Houston-based Midway, a real estate investment, development, and management firm, plans to redevelop the former ConocoPhillips corporate headquarters site into a mixed-use destination called Watermark District at Woodcreek.
In the late 1970s, architect Kevin Roche originally designed the Conoco site so that it resembled a Japanese fishing village, with bridges over ponds and grassy areas connecting the 16 three-story office pavilions.
To preserve this history and minimize carbon impact, Midway plans to repurpose some of the 70-acre site’s existing infrastructure while creating new office, multifamily, retail, restaurant, and hotel opportunities, all surrounded by waterfront views and outdoor walkways.
“Watermark is … an urbanization of the suburban experience in one of the fastest-growing regions in Houston,” said Brad Freels, Midway Chairman and CEO.
Midway says it will repurpose portions of the existing 1.3 million square feet of office space while preserving the low-rise, low-density work environment. Once completed, Watermark’s 650,000 square feet of office space will offer flexible floorplans, abundant natural light, and direct access to surrounding amenities.
To support a vibrant neighborhood after working hours, Midway plans to repurpose existing buildings as luxury multifamily apartments and a boutique hotel, and the development will include various restaurants, cafes, and bars. Midway also intends to modernize the existing 100,000-sf fitness facility.
In addition, Midway has partnered with cleantech social impact company 374Water to provide a fully integrated sustainable wastewater management system at Watermark. The system will transform wastewater and food wastes generated onsite into valuable resources, such as clean water, energy, and minerals, that will be reused within the district. The project also will preserve more than 500 trees.
On the Building Team:
Owner and developer: Midway
MEP engineer: I.A. Naman
Structural engineer: VSM Structural Engineers
Landscape architect: OJB
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Accor North America launches green hotel pilot program
Accor North America, a division of Accor Hospitality, has announced that it will pilot the Green Key Eco-Rating Program within its portfolio in the United States in 2010. Green Key is the first program of its kind to rank, certify and inspect hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable "green" practices; the Accor North America pilot will involve 20 properties.
| Aug 11, 2010
CTBUH changes height criteria; Burj Dubai height increases, others decrease
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)—the international body that arbitrates on tall building height and determines the title of “The World’s Tallest Building”—has announced a change to its height criteria, as a reflection of recent developments with several super-tall buildings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
See what $3,000 a month will get you at Chicago’s Aqua Tower
Magellan Development Group has opened three display models for the rental portion of Chicago’s highly anticipated Aqua Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang. Lease rates range from $1,498 for a studio to $3,111 for a two-bedroom unit with lake views.
| Aug 11, 2010
Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA
After a slight decline in April, the Architecture Billings Index was up a tenth of a point to 42.9 in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declined in 333 of 352 metro areas in June
Construction employment declined in all but 19 communities nationwide this June as compared to June-2008, according to a new analysis of metropolitan-area employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The analysis shows that few places in America have been spared the widespread downturn in construction employment over the past year.
| Aug 11, 2010
Casino Queen breaks ground on $2.15 million entertainment venue
The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill., is raising the stakes in its bid to capture a larger share of the local gaming market with the start of construction on a new $2.15 million sports bar and entertainment venue that will enhance the overall experience for guests.
| Aug 11, 2010
Outdated office tower becomes Nashville’s newest boutique hotel
A 1960s office tower in Nashville, Tenn., has been converted into a 248-room, four-star boutique hotel. Designed by Earl Swensson Associates, with PowerStrip Studio as interior designer, the newly converted Hutton Hotel features 54 suites, two penthouse apartments, 13,600 sf of meeting space, and seven “cardio” rooms.
