Galleria Real Estate Guide

Galleria homes for sale & insider real estate guide

Located west of Loop 610, the Galleria is one of Houston’s leading business and retail centers. The area is a bustling and diverse mix of businesses, shops, restaurants, and upscale homes.

One of Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods, Galleria is popular for its:

• CENTRAL LOCATION: Galleria is located along the Westheimer Road and Sage Road. It is near the major freeways, such as Loop 610 and the Southwest Freeway. Downtown Houston is only 5 miles east of the Galleria. One of Houston’s popular neighborhoods, it is home to malls, hotels, schools, and workspaces.

• LUXURY HIGH-RISES: Galleria is home to several high-rise residential condo buildings. The Montebello, Cosmopolitan, Astoria, and Villa d’Este are some of the high-rises in the area. Top-notch high-rises feature a gated entrance, building security, and pools, among other things.

• UPSCALE AMENITIES: Real estate in Galleria offers several extra amenities. Luxury buildings provide guards, porters, valets, concierges, and trash and dry cleaning services. Condos also feature 24-hour security, parking spaces, well-kept grounds, and rooftop decks. Private tennis courts, saunas, workout centers, and more can be found in the area as well.

• WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT: Galleria is Houston’s premier shopping destination. The neighborhood is a hotspot for retail and dining options. Over 425 restaurants and shopping outlets are within minutes of the Galleria.

• KEY BUSINESS AREA: Along with the Downtown area, the Galleria is also one of Houston’s major job centers. It offers more than 23 million square feet of leasable office space. The headquarters of Baker Hughes Company is within the area. Offices of other major companies like Exxon are located nearby as well.

• VARIETY OF HOME OPTIONS: The Galleria area consists of several communities and subdivisions. It has a wide variety of housing options aside from condos in high-rise buildings. Galleria also offers townhomes, patio homes, and new construction custom-built homes. Some communities are gated and even have deed restrictions.

• STRONG APPRECIATION: Prices for Galleria homes for sale can start at around $100,000 and can go up to more than $4,000,000. Galleria is among the best neighborhoods in Houston based on Land Value Appreciation.

Galleria real estate market can be challenging due to low resale values (poor HOA, near main roads, design problems). Noise and parking issues on the street is a problem with the proximity of bars and restaurants. It lacks zoning, and in some areas, the development is uneven. Some communities and apartment complexes command a premium, while others offer a discount.

To get personal advice on buying or selling in the Galleria area, contact Paige Martin, one of Houston’s best realtors and one of the top-ranked Realtors in the United States.

“Kim Vargas and her team made all the difference in the world during our home search and purchase. We are moving from out of state and Kim took away a lot of the stress that comes with buying a home remotely. She not only answered all of our questions but also answered questions we didn't even know to ask. Great job!” - Diana Morris (Google Review)

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Galleria Homes For Sale

Galleria Homes For Rent

Table of Contents

1. Galleria Home Sale Trends
2. Galleria Best Realtor Insights
3. Galleria Maps, Location & Zip Code
4. Galleria Schools
5. Galleria Real Estate Market

Galleria Home Sale Trends

Located west of Loop 610, the Galleria is one of Houston's primary business and shopping districts. The neighborhood is a mix of offices, stores, restaurants, and upscale homes.

Galleria, one of Houston’s most accessible neighborhoods, is popular thanks to its:

• ACCESSIBILITY: The Galleria is accessible through two main freeways. The Loop 610 and the Southwest Freeway run through the district.

• PRIME LOCATION: As one of Houston’s key districts, the Galleria is home to over 425 dining and entertainment establishments. Like Downtown, the area is also considered a major business center.

• WORD-CLASS HIGH-RISES: The neighborhood is filled with custom-built properties and residential buildings. The Montebello, Cosmopolitan, and Astoria are some of the best high-rise condos in the area.

• LUXURY AMENITIES: Galleria is home to several high-end amenities. The area has 24/7 security, pools, fitness centers, and top-deck views.

Galleria is among the best in Houston neighborhoods based on Land Value Appreciation. The area offers a retail complex with 2.4 million square feet of leasable space and luxury homes.

