New Luxury Tower “The Langley” Set to Open on Controversial Ashby High-Rise Site with Rents Starting at $9,100
A new luxury residential tower located at 1717 Bissonnet Street in Boulevard Oaks is scheduled to open its doors next month, marking the final chapter in one of Houston’s most prolonged real estate disputes. Known as The Langley, the 20-story building replaces the site of the formerly proposed “Ashby high-rise” and commands some of the highest rental rates in the city, with monthly leases starting at $9,100.
Developed by Dallas-based StreetLights Residential in partnership with Hunt Companies, The Langley features 134 units with floor plans significantly larger than the market average. Two- and three-bedroom apartments range from 2,165 to nearly 3,400 square feet, designed to attract downsizing homeowners from the surrounding affluent neighborhoods of Boulevard Oaks and Southampton. Listings indicate that some premium units are priced as high as $19,000 per month. The property markets estate-style living with amenities that include 24-hour valet and concierge services, a resort-style pool deck with outdoor fireplaces, and private elevators for select units.
The opening of The Langley follows a contentious 15-year battle regarding the development of the site. First proposed in 2007 as a 23-story project by a different developer, the original plan sparked intense backlash from local residents who dubbed the project the “Tower of Traffic.” Opponents argued that a high-rise of that scale was incompatible with the surrounding low-rise residential streets and would severely exacerbate traffic congestion, compromise privacy, and lower property values.
The dispute led to years of protests, yard signs, lawsuits, and the eventual implementation of restrictive covenants in 2012 by the City of Houston to limit the scope of development on the site. While the current project is slightly scaled back compared to the original 2007 proposal—reduced from 23 to 20 stories and containing fewer units—neighborhood objections persisted during the permitting process. Community members continued to express concerns that the density remains too high for the area’s infrastructure and that the tower looms disproportionately over the nearby single-family homes.
Despite these historical objections, the project moved forward after securing necessary permits in 2023. StreetLights Residential has stated that the building’s classical architecture and design were intended to blend with the aesthetic of the nearby Rice University and Museum District areas. As leasing begins, The Langley tests the upper limits of Houston’s rental market, offering a price point that rivals luxury mortgages in the area.
