GreenStreet has always been a hub for downtown Houston, a mixed - use complex that connects office spaces with iconic spots like the House of Blues and other local shopping and restaurants. Built in 2008, the space was in need of revitalization. In conjunction with Rebees and Rios, we worked to put the green back in GreenStreet. The goal was simple but ambitious: transform the three-block, aging commercial space into a lush, dimensional urban entertainment district through a multi-phase plan.

The heart of the project involved the installation of a 286-unit, custom-fabricated stainless steel planter system designed by Renfrow+Co. To create a true "green wall" effect, we worked with the Renfrow+Co team to design a bespoke cable system that runs between the second and third stories of the buildings adorning GreenStreet.

Star Jasmine was selected for its fragrant blooms to climb the cables, paired with Asian Jasmine to spill over the edges of the planters. The result? A vertical landscape that provides a sense of seclusion and organic beauty as you walk through the plaza.

Due to working with an existing structure, we had to get creative with project construction. The buildings didn't have built-in irrigation or landscape drainage, so we utilized self-contained modules within the planters to keep the jasmine thriving without the need for complex systems. Weight was another critical factor: With nearly 300 large planters sitting on multiple levels, we had to ensure that even when the soil was fully saturated, each unit stayed under the weight limit required by the building’s structural team.

Installation required a high level of coordination. Since GreenStreet sits within a busy downtown area, we managed our workflow around the schedules of local restaurants and entertainment venues. Whether metal was being welded above outdoor dining areas or soil was being moved through service elevators, our priority was to be in and out before the first office workers arrived or the evening crowds gathered.

Despite a longer preconstruction phase to perfect plans and drawings, we were able to get the plants in the ground and established before harsh winter weather conditions set in. Today, the new greenery is thriving, adding a fresh, refined look to one of Houston’s most recognizable downtown destinations.

• Architect: Rios
• Property Management: Rebees
• Fabrication: Renfrow+Co
• B&D Project Manager: Delana Parker & Kenneth Bou