Meet Houston's Westchase District: A 24/7 Business And Lifestyle Hub
Houston’s Westchase District, home to more than 30,000 people and 1,500 businesses, is a vibrant neighborhood in one of the nation’s largest cities.
But long before it became a center for commerce and community, it was a vast stretch of land owned by ranchers primarily for agricultural purposes.
In the 1970s, after more than 750 acres were purchased by a development firm, plans for modern development came to fruition. In 1995, Westchase District was established as a special management district through the Texas Legislature, said Irma Sanchez, president and CEO of Westchase District.
“Our purpose is to promote economic development in this area of the city,” Sanchez said. “We want to attract businesses through our various programs, which are mobility, public safety and beautification.”
Sanchez said, over the past 30 years, the district has done just that.
Westchase At A Glance
More than 60,000 people work in Houston’s Westchase District. Another 500,000 live within a 5-mile radius. This is a neighborhood in which people want to spend their time, Sanchez said, forged out of a shared vision with the city of Houston.
“We were created in the 1990s with a 10-year service plan,” Sanchez said. “When our 10 years came around in 2005, our property owners had to decide if they wanted us to continue to serve, which was a resounding yes. This speaks volumes because they were willing to pay more for us to be here doing the work that we do.”
Sanchez said Westchase aims to be a 24/7 destination for businesses and residents. This long-term vision is supported by the district’s location, ongoing infrastructure upgrades and evolving mix of amenities, she said, funded by the 380 Area Agreement in conjunction with the city.
Location And Connectivity
Westchase District is centrally located at the intersections of Richmond Avenue and Beltway 8 and just south of Interstate 10 and north of Westpark Tollway — all major arteries of the Houston highway system. Commuters and residents find the area to be very accessible, Sanchez said.
Once inside the district, two of the city’s busiest METRO routes, 82 Westheimer and 25 Richmond, connect the district to major locations across the city.
For those who prefer to walk their morning commute, Westchase District has also enhanced its roadway and sidewalk systems, Sanchez said.
“As part of our broader infrastructure upgrades, we’ve done a lot of roadway reconstruction over the years,” she said. “We’ve widened the sidewalks and enhanced them with art installations, pedestrian lighting and custom bus shelters. We want to make the pedestrian experience a great one.”
In addition to its sidewalk infrastructure, the district has built nearly 5 miles of continuous walking trails, perfect for walkers, runners, bikers or even commuters, Sanchez said. This trail system runs through several parks and green spaces, such as Woodchase Park, Brays Bayou Greenway and the 3.5-acre Camden Park, the area’s newest park, which features a playground, a dog park, live events and more.
Office Space And Business Mix
Westchase District has been largely built out over the past several decades, with few greenfield development opportunities left. The district’s 4.2-mile radius accounts for nearly 120 office buildings — about one-third of which are Class-A developments.
“Many of our Class-A developments were constructed within the past 10 to 15 years,” Sanchez said. “They’ve really done well with providing amenities that businesses today are looking for, like on-site cafes, green spaces, fitness centers, trails, dry cleaners and more.”
Among the district’s tenants are some of the most recognizable companies in the U.S., including Apache, Bechtel, Phillips 66, Honeywell International, Quest Diagnostics and Mattress Firm.
But the reality is the majority of Westchase was developed nearly 40 years ago, she said. And with more companies deciding to call Houston home, a sizable portion of the area’s Class-B and C office spaces are prime candidates for upgrades or redevelopment.
“All of these companies have chosen Westchase as their home because of the strong value we offer,” Sanchez said. “We have competitive lease rates in our Class-B space, and our Class-A space is headlined by some of the world’s biggest firms.”
Sanchez said, as the area’s special management district, its mission is to make its property owners competitive against other established businesses in the region. This all starts with Westchase District creating a place in which people want to actually spend time, she said.
Amenities And Future Plans
Interwoven throughout Westchase District are not only office buildings but also residential, mixed-use and retail spaces that make Westchase feel like its own neighborhood within the larger community of Houston.
From big-box retailers to small boutique shops and award-winning restaurants like Kasra Persian Grill and Pacha Nikkei, workers and residents find amenities and conveniences abundant at Westchase, whether they’re looking for a night out with friends or a casual lunch with co-workers, Sanchez said.
Also in the district are some of the city’s top-rated public schools, healthcare providers, churches, national retailers, hyperlocal merchants, grocery stores and even hotels, including the Houston Marriott Westchase and Hilton Houston Westchase.
“Many of our office buildings and businesses are within walking distance to everything that the market commands today: amenities, green spaces and convenient transportation,” Sanchez said. “Through our agreement with the city, over the next 10 years, we will see about $233M invested into improving our infrastructure. We really have it all here, and we’re excited to continue to make our community a business and leisure destination one step at a time.”
This article was produced in collaboration between Westchase District and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.
