Imperial Historic District
192 Kempner St
Sugar Land, TX 77498
Details
The Imperial Historic District is a cornerstone of Sugar Land's history—home to the former Imperial Sugar refinery and its iconic 100-year-old Char House. In June 2025, the City acquired the 40-acre property for the first time in its history, removing barriers that had stalled redevelopment for more than two decades and ensuring the long-term preservation of one of Sugar Land's most significant historic assets.
Since acquiring the site, the City has made substantial progress, including completing a community-driven visioning process, adopting a vision statement and guiding pillars for redevelopment, advancing preservation planning for the Char House, and launching a national search for a master development partner. Ongoing efforts include historic stabilization and preservation work, infrastructure improvements, interim site activations, and community engagement initiatives designed to reconnect residents with the property while long-term plans are developed.
Guided by the community's vision of creating "an authentically Sugar Land district designed for our future," the City is currently evaluating master developer candidates and anticipates selecting a development partner in 2026. Through a public-private partnership, the City aims to transform Imperial into a vibrant mixed-use destination that celebrates Sugar Land's history, creates new opportunities for gathering and investment, and serves future generations.