Longtime developers with Friendswood-based Virgata Property are breaking ground on their first project in the city in mid-October.

“This project is in our backyard, and so we have a clear intention of going above and beyond in terms of design,” said David Boone, a partner with Virgata, which has developed other retail centers and restaurant sites around Houston.

The property, located at 1769 S. Friendswood Drive, includes a site for a Chick-fil-A, which was opposed by some residents last year during a zoning request to make way for the site, but it ultimately won approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission, he said.

“It’s basically a done deal. ... We anticipate that most people are going to be really happy with this location,” Boone said.

The project will construct two retail buildings with a combined 20,000 square feet of space. About 60 percent is already leased, but Boone could not confirm any tenants publicly. The site also has a 1.7-acre pad available for lease and 3.6 acres for sale, lease or build to suit, Boone said.

Construction should be complete by spring 2019, with retail build-out taking place over the summer, he said.
“This is going to be a good development and bring in some good tenants that people will want to see,” he said.