Houston Coffee Plant Will Become Arts Academy by 2027
The adaptive reuse project converts a former industrial site into a tuition-free public charter school.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Lovett Commercial is transforming the historic Folgers Coffee Plant in Houston into the Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Arts. The school is scheduled to open in August 2027 as a tuition-free, open-enrollment public charter serving pre-K through eighth grade students.
Why it matters
The $20 million development fulfills a legacy mandate to integrate academic rigor with creative arts in the Second Ward. By repurposing nearly 255,000 square feet of industrial space, the project aims to anchor the local community through expanded educational and institutional partnerships.
The Frank Liu Jr. Foundation pledged $20 million to support the school's initial operations, following Lovett Commercial's 2019 purchase of the 254,808 square-foot property for $10 million.
The players
Lovett Commercial
A Houston-based commercial real estate firm specializing in large-scale urban development and property investment.
Frank Liu Jr. Foundation
A philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and honoring the late founder's vision.
Dr. R. Scott Allen
The founding superintendent appointed to lead the development and academic strategy of the new charter academy.
The details
The facility at 235 N. Norwood St. will undergo an adaptive reuse process to function as a three-story learning landscape. Architects OMA and RDLR Architects are leading the design, which converts the former coffee plant into an educational hub. The school has secured formal partnerships with the University of Houston, Rice University, Houston Christian University, and the University of Houston-Downtown to support its curriculum.
Timeline
1930s: The industrial building was constructed.
2019: Lovett Commercial acquired the property for $10 million.
2021: Production ceased at the facility.
2022: Frank Liu Jr. passed away.
August 2027: The school is scheduled to open.
Market Landscape
The project follows the 2021 closure of the Farmers Brothers Coffee Co. facility at the site, which signaled the end of its long-standing industrial use. This conversion aligns with broader urban trends of repurposing mid-century industrial footprints into institutional and creative hubs.
Operators in the Second Ward should prepare for increased localized traffic and shifts in student demographics near 235 N. Norwood St. beginning in late 2027. Businesses should also note the potential for new vendor and service opportunities arising from the school's partnerships with four major regional universities.
The takeaway
Large-scale adaptive reuse projects can provide a long-term anchor for neighborhoods when tied to clear institutional partnerships. Operators should track the school's opening in August 2027 to assess the impact on local foot traffic and service demand in the Second Ward area.
Further reading
For more on how local organizations are funding community assets, visit Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
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