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I remember our neighbohood as being on the poor side of middle class. This is where Sharp wound up living in 1949. There are also The former Sharpstown Center in Bellaire was transformed into a cultural center in 1961. However, by the mid-1990s, the mall began to decline due to competition from newer malls such as The Galleria. The mall remains open, but several stores and restaurants are closed or empty. This ensured that Sharpstown would be connected to the heart of Houston, and that deliveries to the new mall would also be reliable. Sharp planned a large zone of high rise condos north of Sharpstown mall, but only 3 towers were built and there is still really nothing to compare to them outside of the loop and uptown. Maybe that's it? When Frank Sharp built Sharpstown in the mid and late 50s, it was a suburb out in the country. It was all quite forward-thinking in 1955 when the project was launched. Sharpstown mall in the 80's was awesome. Sharpstown's revival, whenever it comes, will be one by default, at least at first. The shopping center has struggled since the late 1960s, when new malls began to open. [4][5] A 1970 Houston Chronicle article stated that Frank Sharp decided not to delay the opening; therefore the morale of Houstonians would be increased. These developments included countless new apartment complexes home to young professionals in Houston's energy industry, residential developments as far south as Missouri City, the construction of Houston Baptist University, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, numerous car dealerships, and a new studio complex for the city's NBC television affiliate, KPRC-TV and its sister radio station KPRC-AM. The mall has since been renovated and now includes a mix of retail, office, and residential space. As a publicity stunt, Sharp donated homes on Rowan street to the original 7 astronauts when NASA was located in Houston. WebPlazAmericas Mall 201 Sharpstown CtrHoustonTX77036 (713) 777-1111 Claim this business (713) 777-1111 Website More Directions Advertisement Photos See More Hours Adding a business to Yelp is always free. I grew up close byit has always astounded me that an area this close to town has escaped redevelopmentit would seem that with all of the low rent apartments, etc. "Just yesterday (Feb. 2), there were two major accidents, one at noon and the other at 2 p.m.," said Patel's father, Sam. Published in the May 2016 issue of At least one of those was used for PE when I went there. Ok, the interior might be awesome but what aboutmore, The corn cheese, kimchi fried rice (w spam) and soju blends (esp orange creamsicle and gummy bear) were all awesome. [9] In 1993, the mall underwent a $50 million renovation,[5] with the largest addition being a new ten-screen Cineplex Odeon movie theater. I didn't make any other notes but vaguely remember a pic of Sharp with a very young Welch looking over his shoulder. Man those were great times. Sharpstown Mall was Houston's first enclosed mall and Houston's first air conditioned mall (opened 1961). In the early 1960s, Sharp purchased 1,100 acres of land southwest of Houston with the intention of developing it into a master-planned community. As the Houston area grew rapidly over the next three decades, with Houston itself becoming the nation's fourth-largest city, numerous other developments throughout southwest Houston began to emerge. (I think that is called "Sharpstown Country Club Terrace") I really had a flashback when you mentioned the "Beatles" etched in the concrete at Pat Neff. By that I mean other areas will have to get too expensive, thus driving entry-level creative class buyers into Sharpstown to get the size, condition or style home they want. The area includes the Jewelry Exchange Center, a ten-story building. I *think* there were only two temporary buildings way back then. 509 Olive Way, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98101Phone: 713-862-4570 Fax: 713-862-4606, By SHarpstown is still a great placequiet and with many original residents still there. Southdale Shopping Center in Edina, Minnesota, is regarded as the first enclosed shopping center in the United States. This was in the 80's- way after Conquistador being the tallest building. Tom Estus, a shopping center broker of the Shelby/Estus Realty Group, said "It's a classic case of being passed up by newer, better malls. Get highlights, trending news, and behind-the-scenes insights from Houston Public Media delivered to your inbox each week. It only worked for a very short while, the doors which opened up on the hour to reveal various scenes stopped opening soon after