A cleared section of land near Simonton Street and North Pacific Street is seen, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Conroe. A new downtown Conroe establishment called ‘The Everett,’ which will combine historic architecture and a modern flare, will offer more than 25,000 square-feet of retail storefronts.
Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer
The Courier
Catherine Dominguez, Staff writer
As the City of Conroe works to revitalize downtown, Lindsey Commercial Properties is turning three iconic Conroe locations into multi-use developments that will include retail, office and high-end downtown living.
The multimillion-dollar project includes the former Everett Hardware site, the former site of the Conroe Hotel and more recently the Homestead House furniture store and the site of the former Simonton-Cable Motor Company.
“Conroe has been really good to our family,” Noble Lindsey said. “We have created really great relationships with local folks and (the city of Conroe). We have fallen in love with the city and most of what we are doing in downtown is something we want to give back.”
Lindsey Properties plans to redevelop three historic buildings in downtown Conroe. Combined, the three properties will offer a mix of office and retail space, along with residential living spaces.
Submitted image/Lindsey Properties
While Lindsey decline to provide a specific investment cost, he said the three projects are just the beginning of the firm's plan.
Lindsey Construction was founded in 1945 by S.E. Lindsey. In 1992, Lindsey’s son Curtis Lindsey was named president of Lindsey Construction and in 2010 Lindsey Commercial Properties was formed.
Buying property downtown, Lindsey said, is difficult to “make the numbers work.”
“It’s not an area where people are making substantial investments right now,” Lindsey said. “We really want to be trailblazers. We really want to step out and make a difference in our community.”
Nancy Mikeska, assistant city administrator and director of community development, said Lindsey Commercial Properties’ involvement in downtown is a game changer.
“Curtis Lindsey is a visionary leader,” Mikeska said. “He will move forward with passion and these new investments will bring a new opportunity for direct economic growth downtown. These new buildings became the catalyst for Conroe to improve the downtown infrastructure. Making that improvement and having the capacity to serve the growth ensures the downtown will continue to bring new opportunities for businesses.”
Lindsey Properties plans to redevelop three historic buildings in downtown Conroe. Combined, the three properties will offer a mix of office and retail space, along with residential living spaces.
Submitted image/Lindsey Properties
Lindsey Properties plans to redevelop three historic buildings in downtown Conroe. Combined, the three properties will offer a mix of office and retail space, along with residential living spaces.
Submitted image/Lindsey Properties
Everett Hardware, 108 Simonton, closed in 1998 after 89 years in business. In May 2019, the city of Conroe demolished the building. Lindsey said the site will be the home of The Everett and will feature 25,000 square feet of retail storefronts including dining and shopping.
The Homestead House, 201 N. Pacific Street, will become the Pacific Lofts. Chris and Linda Pfeiffer, owners of Homestead House Furniture, closed the business in November. The first story of the building will remain dedicated to retail storefronts, Lindsey said, while the additional stories will offer loft-style apartments for rent.
The third site at 150 N. Main St., will be home to a new building that will resemble a pair of buildings named Simonton-Cable. The first floor will be reserved for retail storefronts, the second through fourth floors will offer executive suites with a rooftop terrace accessible by the fourth floor. A new concept to Downtown Conroe, these executive suites will offer flexible workspaces to the community.
The building will also welcome back patisserie Flour-ish, which closed its location at 406 N. Thompson in early 2022.
All the projects are slated to be completed in 2025.
The company’s investment downtown, Lindsey said, comes after several other business owners have worked to bring new life to the area.
Lindsey credited Rodney Pool, owner of Corner Street Pub at 302 N. Main St.; Debbie Glenn, owner of Red Brick Tavern at 119 Simonton ST.; and Robert and Janese Sokulski who recently opened MoCo Food Hall, 109 Metcalf St, and 219 Social House, 219 Simonton St.
“Downtown wouldn’t be what it is without (them),” Lindsey said.
Councilman Harry Hardman said the projects “represent a seminal moment in Conroe's history.”
“(Lindsey Commercial Properties) thoughtful approach of incorporating each property's history with a modern flare and purpose will improve the downtown landscape dramatically and provide many more reasons for businesses and people to move to Conroe,” Hardman said. “I am excited for our future.”
Reporter Sondra Hernandez contributed to this story.
cdominguez@houstonchronicle.com