Houston-based Midway, a real estate investment, development, and management firm, plans to redevelop the former ConocoPhillips corporate headquarters site into a mixed-use destination called Watermark District at Woodcreek.
In the late 1970s, architect Kevin Roche originally designed the Conoco site so that it resembled a Japanese fishing village, with bridges over ponds and grassy areas connecting the 16 three-story office pavilions.
To preserve this history and minimize carbon impact, Midway plans to repurpose some of the 70-acre site’s existing infrastructure while creating new office, multifamily, retail, restaurant, and hotel opportunities, all surrounded by waterfront views and outdoor walkways.
“Watermark is … an urbanization of the suburban experience in one of the fastest-growing regions in Houston,” said Brad Freels, Midway Chairman and CEO.
Midway says it will repurpose portions of the existing 1.3 million square feet of office space while preserving the low-rise, low-density work environment. Once completed, Watermark’s 650,000 square feet of office space will offer flexible floorplans, abundant natural light, and direct access to surrounding amenities.
To support a vibrant neighborhood after working hours, Midway plans to repurpose existing buildings as luxury multifamily apartments and a boutique hotel, and the development will include various restaurants, cafes, and bars. Midway also intends to modernize the existing 100,000-sf fitness facility.
In addition, Midway has partnered with cleantech social impact company 374Water to provide a fully integrated sustainable wastewater management system at Watermark. The system will transform wastewater and food wastes generated onsite into valuable resources, such as clean water, energy, and minerals, that will be reused within the district. The project also will preserve more than 500 trees.
On the Building Team:
Owner and developer: Midway
MEP engineer: I.A. Naman
Structural engineer: VSM Structural Engineers
Landscape architect: OJB
Related Stories
Coronavirus | May 18, 2020
Will empty hotels provide an answer for affordable housing shortage?
A Los Angeles-based startup sees the Midwest as most fertile for adaptive reuse.
Adaptive Reuse | Feb 25, 2020
Hastings Architecture creates its new HQ from a former Nashville Public Library building
The building was originally constructed in 1965.
Mixed-Use | Jul 18, 2019
POST Houston mixed-use development will include a five-acre “skylawn”
OMA is designing the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 17, 2019
Boston multifamily development combines a historic warehouse with a new, modern addition
The Architectural Team designed the project.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 11, 2019
The power and possibility of adaptive reuse
Building reuse generally offers greater environmental savings than demolition or new construction.
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 9, 2018
Work, park, live: Inside Cincinnati’s parking garage turned lifestyle hotel
The Summit hotel and conference center is a converted parking garage that was once a factory.
Office Buildings | Jun 6, 2018
Final Cut: Jupiter Entertainment’s new production studio in New York combines office and editing spaces
The project team completed this full-floor renovation in four months.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 4, 2018
Pop-up retail market on Chicago’s Randolph Street will be made of repurposed shipping containers
Related Midwest will open the market at 725 W. Randolph St. later this week.
Adaptive Reuse | May 7, 2018
A decade after it debuted, Beijing’s 798 Arts District is still a work in progress
China’s third-most-popular tourist attraction remains a magnet for creative tenants.
Adaptive Reuse | Apr 26, 2018
Edison Lofts building is New Jersey’s largest non-waterfront adaptive reuse project
Minno & Wasko Architects & Planners designed the building.