Brewery, luxury bar and more: Check out five projects coming to downtown Corpus Christi
Lazy Beach Brewing is set to open a second location in the summer at the old Texas Surf Museum in downtown Corpus Christi.
"We have been looking for a good place for around a year now — downtown being the desired location," co-owner Jessica Matthews said. "We were lucky to have found a historic spot on Chaparral, a great location right in the heart of downtown."
The new location is one of five projects approved by the Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 3 board to bring more than $35 million in development to Corpus Christi.
The Downtown Management District took the projects to the board to gain approval for more than $2.2 million in incentives that will award funding for exterior enhancements, commercial build-out and rehabilitating vacant buildings and spaces.
“We are thrilled about these projects as they will bring more opportunities and development to our community,” said Alyssa Barrera Mason, executive director of the Downtown Management District. "We have always been seen as a place of potential, and now we are seeing that this is a place of progress."
The projects are Lazy Beach Brewing, 605 Elite, Gallery 41, Peoples Street Parklet and Homewood Suites. All will be in the Marina Arts District.
The developments will aim to provide new dining options for locals and tourists, activate longstanding vacant buildings, generate more lodging for visitors and bring new family-friendly entertainment.
New projects
Lazy Beach Brewing, 312 N. Chaparral St.: Matthews said Lazy Beach Brewing has evolved since opening nearly nine years ago. The brewery is the only taproom in Corpus Christi that releases a new beer flavor every week. A second location will allow the business to "play even more" by making more flavors, she said. The Southside location will keep producing weekly beer releases; the second location will start releasing new brews as it finds its footing. "Our goal for the new taproom is to make it feel like home away from home for our regular patrons," Matthews said. "A slightly different setup but the same relaxing, friendly vibe. No TVs distracting you, no music that is so loud you cannot talk with your companions — just that relaxing, 'lazy' feeling."
605 Elite, 605 Mesquite St.: The new business will be a luxury bar and restaurant with a cocktail garden. The building, erected in the 1930s, has sat vacant for decades.
Gallery 41, 100 N. Shoreline Blvd.: The project will be a new restaurant in the Art Center of Corpus Christi. The restaurant will have an outdoor patio with a view of the water.
OK Hifi Parklet & Awning, 415 Peoples St.: The Produce franchise, an artist-run, multi-space concept showcasing art, design, music and fashion, is continuing to expand in downtown Corpus Christi. The new parklet with an awning will reside in two parking spots in front of a future bar, OK Hifi Bar, and Hybrid Records. OK Hifi will be a new Japanese whiskey bar and lounge with music from Produce Sound Studio.
Homewood Suites, 301-309 N. Chaparral St.: A 126-room hotel will include a rooftop bar with an additional patio, Topgolf Swing Suites and other hotel amenities including a gym, a breakfast buffet and a bar. The ground level will have the entrance to the lobby and three leasable spaces available for retail and restaurants.
For more information on projects in downtown Corpus Christi, visit godowntowncc.com/downtown-projects.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Check out five new projects coming to downtown Corpus Christi