it was installed and it then became a huge ugly clock. HOUSTON Do you remember the last time you went to your nearby shopping mall? Nick Patel, owner/manager of Collision Plus Inc. at 7628 Bellaire Blvd., located roughly 500 feet from the intersection, said since his family opened the business in 1992, they've seen a good number of accidents, rollovers and illegal turns. I also went to Strake Jesuit so I knew Bellaire before it became Chinatown West. 20, created by the city of Houston in 1999 and governed by the Authority. Anyone remember that? So in most cases Sharpstown comes in 3rd or 4th behind these other neighborhoods, at least for now. This was also known as the Gaylynn Terrace. Houston's independent source of Remember Sharpstown Mall? First air conditioned Mall in - Reddit My friends worked at His Place, Chick-fil-a, Foleys and the Oak Tree. Share with us in the comments below! Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated Valbona Health Center (formerly People's Health Center) in Greater Sharpstown for ZIP code 77074. The nearest public hospital is Ben Taub General Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. [15] The City of Houston instituted the current nine city council districts in 1979. Anyone know the history of the land that is across the street from Sharpstown mall where the Gillman Mitsubishi/Honda used to be before it moved out? Saw some movies at the Gaylen (sp?) WebBasically the Sharpstown mall used to be the most popular mall in Houston, regularly doing significantly more in sales than the Galleria. If anyone has any questions about Sharpstown, I'd be happy to answer them and I promise to visit the site more often to do so. I used to drool over the R/C cars they had for $120 (a lot of money in 1985 & and fortune for a kid). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Don't know their names. These are the best restaurants with outdoor seating near Houston, TX: People also liked: restaurants for lunch, vegan friendly restaurants. Amenities: (713) 777-5391 Visit Website Map & Directions 7500 Bellaire Blvd Ste 201Houston, TX 77036 Write It can not be much longer before there are some massive bulldozes going on and redevelopment to start happening. [23] But on December 21, 2018, Houston-based Baker Katz LLC, would purchase the main portion of the mall,[24] as the anchors have different owners. 713.777.1111 info@plazamericas.com 201 7118 Bellaire Blvd. [5] The loss of Montgomery Ward would leave Foley's as the mall's only remaining anchor tenant, if not the only remaining original tenant from the mall's 1961 opening. We used to just look at it when we drove by because it was sooooo big! I definately remember the drive in. [17] Mere days after the Macy's announcement, on January 9, 2008, Finger Furniture announced that it would also be closing its Sharpstown location. Generous parrillada platters, crave-worthy, spicy salsas, and a quick-and-easy drive-thru have made the restaurant a dependable favorite in southwest Houston for years. Houstonia Magazine Worked there for a few years during the early 80's. I would agree with the Valley Girl type reference in that it was a very hip teen place to hang out back then. local news and culture, Chris Lane Sharpstown Mall opened in 1961 as the first air-conditioned shopping mall in Houston. [21] Signs indicating the renaming appeared by January 29, 2010. I went to the mall under 5 times since those days and been sort of let down each time because it's just not the same. Weekend evenings, the place turns into a dance club and bar. What are the best restaurants with outdoor seating? We should call the area around St. Francis, the Oaks of Bellaire or something Case in point, the chron's this week section online titles the section that includes sharpstown as Alief and swhouston. The former bank building would later become home to the Jewelry Exchange Center, with three "motor bank" drive-throughs in the middle of the front parking lot as the only present-day reminder of the former bank. The mall was expanded in 1971 with the addition of a two-level JCPenney store. As 2000 dawned, a New York investment group named Sharpstown Center Associates owned the mall. When Sharpstown's potential customers who had disposable incomes left because of problems, the replacement low income families and thugs had much less money to spend. A very eclectic mix. The video has gathered over 80,000 views, with viewers flooding the comments It was built in Sharpstown Industrial Park Section 12.