Houston’s Ion District is set to expand with the addition of an almost 200,000-square-foot research and know-how facility, The Arc on the Ion District.
Rice Real Estate Company and Lincoln Property Company are anticipated to break floor on the state-of-the-art facility in Q2 2026 with a completion goal set for Q1 2028, in accordance to a news release.
Rice University, the new facility’s lead tenant, will occupy virtually 30,000 sq. toes of workplace and lab house in The Arc, which can share a plaza with the Ion and is meant to “extend the district’s success as a hub for innovative ideas and collaboration.” Rice research at The Arc will deal with power, synthetic intelligence, knowledge science, robotics and computational engineering, in accordance to the discharge.
“The Arc will offer Rice the opportunity to deepen its commitment to fostering world-changing innovation by bringing our leading minds and breakthrough discoveries into direct engagement with Houston’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches stated within the launch. “Working side by side with industry experts and actual end users at the Ion District uniquely positions our faculty and students to form partnerships and collaborations that might not be possible elsewhere.”
Developers of the mission are concentrating on LEED Gold certification by incorporating sensible constructing automation and energy-saving options into The Arc’s design. Tenants may have the chance to lease versatile ground plans starting from 28,000 to 31,000 sq. toes with 15-foot-high ceilings. The property may also function a fitness center, an amenity lounge, convention and assembly areas, out of doors plazas, underground parking and on-site retail and eating.
Preleasing has begun for organizations thinking about becoming a member of Rice within the constructing.
“The Arc at the Ion District will be more than a building—it will be a catalyst for the partnerships, innovations and discoveries that will define Houston’s future in science and technology,” Ken Jett, president of Rice Real Estate Company, added within the launch. “By expanding our urban innovation ecosystem, The Arc will attract leading organizations and talent to Houston, further strengthening our city’s position as a hub for scientific and entrepreneurial progress.”