A Houstonian Former CBRE VP launches new co-working company.

The 10,000-square-foot co-working space will open in December. The space also includes eight private office spaces that were previously apartments in the property. The 280-unit Ascension is expected to begin opening in December, as well, and will continue to open in phases over the next four months, Hightower told the HBJ.

"I love entrepreneurs," Hightower said. "We want to give into the city and the broader needs to build into the ecosystem of the startup community."

The property is owned by PRD Inc., but Workflourish will manage both the co-working space and apartment complex, Hightower said. PRD is a significant equity partner in the deal. The property is PRD's first multifamily project.

Workflourish has an application process to be admitted, but it does not take equity in the companies it accepts. At capacity, Workflourish will be able to hold about 70 members, Hightower said.

Workflourish's first location hopes to be a proof of concept for a larger strategy to develop co-working spaces in other parts of Houston and other cities around the country. Members would be able to use other Workflourish locations as they travel, and there's even the possibility of using multifamily units as short-term housing for traveling members, Hightower said.

"In every instance, it's going to be contextualized based on the real estate, community and location we're looking at," Hightower said.

Prior to joining CBRE, Hightower worked for Parkway Properties and Ridge Property Trust. He served as an officer in the United States Air Force and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy.

A former CBRE Group Inc. (NYSE: CBG) vice president is betting on the rising trend of co-working in Houston and has started his own company designed to bring entrepreneurs together.

Trevor Hightower, formerly a vice president in CBRE's tenant advisory and transaction services, has founded WorkFlourish, a management company built to develop co-working space in combination with hospitality or residential space. Launched in October, Workflourish's first location is at the Ascension on the Bayou, a new multifamily project just south of CityCentre, Hightower said