[3]. I so wish I could go back in time, get in a car and drive around Houston. Don't know how and why Sharptown High School was located all the way up on Bissonnet. The mall is located on the northwest corner of Interstate 69/U.S. The Sharpstown area has changed a great deal over the decades since its creation, and those changes reflect the way Houston has continued to evolve, a city constantly in motion. I grew up at Greenspoint Mall! Its opening in September 1956 made it the first regional mall in the Houston area, and many people consider it to be the first air conditioned mall in the country. What was Sharpstown mall like before it was torn down? I shopped there for parts around early 2003 when they were in their final days there. Back then the mall was named Sharpstown Center, and offered shoppers perks such as air-conditioning, something that was not standard at the time. We could see it from our house at night. Houston police responded and confronted the suspect in the food court. Before you head out to stroll the mall, grab a fruit-filled popsicle from this rainbow-hued dessert bar near the entrance to the PlazAmericas food courtif you can choose just one from among the dozens of flavors in the frosty case. The video has gathered over 80,000 views, with viewers flooding the comments section with their memories. They were new. It is true that sometimes transitional neighborhoods are like bad drunks, they have to hit rock bottom before they want to go into rehab! Burlington Coat Factory would move from an adjacent shopping center to fill the former Montgomery Ward space. For people in the $125,000 to $175,000 price bracket, there are other options that a lot of people will find more attractive than Sharpstown. Yep, don't remember Mrs Moore. Much of Bellaire's early boom was from people priced out of West U. I'm sure that isn't everybody, but a good share. [14] Further cementing its status amongst its newfound "urban" clientele, on October 20, 2007, local hip hop radio station KPTY, owned by Univision (whose studio complex is located near the Galleria), opened a broadcast studio called Studio 104.9 where the station broadcast on a regular basis. The building is now used as a charter school. The mall remains open, but several stores and restaurants are closed or empty. "They will improve access to the whole area, and set the tone for the area as a gateway," Schiller said. #ItsOpen Do you have any favorite memories of this place? There is no way for people to bleed over to the Sharpstown area when they start looking at homes in other places. We're in the process of transitioning services for our Today in Houston newsletter. I told her she really frightened me as a child and she said, "How else do you think I kept all those kids in line?" The Best 10 Restaurants near Sharpstown, Houston, TX - Yelp Modernceo, building. Dude across the street from us was huge--maybe 400 pounds- and only drove Mini Coopers. There is no definitive answer to this question as opinions will vary depending on who you ask. The 10 Best And Most Controversial Hustler Magazine Covers Ever (NSFW), Top 5 Sickest Stephen King Sex Scenes (NSFW). The unidentified man gained control of Adams' gun and shot the officer, Finner said. Galleria was too upscale. I have to admit that felt awesome that we were still talked about! Thanks for the photos MaxConcrete! Man those were great times. I was born and raised in Sharpstown, SHS class of '85. I could be completely wrong, but I'm just pondering out loud. I'm not sure I spelled it correctly. (only the trees are bigger and there wasn't a fence around Landsdale Park). Where to Eat Right Now in Sharpstown | Houstonia Magazine You guys have brought back so much memories for me while living in sharpstown back in the 80's- neff, sharpstown middle, sharpstown mall, the theater next door, astroworld, fame city and so much. Every-time lunch or dinner it does not disappoint. It was the mall of malls to be at as a teen back then and it was very racially and culturally diversified just like our city, which made it very cool. Don't know which theater was at W. Bellfort & Fondren. Powered by Invision Community. And loved going to God Father's Pizza in the same strip mall as Safeway. It was Houston's answer to New York's Levittown and was touted as the "World's largest residential development." 