Business News November

Real Estate News. Real estate agents Tim Anthony and Calvin Upton have announced they have joined to form Anthony Upton properties. A native Houstonian, Anthony began his real estate career with Karen Derr & Associates Realty specializing in the Heights and Montrose areas, while Calvin Upton brings to the table his attention to detail stemming from seven years of public accounting experience. Both were most recently with Martha Turner Properties prior to joining The Metropolitan KW team as Anthony Upton Properties. Anthony can be reached at 832/722-6901; Upton can be reached at 832/541-6274.

Operatic Contract Renewal. The board of directors of Houston Grand Opera Association, Inc., has announced it has extended Anthony Freud’s contract as general director and CEO through July 31, 2015. Freud, formerly the general director of Welsh National Opera (UK) took the chief leadership role at HGO in 2006. Among many accomplishments during his tenure, Freud created and implemented the company’s first comprehensive strategic and business plan, which is regarded as a blueprint for a 21st-century opera company. • hgo.org.

Big, New, and Green. In 2009, Houston Ballet broke ground for the Center for Dance, a new 115,000 square-foot facility located at 601 Preston Street at Smith Street in downtown Houston. The six-story building, at $53 million, is set for completion in early spring of 2011. Located across the street from Wortham Theater Center, the new building boasts nine dance studios, a dance laboratory that seats 200 for presentations as well as rehearsals, an on-site dormitory, and artistic, administrative, and support facilities for Houston Ballet and its academy. A sustainably green building designed by globally recognized architecture firm Gensler, it is the largest professional dance company facility of its kind constructed in the United States. • houstonballet.org.

New Burger Joint. The Counter Custom Built Burgers, a premium burger concept offering more than 300,000 possible combinations, opened its first Texas location in Houston on September 27. A 21st-century equivalent to the classic burger joint, The Counter is known for its industrial décor, music, and outstanding food in a laid-back family atmosphere. 4601 Washington Ave. • thecounterburger.com • 713/966-6123.

Boulevard Honors. During a meeting held on October 5, Bill Baldwin, broker/owner of Boulevard Realty, announced the company’s top five producers for the third quarter of 2010. Karen Derr, Ashton Martini, Cynthia Mullins, Sandra Gunn, and Robert Zahn took top sales honors. Derr, Martini, and Mullins work out of Boulevard’s Heights office, Gunn works out of the Rice Village office, and Zahn works in the Galveston office. • yourblvd.com.

Big, Bountiful Basket. Tim Wilde, president of Male Uwear, has announced the return of the store’s annual Big Basket holiday raffle. Customers may purchase raffle tickets for $1 each beginning November 1. “The Basket is always filled with lots of merchandise not just from Male Uwear, but many other community merchants,” Wilde says. Previous Big Baskets have been valued from $500 to $1,000. The drawing is scheduled mid-December. Benefits Bering Omega Community Services. 415 Westheimer Rd. • maleuwear.com.

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