HOUSTON - BY THE NUMBERS

LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYERS

1. Wal-Mart
   29,400 employees

2. Administaff Inc.
   22,475 employees

3. Memorial Hermann Health Care
   19,986 employees

Source: The Houston Chronicle

CITY POPULATION 2.2 million
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: 6.2%
Source: Texas Workforce Commission

METRO AREA VITAL SIGNS

(Note: All rents are effective rents)

Office:

12.7% vacancy, 4Q 2008
11.4% vacancy, 4Q 2007
$20.66 rent per sq. ft., 4Q 2008
$19.21 rent per sq. ft., 4Q 2007
Source: Reis

Multifamily:

10% vacancy, 4Q 2008
8.8% vacancy, 4Q 2007
$715 monthly rent 4Q 2008
$685 monthly rent 4Q 2007
Source: Reis

Retail:

13.2% vacancy, 4Q 2008
12.1% vacancy, 4Q 2007
$13.85 rent per sq. ft., 4Q 2008
$13.99 rent per sq. ft., 4Q 2007
Source: Reis

Industrial:

9% vacancy, 4Q 2008
8.1% vacancy, 4Q 2007
$5.52 rent per sq. ft., 4Q 2008
$5.28 rent per sq. ft., 4Q 2007
Source: Marcus & Millichap

Hotel:

70.4% occupancy, 4Q 2008
62% occupancy, 4Q 2007
$102.49 average daily rate, 4Q 2008
$93.59 average daily rate, 4Q 2007
Source: Smith Travel Research

MAJOR PROJECTS

MainPlace: On the 39th floor of the 46-story downtown high-rise, a sky garden will be visible from the street. Recessed into the building, it will have planted terraces and a five-story atrium. Developer Hines is building the project through its Hines CalPERS Green (HCG) fund, which focuses on sustainable office buildings.

Developer: Hines

Completion: 2011

Cost: $360 million, estimated

CityCentre: The mixed-use development on 37 acres in Houston's Memorial district will have 425,000 sq. ft. of office space, as well as 400,000 sq. ft. of retail space, with restaurants and a 140,000 sq. ft. fitness center. The developer also plans 375 multifamily units, and a 245-room luxury hotel. The project, located in one of the wealthiest zip codes in Texas, is being built near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Beltway 8.

Developer: Midway Cos.

Completion: 2009

Cost: $500 million