The section of downtown east of Main Street is a study in change. Early in Houston’s history, it was home to Quality Hill, the city’s most fashionable residential neighborhood. The area turned commercial after the turn of the 20th century thanks to an expanding business district and the construction of Union Station in 1911. Large-scale redevelopment projects including Houston Center and the George R. Brown Convention Center drastically altered the area in the late 1900s, and today, east downtown is an intriguing mix of small commercial buildings, early skyscrapers and gleaming modern office towers and hotels.

This 90-minute docent-guided walking tour will trace the history of the area through architecture old and new, ranging from historic structures such as Union Station and the 1915 Texas Company Building to new developments like Discovery Green, which has been a catalyst for nearly $2 billion in new construction. Along the way, we’ll discuss some of the neighborhood’s hidden stories as well, helping to put this often-overlooked area in context in Houston’s history.

Please note this is an exterior architecture tour only. The tour will not go inside any buildings. There are no public restrooms along the tour route.

Tickets will go on sale at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2017, in front of Union Station, 501 Crawford (at Texas Avenue). The last tour group will leave just after 2 p.m. Reservations are not required.