Land Secured for New Master-Planned Community in League

High-rise office towers break ground with 2008 targeted opening dates in Houston and Dallas; two higher education science buildings planned for Dallas area.

500-Acre Master-Planned Community Set for League City

The last large undeveloped tract of land in the Houston suburb of League City closed earlier this year, and construction may start within the next year on 500 acres on FM 517 about 3 or 4 mi west of Interstate 45.

In a joint partnership between Wynne/Jackson of Dallas and Eland Development of Houston, the developers of the extremely successful South Shore Harbour development in League City, the yet-to-be-named development is part of a more than 4,500-acre master-planned community that will include a broad range of single family home sites, commercial locations for retail and an office park.
The first phase is projected to take seven to 10 years to complete.

Gilbane Building Co. to Build Two Higher Education Projects

Gilbane Building Co.’s Dallas/Fort Worth office was selected by the University of Texas - Southwestern Medical Center - Dallas for its new Biotechnology Development Complex—Phase I. The company was also selected for one of the first projects released in the Dallas County Community College District’s bond program, the Richland College Science Building.

The Biotechnology Development Complex—Phase I project scope includes a new 117,000-sq-ft building with an estimated construction value of $29 million. The building amenities will include research laboratory space, offices, infrastructure improvements and site parking. Page Southerland Page Architects of Austin has been selected as the architect of record. Construction began in April.

The Richland College Science Building project consists of a 140,000-sq-ft science building with an estimated construction value of $38 million and it is the single largest project of the district’s $450 million bond program. The building components will include laboratories, classrooms, offices, study areas, bookstore, coffee shop, infrastructure improvements and site parking. Perkins & Will of Houston has been selected as the architect of record.

The district’s objective is to seek a LEED gold certification for the science building. Construction is scheduled to start in the fall.

High-Rise Office Building Breaks Ground in Houston

Houston’s new $38 million Westchase 2 broke ground this spring. The 14-story, 336,000-sq-ft speculative office building also includes an eight-story, 1,000-car parking garage.

It will be located adjacent to the existing Granite Westchase office building at Richmond Avenue and Beltway 8 in the Westchase District on the west side of Houston.

Hoar Construction, with offices in Houston, Nashville, Orlando and Birmingham, is the general contractor for the project, which will be LEED certified and constructed of cast-in-place concrete. The parking structure will be precast concrete. 
The exterior of the office building will feature a glass curtain wall. Full upgrades of all site amenities are also included as part of the project. Project completion is planned for spring 2008.

Ground Breaks on 2000 McKinney Office Tower in Dallas

Located in the Uptown Dallas submarket, 2000 McKinney is a Class AA building located on the block bounded by McKinney Avenue, Olive, Harwood and Woodall Rodgers. Ground broke this spring, and the 445,000-sq-ft, 20-story office building is scheduled for an opening in the third quarter 2008.

Developed by Lincoln Property Group of Dallas—and owned by Lincoln and Corrigan Properties—the tower was designed by HKS Inc., Dallas.

It is located on a 2.9-acre tract adjacent to the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Residences and the planned Woodall Rodgers Park. The hotel is within walking distance of the Crescent, Hotel ZaZa, the Arts District and other amenities along McKinney Avenue. The Beck Group, Dallas, is the general contractor.

Skanska USA Building Selected for MISD School Construction

Mansfield Independent School District selected Skanska USA Building Inc. as general contractor for the district’s next elementary school, Louise Cabaniss Elementary School.

The building is the last scheduled project included in the 2003 bond program. This is the sixth project Skanska has completed for Mansfield Independent School District.
The $10.6 million project broke ground in January 2006, and construction is expected to be complete in March. SHW Group LLP of Dallas will serve as the architect of record for the 74,275-sq-ft project, which will include more than 40 classrooms, computer and science labs, choir and music room, art room, administrative area and gym.

Retail Development Growing in Dallas Suburb of Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale has two new large retail and office developments coming with the development of an 18-acre retail site as well as a 77-acre site earmarked for big-box retail. Ground breaking is expected this spring.

Phase one of the 18-acre development—owned by Fry Street LP—is at the southeast corner of Highway 80 and Collins and will include 10,000 sq ft of retail and 10,000 sq ft of office.

Sunnyvale Crossing, designed by Hodges & Associates of Dallas and developed by Rick Sheldon Real Estate of San Antonio, takes up the southwest corner with 77 acres earmarked for big-box retail. The site is located along Lake Ray Hubbard and also has frontage along Highway 80.