Downtown is breathing new life with fresh businesses. From upscale restaurants to entertainment venues and residential high-rises, here’s a look at the 10 new businesses + developments in the heart of the city.

Coming soon

The Archibald | Opening late summer
The rooftop bar will take over the former Houston Street Bar & Patio, which closed at the end of May. The remodeled space will include a downstairs lounge, a rooftop patio, and DJs on the weekends.

Big Laugh Comedy | Opening Fall 2023
The Austin-based comedy club will expand to Sundance Square with a two-story entertainment space inside the Kress Building. The renovation will include two stages, a kitchen + bar, a podcasting studio, and an event area.

Deco 969 | Opening early 2024
The 27-story high-rise held a topping-out ceremony this spring and expects to welcome residents in early 2024. It is the first residential tower to be built downtown in more than 30 years.

Deco 969 will be the tallest building downtown. | GDA Architects

Now open

Thompson's Bookstore
The newly renovated downtown bar re-opened earlier this month with an old-fashioned, library-themed bar, underground speakeasy, light-filled event space, and luxurious cigar lounge. Take a look inside.

Sandman Signature Hotel
The hotel opened in June in the century-old W.T. Waggoner Building with 245 rooms and suites. The 20-story hotel preserved the original interior finishes of the tower, including an old-school mail drop.

Musume
Located inside the Sandman Signature Hotel, the upscale Asian restaurant features table-side ramen, fish flown in daily from Japan, and the country’s largest premium sake program. Take a look inside.

Hopscotch
The boozy snack bar is located in Sundance Square and is owned by Mockingbird Food, the proprietors of 3rd Street Market. Stop by for snacks like Frito pie and boozy slushies. Take a look inside.

The Origami Dog
The Sundance Square dog spa offers a wide range of services including grooming, de-shedding, manicures, and hair loss treatments.

La’Creamian
The coffee shop took over the former Casablanca Coffee space in May with ultra-premium ice cream and flavors like vanilla bean and strawberry.

Jon Smith Subs
The sandwich shop opened in mid-June inside the Neal P. Anderson Building with overstuffed sandwiches, fries, and fresh-baked cookies.

The interior of the hotel maintains the character of the W.T. Waggoner Building. | Photo by FTWtoday