HOUSTON—West Ave is one of the newest streets in Houston.

Come next fall, the mixed-use development along the avenue that shares its name will resemble a city within a city.

Nearly 400 apartments will sit above two levels of retail stores and restaurant.

There will be room for about 50 to 60 retail tenants.

Right now, there are about seven commitments, but developers hope to be 90 percent full when it opens next year – all this despite the current economic crisis.

“Obviously, 2009 will be a more difficult year for everyone. The economy is a different place. We’re happy to be building. We have an advantage there in that we have our construction financing in place. We’re getting good response from the retailers given that we have something to show,” Ben Pisklak of Gables Residential said.

The plans include many popular eateries and bars from out of town.

Swig, a martini bar out of San Antonio, is slated to open there, as well as Cru, a wine bar out of Dallas.

And that’s not all.

Design Source, a furniture store, is also set to join the development.

Developers said Wildfish, a seafood restaurant out of Scottsdale, will take one of the prime spots facing Westheimer.

Though most of the retail stores won’t open until next fall, those who would like to call West Ave home can do so in January, when the residential part of the project is slated for completion.