Washington Ho wants to rejuvenate Chinatowns nationwide.
The “House of Ho” reality star’s firm, White House Global Properties, is teaming up with Houston-based Huynh Investment Group to put $100 million into Chinatowns in Houston, Arlington and Las Vegas, as well as Little Saigon in San Jose, over the next three years.
“We’ve put together $100 million right now particularly with interest rates super high, because we feel like it’s an opportunistic time to buy out these old buildings built 30 years ago by Asian developers that don’t understand the younger market,” Ho said. “We’re going to use the money to develop brand new buildings that are modernized for the modern tenant.”
The $100 million will come partially financed by Southwestern National Bank, the financial institution his father, investment banker Binh Ho, co-founded in 1997. Ho said the joint venture also has plans for potential expansions into Austin and San Francisco.
From enhanced electrical infrastructure to provisions for electric vehicle charging, Ho plans to update the retail experiences in these neighborhoods. By targeting areas with substantial Asian populations and international visitors, the partnership aims to beautify the districts and bring in global restaurants and shops.
The duo’s first endeavor, a $20 million renovation of Houston’s Little Saigon, will start in April with the construction of the nearly three-acre tract dubbed Bellaire Market District at 12925 Bellaire Boulevard. It is expected to open in June 2025 with 20 additional retail spaces.
Ho’s partner, Huynh Investment Group, recently completed Prosperity Plaza, a 30,000-square-foot retail location across the street at 12934 Bellaire Boulevard. The firm contracted Ho’s White House Global Properties to market the location. Huynh has additional shopping center plans for Houston’s Little Saigon along the west side of Bellaire Boulevard.
The firm is led by brothers Charlie and Andy Huynh. Charlie, a former doctor, said their primary desire is to reinvigorate these dilapidated areas that once nurtured his family.
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“I grew up in the Alief Chinatown area and after I graduated with my medical degree I returned to open my first practice here in Houston’s Chinatown,” Huynh said. “The people in the community supported me through the years and I’ve realized that it’s time to have our own buildings. I want to reshape and bring the community together.”
Huynh and Ho, both ethnically Vietnamese, said these redevelopments will serve as a love letter to the Asian community.
“We’re trying to leave a legacy behind in these cities,” Ho said. “Our families came to America and we’ve seen them work so hard, so now it’s time to leave a legacy for our community, our culture and leave something behind that the rest of the generations can be very proud of.”