IT’S A WEIRD TIME for brick and mortar—this we know. Last month, Elaine Turner announced she was taking her beloved Houston-born accessories and women’s apparel brand online only, and the very last storefront in Citycentre is scheduled to close today.

We also say goodbye to Baanou, the homegrown boutique from Maryam Afshari Khreibani in ultra-posh River Oaks District. Afshari Khreibani stocked upscale brands alongside her own house-made label, which she’ll continue to sell online—Baanou’s closure is strictly logistical: Afshari Khreibani and her family have relocated to Miami for her husband’s job. Baanou fans scored major discounts on the last bit of inventory and one last glass of frosé in the shop’s final days on Westheimer late last month.

But, as the saying goes, when one door store closes, another opens: Last month also saw the Houston arrival of home goods retailer Rejuvenation. The Portland, Oregon-based Williams-Sonoma affiliate opened its very first Texas store in Uptown Park, where a 5,100-square-foot showroom now houses handcrafted lighting, hardware, furniture, textiles, and vintage finds. Customers can also customize more than 500 light fixtures at the new location—the largest collection installed in any Rejuvenation store to date.

“We’ve been partnering with customers on projects in Texas for more than 40 years,” Rejuvenation executive vice president Ryan Ross said. “We are thrilled to call Houston home to our first showroom in the state and eager to further share our designs with local customers, architects, designers, and contractors.”

To that end, the new store is just three miles from Houston Design Center and less than two hours to Round Top, where the brand has sourced antiques for years. “Visitors will find these unique products—as well as other pieces collected around the world—within the Houston store,” a press release said.

More plans are underway for newcomers in 2019, too. The Lash Lounge, our favorite place for fabulous faux fringe, is coming to Kingwood by way of a 1,200-square-foot space in the Kings Crossing shopping center anchored by Randall’s. A soft opening is scheduled for early 2019, and the first 250 people to sign up will receive a free service.

The new year is already proving auspicious for businesses with alliterative names—Houston-based cycling shop Bike Barn, which sells everything from helmets and apparel to car racks and BMX parts, has also announced plans to expand. Bike Barn will open its ninth location in the Shoppes at Memorial Villages, where a 6,000 square-foot spot will house the shop’s custom bike fit studio, bike repair and service, maintenance clinics, bike trade-ins, kids’ bike trade-up program, and other community cycling services like financing and new rider essentials. The space is slated to open for business at the end of 2019.

Luxury Shopping really took off in Houston in 1970, with the opening of The Galleria Mall and the arrival of Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Galleria was the first covered mall in the city — the original place to see and be seen. Since then, other retail centers across the state have created a massive buzz, not only for their roster of retailers but for the unique shopping experiences offered to customers. From worldwide names in luxury to Texas–bred restaurants, Uptown Park and The River Oaks District are changing the face of Houston shopping.

Uptown Park
Uptown Park opened its vast (170,000 square feet) metaphorical doors in 1995, with rustic architecture and an innovative urban shopping experience. Earlier this year, Eden Development Group decided to embark on a multi-phase renovation and remodernization of the center. The new updated aesthetic will reflect a California-meets-the-dessert vibe that invites visitors to socialize as well as shop. In Houston, a shopping destination can also double as a workplace, potential date spot or a place to spend the entire day. Tom Killer, managing director of Eden, is well aware of this and said they are “…working diligently to infuse the diversity and personality found across Houston at Uptown Park, so visitors can expect collaborations with artists, events with local charities and experiences that highlight Houston’s position as a global, first-class city.”

The structure and design of Uptown Park is not the only thing receiving a facelift; the retailer list is as well. Flower Child, the popular Arizona based restaurant, with locations in Dallas and Austin, is one of the most talked about new restaurants that recently opened in the center. Flower Child is a colorful destination, offering healthy options made from fresh ingredients. In a city full of Tex-Mex and barbecue, this healthy option isn’t sacrificing taste or aesthetics to meet the needs of Houston diners.

Uptown Park is home to some of Houston’s premier local retailers and salons including M.Penner, Elizabeth Anthony and Ceron Hair Studio. M.Penner has been serving the men and women of Houston with custom suiting and top fashion brands including L’Agance, Autumn Cashmere, AG Denim, and Milly since 1974. The customization services at M.Penner result in a made-to-measure suit from luxurious designers such as Ermenegildo Zegna. It’s extremely rare to have this level of customization available with these designers and fabrics, so this destination is a must!

Elizabeth Anthony has been the top evening and ready-to-wear destination for women since 2003. The luxurious clothier is known for providing personal attention to clients and having vast knowledge on the 50+ American and European designers they carry.

“The key to Elizabeth Anthony’s success is to provide every woman who walks through our door with impeccable service paired with exquisite style.  We dress the lady, her mother and her daughter, and, as a result, we share decades of friendships with families,” says owner Julie Roberts. The lines carried include, Jenny Packham, Naeem Khan, Ralph Lauren Collection, MSGM, Tanya Taylor, Shoshana and many more that will make you want to revamp your entire closet to become an Elizabeth Anthony woman.

Lewis Jeweler, opened since 1981, is run by the Sandy Lewis family, who started the business as a side hobby. Before she knew it, she had a loyal customer base who felt like family. Cindy Lewis calls it, “A unique balance of old-fashioned customer service and a stunning store environment.” As customers pass by the Lewis Jewelers’ storefront windows, you can’t help but notice the stunning styles glimmering from inside the jewelry cases. The cases are expertly laid out with a mix of fashion jewelry from brands like David Yurman and John Hardy, and timeless diamonds. Lewis Jewelers is a place for high-quality jewelry and an unforgettable experience.

Your wardrobe isn’t the only thing you’ll be styling while visiting Uptown Park. Rejuvenation, part of the Williams-Sonoma family, is opening in 2018. The store is known for modern furniture, hardware and home décor. With only eight other locations across the country, Houston and Eden are excited to welcome the store.

Beloved lighting, hardware and home goods retailer Rejuvenation has landed in Houston with its opening in Uptown Park, its first showroom in Texas. The Portland, Oregon-based retailer was founded in 1977 as a small architectural salvage shop, but it was their distinctive expertise in lighting that quickly propelled them to success.

Now part of the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, Rejuvenation’s skilled artisans and craftspeople design and produce customized, made-to-order, handcrafted lighting in an 87,000-square-foot facility in Portland. They also partner with United States family-owned factories and trusted artisans and manufacturers around the world who share their passion for quality and timeless design to create additional product offerings.

