EAST END STORIES

Houston’s East End is peppered with fields between former industrial brick buildings, bungalows, recently remodeled parks, farmers markets and new condominiums, but a 6-acre lot stands out. Behind purple fencing, the parcel marks two construction trends spreading across the country: adaptive reuse of buildings and the use of timber in commercial projects. The site at the moment houses a pop-up drive-in movie theater, but Houston developer Triten Real Estate Partners plans to turn the lot into a mixed-use project that is expected to be a critical part of the East End’s ongoing transformation. Called the Mill after a former 1890s-era industrial lumber mill on the site, Triten’s project is expected to be one of Houston’s first cross-laminated timber office projects, in addition to restaurant and retail space and a 340-unit apartment complex.
November is a month of gratitude and Rebuilding Together is hosting a “Show of Thanks” Drive-In Movie event, featuring Guardians of the Galaxy and meals from Chick-fil-A!
Houston-based Midway, the privately owned, fully integrated real estate investment and development firm, today announced a new public mural installation on the site of its 150-acre East River development in east downtown. Midway tapped local multidisciplinary artist David Maldonado to create the Houston-themed piece. At 60’x20’, the East River mural marks the artist’s largest work to-date.
Houston-based Midway, the privately owned, fully integrated real estate investment and development firm, has teamed up with Moonstruck to present Moonstruck Drive-In Cinema at East River. Beginning Thursday, September 3, Houstonians are invited to enjoy a contactless cinema experience under the stars on the site of Midway’s 150-acre East River development. Christopher Nolan’s new spy film Tenet will debut on opening night, kicking off an exciting lineup of new releases and classics. Movies will show every night at 8:30 p.m., with double showings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:00 p.m. to start off, with occasional special events to be announced.
Feeling restless at home and wish you could safely visit some interesting spots around Houston? A new website, HoustonMuralMap.com that launches July 15 helps people do that. “Couch-surfers can take a fun discovery tour online, by clicking on murals that interest them on the map to see a photograph and learn about the artist,” said Elia Quiles, a principal of UP Art Studio, the firm that created the site. “People can drive around to see them too, by using the website to create their own DIY tour. It’s fun to take others in your household on a drive to see some colorful murals in person.” Nearly all installations can be viewed from the car; on the street, people should wear a mask and social distance.
On November 13, Houston City Council approved $24 million in federal funding to develop a new high-tech maker hub in East End Houston. The long-awaited project will be a hub for education, job training and manufacturing opportunities aimed at supporting and scaling small batch manufacturing in Houston’s historic East End community.