Galleria Best Realtor Insights

• The Galleria, one of Houston's most important districts, is home to shopping stores, hotels, schools, and workplaces.

• The Galleria, along with Downtown, is one of Houston's primary business areas, with over 23,000,000 square feet of office space.

• The Galleria/Uptown district, Houston's primary shopping destination, is bustling with fashion stores and numerous retail destinations. Galleria residences are also close to a variety of dining and entertainment options.

• Galleria real estate offers a diverse range of housing alternatives, including stylish high-rise condos, townhomes in gated communities, patio homes, and new construction custom-built homes.

• The Galleria neighborhood, often known as the Uptown District or just Uptown Houston, comprises various neighborhoods and subdivisions. Some of the Galleria's communities are deed-restricted.

• Galleria homes often have medium to large lots (by Houston standards). The sizes of the lots range from 1,000 to more than 15,000 square feet.

• House sizes and floor plans differ. Three- to four-bedroom floor layouts are expected, with 1,000 to 8,000 square feet of living area.

• Most of the homes in the region are on huge lots (by Houston standards). Lot sizes might range between 7,000 and 10,000 square feet.

• Galleria townhomes and patio homes are generally built within gated communities. Security, controlled access, and landscaping services are standard amenities.

• Galleria homes can range in price from roughly $200,000 to more than $2,000,000.

Galleria Maps, Location & Zip Code

Galleria Schools

Galleria is zoned to the Houston Independent School District (HISD).

Established in the 1920s, HISD is the largest school district in the state. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) awarded the district a "Met Standard." HISD has several International Baccalaureate (IB) World schools, such as Briargrove Elementary and Lamar High School.

Students in the area may attend the following public schools:

Elementary Schools

• Briargrove Elementary School at 6145 San Felipe St. Briargrove, a newly minted IB World School, now offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Briargrove features enrichment classes in science, art, and critical thinking as well.

• St. George Place Elementary School at 5430 Hidalgo St. George is one of HISD’s IB World Schools. It features a Vanguard neighborhood program for gifted and talented students. It offers ESL and special education programs as well. Several enrichment courses and after-school activities are also provided.

• Briarmeadow Charter School at 3601 Dunvale Rd. 
  Briarmeadow was established in 1997. It is a charter school serving grades Pre-K through 8. The school offers Pre-AP Placement and Gifted programs to students.

Middle Schools

• Grady Middle School at 5215 San Felipe St. Established in 1929, Grady Middle School offers several academic programs, including core enrichment. Grady also has a variety of sports teams, including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, wrestling, volleyball, and soccer teams.

High Schools

• Lee High School at 6529 Beverly Hill St. Lee High School was established during the 1950s. Students can earn college-level credits in World History, Spanish Literature, and Environmental Science, among other subjects.

• Lamar High School at 3325 Westheimer Rd. As one of HISD’s IB schools, Lamar has one of North America's most extensive IB programs. It offers a business administration magnet program, a neighborhood program, and an Advanced Placement program. The school also provides an outstanding athletics program, with its football team reaching the playoffs 30 times.

• Westside High School at 14201 Briar Forest Dr. Westside High is HISD’s Magnet School for Integrated Technology. The school has five core aspects: Media Relations, Applied Science/Health Science, Fine Arts, Business, and Computing Sciences.

Galleria Houston Private Schools

The following private schools can be located within the Galleria area:

• St. Michael School at 1833 Sage Rd.

• Strake Jesuit College Preparatory at 8900 Bellaire Blvd.

• Saint Agnes Academy at 9000 Bellaire Blvd.

• Al-Hadi School of Accelerative Learning at S Voss Rd.

• The Awty International School at 7455 Awty School Ln.

• St. John’s school at 2401 Claremont Ln.

• The Kinkaid School at 201 Kinkaid School Dr.

To find an updated listing of all Galleria real estate zoned to any specific public school, please email Paige Martin at [email protected] with the property preference and budget that you're working with.

Note: For more detailed information on specific schools zoned to different Galleria areas, please refer to our Houston Schools Guide OR email me.

Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year. The information provided above is accurate but not guaranteed. Please double-check by visiting the school's website.

Galleria Real Estate Market

Galleria Single-Family Home Sale Trends

Single-family homes in the area are a popular choice among homebuyers. From vintage patio homes to new construction custom-built homes, it offers options that would suit varying wants and needs.