Antique restoration remains at the core of the brand, and the Round Top antiques fair has been Rejuvenation’s favorite source for antique lighting for many years. These, as well as other vintage lighting and furniture collected from around the globe, will be available in the Houston location.

The 5,100-square-foot retail and showroom space is the largest Rejuvenation to date. Browse and customize more than 500 light fixtures, as well as hardware, furniture and textiles and vintage items. The in-store design team supports clients on everything from small-scale residential remodels to lighting for large-scale commercial spaces, and a to-the-trade program is available to interior designers, architects and contractors.

Rejuvenation stores in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle serve as community hubs, playing host to local events such as vintage flea markets and design community gatherings, so stay tuned.

Rejuvenation opened its first Texas location in the Uptown Park shopping center in Houston’s Galleria area on Nov. 19, according to a press release.

The Portland, Oregon-based company is part the San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands. It designs and manufactures lighting, hardware and home goods, which are sold in stores in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Portland, Seattle and four cities in California.

The 5,100-square-foot retail and showroom space in Uptown Park showcases handcrafted lighting, hardware, furniture and textiles plus one-of-a-kind antique and vintage finds, per the release. That includes more than 500 light fixtures — the largest selection in any Rejuvenation store thus far.

“We’ve been partnering with customers on projects in Texas for more than 40 years,” Ryan Ross, executive vice president of Rejuvenation, said in the release. “We are thrilled to call Houston home to our first showroom in the state and eager to further share our designs with local customers, architects, designers and contractors.”

In addition to Rejuvenation, Uptown Park has been welcoming other new tenants as its renovations draw to a close.

Edens, the retail real estate company that owns Uptown Park, announced Nov. 6 that California-based Mendocino Farms is the latest restaurant planned for the development. Additionally, Uptown Sushi will reopen in January following a complete renovation, and health-focused restaurant Flower Child opened in Uptown Park in September.

Houstonians who love downtown and farmers markets will no doubt enjoy this massive tribute to both at a blooming intersection.

“Produce Row,” a sprawling, 7,000- square-foot mural that spans three levels now adorns Main&Co, a mixed-use development housing creative office space, cocktail lounges, and an art gallery. Main&Co is nestled on the corner of Main and Commerce streets. The five-story downtown mixed-use development is home to The Cottonmouth Club; ETRO Nightclub; Lilly&Bloom; and LCD Gallery, a contemporary arts space on the upper floor.

Designed and painted by local artist DUAL, the concept for the mural, a collaboration between LCD Gallery and UP Art Studio, is a nod to Commerce Street’s history as the site for Houston’s first farmers market in the 1870, according to a release. As the name implies, “Produce Row” is a vibrant mix of colors illustrating vegetables, fruits, and other grocery iconography.

“The mural addition at Main&Co is a compliment to the extensive restoration work our team completed to bring life back into these two neglected historical buildings,” says Dan Zimmerman, president of NewForm Real Estate (which owns and manages Main&Co). “The juxtaposition of DUAL’s street art aesthetic with the historical elements of the buildings personalize the downtown experience for residents and guests.”

Visitors of the mural can also visit an extended collection of DUAL’s artwork at LCD Gallery’s “ALL CAPS” street art show. Guests can also learn more about street art with a personal appearance and book signing by Blek le Rat on Friday, November 15.

Last week noted Houston street artist Dual finished a large scale, 7,000 square foot mural on the side of a downtown building.

The mural on the front of the Main & Co. mixed use development at 104 and 110 Main is meant to recall the Commerce Street area's roots as Produce Row, where farmers' wares were sold to the public. The Dual street art piece, with veggies and fruits included in the design, is hard to miss.

NewForm Real Estate investment firm was lucky to have an artist like Dual in their own backyard transform a plain, four-story, 40 feet tall, white facade into something eye-catching.

The mural was the fruit (if you will) of a partnership between Dual, the UP Art Studio, and the LCD Gallery. It was done simply for the love of the city and its history. Paint, manpower, and other supplies were all donated for the cause. The UP Art Studio currently has temporary digs in the building that was painted.

The downtown Houston area developed into a colorful district over the years as local and national street artists have added color to what many considered to be a drab area. Work began in September on the mural and was finally completed last week.

``The juxtaposition of Dual's street art aesthetic with the historical elements of the buildings personalize the downtown experience for residents and guests,`` Dan Zimmerman, president of NewForm Real Estate, said in a statement this week.

Obviously these days the area is more party central than farmer's market. The area around Main & Co. was known as the First Ward in Houston's earliest days. It was a working class community where immigrants congregated and businesses began to thrive and feed the rest of Houston.

The two-block stretch between Main and Milam along Commerce had a healthy heyday as a place for produce to be bought and sold starting in the 1870s and spanning into the middle of the 20th century.

Main & Co. leases to tenants The Cottonmouth Club, Etro Lounge, and Lilly & Bloom, three popular bars on the block so Dual's work will have no shortage of admirers.

Uptown Park: You’ll find Uptown Park tucked away behind high-rise office space and high-end condos. The pedestrian-friendly shopping center is in the midst of a makeover while continuing to welcome new tenants like Arizona’s Flower Child, the perky eatery that’s heavy on greens and grains with a line out the door. For dessert, visit local favorites, Crave Cupcakes and Araya Chocolates, whose confections are included in the Post Oak Hotel mini-bar offerings. Date nights are de rigueur at Etoile for French cuisine while the Tasting Room has plenty of space for wine lovers to gather.

Watch this space: Inventive sushi spot, Uptown Sushi, is undergoing renovations with plans to reopen in January of 2019. In addition, Williams Sonoma is launching Rejuvenation – their foray into interior design ranging from light fixtures to furniture.

As the modernization wraps up at Uptown Park, another restaurant joins the dining lineup. Southern California-based fast-casual concept Mendocino Farms will offer a chef-driven sandwich and salad menu. The restaurant will also feature a seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from farms and food artisan partners.

“We have long had restaurant guests passing through California from Texas who discover our food and beg us to open in their home state,” Mendocino Farms co-founder Mario Del Pero said in a release. “We're thrilled to have partnered with Edens to join the Uptown Park community and provide a welcoming neighborhood gathering place for local foodies and families.”

Mendocino Farms is the latest brand to join Uptown Park since the site launched its renovation plans in 2015. Rejuvenation, a Williams-Sonoma company, will open its first Texas location on Nov. 16. The Arizona-based health-food concept Flower Child opened in September. Uptown Sushi is currently undergoing a complete renovation and will reopen in January.

