The Galleria Mall Developments

[LTAWACS]

Their requirements for walk in foot traffic is not present in downtown Houston on a consistent basis.

Although a downtown location is desireable, they feel there was not enough "gravity" yet for the substanstial investment required.

I fear this will not happen for about 10 - 20 more years...

I can't believe that Fox Sports Grill closed! And no one mentioned it.

Everytime I walked by that place it was emtpy. It was located in a remote part of the galleria.

[citykid09]

Everytime I walked by that place it was emtpy. It was located in a remote part of the galleria.

I know, I went once when it first opened. It was empty then.

[samagon]

Price never really made those places of any interest, not when you can just go to a BW3, get food that is just as filling, and watch just as much sports, for way cheaper.

Maybe in an area of town that has an attraction of traveling business people, say, the Houston Pavilions. Or an area of town that caters towards people who think spending lots of money makes it better than the next place to watch the same football game, which would have been the Galleria, maybe not in the Galleria, uptown park may have been a more appropriate location, but then, I think when they opened, Champps was still over in the UP.

[jgriff]

I fear this will not happen for about 10 - 20 more years...

I remember thinking that 10-20 years ago.

[LTAWACS]

I fear this will not happen for about 10 - 20 more years...

I remember thinking that 10-20 years ago.

Do you think this will not happen for another 10 - 20 years?

[IronTiger]

Wow, Fox Sports Grill closed! It was a pretty empty place back in March 2008...and that was when Sharper Image was open, too.

[Porchman]

The menu is still posted!

I liked going there for lunch. I would sit in the bright terrace area, having a glass of wine, and an overpriced, tasty sandwich. With very few people in Galleria 3, it was very peaceful.

I think the problem is that is was designed to be an upscale, douchey sports bar. The non-terrace areas - a large part of their space - were really dark. For soccer moms trying to shove food into their kids, that won't play, even if price is not an issue. Guys who are into sports bars aren't likely to be the Galleria profile. If they do go there, they are already in a dark place, so they don't need to go somewhere darker.

[jmancuso]

i think if it was where the kona grille is now, it would have faired better but the galleria III was too desolate and cut off from rest of mall.

[IronTiger]

I think that soon Galleria III will see a major redevelopment, with practically everything gone.

[LTAWACS]

I think that soon Galleria III will see a major redevelopment, with practically everything gone.

I agree... perhaps the stench of rotting red meat (from that bbq place upstairs) will do the entire area in.

[jgriff]

Their requirements for walk in foot traffic is not present in downtown Houston on a consistent basis.

Do you think this will not happen for another 10 - 20 years?

Is there any reason to think that it will? Progress is not the foregone conclusion a lot of people seem to think it is.

[LTAWACS]

Is there any reason to think that it will? Progress is not the foregone conclusion a lot of people seem to think it is.

There does not seem to be any reason either way. The way population movement trends have been lately.... it's anyone's guess.

[jgriff]

There does not seem to be any reason either way. The way population movement trends have been lately.... it's anyone's guess.

I think all indications are that downtown will be very much the same as it is now in 20 years. The reasons our downtown has the residential population is does haven't changed much since the interstate system was built. Some kind of major social, political or economic upheaval would be required to change that.

I remember in the 1970s and 80s that I though things would be much different in the future. Really things haven't changed much. I think the biggest change is the rise of the internet.

20-30 years ago people were more hopeful and less cynical. We still believed that engineers and scientists could make our lives better in the 80s. That all changed over the last 20 years. Now people view science and industry as an evil, not a good force. I don't really see the future being much better than today. I think we need to live for today and not assume that the future will be any better.

[IronTiger]

I heard that the old Fox Sports Grill will be replaced by another sports bar. What have you heard about it?

[LTAWACS]

Might be... but i think there is very little traffic on the side of the thing.

[kylejack]

I thought a cocktail bar went in there.

[Houston19514]

I thought a cocktail bar went in there.

Ello Sports Lounge

[LTAWACS]

So who has been?