20, said the pilot project will set the tone for roadway improvements to rival those in the downtown and Galleria areas. This isn't a slam on Sharpstown, a lot of great neighborhoods benefit from some level of default factor. I grew up there and stayed after the decline. Contact Us. Consider These Factors, Bayside Mall: A Popular Shopping Destination In Toronto, The Pros And Cons Of Teen Curfews In Shopping Malls, The Americana At Brand A Luxury Shopping Mall In Los Angeles To Close Its Doors, The Importance Of The Quinceanera Dress And Mass, As Electric Cars Become More Popular Free Charging Stations Are Popping Up Across The Country, The Fashion District: A New Shopping Mall In Philadelphia. If I remember correctly we had 635 graduates that year. A neighborhood staple since the area was anchored by the still-new Sharpstown Mall, this friendly taqueria has even retained the same colorful dcor over the decades. The mall is known for its popular AMC Neshaminy 24, which is counted among the top theaters in North America. (Section 4?) Whats the biggest shopping mall in Houston? IN BUSINESS. Finally, Sharpstown also had to compete with a redeveloped Meyerland Plaza, whose remodeled JCPenney location would serve as an anchor for the reborn shopping center. I was always impressed by the mica imbed into the top layer of the paving around the entrance that sparkled like a million glittering diamonds at night under the flood lights. The noodles were perfectly cooked, mandu(steamed dumplings) were juicy.more, SeafoodCajun/CreoleChicken Wings$$Braeburn, You can get seafood anywhere in Houston. The original anchor stores were Weingartens, Foleys, and Palais Royal. What are the best vegan friendly restaurants? If you need help with the Public File, call (713) 778-4745. Lately, Lucio has focused his reporting primarily on public safety and criminal justice Let the Houston Public Media newsroom help you start your day. Jocelyn Kerr. The area is too convenient to 59 to remain in decline forever. prominent middle to upper middle class? Since opening its doors in 1985, the Galleria has become a focal point of Houstons downtown. The mall was two stories, featuring a food court. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Draloc, Inc. I have very vivid memories of Sharpstown Mall. I met my wife there. It is also difficult, for existing businesses to prosper in areas that have poor public infrastructures. Two decades of growth have taken a family, who immigrated to America, from a small space in Sharpstown to a high-profile spot in The Galleria. Timbergrove and Meyerland? Lindale Park still offers an inner-loop location & quaint architecture in that range. The oblong corn masa cakes at this PlazAmericas favorite come topped with everything from pork al pastor to beef fajitas, plus plenty of toppings: radishes, queso fresco, crema, tomatoes and crispy lettuce. Saw some movies at the Gaylen (sp?) Every weekend I drive past Pat Neff Elem. But I arrived right on the brink of change. Sharpstown jeweler shutters store after 24 years YEARS. Sharpstown Mall-Houston TX-Sharpstown - Neighborhood Link I remember that Sinclair station too, did you notice the price in the color picture was 24 cents/gallon? Does anybody remember a grocery store near Fondren and Bissonett called Sacco Bros.? Oak Forest - 1147a, west of Garden Oaks, 4780 houses, 'homes for veterans in the $6700 price range,' construction was due to start in a couple of weeks. The chain Antone's pale in comparison to the original locations. When Sharpstown Center opened, it was located on the edge of Houston's southwest suburbs. Back then, their electronics section was the bomb. Sharpstown Mall is a regional shopping mall located in southwest Houston, Texas, United States. Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved. I'm SHS class of 1990. The remains of the bank are three drive-throughs in the middle of the front parking lot that are still standing to this day. It was there at least during my time there from 79 to 81. Good Time Charlie's was the place to be. These shifts in the higher end retail environment have left Sharpstown, and similar centers, behind. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. WebSharpstown Sections 1, 1A, 2, 3, and 5 form the original sections of Sharpstown. I'm waiting, too. Historic Houston Restaurants - Historic Houston - HAIF The Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority announced Tuesday that a contractor will be selected from two bidders - Jerdon Construction of Stafford and Reytec Construction Resources Inc. of Houston - to complete intersection improvements at Bellaire Boulevard at Fondren Road. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, The Unsettling Reality Of Fitting Room Cameras In Malls, The Daraz Mall: A Popular Shopping Destination In The Heart Of The City, Different Ways To Get To Ontario Mills Mall, Yorkdale Shopping Centre: Torontos Premier Retail Destination, Is Your Shop In A Mall Profitable? Man, that would make a great movie! Did anybody see this article in the Chronicle last month? (Elsik class of 85). Your subscription will be migrated over. On the east side of 59, there was a doctor's office on DeMoss. Full Member. If you'd like to sign up now, fill out the form below and we will add you as soon as we finish the transition. Go my first Honda from Gillman Honda when they were in the small showroom in the corner. [citation needed] Sharp would also place a time capsule in the cornerstone of the mall.