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Houston Theater District Masterplan endorsed

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Rebecca Maloney Rebecca Maloney Americas Press Office ,Boston
6 October 2015

Arup’s combination of urban planning and performing arts consulting proved successful with Houston First and City of Houston stakeholders.

The Houston Theater District Masterplan has been endorsed by Houston First Corporation, a local government organisation whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Houston and to advance the city’s economic prosperity and development. The masterplan lays out a range of near- and long-term improvements for the District’s public spaces that will provide an exciting and distinct identity for the 17-block Theater District.

As prime consultant, we provided urban planning and performing arts consulting to devise the masterplan, as well as comprehensive integrated planning services including urban design, lighting design, wayfinding, civil engineering, and cost estimation. The full vision of the masterplan, which is expected to be realised by 2025, is to create an active streetlife and street vibrancy tied to existing and successful performing arts venues that include opera, theatre, symphony, and ballet, among others.

The goal of this masterplan has always been to create a vibrant street life around the theatre venues. Previously, visitors tended to drive in, attend the theatre, and leave the city centre to pursue other activities. Our plan will encourage patrons to stay in the District, whether to dine, gather, or shop, in order to infuse the district with vitality, economic development, and a sense of community.

The masterplan strategy outlines the path towards a revitalised Theater District that offers an active urban street life, unified branding, and increased opportunities for investment. Three major components of the plan include Center Stage, which transforms Jones Plaza for public enjoyment and events; Bagby Street, which will become a pedestrian-oriented thoroughfare flanked by new high-rise and mixed-use developments; and Livable Streets, which will reimagine the public spaces into a fun, inviting, and safe public gathering place.

Through the masterplan, expressions of artistic activity will be complemented by interventions and innovations adding interactivity, connectivity, energy, and life into the District. The end result will be a creative, thriving central location where Houstonians from all walks of life will come to enjoy and engage in creative collaboration.