The Johnson Development Corporation announced Feb. 4 an agreement with KDC—a national commercial real estate development and investment firm—to develop more than 50 acres of commercial land within Imperial Sugar Land.

KDC's Houston partner William Peeples said the company is looking to market the sites in Imperial for Class A, build-to-suit office space primarily along Hwy. 6 and in a tract east of the former Imperial Sugar Refinery.

"There is a tremendous demand for new office space in the area, both for headquarter locations and smaller, middle-market tenants," Peeples said.

Imperial Sugar Land is a more than 700-acre mixed-use development under construction at the corner of Hwy. 90 and Hwy. 6 in Sugar Land. Phase 1 of the project included the opening of Constellation Field and the construction of Imperial's first two neighborhoods, Quiet Cove and Silent Manor, which will feature 116 patio homes and 27 single- and two-story town homes upon build-out. Home builders include Sitterle Homes, Partners in Building, Darling Homes and Trendmaker Homes.

"We're very pleased with the progress made with Imperial," said Doug Goff, chief operating officer of Johnson Development. "Our partnership with KDC is certainly another positive step in creating a premier destination community in Fort Bend County."

The city of Sugar Land approved an amended agreement with capital investment firm Cherokee Sugar Land for the Imperial redevelopment project in late January. Amendments consisted of changes to the project's land use, including the reservation of land along Hwy. 6 for office and business development and the reservation of land along Oyster Creek for possible single-family residential development. The new agreement is expected to accelerate the project, said Doug Adolph, assistant communications director with Sugar Land.

Sugar Land has witnessed an influx of corporate activity, which has led to a high demand for these types of developments, said Regina Morales, director of economic development with the city of Sugar Land.

"Companies are taking notice of what's happening in Sugar Land," she said. "The ability to offer new, Class A office space gives us a tremendous advantage when it comes to attracting new businesses to the area."

Imperial has seen a flurry of recent activity as well. Nalco Champion announced in early 2014 plans to build a new headquarters within the development; the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center reached its fundraising goal to open a year-round museum within the development's refinery district; and the Imperial Ball Park Lofts—a 257-unit multi-family development—is under construction near Constellation Field.

"Future new housing, hotels, museums, office and retail will continue to support our ever-expanding job base and economy," Morales said. "More importantly, [Imperial] will provide another destination attraction for the city of Sugar Land."

For more information and updates, visit www.imperialsugarland.com.