Galleria Expansion/Ritz Carlton Hotel & Residences At Sage & W. Alabama

[htownbro]

On 3/3/2018 at 10:35 AM, CrockpotandGravel said:

More renderings of The Spice Route Company or Spice Route. The Spice Route Company is opening above Fig & Olive and across from Nobu on the second floor of the Galleria III wing (old Saks building) in Houston.

Renderings are from Chromed Design Studio's Facebook.


This is the entrance and waiting area where the elevators are located.







Main dining area:








Patio with dining cabanas.

 

Very opulent!

[IntheKnowHouston]

Nobu Houston @ The Galleria

 

https://instagram.com/nobuhouston

[AREJAY]

Any updates with the 30 story Ritz-Carlton?


The last update I could find was from Dec 2016 with plans to start construction in late 2017. 

Edited April 26, 2018 by AREJAY

[gene]

learned something new today from a San Antonio website of all places haha:

 

https://www.mysanantonio.com/business/bizfeed/article/New-retail-tenants-announced-at-the-Galleria-12867815.php

 

The XD Ride Adventure sounds interesting...I wonder if that is going to take over where Rainforest Cafe was?

 

An Indian restaurant, a dance studio and a virtual reality ride are some of the new retail tenants announced at the Galleria mall.

Simon Property Group signed nine new tenants to the iconic Houston shopping mall. The mall owner also announced several relocations of existing tenants, including Microsoft, Chico's, Thirstys and MCM.

Here are the new tenants coming to the Galleria:

• Musaafer by The Spice Route Company: An Indian restaurant with a bar and lounge
• Quay Australia: A sunglasses brand from Melbourne, Australia
• Dance With Me: A dance studio offering private and group classes and social practice parties founded by Dancing With the Stars celebrities Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy
• Popbar: Customizable gelato, sorbetto and yogurt on a stick
• Maison Luisant: Upscale French salon and spa
• Charles Tyrwhitt: A British menswear shop offering suits and shoes
• XD Ride Virtual Adventure: A multi-dimensional virtual movie ride incorporarting surround sound, motion seats and special effects such as wind, lightning, rain, snow, fog, bubble, air blast and aroma
• Brow Art 23: An eyebrow threading boutique that also offers waxing, henna tattos and skin care consultations
• Footaction USA/Flight 23: An athletic footwear store with a special Michael Jordan-branded shoe and apparel section

[gene]

It looks like Footaction will take over where Rainforest Cafe was and the XD Ride will be on the east end of the rink as well by the elevators/escalator. 

 

[Twitter1]

The bench was removed.  Looking good!

[Urbannizer]

https://houston-texas-us.blogspot.com/2018/05/nobu-coming-at-galleria.html?m=1

 

[Dakota79]

On 5/7/2018 at 0:22 AM, Urbannizer said:

https://houston-texas-us.blogspot.com/2018/05/nobu-coming-at-galleria.html?m=1

 

Could that ramp look more tired? Geez. Get some paint or powerwash it.  It's not Sharpstown!

[bobruss]

Maybe a nice tile mosaic, by one of the many fine ceramics artists in Texas, or perhaps a vertical living garden wall.  

 

[MarathonMan]

23 hours ago, Dakota79 said:

Could that ramp look more tired? Geez. Get some paint or powerwash it.  It's not Sharpstown!

The Galleria has never much cared about exterior aesthetics, which I don’t understood.  Simple cleaning can’t be THAT expensive...

[gene]

i have said that many times in this thread haha!!! powerwashing works miracles!  

[gene]

I was speaking with some people supposedly "in the know" this weekend about the Galleria and the restaurants there.

Supposedly Blanco is doing so well that they were given half the service lot for their customers and their to-go customers.

Nobu isn't doing nearly as well as they hoped and Fig and Olive was doing so poorly they were supposedly on the verge of closing but now have a new menu that is more moderately priced and even have taken some menu and bar "ideas" from Blanco in hopes to turn it all around...and quick!

Because of all of this, apparently the Spice Route is taking their time with renovations and opening because I think this is all a shock to the system for everyone concerned...

well except Blanco!

