Westchase, Texas
The Westchase District offers the best of city life mixed with quiet suburban living and measures 4.32 square miles in size. Even though the area doesn’t cover a lot of space, it is home to more than 1,500 businesses in the area. Among them are Chevron, Phillips 66, BMC Software and Dow Chemical. Westchase is located at a crossroads of sorts with Beltway 8, Interstate 10, Interstate 69 and the Westpark Tollway all nearby. That means Westchase residents have easy access to everything the city has to offer.
Westchase is a popular spot for professionals and their families. With many top employers in the area, there’s a constant influx of talented people starting or furthering their career here. That can put a professional under a lot of pressure to hit the ground running, but an experienced Houston-based mover can take that pressure off, allowing those moving to the area to focus on work and getting familiar with their new surroundings.
History
Westchase’s story, like so many of Houston’s districts, is one of constant development. The area was first established in the 1950s, when most of district’s available land was bought up by Robert E. Smith, who was also responsible for bringing professional baseball to Houston. In 1973, the Westchase Corporation, a forerunner to current management districts, bought some of Smith’s land to begin development.
The area experienced a burst of development in the mid-80s, when the newly constructed Beltway 8 was routed through the area. Since then, numerous corporations have moved to Westchase, attracted by its plentiful office space and well-kept infrastructure.
Shopping
Westchase is near several major Houston malls, and with Westheimer close by, shoppers will have plenty to busy themselves with. Some of those shopping areas include:
- Memorial City Mall – Memorial City Mall is a couple miles north of Westchase, and though it’s been around for many years, recent renovations have improved both its look and function. In addition to a spate of apparel and specialty stores, there’s a large department store in the mall, an ice rink, a huge indoor playground and an outdoor “lawn,” complete with a jumbotron for watching movies and sports.
- West Oaks Mall – Compared to Memorial City Mall, West Oaks Mall is more traditional, with plenty of clothing stores and places to dine. It’s not as popular as some of Houston’s other malls, but it’s perfect for people that don’t want to contend with the bustle.
- The Galleria – The Galleria is a little further away, sitting about five miles to the east, but it’s worth a stop. The Galleria is one of Houston’s major destinations, with hundreds of stores featuring luxury apparel, technology, hobby shops and more. There’s also a large ice rink surrounded by a variety of places to eat, and fine dining is also located here.
Parks
Westchase District
10370 Richmond Ave., Suite 1350
713-780-9434
www.westchasedistrict.com
The Westchase area is surrounded by parks, most of which are within five or six miles of the area. They include:
- George Bush Park – George Bush Park is one of the city’s largest nature reserves, and is an important rainwater reservoir. It’s also humongous, with nearly 8,000 acres of green space, soccer fields, baseball fields and dog parks. Also noteworthy, there’s a large shooting range here that caters to all enthusiasts.
- Bear Creek Parks – The Bear Creek Parks are just north of Westchase, on the other side of Interstate 10. There are several parks here, with the Bear Creek Pioneers Park being the largest of them. Like George Bush Park, there are some unique features here, including an equestrian trail and a small zoo. There are also several playgrounds, picnic areas, baseball fields, soccer fields and off-leash areas for dogs.
Other things to do in the Westchase District
The Westchase District is centrally located, with major roads and interstates nearby. It’s also a high-powered economic center, so there are several community amenities nearby. In all, here’s what Westchase residents can occupy their time with:
- Even though Westchase is well inside the city, there’s still a few golf courses nearby, including Royal Oaks Country Club, Sharpstown Country Club, Braeburn Country Club and Pine Forest Country Club.
- The Quillian Center is one of the city’s most popular pools in the summer, and is particularly suited for young children, with a kiddie pool area that features slides, water features and shallow areas to play in.
- Westheimer Road runs through Westchase, and many of Houston’s most interesting and eclectic restaurants are located along the road. Every type of cuisine you could imagine is somewhere on Westheimer, so it’s a popular area for foodies.
- Just on the other side of the 610 Loop is Memorial Park, the Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel, which are all perfect destinations for someone looking for a more tranquil experience.
- Westchase is only a short drive away from everything the Inner Loop has to offer, which includes some of Houston’s interesting attractions. For example, there’s the Museum District, with world class science and art museums, Houston’s professional sports teams and all of its cultural offerings, like the Houston Ballet, Symphony and Theatre District.
Helpful Information for New Residents
Westchase District
10370 Richmond Ave., Suite 1350
713-780-9434
www.westchasedistrict.com
Houston Police Department
1200 Travis St.
713-780-9434
www.houstontx.gov/police/
Houston Fire Department
1801 Smith, 7th Floor
713-247-5000
www.houstontx.gov/fire/
Vehicle registration
www.txdmv.gov/motorists/register-your-vehicle
Driver license offices
www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense
Energy Corridor School Districts
Houston Independent School District
4400 West 18th St.
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 556-8501
https://www.houstonisd.org/
Alief Independent School District
4350 Cook Rd.
Houston, TX 77072
(281) 498-8110
https://www.aliefisd.net/