Eighteen months since our last update, and progress at the site of the redesigned The Allen mega-development in Houston has now reached a major milestone as crews busy themselves prepping the site for excavation. Set to rise from the nexus of Allen Parkway and Gilette Street adjacent to the sprawling Buffalo Bayou Park and riverfront, the three-tower development will serve as a segue between downtown and uptown Houston. 

The Allen, site prep underway, image by Forum contributor urbannizer

Long the site of a vacant grass lot, The Allen will significantly enliven the area with the addition of a hotel, condo tower, office block, and plenty of ground floor retail and dining options. 

The Allen, as it will appear upon completion, image via HOK

While earlier plans saw the inclusion of a pedestrian skybridge to nearby Buffalo Bayou Park, its removal in the most recent renderings highlights that the mega-development will no longer feature a direct connection. 

The Allen, looking out, image via HOK

While the missing skybridge will be disappointing for those looking for an increased connection to one of Houston's largest natural assets, the overall design of the complex remains impressive in its own right - as depicted in the interior office space rendering above. 

The Allen, public realm, image via HOK

Down below, the public realm elements will be highly welcoming, to be outfitted with coloured pavers, ample potted trees, and numerous boutiques and restaurants. As it is still early days for the development, we will be sure to track any possible changes as they occur. 

SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Database file and Forum thread, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.