The Galleria Mall Developments

[mkultra25]

Stating the obvious, I know.

My car was stolen yesterday afternoon while parked in the Macy's garage at the Galleria, just steps away from and in full view of a high-traffic entrance to the store. Was only in the store about 20 minutes, and came out to find an empty parking spot. I found out today that there's apparently security camera footage of someone following me into the garage, then a few minutes later the car that followed me in departing with my car right behind him. I did not see anyone following me, which tells me that I should've been more aware of my surroundings.

Filed an incident report immediately with HPD, but I'm doubtful I'll ever see the car again. It was a 2000 Honda Civic Si, highly prized by tuners to begin with but especially so in the immaculate, low-mileage (for its age) and essentially factory-stock condition mine was in. The fact that I had full coverage on it only eases the sting a little bit, as it'll be very difficult to replace.

Not the first time I've heard of the area being a prime hunting ground for car thieves. Be careful out there.

[LTAWACS]

Are you affiliated with the Rice radio show m2kultra? I love that show.

[jayshoota]

LV store is now open again. Looks great. Big.

[SkylineView]

Let me start this off by saying; 1) I know it's NBA all-star weekend, and 2) I've heard the horror stories of Galleria traffic from the last time Houston hosted it...

 

But, WTF is going on around the Galleria?  The traffic is worse than the Thanksgiving sales weekend... and that's saying something.  Who are all of these people and where are they going?  Is this just for shopping?

[kylejack]

Let me start this off by saying; 1) I know it's NBA all-star weekend, and 2) I've heard the horror stories of Galleria traffic from the last time Houston hosted it...

 

But, WTF is going on around the Galleria?  The traffic is worse than the Thanksgiving sales weekend... and that's saying something.  Who are all of these people and where are they going?  Is this just for shopping?

 

Galleria is the number one shopping destination in the area, especially for the people with money that the All-Star Game draws. Lots of luxury retailers there. Also a good chance of seeing some celebrities walking around, if you're into that.

 

I try to avoid the Galleria on all days as a general rule.

Edited February 16, 2013 by kylejack

[august948]

It's not just the Galleria. Memorial City was packed this afternoon, too. Traffic on Westheimer in Westchase was rush-hour bad.

[ToryGattis]

It took my girlfriend a *full hour* around 4pm today (a Saturday!) to get from just west of the Galleria area to Max's Wine Dive on Washington - a trip that would normally be 15-20 mins.  Crazy traffic.  Is this really all attributable to the All-Star game?  Are that many people really here?  The Toyota Center only holds around 20,000, right?

[RedScare]

http://www.chron.com/communityblogs/atmosphere/item/Photos-Crowds-inside-outside-the-Galleria-15171.php

 

Galleria shut down by HPD. Yes, it was that crowded.

[august948]

Just looked at the pics. They're packed like sardines in the Galleria.

[ClutchCity]

It says the Galleria reached capacity... What exactly is the capacity of a 2.4 million sq ft mall?

[ToryGattis]

Looks like the all-stars tweeted their locations at the Galleria, and waves of people came to see them.  Just crazy that it reached its legal capacity.  Has that ever happened before?

 

http://www.click2houston.com/news/HPD-The-Galleria-closes-early-due-to-large-crowds/-/1735978/18580904/-/x823ou/-/index.html 

[crunchtastic]

we drove down richmond this morning, and it looked like the old stretch around Sams Boat was being set up for a big outdoor thing promising a lot of acts. Didn't catch the names.

[RedScare]

I'm told that the Galleria had to do the same thing in 2006, during the last NBA All Star weekend, but I don't recall it personally, and have not seen it reported.

[KinkaidAlum]

My sister came in to town today from the Hill Country. She exited I-10 around 4 pm onto the West Loop. It took her just shy of an hour to get to US 59! There were no warnings on I-10, but they had the Woodway, San Felipe, and Westheimer exits closed. WTF? She said she literally didn't move for nearly 30 minutes.

 

Luckily, Kanomwan is open again after the annual pilgrimage to Thailand so we avoided to douchebaggery on the Westside.

[SkylineView]

Hysterical.  

[lockmat]

It took my girlfriend a *full hour* around 4pm today (a Saturday!) to get from just west of the Galleria area to Max's Wine Dive on Washington - a trip that would normally be 15-20 mins. Crazy traffic. Is this really all attributable to the All-Star game? Are that many people really here? The Toyota Center only holds around 20,000, right?

