Houston is huge and polycentric. Instead of one downtown, the region has multiple employment centers, each with its own tenant base, building stock and investment profile.
Downtown / CBD
Large office towers, government and corporate headquarters, sports and entertainment venues and growing residential. Office investors should focus on building quality and amenities; downtown residential and hospitality continue to evolve.
Galleria / Uptown
A major office, retail and hotel district anchored by the Galleria. Strong retail demand, a large office base and high-end residential.
Greenway Plaza and Upper Kirby
Close-in office and retail near affluent neighborhoods, with redevelopment and infill activity. Infill land in Upper Kirby and Montrose remains scarce.
Texas Medical Center
Healthcare, research and supporting real estate. See Texas Medical Center real estate.
Energy Corridor
West Houston along I-10, historically dominated by energy companies. Office repositioning, medical and residential growth continue.
Westchase
Southwest office market with a mix of building classes and competitive pricing for owner-users and tenants.
Northwest (290 / Beltway 8)
Industrial, flex, office and retail serving northwest Houston and Cypress. See Houston industrial submarkets.
North (I-45 / IAH)
Industrial and distribution near the airport, plus retail and office along I-45.
Southeast / Port Houston / Ship Channel
Industrial and logistics, petrochemical support and industrial outdoor storage. See IOS in Houston.
East End and Denver Harbor
Older neighborhoods close to downtown with infill residential, light industrial and redevelopment potential.
The suburbs
- The Woodlands / Spring / Conroe to the north.
- Katy / Fulshear to the west.
- Sugar Land / Missouri City / Richmond to the southwest.
- Pearland / Clear Lake / League City to the south and southeast.
- Kingwood / Humble / Atascocita to the northeast.
Suburban submarkets are where retail, medical office and self-storage follow new rooftops. See retail growth corridors.
Frequently asked questions
What are Houston’s main office submarkets?
Downtown, Galleria/Uptown, Greenway, the Energy Corridor, Westchase, The Woodlands and suburban centers.
Where is Houston’s industrial concentrated?
Northwest, North, Southeast/Port Houston, the Ship Channel and Baytown.
Which suburbs are growing fastest?
Areas along the Grand Parkway including Katy, Fulshear, Cypress, Fort Bend and Montgomery County.
How we help
We help investors match strategy to submarket across office, retail, industrial, medical office and self-storage. Learn about our commercial practice.
Have a deal or question in mind?
Talk it through with Apurva. A 20-minute call is usually enough to know your next step.
