Habitation Leasing

After several years of delays, ground has been broken at Regent Square, a mixed-use, multi-story, mini-city-within-the-city that will occupy 24 acres of inner Loop land. This is just phase one of the construction, which is expected to take place over the next 10 years.

Scott Ziegler, principal at Ziegler Cooper Architects, tells CultureMap to expect a lifestyle arrangement at Sovereign Tower, the 21-story, 290-unit apartment complex that comprises the first phase of the project.

It’s all about the pedestrian, a solution to suburban sprawl.

“We’re trying to give up the car as much as we can in Houston,” Ziegler says.

In order to make that happen, his firm has, in conjunction with the GID Development Group, developed an urban district with everything a resident needs — restaurants, retail, office space and entertainment — in one space.

It’s all about the pedestrian, a solution to suburban sprawl.

And it doesn’t hurt that Regent Square is situated just steps from the Buffalo Bayou trail system, and only a couple of blocks from the Whole Foods Market that went up while the project was on hold.

Zielger expects to attract young professionals to the Sovereign Tower when it opens in March 2014. “This demographic wants an urban lifestyle without yard maintenance . . . at a lower cost of living than owning a home,” he says.

Future residents of the LEED-certified tower will have first-class finishes and great downtown views, plus four-star amenities and a focus on green living.

The eighth floor amenity level will have an outdoor pool area and herb garden with an smokeless fire pit. Inside is everything else: A fitness and yoga studio, a library, WiFi lounge and movie screening room.

The garage, which will be surrounded by seven levels units that relate to the street level, will have a charging station for electric cars. Ziegler hopes that there will be a bicycle shop there, too.

Originally published 09.01.12, 2:14 pm

via CultureMap.com