Houston Galleria
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the Galleria is a mixed-use urban development centrally located in the Uptown District of Houston, Texas, one of the largest business districts in the country, just outside the city's I-610 inner beltway. The shopping complex sits at one of the busiest road intersections in the country, Post Oak Boulevard at Westheimer Road. The Galleria consists of three office towers, two Westin hotels, and a private health club. Houston's Galleria was the original, in the sense that it was the first mall to combine an indoor shopping center with hotels and/or office towers.
History
The Galleria was developed by Gerald Hines in 1970. Modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, it originally had 600,000 ft² (56,000 m²) of retail space. The first expansion, called Galleria II and completed in 1976, added 360,000 ft² (33,000 m²) of retail space on two levels. Later added was the Galleria III (completed 1986), followed by the newest and biggest expansion completed in March 2003. This expansion added 2 department stores, a Nordstrom and flagship Foley's, as well as about 70 other stores, increasing the area to 2.4 million ft² (220,000 m²). Another 100,000 ft² (9,300 m²) of retail space, vacated by Lord & Taylor in 2005, is expected to be renovated by April 2006.
The Galleria is now the fifth-largest shopping complex in the United States, and considered to be one of the most prestigious malls in the country.
A recent boom of retail influx in the Galleria has sparked even greater tourism and a much greater interest of retailers and designers to purchase space in the shopping complex. Because of rising rental costs in the Galleria, the number and locations of stores is always changing. Currently, there are about 375.
Stores
Among the 375 stores in the Galleria are five anchor/department stores. These stores are: a flagship Foley's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Other stores in the Galleria include:
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The Galleria is home to many local upscale designers and boutiques, including Ala Moda, Brass Boot, Carroll Paris, De Gala, Grazia, Obecca, Sara Lasier, Velleriano Italy and many others. Surrounding the Galleria are other upscale shopping centers feauturing similar stores and local fashion houses: Fashion Centre, Uptown Collection, Uptown Park and Highland Village. Collectively, these shopping centers make up what is known nationally and internationally as the Galleria Shopping District; officially, this area is known as the Uptown District.
The Galleria also features a full-sized ice rink below a glass atrium. About 50 restaurants and specialty food stores at all prices and service points are located throughout the Galleria complex. Two Westin hotels are also located directly inside the Galleria, the Westin Galleria and the Westin Oaks.
The Galleria hosts over 20 million visitors a year.
External links
- the Galleria Directory (http://www.simon.com/mall/directory.aspx?ID=805&Sort=A)