Hungry? Meet Me at the Ranch…Rio Ranch
Kick Up Your Boots: The Rio Saloon is a full-service bar complete with hickory and rawhide barstools, a 22 foot long solid mesquite wood bar and a wood ceiling made from a Civil War-era barn. Don’t call it a comeback: Rio Ranch Steakhouse, located at 9999 Westheimer Road, has been here for years. But Judy Orlando, the new general manager of the Hilton Houston Westchase, wants customers to know that as the restaurant approaches a…..Read More
Twice as Nice: Apartments Open Phase 2
Old World Style, New World Luxury: Clockwise from top left: One-bedroom study units are spacious and modern; Portico at West 8 features a mix of Spanish, Mediterranean and Texan architecture; the new community room offers residents a place to lounge; a swimming pool is at the center of this enclosed courtyard with barrel tile roofs and stucco siding. In Italy, the word “portico” simply means “porch” – but in Westchase District, the word is associated…..Read More
Looking Good: New Mastarms and Landscaping
Two new projects are underway in Westchase District which have things looking spiffy. First up: at the request of the District, the City of Houston is upgrading the traffic signal at the intersection of Briarpark and Westpark, replacing the traditional span-wires with the cleaner and safer mastarm signal poles. Next, the Texas Department of Transportation is landscaping the greenspace along southbound Beltway 8, just north of Bellaire. TxDOT funded 100 percent of the construction…..Read More
“Surviving an Active Shooter” Presented by Public Safety Alliance
In an era when senseless killing seems to be far too common, the question is, "If you are the victim of an active shooter, will you know what to do?" More than 60 apartment managers, hotel supervisors and concerned citizens turned out to hear some answers at the recent Westchase District Public Safety Alliance meeting at the Houston Marriott Westchase, where the featured topic was "Surviving an Active Shooter," presented by Houston Police Department's Stephen…..Read More
Doing What Your Mother Used to Do for You
The Heights at Westchase, the District’s newest luxury apartment community, opened in November 2015 and already is ahead of leasing expectations. So what is attracting residents to the seven-building, 265-unit community? Nicki Trinidad, community director thinks it’s due in part to the “signature white glove services” offered. Both Trinidad and assistant community director Kristy McLocklin live on property, in part because of the services. “Not only do I love the amenities, but it’s nice that…..Read More
Like Father, Like Son, Like Labrador?
Following in your father’s footsteps can be tough enough when you’re 5’8” and he’s 6’4”. But when your old man is Glen Mayo, a 25-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, a member of the K9 unit, a supervisor on the HPD dive team and a member of the Westchase District patrol? Well, those are some big strides to match. But officer Alex Mayo isn’t fazed - he’s got his own scuba gear, his own…..Read More
New Mural on Library Loop Trail
Everybody's favorite Westchase District mural painter Larry Crawford, founder of Mural Arts, recently expanded his public art palate from traffic control signal boxes to something a little larger. Residing under a bridge Above the District's water habitat, located just east of Wilcrest Drive and behind the Robinson Westchase Library, is something called a box culvert. It's a concrete structure that spans the flood control channel and it's a space ripe for some artwork. The habitat…..Read More
Phillips 66 offers sneak peak into new HQ
Phillips 66 celebrated the grand opening of its new world headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Chairman & CEO Greg Garland. By the Numbers The 1.1 million-square-foot building has two towers connected by a sky bridge. In addition to traditional office space, the buildings have 275 conference rooms and other collaborative working space. A total of 2,200 employees will be moving to the new cutting-edge facility. They will have access to 2700 parking…..Read More
Little Free Libraries Popping Up on Library Loop Trail
Perhaps you've heard of the Little Free Library movement? The concept is simple: quirky mailbox-like structures filled with books supplied by readers that are free for all to enjoy. Borrow a book or leave one to share with the world - it's a grass roots way to promote reading and randomly discover new books. Westchase District is getting on the literacy love by installing its first Little Free Library this week at the west entrance…..Read More
Stuffing Buns across the Country
Behold the Texas kolache: a spin on Czech- and Slovak- inspired homemade dough filled with meats, cheeses or fruits. Over the years, the popularity of the semisweet pastries has grown from central and southeast Texas to spread across the country. While both Caldwell and West, Texas assert themselves to be the state’s kolache capitals, Westchase District lays claim as the birthplace of Kolache Factory, one of the fastest growing companies in Houston. Local Roots Though…..Read More