[editor]

I didn't see this mentioned earlier, so I thought I'd note it here. GeekWire says it's confirmed that a Microsoft Store will open at the Galleria. But a date hasn't been pinned down yet: http://www.geekwire.com/2011/microsofts-retail-chain-eleven-stores

I've been to the Microsoft's newest "flagship" store in Bellevue, Washington a few times. The criticism that Microsoft gets most often with these stores is that they are a copy of Apple Stores. I can say that is true. Everything from the signage, to the store design, to the furniture, and how things are laid out is pretty much the same as an Apple Store.

I do, however, get the sense that the Microsoft Stores are more cluttered. That's probably due in large part to the fact that Apple only sells six main products in its stores: Macs, iMacs, MacBooks, iPods, iPads, and iPhones. Software is being pulled from Apple Stores, since it all comes from the App Store now. Printers are coming off the sales floor, and being kept in the back room to remain available on request.

Microsoft, on the other hand, tries to showcase as much of the universe of products that run Microsoft software as possible, including PCs, tablets, laptops, Surface tables, Xbox, Phone 7, etc... etc...

The clutter and chaos that I always had to deal with may have something to do with the fact that the MS store I was in was adjacent to a Microsoft office tower, five blocks from three others, and a 10 minute drive from headquarters.

Still, when I decided I didn't want to pay $35 for a multi-card reader at the mall's photo store, I checked out the Microsoft Store thinking it would have far more accessories than the Apple Store. I went through three of their salespeople before someone finally understood what I was looking for. Everyone else kept trying to sell me a USB thumb drive. In the end, it turned out that the MS Store didn't have multi-card readers at all. I ended up getting one at Bartell's Drugs for $10. I never checked the Apple Store.

[august948]

Since most, if not all, MS products are available at any given Best Buy, Fry's, etc. I'm not sure this will add much value. I know Apple's are too, but they have a much smaller and focused product line so it's easy to set up an Apple section at the big box retailers. I'm thinking it's more a marketing ploy to go head-to-head with Apple and Sony at the mall.

[sidegate]

Cool. Now we can all b**ch at them face to face.

Edited May 5, 2011 by sidegate

[august948]

Cool. Now we can all b**ch at them face to face.

Wanna bet they'll just give you the number for tech support in India?

[ricco67]

I wonder if they will actually have "geniuses" that will help you if you get the BSOD.

If not, then we should dress up like chimps and fling poo at them.

vast amounts of poo.

[august948]

I haven't seen a BSOD in quite a while, but I'm sure the solution will be "we'd be happy to sell you upgraded software".

[DrLan34]

Disney store opening up in galleria

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110523005879/en/Disney-Store-Accelerates-2011-Store-Opening-Schedule

[houstonartstudent]

Disney store opening up in galleria

http://www.businessw...pening-Schedule

Thank God...the location they moved to in some former kid's clothing store was a depressing excuse for a Disney store...glad they're making this change

[Golyadkin]

Don't they already have a location near the ice rink?

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Thank God...the location they moved to in some former kid's clothing store was a depressing excuse for a Disney store...glad they're making this change

I was looking to buy something for my niece so I figured that the Disney store in the Galleria would have it. When I got there I looked around, but couldn't find anything good so I asked "You don't have much, is there a bigger store here?", the people who worked there seemed a little embarrassed, kind of like they had heard it before. "yeah we know"

[burgower4]

http://www.bisnow.com/houston_commercial_real_estate_news_story.php?p=19324

In the article it say that the old Macy is planning a redevelopment so what do u want in the new Redeveloped part of the mall??

[Nick_G]

Does this place still exist?

[Javi]

Still no tenant.

[JJ18]

Ive always said that the only thing that could save Galleria III is Bloomingdales. Maybe if huge stores for Forever 21, H&M, Uniqlo, Topshop, Mango or Zara would each take space there it would attract more people to walk thru Saks Fifth Avenue. Throw in a restaurant or two and it will be even more inviting. Other malls have the same problem with low foot traffic in hidden/anex sections, the only difference is that theyre not owned by Simon... Who, lets face it should invest more time and money on this billion dollar mall.

The whole section needs to be remodeled to match the rest of the mall. New escalators, an elevator, maybe even a water fountain .. why not?

