Radom, Triten Redeveloping Historic Houston Warehouse

A Houston development duo that specializes in adaptive reuse has targeted a historic industrial building in the Heights for its next endeavor.

Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate are gearing up to transform the former Swift and Company building, at 621 Waverly Street, into a retail-oriented mixed-use hub, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The project is slated for 60,000 square feet of retail, small offices and up to six restaurants, all of which will have patios overlooking the Heights hike-and-bike trail. The developers aim to revamp the green space surrounding the Swift building, incorporating pathways and lush landscaping to seamlessly integrate with the trail.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2025.

The 4.5-acre property is adjacent to M-K-T, a 12-acre former warehouse complex that Radom and Triten redeveloped during the pandemic. M-K-T features 200,000 square feet of retail, dining and creative office space.

“Swift is a natural extension of our shared vision for M-K-T,” Triten founder Scott Arnoldy told the outlet. “Rather than tear down an important symbol of Houston’s — and the Heights’ — past, we instead want to embrace its character and repurpose it into a truly unique community amenity and experience.”

Dating back to its origins as a cottonseed oil refinery in 1917, the Swift complex holds a significant place in Houston’s industrial history. The developers aim to capitalize on the site’s existing features, such as its towering ceilings and original brickwork, to create a distinctive ambiance.

Radom and Triten are also seeking historic designation and anticipate approval for federal and state historic tax credits, further bolstering its financial viability.

Despite remote-work trends and other challenges facing Houston’s office market, the developers are committed to incorporating office space into the Swift project. The team has seen high demand for office space accompanied by green space and amenities with other redevelopments, like M-K-T, and expect similar results with the Swift Building.

Negotiations with prospective tenants are underway.

—Quinn Donoghue