(which by the way I do happen to like...ALOT!)

 

Edited April 15, 2019 by gene

[richfish]

Pretty much all the traffic at those restaurants has to be vistors. Not many locals want to deal with the mall to have an average dinner I feel. 

[MarathonMan]

2 minutes ago, richfish said:

Pretty much all the traffic at those restaurants has to be vistors. Not many locals want to deal with the mall to have an average dinner I feel. 

I thought the same thing.  The Galleria is the last place I would want to go for a nice meal.  Getting in and out is such a hassle.

[gene]

Yes they realize that....now.

That is one reason the Galleria at least offered half of the usually "valet only" lot to Blanco, in hopes to keep them full and happy.

I don't see signs up saying Blanco parking except 3 "Blanco to go" spots so all the restaurants can benefit from the free half lot at least...but traffic is also a big part of the problem so yes they mentioned that they do indeed get mostly hotel guests to the restaurants. Luckily my condo is across the street and as mentioned, i truly like the feel, the food and the service and bar staff at Blanco...so i go there often.

[kennyc05]

When are they building the Ritz?

[Timoric]

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Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[gene]

15 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

 

It might seem like forever, but I'm pretty sure it's been there less than 20 years.

 

It was Luke's Hamburgers for the longest time and i loved that place! 

[Houston19514]

The owner of Zone d'Erotica also owns the land and building and has had it up for lease for more than two years (at a very steep asking price).  They must have finally found a tenant. 

Edited May 29, 2019 by Houston19514

[swtsig]

7 hours ago, Timoric said:

Wonder if Hines might scoop it up and do something, in fact I wonder if Hines has other deals up their sleeves that we will be treated to soon

 

they were in talks on a very large scale redevelopment in the immediate area, very very early stages though. no clue of its current status.

[nate4l1f3]

Very large? Hmmm do they own the Dillard's site as well?? Westheimer to W Alabama would definitely qualify as large. 

[MarathonMan]

The interior design here is STUNNING!  I wouldn’t normally go to The Galleria for a meal — too much of a hassle with traffic and parking — but for this space and my love for Indian cuisine, I’d make an exception!

Edited June 12, 2019 by MarathonMan

[Luminare]

7 minutes ago, MarathonMan said:

The interior design here is STUNNING!  I wouldn’t normally go to The Galleria for a meal — too much of a hassle with traffic and parking — but for this space and my love for Indian cuisine, I’d make an exception!

 

Agreed. Very unique environment. Love Indian food too. Will definitely have to try it out.

[Timoric]

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Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[gene]

I wonder how long it will take new owners to remodel it in another 2 years or so!!!???!!! 

[gene]

I saw they are working on Musaafer today from the outside...they have some panels removed probably to load something in i am sure...

 

[Timoric]

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Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[Naviguessor]

What are you talking about?  The Galleria is not San Jacinto Mall, or Greenspoint...or the Astrodome.  The Retail environment is no doubt contracting but Galleria's formula bucks that trend entirely.  If anything, I can see the Galleria gaining in size, with additional hotel(s), residential towers and entertainment options.  The Concrete and Steel is surely still sound and I'm fairly certain that it will be in another 20 years.  There surely will be multiple renovations and alterations to maintain the structure and update the product.  But, tear down?  I don't see that, in the foreseeable future. 

[HoustonIsHome]

I went to the galleria the offer day and it is thriving. The outside looks like crap; nothing new there. It has looked like that for decades, but it was just as packed as always. 

 

Not all malls are going the way of the DoDo bird.  Was at the Town Center in Pearland and Baybrook too and both seemed to be packed

[Texasota]

Yeah I tend to think the issue with malls is that we have too many of them and many of them are poorly sited, not that's it a fundamentally flawed concept. Indoor shopping malls have existed in some form since the Romans. 

 

 

[Twinsanity02]

1 hour ago, Timoric said:

What year do you think they will tear down the Galleria?  I think it might have 20 years left.

I'll give it 60 more years, or until my twin daughters can't  walk around much. They and their friends love the place unlike most other malls.