[7]. Churros y Crepesis conveniently located right next to Huaraches La Villa in the PlazAmericas food court, so save room for dessert. Wow! Sharpstown was an up and coming I don't even know how many 'original' stores exist. It would be fitting to renovate it into Houston's first mall with a retractable roof. The place has changedand then againhas not.and that is good. I lived in the sharpstown area for a while when I was younger though. The service and the presentation of the food are spectacular. Home construction 1965. When I lived there beginning in 1969, Sharpstown had 3 sections referred to as Sharpstown 1 (Bintliff east area, Sutton Elem., Jane Long Jr. High), Sharpstown2 (Sandpiper to SW Freeway), and Sharpstown 3(West side of SW Freeway, Mary Bates area, Pat Neff Elem., Sharptown Jr. High. Wow - thanks for all those photos. Sharpstown is a neighborhood in southwest Houston, Texas, United States. Greater Sharpstown has evolved over the years into three distinct corridors: Chinatown, Little India and the area now anchored by the PlazAmericas Mall (formerly Sharpstown Mall). I remember when the SW Freeway was not even built and Sharpstown mall was "THE PLACE" to be. Since I lived across from the school, I recall watching all the kids with beards, long hair, hippies I tell ya! Mall By February 1989, Sharpstown Mall was 97% occupied, making it the mall with the highest percentage of occupied space in the Houston area. [2] The anchor stores are Burlington, SuperNova Furniture, America Cinemas, La Sorella, Gold Factory & Imports, and Clarewood Supermercado. The service from both our server and the bartender were also really good. Class of '83 ROCKS! Case opinion for TX Court of Appeals EWB LLC v. PLAZAMERICAS MALL TEXAS LLC SHARPSTOWN MALL TEXAS LLC BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY REALTY OF BELLAIRE INC MAI MATTHEW INC CCW LLC SMITH FLP LTD AND LG SHARPSTOWN BELLAIRE LLC. Route 59 and Bellaire Boulevard. Posted December 6, 2008. Signs posted before the intersection indicate this. Not dead enough? But, since most of the homes were custom built there the housing stock just has a better quality fit & finish in the details than what they see in Sharpstown. If they had demolished the whole parcel of land and built 1950s era type single family homes it would have been better than just have the area decline so much and attract stuff like gang activity and such. Hanging out at the arcade was the best one!, Used to work across the road at Exxon as a student, said Brooke Dousey Mullins, another KPRC 2 viewer. Steve Pittman, communications director for the Authority and the Sharpstown Economic Development Authority, said construction should begin in March. This spot used to be a James Coney Island, but its days of serving hot dogs are long over. Ultimately, whether or not Sharpstown is a good area is up to the individual. To alleviate flooding along Fondren, Pittman said 36-inch and 42-inch drainage lines under Bellaire Boulevard will be replaced with 60-inch pipes, which will run west to a drainage ditch that runs parallel to Fondren. I remember before. Chris Lane September 29, 2016 9:00AM. Attending a movie would be special again if there was a theatre like this to see it in. According to Houston Police Department data, the intersection was listed among the city's Top 50 Accident Locations from Jan. 1-March 31, 2005. WebPlazAmericas, formerly known as Sharpstown Mall and earlier Sharpstown Center, is a shopping mall located in the Sharpstown development in Greater Sharpstown, Houston, The man in "station 7" is wearing an Arco shirt. Worked at the mall for many years, from the food court to sunglasses then jewelry it was the best time and great friends, said Tawanna Bateman. Pennsylvania I really hope it brings some life back to good ole Sharpstown! Seems the in thing now is going back to the open air mall style a la Meyerland and Gulfgate. This is the third mall to be built in Houston after Gulfgate Mall opened in 1956 and Meyerland Plaza in 1957, but the first fully air-conditioned mall in Houston. I was just a little kid, but I remember seeing those "wierdos" at the school. In 2006 the Houston Press alternative weekly newspaper awarded Sharpstown Center "Best Hip-hop Mall,"[13] and Sharpstown began to bill itself as "Houston's Premiere Urban Mall" on