Edens, the developer behind the transformation of Uptown Park, seeks to bring more dining, fitness, entertainment and shopping concepts to expand the offerings there. Retail openings will continue into next year.

“The addition of Flower Child and the reimagined experience at Uptown Park is the start of many new changes customers will see in our district,” Edens Managing Director Tom Kiler said in a statement. “We will continue to bring exciting and transformative concepts to the neighborhood as we execute our commitment to deliver an elevated and community-focused experience for Houstonians and visitors.”

Renovations at Uptown Park included updating all building facades for a clean aesthetic, maximizing storefronts and brightening the exterior colors to modernize the consumer experience. Trellises were added throughout the property to provide shaded walkways that connect the buildings for pedestrians.

In the final steps, the firm will reconfigure the parking to accommodate outdoor gathering areas for visitors and improve walkability and safety. It will also add customer benches from local company RootLab and public WiFi.

California-based ``better sandwich`` shop has set its sights on Houston. Mendocino Farms will open in Uptown Park next spring, real estate developer EDENS announced.

The Los Angeles-based restaurant is known for its decadent sandwiches like the pork belly banh mi and the hot Italian that pair high-quality ingredients with freshly baked breads and vegetables sourced from local farms. Those sandwiches, along with some entree-sized salads, have made the restaurant a hit.

Backed by investment money from Whole Foods, the company has been on a growth spurt with 25 locations in Northern and Southern California. The Uptown Park restaurant will be joined next summer by an outpost slated for the former Nao Ramen space in Rice Village, according to the Mendocino Farms website. Together, they'll be the concept's first locations outside of California.

“We've long had restaurant guests passing through California from Texas who discover our food and beg us to open in their home state,” said Mendocino Farms co-founder Mario Del Pero in a statement. “We're thrilled to have partnered with EDENS to join the Uptown Park community and provide a welcoming neighborhood gathering place for local foodies and families.”

Adding Mendocino Farms is only the latest step in Uptown Park's transformation. The shopping center recently renovated its public spaces with new walkways, wifi, and other improvements. Healthy eating restaurant Flower Child opened in September, and Uptown Sushi will reopen in January with a new design.

“We are committed to bringing new dining, fitness, entertainment, and shopping concepts to grow options for our customers at Uptown Park,`` EDENS managing director Tom Kiler added. ``Our initial investment to redevelop and modernize the look and functionality of the property is essential to providing the experience we know our community and this world-class city deserves.``

A certain segment of food-obsessed Houstonians love to complain about the city's lack of high quality sandwiches, but recent arrivals like East Hampton Sandwich Co and Rhotey Rotisserie are raising the game. Given its track record of success in the Golden State, Texans should be excited about Mendocino Farms' prospects.

Uptown Park is getting another restaurant as the shopping center’s renovations draw to a close.

Edens, the retail real estate company that owns Uptown Park, announced Nov. 6 that California-based Mendocino Farms is the latest restaurant planned for the development. The fast-casual concept offers “chef-driven” sandwiches and salads and a “seasonally rotating menu featuring ingredients from farm and food artisan partners prepared using fine-dining techniques,” according to Edens’ press release.

According to the restaurant's website, its 1111-05 Uptown Park Blvd. location is expected to open in fall 2019. Another Houston location is expected to open next year in Rice Village, which has also been undergoing a transformation and changing up tenants. Mendocino Farms has no other locations open or planned outside of California, per its website.

“We've long had restaurant guests passing through California from Texas who discover our food and beg us to open in their home state,” Mario Del Pero, co-founder of Mendocino Farms, said in Edens’ release.

Additionally, Edens announced that Rejuvenation will open Nov. 16, and Uptown Sushi will reopen in January following a complete renovation. Rejuvenation, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM), sells lighting, furniture, hardware and decor and has eight locations in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and other cities in California. Its Uptown Park location was first announced in August, but an exact opening date was not disclosed at the time.

Recently, health-focused restaurant Flower Child opened in Uptown Park in September. Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts will complete the sale of the chain to California-based Cheesecake Factory Inc. (Nasdaq: CAKE) in 2021.

Mendocino Farms, a casual restaurant based in Southern California, will become another dining option in Uptown Park, a project of Edens undergoing a renovation at Post Oak Boulevard and West Loop 610.

The 3,205-square-foot restaurant will join Flower Child, an Arizona-based health food restaurant that opened in September. Mendocino Farms serves fare such as salads and sandwiches made with ingredients from farm and food artisan partners. The restaurant, which has a seasonally rotating menu, will open in the spring.

``We're thrilled to have partnered with Edens to join the Uptown Park community and provide a welcoming neighborhood gathering place for local foodies and families,`` Mendocino Farms co-founder Mario Del Pero said in an announcement.

Other upcoming Uptown Park openings include Rejuvenation, a home décor and hardware store under the Williams-Sonoma umbrella that will make its Texas debut on Nov. 16. Uptown Sushi will reopen in January following renovations.

Edens, which owns and operates more than 125 retail centers nationwide, is redeveloping Uptown Park with brighter storefronts, shaded walkways and outdoor gathering areas. The work is finishing up with the addition of benches made by RootLab, a custom fabricator east of downtown, and the installation of public Wi-Fi.

``The addition of Flower Child and the reimagined experience at Uptown Park is the start of many new changes customers will see in our district,`` Edens managing director Tom Kiler said in a statement. ``We will continue to bring exciting and transformative concepts to the neighborhood as we execute our commitment to deliver an elevated and community-focused experience for Houstonians and visitors.``

Retail openings will continue into late next year, Edens said.

Among current retailers, restaurants and services at Uptown Park are Araya Chocolate, Bill Walker Clothier, Café Express, Carrie Ann, Ceron Hair Studio, Crave Cupcakes, Drybar, E*Trade, Elizabeth Anthony, Embajadores Fine Cigars, Etoile Cuisine et Bar, Francesca's, Gittings Portraiture, High Gloss, Lewis Jewelers, Linda's Couture Alterations, Loft, Longoria Collection, Lucho Boutique, M Penner, McCormick & Schmick's, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Songkran Thai Kitchen, Starbucks Coffee, The Tasting Room, Top Drawer Lingerie, Uptown Park Dental, and Utopia Plastic Surgery & Medspa.

Lovers of fine home goods will want to mark October 18 on their calendars. That’s when Rejuvenation opens its first Houston location in swanky Uptown Park. Billed as a “general store for useful and beautiful products,” Rejuvenation’s 5,100 square feet should prove a haven for designers and DIYers alike.

