Downtown’s explosion of residential development is arguably the greatest shift to its urban core since the city began its renewal back in the mid 1990’s.
Currently, there are approximately 9,132 residents throughout nearly 6,300 units within the Downtown District’s boundaries (1.84 square miles), due to the success of the City of Houston’s Downtown Living Initiative – a program which awards $15,000 per unit in tax rebates to developers who create homes or multifamily projects – that number has tripled over the past few years and will continue to grow. In addition to the core, Downtown boasts more than 65,000 residents within 2-miles and more than 390,000 within 5-miles.
The types of residents attracted to Downtown living are young urban professionals working Downtown, empty nesters, reverse commuters and, yes, even small families. A variety of living options are also available from penthouse apartments to cool and funky lofts- and at all price points.
What makes Downtown different from other areas of Houston is that it is the only place in the city where a resident has everything they need within walking distance. Not just bars and restaurants, theater, sports and award-winning parks... but medical, worship, fitness and transportation. Downtown also has an amazing specialty grocery store, Phoenicia Specialty Foods, not to mention a dozen more options from Whole Foods to Target, all within a mile of Downtown.