Houston Business Journal

Condo builders put stock in store

Most new condominium buildings being developed in Houston won't be completed for at least another year, which means prospective buyers must put down hefty deposits on units before seeing the finished product.
But one local developer is offering prospective home buyers more than just a sales trailer with floor plan drawings and tile samples.
James Wallace and Steven Halpin, developers of The Tanglewood, have set up their sales center in an actual storefront.
Located on Fountainview near San Felipe, just down the street from the 62-unit condo project at 1616 Fountainview, the sales center offers full-scale models of kitchens and bathrooms, complete with cabinetry, light fixtures and appliances.
"We're trying to create reality for people," says Cheri Fama of Heritage Texas Properties, the firm marketing the new building.
Wallace and Halpin, along with their California partners, are also building The Venti -- a more exclusive 20-unit development on the site of the old Swiss Chalet restaurant at 511 South Post Oak Lane.
Both projects will be completed by next summer.
--Nancy Sarnoff