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Last week, SkyriseCities published new photos of the work progressing at Boston's Seaport Square, a 23-acre swath of waterfront land that is gradually undergoing a shift from a post-industrial desert to a lively urban hub. Similar large-scale redevelopment projects are taking root in cities across the United States, as millennials abandon the thought of automobile-oriented suburban living and embrace urban conveniences instead. The phenomena is what's partially driving GID Development Group's Regent Square project, a multi-phase city-building intervention that will form the new town centre within the Inner Loop of Houston.
Like Seaport Square, the development will span 23 acres of land. To make way for the walkable community, most of the existing 1960s-built apartment neighbourhood was demolished. The first phase of what is ultimately expected to become a five-phase implementation was completed in 2014. It consisted of The Sovereign, a 290-unit rental apartment tower that is 21 storeys tall. With that stage completed, the highly anticipated second phase is primed to move forward. Standing on a site adjacent to The Sovereign, the 40-storey residential tower will boast 260 apartments.
The third phase would become the mixed-use heart of the modern neighbourhood. In addition to more rental apartment units — 617 in total — this component would contain 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a 12-screen cinema, and a wealth of pedestrian-friendly streets, promenades, and public spaces. At full build-out, Regent Square will hold 2,000 luxury residences, 325,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 200,000 square feet of office space, and a hotel.
To create a unique urban character for the contemporary community, ten leading architecture firms have been appointed to the project. Their designs range from classic to modern, producing an array of juxtaposed architectural styles that work in harmony with the project's signature public gathering places. CBT Architects, Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Elkus Manfredi Architects are just a few of the prolific names attached to the project. When construction completes and residents spill out onto the streets, Regent Square will serve as a model for neighbourhood vitality, architectural diversity, and progressive planning.
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