story haven is complete with five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half baths.

5328 Cherokee Street is located on a 10,605 square foot lot just a single block from Rice University, making the tree-lined area one of the most sought-after streets in the area.

3. 10914 Bridgewood Street, Memorial Villages
List price: $5.23 million; sell price range: $4.42 million to $5.08 million

10914 Bridgewood Street, Memorial Villages, Houston No. 3: 10914 Bridgewood St. in Memorial Villages.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Sitting on a half-acre wooded lot in Hunter's Creek is 10914 Bridgewood Street, a newly built French-traditional home with six bedrooms, three full baths, and three half baths. This family-focused home features a large breakfast room for morning gatherings, and a study suitable for any office work or schoolwork. The chef's kitchen is equipped with high-end appliances, an oversized island, and multiple pantries.

4. 18740 Palm Beach Boulevard, Lake Conroe
List price: $5.2 million; sell price range: $4.42 million to $5.08 million

18740 Palm Beach Boulevard, Lake Conroe An exterior view of 18740 Palm Beach Blvd. in Lake Conroe.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

This Conroe home will have guests feeling like they're on a vacation. The design is a mix of European and modern styles, with plenty of room to personalize. Some incredible interior features of the home include eight bedrooms, six full bathrooms, a modern kitchen with a Thermador gas range, a spiral staircase, leading to the outdoor kitchen, and more.

Sitting on the largest lot out of all homes on the list, 18740 Palm Beach Boulevard about 4.64 acres. It backs up to Lake Conroe, providing constant views of the beautiful oasis. Guests can explore the lake by using one of the three lifts on the private boat dock, or park their vessel at the guest boat dock. If outdoor waterfront exploration isn't the order of the day, guests can choose to relax by the pool or hot tub just steps away from the back patio.

5.773 Pifer Road, Memorial Villages
List price: $4.99 million; sell price range: $4.42 million to $5.08 million

773 Pifer Road, Memorial Villages, Houston The owners of 773 Pifer Road will be the talk of Memorial Villages with this custom wine wall.

A resplendent, new construction home at 773 Pifer Road in prestigious Hunter's Creek is the height of luxury without being overly dramatic. It sits on a little less than half an acre of land, while the home spans 7,500 square feet. Construction was set for completion at the end of June, making this home the newest on the list.

The inside of the home gives a peek at the deluxe finishes, such as a gourmet chef's kitchen with Subzero and Wolf appliances, an accompanying wet bar, and a custom-designed wine wall intended to be the center of attention in the formal dining room. But photos keep the remaining secrets of the home a secret – the design of the six bathrooms, five full baths, and two half baths.

6. 2530 Stanmore Drive, River Oaks
List price: $4.5 million; sell price range: $4.42 million to $5.08 million

2530 Stanmore Drive, River Oaks, Houston No. 6: 2530 Stanmore Dr. in River Oaks.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

2530 Stanmore Drive is an ode to Long Island homes from the 1920s, but with modern updates from the current century. Described as a "Cape Cod" contemporary, this stately home boasts a striking white interior with black, gold, and mahogany wood accents.

Every bedroom comes with its own en-suite bathroom, and there are two additional half-baths elsewhere in the house. Guests can take advantage of the game room, or lounge on the patio with an outdoor kitchen and fire pit, and there's even room for a pool if the owners choose to install one.

7. 6062 Riverview Way, Tanglewood
List price: $4.43 million; sell price range: $3.83 million to $4.41 million

6062 Riverview Way, Tanglewood, Houston No. 7: 6062 Riverview Way in Tanglewood.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

This English traditional mansion in at 6062 Riverview Way in Tanglewood is the definition of elegance. Spreading across 7,197 square feet on a .4 acre lot, this home features several stylish amenities like a gourmet kitchen with a butler bar, four to five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a game room, an outdoor kitchen overlooking the back yard and pool, and more.

For any extra guests that arrive in Houston for a getaway, they can stay in the 593-square-foot guest quarters above the three-story garage. And with the home's close proximity to the Houston Country Club and other upscale businesses around Tanglewood, there's no shortage of activities in the area.

