Galveston Bay Foundation Breaks Ground on Headquarters Facility Located in the Heart of The Bay
- February 14, 2025
- News
Kemah, TX (Feb.14) – The Galveston Bay Foundation commenced construction today on The Gessner Center, its 14,000-square-foot headquarters located in Kemah, TX. Once completed, the building will become a Petal Certified Living Building, a performance-based program oriented toward buildings designed to be regenerative and positively impact the environment and the people who use them. The Gessner Center will be one of a handful of completed projects in Texas to have undergone the Living Building Challenge.
The building, designed by Houston-based Kirksey Architecture, is located on 30-acres of land at 1725 Highway 146.
Developed with the broader community in mind, the facility will include a living shoreline, walking trails, boardwalks, an observation deck, and a pier to provide access to the Bay’s many natural habitats. TBG Partners is leading the landscape design and outdoor components of the project. The Gessner Center is expected to be complete by Spring 2026.
“Since its founding, Galveston Bay Foundation has been committed to preserving – and celebrating – the health and beauty of the Bay,” said Galveston Bay Foundation President, Bob Stokes. “Our Kemah headquarters gives us a place to do that, providing a destination for visitors to experience the awe of the Bay and to learn about the rich diversity of Gulf Coast wildlife, conservation, and science.”
The project was made possible thanks to a lead gift from Andy and Barbara Gessner, long-time supporters of the foundation.
To bring The Gessner Center to life, The Galveston Bay Foundation launched a $24.6 million capital campaign in 2020. 
The Gessner Center will serve as hub for both education and community. With indoor and outdoor classrooms, a community gathering space, and direct access to the water, the Center will provide countless opportunities for students and adults to learn about and experience the Bay.
To learn more about The Galveston Bay Foundation, its conservation work, and The Gessner Center headquarters, visit galvbay.org.
IMAGES: HERE.
VIDEO FLY THROUGH: The Future of the Galveston Bay Foundation Headquarters
The Gessner Center – Building Partners:
- Kirksey Architecture – Architect
- TBG Partners – Landscape Architect
- Satterfield & Pontikes Construction – General Contractor
- CMTA – MEP
- DDG – Civil Engineering
- Pinnacle – Structural
###
About Galveston Bay Foundation
Galveston Bay Foundation is a conservation nonprofit that has served as guardian of Galveston Bay since 1987. Our mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. We work to facilitate a true cross-section of Bay interests through creative, inclusive, and forward-thinking solutions to the challenges confronting Galveston Bay. We envision a future Bay that is brimming with vitality, connected to people, and contributing to the community in every possible way.
About Kirksey Architecture
Kirksey is a sustainable architecture and interior design firm with over 38 million square feet of LEED projects in its portfolio. With offices in Houston, Austin and Dallas, Texas, Kirksey is studio-based in structure and serves commercial, collegiate, community, PK-12, government, healthcare, hospitality, science & technology and multifamily residential markets. To learn more about the firm, visit www.kirksey.com.
About TBG Partners
TBG is a design firm of over 120 visionary minds, reshaping raw space into livable places across the country and abroad. A critical combination of 35-year industry veterans paired with dynamic, young talent, collectively composing, calculating, and anticipating the tendencies of living systems. From four offices, TBG’s disciplined designers and their strategic partners together refine earth into art, allowing complex sites to evolve through impactful landscape architecture and planning.
About Satterfield & Pontikes Construction
As an ENR Top 400 Contractor, Satterfield & Pontikes Construction and its family of companies offer a full range of preconstruction, construction, construction management, program management, and consulting services to both public and private clients. For more than three decades, S&P has been a recognized innovator in construction management systems and has pioneered numerous technological advancements across its solid portfolio of wide-ranging projects in the fields of education, aviation, healthcare, industrial, commercial, government, retail distribution, and manufacturing facilities. In addition to its headquarters in Houston, S&P has business units in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio and offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Midland. www.satpon.com