This article says they were expecting 50,000 visitors. It's not totally clear, but they may be talking about the festivities all weekend, not outside visitors.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2013/02/17/how-houston-became-the-host-city-for-the-2013-nba-all-star-game/

[samagon]

One of our Dallas reps flew into town yesterday morning and hadn't reserved a rental car (he's never had an issue before), but was turned away by multiple rental agencies with the answer "we don't have any cars to rent".

 

I guess he's going to ensure a reservation in the future, but that's just indicative of how many people were in town (and still may be in town).

 

As was mentioned in the thread in the sports section, traffic on all freeways was horrible. southwest freeway approaching downtown appeared to be standard 5 o'clock traffic all weekend long. same on the gulf freeway from telephone up to pierce elevated.

 

I also heard from a friend that was at IAH yesterday was that he'd never seen the airport that full (I'm guessing he didn't make it to the airport when Rita was scaring everyone).

 

Driving home from the grocery store on Sunday night (Randalls in midtown), rather than going the normal route up Louisiana to Pierce, I went up to Leeland and just took that back out to the east end, cars were parked all over the streets on the east side of downtown, tour buses were lined up on La Branch, and cops were posted up at every intersection from main out to 59.

 

Houston was noticeably much fuller than normal.

[Montrose1100]

I was on my way home (left the Woodlands at 4:27pm, traffic was fine going south on 45, and normal on 610 until Woodway. Woodway/Post Oak is my exit home. So I crawled past exit after exit which was closed, got on 59 South, and Chimney Rock was closed too! Finally exited Fountian View, and made it home at 7:36pm.

What a nightmare! And then I decided to go wedding present shopping at the Galleria on Sunday. Huge mistake...

[ehtx1]

All I have to say is METRO-LIGHT RAIL !  If Houston would stop playing politics and go ahead and built the University Line, Uptown Line, and future Inner-Katy line, you could have directed traffic alot more smoothly on the westside of town.  The issue is not the amount of people, but instead the number of cars on the road !  You could have used rail to get from downtown to uptown/galleria with ease, and then walk to the galleria right next door.  I just hope we can get some people who can think progressive in leadership positions.

[Montrose1100]

All I have to say is METRO-LIGHT RAIL ! If Houston would stop playing politics and go ahead and built the University Line, Uptown Line, and future Inner-Katy line, you could have directed traffic alot more smoothly on the westside of town. The issue is not the amount of people, but instead the number of cars on the road ! You could have used rail to get from downtown to uptown/galleria with ease, and then walk to the galleria right next door. I just hope we can get some people who can think progressive in leadership positions.

I doubt everyone who was in the Galleria area came from Downtown or the inner loop. So you should be talking about commuter rail, or people's mindless obsession with celebrities.

[j_cuevas713]

So Im guessing everyone had a great time lol, our city really did put on an impressive show.

[elecpharm]

Big changes are coming to the Galleria.

 

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Galleria-project-aims-to-up-glam-factor-4788137.php

 

From the Chron article:
 

An ambitious plan to bring more high-end retail to the Houston Galleria will start with moving Saks Fifth Avenue into fancier digs and getting rid of one of the mall's two Macy's department stores.

When demolition and reconstruction of what is now the Galleria III is complete, scheduled for fall 2015, an expanded Saks flagship will open in the space now occupied by the Macy's facing Sage and other shops.

 

Mall developer Simon Property Group plans to renovate the existing Saks space nearby to accommodate about 35 new stores and maybe some restaurants.

 

 

Simon said it might even add a 300-unit high-rise that would provide well-heeled residents direct access to Galleria shops. The renovations are driven by retailer demand, "especially among luxury tenants," said David Contis, president of Simon Malls.

 

 

Edited September 5, 2013 by elecpharm

['Stonian]

Demolition of old Macy's and Galleria III, newly rebuilt Saks 5th Ave moving to an expanded 2-level store in Macy's/Galleria III space. Total renovation of existing Sak's space into 35 smaller shops and restaurants. Completion scheduled for Fall 2015.

 

(Possible 300-unit highrise at West Alabama and Sage!)

 

Galleria project aims to up glam factor

Simon Property Group

Rendering of the space currently occupied by Saks Fifth Avenue that will house about 35 new stores and maybe restaurants

When demolition and reconstruction of what is now the Galleria III is complete, scheduled for fall 2015, an expanded Saks flagship will open in the space now occupied by the Macy's facing Sage and other shops.

