Westchase Park complex taking shape

It’s a scene from the future Hyatt Place Hotel and Westchase Park business complex, components of which are now under construction.

Though the future’s excitement level may not rival past on-screen scenes once offered to patrons of the Cinemark Tinseltown movie theater, the location’s previous occupant, the complex could become an attraction for people doing business in southwest Houston.

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One six-story tower, boosting 270,000 square feet, of Westchase Park has been erected and is being finished inside.

The concrete foundation is being poured for the matching tower.

Businesses are expected to begin moving in by next summer, said Jeff Pace, vice president of office development for Simmons Vedder Partners, a developer at 1300 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1650.

The company also has offices in Austin, Atlanta, Florida and Washington, D.C.

“The other building begins as soon as we sign significant leases for the first,” Pace said. “We hope to do that before the end of the year.”

The complex, which will include showers and lockers for the convenience of the business tenants, is in answer to the fierce competition for business employees in the Houston market, Pace said.

“Of all the markets in the country, Houston remains vibrant,” Pace said. “If the demand is not as robust as it was in 2006-07, Houston is still a healthy market to be in.”

The complex will be environmentally friendly, Pace said, with office buildings constructed using sustainable environmental design concepts around a 2-acre park with a “water feature,” such as a combined fountain, sculpture and reflection pond.

Pearl-gray limestone flooring in the two business towers will be augmented by polished black granite and maple columns and stainless steel accents, translucent glass walls and vaulted, painted ceilings and concealed lighting.

Green space will counter and contrast against the two parking garages on the Beltway 8 side.

“We’re doing things to reduce energy costs, such as low-flow fixtures in the restrooms and low-flow irrigation, native plantings,” Pace said.

His company has a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, Pace said.

The certification denotes the firm’s promotion of environmentally friendly design and construction.

The project is being financed through a commercial bank loan, he said, but he refused to state the amount of the loan or the project’s estimated total cost.

Businesses that will lease space in the complex will encompass a variety of trades and professions that work well with firms along the nearby Energy Corridor, he said.

“We have several proposals out under consideration,” Pace said. “We’re talking to a variety of engineering firms, accounting and software companies and, of course, many energy-related companies.

“We will have walking distance to restaurants on the site, the existing Cheddar’s and Red Robin restaurants, plus the Hyatt Place that plans a seven-story hotel with a restaurant and meeting space.”

Moody National Cos. is developing the seven-story Hyatt Place.

Construction is expected to start soon, said Alex Sims, who directs the company’s land and multifamily acquisitions and is heading the hotel project.

The office complex and hotel will front Beltway 8, close to the Westpark Toll Road and U.S. 59.

“The hotel will include meeting space, a restaurant, swimming pool and 140 rooms with WiFi Internet service and 42-inch flatscreen, high-definition TVs,” Sims said.