in its heyday as a proud beacon of southwest Houston when it opened in 1843, the Imperial Sugar Char House once produced more than 2 million pounds of sugar daily.

But since its closing in 2003 the building has fallen on tough times, succumbing to vandalism and dilapidation. But that’s all about to change with a new vision for the lot and the community.

Real estate development firm PUMA Development is partnering with the City of Sugar Land to repurpose the land Imperial Sugar occupied. “PUMA not only wants to restore the historic structures,” a Houston Chronicle report stated, “but to bring them into the future with a proposed 40-acre mixed-use development that could eventually encompass some $1 billion in investments over the next 7 to 10 years.”

The development is slated to include 660 apartments and homes, 150,000 square feet of retail space, and 300,00 square feet of office space. The City of Sugar Land is taking the necessary steps to initiate the massive undertaking by modifying zoning to allow for apartments to be built on-site. In addition, Sugar Land has agreed to lease 27,000 square feet of office space in the redeveloped buildings.

This isn’t Sugar Land’s first dance with the sugar factory. In fact, multiple development proposals have been submitted for the restoration of the Imperial Char House over the years, but most fell through due to the growing costs of renovating the building. Mark Toon, CEO of Puma Development told the Houston Chronicle that without the current economic incentives, and the earning potential of historic tax credits from the Texas Historical Commission and the National Park Service, this restoration “probably wouldn’t break even.”

Regardless, when you consider the lot’s location and bustling neighboring areas, the redevelopment of the Sugar Char House was probably inevitable. It’s a stone’s throw from Constellation Field, and the newly built residential community there. Puma’s vision will add to the area's expansion, with restaurants, offices, small shops, and even the potential for an event space and brewery.

The first phase of the redevelopment project will focus on completing the building before 2025, which will be the 100th anniversary of the storied sugar mill. Thereafter, the plan will slowly pepper in a mix of retailers and eateries on the first floor, with offices and co-working spaces above it.

Soon enough, the Imperial Char House will join the growing list of repurposed historic buildings in Greater Houston, bearing resemblance to current mixed-use hotspots such as The Ion in Midtown and The Post in First Ward.

For more information on PUMA's redevelopment proposal, visit the City of Sugar Land's website.