Johnston and Murphy JM-1869 in Houston, TX

WILLOWBROOK MALL — Johnston and Murphy JM-1869 is a 1,500 sq ft retail renovation registered in Houston, Texas. The project involves the remodel of an existing store located at 2000 Willowbrook Mall - Suite 1208, within Harris County. The estimated cost for this alteration is $525,000, equating to $350 per square foot.

Jencen Architecture serves as the design firm of record for this private project, which is funded by GGP Willowbrook LP. The registered accessibility specialist is Stephen A Meyer. TDLR completed plan review in May 2026, and construction was scheduled to begin in June 2026 with a target completion date of July 2026. Although that scheduled end date has passed, TDLR has not yet recorded a final inspection, so the current state of the site is not confirmed in the public record.

Project Scope and Cost Context

The scope of work is strictly limited to the remodel of the existing store space. This project's estimated cost is above the Harris County median of $250,000 for similar renovation filings. The $350 per square foot rate is also above the county median of $80 per square foot. The scheduled build window of 44 days is shorter than the county median of 92 days for comparable projects.

GGP Willowbrook LP has four other TDLR-registered projects in the area, totaling $1,411,500. These include renovations at Journeys and other suites within Willowbrook Mall. Jencen Architecture has six other registered projects across Texas, including work at Houston Premium Outlets, Sunrise Mall, and Memorial City Mall. This indicates a recurring relationship between the owner, the design firm, and various mall properties for tenant improvements.

Local Context and Records

The site is located in ZIP code 77070, where the U.S. Census estimates a population of about 58,409. The median household income in this area is $73,579, and the median owner-occupied home value is $245,300. The housing market in this ZIP code is an even mix of owner- and renter-occupied units.

City of Houston permit records show four building permits issued at this street address between May and June 2026. These permits include descriptions for retail remodels and an RTU replacement, referencing the 2021 IBC. The Harris County unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in July 2026. This project is privately funded on private land for private use, consistent with the nature of a single-suite mall renovation.