Rapid commercial development continues this year in The Vintage

Photo by Marie Leonard

A slew of new commercial development took place in The Vintage during the second half of 2013, and there are no signs of a slow-down with Whole Foods and several new businesses set to open this year in the mixed-use development.

The 40,000-square-foot Whole Foods—the first in northern Houston—is slated to open this year. Read King Development is also constructing Vintage Marketplace, which will feature 31,000 square feet of inline retail space on-site with potential tenants such as restaurants, a barbershop and a nail salon. Vintage Marketplace is on track to open in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

"When Whole Foods showed interest, we jumped on the opportunity," said Sara Dodds, marketing coordinator for Read King. "Whole Foods typically brings high-quality tenants to the shopping center, and The Vintage area is growing a lot. Everything just fell into place."

Additionally, Read King is in the initial stages of developing a second phase of the project adjacent to Whole Foods, which will feature an office building, hotel and restaurant village with an entertainment component, Dodds said. Work on the second portion of the development is expected to begin in 2015 or 2016.

Vintage Park—the 400,000-square-foot retail component of The Vintage—has seen consistent growth in the past year and is 84 percent leased—up from 75 percent last summer. Four new restaurants are under construction in the center, including Facon Brazilian Steakhouse, Fuzzy's Taco Shop, Mo's Irish Grill and Barcelona VIP Lounge. Additionally, B D'vine, GNC Nutrition, Anytime Fitness, All French Rotisserie, Art Class Wine Glass and Lulla Blue Boutique opened in the last quarter of 2013.

Art Class Wine Glass relocated to the center in November from the corner of Grant and Jones roads, with owners Corina and Robert Vanderoef citing easier access and more foot traffic as the main reasons for the relocation.

"Our support team was on track when they said our next location needed to be somewhere entertainment-driven," owner Corina Vanderoef said. "We've seen walk-in traffic from people who are catching a quick dinner or movie, and decide they want to do some window shopping. We've definitely seen a marked increase in numbers."