The Houston outpost is a reflection of the brand’s history and commitment to preserving American design while connecting with the local markets. The retailer has long sourced products from the Round Top Antiques Fair, which should be familiar to Houstonians for its unsurpassed quality, one-of-a-kind finds and chic Hill Country locale that’s a beloved weekend destination. Representatives for Rejuvenation said the store is excited to open up shop closer to the 50-year-old antique fair. The store will be located three miles from The Houston Design Center.

Visitors to Rejuvenation will find unique products discovered at Round Top within the Houston store; think a hand-carved dining table with legs depicting a hunting scene, a vintage mirror shaped like a crest with horns that double as hat hooks, and more.

The Uptown Park locale showcases the brand’s collection of lighting, furniture, hardware, accessories, and antiques. The store is divided into a series of dedicated home spaces including kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, office, and outdoor.

Customers will be able to browse more than 500 light fixtures — the largest collection Rejuvenation has installed in such a location to date.

Rejuvenation aims to be an expert resource through the renovation process, offering heirloom-quality lighting, hardware, bath and kitchen products. Multi-family residential interior designers and developers, professional contractors, and interior design firms working with commercial, hospitality, and large scale projects account for more and more of their business basis.

The firm opened in 1977 and member of the Williams-Sonoma Inc. brand family. Rejuvenation offers in-home design consultations and sells its products by catalog. The Houston outpost joins locations already in place in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. Later this year, the brand intends to open a spot in Costa Mesa, California.

The opening in Houston coincides with the early push for holiday happenings. Houstonians can look forward to product launches and a number of holiday entertaining products, along with Rejuvenation’s focus on new lighting, hardware, and fixtures.

Uptown Park: You’ll find Uptown Park tucked away behind high-rise office space and high-end condos. The pedestrian-friendly shopping center is in the midst of a makeover while continuing to welcome new tenants like Arizona’s Flower Child, the perky eatery that’s heavy on greens and grains with a line out the door. For dessert, visit local favorites, Crave Cupcakes and Araya Chocolates, whose confections are included in the Post Oak Hotel mini-bar offerings. Date nights are de rigueur at Etoile for French cuisine while the Tasting Room has plenty of space for wine lovers to gather.

Watch this space: Inventive sushi spot, Uptown Sushi, is undergoing renovations with plans to reopen in January of 2019. In addition, Williams Sonoma is launching Rejuvenation – their foray into interior design ranging from light fixtures to furniture.

The Houston area is the midst of a mini-boom in the number of restaurants touting their healthy eating options. With newcomers like Vibrant in Montrose and Herb & Beet in Spring, it’s never been easier to feel good about dining out.

Those restaurants will soon be joined by a new-to-Houston concept with a strong pedigree. Flower Child, a fast casual establishment from North Italia owners Fox Restaurant Concepts, will make its debut in Uptown Park on September 12. Although it’s the first Houston outpost, the restaurant has already won fans in Austin and Dallas.

Head chef Don Bowie is a Third Ward native who once managed downtown’s Red Cat Jazz Cafe (now the OKRA Charity Saloon). After leaving Houston to attend culinary school in Atlanta, the chef worked in New York and Los Angeles before returning home to help open the Sweetie Pie’s soul food restaurant. Initially, he was skeptical about working for Flower Child, but one visit to the restaurant swayed him.

“I got a chance to try the food and I was blown away by the flavor profiles,” Bowie tells CultureMap. “Everything I tasted I was like wow. I see why so many people frequent this spot. It’s healthy food but it tastes good. That’s why I decided to be a part of this. It will blow people away.”

Bowie cites a number of examples of favorite dishes that are good for you and still tasty, such as the Rebel wrap (steak, charred onion, French Port Salut Cheese, and horseradish yogurt) and the Mother Earth bowl (sweet potatoes, portobello mushrooms, avocado, broccoli pesto, and red pepper miso vinaigrette). By making everything from scratch and incorporating lots of global flavors, the restaurant keep things fresh for its customers. Bowie says it’s not unusual to see customers dine at the restaurant two or three times a week.

The menu also offers a diverse set of options for diners who are looking to eat vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. “I’m a meat eater through and through but I find myself eating the vegan dishes because I enjoy the taste so much,” Bowie says.

Coming from a soul food restaurant, Bowie has high standard for mac and cheese, and Flower Child’s version, which uses a three cheese blend, exceeded them. “It has to be one of the top three cheese sauces I’ve ever tried. It’s something you have to try not to dip a spoon in throughout the day,” Bowie says.

At lunch, wraps and salads are possible. The summer seasonal salad, which combines watermelon and farro with heirloom tomatoes, pomegranate, and a preserved lemon vinaigrette, as proven to be particularly popular.

Those seeking a heartier meal may opt for a plate, which combines one, two, or three of the vegetable sides with an optional protein. Feeling healthy? Go for grilled asparagus, spicy Japanese eggplant, and organic tofu. Want to indulge a little more? Opt for mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, glazed sweet potato, and grass-fed steak.

Even the desserts are gluten-free. Bowie brags about the texture of both the brownie and the vegan chocolate pudding, which is topped with coconut. Together, they’re just one more sign of Flower Child’s commitment to providing its customers with satisfying meals.

“It’s a fast casual experience, but what we do in the back will rival any full service restaurant you go to,” Bowie says.

Flower Child: September 12
With Vibrant opening last week, and now this Fox Restaurant Concepts eatery coming to Uptown Park, Houston is seeing a small spurt of health-forward restaurants stake their claim. Flower Child already has locations in Texas (two in Austin and soon-to-be two in Dallas), so this’ll be the first time Bayou City residents will get the opportunity to dig into Sam Fox’s fast-casual offerings, which include plenty of vegan, organic, and gluten-free dishes.

Patrons of Uptown Park who brave the surrounding 610 traffic can enjoy a new reward: a freshened-up, multi-use center designed with consumers in mind. The dense shopping and restaurant hub is slowly being transformed to foster a more pedestrian-friendly experience, with new shaded walkways that connect the buildings, new trellises, and improved parking.

Plush seating and public wi-fi has been added to provide a more lounge-worthy atmosphere — as opposed to the usual grab-and-go shopping tradition. The area now also boasts a clean, streamlined, more uniform aesthetic with brightened exteriors.

