Rising 19 stories above Houston’s Memorial City district, CityCentre Six represents the continued evolution of one of the city’s most vibrant mixed-use destinations. Located at 903 Town & Country Boulevard, the 714,009-square-foot development integrates approximately 320,000 square feet of Class-A office space above a 395,000-square-foot podium garage with parking for 1,000 vehicles, along with 12,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. Developed by Midway, designed by Munoz + Albin with Kirksey Architecture serving as architect of record, and constructed by Harvey Cleary Builders, the project recently reached a major milestone with completion of the building shell.
DBR provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for the development, delivering integrated systems designed to support performance, flexibility, and long-term operational efficiency. The project’s vertical mixed-use configuration required close coordination across disciplines to ensure seamless integration between the office tower, retail components, and structured parking.
Engineering for Performance and Flexibility
At the core of the building’s mechanical design was a self-contained water-cooled unit (SWUD) system supported by a cooling tower and condenser water supply and return loop. This approach provided efficient cooling performance while maintaining flexibility for tenant buildouts. Medium-pressure ductwork served interior zones through variable air volume (VAV) boxes, while exterior zones utilized fan-powered terminal boxes with electric heat to address Houston’s climate demands and perimeter load variations.
Roof-mounted equipment included cooling towers, condenser water pumps, ventilation and exhaust systems with energy recovery, and stair and elevator hoistway pressurization systems. These systems were carefully coordinated within the 19-story structure to optimize space while maintaining code compliance and serviceability.
Electrical distribution was designed to support the high-performance demands of a modern office tower while accommodating retail tenants and future flexibility. Lighting design played a key role in both energy efficiency and occupant experience, with site and landscape lighting enhancing safety, visibility, and the pedestrian-focused character of CityCentre.
The plumbing and fire protection systems were equally critical to the building’s performance. Domestic water pumping and pressure zoning were engineered to efficiently serve the tower’s vertical distribution requirements. Fire protection pumping and riser systems ensured life safety throughout the office, retail, and parking components. Stormwater and sanitary systems were designed to integrate with the broader site infrastructure while supporting long-term maintainability.
Targeting LEED Silver Certification
CityCentre Six pursued LEED Silver certification, with a target of 56 points. Sustainability strategies were integrated throughout the MEP design and were projected to achieve approximately 35 percent annual water savings and 24 percent annual electricity savings compared to baseline standards. The building was projected to save more than 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Energy savings were driven through efficient fan selections, high-performance interior lighting design, and optimized cooling efficiencies within the SWUD system. Water savings strategies contributed to reduced operational costs while supporting responsible resource management. These measures aligned with the broader sustainability goals and reflected DBR’s commitment to delivering systems that balance performance, efficiency, and long-term value.
Coordinated Delivery Across Disciplines
Delivering a 19-story mixed-use development within an 18-month construction schedule required strong coordination and leadership. The project was led by Jeremy Tarpley, Senior Project Manager and Senior Associate, with support from DBR’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, construction administration, and sustainability teams. Close collaboration with the developer, architect, contractor, and the broader consultant team was essential in maintaining schedule and achieving key project milestones.
Strengthening the CityCentre District
As the newest addition to the district, CityCentre Six reinforces the area’s reputation as a walkable, amenity-rich destination for business and community life. The integration of office, retail, and structured parking within a cohesive vertical design enhances density while maintaining pedestrian engagement at the street level.
Through thoughtful engineering and coordinated delivery, DBR helped support the development of a high-performance workplace environment designed for long-term adaptability and operational efficiency. CityCentre Six stands as a testament to the impact of integrated MEP systems in shaping modern mixed-use developments across Houston.
