Welcome Group Breaks Ground on Lower Kirby Business Park, Announces 87,450-Square-Foot Lease with Thorpe
Thorpe to consolidate Houston-area operations in the development’s largest building as construction begins on 25-acre industrial campus in Pearland
HOUSTON, TX – October 20, 2026 – Welcome Group, a Houston-based commercial real estate investor and developer specializing in manufacturing, distribution and industrial facilities, today announced the start of construction of Lower Kirby Business Park, a 25-acre, master-planned industrial campus in Pearland, Texas, and announced an 87,450-square-foot lease with Thorpe Plant Maintenance & Engineering, the development's first tenant.
Located at 15020 Kirby Drive near the southwest corner of Beltway 8 and State Highway 288, Lower Kirby Business Park will deliver 250,450 square feet of Class A industrial space across four buildings. Thorpe will occupy Building D, the largest building within the development, consolidating several Houston-area operations into a centralized facility designed to support the company's continued growth and operational efficiency.
Representatives from Welcome Group, KDW and Thorpe recently gathered to commemorate the start of construction, marking a significant milestone for the development and the continued expansion of Pearland's Lower Kirby District.
“Lower Kirby Business Park represents the kind of industrial development we've focused on for decades: creating facilities that support how businesses operate and grow,” said Welcome Wilson Jr., President and CEO of Welcome Group. “Thorpe is a great example of how our build-to-suit expertise allows us to work closely with industrial users to understand their operational requirements and deliver facilities designed around their needs. We're excited to welcome them as our first tenant and continue investing in Pearland's growing industrial corridor.”
Thorpe's new facility will bring manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, warehousing and field services support together under one roof. The purpose-built space will support the company's industrial maintenance and refractory operations, allowing for improved coordination across business functions, streamlined distribution and greater flexibility to serve customers throughout the Houston region.
“Thorpe's decision to consolidate multiple operations at Lower Kirby Business Park demonstrates the value of developing facilities around the specific needs of industrial users,” said Ryan Wasaff, Senior Director of Leasing and Development, Greater Houston, at Welcome Group. “The combination of manufacturing, fabrication, warehousing and field services within one location creates meaningful operational efficiencies, while the property's access to the region's workforce and major industrial corridors makes it an ideal fit for their long-term growth.”
Lower Kirby Business Park reflects Welcome Group's continued investment in specialized industrial real estate and its experience developing manufacturing, distribution and logistics facilities tailored to the operational requirements of modern businesses. Through its vertically integrated platform, the company brings together site selection, development, leasing and long-term ownership expertise to deliver industrial real estate solutions that support operational efficiency, flexibility and future growth.
KDW is serving as general contractor for the development, overseeing construction of the four-building industrial campus. The deed-restricted property will feature tilt-wall construction, clear heights up to 34 feet, three-phase 480V power up to 3,000 amps, 20-ton crane-ready capabilities and flexible office configurations. The development is designed to accommodate a range of manufacturing, logistics and distribution users while providing opportunities for future expansion.
Lower Kirby Business Park is situated within Pearland's 1,200-acre Lower Kirby District, a growing mixed-use corridor with direct access to Sam Houston Tollway and Highway 288. Located approximately 20 miles south of downtown Houston and less than 20 minutes from William P. Hobby Airport, the property offers connectivity to Houston's major ports, industrial centers and surrounding workforce.
“Lower Kirby continues to attract companies looking for a place to grow, and this project adds to that momentum,” said Trent Epperson, City Manager for the City of Pearland. “This groundbreaking is a strong example of the value of the partnership between the City of Pearland, PEDC and Welcome Group. Through strategic investments in the site, we have created opportunities to attract quality employers like Thorpe. We look forward to seeing this development take shape and supporting its long-term success in Pearland.”
With Thorpe committed to Building D, approximately 163,000 square feet remain available for lease across Buildings A, B and C. Construction is underway, with delivery anticipated in the second quarter of 2027. Leasing for the remaining space is being led by Welcome Realty Advisors, a subsidiary of Welcome Group.
For leasing information, contact:
Ryan Wasaff, Senior Vice President | rwasaff@welcomegroup.com
Brad Berry, Vice President | bberry@welcomegroup.com
Cole Bercher, Senior Associate | cbercher@welcomegroup.com
About Welcome Group
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Houston, Welcome Group is a commercial real estate investor and developer focused on manufacturing, laboratory, warehouse and distribution facilities throughout Texas and the Southeast U.S. The firm owns and manages more than 9 million square feet across more than 115 properties and continues to pursue strategic acquisition and development opportunities throughout the region. For more information, visit WelcomeGroup.com.
About Thorpe Plant Maintenance & Engineering
Thorpe Plant Maintenance & Engineering provides specialized engineering, manufacturing and industrial maintenance solutions to customers across the energy, petrochemical, chemical, power and other industrial sectors. The company's capabilities include refractory systems, corrosion protection, insulation and specialty mechanical services that support the operation, maintenance and performance of critical industrial infrastructure. For more information, visit ThorpePlantMaintenanceAndEngineering.com.