Architectural styles vary from traditional to contemporary, ranch, Mediterranean, and French homes.

Galleria homes for sale offer 3- to 4-bedroom floor plans with up to 1,000–4,000 square feet of living space. Homes in the area sit on mid- to large-sized lots (by Houston standards), with sizes ranging from 3,000 to more than 15,000 square feet.

The most expensive Galleria real estate can feature 5–6 bedrooms with living spaces ranging from 4,000–more than 8,000 square feet. Luxury homes feature landscaped and wooded grounds. Other common features in these homes include swimming pools and multi-car garages.

Some subdivisions and communities within the Galleria area have deed restrictions in place.

Many factors play a role in pricing, including location, size of the home, and condition. The prices for Galleria homes can range from $300,000 to more than $2,500,000.

Galleria Townhome Sale Trends

Townhomes are a bit popular in the posh Galleria/Uptown area. Housing demand in Galleria led to several new townhomes within gated communities. Community amenities vary, but controlled access, round-the-clock security, and central park areas are common.

Galleria townhomes and patio homes typically offer smaller lot sizes than single-family homes. Lots range from 1,000 to about 6,000 square feet. Two- to three-bedroom homes are common, but larger properties can have up to five bedrooms. Living spaces range from 1,000 to more than 4,000 square feet.

Galleria townhomes can start at around $100,000, with some of the bigger and newer properties selling for $1,200,000.

Galleria Condo Sale Trends

Galleria condos are popular, with entertainment and business centers less than a mile away. Condos in the Galleria are also a short distance from the district’s many office buildings.

Apart from convenience and accessibility, Galleria high-rises offer luxury amenities. 24/7 security, parking, tennis courts, and fitness centers are available to residents. More amenities include pools, saunas, well-kept grounds, and roof-top decks.

Outside the Inner Loop, the Galleria is one of Houston’s busiest and most exciting districts. Residents are near restaurants, parks, and museums. Entertainment hubs like Uptown Park are a few blocks away as well.

There are newly developed condos like the Astoria, the Aurora, and the Belfiore.

Many Galleria Houston condos have private parking, gated entrances, and building security. Some buildings also have fire prevention systems, emergency systems, and surveillance cameras.

Galleria high-rises also offer other great amenities. Many luxury buildings feature porters, valets, concierges, and trash and laundry services. Galleria high-rises provide luxury amenities. 24/7 security, parking, tennis courts, and fitness centers are available to residents. More amenities include pools, saunas, well-kept grounds, and roof-top decks.

• Cosmopolitan - Cosmopolitan is a 22-story high-rise popular that features five-star, hotel-like amenities. It is also known as “The Triumph Tower of Houston.”

• Astoria - Astoria lies in the heart of Galleria. The 28-story high building features Modern Art Deco architecture and Galleria and Downtown views.

• Highland Tower - Highland Tower features a wide floor plan selection and “modern-meets-classic” architectural design. It was designed and completed in 2010.

• Montebello - The Montebello is one of the district's most popular condo buildings. It is a 30-story high building towering over Uptown Park, north of Houston’s vibrant Galleria.

• Villa D’Este - Villa D’Este (built in 1999) is a sister property to The Montebello (built 2003). It is only a few hundred feet from Uptown Park and is known for having high security and top-notch service.

• Four Leaf Towers A Cesar Pelli creation, Four Leaf Towers is a towering pair of residential high-rises. The 40-story high condominium was one of the first luxury condo buildings in the Galleria.

• The Bristol - The Bristol is located at the center of Houston’s finest dining and shopping centers. It is near major freeways, Downtown, the Medical Center, Reliant Park, and the Museum District.

• Empire Lofts - Empire Lofts takes pride in its traditional New York architecture. It is a few blocks from Williams Tower, Waterwall, The Lakes on Post Oak, and Galleria IV.

• Lofts On Post Oak - Lofts On Post Oak is a premier Uptown loft development. It has impressive urban amenities, including valet, concierge, room service, six resort pools, a 20-seat theater, and more.

• Manhattan - Manhattan is popular for its French Beaux-Arts style architecture. It has paired columns, arched windows, and grand arched openings.

