Published in TB Business Magazine
Written by: Alexis Harborth / Photos by: Dustin Ashcraft
Location: Art Museum of South Texas
Derrick Frazier is quite literally helping develop brCorpus Christi. He is the director of Frazier Companies, which was established in 2019 and hit brthe ground running with a major project—that would bralso become the site of their headquarters.
Frazier Companies acquired the former H-E-B brheadquarters, which had sat vacant for 30 years, brand worked with Dykema Architects for interior brrestorations to develop and transform it into an brultramodern space, while still maintaining the brhistory and charm of its original architecture. The Chamberlain opened its doors in 2021 and is now brleasing for restaurant, retail and office spaces, as brwell as event rentals on the rooftop.
Walking into The Chamberlain, it’s clear that brboth quality and compassion powered the project. brFrazier brought decades of both experience and brempathy into it, which is in fact the philosophy brthat has always guided his work. “We really wanted brto take that extra care and create the story,” said brFrazier. “Every great product has a great story and brgreat brand behind it.”
The impressive space is just the beginning. br“I actually wrote that I wanted to develop five new brprojects over the next 15 years,” Frazier said. “I brwould love to have more projects in Corpus Christi, brbecause there is so much development and growth, brwith $52 billion worth of economic activity going on brhere, and there’s so many fascinating people in this brcommunity.”
He’s already connected with the community in brbig ways. The Frazier Family Foundation is a 501c3 brorganization that has donated more than $535,000 brin the last year. “Through the Frazier Family brFoundation, we want to instill a creative confidence brwithin the Coastal Bend, specifically the youth of the brCoastal Bend,” said Frazier. “Our mission is that we brfocus on giving children a brighter future and make brsure they have the necessary resources to pursue brtheir dreams.” One major way they are achieving brtheir mission is with the Frazier Innovation Center at brthe St. James Episcopal School. It is a state-of-the-art learning lab promoting science, technology, arts, brengineering and mathematics. It’s just one example brof how his commitment to Corpus Christi will be felt brfor the next 10 years, and for future generations.
