Underbelly Burger opens at The Houston Farmers Market; NewQuest Properties tapped for leasing gig

Underbelly Burger is now open at The Houston Farmers Market as of Jan. 6, offering a selection of handcrafted burgers along with milkshakes, beer and wine, among other menu options.

Run by Underbelly Hospitality, a creation from Chris Shepherd, a James Beard award-winning chef, Underbelly Burger occupies one of several restaurant spaces at the market. Crawfish & Noodles, a concept of James Beard semifinalist Trong Nguyen, will open at the site in the spring.

Leasing for the remaining spaces and vendor slots at the market was recently turned over to NewQuest Properties, according to a Jan. 17 press release from NewQuest. Leasing was previously handled by a team from MLB Capital Partners, which acquired the property in 2017 and has been conducting a redevelopment effort ever since.

NewQuest Vice President John Nguyen and Senior Associate Nick Ramsey will lease the 167,000-square-foot space, which includes about 46,000 square feet of available space in six buildings—a mix of vendor stalls and small shops. Among the available culinary spaces is a fully built-out, 4,424-square-foot free-standing restaurant facing Airline Drive, according to the Jan. 17 release.

"It's an honor that NewQuest has been entrusted with this valued assignment," Nguyen said in a statement. "Our strong relationships in the restaurant and food and beverage operators will help us to achieve the ownership's vision for a world-class destination showcasing the best that Texas has to offer in culinary, agriculture and creative goods."

In its search for new tenants, NewQuest officials said they will target locally driven concepts as opposed to national brands. The search will include Austin eateries as well.

The redevelopment from MLB, which remains the owner of the property, has included building a 1-acre event lawn, updating vendor areas across six open-air pavilions, and adding a 40-foot central shade structure and several additional air-conditioned buildings.

The Houston Farmers Market, located at 2520 Airline Drive, Houston, has been in operation since 1942. Existing tenants include Underbelly Burgers, RC Ranch Texas Craft Meats, and more than 50 produce and specialty vendors. 713-862-8866. www.thehoustonfarmersmarket.com