Looking forward, downtown Houston presents tremendous opportunities for retailers.
Downtown Houston has shown resiliency and has been steadfast in its approach to revitalization. The public and private sectors have worked to create the appropriate environment for retail to grow and prosper.
The most important factor affecting downtown Houston as it moves forward is the retail critical mass that is beginning to show signs of progress. The Historic District and Main Street Square are two focal points of retail growth.
The Downtown District recently commissioned a third-party analysis of downtown Houston by Gibbs Planning Group. The study is not only an analysis of retail demand and growth potential but a study of downtown's "built" environment and what improvements need to be made in order for downtown to be more attractive to potential local, regional and national retailers.
Houston Downtown Retail Analysis, prepared by Gibbs Planning Group
Based on Urban Marking Collaborative’s assessment of retail demand from local residents, workers, regional visitors and out-of-town visitors for retail merchandise, convenience goods and eating and drinking, Downtown Houston has the potential to add 888,735 square feet over the next five years to its existing 1,229,143 square feet.
2006 Retail Demand Study (pdf, 2.6 mb), prepared by Urban Marketing Colloborative
The Downtown District, in collaboration with SUMA Partners, also just completed the 2007 Downtown Houston Market Research Study. In this study, we surveyed downtown workers, downtown residents and near-downtown residents. Information that we sought:
- Identify components of downtown Houston lifestyle
- What is authentic? What is missing? What is compelling?
- Determine what differentiates downtown from other areas of town
- Develop a profile of the current and potential downtown Houston “participant”
- Develop a composite picture of the downtown community
- Develop information that will support leasing and product development
2007 Market Research Summary (pdf, 5 mb)
For more information on these studies, please contact:
Heather Hinzie
Retail Development Coordinator
713-650-3022
heather@downtowndistrict.org
