Christopher M. Pham Plaza's first phase is pushing 50% occupancy. Its tenants include LandAmerica Title Co., GreatWraps, Postal Plaza, a medical clinic and a seafood restaurant. Christopher M. Pham Law Group PLLC also is taking space in the development, which is situated on 4.4 acres at 11720 W. Airport Blvd.

Christopher M. Pham says the center's second phase will deliver in late 2009 or early 2010. The lawyer and developer from Houston says he'll complete the center before moving onto his next development.

Pham says the tenant mix is envisioned as "franchises of national companies or tenants who own their own business." Leasing and management are being handled in house. He says the quoted rate is $1.60 per sf, per month, triple net. The project includes a "for lease" 1.27-acre pad site at the hard corner of West Airport Boulevard and Kirkwood Road.

Pham tells GlobeSt.com that future retail centers will be similar in size to the under-construction project and also will carry the Christopher M. Pham name, adding his interest is to create a brand identity with a certain look and quality. The centers will be mainly in the Southwest Houston submarket because "it's underserved with this type of retail," the developer says. "That's also where most of the growth will be."

Pham says his company already owns the land parcels for the development pipeline. "We develop and hold them," he says. "We have no plans to sell."