Search the Community

I recall a demo permit for this property a while back. Architect - https://www.georgeallencole.com

I always see the infamous Nitya Tower while driving on 59. Today I stopped by for a closer look. I do like the outside tenant signage structure. Good use of materials. Leasing is done by Texas Overland. The building has some cool lights on the exterior facade.

I've always seen this beautiful brick building while driving on the feeder of 59. I stopped by for a closer look. Looks like the building is dedicated with Jesse H. Jones Memorial American Red Cross Building

I've always wondered about the business Bar2200. Anyone ever been? Looks kind of gaudy. The office tower has building signage for the Mattioli Lasik Vision of Mattioli Vision Professionals by IQ Laser Vision. Took these photos today.

Taking over the old pharmacy building next to the Morning Star Senior Living apartments. Architect - https://trendarchitects.com

I haven't been to Chuy's in a while. My father and I used to come here on our weekly meetups. What does everyone think about the food here at Chuy's? I think the chips are a little too think and broken. I'm not a fan of their house salsa either, I don't like that salsa fresca. I prefer other types of salsa like a ranchero or habanero salsa. Malina's in Bellaire (or Southside Place) has a unique salsa. One of their house salsa has vinegar, or pickle juice added. It's a little tangy! Does anyone else think Chuy's needs a parking garage? Their surface lot is considerably small for the amount of business they bring. Since the pandemic, they also took some of the surface lot for to-go orders. Looking on Google Maps, there is a lot of space. However, it's kind of extravagant to build a garage for a restaurant. I believe, in due time, this parcel will be combined with the retail parcel to the left and sold for high-rise development. It's a lot of space in a high valued area, and single-story buildings will be phased out.

There's that small retail center near Lamar High School that's located at 2802 Westheimer Road. In between River Oaks and Upper Kirby. Old Loopnet listing: https://www.loopnet.com/property/2802-westheimer-rd-houston-tx-77098/48201-0121150000018/ How is that fancy restaurant called Relish? It's been there forever but I never tried it. https://www.relishhouston.com/

I didn't see a thread about this cool, 1950s, office building designed by Neuhaus & Taylor. Thought I would share information. Only a matter of time until it's demolished for something more modern. Also a Gerald Hines building! Very cool.

Architect - https://parradesigngroup.com

Noticed this matchbook recently and wondered about the business. Does anyone remember this store? I assume it was active in the 1960s. Looks to be where the current Robert's Carpet is, across the street from Shops at Arrive River Oaks. Et Cetera Wallpaper 3404 Kirby Drive Houston, Texas JA 3-6202 / JA 3-6424 Et Cetera * Wallpapers * Vinyls * Burlap * Grass cloth * Wall frabrics * Screens & Dividers * Silks

I recall seeing the city permits for this a while back.

I was looking on Worthpoint for historical Houston items and came across this cool club. The club was called Roulette Club located 3701 Kirby Drive. Very cool, because I've never seen the original facade! Anyone know the date to this? I'd say 1970s?

I was reading the newspaper Jewish Herald-Voice dated August 18, 1977 and came across a business advertisement for Harrigan's Restaurant located at 2702 Kirby Drive. Does anyone recall this place? 1977 was actually present resent. I assume someone on HAIF went here to eat. I've never heard about the restaurant until today! Great Things Happen at Harrigan's- Great Foods Great Service Great Evenings Harrigan's -The Funtasmagoria Place- 2702 Kirby Drive (½ Block South of Westheimer) Reservations 524-4611

wow!! I can't believe a car lot once occupied the infamous Upper Kirby area! This is some cool history. Never would have thought! Wendell Hawkins Motors, Inc. 3101 Kirby Drive & Alabama LA 6-2966 Confidence Builds Out Business * Imperial * Chrysler * Plymouth * Valiant Many Colors And Body Styles From Which To Choose So this was where the present-day Grace's Restaurant is located? Does anyone have memories about this place?

Does anyone know when the Albert Pick Motor Inn located at 3301 Southwest Freeway was active? I'm assuming the motel was in operational in the 1970s? What replaced the demolished motel? Looking on Google Maps, it brings me to the intersection of 59 South at Buffalo Speedway. I see the famous Phoenix Tower located right there. Phoenix Tower has an address of 3200 Southwest Freeway. I found company stationary on Ebay. Looking for info!

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/2300-W-Alabama-Houston-TX/12757424/

Not sure what this will be but there is a 2 story office building there now.

Found this on Ebay. Can we date it? Does anyone know the architect? Quality Courts Motel 4701 Kirby Drive at S.W. Freeway (U.S. 59) Houston, Texas 77006 Telephone 713/528-2811 In a classic Roman setting 178 spacious emperor size guest rooms and suites, coffee shop, Rib Room, club lounge, completely equipped meeting rooms. Close to downtown and minutes from Astrodome and Rice Stadium.

