Transwestern is advancing its role at The RO mixed-use development with plans for a new retail component in the Upper Kirby district. According to the Houston Business Journal, the firm expects to invest at least $34 million in one of the retail buildings it is bringing to the project, underscoring the scale of the retail portion within the larger development.
The company intends to develop a three-story, 108,576-square-foot retail building that will be paired with a parking structure at 3080 Buffalo Speedway. The project is scheduled to complete construction by late 2027, positioning the new retail space to come online after other elements of The RO have delivered. House & Robertson Architects has been selected to design the new retail building, adding another design-led component to the master-planned site.
The RO is being developed in multiple phases, with the current phase already under construction. This phase includes The Birdsall, Auberge Collection, a luxury hotel and condominium tower that will represent the brand’s first property in the city. It also features a retail village totaling 80,000 square feet, planned to accommodate up to eight restaurants, illustrating a deliberate focus on food and beverage offerings within the merchandising plan.
Residential and office uses are also part of the current phase. The Clayton, a luxury multifamily community, is planned to deliver 317 apartment units, adding a substantial residential component to the mixed-use environment. High-end office space is included as well, supporting a daytime population that can help drive demand for the surrounding retail and restaurant offerings.
The first phase of The RO includes a 145,000-square-foot Class AA office building that is scheduled for tenant occupancy in June 2026. This office delivery is expected to precede completion of the new 108,576-square-foot retail building, sequencing office and retail openings over several years.
When fully built out, The RO is planned to encompass approximately 740,000 square feet across its various uses. Transwestern’s latest retail project within the development adds to the overall scale and reinforces The RO’s positioning as a sizable, multi-phase mixed-use destination anchored by office, residential, hospitality, and retail components.
