Most think of Friendswood as a Houston bedroom community, or a home to NASA astronauts. Few think of it as a fun destination. That may change. Friendswood has okayed a 5.5 acre special district that will allow a new hotel, apartments, restaurants, offices and a number of retail shops. Banfield Properties will be the lead on the development.

Banfield Properties is situated in the community and wants to keep it low key, “It’s going to be very pedestrian-friendly. So, whether you’re staying in the hotel or the apartments, you can walk to several restaurants or retail,” said Brett Banfield

The hotel, which will be the towns first, hasn’t been named yet. The developer hopes to break ground in the first or second quarter of 2023.