HOUSTON—Downtown's skyline is set to change once again as Crescent Real Estate Holdings LLC announces a new speculative office tower, 6 Houston Center, which is set to break ground this summer.

The 30-story, 600,000-square foot 6 Houston Center will cost an estimated $250 million to construct. The tower, designed by HKS Architects who previously designed 5 Houston Center, will break ground by mid-summer 2014 with tenant occupancy in late 2016.

6 Houston Center is located on Block 95 on the east side of the central business district facing Rusk along the new east/west Metro Light Rail line.

“The market is ready for new product and we are in the position to deliver very quickly,” John C. Goff, chairman and chief executive officer at Crescent tells GlobeSt.com. “The eastern part of downtown has become one of the most popular spots for business to relocate to. The location is the best in the city it is only getting better.”

The pre-certified LEED Gold building features a modern design including a 35-foot tall lobby, efficient floor plates, glass skywalk connecting the building to 1 Houston Center and 10 foot ceiling heights as well as 12-foot ceiling heights on the upper levels.

“Amenities are absolutely critical, especially in Houston. The demand for talent is so strong that companies look for office space that can attract and maintain that talent,” adds Goff.

The 10th floor features a rooftop garden, fitness center and conference center exclusive to building customers. The building also features a 9-level garage with a unique entry which Goff says is unlike anything else in Houston. He likens the architectural detail to “driving into a living room.”

Demand for trophy class product in the CBD far outpaces that of the overall class A properties. According to CBRE, CBD class A vacancy was 7.5% at the end of 2013 while class A+ vacancy is 4.4%. The market has remained remarkably stable in the recent years and class A vacancy has not climbed above 8.2% since in 2011.

Central Houston Inc. sees downtown is in a healthy development stage, building only when there is demand. There was large amount of construction in the CBD during the mid-eighties followed by 15 years of almost no construction while the submarket absorbed the excess space, Laura Van Ness of Central Houston tells GlobeSt.com.

Two projects are currently under construction in downtown Houston. Hines has begun the demolition phase, clearing an old building to make way for their one million square-foot office tower, 609 Main. In addition, 1110 MainPartners LP, a related entity of Hilcorp Ventures, has begun site work on a future office building on the old Macy's site. Skanksa USA and Shorenstein Properties also have downtown projects unfolding.

Along with office developments, there are 10 development projects currently underway ranging from residential, hotel to parking garages.

“It is a diverse type of projects that are coming downtown, it leads to a well-rounded downtown,” adds Van Ness. “Developers are seeing opportunities and they want to participate in the growth and the excitement of downtown.”