Shoppers and diners can also expect new tenants, namely the healthy, popular Flower Child restaurant, which just announced an opening date of September 12. Offering an alternative to Highland Village’s Restoration Hardware, Rejuvenation, the Williams-Sonoma company offering classic American lighting, furniture, hardware, and décor, will open later this year and will be the store’s first Texas location, according to a statement.

Regulars, take heart: Uptown Park’s slow transformation, managed by national real estate outfit EDENS, won’t affect current mainstays that include Ceron Hair Studio, Crave Cupcakes, Elizabeth Anthony, Longoria Collection, McCormick & Schmick’s, and the always-hopping Starbucks locale.

In the midst of renovations, Uptown Park has secured a lease for a home goods retailer's first Texas store.

Rejuvenation, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Williams-Sonoma Inc. (NYSE: WSM), will open in 2018 at 1131-12 Uptown Park Blvd., according to a press release and the retailer’s website. The 1131 building at the mixed-use development also houses restaurant Uptown Sushi, jewelry retailer High Gloss and nightclub Belvedere, per Uptown Park’s website.

Rejuvenation sells lighting, furniture, hardware and decor and has eight locations in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and other cities in California, per its website.

Additionally, restaurant Flower Child will open Sept. 12, per the release. The eatery from Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts is located in the former home of women’s clothing boutique BB1 Classic, next door to Café Express. News that the chain was coming to Houston surfaced last fall.

Currently, Edens Investment Trust — the owner of Uptown Park — is underway on renovations to the nearly 170,000-square-foot development. These updates were announced in October 2017 and are expected to be complete before the end of 2018, per the release.

So far, Edens has been updating the buildings’ façades and external colors, adding trellises and reconfiguring the parking lot for better safety, per the release. The company, which was founded in South Carolina, also plans to add more seating options and public WiFi. All stores are remaining open during the construction.

Edens acquired Uptown Park in 2015 when it bought Houston-based AmREIT Inc., which owned the park. Before that deal closed, AmREIT had announced a $1 billion redevelopment project for the property. That project involved adding a hotel, multifamily units and more retail and parking.

However, after the acquisition, Edens hit pause on the project, citing the ownership change, drop in oil prices and the real estate market. When the developer announced the external upgrades in October, a representative told the Houston Business Journal that Uptown Park may eventually add a hospitality, office or multifamily component.

In October, Edens explained that it's a longterm holder of Uptown Park and doesn't have plans to sell it. At the time, occupancy was hovering between 80 and 89 percent.

HBJ has reached out for more information regarding Rejuvenation and Flower Child’s spaces as well as the current and future updates to Uptown Park and its current occupancy rate.

Edens maintains six regional headquarters across the U.S. — in Washington, D.C.; Boston; Dallas; Atlanta; Miami; and Columbia, South Carolina — per its website. The company oversees a portfolio of more than 125 shopping centers and retail locations, including about 15 in the greater Houston area.

Former executives of AmREIT and Edens recently established a new Houston-based real estate investment company, Fifth Corner. So far, the firm has acquired property in Sugar Land, the Washington Avenue Corridor and Garden Oaks.

Flower Child, a health-focused eatery with locations in several states, has finally announced the opening date for its first Houston outpost.

The new eatery will debut in the revamped Uptown Park development on September 12, bringing with it the sunny, shabby chic vibe found in its other outposts. Interiors include mismatched colorful furniture, hanging vine plants, and vibrant pop art murals bearing peace signs and flowers.

A menu of veggie-packed salads and plates, avocado toast, gluten free mac ‘n’ cheese, plus superfood-laden wraps and bowls will debut in the space, if the Dallas menu is any indication. Standouts include the madras curry bowl with organic potatoes, heirloom carrots, green beans, sweet onion, cilantro, garam masala, and coconut; and the forbidden rice bowl with bok choy, broccoli, carrot, onion, toasted sesame. Cold brew coffee, teas, juices, kombucha, and local craft beer will also be offered. No word yet on which local breweries will be represented in the Houston outpost.

When Flower Child debuts, it will join eateries like Crave Cupcakes, Etoile Cuisine et Bar, Songkran Thai Kitchen, and The Tasting Room within a completely revamped shopping center that now boasts wi-fi, more public seating, and shaded walkways, among other aesthetic updates.

Stay tuned for Flower Child’s hours of operation at its new Uptown Park outpost.

Uptown Park will be home to the first Texas store for Rejuvenation, a brand of William Sonoma selling classic American lighting, furniture, hardware and décor, Edens announced. The store, totaling 7,000 square feet, will open later this year.

Flower Child restaurant, a previously announced tenant, is scheduled to open Sept. 12.

Renovations designed to modernize the center, bring new retailers and more gathering areas are under way at Uptown Park, 1101 Uptown Park Blvd. near Post Oak Boulevard and Loop 610.

``Transforming Uptown Park into a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining destination doesn't stop with a remodel of the buildings found in our district,`` Edens managing director Tom Kiler said in an announcement.

``We will continue to invest in this sought-after neighborhood as we reimagine the entire property to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience for Houstonians and visitors.``

Tenants remain open during the renovations, including Araya Chocolate, Bill Walker Clothier, Café Express, Carrie Ann, Ceron Hair Studio, Crave Cupcakes, Drybar, E*Trade, Elizabeth Anthony, Embajadores Fine Cigars, Etoile Cuisine et Bar, Francesca's, Gittings Portraiture, High Gloss, Lewis Jewelers, Linda's Couture Alterations, LOFT, Longoria Collection, Lucho Boutique, M Penner, McCormick & Schmick's, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Songkran Thai Kitchen, Starbucks Coffee, The Tasting Room, Top Drawer Lingerie, Uptown Park Dental, Utopia Plastic Surgery & Medspa.

NewForm Real Estate, an investment firm led by Dan Zimmerman, has redeveloped two historic buildings at at the corner of Main and Commerce streets.

The development includes the three-story Raphael Building, 110 Main Street, built in 1876; and the five-story Dorrance Building, 114 Main, built in 1903. The buildings have a total of 16,950 SF of creative office space and 12,159 SF of retail space.

CBRE’s Sasha Levine and Lacee Jacobs are leasing the retail space. The development is called Main&Co.

With preservation and sustainability at the core of the redevelopment, Main&Co is characterized by a mix of original exposed brick walls, ceiling beams, glass windows and sky-lights, restored and refinished hardwood floors, modern stainless-steel kitchens and redesigned private en-suite bathrooms and a roof-top solar panel system.

