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The Laura apartment building in Midway's East River starts pre-leasing, office leasing picks up

By Jeff Jeffrey – Senior reporter, Houston Business Journal
Sep 26, 2023

Pre-leasing has begun for The Laura, the multifamily component in the first phase of Houston-based Midway's 150-acre East River mixed-use development.

The company will start delivering the 359 apartment units in December.

The Laura, which broke ground in 2021, is located at the entry point of East River and is a westward extension of the historic Fifth Ward and East End, or Second Ward, Midway said.

East River’s first phase, which will span about 26 acres at the intersection of Jensen and Clinton, will include approximately 300,000 square feet of office space, 110,000 square feet of retail space and more than 13,000 square feet of plaza green space. The company has already completed construction of three retail/office buildings as part of East River’s first phase.

“We are excited to kick off pre-leasing for The Laura, which is sure to be one of our most impressive residential communities to date,” Larry Sloan, executive vice president of investment and development for Midway, said in a news release. “With its authentic architecture, balance of amenities, access to East River’s retail, dining and entertainment offerings, and connection to the Buffalo Bayou trail system, The Laura will bridge rich culture and commerce within East River’s 150-acre mixed-use destination.”

Ranging from 431 square feet to 1,432 square feet, the building offers studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Midway did not provide details about the monthly rents for each.

The Laura also will offer workforce housing designed for those whose salary is at or below 80% of the area median income.

The development takes its name from the steamboat the Allen brothers took to demonstrate Buffalo River’s navigability in 1837, a daring move that later helped to establish the Port of Houston.

When it opens in a few months, The Laura will have an industrial feel, taking inspiration from the steamboat’s steel cylinders, valves, paddlewheels and spokes as well as from other commercial businesses like railroads, warehouses and the port’s shipping containers.

The building’s interiors were designed by Houston-based Mayfield and Ragni Studio (MaRS).

The Laura’s amenity lounge, leasing and lobby areas will be outfitted with a blend of reclaimed and new materials, which Midway said will pay homage to the area’s history as well as where it stands today.

The design architect, Houston-based Munoz + Albin Architecture and Planning, and the architect of record, Houston-based EDI International, came up with an unconventional layout that aims to maximize views from each of the building’s units.

The two-story lobby will continue the warehouse aesthetic, featuring five shipping containers arranged to create workspaces and a coffee bar.