Houston's Little Saigon is about to get a facelift thanks to local reality TV personality Washington Ho, who is embarking on a $20 million modernization of the area with a new shopping center and retail space development. The Bellaire Market District, a project spearheaded by the star of HBO Max's "House of Ho" and his real estate firm White House Global Properties, will kick off construction at 12925 Bellaire Boulevard, with plans for completion by June 2025, according to details Ho shared in a Houston Chronicle article.

Reflecting on the cultural significance and potential growth opportunities of Houston's ethnic enclaves, Ho stated, "Times have changed, It's 2024, we're not in the '90s anymore," in a discussion that illuminated his vision to rejuvenate not just Houston's Little Saigon but similar districts nationwide. This initiative also involves property negotiations aimed at attracting a Chinese supermarket chain and stretches beyond Texas to potential projects in California and other regions, Ho revealed to the Houston Chronicle.

Boasting 50,000 square feet, the two-story Bellaire Market District will accommodate over 20 retail spaces, including two drive-thru establishments and is designed to align with contemporary consumer needs, offering amenities such as electric vehicle chargers in a parking lot designed for 235 vehicles. Washington Ho's pride in the venture was palpable as he shared his ambitions in an Instagram post, committing to the redevelopment of Little Saigon to serve "all the local communities and international visitors this great area deserves." In connection with marketing efforts for another nearby retail space, Prosperity Plaza, the Ho-led project has already seen a 40 percent leasing, with a variety of trendy local shops populating the area, as reported by Chron.

Further diversifying Ho's portfolio, discussions are underway to integrate the Bellaire Market District's development into a new television show, still in the casting stages and in talks with five networks; this transition from the screen to real estate development marking a personal journey for the Houston natives of Vietnamese descent. As Washington Ho told the Houston Chronicle, "This is about leaving something behind that's better than I found it," a sentiment closely tied to his and partner Charlie Huynh's roots in the community they are now striving to enhance.