Project: The Shops at Houston Center
>>> The Shops at 4 Houston Center, now known as the Highlight at Houston Center, is a four-level mixed-use center with 196,000 square feet spanning across two city blocks within the Houston Center complex. The 16-story 4 Houston Center was built in 1982, renovated in 2023 and is connected to Houston’s skybridge and extensive tunnel system. It is linked to the newly renovated Four Season’s Hotel directly across the street. The Highlight at Houston Center offers reimagined dining, entertainment and shopping venues in the heart of downtown Houston. Brookfield Properties recognized the Houston Center Complex as a vibrant hub of activity due to its proximity to the Houston Astros baseball stadium, Houston Rockets NBA complex, Discovery Green complex and the George R. Brown Convention Center and is responsible for the modernization. The new complex has been rated as LEED Gold Certified.
Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. (CMS) supplied and installed approximately 62,000 SF of tile floors, walls and base on this project and was responsible for the shop drawings and submittals. The specifications called for 8 different tile selections in six different sizes and seven different patterns, inclusive of 56,000 SF of large format porcelain. CMS’s scope of work included the northeast and southwest entries on level one, level three, restrooms on level three and four, and balconies on level three and four.
The flooring on level 1 in the northeast and southwest entries utilizes Emser Network White Matte 24” x 48” porcelain tile. This tile resembles concrete with an industrial, avant-garde look. The majority of the work on this project was on the third level. Emser Network White Matte 12” x 24” field tile installed in a stack bond pattern on a 45 degree angle is accented with Rialto Cubes porcelain tile from Genrose Stone and Tile in 12” x 24”, 6” x 12” and 6” x 6”. This tile is set in a Versailles pattern in three different seating areas. The Rialto tile emulates terrazzo and was manufactured in Italy then shipped to Vermont for fabrication into the 3 sizes required for the setting pattern. Set with 1/16” joints and grouted with a complimentary color, the finished floor gives a monolithic appearance rather than emphasizing the Versailles pattern. Another accent feature is the 1” wide solid stainless steel bands installed in the floor. The stainless steel bands start and stop in a seemingly random pattern but are designed to mirror the lighting detail in the ceilings of various areas. Concept Surfaces On & Off Mix Black Matte/Gloss 5.5” x 5.5” accent wall tile highlights the half Narrative walls surrounding the bench/counter height seating areas. In addition to the contracted scope of work, we assisted a few of the tenants in sprucing up their space. In some cases, the tenant had stock available and CMS replaced broken tiles. In other cases, the tenant selected new tile and CMS installed the new selection.
Three different tile types were used in the 16 restrooms on level 3 and 4. The floors are tiled with 12” x 24” Ceramic Technics Sienna Fossil Stone in Avorio and the walls are clad with gray 3” x 12” Emser Express in a mix and match combination of Aglow, Burst, Glare and Linear patterns to create a random design. Concept Surfaces On & Off Mix Pearl Matte/Gloss 5.5” x 5.5” is used as an accent at the mirrors.
To create a sunny spot for working, socializing, or relaxing, the balconies on level 3 and 4 were made accessible. These are tiled with naturally stain and slip-resistant 6” x 6” Dal Tile Quarry Textures in Ashen Gray in order to stand up to the outdoor conditions. The tile wraps around the elevated handrail base. With most flooring projects the surface to be tiled is not completely level. In order to achieve the flatness necessary for large format tiles and a truly exceptional installation, CMS, utilizing all Mapei products, floated the entire surface area, applied crack suppression, installed the tile with a highly fortified medium bed thin set and grouted with a latex modified grout for a completely unified setting system. In addition, we supplied and installed Schluter Dilex-EDP stainless steel control joints every 20’ to eliminate cracking due expansion and contraction.
This project presented many challenges the largest of which was the fact that the building was occupied for the entire duration of the installation. This required coordination with the GC and Owner to develop the plan for the work flow. Safety was paramount during construction. The areas under construction were fenced off, still allowing patrons to safely maneuver through the corridors and access the shops. The work progressed seamlessly with our crews following behind the tile demolition crew. Another challenge was the lack of storage space for material. Deliveries were sent to a storage area on 1st floor and then were distributed to the upper floors as needed. Ultimately, the materials were expertly and safely installed on schedule and on budget.
The project renovation maintained the clean and uncomplicated design of the building, yet delivered a 21st-century complex to be used by tenants and visitors for many years to come.