its website. The Grandview Avenue Shopping Center in Ohio opened in 1928, followed by the Highland Park Shopping Village in Texas in 1931. I will post a link this evening. Fred Schiller, general partner of Arena Place, which encompasses two, 20-story office towers, the Arena Theatre and a nine-story parking garage at 7322, 7324 and 7326 Southwest Freeway, said the improvements will have a major impact. Feeling nostalgic, Houston? This is what Greenspoint Mall looks Sharpstown may or may not deserve it, but it does have more of an image problem. Copyright 2023 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. Frank Sharp was concerned about easy transport between downtown Houston and his new neighborhood development, so he donated land to the state of Texas, which became the Southwest Freeway. Whatever you ordergordita, pupusa or tacoget it filled with the signature trompo: strips of tangy-sweet achiote-flavored pork with crispy, griddled edges. Finner says the suspect had a sharp object and came at the officers, who then opened Are these SPEC home or high end CUSTOM homes? Guess it's closed now. You can still see the original 1955 plaque for the time capsule at Sharpstown Park at Bellaire and Mary Bates. haha Does anyone remember that radio control/model train/hobby shop that used to be on the 1st floor close to the Ward's? Old "Sharp" himself may have even donated the land for this purphose ?? I live in Westbury and have seen some homes pop up near here that are part of this disturbing trend to ruin the vintage look. Get me a coke!". I remember all that same stuff. You had to have had a permission slip from your parents in order to smoke there (not that anyone checked). I've been so busy with my new job (project managing luxury home construction and loving it) that I haven't been able to visit much. I think that is Mr. Terhune - who I remember fondly from my parent's Sunday School class. Westwood Mall The aforementioned crime issues also continued to take their toll on Sharpstown Center, as the crime rate in the area surrounding the mall increased in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to white flight and urban decay. When it was first built in 1956, it was known as Gulfgate Shopping Center. Katharine Shilcutt I used to think that elevator right in front of the arcade was the most awesome thing in the world. Hmmm. a car that could go back in time!! I went to Neff's 40th birthday party and saw some of the old teachers and Mr. Martinand the first principal who was probably gone before you got thereMrs. Moore. Oh for it to be 1982 and a teen again - except with all the income and knowledge I have now. It said that ''After nearly 40 years of serving you in Sharpstown, the Finnger Furniture Company is closing our Sharpstown Mall location''. "[5] First Colony would also eventually seal the fate of Westwood Mall, which closed in 1998 and converted to a technology-focused office center, and eventually would impact West Oaks Mall as well. Ok guys.I am 42. Houston is now a top business, biomedical, and entertainment center in the United States. I grew up mainly in Alief. assessments on property that is within the city or within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The neighborhoods are among some of the most beautiful in Houston (when you get off the main streets). Sharp was president of the Home Builders Association that year and often in news stories about the housing shortage for veterans and shortage of materials for home building. In the 1970s, the mall was expanded to include a fourth anchor, JCPenney. The area is also known as the Texas Gulf Coasts cultural and economic heart. 20, created by the city of Houston in 1999 and governed by the Authority. I have yet to go to the South Park location so this new location on 59 andmore, What a great find. I see the "Conquistador." Glad to hear Mr. Martin is still around. Samir Dharia moved to Houston from New York in 1985. I hear of how Sharpstown used to be a prominent middle-to-upper middle class area similar to such areas as Timbergrove and Meyerland back in the 60s and would be interested to hear of its history. Anyone know where I can find some? My dad's friend, Mr. San Miguel was the owner or manager there. Man, Winchel's was the best! 509 Olive Way, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98101, Greater Sharpstown has evolved over the years, Daves Hot Chicken Has The Best of Both Worlds, Celebrity-Backed Chicken Spot Opens in the Houston Area, The Wide World of International Spicy Cuisine, What We're Ordering Out This Week: Falling Back in Love with Ethiopian Food.

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