East River Phase II continues Midway’s transformative vision of creating a vibrant, mixed-use urban district along Houston’s Buffalo Bayou — a place where people live, work, and engage with the natural and cultural fabric of the city. Building upon the success of Phase I, this next phase extends the development’s role as a catalyst for equitable growth, resilient waterfront design, and a redefinition of urban life in Houston’s East End.
The design embodies the ethos of “designing for life,” blending sustainability, wellness, and community into a cohesive riverfront environment. East River Phase II bridges the city’s industrial past with its sustainable urban future — transforming a formerly underutilized waterfront into a dynamic, connected, and inclusive destination.
The Phase II master plan strengthens the urban grid established in Phase I while deepening connections to the Bayou. A pedestrian-focused public realm system weaves through a sequence of plazas, shaded walkways, and open green spaces that culminate in a continuous bayou-edge promenade. The urban fabric is scaled to support both human activity and Houston’s climatic realities — emphasizing shaded arcades, porches, and vegetated canopies that invite year-round outdoor life.
The development includes a blend of office, residential, retail, and cultural components strategically positioned to foster 18-hour activity. The buildings are oriented to maximize daylight, mitigate solar heat gain, and frame key views toward the downtown skyline and the water’s edge.
 
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Architecture Design: PERKINS&WILL
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