
GreenStreet
Cultivating Urban Vibrancy in the Heart of Houston
Anchoring Houston’s Innovation Corridor and bridging downtown with arts and education institutes, GreenStreet presents a new model of urban living. This reimagined mixed-use district transforms a three-block urban mall into a vibrant hub for creativity and culture.
Operated and managed by Rebees, GreenStreet is poised to become Houston’s premier urban district. The 560,000-square-foot development comprises a 260,000-square-foot Class-A office tower and 180,000 square feet of retail space. It features a dynamic mix of local makers, celebrated cuisine, and live music, with marquee tenants including House of Blues, Punch Line comedy club, The Laura Hotel, and Lifetime Fitness. At its core, collaborative office and broadcast spaces support local and global businesses, positioning downtown Houston as a thriving economic center that reflects the city’s eclectic character.

Revitalizing Public Spaces
GreenStreet reimagines underutilized space, transforming it into a unique urban central canyon that promotes interaction and connectivity. The project’s inward focus creates an engaging streetscape, drawing visitors into a vibrant atmosphere. Layered landscapes, striking signage, and imaginative storefronts combine to offer a carefully curated, immersive experience that celebrates Houston’s gritty character. This dynamic environment seamlessly blends urban design with local flavor, creating a destination that’s both inviting and distinctly Houstonian.

Various design elements come together to create an immersive destination district.
"The future of GreenStreet will breathe new life into the downtown experience and set the stage for Houston’s continued evolution."
— Mark Motonaga, Creative Director & Partner, RIOS

Elevating the Visitor Experience
The revitalization of GreenStreet balances a bold design vision with the flexibility to adapt to existing architecture and tenants. This approach aims to activate the broader Downtown Houston area, transforming it into a more welcoming and experiential destination. Drawing inspiration from Houston’s vibrant culinary scene and cultural diversity, the design creates a casual yet impactful hospitality experience.
At ground level, public activation and retail spaces invite exploration, featuring a lively pedestrian alleyway filled with local food and beverage purveyors. The visitor journey begins at welcoming entry points on either side, building to a crescendo at the central block. This vibrant area includes a two-story retail space crowned by a greenhouse and a rooftop deck on the third floor. Architectural features such as balconies and rotundas provide dramatic views overlooking the heart of the development.

Sustainable Urban Design
GreenStreet has ambitious sustainability goals. Plans include incorporating four blocks of rooftop solar panels to achieve net carbon neutrality and exploring potential rainwater reclamation systems to further its environmental goals.
Responding to the growing preference for open-air environments, the development offers a vibrant above-ground alternative to Houston’s traditional underground tunnel network. To ensure visitors’ comfort in the city’s extreme heat, an innovative climate control system with advanced fans and airflow management has been implemented. The design integrates abundant greenery and neon signage, adding visual interest through planned storefront extensions and interventions. GreenStreet seeks to create a new urban experience that connects people with nature while maintaining the energy of city life.

Spanning three city blocks, GreenStreet reimagines Houston's urban landscape, with a central focus on its interior street and alleyway.
Collaborators
Client: Rebees
Architect, Landscape Architect, Interior Architect, and Experience Designers: RIOS
Renderings: SAN