Located at a well-established intersection near Rice Village, Village Corner is ranked as one of the highest daytime population shopping centers in Houston, Tenel Tayar, co-managing partner at Fifth Corner, said. (Courtesy Michael Hsu Office of Architecture)
Village Corner, one of Houston’s oldest mixed-use retail plazas, is officially getting a new look after real estate company Fifth Corner broke ground on construction in August.
The shopping center comprises three parcels located at 2400 Times Blvd., 2444 Times Blvd. and 2400 Rice Blvd. Including the neighboring office space also owned by Fifth Corner, it spans 66,108 square feet in net rentable area and has approximately 793 square feet of patio space.
Put in perspective
When Fifth Corner acquired the decades-old property in late 2025, there were several key elements that made Village Corner’s locale “irreplaceable,” Co-managing Partner Tenel Tayar said. Namely, its proximity to several affluent neighborhoods and institutions, such as Rice University and the Texas Medical Center, as well as its walkability and its historic ties to the local community.
Tayar said that because the property is ranked as one of the highest daytime population shopping centers in the city, these factors combined create the ideal formula to redevelop Village Corner into a prime retail destination—while still honoring its original character.
“There’s no place else in Houston that has the world’s largest medical center, one of the most prestigious universities and one of the most walkable shopping centers all connected into one environment,” Tayar said. “It’s really special.”
What to expect
Through collaborations with architectural firm Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and Rebel Retail Advisors, the vision for the property’s modern redesign began with its functionality rather than its aesthetic, Tayar said.
Among the series of renovations included in the project, patrons can expect to see a newly installed raised walkway inside the plaza's breezeway that will act as a direct connector to Rice Village. (Courtesy Michael Hsu Office of Architecture)Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
He said that the primary goals are to open up Village Corner’s retail spaces; increase accessibility for drivers and pedestrians; and solidify its physical connection to the nearby Rice Village.
Features outlined in the shopping center’s redevelopment plans include:
Reimagined exterior façade through removal of the building’s former signage band
Expanded patios and gathering spaces
Enhanced storefronts to promote visibility
Added pedestrian sidewalks
Installation of a raised walkway, or speed bump, that extends through the middle of the property and directly connects to Rice Village
Renovated breezeway
189 parking spaces
Village Corner currently has 11 tenants offering a variety of business and dining-related services. (Courtesy Michael Hsu Office of Architecture)Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
The local impact
Brandon Eads, Fifth Corner’s portfolio development manager, shared that the redevelopment project is currently in its first phase. He anticipates that building improvements will be completed by the end of the year, with the second phase related to site work beginning sometime between October and November.
The estimated completion date for the retail portion of the project is the first quarter of 2027. Around this time, Eads said patrons can expect to see new tenants moving into the space.
As on-site work continues, the shopping center’s businesses and restaurants will remain open to the public. It is currently occupied by 11 tenants, whose businesses Eads foresees will benefit greatly from the renovations.
“One of the biggest things is maximizing visibility to tenant spaces,” Eads said. “Visibility is so big in retail. And then, just a fresh design and spaces where [patrons] can… dwell at the property and spend time.”
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