djrage

Gulfgate and Almeda Mall were the most memorable during Christmas time but that's probably the case with most malls.  It's kind of scary but I still have dreams about the Joskes Department Store with those pickle green tiles and it's three floor levels.  Does anyone remember the Walgreens with the cafeteria inside.  Now this is really going back, but does anyone remeber the Fed Mart across from Gulfgate Mall.  Presently the Lowes Home Improvement Store is there. 

Anyone have any other pics?  I'm waxing nostalgic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Awesome pictures. I remember passing the Carrousel many times as a kid in the back of my parents car getting on and off of 45 from Reveille. Is it me or did the Carrousel building stand longer than the motel. I seem to remember it being there alone and in use for a short period. Then one day it was gone.

I remember Fed Mart. I was there one afternoon after school shopping with my mom and a really bad storm came through while we were there. We were at the checkout lanes then suddenly the lights went out, I heard people scream and the sliding doors flew open. I remember as I looked toward the doors there was a guy walking out and seeing him as if he were trying to keep his balance and hold on to his bags. You could see the trees across the parking lot just swaying like crazy and the rain blowing every which way. He runs back in and yells "Its a tornado!". Everyone around hits the floor. Very scary. I must have been about 9 or 10 when that happened.

I believe that was Victoria Station. Their specialty was prime rib.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow. I always wondered what that building used to be. The first time I went there when it was Club 6400. The exterior reminded me of a Red Lobster. Well I was right in thinking of it as a restaurant. Thanks for that info.

About when was it Victoria Station and when after was that building used as a nightclub? I know it was Fizz then Hippos and soon after it became 6400. Anyone know where I can get pictures of this place as a restaurant and a nightclub? I've been searching for pictures of this place as Club 6400 online and cannot find anything. Why is that? Any help is greatly appreciated.

700 block of Polk at Louisiana.  Across from the Hyatt.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh! I did not know that... and thats the one I said I'd been eyeing.

That's the old Sheraton building (just about my favorite downtown).  It was definitely "squattable" at one point - I made it in a couple times - but now there's not much left of the interior except the floor plates and steel frame.  The one at San Jacinto and Walker must be the Melrose Building.  Squatterkid if you're going for height can you try the old Holiday Inn?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where exactly is the old Sheraton bldg?

It can be very hard to figure out which buildings are empty and which ones aren't, especially in Houston. Reason being that oftentimes the street level retail shops are open, while the residential/office building upstairs has been closed for years. I do believe I know the building you're speaking of on San Jacinto at Walker. Haven't been in there yet, but it does intrigue me.

A good case in point for my above interjection is the building that's directly across Louisianna from the Hyatt Regency. The northside of the building is a very busy parking garage, while the southside is (I'm guessing from the remnants of a sign) the old Houston Chronicle offices.

See, I'm involved in this little informal contest to squat the tallest building possible. I'm still the winner with the Savoy at 17 stories, but I need to beat my own record.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh yes, thats another one I've been eyeing lately. I pass right by that one some mornings on the bus and have seen all of the activity in the parking garage. It looks like the ground floor is in use on that one. Maybe just the people working the garage have access to it.

I just found this forum today. This is so cool. I thought I was the only one with a curiosity about old and abandoned buildings. This started for me with the Rice Hotel. You guys have posted about 2 buildings that I have wondered about over the last few years. The Central Bank Building and The Savoy. I have always wanted to see the inside of these two buildings and to find that the Savoy is still furnished, has running electricity and the phones are still working is mind blowing. I too have seen the chandelier through that broken window and wondered what was inside. I vaguely remember the Savoy being open. I've been in the Central Bank bldg back in 94 when my wife was attending some clerical training school there. One afternoon while waiting for her to get out I decided to do some exploring. I wanted to know what was up in that penthouse suite. I might have known that KKBQs old studios were once there and wanted to see if anything might still be there. I almost made it there, I had made it near the the top of the stairwell but started to get an erie feeling so I left. Funny to find out that place is haunted. Ooh but I was so close. I've wanted to go back ever since. Squatterkid you are too cool. I could never have the nuts to try entering an old building but man I'd love to. Everytime I'm on the pierce elevated I look at that old clock on the Central Bank bldg and wondered if it still worked and if there would ever be a day that we would see it on again. Its cool that you've actually tried to turn it on. Others I'd like to see is one that sits I want to say at the corner of Walker and San Jacinto, also the one that sits above the old Palais Royal on Main and McKinney. Looking up through a window of that one you could see what looked like wood office cubicles, very early 80s looking. I think something went on in there recently because I havent seen them there lately. Have you seen any of those buildings?

So many thoughts and questions going through my head right now about this subject I want to post but I think I'll stop here. This is too cool.