Feature Illustration: Artist's impression of The RO. Image: Pickard Chilton.
Posted: November 10, 2025
Houston (Harris County) – Construction has begun on the next phase of The RO, a 17-acre mixed-use project at West Alabama Street and Buffalo Speedway that aims to redefine the edge of Houston's historic River Oaks neighborhood.
The major project – described by Transwestern as a one-off development – combining luxury residences, office space, hospitality and retail in a unified, pedestrian-friendly environment.
The new phase includes The Birdsall, Auberge collectionHouston's first hotel and residences under the Auberge brand Retail Village, The Clayton a luxury multifamily tower and a 145,000 square foot Class AA office building. The office building is nearing completion and occupancy is expected in June 2026. The Birdsall, Retail VillageAnd The Clayton Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2027.
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, The Birdsall will span 34 floors with 44 private residences and sit above a 105-room boutique hotel managed by Auberge Collection. The hotel will have indoor spaces designed by Roman and WilliamswHile, a Houston-based architect Dillon Kyle will design the residences. Other components include The Clayton's 317 luxury apartments Pickard Chilton and a landscaped retail village designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecturethat showcases chef-led restaurants and boutiques beneath preserved historic oak trees.
According to Transwestern, financing for the various components includes loans from Madison Realty Capital, Citizens Bank, Amegy BankAnd Texas Capitalwith the participation of private investors. “This ambitious project is placemaking at its finest,” he said Robert DuncanExecutive Chairman of Transwestern. “By creating spaces where people want to live, work and visit, The RO will honor River Oaks’ heritage while shaping Houston’s future skyline.”
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