{{Short description|Ismaili center in the United States}} The '''Ismaili Center Houston''' is the seventh Ismaili Centre worldwide, the first in the United States and the third in North America, after Vancouver and Toronto.
== Establishment == Aga Khan Foundation USA has owned the eleven-acre site since 2006.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2021/11/16/ismaili-center-design.html|title=Sneak peek: New details released on design of first-in-nation Ismaili cultural center|access-date=2021-11-24|website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> The establishment of an Ismaili Center was announced by His Highness the Aga Khan during his Golden Jubilee visit to the USA in 2008.
A design preview was held on November 15, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 November 2021|title=Press Release - ISMAILI CENTER TO BE HOUSTON'S NEWEST CULTURAL ASSET|url=https://the.ismaili/sites/default/files/ichdesignpreviewpress.pdf|website=The.Ismaili}}</ref> where architect Farshid Moussavi discussed the project with KTRK-TV’s Melanie Lawson.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Diane |date=2021-11-15 |title=Renderings show America's first Ismaili Center will be an architectural jewel for Houston |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/home-design/article/Ismaili-Center-Houston-Muslim-Islam-16622519.php |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 2025, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. announced that it was nearing completion of the 150,000-square-foot center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McCarthy Delivers Ismaili Center Houston, First of its Kind in US {{!}} Engineering News-Record |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/61441-mccarthy-delivers-ismaili-center-houston-first-of-its-kind-in-us |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=www.enr.com |language=en}}</ref> A topping out ceremony was held in October 2023 with Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mayor Sylvester Turner Celebrated at The Ismaili Center's Grand |url=https://www.kake.com/story/49897608/mayor-sylvester-turner-celebrated-at-the-ismaili-centers-grand-topping-out-ceremony-in-houston |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=www.kake.com |language=en}}</ref>
A grand dedication ceremony was held November 6, 2025. A crowd 500 guests was addressed by Mayor of Houston John Whitmire and Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. This marked the center's soft opening with full public access planned for December.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Houston’s Ismaili Center, the first in the U.S., holds opening ceremony| url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/religion/2025/11/06/535339/ismaili-center-houston-muslim-community-aga-khan-mayor-whitmire/ |access-date=November 10, 2025|website=www.houstonpublicmedia.org |language=en}}</ref>
== Architecture and design == Designed by London-based Farshid Moussavi Architecture,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Waite|first=Richard|date=2021-11-16|title=Farshid Moussavi reveals designs for Houston Ismaili Centre contest|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/farshid-moussavi-reveals-designs-for-houston-ismaili-centre-contest|access-date=2021-11-23|website=The Architects’ Journal|language=en}}</ref> the Center will be a contemporary interpretation of traditional Persian ornamentation,[2] including ceramic mosaics, and screens drawn from various Islamic traditions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 16, 2021|title=Plans announced for Houston to house America's first Ismaili Center|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/plans-announced-for-first-ismaili-center-in-us-houston/285-6f19d1ba-04ab-4d8d-a1e1-fe1de9b8d405|access-date=2021-11-23|website=khou.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The center’s façade will be a combination of different types of stone and steel encased in concrete. The building will feature a series of “eivans,” the Persian word for verandas, which will provide shaded venues for social gatherings at the center. The eivans will be supported by 49 columns reminiscent of those used in Persepolis and 17th century palaces in Isfahan, Persia.<ref name=":0" />
The 10 acres around the center will be transformed into lush gardens by Thomas Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.<ref name=":1" /> The gardens will include tree canopies, fountains, shaded footpaths, flowerbeds, lawns and walkways.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Glentzer 0|first=Molly|date=2021-11-23|title=Houston's Lush, Welcoming Ismaili Center Will Be a Spiritual Retreat for All|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/style/houston-lush-welcoming-ismaili-center-spiritual-retreat-for-all/|access-date=2021-11-24|website=Texas Monthly|language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * Islam in Houston
== References == <references /> {{Religion in Houston}}
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Category:Ismaili centres Category:Religious buildings and structures in Houston Category:Islam in Houston