Houston Galleria
Houston Galleria - The Largest Shopping Center in Texas
The Houston Galleria is the largest mall in Texas. This upscale shopping center is located in the heart of Uptown. It's home to some of the best stores in the area. You can find top-of-the-line designer brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and more. Moreover, the center offers endless food and drink options. There are also five anchor stores, including Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and Macy's. In addition, there are 375 other stores in the Galleria, including H&M, Gap, Banana Republic, and more. Houston Galleria
The Galleria has been a premier shopping destination for nearly 50 years. Designed with a modern architectural style, the complex has become a hallmark of the city. As a major shopping center, the Galleria offers endless options for a variety of shoppers. For example, visitors can take advantage of one of the two swimming pools and enjoy a fun-filled day of recreational skating. They can even check out one of the many food and drink options, such as The Cheesecake Factory, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, or Gigi's Asian Bistro.
The Galleria is also home to the Galleria Plaza Hotel, which was renovated into a Westin Hotel. Among its amenities are an ice rink, a children's play area, a post office, three full-service banks, a food court, and beauty salons.
Since its opening in 1970, the Galleria has undergone several renovations and expansions. When the Galleria III expansion opened in 1976, the mall grew to a total of 1.6 million square feet of retail space. Among the new stores that were added were Macy's and Marshall Field. Another expansion took place in 1982. By the time of Galleria IV, the mall had grown to an impressive 2.4 million square feet.
Galleria was the first shopping center to open in the Post Oak district, which was developed as an exclusive neighborhood for the wealthy. Until this time, Main Street in Houston had been the city's main shopping district. During this period, Post Oak Boulevard replaced it as the main street for shopping. Although the Galleria replaced the old mall, it was still a privately owned structure. Rodamco's ownership interest was purchased by Simon Property Group in early 2002. During the reconstruction, some of the former Lord & Taylor infrastructure was recycled.
Other retailers in the Galleria include Microsoft, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and Tiffany & Co. Additionally, the mall has two high-rise hotels. There are 375 stores in the Galleria, ranging from fine jewelry to casual clothing. Despite its size, the mall is a popular shopping spot that is visited by over 17 million people each year.
The Galleria is also the host of the annual Houston Life festival, which takes place in the spring and fall. Moreover, the mall has a shopper's interactive map that helps users find the right spots. Besides its countless shopping and entertainment options, the center is a prime location for office spaces. In fact, the Galleria has become a major hub for business professionals.