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Upper Kirby project gets $166M in financing. HOUSTON - (Realty News Report) - Nashville-based Southern Land Co. has secured a $165.9 million senior construction loan for 2811 Kirby, a mixed-use development going up on nearly two acres in Upper Kirby. The loan was provided by Bank OZK. 2811 Kirby, which broke ground earlier this year, will offer 331 apartments, including 18 penthouses, in a 38-story tower called Lily River Oaks. A separate 10-story commercial tower will have 107,000 SF of Class AA office space. The seventh floor spanning both towers will have a spa, fitness center, and garden deck for use by residential and office tenants. Stream Realty Partners is handling office leasing. "We are pleased to reach this important milestone as construction gets underway on our first development in Houston," said Tim Downey, founder and CEO of Southern Land Co. "Securing this financing from Bank OZK reflects the strength of the project and our confidence in the opportunity to create something truly special in Upper Kirby. 2811 Kirby is designed to be a landmark destination where people can live, work, dine and gather, while complementing the character and energy of one of Houston's most distinguished neighborhoods." Located just south of Westheimer, 2811 Kirby is near the River Oaks neighborhood, about four miles from downtown Houston. The 953,000-SF development will have 15,000 SF of restaurant and retail space and structured parking. "Tenants today are prioritizing quality, experience, and location, and 2811 Kirby checks all three boxes," said Dustin Downey, Chief Investment Officer, Southern Land Co. "We're already seeing strong interest from groups looking to relocate to Upper Kirby, and this project will offer a level of design, connectivity, and Class AA office space that doesn't currently exist in the Houston market." Houston's overall office vacancy rate is 25%, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Leasing has been strong in newer buildings, where the supply of available space is more limited. 2811 Kirby is one of only two for-lease office buildings currently under construction in the Houston area, along with the 118,500-SF Autry Park nearby. As companies seek offices with the best amenities and locations, as many as a dozen new buildings could break ground in Houston in the next few years, according to top leasing experts. The 2811 Kirby project team includes Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) as architect and interior designer, Kimley-Horn for civil engineering, DeSimone Consulting Engineering, and Andres Construction, the general contractor. Southern Land Co. is handling landscape architecture. Southern Land Co. has developed single-family and multifamily properties in Texas since 2006. Current projects include Tucker Hill, a single-family community in McKinney; Lunaroya, a 66-lot, single-family community in Dripping Springs; and Deco, a 27-story luxury mixed-use community in Downtown Fort Worth. The company recently appointed Tony Marchbanks as National President, Homebuilding. Based in the firm's Plano office, Marchbanks previously served President and Chief Operating Officer of Highland Homes. He launched Highland Homes' Houston market from the ground up, growing it to 1,000 homes annually, and later led statewide operations producing more than 4,000 luxury homes each year. Southern Land Co. has $8 billion worth of projects in the pipeline in Tennessee, New York, California, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Nevada. Feature image: Construction is underway at 2811 Kirby. Realty News Report photo Copyright 2026 Mark Your Calendar: CommGate will host its Economic Outlook -Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Houston Country Club. Economist Ted C. Jones, PhD, will present an economic forecast examining trends that will shape the real estate market in the coming year. Following the presentation, connect at a networking social with beverages and hors d'oeuvres. Free for members of CommGate, CCIM, and SIOR. Non-members $50. Link to Registration

UA Little Rock School of Business to honor Brandon, Pierce as Distinguished Alumni. UA Little Rock August 19, 2026 From launching Arkansas's first legal distillery since Prohibition to helping families and businesses build long-term wealth, two UA Little Rock graduates will be recognized this fall for careers that have shaped business across Arkansas. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Business will honor Phil Brandon, founder and CEO of Rock Town Distillery, with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Ryder Pierce, executive vice president and investment manager at Bank OZK, with the Dean's Award for Excellence during the 2026 School of Business Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Statehouse Convention Center. The awards ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Wally Allen Ballroom D. The luncheon celebrates graduates whose professional accomplishments, leadership, and service reflect the values of the UA Little Rock School of Business. Dr. Mark Funk, director of the UA Little Rock School of Business, said Brandon and Pierce reflect the qualities the school strives to instill in its graduates. "One of the greatest measures of a business school is the success of its graduates, and Phil Brandon and Ryder Pierce have built careers defined by leadership, integrity, and service," Funk said. "They represent different generations and industries, but both have made a meaningful impact through their work and have remained connected to the university. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and the example they set for our students." The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the School of Business's highest honor, presented to a graduate who has made significant contributions to business while serving the Little Rock community and UA Little Rock. After earning his MBA (Master of Business Administration) from UA Little Rock, Brandon founded Rock Town Distillery in 2010, and under his leadership, Rock Town has grown into an internationally recognized, award-winning craft distillery whose bourbons, vodkas, gins, and other spirits have earned numerous national and international honors. Before launching Rock Town, Brandon spent more than two decades in the telecommunications industry. He has also supported economic development and the arts through leadership roles with organizations including the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The Dean's Award for Excellence recognizes a graduate from the past decade who has demonstrated exceptional promise as a business leader while remaining engaged with the university and community. A graduate of UA Little Rock with bachelor's degrees in economics and finance, Pierce serves as executive vice president and trust investment officer at Bank OZK, where he works with clients on investment and wealth management strategies. He is also a CFA charterholder - a globally recognized financial expert who has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst credential - and is working toward an Executive MBA from Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining Bank OZK, Pierce held leadership positions in wealth management and investment strategy before returning to Arkansas. A former Trojan cross country and track student-athlete, he has remained connected to UA Little Rock while building a reputation as one of Arkansas's emerging business leaders. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Ginger Daril at 501-916-6437 or [email protected]. View more stories in Featured

Bank OZK reported net income of $163.3 million for the second quarter of 2026, down 8.7% year-over-year from $178.9 million but up 2.5% from the previous quarter. Diluted earnings per share were $1.49, a 5.7% decrease from the same period last year. For the first six months of 2026, net income totalled $322.6 million, down 7.0% from $346.8 million in the first half of 2025. Chairman and CEO George Gleason highlighted the quarter's performance, including a 1.60% return on assets, 4.24% net interest margin, and a 39.2% efficiency ratio. The Arkansas-based regional bank had $41.7 billion in total assets as of 30 June 2026 and operates 267 offices across nine US states.