Houston’s largest nonprofit serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities has broken ground on its new $71.4 million headquarters in the city’s East End.
The Center for Pursuit hosted a formal groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 14, during which dignitaries celebrated the launch of the nonprofit’s new headquarters.
Once complete, the Center for Pursuit’s headquarters will consist of four buildings — administration, programs, health and wellness, and a 41-unit residential building,
The programs building will house the nonprofit’s adult training and employment services, as well as an adult activity center. The health and wellness building will host programs in partnership with Houston’s Bloom Fitness, as well as the nonprofit’s medical clinics and a cafeteria.
Filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation say the 32,396-square-foot administration building for the new headquarters will be a three-story, steel-framed structure.
The project will also include a parking garage and 7,000 square feet of green space, a spokeswoman for the Center for Pursuit said.
The facility was designed by the Houston office of San Francisco-based Gensler. Houston’s Harvey Builders is serving as general contractor.
The project is scheduled to be completed by November, according to the TDLR filing.
The Center for Pursuit CEO Charles Canton said the nonprofit has raised $54.9 million for the project through land sales and charitable gifts.
“To raise the additional $16.5 million to complete the project, we have proudly launched the Strive capital campaign,” Canton said.
The organization plans to use the new headquarters for residential and day programs for its clients. The Center for Pursuit said it will be able to expand its programs to include on-site jobs and job training, supported employment, day programs and various residential living options.
Plans for the new facility include residential spaces for assisted living, as well as the organization’s new independent/community living program. The new environment will also provide the opportunity for enhanced collaboration with partners that work with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, the nonprofit said.
The nonprofit purchased the 5.8-acre property where the headquarters will be located from Houston-based Lovett Commercial in October for an undisclosed amount. The Harris County Appraisal District valued the property at $3 million as of Jan. 1, 2019.
The Center for Pursuit is in the process of selling its former property near the intersection of Shepherd Drive and Allen Parkway. The nonprofit hired CBRE to market the property in 2017.
An affiliate of Houston-based apartment developer Hanover Co. previously signed an agreement with the nonprofit to purchase 6.72 contiguous acres at the site. Terms and conditions of that sale were not disclosed. HCAD does not assign a value to properties owned by not-for-profit organizations.
Until the second Hanover transaction closes, The Center for Pursuit will continue part of its residential program at the current location off Allen Parkway. The Center’s day programs, job training and employment services have moved to a new temporary facility on Kirby Drive near NRG Stadium.
See the original article at: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2020/01/15/houston-nonprofit-breaks-ground-on-new-east-end.html