[houstonartstudent]

I've always thought they should build a new Saks (perhaps 4 story to get the same sq. footage) in the parking lot in front of the current, and then redevelop the "common areas" to have a continuous link to the old Macy's...this way they could charge the same rent (if not more) in the galleria III section as the rest of the mall. I don't think they will ever be able to do that if you require people to walk through the existing Saks to get to that section...it needs to visually connect to the rest of the mall.

[Pumapayam]

I've always thought they should build a new Saks (perhaps 4 story to get the same sq. footage) in the parking lot in front of the current, and then redevelop the "common areas" to have a continuous link to the old Macy's...this way they could charge the same rent (if not more) in the galleria III section as the rest of the mall. I don't think they will ever be able to do that if you require people to walk through the existing Saks to get to that section...it needs to visually connect to the rest of the mall.

I agree, I would be all for bringing the store fronts to the side walks. A new Saks 5th right alongside the street is perfect, and that area only Westheimer has some amazing trees to compliment some nice sidewalks. The old Border entrance was a waste, since it was only used as an emergency exit.

[JJ18]

Or Saks relocating to the old(er) Macy's, and converting Saks into part of the mall, maybe even a Barneys. It will never happen though. My hopes were crushed when Saks began remodeling about 2/3 years ago. Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston is one of the most profitable, I beleive its a flagship and second largest store(sq ft) in the chain. Also I believe the building itself was designed by some super architect. Saks isnt going anywhere.

Louis Vuitton had/has plans to open a bigger store with a second entrance facing Westheimer Rd. Does anyone know anything about it?

[bachanon]

Or Saks relocating to the old(er) Macy's, and converting Saks into part of the mall, maybe even a Barneys. It will never happen though. My hopes were crushed when Saks began remodeling about 2/3 years ago. Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston is one of the most profitable, I beleive its a flagship and second largest store(sq ft) in the chain. Also I believe the building itself was designed by some super architect. Saks isnt going anywhere.

Louis Vuitton had/has plans to open a bigger store with a second entrance facing Westheimer Rd. Does anyone know anything about it?

saks at the galleria is in the former marshall field's location, designed by philip johnson.

[houstonartstudent]

Or Saks relocating to the old(er) Macy's, and converting Saks into part of the mall, maybe even a Barneys. It will never happen though. My hopes were crushed when Saks began remodeling about 2/3 years ago. Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston is one of the most profitable, I beleive its a flagship and second largest store(sq ft) in the chain. Also I believe the building itself was designed by some super architect. Saks isnt going anywhere.

Louis Vuitton had/has plans to open a bigger store with a second entrance facing Westheimer Rd. Does anyone know anything about it?

What are you talking about?? This is Houston...we're known for tearing down landmarks! I was thinking moving the Saks to the old Macy's would be a good idea...but I don't think they'd be willing to move to a less visible area and then deal with construction of the existing mall space for 1-2 years. I figured they'd at least settle if they had prime visibility from Westheimer.

[infinite_jim]

I normally walk around Saks to get to Galleria III.

Perhaps this area/parking garage could be renovated:

[JJ18]

That whole back corridor is sketchy.. but Im sure Simon figured that hardly anyone knows or even uses it, so why even invest in it. If Kim Kardashian were a section of the Galleria, she would be Galleria III.. Its worn, dirty, and needs to go.. lol.

[infinite_jim]

I imagine a renovation of this space would cut down on the sketchy folks like myself directly cutting through Saks to get to Galleria III.

As it is today Saks represents the end of axis anchor thereby choking off pedestrian traffic to Galleria III. Utilizing a perceived "sketchy" part of the mall, it would take some parking away but give the remodeled "old" Macy's a direct processional mall connection (which is the only thing I think will keep this appendage from going gangrene). It would open up a huge expanse of display window front for Saks in addition. Although this idea would require the dismantling of a portion of 1/2 of the existing garage, it would add boutique retail tenant space facing Saks with the clerestory height potential to be quite a dramatic architectural compression and release of day lighting. It would give the existing Galleria III the food court/resturant circulatory pivot that it needs to remain viable while giving Saks greater pedestrian exposure around it's store as well as keeping the existing route through the store.

