Braun Enterprises has revamped, re-energized and rebranded a pair of mid-rise office buildings on West Alabama in Uptown Houston.
The recently completed project, dubbed 53 West, took the former Yorktown Plaza buildings next to The Galleria, built in the mid-‘70s, and created a modern environment for the company’s Urban Office concept targeting small and growing companies, the Conservatory food hall, retail and services.
“53 West brings together our expanding Urban Office concept of flexible office spaces and creative, long-term office space merged with some of the city’s most sought-after food and beverage concepts—all in one central location, said company President Dan Braun.
Situated on more than 4 acres, 53 West includes a total of 168,000 square feet of office space and 32,000 square feet of ground floor retail.
Redevelopment began in 2019 and included renovating and painting the exterior facades, remodeling of the interior office buildings, and enhancing ground-level storefronts for a more contemporary relevance.
As examples of the improvements, property and pathway lighting upgrades enhanced the location’s walkability and safety. Outdoor seating – now capped by a dramatic corner lighting array that also accentuates the street visibility — and freshened landscaping spans the ground floor for more outdoor dining and shared space.
Interior enhancements included upgraded common area restrooms, lobbies, and atriums that feature new layouts, finishes, furnishings and lighting.
“We know Uptown Houston serves as a hub for some of the best dining and office space available in Houston, and the redevelopment of 53 West delivers an attractive option for the uptown community,” said Alec Lapin, principal of Urban Office.
As part of the redevelopment, which began in 2019, one of two office towers connected by the ground floor retail was converted into Urban Office. A flexible office space concept by Braun Enterprises, it provides private office spaces with shared amenities for small and growing companies.
Furnished and unfurnished office space ranges from 50 square feet to 2,000 square feet and can be customized. The design team was in-house.
Braun Enterprises is a commercial real estate owner, operator, and developer that has acquired and repositioned more than 130 commercial real estate projects totaling over 3.7 million square feet. Its Texas markets include Houston, San Antonio and Austin.
Urban Office at 53 West is one of 13 locations operating in those markets.
This article was originally published in Realty News Report on July 2, 2024