In an era of one-click purchases and next-day deliveries, urban residents yearn for the once-prevalent ambiance of a lively urban environment. Heights Mercantile offers Houston an antidote. Revitalizing two acres in the heart of Houston’s historic Heights neighborhood, this low-rise, mixed-use development preserves the area’s charm while providing a vibrant “third place” to browse, socialize, and unwind.
Boutique stores, chef-driven eateries, and communal green spaces artfully blend along a series of patios, decks, and sycamore-lined walkways. Connected directly to the Heights Hike and Bike Trail, preserved bungalows with modern accents hold 16 first-to-market specialty brands and four destination restaurants – creating a dynamic retail landscape. Shade trees and low-irrigation vegetation weave together the adaptive reuse project, creating a gathering place perfect for weekend farmer’s markets or mid-week happy hours.
Balancing preservation, accessibility, and environmental integration, Heights Mercantile raises the bar for urban living. Its 100% occupancy demonstrates the demand for thoughtful mixed-use spaces that serve as community gathering places. As Houston continues to densify, projects like Heights Mercantile serve as vital centers of activity, drawing people together and fostering a strong sense of place within the urban landscape.
La Via
Embracing the legacy of Scottsdale and re-imagining its development possibilities, La Via is positioned as a village of the future that looks beyond simple mixed-use functionality. By aggregating innovation-centric businesses, artists-in-residence, and a rich network of open spaces, La Via will engender unique associations and collaborations that will propel N...
Xiamen Air Headquarters
The Xiamen Airlines campus comprises three large buildings: the corporate headquarters, a business hotel, and a commercial center. To unify the site, the landscape spans across the campus as it transitions to express the distinct character of the various programs and patronage. Lush perimeter terraces adorn the stately Foster + Partners-designed buildings, med...
Culver City Medians
The Culver Boulevard Median Park has worn many hats over time, from railroad right-of-way to freeway on-ramp to bike and pedestrian conveyance. Today the Median Park is being asked to do more. Introducing below-grade stormwater management, SWA is working with the community to finesse an intricate network of stormwater, biodiversity, traffic, and program. The p...
Ningbo East New Town Eco-Corridor
SWA provided planning and design services for the 3.3km-long, 250-acre metropolitan Ningbo Eco-Corridor. The project transforms a former agricultural plain that had been taken over by industrial use into urban green infrastructure. Located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta on China’s coastline, Ningbo is one of China’s oldest cities, with an area of 3,61...