Southern Land Company Breaks Ground on 953,000-SF Mixed-Use Development in Houston's Upper Kirby

Southern Land Company has broken ground on a 953,000-square-foot mixed-use development at 2811 Kirby Drive in Houston's Upper Kirby district, marking the national real estate developer's first project in the city. The two-tower development will include luxury multifamily residences, Class AA office space, and ground-level restaurant space, with completion targeted for 2028.

Project Overview: Two Towers, One Shared Podium

The development at 2811 Kirby Drive will rise from a shared parking podium and encompass two distinct towers. The 38-story residential tower, named Lily River Oaks, will feature 331 apartments — including 18 penthouses — and is positioned near the River Oaks neighborhood. A separate 10-story tower, named 2811 Kirby, will offer four floors of Class AA office space totaling approximately 107,000 square feet.

Ground-level restaurant space of approximately 15,000 square feet is planned for the development's base, targeting what Southern Land Company described as best-in-class dining operators.

"After meticulous planning and preparation, we are excited to break ground on a one-of-a-kind mixed-use community in the heart of Upper Kirby and near the acclaimed River Oaks neighborhood," said Tim Downey, founder and CEO of Southern Land Company. "Today marks an important milestone in our mission to deliver a landmark destination where locals and visitors can live, work, and gather, and that exemplifies SLC's hallmark standard of extraordinary placemaking."

Multifamily and Office Components

The multifamily component, Lily River Oaks, will offer residents access to a curated amenity package. Shared amenities between the residential and office towers include a seventh-floor garden deck, a residential spa, guest suites, and a fitness center available to both residents and office tenants. The 38th floor of the residential tower will feature rooftop indoor and outdoor spaces, including an outdoor pool deck.

Stream Realty Partners is leading leasing efforts for the office component at 2811 Kirby. Ryan Barbles, Managing Director at Stream Realty Partners, noted early market interest in the project.

"Tenants today are prioritizing quality, experience, and location, and 2811 Kirby checks all three boxes," Barbles said. "We're already seeing strong interest from groups looking to be in Upper Kirby, and this project will offer a level of design and connectivity that's hard to replicate in the market."

Development Team

ANDRES Construction is serving as general contractor for the project. Southern Land Company selected Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) as architect and interior designer, Kimley-Horn for civil engineering, and DeSimone Consulting Engineering for structural engineering. Southern Land Company is leading landscape architecture and horticulture for the development.

The groundbreaking took place on April 15, 2026, with project completion expected in 2028.

Southern Land Company's Texas Portfolio Expands to Houston

The Upper Kirby project represents Southern Land Company's entry into the Houston market and the latest addition to its growing Texas portfolio. The firm currently has several active communities across the state, including Tucker Hill, a single-family community in McKinney; Lunaroya, a 66-homesite single-family community in Dripping Springs; and Deco, a 27-story luxury mixed-use community in Downtown Fort Worth.

Southern Land Company has also previously developed, operated, and sold several mixed-use and multifamily communities in Texas, including The Lofts at Watters Creek in Allen, Arthouse in Keller, Junction 15 in Plano, Morada Plano in Plano, and Novē at Knox in Dallas.

No financial terms for the development were disclosed.

Sources: Southern Land Company Press Release, April 15, 2026