Granite to break ground on 12-story building

Granite Properties is set to break ground on Granite Briarpark Green, a 12-story office building that will boost its Westchase holdings to more than 1 million square feet.

The Dallas-based firm has not yet secured tenants for the 300,000-square-foot building, but Houston's job growth, energy industry and occupancy levels above 90 percent at its other three Westchase properties factored into the decision to move forward.

"Everything is pointed in the right direction," said Scott Martin, executive managing director of Granite Properties. "We feel pretty confident."

The new building at 3141 Briarpark Drive will feature high-quality finishes, joining 2929 Briarpark, Granite Westchase I and Granite Westchase II. It will be on 4.1 acres and will be accessible to Beltway 8 via Westheimer, Meadowglen and Richmond. The Houston Marriott Westchase and Hilton Houston Westchase are nearby.

"You've got a great amenities base with all the restaurants and hotels," Martin said.

Its last building, Granite Westchase II, was also built on a speculative basis but was 70 percent leased during the construction period, Martin said. It was completed in 2008.

PGAL Architects, which owns and designed the neighboring Briarpark Green building, designed the project. Hoar Construction is the general contractor. The building has been pre-certified LEED Gold and will incorporate energy and water conserving features and feature on-site recycling. Construction is expected to begin within 30 days and will take 14 months to complete, Martin said.

Granite Properties entered Houston in 1994 and has a portfolio totaling 2.5 million square feet of Class A office space here. It divested its industrial properties last year to focus on the office sector. Since 1991, the company has acquired or developed more than 20 million square feet of commercial real estate.

katherine.feser@chron.com

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Granite to break ground on 12-story building