Transwestern announced the start of construction on the next phase of The RO (pronounced ‘row’). An inspired extension of the River Oaks neighborhood, The RO is a large-scale, once-in-a-generation project for the city of Houston.
This visionary mixed-use development on 17 acres at the intersection of West Alabama and Buffalo Speedway features The Birdsall, Auberge Collection, Houston’s first Auberge-branded hotel and residences; 80,000 square feet of chef-driven restaurants and boutique retail; The Clayton, a luxury multifamily community; and premier office space. The RO’s initial deliveries include a 145,000-square-foot Class AA office building that is nearing completion and scheduled for tenant occupancy in June 2026, with The Birdsall, Retail Village and The Clayton delivering in late 2027.
The Birdsall, Auberge Collection will include 44 private residences situated above a 105-room boutique, luxury hotel. The 34-story tower designed by Kohn Pederson Fox (KPF) includes architectural references to River Oaks, incorporating materials such as reclaimed Cedar Bayou brick, characteristic of the storied neighborhood’s original homes. The hotel’s interiors are designed by internationally acclaimed Roman and Williams, and the residences by one of River Oaks’ most respected architects, Dillon Kyle. Auberge Collection, the award-winning brand and operator of one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, residences, resorts and private clubs, has collaborated with Transwestern’s development and hospitality teams on the planning, design and placemaking of The Birdsall and will manage and operate the completed hotel and residences.
Each Birdsall residence features the privacy and sense of space of a gracious River Oaks estate while emphasizing proportion, natural light and material details you would expect to find in a custom home. Residential-only amenities include a covered, open-air swimming pool, outdoor entertainment deck, summer kitchen, game room, and areas dedicated to wellness and fitness. This is coupled with privileged access to the private members’ club, a destination Auberge restaurant, event spaces, a resort-style wellbeing destination, pool, fitness facilities, and dining and social spaces including a European-style café and private garden. Exclusive sales for The Birdsall Residences are being managed by Compass Development Marketing Group in collaboration with Laura Sweeney of Compass and William Wheless of Wheless Realty.
Retail Village, designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, represents a series of small buildings set within lush landscaping that includes a handful of heritage oak trees original to the site. Brick facades and pavers as well as a paseo will capture the aesthetic of River Oaks, which will be reinforced through restaurants and boutiques that balance sophistication with approachability.
The Clayton is a 317-unit luxury residential tower situated at the corner of West Alabama and Buffalo Speedway. It will integrate seamlessly into The RO through thoughtful architecture that includes masonry façades, gracious window lines and timeless interiors. The Clayton was designed by Pickard Chilton, renowned for iconic buildings around the world, and will be another example of its distinguished work. The RO’s initial office building, which is fully leased, was also designed by Pickard Chilton.
The Birdsall, Auberge Collection has been capitalized by Transwestern and private investor partners with a construction loan from Madison Realty Capital. Retail Village has been capitalized by Transwestern and private investor partners with a construction loan from Citizens and Amegy Bank. The Clayton has been capitalized by Transwestern in partnership with Nomura Real Estate Asset Management with a construction loan from Citizens, Amegy Bank and Texas Capital.