“The redesign of these two iconic buildings focuses on preserving and restoring as much of the original interior character as possible, while also incorporating modern, sustainable and creative conveniences found in new state-of-the-art buildings,” said Zimmerman of NewForm Real Estate.

The redevelopment is already home to The Cottonmouth Club and Lilly&Bloom – both cocktail lounges on Main Street, and LCD Gallery, a contemporary arts space. Metrorail runs in front of the buildings.

A once-neglected section of downtown is poised to become a hub of social and commercial buzz, thanks to a local developer. Two historic buildings at the intersection of Main and Commerce — the Raphael and Dorrance buildings — have been re-imagined to Main&Co.

The new, mixed-use development will be home to creative offices, nightlife, and a contemporary art gallery. The five-story downtown redevelopment already houses The Cottonmouth Club and Lilly&Bloom, both cocktail lounges on Main Street, and contemporary arts space LCD Gallery.

Available creative office space, totaling around 16,950 square feet, will be leased by NewForm Real Estate. CBRE will lease the remaining 5,000 square feet of street-level retail.

Main&Co — so named for the intersection of Main and Commerce — is the brainchild of New Form’s Dan Zimmerman, who is no stranger to adaptive reuse. (Zimmerman’s family is behind the beloved and historic La Colombe D’or hotel in Montrose.) The grouping of buildings has been home to a hotel and various dry goods purveyors in Houston’s early days. More recently, the buildings have been home to bars and restaurants.

Zimmerman has said he hopes to “activate” the street. A vocal proponent of preservation and sustainability, he has directed the restoration of the building’s original exposed brick walls, ceiling beams, windows and sky-lights, and hardwood floors. These older elements are fused with modern stainless-steel kitchens and redesigned private en-suite bathrooms, and a roof-top solar panel system. The site promises front-door street access to Houston’s Metrorail, walking proximity to hospitality, entertainment, fitness studios and sweeping downtown views.

Calling the area “ground zero for downtown,” Zimmerman envisions a bustling, walkable block, reminiscent of the block’s early days as downtown’s commercial and social center. “The redesign of these two iconic buildings focuses on preserving and restoring as much of the original interior character as possible, while also incorporating modern, sustainable, and creative conveniences found in new state-of-the-art buildings,” said Zimmerman. “The final product is Main&Co, a unique real estate offering located in the heart of Downtown that complements the area’s resurgence as a destination for work, life and play.”

After nearly two years of construction, a project to renovate a collection of historical buildings downtown into mixed-use space Main&Co is complete.

The Zimmerman family — behind the Montrose hotel La Colombe d'Or — finished restoring the exterior and redesigning the interior of the three-story Raphael and five-story Dorrance buildings, at 110 and 114 Main St., respectively, according to a press release. In total, the buildings offer nearly 17,000 square feet of office space on the second, third and fourth floors — and all of it is available for lease.

Last year, Dallas-based coworking concept Foundry Club signed a lease to occupy the second, third and fourth floors of the buildings, but the deal fell through, said a spokesperson for Houston-based NewForm Real Estate, the developer of the project and broker for office space.

Main&Co was designed with original exposed brick walls, ceiling beams, glass windows, skylights, restored and refinished hardwood floors, modern stainless steel kitchens and redesigned private en-suite bathrooms, and a rooftop solar panel system, per the release.

“The redesign of these two iconic buildings focuses on preserving and restoring as much of the original interior character as possible, while also incorporating modern, sustainable and creative conveniences found in new state-of-the-art buildings,” Dan Zimmerman, president of NewForm, said in the release. Zimmerman Interests Inc. owns the property at 114, 110 and 108 Main St., according to the Harris County Appraisal District, which valued the three parcels at roughly $2.1 million for 2018.

Additionally, Main&Co includes about 12,000 square feet of street-level retail space at 110, 114, 112, 108 and 104 Main St., the spokesperson said. CBRE’s Sasha Levine and Lacee Jacobs are leasing the remaining 5,000 square feet of retail, per the release.

So far, the project has two retail tenants: Lily & Bloom, a bar occupying about 1,800 square feet at 110 Main St., and The Cottonmouth Club, another bar occupying about 5,000 square feet in a two-story space that previously housed Barringer Bar & Lounge at 108 Main St.

Additionally, the fifth floor of Main&Co houses the La Colombe d’Or Art Gallery, named after the Zimmerman family’s boutique hotel in Montrose. The family has partnered with Hines Interests Ltd. to develop a luxury apartment tower at the back of the hotel.

After acquiring all of the Main&Co property, the Zimmermans began remodeling the historic Main Street buildings in September 2016, but the project's completion was delayed due to construction issues and Hurricane Harvey. The Main&Co buildings were constructed in the 1800s and are among the oldest in the Bayou City. The $5 million renovation project won the Houston Business Journal's 2018 Landmark award in the Rehabilitation and Renovation category.

Houston-based Paradigm Design was the architect, and Houston-based Gin Design Group was the interior designer. Tom Forney of Houston-based Forney Construction was the construction manager. Main Street Construction was the general contractor. MF Engineering Company Inc. did the engineering. The attorney was Morris, Lendais, Hollrah, Snowden PLC, and the financier was Green Bank.

Downtown's historic Raphael and Dorrance buildings, collectively known as Main&Co, are renovated and ready for new office and retail tenants.

Houston-based NewForm Real Estate announced completion of the five-story mixed-use redevelopment on the corner of Main and Commerce in northern downtown. Located on the MetroRail line, Main&Co includes creative office space, plus contemporary arts and retail space.

The Cottonmouth Club and Lilly&Bloom cocktail lounges and LCD Gallery are already open.

``The redesign of these two iconic buildings focuses on preserving and restoring as much of the original interior character as possible, while also incorporating modern, sustainable and creative conveniences found in new state-of-the-art buildings,`` NewForm Real Estate president Dan Zimmerman said in an announcement.

``The final product is Main&Co, a unique real estate offering located in the heart of Downtown that complements the area's resurgence as a destination for work, life and play.``

The Dorrance Building, 114 Main, was built in 1903 by John M. Dorrance, a vice president of the Houston Cotton Exchange. The Raphael Building, 110 Main, was built in the late 1800s.

Main&Co incorporates the original exposed brick walls and ceiling beams, restored hardwood floors, stainless-steel kitchens and a roof-top solar panel system.

NewForm Real Estate is leasing 16,950 square feet of available creative office space. Sasha Levine and Lacee Jacobs of CBRE have been retained to lease the remaining 5,000 square feet of street-level retail space.

