Whitestone REIT (NYSE: WSR), a neighborhood-focused owner and operator of open-air shopping centers in Texas and Arizona, today announced that it has commenced a strategic redevelopment at Lion Square in Houston’s Asiatown – part of the International Management District – that will transform the Sun Wing Supermarket-anchored center into a vibrant and meaningful cultural hub that pays homage to the city’s expansive Asian community. Whitestone has engaged Michael Hsu Office of Architecture to upgrade the property’s design and curb appeal by integrating modern aesthetics with traditional Chinese and Vietnamese architectural influences to create a more welcoming and meaningful destination for the area’s large Asian contingent.

In addition to architectural and curb appeal upgrades, which will result in new greenery and sustainable irrigation systems along with security and lighting enhancements, the redevelopment of Lion Square will focus on enhancing the property’s walkability and connectivity to foster community engagement and better align with Houston’s Walkable Places. Walkable Places is a city-wide program launched in 2020 to promote walkability, biking and transit use through architectural design standards that create pedestrian-friendly environments. Houston’s first developer-initiated development to earn the Walkable Places designation, Park Eight Place – a $1 billion transformational 70-acre mixed-use project centered on healthier lifestyles is currently under construction on the former Halliburton campus – is less than a mile east on Bellaire Boulevard.

“We are thrilled to commence our redevelopment plan at Lion Square to ensure the center more appropriately aligns with the needs and expectations of the area’s distinguished Asian community,” stated Dave Holeman, CEO of Whitestone REIT. “With all the investment activity currently being undertaken in Asiatown, we felt that solidifying the property’s competitive standing made strategic sense to ensure it continues to stand out and supports the activity, energy, and mission of the surrounding community. By investing in this center and improving its aesthetics, walkability, and functionality, we are in position to drive continued strong foot traffic and repeat sales while enhancing its appeal as a neighborhood town square and vibrant cultural hub.”

In addition to benefiting from high barriers-to-entry like limited land availability for development and impressive growth drivers such as attracting more than 9 million visitors annually, Houston’s Asiatown possesses many of the fundamental characteristics Whitestone prioritizes as part of its investment criteria. Market rents in the district have risen significantly over the past decade largely due to continuous area improvements and low vacancy rates, and Whitestone’s redevelopment of Lion Square is intended to capitalize on these trends and further boost the center’s revenue, underlying value and return potential.

“There is a tremendous sense of pride and authenticity that permeates throughout Asiatown and we are honored to have a role in serving this community, which boasts the second largest concentration of Asian-Americans in the country,” commented Christine Mastandrea, President and COO of Whitestone. “The redevelopment plan we designed for Lion Square was thoughtfully-conceived with critical input from architects and planners who are fully ingrained in the Asian culture and are deeply aware of how meaningful this center is to this neighborhood. It’s a highly rewarding project for us, and we look forward to delivering an end-design that truly encapsulates the community’s spirit.”

The 117,592-square-foot Lion Square is situated at the intersection of Bellaire Boulevard and Wilcrest Drive and draws more than 2 million visitors each year from across the metro area and neighboring Texas cities. In addition to the Asian-focused Sun Wing Supermarket, the center is home to numerous other retailers and restaurants that are intended to appeal to the Asian community, including Crown Seafood Restaurant, rated the top dim sum restaurant in Houston, Sam’s Spa & Nail Supply, KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot, and Thuan Kieu Com Tam, among others.

Whitestone is also in the process of renovating the 5,100-square-foot pad site of the corner of Bellaire Boulevard and Wilcrest Drive to incorporate Asian elements into the building’s facade. Upon completion, the space will house an Asian-themed restaurant.