 

 

Contis said a 300-unit residential high-rise - with an outdoor pool and an indoor connection to the Galleria - is envisioned for the corner of West Alabama and Sage.

He said Simon is still in the planning process, studying infrastructure and construction issues, "but we think it can get done."

 

 

Edited September 5, 2013 by HOUSTONIAN (N-ATL)

[xsatyr]

I honestly have no idea how Uptown will accommodate for all this upcoming density.

[Subdude]

Note dup topics on Galleria changes have been merged.

 

 

[King Owl]

The Galleria is feeling the heat from BLVD Place, Highland Village, River Oaks district, etc...  gotta keep pace

[Naviguessor]

Shame to loose the Johnson, Sak's Facade. But...the demolition/Reconstruction of Galleria II and Opening up the Sak's space to extend the Mall corridor make sense.

[Houston19514]

Shame to loose the Johnson, Sak's Facade. But...the demolition/Reconstruction of Galleria II and Opening up the Sak's space to extend the Mall corridor make sense.

 

The good news is, according to the rendering, we are not completely losing the facade. 

 

Exciting news from the Galleria.  Only a little disappointed they didn't snag a Bloomingdale's for the project.

[IronTiger]

Galleria III has been suffering for years. It was never properly connected, and it was awfully empty even in 2008 back when Sharper Image and FOX Sports Grill were still around. Still, I'm a little sad to see it go. 

 

Frankly, I'm surprised that Macy's at Sage was able to survive for this long.

[ChrisPHous]

I used to always park there with my Dad as a kid when we would go Christmas shopping.

 

Over the years, it slowly came our own parking lot haha.

 

About 2 weeks ago I went to the Galleria and just because I was closest to that entrance, I decided to park in the bottom floor.  It is actually to the point that is it gross.  The escalators are not only not on, they have crap all over them...needless to say this is WAY past due.

[lockmat]

Any chance they make the facade and entrance more pedestrian friendly?

[infinite_jim]

Since it's been years, when my wife and I were first dating we would go up to the roof of Galleria III to make out and people-watch through the barrel vaulted glass.

[Mab]

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/09-05-13-extreme-makeover-facing-competition-the-galleria-goes-for-a-bold-new-look/

here a rendering of the inside of the renovated Galleria!!

Edited September 5, 2013 by Mab

[Fortune]

It had to be done it was always awkward to have to walk thru Saks to get the the Galleria III. I cant wait to see how it turns out, with the residential high rise and all. 

 

Now the only thing I wish they would do is develop the parking lots at the SW corner of Post Oak & Westheimer. Also it would be great if they redeveloped the Dillards and its parking lot.

[lockmat]

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/fashion/09-05-13-extreme-makeover-facing-competition-the-galleria-goes-for-a-bold-new-look/

here a rendering of the inside of the renovated Galleria!!

Isn't that the same as the existing?

[Mab]

Isn't that the same as the existing?

 

No, it looks very similar but from the chronicle its states

 

 

- Galleria III, a wing that includes the Macy's store facing Sage, will be torn down to make way for a Saks Fifth Avenue flagship.

- The current Saks space will be renovated to hold about 35 new stores and maybe restaurants.

- Macy's will consolidate into its department store that faces West Alabama and Hidalgo.

- A building for a few high-end tenants will be built in the surface parking lot along Westheimer.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Galleria-project-aims-to-up-glam-factor-4788137.php

[lockmat]

I mean the same as what the rest of the galleria looks like.

[Fortune]

I mean the same as what the rest of the galleria looks like.

 

I agree it does look like the already existing wings of the Galleria, especially the Nieman Marcus wing.

[Houston19514]

I agree it does look like the already existing wings of the Galleria, especially the Nieman Marcus wing.

 

It would be quite odd if it did not look  similar to the existing wings.

[Fortune]

It would be quite odd if it did not look similar to the existing wings.

Yes it would.

[fatesdisastr]

Dang, I honestly had no idea this area of the Galleria even existed. 

[lockmat]

Dang, I honestly had no idea this area of the Galleria even existed.

The only time I've ever been inside a department store at the galleria is when passing through it to get to the interior shopping area.

Not sure I've ever bought anything at the Galleria either. I've only been there a hand full of times in my adult life. Then again I am a man.

[cloud713]

300 unit high rise? That could easily be a 20-30 story building, not including the garage.