8. 55 Hollymead Drive, The Woodlands
List price: $4.4 million; sell price range: $3.83 million to $4.41 million

55 Hollymead Drive, The Woodlands Natural light floods the inside of 55 Hollymead Dr. in The Woodlands.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Demand in and outside the Greater Houston area has been on the rise throughout the years as more residents look for a more suburban lifestyle, and The Woodlands is no exception. This home at 55 Hollymead Drive is a newly built home residing in the Village of Cochran's Crossing.

Featuring five to six bedrooms (as the listing says), six full baths, three half baths, this lavish home is a dream for any owner who prefers a laid-back, relaxed modern style that isn't ostentatious. Guests will surely be enamored by all of the natural light provided by this home, along with the calming neutral tones and high-end finishes throughout the interior.

9. 5835 Indian Trail, Tanglewood
List price: $4.2 million; sell price range: $3.83 million to $4.41 million

5835 Indian Trail, Tanglewood, Houston No. 9: 5835 Indian Trail in Tanglewood.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

This two-story Tanglewood home boasts a magnificent Mediterranean architecture style on a 30,302 square foot lot. With a full-house generator already installed, this six bedroom, seven bath, and three half bath home is perfect for those who like to be prepared for any adverse weather conditions.

But in the bright summer months where that's less of a concern, the owners can imagine they're living at a resort while enjoying a dip in the luxurious pool and catching the beautiful backyard views.

Adding to its prestigious appeal, 5835 Indian Trail also backs up to the Houston Country Club for the ultimate recreational convenience.

10. 700 Pine Shadows Drive, Tanglewood
List price: $3.99 million; sell price range: $3.83 million to $4.41 million

700 Pine Shadows Drive, Tanglewood, Houston Rounding out the top 10 is 700 Pine Shadows Dr. in Tanglewood.Photo courtesy of HAR.com

Our final dwelling might be the oldest one on the list, but it still retains a significant history. This home at 700 Pine Shadows Drive was built in 1965 on a 1.06 acre lot, spanning about 7,000 square feet among five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and two half baths.

Traditional architecture anchors the home to the sophisticated Tanglewood neighborhood, with an abundance of timeless charm to wow guests and neighbors.

Photo courtesy of TK Images

Regal Tanglewood estate once owned by former Houston Texans quarterback touches down on market for $6.5M

a real score

A recently renovated, regal estate in the prestigious Tanglewood neighborhood that was once owned by Matt Schaub, the former Houston Texans quarterback, has landed on the market with a $6.5 million asking price.

5620 Bordley Drive Tanglewood Matt Schaub

Photo courtesy of TK Images

Former Texans QB Matt Schaub's Tanglewood home boasts elegant design and amenities.

This property at 5620 Bordley Drive sits on one of the largest lots in the entire neighborhood, a double lot that spans nearly 50,000 square feet (or 1.13 acres). Notably, the residence on the first lot underwent a $1.5 million renovation in 2021 to bring it to its current opulent and modern state.

Ellie Riney of Nan and Company Properties Christie's International Real Estate is the listing agent on record.

Schaub's former home boasts 10,840-square-feet and allows owners and guests to enjoy the best of the state-of-the-art amenities, modern styling, and high-end finishes. The home is laid out with five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and three half baths across three floors.

A gourmet kitchen is perfectly suited for a chef to perform their culinary magic. The area is equipped with top-tier appliances like a Wolf steam oven, a 36-inch Sub-Zero fridge, a 36-inch Sub-Zero freezer, two Cove dishwashers, stain-resistant Dekton countertops, custom Eggersmann cabinets, and more.

5620 Bordley Drive Tanglewood Matt Schaub The kitchen appears minimalistic, but is a culinary war room in disguise.Photo courtesy of TK Images

A coffee bar can be seen on the way into the kitchen, but can be hidden with seamless-appearing doors. Further away is the butler's pantry, complete with a wet bar, filtered water system, instant hot water system, an ice maker, and under-cabinet lighting to really set the mood for any cocktail-crafting experience.