Edited July 1, 2019 by Twinsanity02
grammar

[urbanize713]

On 7/1/2019 at 10:18 AM, Naviguessor said:

What are you talking about?  The Galleria is not San Jacinto Mall, or Greenspoint...or the Astrodome.  The Retail environment is no doubt contracting but Galleria's formula bucks that trend entirely.  If anything, I can see the Galleria gaining in size, with additional hotel(s), residential towers and entertainment options.  The Concrete and Steel is surely still sound and I'm fairly certain that it will be in another 20 years.  There surely will be multiple renovations and alterations to maintain the structure and update the product.  But, tear down?  I don't see that, in the foreseeable future. 

 

Agreed and NYC which is known for ground floor retail everywhere just built a high end Galleria type mall at *Hudson yards. In my opinion, Galleria will be around for many more decades. 

Edited July 2, 2019 by urbanize713

[Skyboxdweller]

They recently power washed Neiman Marcus and it looks a helluva lot better. The Galleria would be more attractive from a pedestrian standpoint if they developed another restaurant or entertainment pod in the parking lot on the corner of Wertheimer and Post Oak.  Dillard's is a box that truly offends.  It looks like at one time it had large display windows facing the parking lots but that these were covered by stucco at some time in the past.  Some attractive displays, trellises with greenery and a paint job to the concrete block walls on the parking structure would make the store look more user friendly and less dated.

[MarathonMan]

On 7/1/2019 at 11:42 AM, urbanize713 said:

 

Agreed and NYC which is known for ground floor retail everywhere just built a high end Galleria type mall at Sawyer yards. In my opinion, Galleria will be around for many more decades. 

Unlike the Galleria, though, Sawyer yards incorporates both indoor and outdoor space, and the two interact well with each other.  The Galleria gives the public zero exterior experience.  Sawyer Yards is far beyond the Galleria in terms of overall scope.

[Luminare]

On 7/1/2019 at 11:42 AM, urbanize713 said:

 

Agreed and NYC which is known for ground floor retail everywhere just built a high end Galleria type mall at Sawyer yards. In my opinion, Galleria will be around for many more decades. 

 

Are you sure you weren't referring to "Hudson Yards"?

[urbanize713]

26 minutes ago, Luminare said:

 

Are you sure you weren't referring to "Hudson Yards"?

 

I absolutely did, solid correction lol. 

[AREJAY]

Anybody else in favor of splitting the Ritz tower from the Galleria expansion? I always get a twinge of excitement when I see this thread updated, hoping for some news on the highrise, only to see restaurant updates... 

[Timoric]

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Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[gene]

20 hours ago, Skyboxdweller said:

They recently power washed Neiman Marcus and it looks a helluva lot better. 

 

I have commented on this thread many times that a good power washing would definitely help the Galleria in general! (and probably Dillard's too!)...glad to see it was done at NM!

 

[Timoric]

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Edited July 12, 2019 by Timoric

[TheSirDingle]

Lets just get back on topic, I'm sure the moderators don't like us going off this big of a tangent. 

[Urbannizer]

And it turns out to be predominantly Dallas vs. Houston. C'mon guys, we know better  

[gene]

guess this fits here...but yahooOoOOooo:

https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/07/toys-r-us-is-opening-2-new-stores-but-you-may-not-recognize-its-revamped-look.html

 

Toys R Us is making a comeback and this time within the Galleria! 🤡

 

Edited July 18, 2019 by gene

[HNathoo]

33 minutes ago, CrockpotandGravel said:

In the thread for the Zone D'Erotica redevelopment, someone posted about the possibility of a food hall in the Galleria or near the Galleria.

That most def could be a possibility.

There are entities for a possible food hall from Company of Nomads or Silent Theatre Group (Conservatory, Railway Heights Market, Bravery Chef Hall) either at the Galleria or nearby. There is a LLC for Conservatory Galleria  and Moku Bar Galleria. There is also one for W Alabama & Sage, which could be the area this will be built.

