HOUSTON—More than 20 years ago, McCord Development started acquiring property in northeast Houston. The company's massive Generation Park, located  on the northeast corner of Beltway 8/Sam Houston Tollway, is the result, a 4,000-acre mixed-use master-planned enterprise park. GlobeSt.com's Anna Caplan recently spoke with John Flournoy, director of sales and leasing at the park, to learn more about the development.

GlobeSt.com: Tell us a little about the backstory of Generation Park.

Flournoy: McCord Development started acquiring property in northeast Houston more than 20 years ago, with the belief that it was a beautiful, close-in setting for businesses and families alike. The completion of Beltway 8 in February of 2011 through the middle of our property greatly improved access to the area and we decided the time was right to bring Generation Park to market. The master plan has been thoughtfully designed not only to meet the needs of today's companies and employees, but for those of the future. Generation Park has been carefully divided into five distinct districts, each to accommodate the unique needs of specific types of organizations. Our commercial guidelines promote high-quality construction and aesthetics, encourage creativity and protect the long-term investment our all users in the park.

GlobeSt.com: What makes it different than other comparable developments in the area?

Flournoy: In truth, there are no other comparable developments. Not in Houston, not in Texas. At 4,000 acres, Generation Park is more than three times the size of downtown Houston. When we initially started planning the park, we had to think on a much bigger level than other business parks. So, while there are many aspects that make Generation Park unique, high on the list is our master plan. We describe Generation Park as an “enterprise” park because it essentially contains multiple business parks. Each of these areas has been designed to meet the unique needs of companies of different types and sizes. Whether it's corporate, manufacturing, fulfillment, industrial or R&D, our master plan creates settings where the unique real estate needs of each type of business are met.

Additionally, we have designed and put into place comprehensive, forward-thinking infrastructure to address the needs of every type of business. From large, pipeline-free sites with efficient entry and egress to buried power, to direct and easy access to major thoroughfares, Generation Park is outfitted to allow companies to focus on their business performance. Phase 1 at Generation Park is on the west side of Beltway 8 and includes the 173-acre campus of our first Fortune 500 user, FMC Technologies Inc. Just adjacent to the FMC Technologies campus is the S.PA, our 52-acre corporate lifestyle center.

GlobeSt.com: Why did Lone Star College choose Generation Park?

Flournoy: Long Star College selected Generation Park for the location of their new Process Technology Center as the curriculum aligns with the types of world-class companies that are making Generation Park their home – specifically the leading oil and gas companies.

GlobeSt.com: What kinds of amenities or attractive features does the development have that is luring tenants?

Flournoy: The short answer is that Generation Park is focused on delivering the practical amenities that employees might need throughout the day in the Park. Everywhere they go, they will enjoy a work-like setting that is different from anywhere else. More specifically, Generation Park features a 52-acre, mixed-use corporate lifestyle center called the S. PA, which stand for Subsea Lane Pedestrian Advantage. Its employee-focused design will feature practical services that will save them time during the weekday. On one end they will find a 20-acre lake that's connected to more than 50 miles of multi-use trails. On the other they will enjoy an urban center with a great range of restaurants, a full-service hotel, shopping and services like child care, health providers, fitness centers and even auto care.