No expenses are spared to make the primary suite the most grandiose realm of the house. Designed to be the homeowner's private retreat, the suite has separate his-and-her bathrooms and walk-in closets for the ultimate convenience. As for comfort, there's nothing more inviting than a modern fireplace.

The first primary bathroom has two separate vanities with sinks, gold mirrors, a floating Toto toilet, an oversized walk-in shower with two shower heads, separate standalone bathtub, black tile floors, and floor-to-ceiling storage. The first primary walk-in closet showcases floor-to-ceiling storage with all-mirror fronts so owners can have a 360-degree view of their outfits. This closet also features a vanity area with LED lighting.

5620 Bordley Drive Tanglewood Matt Schaub Black, white, and gold – the perfect color combination for any modern abode.Photo courtesy of TK Images

The second primary bathroom is much more rugged; it's adorned floor-to-ceiling with black tile, a floating vanity, an LED-backlit mirror, black toilet, and a walk-in shower. The second primary closet has LED-lighting for the shoe shelves and hanging spaces.

A few other over-the-top features of the home include:

Cantera Steel front doors
Modern floating staircase with glass railing and LED lighting
Downstairs media room with a surround sound system, wet bar and ice maker, two drink fridges, and a modern gas fireplace
Wine room capable of storing 150 bottles and two wine fridges
Elevator
Home gym with a bulletproof door and fingerprint scanner lock system
Third-floor game room

Outside the house is the revamped, extravagant "outdoor oasis." The space – which would be incomplete without a (remodeled) pool and hot tub – also boasts tiled floors, a speaker system, a kitchen, fireplace, and security cameras. Future owners wouldn't have to worry about things like mosquitos or keeping the grass green in this backyard space thanks to a mosquito system and perfectly polished Wasaka lawn turf landscape.

The space also comes equipped with a full-house Generac generator, capable of producing 60,000 kilowatts.

While the house and pool sit on the first lot, the second lot is dedicated to a deck area, a host of gorgeous oak trees, and a "man cave" that was converted from a garage during the 2021 renovations. The lavish space is the perfect getaway hideout with stunning amenities: a wet bar, golf simulator, half-bathroom, and the unforgettable luxury of air-conditioning. For any future planning, the second lot has enough space or a sport court of the owner's choosing.

Once a promising backup quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Schaub was traded to the Texans in 2007 and quickly became the franchise quarterback after the David Carr era. He was a calm, steady, stabilizing presence on a team that saw the playoffs and generated a strong fan following and respect around the NFL. His time at the Texans earned him two Pro Bowl appearances as well as admiration from true fans as a true Houston Texan.

Photo courtesy of Sotheby's Realty.

Houston unlocks top-drawer ranking for most million-dollar homes in the U.S.

The luxe life

With median home prices sitting at $340,000, it takes quite the leap for the average Houston home to be considered a luxury listing. And yet there are plenty; 11.4 percent of all real estate listings in Houston are homes worth more than $1 million, according to a new study.

The report, by online real estate marketplace experts Point2, ranks Houston No. 18 nationwide among U.S. cities with the highest shares of luxury homes. Houston ranks No. 3 in Texas, with Austin and Dallas in the top two.

In Point2's 2021 report, Houston ranked No. 14 with only 13.1 percent of real estate listings with a price tag for more than $1 million. These new findings confirm that Houston is on the rise as the most active housing market, while also opening up possibilities for redefining what the term "luxury" means for real estate in 2023.

"Once used to describe famous estates recognizable by name alone or opulent residences redefining the apartment concept, luxury may now be reduced to a convenient location and cushy amenities," the report says. "Its meaning varies even further when analyzing different-sized markets across the United States, beyond the well-known house-hunting grounds of affluent home seekers."

Here's how other Texas cities stacked up with listings selling for over $1 million:

No. 10 – Austin (24.7 percent)
No. 12 – Dallas (22 percent)
No. 25 – Fort Worth (3.4 percent)
No. 26 – San Antonio (2.9 percent)
No. 29 – El Paso (1.8 percent)

The study looked at all available real estate for sale in the 30 largest, mid-size, and smallest cities in the United States, and categorized the listings by their $1-million-plus price tags. The largest cities also were analyzed for active real estate listings worth over $5 million.

