Howard Hughes Eyes Life Science Space at Houston Development

Image by Ousa Chea via Unsplash

The Howard Hughes Corp. has joined forces with Vitrian to develop cGMP/biomanufacturing facilities within The Woodlands, Howard Hughes’ master-planned community in Houston. The joint venture will add to the growing life science research and development and biomanufacturing scene in The Woodlands, where Cellipont Bioservices, Millipore Sigma, VGXI and KBI Biopharma already have ongoing operations.

The partnership intends to accommodate the needs of contract development manufacturing organizations, and also cater to companies that focus on in-house manufacturing—from biopharma to industrial biology.

The Woodlands is a hub that provides an array of housing options, including apartments, townhomes, single-family homes and custom-built estates. Additionally, Class A office buildings are located within walking distance of dining, retail, entertainment, hospitality options and parks, all interconnected by hike and bike trails.

A growing life science market

A recent Newmark report revealed that over the past three years, Houston’s life science industry has witnessed a 4.8 percent increase in wages, resulting in an average annual wage of $141,623. Concurrently, employment in the life science sector has grown by 24.6 percent.

The same Newmark research indicates that the Texas Medical Center is the epicenter of Houston’s life science industry and aims to become a leader in life science innovation, research and education. Work is underway at the reportedly largest life science development in the world, TMC3. Plans call for the addition of 6 million square feet of life science space to the Houston market, which will further bolster the metro’s position as a major life science cluster in the nation.

Another project that is adding to Houston’s reputation as a life science cluster is Hines’ 53-acre Levit Green project, which is taking shape adjacent to the Texas Medical Center.

The Woodlands has also established itself as a destination for advanced biomanufacturing, owing to its thriving health-care industry represented by Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center.