 

 

I’ve heard conservatory will be putting another food hall concept in Dan Brauns recent acquisition at W Alabama and Rice. 

[Luminare]

On 7/20/2019 at 11:13 AM, CrockpotandGravel said:

This makes more sense. I wondered how that would work with the ice rink level food court.

When I plugged in W Alabama and Sage on Google and ran a search on Loopnet, the Yorktown Plaza at  5353 West Alabama  (now dubbed 53 West ) came up several times. I overlooked it because I forgot Braun Enterprises purchased the building to renovate.

And Moku Bar is shown as clear as day on the site plan for 53West or 53 West. How did I overlook that and forget about it? Thanks for steering me in the right direction.



Mods, @Urbannizer, @Triton, @Subdude, @Montrose1100, @intencity77 please move this post and the two above to the thread for 53 West:

https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/39170-renovations-coming-to-yorktown-plaza

 

Honestly I can't make heads or tails with this entire thread. Its such a mess. I have yet to put anything from here on the map because I just don't know what is what. We should either subdivide things in here into other threads. Maybe one stays on Going Up if its going up, and then the rest can go into the Uptown subforum.

[Amlaham]

Forever 21 recently filed for bankruptcy (they want to focus on online only), A'Gaci did the same earlier this year. Topman/ Topshop closed all US stores. That entire section of the mall is gonna look dead. Is this the beginning of the mall idea becoming "obsolete." It looks like we're headed towards that idea. Online shopping is becoming more favorable, Amazon delivers literally anything to your house, Uber eats/ other apps deliver any food option to your house. There's even apps that brings other services to you like massages, car wash, home repair, cleaning services. Its all cool but at the same time....getting worried we'll all be anti-social in future.

[Triton]

1 hour ago, Amlaham said:

Forever 21 recently filed for bankruptcy (they want to focus on online only), A'Gaci did the same earlier this year. Topman/ Topshop closed all US stores. That entire section of the mall is gonna look dead. Is this the beginning of the mall idea becoming "obsolete." It looks like we're headed towards that idea. Online shopping is becoming more favorable, Amazon delivers literally anything to your house, Uber eats/ other apps deliver any food option to your house. There's even apps that brings other services to you like massages, car wash, home repair, cleaning services. Its all cool but at the same time....getting worried we'll all be anti-social in future.

Ah great, you found the sheet of paper I mentioned in the Greenstreet thread. 

 

I disagree with you about online shopping. Sure, over half of what I buy nowadays comes from online but I tend to believe clothing is one of those major exceptions. I have to try it on and see how it looks and fits before I ever buy it. You can't try clothing on online, unless you're using one of those specialized apps for buying a suit that gets your measurements from a picture. But even then, most people want to try on a suit before they buy it. 

 

Even with Uber Eats, you don't see tons of restaurants simply becoming Uber Eat counters. People still want to get out of the house, enjoy the atmosphere of a restaurant, and eat the food as soon as it's done being prepared.

[gene]

I live across the street from the Galleria and walk to it often...I too have noticed all the store closings and empty or covered spaces...

Sugarfina closed the Galleria location last month as well (I think the first thing to close that I was like wow...changes are coming....is when the Galleria McDonalds closed) and now like you said Triton: "A'Gaci did the same earlier this year. Topman/ Topshop closed all US stores. That entire section of the mall is gonna look dead." you forgot to mention Kona Grill as well! and now with Forever 21, you are correct...YIKES! scary stuff! 

I am getting worried as i personally do not like online shopping and like to see, touch and try on everything in person...and i like to go out to eat as that is a large part of my social life (i do not drink, so hardly a bar and i do not know how to cook and don't want to learn so i go out to dinner every night!)

 

 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2019 by gene

[LBC2HTX]

No worries those are all shit stores. Other shit stores will take their business. 

[paul2834]

Yikes, this is all feels so sudden. Just a few months ago none of those places were closed on that side of the Galleria. I remember seeing someone post a similar notice for the Subway and they did eventually reopen. I wonder if the same thing will happen here. How is Memorial mall fairing compared to the Galleria? Are they also seeing a lot of closings?