An interior view of a modern, sleek bakery called 'Common Bond Bakery.' The bakery features a clean, minimalist design with white walls and marble countertops. Black metal arches and shelves hold various bakery items. Overhead lighting is subtle, contributing to the bright and spacious feel. The branding 'ARCHITANGENT' is visible in the bottom left corner, along with the words 'Architecture | Interiors | Branding.' A bold 'CASE STUDY' label in a pink box is positioned in the upper left corner

Case Study: Common Bond Expansion Across Houston

Case Studies
October 10, 2024•3 min read

Client:

Common Bond

Locations:

  • Common Bond Downtown (4865 SF, $532/SF)

  • Common Bond City Place (4332 SF, $417/SF)

  • Common Bond Heights (3600 SF, $250/SF)

The Challenge:

Common Bond had a vision: expand from their beloved Montrose location to reach all corners of Houston. But each area needed something a little different. They wanted consistency across the brand while making each space reflect the unique vibe of the local community. Enter Architangent.

Our Solution:

We rolled up our sleeves, did our homework, and crafted a game plan that checked all the boxes. The solution? A 3-tier architecture and interior design model that fit Common Bond’s various concepts:

  • Fast-casual Bistro for quick, quality bites.

  • Fine-dining Brasserie for the full-service, full-experience crowd.

  • Drive-thru for the grab-and-go pros.

But let’s break it down:

Common Bond Downtown

Location: Houston - Downtown
Completed: 2020
Size: 4865 SF
Contractor: Forney Construction

Downtown Houston needed a showstopper, so we pulled out all the stops. The Brasserie was the spotlight here: full-service dining, full bar, bakery counter, private dining room, outdoor patio—you name it, we designed it. This location needed to honor the original Montrose vibe while taking things up a notch. Our refreshed multi-colored palette, flexible seating, and sleek architecture turned this space into a breakfast-to-dinner hit. Whether grabbing a quick pastry or settling in for happy hour, the Downtown spot checks all the boxes.

Common Bond City Place

Location: Houston - Springwoods Village
Completed: 2020
Size: 4332 SF
Contractor: Forney Construction

For City Place, the goal was to create a fast-casual bistro that worked for busy professionals needing a quick meal or a place to unwind after a long day. The design here is all about versatility. We focused on making the space transition seamlessly from a lunch rush vibe to cocktail hour chic. The bar and lounge areas are welcoming, but with a casual twist—perfect for the after-work crowd. By keeping key elements from the Downtown location, like similar designs for the bar area, we created brand consistency while adapting to City Place’s unique environment.

Common Bond Heights

Location: Houston Heights
Completed: 2019
Size: 3600 SF
Contractor: Construction Concepts

The Heights had a little situation. The location was given to our team when it was half-built, but the existing design wasn’t working for Common Bond’s vision. So we stepped in  and took them back to the drawing board. We salvaged what we could from the prior team, ran a brand strategy session, and adapted the half-built space into something that felt, well, right. The Heights is all about community, and our design embraced that with a front-porch, relaxed vibe. Think raw wood trellises, patio-style furnishings, and dog-friendly outdoor dining. We also preserved the original concrete floors and overhead beams for that cool, industrial edge.

Key Outcomes:

  • A Unified Brand: Each location carries the Common Bond brand DNA, but with a twist to fit its neighborhood. From high-end dining to casual comfort, we delivered a model that’s adaptable yet cohesive.

  • Cost Efficiency: We managed to save almost $500K on interior build-out costs between Downtown and City Place, proving that a good design doesn’t have to break the bank.

  • Award-Winning Design: Our work earned top honors with the Paper City Design Award (2021) and the Houston Business Journal Landmark Award (2021)

  • Business Growth: After our prototype designs, Common Bond expanded across Houston and ultimately cashed out, selling this local chain and making their planned exit. We help business owners achieve their goals.

Why Architangent?

At Architangent, we’re not just about designing spaces. We create experiences. By blending architectural precision with interior magic, we made sure each Common Bond location stands out while staying true to the brand’s roots. And with over 80% repeat clients, we’re clearly doing something right.

Want to Chat?

Whether you’re expanding across the city or looking to revamp a single location, Architangent’s got your back. Reach out and let’s talk about how we can bring your brand to life—one brick, beam, and barstool at a time.



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