The study admits that luxury homes worth over $5 million are the true indicator of what "real luxury" looks like specifically for the largest American cities. In Houston, only 0.8 percent of real estate listings fit that criteria, earning the city No. 15. Dallas and Austin rank No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, with luxury homes over $5 million making up 1.8 and 1.5 percent of all listings in those cities.

The top 15 largest cities in the U.S. with the highest shares of luxury real estate listings worth over $5 million are:

No. 1 – Los Angeles (11.6 percent)
No. 2 – Boston (9.4 percent)
No. 3 – San Diego, California (7.6 percent)
No. 4 – New York City (7.4 percent)
No. 5 – San Francisco (7.1 percent)
No. 6 – Washington, D.C. (2.1 percent)
No. 7 – Seattle (2.0 percent)
No. 8 – Dallas (1.8 percent)
No. 9 – Austin, Texas (1.5 percent)
No. 10 – San Jose, California (1.1 percent)
No. 11 – Phoenix (1.1 percent)
No. 12 – Las Vegas (1.1 percent)
No. 13 – Chicago (1.0 percent)
No. 14 – Nashville, Tennessee (0.9 percent)
No. 15 – Houston (0.8 percent)

The full report and its methodology can be found on point2homes.com.

Photo courtesy of Hive 3D Builders

Texas antiquing mecca welcomes world’s first 3-D printed, near-zero-carbon homes

welcome to the casitas

The future of sustainable home construction is here. Residents in the Texas antiquing and shopping destination of Round Top are getting the first look at 3-D printed homes created by HIVE 3D Builders and Eco Material Technologies, the largest producer of sustainable materials.

The 3-D printed homes are part of The Casitas at The Halles, a new collection of affordable and environmentally sustainable 400- to 900-square-foot homes in the town's most popular retail and event venue. The casitas can be configured with studio, single-bedroom, or two-bedroom floorplans.

"These small homes will serve as a model for affordable and eco-friendly housing throughout the country," said Hive 3D CEO Timothy Lankau in a press release. "We plan to build them at a speed and cost point that is unprecedented in the affordable housing space."

Every home is being constructed using Hive 3D's PozzoCEM Vite cement replacement material, which creates 92 percent less emissions than traditional cement. PozzoCEM Vite also sets in a matter of minutes, rather than the typical one to two days it takes for regular cement to set.

Additionally, Hive 3D and Eco Materials collaborated to develop a new way to mix their materials with specially-modified commercial mixing equipment, thus further reducing production costs.

Eco Materials Technologies CEO Grant Quasha said in the release that Hive 3D's goal to construct 3-D printed homes using their materials similarly aligns with his company's own goal to change the construction industry for the better, while improving overall carbon emissions.

"While we are known as the largest supplier of sustainable cement alternatives for large scale infrastructure projects, we are proud to be able to work with forward-thinking innovators like the team at Hive 3D to provide residential solutions as well," Quasha said. "These homes are cost efficient, beautiful and sustainable in many senses of the word."

More information about the casitas can be found on hive3dbuilders.com.

Photo courtesy of Hive 3D Builders

Hive 3D Builders designs and constructs homes such as this one located in Burton, Texas,

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Score free Shake Shack for one day only at juicy collab with charming Rice Village jeweler

SIMPLY (EAR)RESISTIBLE

Popular ear piercing barStuds made a name for itself by offering a customized piercing experience for those who aged out of places like Claire's but wanted an alternative to a tattoo parlor for piercings. With 19 locations nationwide, Studs offers a wide assortment of earrings that range from classic shapes, to huggies, flatbacks, and dangling charms.

Studs has once again added to their earring selection with their latest collaboration with Shake Shack. They created an adorably beefy earring to add to any burger lover's Earscape.

Studs and Shake Shack created a limited-edition Burger huggie earring and Earscape set. Photo by Studs

Retailing for $32, the limited edition Shake Shack burger huggie comes as a 14K gold-plated hoop with a loaded hamburger charm. Shoppers can opt for the $64 pair, but Studs is also currently offering a discount on the Shake Shack x Studs set. For $78, earring enthusiasts can get the two Shake Shack burger huggies, the 14K-gold Smiley Stud and the 14K-gold Micro CZ Stud.

