Bridgeland Central takes shape

Plans are coming together for Bridgeland's long-awaited "urban hub" in Cypress.

Known as Bridgeland Central, the development will feature retail, restaurants, entertainment venues and hotels as well as 1,650 single-family units and 2,200 multifamily units at build-out. The first phase of the project will feature 80,000 square feet of retail space, 40,000 square feet of restaurant space, a 36,000-square-foot cinema, 250 hotel rooms and650 multifamily units.

The main component of Phase 1 will be 350,000 square feet of office space. The inclusion of office space is crucial to the long-term vision for Bridgeland, which is expected to have 20,000 homes at build-out, according to officials with Howard Hughes. Jim Carman, senior vice president of commercial development, likened long-term plans to The Woodlands, the 28,000-acre master-planned community also developed by Howard Hughes.

“The goal for Bridgeland is to have 1 ½ jobs per household in our community,” Carman said. “Bridgeland will be an all-encompassing community where residents can enjoy the convenience of living and working in their community.”

The development will be situated east of the Grand Parkway, largely between Bridgeland Creek Parkway and Bridgeland Lake Parkway. Marketing materials from Howard Hughes suggest construction could begin in 2020, but Carman said the plan is to be patient and coordinate the start of construction with when the market demand is there.

The project will also include waterfront views, parks and central lawn space for community events, Carman said. He drew a comparison to The Woodlands Town Center.

- Shawn Arrajj, Cy-Fair Impact