Sugar Land Advances Historic Char House Preservation
City Council contracts Urbano Architects and outlines next steps for the project.
Sugar Land, Texas - November 18, 2025 - The City of Sugar Land has taken a major step toward redeveloping the Imperial Historic District by approving a preservation design services contract for the iconic Imperial Sugar Char House. On Nov. 18, Sugar Land City Council authorized a $496,000 agreement with Houston-based Urbano Architects to begin designing preservation work needed to stabilize the 100-year-old structure.
"Preserving the Char House is about more than saving a building. It is about honoring Sugar Land’s history and the generations who built this community," said Mayor Carol McCutcheon. "This work prepares the Char House for future redevelopment and ensures that generations of Sugar Landers can continue to experience a tangible piece of our city’s story as we shape its next chapter."
Funding for this phase is included in a $50 million Certificate of Obligation approved by the City Council in April 2025.
Urbano Architects specializes in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and urban design. This initial phase of preservation work will focus on essential roof, window, and structural repairs—critical improvements to halt further deterioration and bring the Char House back to a reusable condition.
“This is one of the most unique and historically significant industrial structures in Texas,” said Laura Carrera, Partner at Urbano Architects. “Our team is honored to help safeguard the Char House’s architectural character while ensuring it can stand strong as a centerpiece for future generations.”
This effort builds on Urbano’s prior work that the City commissioned between 2020-2021 to provide a one-time understanding and analysis of the condition of the Char House.
The ultimate vision for the site will be directly shaped by community input gathered during the City’s recent Imperial Visioning Sessions, held Nov. 3–6 in partnership with the Town Planning & Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC). Feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders will guide the long-term redevelopment of the Imperial Historic District while ensuring the Char House remains its defining landmark.
“This announcement comes on the heels of an incredibly successful week of community workshops,” said Devon Rodriguez, Director of Redevelopment. “It represents the momentum we’re carrying forward as we continue to move from visioning to action, with plans to release a request for qualifications early next year to identify a private development partner.”
TPUDC is scheduled to deliver the final deliverable to the City by the end of the year. Staff expects to have the final visioning document available for public view on the project webpage by early 2026. In Spring 2026, the City will move forward with a master developer selection process to advance the community’s vision for the site.
Urbano will begin preservation design services immediately, which is expected to take approximately four months to complete. Preservation work is anticipated to start in April 2026 and take 18 to 24 months.
For more information on the Imperial Historic District preservation project and visioning process, including recordings of the opening and closing visioning meetings, visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/imperialhistoricdistrict.
About the City of Sugar Land
WE ARE TRAILBLAZERS ... relentless in our pursuit of progress so that our employees, residents, and businesses can enjoy a life better than they ever imagined. Sugar Land has always been a city that surpasses expectations, fearlessly forging new paths while delivering top-tier services to its residents. According to our latest Citizen Satisfaction Survey, 95 percent of residents love calling Sugar Land home, with 10 percent saying that nothing could make their lives better than they already are. As a community built on entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to the future, we aim to be a city that the private sector looks to for inspiration. We don’t just follow trends—we set them. With unwavering determination, we are trailblazing a path toward a vibrant future where innovation and progress thrive. The possibilities are endless. Together, we can ensure a bright future for Sugar Land.
About the City of Sugar Land Office of Economic Development, Tourism, (SLOEDT) and Department of Redevelopment
The Sugar Land Office of Economic Development and Tourism (SLOEDT), a department of the City of Sugar Land, is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth and a vibrant visitor economy. Through its two divisions: Business Development and Tourism, SLOEDT focuses on attracting new businesses, retaining existing employers, revitalizing the community, implementing strategic initiatives, and fostering tourism. These efforts play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for residents, supporting local businesses, and welcoming visitors.
Working alongside SLOEDT, the Department of Redevelopment plays a key role in strengthening Sugar Land’s economic future. With a mission to advocate for and support development and redevelopment that sustain strong community services and a thriving quality of life, the department facilitates strategic public-private partnerships and implements reinvestment and redevelopment strategies that bolster the city’s long-term fiscal health.
Together, these departments support a unified vision for prosperity and growth. For more information, visit www.SugarLandEcoDev.com or contact ecodev@sugarlandtx.gov