The Galleria is Texas' largest shopping destination, boasting over 400 stores, 70 of which are exclusive to Houston, along with more than 60 dining experiences. Opened on November 16, 1970, in what is known today as Uptown Houston, The Galleria was part of a visionary project dating back to the late 1950s.
Former Houston Mayor Roy Hofheinz and businessman R.E. "Bob" Smith aimed to create a unique, indoor air-conditioned shopping mall covered by a massive dome. At that time, most shopping centers were outdoor spaces with walkways exposed to the elements. However, their plans were disrupted when developer Frank Sharp signed Foley’s Department Store for his nearby Sharpstown Mall. Believing Houston could only support one major shopping center, Hofheinz and Smith shifted their efforts to a different venture: bringing Major League Baseball to Houston and constructing the Astrodome, famously known as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
1 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 1
2 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 2
3 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 3
4 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 4
5 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 5
6 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 6
7 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 7
8 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 8
9 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 9
10 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 10
11 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 11
12 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 12
13 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 13
14 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 14
15 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 15
16 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 16
17 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 17
18 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 18
19 of 19
Copyright 2024 by Houston City Beat. All rights reserved. - 19
Their instincts were correct about the perfect location for an indoor shopping mall on Houston’s west side. Just ten years later, the legendary developer Gerald D. Hines opened The Galleria in the exact area Smith and Hofheinz chose on Houston’s west side. Today, The Galleria attracts more than 30 million visitors annually, making it Texas’ largest shopping center and the fourth largest in the nation.
Spanning 2.4 million square feet, The Galleria features 400 stores and restaurants, two high-rise Westin hotels, and three office towers, catering to every style and taste. It offers an array of amenities, including a full-size ice rink, a state-of-the-art children's play area, two swimming pools, banks, tax-free reimbursement locations, tailor shops, beauty salons, and even a post office.
With 13,000 parking spaces across seven garages, The Galleria accommodates countless visitors. Nestled between the exclusive neighborhoods of River Oaks and Memorial, it is renowned not only for its shopping but also for its architectural elegance, modeled after Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, built in 1867. More than 7,000 professionals in the adjoining office towers enjoy the convenience of having this vibrant retail and tourist destination just a short walk away.
