Nashville-based real estate developer Southern Land Company broke ground on April 14, 2026, on a new mixed-use development in Houston’s Upper Kirby neighborhood. The project, located at 2811 Kirby Drive, marks the firm’s first entry into the Houston market.
The development occupies a prime two-acre site near the River Oaks district, a location previously occupied by a Wells Fargo branch. The project is designed as a high-density luxury hub featuring both residential and commercial components.
Project Components and Specifications
The centerpiece of the development is a residential tower, identified as the Lily River Oaks apartment tower. The tower is designed to reach 38 stories and will include 18 penthouses. Other reports describe the apartment tower as 37 stories and 460,280 square feet.
In addition to the residential tower, the project includes a boutique office building. This four-story structure will encompass 77,516 square feet and is designed to sit atop a four-story parking garage.
The development will also feature 15,000 square feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space. A shared seventh-floor amenity deck is planned to connect the components of the site.
Financials and Development Timeline
Financial estimates for the project vary across reports, with some sources citing a cost of $171 million and others indicating a $270 million project.
Current regulatory filings indicate an expected completion date in mid-2027. However, earlier preliminary filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation had suggested a start date in October 2024, indicating that the project timeline has shifted.
Design and Management Partnerships
The architectural vision for the mixed-use site is being led by the Boston-based design firm SCB. To manage the commercial aspects of the development, Southern Land Company has partnered with Dallas-based Stream Realty Partners, which will handle the leasing for both the office and retail components through its Houston office.
Strategic Context
Southern Land Company first announced its intentions for the property in 2023. Since that initial announcement, the developer has slightly increased the scale of the project. The site was previously slated for a 100,000-square-foot medical office building by Clay Development & Construction before Southern Land Company acquired the project.
Tim Downey, the founder and CEO of Southern Land, attributed the choice of the Upper Kirby location to the area’s walkability and other unique features, stating that the appeal of the neighborhood is undeniable
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