Creating a strong western anchor to the mall would strengthen the future possibility of an extension of axis across Sage Rd.

I'm against taking the space of the current parking lots and parking garage ramps in front of the Galleria along Westheimer Rd. for the same reason that I was against folks wanting to pull the Blvd Place bldg footprints all the way to the sidewalk even with implementation of future light rail.

Edited April 16, 2012 by infinite_jim

[jayshoota]

Or Saks relocating to the old(er) Macy's, and converting Saks into part of the mall, maybe even a Barneys. It will never happen though. My hopes were crushed when Saks began remodeling about 2/3 years ago. Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston is one of the most profitable, I beleive its a flagship and second largest store(sq ft) in the chain. Also I believe the building itself was designed by some super architect. Saks isnt going anywhere.

Louis Vuitton had/has plans to open a bigger store with a second entrance facing Westheimer Rd. Does anyone know anything about it?

Burberry is doing this also. The current Burberry store closed last week and has moved to a temporary location down by Saks during the expansion. I am not sure when LV will do the same.

[JJ18]

I hope the Vuitton expansion on to Westheimer does happen. I used to work at The Galleria, our store shared a back corridor with Louis Vuitton and other stores. Right behind Vuitton and Burberry was a huge empty space, Im sure thats the space being expanded on to. Likewise, directly above it behind Puma, Arden.B., and Abercrombie was another empty space. I remember peeking thru a door that read "PLANET HOLLYWOOD" and seeing a huge empty room. Im assuming at one point The Galleria had a "Planet Hollywood"?

[jayshoota]

The Dior store has closed for good. Shame, such a prime location.

[Houston19514]

I hope the Vuitton expansion on to Westheimer does happen. I used to work at The Galleria, our store shared a back corridor with Louis Vuitton and other stores. Right behind Vuitton and Burberry was a huge empty space, Im sure thats the space being expanded on to. Likewise, directly above it behind Puma, Arden.B., and Abercrombie was another empty space. I remember peeking thru a door that read "PLANET HOLLYWOOD" and seeing a huge empty room. Im assuming at one point The Galleria had a "Planet Hollywood"?

This from Culturemap back in November:

The Louis Vuitton store in The Gallera plans to nearly double its space, adding an entrance onto Westheimer, several VIP salons and new shopping space on a second floor.

Next door, the Burberry boutique will also expand to showcase more of the distinctive high-end clothing from Christopher Bailey's well-received runway collections.

Both stores will relocate to temporary space inside the mall next spring while the renovations take place. The newly remodeled stores are scheduled to opening in mid-fall 2012.

[JJ18]

I suspect the Dior space will be used by Louis Vuitton, while the expansion since both Vuitton and Dior are owned by LVMH. Maybe Dior will come back with a rebuild store afterwards.. fingers crossed!!

[jayshoota]

I suspect the Dior space will be used by Louis Vuitton, while the expansion since both Vuitton and Dior are owned by LVMH. Maybe Dior will come back with a rebuild store afterwards.. fingers crossed!!

Just walked by and you are correct. LV will use the old Dior space while the LV store is closed for expansion. The sign says the temp LV location in the old Dior will open Spring 2012 so hopefully soon.

[JJ18]

Yes I beleive I was right, also I notice across the second entrance from Prada another barricade with Louis Vuitton "opening Spring 2012". I'm assuming Louis Vuitton is leasing more temporary space. Maybe one location will hold Men's and another Women's.

The old Borders has a barricade up already but no sign of what is opening there. I hope H&M takes that space.

[jayshoota]

Temporary LV is open and looks great. Work has already started on the expansion of the original store.

[jayshoota]

Burberry expansion is complete.

[JJ18]

Forever XXI is taking the former Borders space, I saw the marketing beeing put up infront of the barricade. Its not H&M but alot better than what I expected, Simon has the tendency to lease space to anyone.

I expected Burberry to have an entrance facing Westheimer Rd, but it seems like it will not. I hope Louis Vuitton keeps its original plan to have a second entrance.