A previously announced deal with Dallas-based Foundry Club for nearly 14,000 square feet of coworking space fell through, NewForm Real Estate said.

Houston-based COMOcreatives is handling project branding.

NewForm Real Estate specializes in the acquisition, sale, leasing, and marketing of select properties.

One of Houston’s premier shopping districts is on the up and up. Uptown Park, the stylish European-style shopping center roughly one mile north of The Galleria, is getting dramatically revamped in a multi-phase development.

Construction is already underway on its fresh, updated look. All of Uptown Park’s stores will stay open throughout the renovation.

New restaurants, stores and services are coming with the facelift. Arizona restaurant Flower Child is set to open in Uptown Park this fall. Flower Child is the first new restaurant that will join the scene.

Uptown’s real estate owner, operator and developer EDENS is thrilled to sign on the health-centric foodie spot.

“Bringing them to Uptown was a big win for us. It has a really fresh presentation and brand,” EDENS managing director Tom Kiler tells PaperCity.

Flower Child is all about natural and organic food, with every single bite made from scratch. Dairy-free, sugar-free and gluten-free are all options.

“You feel better after you’ve been there,” Kiler says.

The fit vibe fits in well with EDENS’ vision for Uptown Park: give it some vitality, some verve. “We love the operators that are there, but from an aesthetic point of view it’s started to feel a little dated,” Kiler says. “There’s not a ton of energy pulling you all the way into the project.”

The Uptown renovation is geared toward making the center more dynamic and enticing. “We can capture your time,” Kiler says.

Think about your day, he adds. The new Uptown Park will have options that fit a person’s entire schedule. Looking for a quick bite in the morning? Kiler sees Uptown Park as the place to go for a much-needed coffee run at Starbucks.

Want to while away the afternoon with a little indulgence? Make a sweet pit stop at Crave Cupcakes or Araya Chocolate. Date night? Head over to Etoile Cuisine et Bar for an unforgettably French experience. Getting ready for a gala? Pick up a dress at Elizabeth Anthony and get your glam on at Drybar. The list goes on — and that’s just a few of the existing stores.

“We’re bringing in Flower Child, who I think will stack up against the great operators that are already there, but be something new and fresh,” Kiler says. “We’re going to round out offerings and make it so much more comprehensive.”

Flower Child is the first reveal, but Kiler’s hinted at some other sectors he’s interested in. “Some of them are a little more entertainment focused, because what do you do after dinner? That’s a category we’re very focused on for the project,” he says.

These new spaces will be destinations in and of themselves.

A New Neighborhood Uptown
There’s also be upscale spots for convenience. “Boutique fitness ­— the fitness category is interesting. Prepared food, pick-up groceries… we don’t have anybody specific yet,” Kiler says. “Salons, a manicure and pedicure place, because that’s a part of your week. Whether you’re making a quick convenience trip or going on a date or out with your girlfriends, Uptown Park can hit all those different moments.

“We want to be more ingrained. we want to be in the fabric of the community and create an enriching experience. That’s what we’re driving for.”

The construction is scheduled to wrap up later this year. You can expect a series of new Uptown openings through 2019.

“Really what we’re doing is trying to clean it up and bring a little more modern aesthetic,” Kiler says.

But that’s just for the facades. Kiler and EDENS have a dramatic take on what all of Uptown Park could be: its own little enclave, its own little neighborhood. It’ll take extensive redevelopment, with an emphasis on Uptown Park’s expansive outdoor space.

The project is designed to transform Uptown Park from a discrete series of shops to an approachable band of well-connected shops, joined by shaded pathways and trellises. The goal is to be welcoming, comfortable, inviting.

“The buildings were their own separate pods, not speaking to each other,” Kiler says. “You’d walk through arcade corridors behind them, really nice spaces. But they haven’t historically been used the way they should.”

Instead, Uptown Park should feel like a space far removed from the highway, its own little world of shopping and entertainment.

The new visual will be more seamless and the stroll more pleasant. All around the abundant green space, there will be areas for patrons to chat and unwind.

“We’re creating stronger connections between the buildings, bringing intimacy to spaces where you and a girlfriend could find a nook and have a glass of wine and people watch at the same time,” Kiler says.

In future, EDENS will even bring in innovative elements to the shady spaces, such as a kiosk serving cold margaritas, a beer garden, or even an artist working on a piece. If you’re looking for a quiet spot to lounge solo or get some work in, take advantage of the free center-wide Wi-Fi.

This is a whole new Uptown.

Flower Child, from Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts, will open its first Houston location this summer, according to a press release. The chain will open inside Uptown Park, a mixed-used development that also is undergoing renovations.

News previously broke that the concept would open in the former home of women’s clothing boutique BB1 Classic in the Cafe Express building in Uptown Park. Additionally, South Carolina-based Edens Investment Trust — the owner of Uptown Park — announced in October that it would start a multiphase renovation project for the development in early 2018.

Updates to Uptown Park include adding trellises and refreshing common areas, per the release. While renovations are completed, all retailers, restaurants and services will remain open.

News that the Flower Child would make its way to Houston initially broke in October. The parent company already has a location of its North Italia concepts in Blvd Place along Post Oak Boulevard — just down the street from Uptown Park. Fox also owned True Food Kitchen when it opened its first Houston location in Blvd Place, but that restaurant has since become a standalone company.

Additionally, a location of Fox Restaurant Concepts' Mexican street-food brand Blanco Tacos + Tequila will open inside the former Saks Fifth Avenue space at The Galleria with Fig & Olive, Nobu and Musaafer from The Spice Route Co.

Edens is redeveloping Uptown Park, beefing up the outdoor public space and adding a restaurant.

Flower Child, an Arizona-based health food concept, is opening this summer. It is the first Houston location for the restaurant, which is taking BB1 Classic's former space.

Redevelopment of Uptown Park has been in the works a long time — AmREIT had plans to beef up density (including adding hotel and residential) as far back as 2014. Edens acquired AmREIT in 2015 and from the get-go said it intended to update the center, but in a long-term, deliberate process.

Last year, Edens finally announced plans for the Uptown Houston retail center, focusing on improving the connections between buildings. Edens is adding trellises spanning the property to provide shaded walkways and is creating ``outdoor conversation areas`` with WiFi and seating. Art will be installed in common areas.

Work is underway, with an estimated delivery this fall.

”We are working diligently to infuse the diversity and personality found across Houston at Uptown Park, so visitors can expect collaborations with artists, events with local charities and experiences that highlight Houston’s position as a global, first-class city,” Edens Managing Director Tom Kiler said in a statement.

