A developer from Central Asia is entering the Houston market with a new townhome project near the Galleria. BI Group, the North American arm of Kazakhstan’s BI Group, has partnered with local firm Vita Group to develop The Winford, a 26-unit for-sale townhome community at 5821 Winsome Lane.
This will be BI Group’s first development in Texas, following two projects in Miami. Olzhas Ayazbayev, CEO of BI Group USA, said that Houston buyers want “privacy, space and style” without giving up convenience. He stated, “The Winford fills this gap.”
The townhomes will range from 2,800 to 3,400 square feet and are priced between $815,000 and $985,000. Each unit will have European-inspired design elements including open layouts, oversized windows, high ceilings and rooftop terraces. Homes will offer three or four bedrooms, attached two-car garages and be elevator-ready. The project aims to attract multigenerational families, remote workers and those seeking indoor-outdoor living spaces. Construction is expected to finish late next year.
BI Group is based in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital. The company has completed over 400 residential developments totaling more than 100,000 units across eight countries since its founding in 1995.
In the United States, BI Group has focused on Miami’s Brickell district with two ongoing projects including Parkside — an eight-story building with 187 units. According to Ayazbayev, Brickell provided a competitive advantage by offering units priced around $500,000; now Houston represents the next phase of expansion.
The Winford adds to a growing list of developments in the Uptown/Galleria area. In northern Tanglewood, The Beverly—a seven-story condo building developed by GT Leach Constructors’ Gary Leach along with Rama Companies—recently topped out and plans to deliver six full-floor units early next year. Each unit is about 4,400 square feet with large terraces and four-bedroom layouts.
Nearby on Post Oak Boulevard, Deiso Moss and Cleary Interests are moving forward with the Ritz-Carlton Houston: a planned 44-story tower that will combine a hotel with residences. This project will have more than 150 hotel rooms and over 100 condos. Deiso Moss recently named Karla Dupre as head of sales for the tower alongside Redeavor Group.