What's even better than cute earrings? Free Shake Shack! On Thursday, September 28th customers can enjoy free bites from Shake Shack while they shop the new Shake Shack Charm Huggie collection at Stud's Rice Village location.

For $78, earring enthusiasts can get the two Shake Shack burger huggies, the 14K-gold Smiley Stud and the 14K-gold Micro CZ Stud.Photo by Studs

Shake Shack is known for their always made-to-order fare including ShackBurger, crinkle-cut fries, hand-spun shakes and their new Veggie Burger and non-dairy offerings.

Interested shoppers can RSVP here.

Studs Rice Village, 2567 Amherst St.; (832) 981-2869. RSVP here.

Pink-powered Barbie merch truck cruises into Houston on 'Dreamhouse Living Tour'

This Barbie Sells Merch

Hot on the heels — or wheels — of the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck comes another timely pink rolling shop for two Saturdays in October.

The Barbie Truck will stop in Friendswood and The Woodlands on its 2023 "Dreamhouse Living Tour," which celebrates the 60th anniversary of Barbie's ever more popular property, and will give visitors a chance to spice up their own homes.

Although this is all about the house, there are only a few homewares: things like coasters, glass tumblers, a glass mug, a throw blanket, and an "accessories cup." Visiting Barbies have more opportunities to take home wearable and on-the-go items like graphic tees, hoodies, and denim; a baseball cap; embroidered patches; and keychains.

It's a Barbie world in Houston.Photo courtesy of the Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Most people who have been awake and on social media in the past year have learned that Barbie's Dreamhouse has a more empowering history than many girls realized while orchestrating drama between the dolls.

A release announcing the arrival of the truck reminds fans (and detractors) that when the Dreamhouse came out, only a tenth of a percent of young women were independent homeowners, and states that someone buys a Dreamhouse every minute.

This year's Barbie truck tour should be in very high demand following the success of the 2023 movie.

Photo courtesy of the Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour

Dreamhouse aside, this is a dream ride.

The Barbie Truck will be in Friendswood on Saturday, October 21st, from 10 am to 7 pm at Baybrook Mall at the lawn near Gloria's. Arrive early in case of long lines.

The truck will then cruise to The Woodlands on Saturday, October 28th at The Woodlands Mall near Shake Shack from 10 am to 7 pm.

These Barbies will hit five other Texas cities on the tour:

September 30 – San Antonio
October 7 — Austin
October 14 — Laredo
November 4 — Plano (Dallas)
November 11 — Fort Worth

Follow along to see more stops on Instagram or Facebook.

Medical Center builds bridges for global impact with new Netherlands partnership

going dutch

The Texas Medical Center may be based in Houston, but the organization has again grown its global impact.

Since 2016, TMC’s BioBridgeshave worked with 88 startup companies. Those include strategic alliances with four other countries. Australia, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland are all among TMC’s BioBridges partners. As of today, add the Netherlands to that list.

On September 27, TMC president and CEO, William F. McKeon, and Carmen van Vilsteren, chair of Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health (LSH), signed an agreement in Rotterdam. The TMC Netherlands BioBridge Memorandum of Understanding codifies the innovative goals of the partnership. Essentially, the BioBridge program provides a means for entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians and industry partners from other countries to access the US market, as well as TMC experts.

“The TMC Netherlands BioBridge represents an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration and growth,” Ashley McPhail, chief external affairs & administration officer at Texas Medical Center said in a press release. “The Netherlands has solidified its position as a global leader in the field of life sciences and health, with a thriving ecosystem of research institutions, innovative companies, and highly skilled professionals. This strategic partnership will bring positive benefits to patients, clinicians and industry partners on a global scale.”

This lifeline for international healthcare companies makes expansion into the United States far smoother. The Global Innovators Launch Pad allows for startup founders to take part in a 10-week residency at the TMC Innovation Factory that will teach them about foundational infrastructure, clinical evidence and funding in the US.

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Continue reading this story on our sister site InnovationMap.

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