You’ll miss it if you’re just driving by, but head up three flights of stairs (or hop in the elevator) and you’ll discover something unexpected at POST Houston.
Sitting atop the former Barbara Jordan Post Office is the largest rooftop park in the country, a five-acre green space that’s as innovative as it is beautiful.
SEE ALSO: Art Club at POST Houston to serve as visually stunning museum, nightlife destination
When Lovett Commercial took over the building four years ago, they set out to reimagine, not just the design of the building, but what Downtown Houston could be. Partnering with NASA, they have since designed an environmentally friendly building and then took it a step further by creating a living roof.
On Wednesday, I got my first look at POST Houston’s rooftop. The downtown views were stunning, but what really caught my attention was the roof itself. Instead of AC units and bare metal, I saw native Texas plants and trees in every direction. It’s a completely different way to think about what a roof can be.
You may have heard of the urban heat island effect, it’s the phenomenon where city centers, especially downtown areas, are noticeably hotter than their surrounding suburbs. That’s because buildings, roads, and energy use all trap and radiate heat, making some city cores as much as 8 degrees hotter.
So, how do we cool things down amid the notoriously intense Texas heat? Adding trees and water features helps, but there’s a growing movement to go even higher, literally, with green roofs or living roofs. These rooftop green spaces can lower surface air temperatures, improve air quality, and help reduce carbon emissions.
At POST Houston, for example, the rooftop temperature can be up to 4 degrees cooler than nearby buildings without greenery, demonstrating just how impactful a living roof can be in the fight against urban heat.
Skylawn – A Rooftop Park with a Purpose:
Once you step onto the roof, a winding path guides you through native Texas gardens. When we visited, they were preparing for an outdoor yoga class; just one example of how this space is being used creatively. Best of all, the rooftop is free and open to the public every day, closing only for special events.
Beyond the great views and relaxing atmosphere, there are real environmental benefits to having a green space like this downtown:
- Stormwater Management: When it rains, the soil and plants absorb water, helping reduce runoff and street flooding.
- Improved Insulation: The vegetation acts as natural insulation, lowering heating and cooling costs for the building below.
- Air Quality & Emissions: Green roofs help improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
- Urban Habitat: Native plants provide a much-needed habitat for birds and other wildlife in the heart of the city.
Skyfarm – Rooftop Organic Farm:
And speaking of habitats, POST Houston is also home to the largest rooftop farm in Texas, and one of the ten largest in the world. It’s called Skyfarm, and it’s a one-acre organic farm that thrives even in the sweltering Texas heat.
When we visited, downtown temperatures had climbed to 101°, but the crops were holding strong. That’s thanks in large part to August Stubler, the lead farmer, who manages this urban oasis with care and expertise.
Stubler isn’t planting for looks or aesthetics, though; it’s farming with purpose. At Skyfarm, August practices regenerative agriculture, a method that focuses on building healthy soil and planting not just for this season, but for seasons to come. The result? A vibrant farm with flavorful produce, and the smell alone makes you forget you’re downtown.
Stubler says the reaction from first-time visitors is often eye-opening.
“Some people have never seen a vegetable growing in the ground, much less pulled one out and eaten it,” he explained.
There are also unique challenges to farming on a rooftop. The soil used here isn’t your typical garden mix; it’s specially engineered to be lightweight, so it doesn’t overload the roof. That kind of detail matters, and for Stubler, seeing plants thrive in a place where most people would never think to grow them is incredibly rewarding.
Rooftop green spaces aren’t exactly new; more buildings across the country are starting to add them. But POST Houston takes it to another level with its sheer size and ambition. After all, everything’s bigger in Texas.
This is one of those places you really should see with your own eyes. If you find yourself downtown, I encourage you to stop by, especially on a Wednesday. That’s when Open Farm Days are held, with guided tours of the rooftop farm and fresh produce available, all grown right in the heart of Houston.
