[Urbannizer]

Marquette Cos. Building 2 Multifamily Projects In East End

Chicago-based Marquette Cos. is moving ahead with two multifamily communities totaling more than 600 units in the East End District, an area primed for transformational commercial development anchored by Midway's 150-acre East River project. "This is going to be a game-changer for the neighborhood," Marquette Cos. President Darren Sloniger said.

2404 Navigation will target millennials who want to live in an urban environment while the East Bayou project will cater to a health and wellness lifestyle, Sloniger said. The projects are within a qualified opportunity zone. Marquette Cos. has partnered with an undisclosed opportunity zone fund for 2404 Navigation and plans to bring on an OZ fund for the East Bayou project as well. 2404 Navigation is a nine-story, 300-unit community that will feature convertibles and one-, two- and three-bedroom units averaging 850 SF and 18K SF of retail space for a restaurant and a café. On-site amenities will include a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a yoga studio, a tenant-only coworking space and a sky lounge with views of Downtown Houston. The site went under contract in February and will close at the end of construction, Sloniger said. The groundbreaking is expected in mid-August, and build-out will take 15 months. Marquette Cos. is bringing in Chicago-based Brininstool + Lynch as the architect to embrace a more urban design with an authentic vibe and use natural materials and finishings, Sloniger said. Houston-based Gin Design Group was tapped as the designer.

Overlooking Buffalo Bayou and the adjacent East River project, the second, nine-story mid-rise will feature 330 units averaging 920 SF, up to three-bedroom floor plans and 5K SF of retail. Construction is expected to start in January with a 15-month build-out.