State of Downtown 2025 Shines On the World Stage
On October 30, a crowd of almost 1,000 from 123 different companies plus more than 60 non-profit and civic leaders came together for Central Houston's 41st Annual Meeting and State of Downtown address, held for the first time at 713 Music Hall.
The packed event celebrated Downtown's progress and explored what it means for Houston to take its place "On the World Stage" in 2026.
A Strong Year in Downtown
In his keynote, Central Houston President & CEO Kris Larson reflected on a year of momentum across every sector of Downtown's economy—from office leasing and visitation to hospitality and residential growth. Highlights include:
- 135 companies leased more than 2M square feet of office space (imagine filling the Empire State Building!), with 96% of those leases in Class A buildings
- Employees working in the office were back to 79%; Downtown's strongest post-pandemic performance yet
- 39M non-employee visits from 10.2M unique visitors to Downtown; visitors, who choose to come Downtown for fun, now outnumber workers 2:1
- 15.4% increase in visits to Discovery Green, now 3.3M over the past 12 months
- $219M in adult beverage sales Downtown, accounting for 14% of Houston's total sales in only 0.3% of the city's total area
- 46% of all hotel rooms inside the 610 Loop are Downtown, with 565 more rooms under construction, renovation or proposed
- Downtown has averaged 500 new residential units per year for more than a decade—and will surpass 9,000 units, while occupancy is now on par with the inner 610 Loop
These numbers tell a clear story: Downtown is active, evolving and positioned for continued growth.
Building a Downtown Worthy of the World Stage
State of Downtown also highlighted Central Houston's role in shaping a Downtown that reflects the spirit and ambition of Houston itself—a place ready to welcome the world for global events next year.
Strategic initiatives include:
- Renewing the Houston Downtown Management District for a 10-year term
- Investing in street-level experiences, from repaved streets to refreshed parks and public spaces
- Transforming popular pathways under our highways into vivid, art-filled connectors through the Underpassage installation
- Designing "Via Fútbol" urban walkways to navigate Downtown during the FIFA Men's World Cup
- Reimagining storefronts with grant investments
- Continuing work on the Main Street Promenade, and more comfortable walking corridors through the Cool Corridors initiative—creating a greener, more connected Downtown
Learning from world-class cities that thrive—despite warm weather and humidity—Downtown can invest in its street-level experience by employing strategies in parks, plazas and public spaces that invite people to linger, explore and connect across the neighborhood.
Central Houston, Inc. is also fortunate to work in alignment with key organizations, at the City of Houston, Harris County, countless other civic, non-profit and business leaders, to bring this vision to life.
From the reimagined 910 Louisiana to the historic Scanlan Building's hotel conversion and bold upgrades at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Downtown Houston is creating places worthy of global attention.
Voices from the Stage
The program also featured remarks from:
- Stephanie Burritt, Central Houston Chair, Principal & Co-Managing Director of Gensler, Houston
- Dilip Choudhuri, Immediate Past Chair, President & CEO of Walter P Moore
- Margaret Cooper, Director & Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chevron
- Martha Castex-Tatum, Houston Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember of District K
Central Houston, Inc. also honored the contributions of C. Richard Everett, Chairman & CEO of Everett Interests, with this year's Allen Award for Civic Enhancement.
Together, these guest speakers of State of Downtown underscored the collective effort behind the evolution of Downtown Houston.
Lessons from Champions
A highlight of the day was a spirited panel moderated by former professional soccer player and FOX Sports' lead analyst for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Stu Holden, with legendary U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, and two-time Houston Rockets champion and Olympic gold medalist coach Rudy Tomjanovich. The discussion drew parallels between championship-level sports and building a world-ready city.
The panelists shared stories from the World Baseball Classic, World Cup and Olympic stages, reflecting on teamwork, resilience and preparation—the same qualities that define successful cities. Each spoke to what it takes to host global events and how Houston's collaborative energy positions it to excel.
Attendees even had the chance to pose with championship trophies from the World Series, World Baseball Classic, MLS Cup and NBA Finals—a fitting reminder that greatness comes from shared vision and relentless teamwork.
Looking Ahead
"The State of Downtown is ascendant," closed Larson, adding that Houston's next chapter is about building a Downtown that stands ready to welcome the world, and shines every day for the people who live, work and visit here.