Houston Chronicle Announces Relocation and Renovation Plans

HOUSTON, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Chronicle Media Group, publisher of the Houston Chronicle, La Voz, Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com, announced today that it intends to begin the process to relocate its workforce to a state-of-the-art campus in Southwest Houston.

As part of this process, the company will solicit bid requests for architectural and engineering services for its future campus.  In addition, it will be exploring alternatives for its downtown facility.

"We are excited about creating a state-of-the-art media facility as part of the Houston cityscape," said Paul Barbetta, EVP and Chief Operating Officer at Houston Chronicle Media Group.  "As we have changed with the industry, we feel a facility housing all employees across our diverse capabilities, including print, digital media and agency consulting services will allow us to better serve our readers and advertisers."

The Houston Chronicle Media Group, which is owned by the Hearst Corporation, will transform a 21-acre site on the southeast intersection of Loop 610 and the Southwest Freeway.  The building complex, totaling more than 440,000 square feet, originally housed the Houston Post and today is home for the Houston Chronicle's press operations, distribution, circulation and local sales teams.

"Our goal is not only to have the finest technology in place for our clients and employees, but to have a workplace that is recognized as a destination for the country's top talent," said Barbetta, who added that a portion of the newsroom will remain in downtown Houston to support local coverage of business and government.

The Houston Chronicle, the largest newspaper in Texas and the nation's sixth-largest newspaper, has evolved into a multi-media company producing a portfolio of print and online products serving the diverse audiences within Houston, in English and Spanish.

As part of its core product portfolio, Houston Chronicle Media Group (HCMG) creates unique community and Hispanic experiences through its Community Extra publications, serving eleven distinct areas in and around Houston, and La Voz, serving as a key source of local news for Houston Hispanics.  In addition to its core product portfolio, HCMG reaches key Houston growth audiences with specialized publications including HealthZone, bringing comprehensive health technology news to the healthcare industry monthly and FuelFix, a daily news gathering organization and publication providing analysis and perspective to the energy sector.

Contact:
Pam Kehoe | Houston Chronicle | 713.362.6038| [email protected]

The Houston Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Corporation. Follow the Houston Chronicle on Twitter at @Houstonchron

About Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. Apart from its newspapers, Hearst's major interests include hundreds of magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, HISTORY and ESPN; significant holdings in automotive, electronic and medical/pharmaceutical business information companies; a 50 percent stake in global ratings agency Fitch Group; Internet and marketing services businesses; television production; newspaper features distribution; and real estate.

SOURCE Houston Chronicle