Ancorian, a Houston-based real estate development company, plans to transform a 44K SF warehouse into a mixed-use environment, the Houston Business Journal reports. The project is at 2339 Canal St. in East Downtown, a post-industrial neighborhood with a focus on arts and entertainment.

Ancorian Founding Partner Michael Sperandio envisions the development including coworking space and one or two retail or restaurant concepts. The project is slated to wrap up by the end of 2019.

Branded as The Block, the plans for this site began about two years ago when the company acquired a 70K SF industrial warehouse on 2.5 acres at Canal and Colby streets, Sperandio told the HBJ. The company removed part of the warehouse to accommodate 200 parking spots.

Not new to the mixed-use development world, Ancorian is the mastermind behind the East Village redevelopment, a two-block multiphase project bounded by Polk and Hutchins streets in EaDo. Some of the projects in the district include a hybrid nightclub and restaurant at Chapman & Kirby, Truck Yard, Rodeo Goat and Seaside Poke.

EaDo has seen big changes in the past few years as redevelopments such as East Village have urbanized the area and introduced a funky arts vibe.

The Urban Land Institute Houston recently named East Village, along with eight others, as a finalist for the 2019 Development of Distinction Awards. The award recognizes developments and open spaces that demonstrate best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management.

“Houston-area developers are creating places for people of all ages to convene, whether for work, entertainment or healthy activity," Houston District Council Board Chair Abbey Roberson said in a release. "These projects show that Houston is on the leading edge of national building trends.”

Houston-based Method Architecture is the architect and Houston-based Course Construction is the general contractor for The Block.