The city of Sugar Land has always stood out amid the sprawling metropolis of Houston, Texas. Located just south of downtown Houston, Sugar Land was named for the large Imperial Sugar factory that operated for nearly a century before closing in the early 2000s.
Now, more than 20 years after the factory’s closure, the City is focused on large-scale redevelopment of the historical site that they believe will shape the future of the area. With only about 4 percent of developable land remaining, this project and others like it are part of a bold strategy to maximize existing real estate and blaze a bold new trail for Sugar Land’s next chapter.
For decades, Sugar Land was a traditional company town built around a central employer–Imperial Sugar Company, which brought thousands of families from across the U.S. and beyond to Fort Bend County. Imperial provided jobs, homes, and public services to the community until Sugar Land was incorporated in 1959. Today, the City seal still bears a nod to its namesake—the Imperial Sugar crown—a constant reminder of Sugar Land’s beginnings.
After incorporation, development quickly blossomed. Fueled by the city’s strategic location near Houston and major thoroughfares, both residential and commercial growth accelerated. Real estate developers built the master-planned communities the city is known for today, while major employers—including SLB and a growing hub of healthcare and life science brands—established operations in Sugar Land’s thriving business parks.
Today, Sugar Land is home to more than 110,000 residents and a workforce of more than 70,000. The city has earned national recognition as one of the top places to live in the U.S., known for its high quality of life, strong business climate, excellent schools, and diverse, connected community. What began as a small company town has become a vibrant, economically resilient city at the heart of one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
“While Sugar Land is undeniably successful, successful cities don’t stand still — they plan ahead, evolve, and continue investing in the amenities, infrastructure, and places that keep a community thriving,” said Jessica Huble, Assistant Director of Redevelopment for Sugar Land.
The right approach
In June 2025, recognizing the Imperial site’s unique role in Sugar Land’s identity, the City took a bold step: it purchased the long-vacant property after nearly 20 years of sitting untouched. For decades, residents expressed a clear desire to see the site preserved, revitalized, or both. Backed by up to $50 million approved by City Council, the acquisition of approximately 40 acres marked the first time the City had ever owned the land — a pivotal move that ensures preservation and redevelopment can finally move forward with intention.
“This site has always been an important representation of how the community and city got their start,” says Devon Rodriguez, Sugar Land Director of Redevelopment. “There has long been a desire to bring this important place into the future with purpose and respect.”
Private redevelopment efforts had stalled for years due to financing challenges, infrastructure needs, and the difficulty of assembling enough contiguous acres to support a large-scale project. City ownership changes that. Funding will now support restoring historic structures, upgrading utilities and streets, and preparing the site for a successful public-private partnership rooted in community priorities.
To prepare for this effort, Sugar Land’s leadership looked outward — visiting other Texas cities with successful large-scale redevelopments, learning from their experiences, and adopting best practices to shape an approach tailored to Sugar Land’s goals. These visits underscored a central lesson: start with the community. Cities that succeeded engaged residents first, long before developers submitted plans, to understand what should be preserved, enhanced, or reimagined.
“Sugar Land needs to be in the driver’s seat,” Rodriguez says. “Ownership gives us that ability—and it positions us to find the right master development partner who can bring this vision to life.”
By securing the property, the City has laid the foundation for thoughtful, community-driven redevelopment that honors Sugar Land’s past and strengthens its future as one of the region’s most desirable places to live, work, and visit.
Future vision
Momentum is already building. In early November, the City wrapped up a four-day series of Imperial Community Visioning Sessions led by Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC). Hundreds of community members participated, sharing ideas, priorities, and aspirations for the future of the Imperial Historic District. These insights will help shape a shared vision for the site and guide the City as it launches a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in early 2026 to identify a master development partner.
On November 18, City Council advanced another key step by approving a preservation design contract with Urbano Architects—the first phase of work to stabilize the 100-year-old Char House and prepare it for safe, adaptive reuse. This planning effort ensures the iconic structure can be thoughtfully integrated into the next generation of development.
While Imperial is the City’s top redevelopment priority, Sugar Land is also moving forward with transformational efforts across the community. This includes reimagining a 53-acre former corporate campus into a walkable residential district with a diverse mix of housing options. At the same time, the City is reinvesting in its crown jewel — Sugar Land Town Square — the urban core of the community. Through strategic partnerships and targeted incentives, the City is supporting modern office tenant improvements, new amenities, refreshed public spaces, and ongoing enhancements that keep Town Square vibrant and competitive.
Together, these efforts aim to preserve Sugar Land’s rich history while ushering in a vibrant new chapter for the community.
“We’re working to thoughtfully usher Sugar Land into its next chapter — one that honors the history people cherish while creating the kind of places, experiences, and opportunities that will keep our community thriving for generations,” Rodriguez says.
