Local Investor Purchases Restaurant in River Oaks To Repurpose for Law Offices, Mediation Center

1/15/18

A local limited liability company has acquired the former Merrill House restaurant, a LEED Silver-designated property in one of Houston's most prestigious submarkets.

The 5,350-sf restaurant is situated on roughly a half-acre at 2502 Algerian Way in the River Oaks/Upper Kirby submarket. The structure will be repurposed to law offices and a mediation center. Chris Dray, executive vice president of Houston-based NewQuest Properties, represented the buyer of record, Oficina de Vino LLC.

Dray's out-of-box perspective turned a restaurant listing that crossed his desk into an office prospect for his client, who had been searching the submarket for several months for relocation space. "They walked in and really liked it right away," Dray says. "It's really striking."

The buyer has retained the property's original architect, James Herd of Collaborative Projects, to redesign the interior for law offices and mediation rooms. A 1,200-sf patio will be enclosed and converted to office space. The former restaurant's 4,500-bottle wine cellar will be kept intact as will the building's exterior and landscaping. Occupancy is planned for early summer.

"It's really a special building. It will be a great office building," Dray says.

The structure was developed in 2008 to house Haven Restaurant, one of the first ground-up LEED-designated restaurants in Houston. Positioned one block from the Kirby Drive/Southwest Freeway intersection, it subsequently was known as Paul's Kitchen following a renovation in 2014 and re-flagged as the Merrill House, a restaurant and event center. David Littwitz of Littwitz Investments Inc., represented the seller, BGM LLC.

Initially, the months-long site search had concentrated on traditional office buildings. "It's a great location and right where they wanted to be," Dray adds.

SOUTH TEXAS SALES

Giro Realty Investments Ltd. has sold a 7.08-acre vacant tract along Hollyoak Drive, Houston, to NH-Holly Oak LP. Danny McCormack of NewQuest Properties represented the seller in the direct deal.

Officina de Vino LLC has purchased a 5,400-sf former restaurant on 0.56 acres at 2502 Algerian Way, Houston from BGM LLC. Chris Dray of NewQuest Properties represented the buyer. David Littwitz of Littwitz Investments Inc. represented the seller.

SOUTH TEXAS LEASES

ATI Physical Therapy has leased 2,191 sf of retail space in Crystal Falls Town Centre, located at the intersection of Crystal Falls Parkway and Lakeline Boulevard, Leander, from NewQuest Properties. Josh Friedlander of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Jake Sherrington of the Shop Cos. represented the tenant.

Amazing Lash Studio has leased 2,000 sf of retail space in HEB Center Lake Jackson, located at the intersection of Oyster Creek and Oak drives, Lake Jackson, from NewQuest Properties. Rebecca Le of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Rachael Keener of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant.

Amazing Lash Studio has leased 1,050 sf of retail space in Olive Hill Shopping Center, 1531 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, from DAL Investments LLC. Rachael Keener of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant. David Ferguson of BPI Realty Services Inc. represented the landlord.

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