Hines gets out in the gardens
New luxury high-rise apartments in downtown Houston and in the Med Center/Museum District have been garnering all the headlines recently. While Hines is proudly promoting its sleek new 46-story tower The Preston, currently in construction (and set to be the tallest apartment in Houston), the developer is also working to forge new ground redesigning an industry stereotype. Hines has three new garden-style multifamily properties underway in growing suburbs surrounding Houston. Garden-style apartments have long been a staple of the multi-family industry.
Hines’ portfolio boasts multiple low-rise properties across the U.S. and several in Europe. Its three new communities, located in the Houston suburbs of Cypress, Humble, and Tomball, will be packed with amenities and denser than their other garden-style communities. The properties include up to 50 percent more units than the 20 units/acre typically achieved. The 360-unit Alys Crossing in Cypress will have 27 units per acre. The 328-unit The Rosemary in Humble will fit 22 units per acre. The 384-unit Stone Loch in Tomball will have nearly 30 units per acre. Architect Trevor Meeks (Meeks+Partners) cites the elimination of unnecessary spaces like exterior breezeways and extra stairs as an opportunity for the developer to gain more space for amenities while retaining square footage within the units. Each of Hines’ new communities will have a clubhouse with a great room, community kitchen, fitness center, business center, golf simulator and a resort-style pool with outdoor entertainment areas. Individual units will have higher-end finishes typical of Hines properties – quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, 42” wood cabinetry, walk-in closets with wood shelving, and private patios and balconies. Though construction of garden-style apartments is declining versus denser mid- and high-rises, demand continues to remain high relative to the supply of quality communities in suburbans. The new Hines properties will provide ample outdoor spaces along with plush indoor areas, offering a great lifestyle at an affordable price point.
