HOUSTON – NewQuest has signed the first round of tenants to encircle nearly five acres of welcoming green space in Texas Heritage Marketplace, an 800,000-sf regional development now under construction in Waller County.
The 165-acre project, boasting four A-list anchors, is going up at the southeast junction of Interstate 10 and Texas Heritage Parkway on Katy’s rapidly developing west side. Or, as commercial real estate professionals like to call it – “a first in, last out intersection” leading to multiple master-planned residential developments in various stages of expansion.
Signing preleases to secure a spot in Texas Heritage Marketplace’s premium green space component are Escalante’s, 5,005 sf; Tony C’s, 4,900 sf; Aji Izakaya, 2,800 sf; and Kilwin’s, 1,400 sf. Talks are underway with other top-tier retailers and restaurateurs.
“We’re being highly selective about the tenants who will co-exist in the green space. They ultimately share a common bond, which is to encourage people to stay longer and return frequently,” says David Meyers, managing director of leasing and development partner for Houston-based NewQuest.
Texas Heritage Marketplace’s green space is strategically positioned close to two anchors, Target and EoS Fitness. NewQuest has encircled the five-acre component with 39,811 sf of premium retail space, of which half is either signed or in negotiations at this early stage of development.
“We want to raise the bar on green space concepts. We envision a mix of inviting dining concepts and spa- or fitness-related brands to play off the entire project’s lifestyle component,” says Bob Conwell, the NewQuest senior vice president who’s leading the preleasing charge.
One of the green space’s attractions is a large Heritage oak tree, which NewQuest rescued from the highway’s path during its construction. Other highlights will be a water feature and native plantings.
“Signing Escalante’s is a badge of honor for Texas Heritage Marketplace’s green space. It’s well-known that the upscale restaurateur is very selective about its locations,” Conwell says.
Texas Heritage Marketplace will be Escalante’s eighth location in Greater Houston. The 30-year-old family-owned chain specializes in scratch-made Tex-Mex dishes.
New to the market is Tony C’s pizza and beer garden, an Austin-based premium sports bar and grill. The chain, founded in Boston, is named after Tony Conigliaro, a Red Sox legend and Massachusetts native.
“Aji Izakaya and Kilwin’s are equally well-known brands in the market and both are expanding,” Conwell says. “We’re starting with four strong attractions as place-makers for the green space.”
To support its standing as a regional development, NewQuest has signed deals with two of the four national anchors, with the balance of the list to be disclosed in the near future. Target will come on line in October 2026. Multiple leases are in various stages of negotiation with an All-Star roster of national retailers and ground-lease prospects.
The four anchors alone are expected to generate four million visits per year. Adding to the massive development’s momentum will be a 50,000-sf medical facility, which could be expanded to 70,000 sf, and at least 500 high-end multifamily units.
“It’s rare to see a project of this magnitude being built today,” Conwell says. “Once construction is fully underway, meaning walls are going up, the market’s anticipation will really start to take off.”
SOUTH TEXAS LEASES
Portillo’s Hot Dogs has ground leased 2.13-acre (93,135 sf) retail pad site in Grand at 249, located at the intersection of TX 249/Tomball Parkway and TX 99/Grand Parkway, Tomball, from NewQuest. Andrew Alvis of NewQuest represented the landlord. Tucker Szybala of Falcon Realty Advisors represented the tenant.
CityVet has leased 3,563 sf of retail space in Shops at Spring Town Center, located at the intersection of FM 2920 and Kuykendahl Road, Spring, from NewQuest. Kevin Sims and Lara Lee LaMendola of NewQuest represented the landlord. Sarah Savage of JLL represented the tenant.