I remember hearing Spaw Glass used to be headquartered where the infamous 2727 Kirby high rise is located. I decided to do a little research. The contract for the new air conditioned, two classrooms addition, was awarded to Spaw-Glass Inc., 2727 Kirby Drive. Plans were prepared by Clyde F. Hall, 4549 Benning. The office building also leased space to several companies. These advertisements are from the 1960s and 1970s. American Institute of Motivation, Inc. located in Suite 312: Globe Personnel Consultants in Suite 316: Don Brelsford Company:

I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated May 25, 1955 and came across a Grand Opening advertisement for Bill Roberts’ Charcoal Inn Restaurant located at 2702 Kirby Drive. Grand Opening Wednesday – June 1 5:30 P.M. The Town Crier’s own Steakhouse The finest steaks broiled to succulent tenderness over the charcoal flame. Complete steak dinners from $3.25 Salad & Baked Potato Open daily for lunch—11:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. Bill Robert’s Charcoal In 2702 Kirby Drive (One block South of the Kirby-Westheimer intersection) JU-4888

I was browsing the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated June 22, 1955 and came across this business advertisement for Jim Deal's Golf Range located at 4003 Kirby Drive. Very cool! I thought golf ranges and courses were only out in the middle of nowhere, i.e. South Main in the 1940s. Kirby Golf Range Jim Deal, P.G.A. Pro Owner - Rice Graduate 1942. Complete stock golf clubs. Expert individual and group instructions. Sand trap target greens. Kiddie golf classes and play pen. Shaded tees. Open 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. 4003 Kirby Drive - JA 8-7389. Two classes in golf, one in for beginners and one for intermediates and advance, are scheduled twice a week for three weeks on Monday and Wednesday mornings at Jim Deal's Golf Range, 4003 Kirby Drive. For further information about the program, call the Downtown Y.W.C.A. FA 3-4346.

There has been some confusion about how Buffalo Speedway was named. In the discussion people have brought up the oval track on Westheimer Road and the oval track on Stella Link by the present-day Pershing Middle School. HAIF has figured out the large oval track on Stella Link near Buffalo Speedway was called the Houston Speedway, often times referred to the Bellaire Speedway. Nobody had concrete information about the oval track on Westheimer Road. Everything about the mysterious oval track was from maps and internet articles. I was researching Mitchell Louis Westheimer earlier this week. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Daily Post dated January 4, 1896 and saw a classified ad by M.L. Westheimer about leasing of a race track. The ad states: Race Track For Lease- I will lease my one-mile regulation race track, three and one-half miles from Houston, to good, responsible parties. Address M.L. Westheimer, Houston. Here's a Bellaire map from 1921. You can see the edge of the city on the far right. The street grid with the rectangle dots that are, presumably, buildings. The oval track is roughly 3-1/2 miles west of the city. I think HAIF has finally figured this out! In the map by the oval track you can see the same rectangle dots and circular red dots. I'd imagine those were buildings (dwellings, stables, barns, shacks, etc.) and then red circles are, presumably, water wells. In 1906, Mitchell's wife posted a classified ad selling the remainder of the 640-Acre Westheimer farm. 88-1/2 acres left over. The ad states: My farm of 88 1/2 acres with dwellings, barns, wells, etc.; suitable for dairy or truck farm. Apply Mrs. M.L. Westheimer, 1501 Texas avenue.

I was reading the newspaper The Houston Post dated October 30, 1921 and noticed a public school on Westheimer Road called John Smith School. I then found a library item that has more details. 2503 Westheimer Houston Forum of Civics of River Oaks Garden Club. Built about 1880 until 1920 The John Smith School. Restored in 1927 by Will Hogg. A memorial since 1942 to Will and Mike Hogg. Gardens added in 1955. Open to public. I just looked on Google satellite. The River Oaks Garden Club Forum is still there! Do they own that whole parcel? Can't even imagine how much that RO parcel is worth!! I bet Hines or Hanover could build something tall here

I was browsing the The Southwest Citizen magazine dated December 3, 1964 and noticed this business listing for Chuc Wagun Hamburgers located at 5210 Kirby Dr. Anyone ever eat here? Why did the Chuc Wagun brand go out of business? Merged with a bigger company?

Little Pappasito's at 2536 Richmond Ave in Upper Kirby. The Tex-Mex restaurant sits on two lots: 2536 Richmond Ave and 2540 Richmond Ave; owned by P.H.C.G. Investments / Pappas Restaurant Group. Despite its close proximity to shopping center Kirby - Richmond Plaza, it's not part of the retail development. Google Maps; July 2022 Google Maps; May 2022 Google Maps; July 2022 Google Maps; May 2022