Skip to main content

Port Houston Anchors its Future in Houston's Historic Fifth Ward

Published Jul 24, 2023 by Ernesto Becerra

Port Houston

Port Houston is setting a new course for the future with the relocation of its administrative office to the vibrant East River mixed-use development in the heart of the historic Fifth Ward. Port Houston announced the move reflects its commitment to its roots and underscores its integral role in fostering growth and prosperity of the surrounding community. 

Nestled on the banks of Buffalo Bayou, the new headquarters will be near Allen's Landing, where the visionary Allen brothers conceived Houston as the Gulf Coast's commercial center in 1836. Their vision laid the foundation for trade along Buffalo Bayou and the eventual development of the Houston Ship Channel, now the nation's foremost waterway, supporting over 1.35 million Texas jobs. 

"We are thrilled to maintain our presence near the ship channel while actively contributing to the ongoing growth of the local community," said Ric Campo, Port Houston Chairman. "The East River development offers exciting prospects for businesses and green spaces in the area, and we are proud to be part of this transformative endeavor."

In collaboration with Houston-based real estate company Midway, Port Houston's new office building will span six floors, providing a modern workspace encompassing 96,000 square feet. The planned relocation is scheduled for summer 2025. 

“We are thrilled to announce the move of Port Houston’s administrative office staff to a new location. This strategic decision has been made to accommodate our growing needs as an organization which has long supported the Houston Ship Channel as its local advocate,” said Roger Guenther, Executive Director at Port Houston. “In addition to being the local sponsor of this federal waterway, we also oversee Houston’s public marine terminals which serve America’s number one city and state in exports.”

To pave the way for this exciting new chapter in the historic Fifth Ward, Port Houston's existing administrative building at the Turning Basin Terminal will be thoughtfully transitioned to accommodate cargo operations near the intersection of Highway 225 and the 610 Loop. 

As one of Houston's primary economic engines, Port Houston's relocation to the Fifth Ward sets the stage for a promising future of growth, collaboration and community engagement.

Learn more about Houston’s transportation and logistics channels.

Related News

Economic Development

Study: Houston Ship Channel Contributed More Than $900 Billion to U.S. Economy

6/5/23
The Houston Ship Channel, an economic driver and a critical link to transporting goods and commerce with more than 200 countries around the world, generated $906 billion of economic value to the U.S. in 2022, reflecting a 13 percent increase since 2018, according to Port Houston’s latest economic impact study. The Houston Ship Channel complex encompasses more than 200 public and private facilities while Port Houston owns and operates the eight public facilities along the 52-mile Houston Ship Channel. According to the study conducted by Martin Associates, the Houston Ship Channel generated $439.2 billion in total economic value for the state, representing 18.6 percent of the state’s GDP and a $100 billion increase in economic value since 2018. An additional $10.6 billion in state and local tax revenue was generated by activity at its marine terminals.  In terms of employment, the Houston Ship Channel supported 3.4 million jobs in the U.S., including 1.5 million jobs in Texas – a 14 percent increase since 2018. Port Houston’s two public terminals resulted in nearly 190,000 new Texas jobs.  The positive results of the study, which is conducted every four years, will help support continued investment in Port Houston’s future, including plans for facilities and infrastructure. This comes in the wake of the completion of the first section of the Houston Ship Channel expansion project, known as Project 11. This first section, referred to as Segment 1A, encompasses eleven and a half miles extending from Bolivar Road to Redfish and will help increase safety, reduce congestion, and improve vessel transit times by an hour. Project 11 is expected to be completed in 2025 and will move Port Houston closer to its goal of handling unrestricted two-way traffic of larger vessels.  Port Houston ranks No. 5 in the nation in terms of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) handled in 2022. With this jump from No. 7, Houston now owns a 7 percent market share of the total U.S. container business.  According to the Partnership’s Global Houston report, Houston’s role as a major U.S. container port has continued to grow over the years as cargo activity shifts from the ports on the West Coast due to congestion.  Learn more about Houston’s transportation and logistics infrastructure. 
Read More
Economic Development

Houston's Position as a Global Logistics Hub

5/30/23
In 2022, the Houston/Galveston Customs District ranked number one in the country in total trade value as companies from across the U.S. and around the world chose Houston as the gateway to the Americas and the world. Houston boasts a central geographic location and numerous logistical and distribution channels, making it an ideal hub for companies with global distribution needs and access to the central United States and Latin America. The region’s position as a global logistics hub is bolstered by its exceptional transportation infrastructure. Houston boasts one of the largest multi-airport systems in North America with two international airports, and the Port of Houston, one of the busiest ports in the world along with 3 Class I railways. This infrastructure enables companies to transport goods quickly and efficiently, reducing transportation costs and improving supply chain management. Houston is continuously investing in infrastructure improvements. The Houston Ship Channel, the nation's busiest waterway, now sees more vessel traffic than the next three largest U.S. ports combined. The first phase of a $1 billion expansion project to widen and deepen the ship channel has been completed, providing greater capacity and efficiency for the port. Houston's extensive highway network also connects the city to major markets in the U.S. and Mexico, with access to half of U.S. population within a 1,000-mile radius. The region's logistics advantages have cemented Houston's status as a premier location for business expansion. An example is TGS Cedar Port, located in Baytown. This is the country's largest master-planned rail-and-barge-served industrial park. Retail giants such as Walmart, Floor & Décor, and Home Depot have significant distribution and fulfillment centers in the park.  Houston’s central location, diverse population, and world-class transportation infrastructure position Houston as the top logistics hub in the United States. For more information about expanding in the Houston region, click here.   This article was originally published in the May/June issue of Business Facilities, where Houston was selected as a Business Facilities Top Logistics Hub, click here for the article beginning on page 24.  
Read More

Related Events

Executive Partners