Houston Coffee Plant Will Become New Arts Academy
The historic site in the Second Ward will transform into a tuition-free school by August 2027.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you support repurposing historic industrial buildings into schools and arts hubs in your community?
Lovett Commercial is redeveloping the former Folgers Coffee Plant at 235 N. Norwood St. into the Frank Liu Jr. Academy of Music and Arts. Scheduled to open in August 2027, the facility will provide a tuition-free, open-enrollment education for students from pre-K through eighth grade.
Why it matters
The development honors the legacy of the late Frank Liu Jr. by fulfilling his vision of a school that merges academic rigor with creative expression. A $20 million pledge from the Frank Liu Jr. Foundation will support the initial operations of this learning landscape.
The project spans nearly 255,000 square feet across a site acquired for $10 million. The Frank Liu Jr. Foundation has committed $20 million to support the school's ongoing operations.
The players
Lovett Commercial
This is a real estate development firm that leads urban projects in the Houston area.
Dr. R. Scott Allen
He has been appointed as the founding superintendent to lead the new educational institution.
Frank Liu Jr. Foundation
This philanthropic organization provides financial support for initiatives aligned with the late namesake founder.
The details
Designed by OMA and RDLR Architects, the three-story facility adapts the industrial structure originally built in the 1930s. The academy has formed strategic partnerships with the University of Houston, Rice University, Houston Christian University, and the University of Houston-Downtown to bolster its curriculum.
Timeline
The industrial site was originally constructed in the 1930s.
Lovett Commercial purchased the property for $10 million in 2019.
Farmers Brothers Coffee Co. ended production at the facility in 2021.
Frank Liu Jr. passed away in 2022.
The new academy is expected to open its doors in August 2027.
Market Landscape
This project follows the established pattern of adaptive reuse of historic industrial sites in urban planning to revitalize neighborhoods. It positions the academy as a major anchor in the Second Ward, contrasting with the decline of older manufacturing facilities in the area.
Local families in the Second Ward will gain access to a new tuition-free, open-enrollment public option for students from pre-K through eighth grade. The project also promises to revitalize a long-dormant industrial site into an active community asset.
The takeaway
This development demonstrates how large-scale industrial properties can be repurposed to meet community educational needs. Residents should look for upcoming public meetings regarding the school's enrollment process as the 2027 opening date approaches.
What happens next
The school is confirmed to hold its grand opening in August 2027.
Further reading
For more information on regional charitable initiatives, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Economic Times.
Live Poll
Do you support repurposing historic industrial buildings into schools and arts hubs in your community?
