A large portion of the center, which was built in 1956, will bedemolished, clearing the way for new "big box" retailers and otherstores. The 50-acre site was purchased about two years ago by Wulfein partnership with the Houston Redevelopment Authority, aquasi-governmental agency. Wulfe has since picked up an additional24 acres, targeting the entire site for development. When theGulfgate project is completed next year, it will have more than650,000 sf of retail space, including apparel stores, an officesupply store, and electronics store and several restaurants.

The original tract at the intersection of Gulf Freeway and Loop610 contained a significant amount of asbestos that had to beremoved. With that leg of the project behind him, Wulfe hasmarketed the site for an 80,000-sf H-E-B grocery store plus luredLowe's Home Improvement toa section of the supplemental 24-acretract, where a 163,000-sf store will be built.

The property is ideal for redevelopment due to its high-trafficlocation where more than 350,000 vehicles per day pass the site,says Wulfe, who is a veteran of Houston's shopping centerdevelopment and leasing activity.