Houstonians are getting a new healthy eating option this summer. Arizona-based restaurant group Fox Restaurant Concepts is bringing its Flower Child concept to the Uptown Park shopping center, developer EDENS announced on May 15.

Similar to True Food Kitchen, which Fox Restaurants started in partnership with alternative health guru Dr. Andrew Weil, Flower Child offers a range of organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The biggest differences between the two restaurants is that Flower Child offers fast casual service and more vegetarian options. Although it will be Flower Child's first Houston location, the restaurant already has two outposts in Austin and one in Dallas. Swamplot had sleuthed Flower Child's plans back in January, but the May 15 announcement makes it official.

“We are excited to partner with EDENS and bring Flower Child’s health-food menu to Houston and have found the perfect location at Uptown Park,” said Sam Fox, president of Fox Restaurant Concepts, in a statement. “Wellness-conscious guests will find satisfaction in our natural and organic foods that are locally sourced and served quickly with a smile.”

Count CultureMap Austin food editor Brandon Watson as a fan. In a story written last year, he hails the restaurant for infusing its salads, wraps, and bowls with ``the international ingredients and techniques of New American cuisine.`` Diners will find dishes such as the Mother Earth bowl (sweet potatoes, portobello mushrooms, avocado, broccoli pesto, and red pepper miso vinaigrette) and the Rebel wrap (steak, charred onion, French Port Salut Cheese, and horseradish yogurt). Careful plating and a cute interior make it especially Instagrammable.

``The offerings at Flower Child may never quite replace a charcuterie board, but it has done something just as unlikely — convinced me that joy can be found even in the things that are good for me,`` Watson writes. ``My doctor would be pleased.``

Bringing Flower Child to Uptown Park is just one part of EDENS efforts to transform the shopping center. Plans call for shaded walkways to connect the development's buildings and outdoor common areas with wifi to encourage people to linger while shopping or dining at the property's stores and restaurants, which include Etoile, The Tasting Room, and Songkran Thai Kitchen.

``We are working diligently to infuse the diversity and personality found across Houston at Uptown Park, so visitors can expect collaborations with artists, events with local charities, and experiences that highlight Houston’s position as a global, first-class city,`` added Tom Kiler, managing director at EDENS. “Every new retail shop and restaurant will enhance our current offering, while updating Uptown Park’s aesthetic will create a fresh and better-connected environment for our current and future retail partners, locals, and visitors, alike.”

Here’s some news on the progress of Houston’s first outpost for Flower Child, a health-focused restaurant chain that’s owned by the same company as North Italia. Flower Child will open this summer in Uptown Park, according to a press release.

The addition of Flower Child is part of a redevelopment plan for Uptown Park itself, with developer EDENS adding wifi and perking up outdoor spaces with art, trellises and more spots to hangout.

In Dallas, the Flower Child menu is stocked with entrees like vegan marinated beet poke bowls, grass-fed steak wraps, kombucha on tap, and a section of Texas beer (although one of those is a “skinny” beer, whatever that means).

Flower Child, a health food restaurant that's part of Arizona-based Fox Restaurant Concepts along North Italia, will open its first Houston location Uptown Park, Edens announced.

The restaurant is among the first new tenant to be announced as Edens redevelops the center near the West Loop and Post Oak Boulevard to add more outdoor gathering areas. Flower Child will take over the space previously occupied by BB1 Classic in late summer, Edens said.

``Every new retail shop and restaurant will enhance our current offering, while updating Uptown Park's aesthetic will create a fresh and better-connected environment for our current and future retail partners, locals and visitors, alike,`` Edens managing director Tom Kiler said in an announcement.

The new Flower Child at 1101 Uptown Park Blvd. adds to other Texas locations in Austin and Dallas. The size of the lease was not disclosed.

The Uptown Park redevelopment will add trellises and shaded walkways that will connect the buildings, and outdoor conversation areas equipped with wireless internet. Art work will also be added.

Uptown Park is home to more than 40 tenants, which will remain open during the renovations. Among the tenants are Araya Chocolate, Bill Walker Clothier, Café Express, Carrie Ann, Ceron Hair Studio, Etoile Cuisine et Bar, Francesca's, Gittings Portraiture, Lucho Boutique, M Penner, McCormick & Schmick's, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Songkran Thai Kitchen, Starbucks Coffee, The Tasting Room, Top Drawer Lingerie, Uptown Park Dental and Utopia Plastic Surgery & Medspa.

Fox Restaurant Concepts made its Houston debut in BLVD Place with True Foods Kitchen and North Italia locations a few years ago.

Colin Moussa, the marketer behind the opening of the River Oaks District, has launched a new real estate marketing and design firm in Houston.

CoMocreatives is a new boutique consulting firm that will offer design, marketing, branding and community relations expertise to Houston real estate developers, Moussa said. The name of the new firm stems from the first two letters of Moussa’s first and last names.

“After almost two years at River Oaks District, it was time to move on,” Moussa said. “I wanted to merge my passions for design and marketing together to create unique consumer experiences.”

Moussa began his marketing career in 2008 with Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, working on marketing for Houston's Galleria Mall. He then joined Chicago-based General Growth Properties, working on redevelopment plans for Baybrook Mall.

Most recently, Moussa was the director of marketing for California-based OliverMcMillan’s River Oaks District. He led the launch of the luxury mixed-use district, creating marketing plans in print and online.

The Houston native has an undergraduate business degree from Baylor University and an MBA from the University of Houston.

Moussa plans to bring his design and marketing experience to CoMocreatives to create “experiences” for clients and their customers. He said he hopes to work with developers in Houston’s restaurant, hotel, mixed-use, and residential condo, apartment and townhome sectors. CoMocreatives will focus solely on branding, marketing and design — not public relations, Moussa added.

“Now more than ever, customers are seeking really wonderful experiences,” Moussa said. “It’s not just about the company logo or website, but it’s the experience they have when they walk into a retail store, a development or when they’re purchasing a townhome. It’s all about creating a beautiful and artistic branding experience from the logo to strategy.”

Moussa, who launched CoMocreatives earlier this month, is looking for a new office in Montrose. He hopes to move into the space by March and start hiring staff for his new firm.

“It’s a really exciting moment for my career and for Houston,” Moussa said. “Developers are really focused on spending their marketing dollars wisely, maximizing those dollars to reach the right consumers. I want to help them brand and target the right consumers and drive the right marketing strategy.”