Whether you’re a long-time resident or visiting the Bayou City for the first time, there’s no questioning Houston is experiencing an incredible burst of development, particularly within its Downtown core. Today, more than $1.9 billion in new Downtown construction projects are underway and/or in pre-development/design, ranging from residential to hospitality, high rise office towers to exciting new public spaces. 

And who can overlook the success of two of Houston’s most beloved urban parks: Discovery Green and Market Square Park – both of which have been heavily credited for being the economic catalyst for growth in the east and northern end of Downtown Houston, respectively. With all of this robust activity, combined with its strong economy, a growing urban population, and solidified status as being one of the nation’s top culinary and entertainment destinations, it’s easy to see how Houston has transformed itself into the global city that it is today.

The Houston Downtown Management District has facilitated many of the public and private projects that have transformed downtown over the last decade. The District began its revitalization efforts in 1995. To accelerate the renewal of the city's urban core, the District set several important goals with quality of life as the underlying theme: building a lasting constituency for Downtown; recruiting investors, retailers and tenants while retaining those already Downtown; and making Downtown clean, safe and attractive.