HOUSTON—
One more Houston landmark is most likely biting the dust, but this one is not getting the protestors out so far. Westbury Square, once a popular outdoor mall in southwest Houston, is 50 years old and what's left is not in prime condition. Now the property is for sale.The square was ahead of its time and could be compared to Uptown Park or the shopping plazas in The Woodlands, Sugar Land or Pearland. Time and the shopping crowds have not been kind to the shopping area.
Joan Baker was a regular back in the 1960s when the square first opened. We found her back in what's left of the property. She and her husband wanted to see it one last time after they found out the place is for sale.
"Houston in those days didn't really have a lot [of shopping options], especially in the residential areas," she told us.
Westbury Square is considered one of the first mixed use areas in the United States. It was a walk and shop experience with an Italian village feel. Apartment living took up the second stories above the stores. Fast forward 50 years and things are very different. The crowds are gone and few stores are open. A Home Depot now sits where the large, center fountain and much of the property once stood. What's left needs to be repaired.
It's a far cry from the old days.
"People from our interviews came down from as far as Dallas and Conroe for opening day and shopping experiences," said commercial real estate agent Dorit Golan from KW Commercial.
The folks in charge of finding a new buyer for the site both shopped at the square in its heyday and have ties to the surrounding area. They believe the buildings should be demolished but redeveloped with the same concept and design elements.
"The theme is a fabulous theme and we'd like to keep that incorporated and have a new developer come in and utilize that," said Gary Loh of Loh and Company.
Over the years some area residents have grumbled about the square's recent condition. They are very happy what they consider an eyesore is one step closer to being usable again.
"We have a large number of people who walk in the area and I know that [they] would come here rather than go two miles away to get to a Starbucks," said resident Bryan Howell.
The owner of the property, Alfred Antonini, tells me he hopes the square retains the European feel with a mix of shopping and living options. As for the few current tenants, the selling agents tell us they have a few years to decide their next move as the center is bought and transformed. With the current economy, they say it could be a few years before a grand reopening.