[bachanon]

The view from Neimans to the new Saks would need to be the same should the renovations provide a continuous open corridor. The new configuration may have a more significant WOW factor when one enters the central mall corridor if bookended by Neimans/new Saks.

[bachanon]

The only time I've ever been inside a department store at the galleria is when passing through it to get to the interior shopping area.

Not sure I've ever bought anything at the Galleria either. I've only been there a hand full of times in my adult life. Then again I am a man.

......uhhhh, no comment.

[cloud713]

sounds like it will be a huge improvement. i agree it would have looked weird if Galleria III looked different from the rest of the galleria, though they could have taken the opportunity to start renovating the look of the entire mall, renovating the other buildings after they finish III. but there wasnt really a need to change the look as it still looks nice and doesnt appear dated.

will this "expansion" truely expand the size/floor space of the Galleria?

is there a map of how the Galleria is laid out? i was trying to envision the complex from an arial perspective to determine where the new tower would go. i was also curious if there would be room for additional expansion like a Galleria V or something.

Edited September 9, 2013 by cloud713

[ArchFan]

As I recall, Hines at one time considered extending The Galleria westward across Sage.  Not sure why they changed their minds, but perhaps it was market conditions at the time.  Instead, they developed a couple of little strip malls, the (then) Ranger Insurance Building and the (then) Guest Quarters Hotel.  In retrospect, I wish they had done that rather than having to build Galleria IV to the south.  

 

I agree that the decision to isolate Galleria III by forcing pedestrians to walk though a department store  (Marshall Fields / Saks) played a big part in why it failed to draw traffic.  

 

 

[Fortune]

If Simon is ever able to purchase the land where the church stands at the corner of West Alabama & Sage it could expand on that property. It's a pretty large space, the majority of it currently being used for a parking lot. It seems like a pretty logical place for a expansion with it being directly across from most recently built Macy's, they would just need a large department store to anchor the expansion. Like Barney's, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf, or even Belk( I believe they are opening a store in Dallas).

[cloud713]

so when your looking at the galleria from arial views it would be..

3 2 1    and 
   4       going south across alabama?
 

It had to be done it was always awkward to have to walk thru Saks to get the the Galleria III. I cant wait to see how it turns out, with the residential high rise and all. 

 

Now the only thing I wish they would do is develop the parking lots at the SW corner of Post Oak & Westheimer. Also it would be great if they redeveloped the Dillards and its parking lot.

according to this post from the first page in this thread, Dillards and Neiman Marcus arent part of theGalleria. 

"I know that Neiman Marcus is not owned by Simon, the company that owns the mall. The mall just came out to NM's front door. The same goes for Dillards. A skywalk would be nice, but it is unlikely a common corridor would be built for something that is not really included in the Galleria mall, even though NM is included in the mall directory. NM was built before the Galleria was and the own the land it sits on, not Simon."

so it would appear the Galleria wont ever be building any sky bridges connecting Dillards to NM. i dont think it would be a very popular connection anyways since it would have the Galleria III effect with NM cutting off traffic/causing you to walk through a department store to get from Galleria I to Dillards. i wonder if the Galleria owns the land Dillards is on or if that land is owned by someone else too like NM is? that could determine if they would/could ever redevelop Dillards (what were your ideas?) and its parking lot. as for the parking lots north of NM, one of those may be owned by NM. it would be neat though if they developed those parking lots and connected it into the old Lord and Taylor store/area where Kona Grill and Del Friscos are. it might be kind of a weird development though, if it were to parallel Galleria I? i guess they could have the hallway at the entrance by Cheese Cake Factory and McDonalds be extended out north up to Westheimer with stores lining both sides of it. 

i wonder if there are plans for a Galleria V. does anyone see any major expansion happening in the future? that Church just south of Macys at Galleria III has a large parking lot. maybe they could sell off the majority of that to Simon and build a garage to the south of the church? im not sure it would be a large enough expansion to be deemed "Galleria V" though. maybe just room for another department store. it would be cool if Simon were able to buy off the whole Church and develop their whole plot into Galleria V. they could even offer the church space somewhere in the building so they dont have to relocate where they hold their services.

[KLP]

The same happened to us this Tuesday afternoon. This is clearly a repetitive, organized crime, however, I do not see that neither the Galleria Mall security nor Houston police department are taking any actions against this. Sad. Question: Could this be an "inside job"?