East River will be one of the most important urban redevelopment sites in Houston, Texas. Less than a mile from downtown and inside Loop 610, this approximately 150 acres of carefully designed, multiphase, mixed-use development will transform Houston’s historic waterfront along Buffalo Bayou. East River will be developed as a new economic center welcoming a wide variety of residents, workers and visitors of all ages and diverse cultures. The redevelopment of the former KBR shipping and industrial complex will open more than a mile of waterfront that was inaccessible to the wider community for many decades and will include improvements to streets, drainage, sidewalks and lighting, bike and pedestrian access, green spaces, parks and trails.

Phase one of East River encompasses the first 26 acres on the western end of the project. In addition to developing the master plan, Page has completed the design for the commercial and retail buildings and construction has just started. The initial six structures will include 167,000 square feet of office space, 117,500 square feet of retail space and a 900-car parking garage. An additional 200,000-square-foot office tower has also been designed to complete the commercial space in phase one.

The project has been designed to recall the manufacturing and shipping heritage of the site while still creating architecture and places that are new and exciting. Careful attention was placed on the pedestrian realm where appropriately scaled outdoor spaces flow through the site connecting the urban environment of East River with the linear park being developed along Buffalo Bayou.