• St. James - St. James towers over the Uptown and Galleria area. It has a 25-year reputation as one of the earliest residential high-rises in Houston.

• The Mark – The Mark is a 30-story residential high-rise. It features an intercontinental style through its European-inspired architecture.

• The Mercer - The Mercer is a 30-story residential highrise known for its state-of-the art amenities. The Mercer only has one to two units per floor, providing its residents with ultimate privacy.

• The Oxford - The Oxford is a 21-story high-rise located next to the Galleria complex. It has a 20-year reputation as one of the premier residential condo buildings in Uptown Houston.

• Venti - Venti is a European architecture-inspired building with twenty exclusive units. The residential midrise features private, luxurious, and modern condos for sale.

To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see other condos within Downtown Houston, see Downtown Condos. To see condos within Museum District, see Museum District Condos.

The Houston Properties Team are expert in Galleria real estate. Please contact us if you'd like to see Houston condos or learn more about buildings that could be a fit for you.

Galleria TX History

The beginnings of the Galleria can be traced back to the 1940s. A prominent Texas oil tycoon Glenn H. McCarthy had an idea to build a sprawling shopping and hotel complex in Houston. However, as with most grand ideas, McCarthy’s plans took a while to materialize.

In the 1960s, long after McCarthy had scrapped the concept, real estate magnate Gerald D. Hines took over the development of the Galleria. The Galleria first opened its doors in November 1970. It was designed based on Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The Galleria only featured 600,000 square feet of retail space in its early years. Later expansions and developments transformed the Galleria into what it is today. It has grown to have over 2 million square feet of retail space and approximately 375 stores and services. Now, it is the biggest shopping mall in Texas and the eighth largest in the United States.

The Galleria in the late 1960s also sparked the development of Houston’s Uptown District. Gerald D. Hines and other real estate investors saw Uptown’s potential and implemented various developments in the area.

Later, the Uptown District became one of Houston's most vibrant and bustling hubs. It boasts more hotel rooms, office spaces, and retail shopping centers than Downtown Houston.

Surrounding communities and neighborhoods thrived alongside the commercial developments in the area. Today, the "Galleria area" refers to several upscale neighborhoods and communities. Which are south of Woodway Drive, east of Loop 610, north of the Southwest Freeway, and west of S Voss Road.

Fun Things to Do Near the Galleria

As Houston’s leading destination for retail, there is no shortage of fun things to do within the Galleria/Uptown district.

There’s the Galleria itself, the largest mall in Texas. With 2.4 million square feet and 375 stores, it rivals the seven other retail centers in the United States. Its anchor stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, and Nordstrom.

The Galleria also features over 50 restaurants, a jogging track on the roof, and a skating rink. Other entertainment and dining options are easily accessible.

Uptown Park is just north of the Galleria, a pedestrian-friendly, European-style shopping center. It has several upscale retail, service, and entertainment centers. Some of the must-visit stores in Uptown Park are Facade, Longoria Collection, and M. Penner.

There are also plenty of other options near the Galleria, including Rice Village and Highland Village.

Must-visit places in and around Galleria include:

Dining

• Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
• Masraff’s
• Pappas Bros Steakhouse
• Maggiano’s Little Italy
• De Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House
• Truluck’s
• The Capital Grille

Retail

• Neiman Marcus
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Macy's
• Nordstrom
• Zumiez
• Urban Outfitters
• Old Navy
• Banana Republic

Nightlife

• The Living Room
• Belvedere
• Luna Lounge
• H Bar
• Urban Social

Groceries

• Target Grocery
• Whole Foods Market
• Randalls
• Richard's Grocery Store
• Kroger
• H-E-B

Parks

• Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
• Post Oak Park
• Grady Park
• Hidalgo Park
• Cullen Running Trails Center
• Memorial Park Hike and Bike Trailhead
• Wiess Park
• Tanglewood Park

Best Galleria Realtor – Paige Martin

As featured on Fox News in the Morning, Houston Business Journal, and Houston Magazine, Paige Martin, a consistent Top Producing Broker-Associate and head of the Houston Properties Team, is ranked as one of the top residential real estate agents in the world.

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