August 14, 2006

THE GOOSE’S ACRE BISTRO & IRISH PUB COMING TO THE WOODLANDS TOWN CENTER

“Namesake” Pub Being Moved to The Woodlands from Midleton, Ireland

Celtic Concepts, a partnership of Brian Young and Colm O’Neill, is moving an authentic Irish pub from Midleton, County Cork, Ireland to The Woodlands Town Center, according to Dan Leverett, vice president, commercial for The Woodlands Development Company.

The partners, who own Brian O’Neill’s Restaurant and Irish Pub in Rice Village in Houston and eight other pubs in Texas, Colorado, Michigan and Ohio, purchased the contents of a pub called “The Goose’s Acre” located in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland. The bar and accoutrements are being shipped to a two-story, 7,400-square-foot retail space at 21 Waterway Avenue on The Woodlands Waterway®, where they will recreate the authentic atmosphere, complete with a view of The Waterway from the outdoor patio.

“The Goose’s Acre was the name of a park at the junction of the northern approach roads to the Main Street of Midleton, County Cork. It was also the name of the pub that stood immediately in front of it,” said Brian Young. “For over a century, the lushly landscaped park was a landmark of which the townspeople were very proud. It was also the location of the town’s horse-trough and weighbridge, both necessities in time’s past. But the name, “The Goose’s Acre” derived from the fact that in former times, a local resident named Kate Barr grazed her gaggle of geese there daily. And when farmers brought their goods to market, this is the area where the geese were kept.”

This colorful concept will come to life in the heart of The Woodlands Town Center this November. The original “Goose’s Acre” bar has been dismantled and will be installed in the space, along with accessories that date back to another time and place. Irish artisan will travel from Ireland to assist in the completion of the interior space.

According to Young, a big, open bay kitchen will be the main focus of the bistro, where a wood-fired pizza oven and rotisserie chicken display will present the menu specialties. Rotisserie chicken, grilled steaks, sandwiches, pub favorites, entrée salads and gourmet wood-fired pizza will be featured on the menu, which has been developed by a top corporate chef who spent four months in Italy studying Neapolitan pizza making. Desserts and a children’s menu will also be offered. A wide variety of beers, stouts, ales and an extensive wine and premium spirits selection will be featured in the pub.

The Goose’s Acre is planning its first “signature” community event on Monday, October 9, 2006 in conjunction with The Woodlands Kiwanis Club. The first annual Goose’s Acre Golf Tournament will be held at Windcrest Golf Club, and 100% of the proceeds will benefit The Children’s Miracle Network. The cost is $125 per person or $500 per team. Contact Charlie Terwillegar at 713-522-2603 for more information.

Bill Cole with Cole Commercial Realty represented Celtic Concepts and Greg Jordan, director of commercial land sales, represented The Woodlands Development Company.

The Goose’s Acre is one of many restaurants that will be coming to the area known as Waterway Square, which will encompass a one-acre public plaza and “people place” with signature water features and fountains plus landmark office buildings, upscale shops and night life. 21 Waterway Avenue where The Goose’s Acre will be located, is a 103,000-square-foot, six-story building. The building was recently completed and the lease space is now 99% committed.

Under construction in the area is 25 Waterway Avenue, a 14,000-square-foot building with office and retail space plus parking; and 1599 Lake Robbins Drive, a two-story, 10,000-square-foot building with retail on the ground floor and office above. Both are scheduled for completion this fall. The public plaza and 24 Waterway Avenue, a 13-story office building with retail on The Woodlands Waterway level, are expected to be under construction within a month, with completion scheduled for the 2007 holiday season.

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. It is a project of The Woodlands Development Company, a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.