Jack's Cafe
Houston Zoo
Houston, Texas
Jack's Cafe
Jack’s Cafe offers a mix of culinary delights, scenic views, and sustainable design. The mass timber structure is located in the Zoo’s newly renovated, main entry plaza replacing the former sea lion exhibit after their recent move to the Galápagos Islands exhibit in 2023. The café will serve guests from 2,375 SF of food service space and 5,873 SF of outdoor seating, restrooms, and a mother’s room - ideal for families and casual dining. The second floor includes a 5,305 SF event venue with views of the Galápagos Islands exhibit and Reflection Pool. The event hall and outdoor terrace are ideal for hosting large meetings and private events. Its indoor-outdoor layout provides a beautiful setting for celebrating special occasions amid nature.
Aligned with the Zoo’s sustainability mission, the building uses sustainably-harvested timber, an 18,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system to irrigate the adjacent landscape, energy efficient HVAC and lighting, and bird-friendly daylighting glass, all reducing environmental impact and achieving LEED Gold certification.
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