flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Houston developer plans to convert Kevin Roche-designed ConocoPhillips HQ to mixed-use destination

Mixed-Use

Houston developer plans to convert Kevin Roche-designed ConocoPhillips HQ to mixed-use destination

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 office pavilions.


By Novid Parsi, Contributing Editor | December 6, 2022
Watermark District at WoodCreek_ Rendering Courtesy of Midway_0.jpg
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. Rendering Courtesy of Midway

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

Mixed-Use | Jul 21, 2020

Phase one of The Orbit masterplan detailed for Innisfil, Ontario

Partisans is designing the project.

Mixed-Use | Jul 20, 2020

J. Small Investments, Lyda Hill Philanthropies have unveiled plans for a 23-acre mixed-use development in Dallas

The vacant campus was purchased from ExxonMobil Oil Corporation in 2015.

Mixed-Use | Jul 17, 2020

Ryan Companies breaks ground on 122-acre Highland Bridge redevelopment in St. Paul, Minn.

The community’s goal is to provide 100% renewable energy to its houses and businesses.

Mixed-Use | Jul 14, 2020

Apartments and condos occupy what was once a five-story car dealership

Wisznia | Architecture+Development designed, developed, and is managing the project.

Mixed-Use | Feb 21, 2020

SB Architects to design Fort Lauderdale’s FATVillage mixed-use destination

The project will build upon the existing FATVillage Arts District.

Mixed-Use | Feb 14, 2020

Kenya’s Pinnacle Tower will be the tallest tower in Africa

ArchGroup Consultants is designing the project.

Sustainability | Feb 12, 2020

KPF unveils The Pinnacle at Central Wharf, a high-performance, resilient tower

The project will reconnect Downtown Boston to the waterfront.

Mixed-Use | Feb 11, 2020

KTGY unveils designs for Downtown Superior’s Main Street mixed-use portion

The development will be built in Superior, Colo.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category


MFPRO+ Special Reports

Top 10 trends in affordable housing

Among affordable housing developers today, there’s one commonality tying projects together: uncertainty. AEC firms share their latest insights and philosophies on the future of affordable housing in BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Annual Report.



halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021