Greenspoint Mall – A Once Thriving Hub
Greenspoint Mall, located in the Greenspoint neighborhood of Houston, Texas, opened its doors on August 5, 1976. Friendswood Development Company developed it in collaboration with Foley’s, one of the initial anchor stores.
Situated at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Beltway 8, the mall became a prime destination for shoppers and was conveniently accessible to much of the growing Houston metro area.
The early days of Greenspoint Mall were marked by excitement and optimism. With anchor stores like Foley’s, Sears, and Palais Royal leading the charge, the mall quickly became a shopping hotspot.
In its heyday, Greenspoint was a key player in Houston’s retail scene. By 2000, it was one of the five largest retail developments in the Houston area by rentable space.
Events, seasonal decorations, and a variety of stores made the mall a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you were looking for things to do in Houston, TX, or just a place to spend an afternoon, Greenspoint Mall offered something for everyone.
Despite its eventual decline, Greenspoint Mall left a lasting impression on the city’s commercial landscape.
The Golden Years (1976–1990)
From its opening in 1976 through the late 1980s, Greenspoint Mall thrived as one of Houston’s largest and busiest shopping centers.
With the expansion of anchor stores like Joske’s, JCPenney, and Montgomery Ward, the mall attracted shoppers from all over the city. Its size and variety of retailers made it a top destination in the Houston area, even rivaling The Galleria at times.
Greenspoint was more than just a shopping center—it became a social hub for the local community, hosting events, promotions, and activities that kept visitors coming back.
The mall’s footprint grew in the late 1970s. The addition of Lord & Taylor and the completion of the full anchor lineup solidified Greenspoint’s position in the market.
Shoppers could browse through a wide array of department stores, specialty shops, and boutiques, all within one massive complex.
The mall’s “Central Park” theme, with its spacious walkways, sculptures, and indoor greenery, gave it a unique charm that appealed to families and casual shoppers alike.
By 1988, Prudential Property Co. invested in a $7 million renovation to refresh the mall and maintain its competitive edge.
This upgrade came at a time when Houston was booming, and the mall reflected the city’s rapid growth. As Greenspoint’s popularity soared, so did its retail diversity.
It boasted more than just department stores—fashion outlets, electronics, home goods, and even a food court made the mall a one-stop shopping experience.
Challenges and Decline (1991–2006)
By the early 1990s, things began to change for Greenspoint Mall. The opening of The Woodlands Mall in 1994, located just 16 miles north, drew shoppers away from Greenspoint.
This new, more modern shopping destination presented a tough challenge, siphoning foot traffic and potential customers.
As leases started to expire for many of Greenspoint’s stores, key anchors like Mervyn’s began closing, with Mervyn’s leaving in 1998.
The mall also faced external pressures as the surrounding Greenspoint neighborhood experienced a rise in crime. This issue became so pervasive that the mall was tagged with the unflattering nickname “Gunspoint,” further driving potential shoppers away.
With declining foot traffic and increasing vacancies, the mall’s once-vibrant atmosphere faded. Anchors like JCPenney and Montgomery Ward shuttered their doors by 1999 and 2000, respectively, adding to the mall’s growing list of empty storefronts.
In 2006, the mall’s management announced a $32 million redevelopment project called “The Renaissance at Greenspoint” to try to breathe new life into it.
The plan proposed transforming the mall into a hybrid indoor-outdoor shopping center, aiming to attract new retailers and consumers.
However, most of the ambitious project never materialized. Some parts, like the addition of Premiere Cinemas, were completed, but other critical elements of the refresh were left unfinished, leaving the mall stuck in a state of partial redevelopment.
This period marked the beginning of Greenspoint’s long decline, a sharp contrast to its vibrant past.
The Final Years (2007–2024)
By the late 2000s, Greenspoint Mall faced more struggles as anchor stores continued to close. Macy’s rebranded the former Foley’s store in 2006, but it was one of the few remaining major retailers. Despite the attempt to rejuvenate the mall with new names, the decline continued.
In May 2010, Sears closed its location, and a few years later, the final Macy’s store shut its doors after a liquidation sale that ended in March 2017. With each closing, the mall became more desolate.
Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston in 2017, turned the vacant Macy’s into an unexpected shelter for flood victims when local facilities like NRG Stadium reached capacity.
Although this gave the space a temporary new purpose, it was another sign of the mall’s fading commercial relevance.
Around the same time, Global Plaza Union, a potential buyer, expressed interest in purchasing and demolishing portions of the mall. Yet, these plans stalled, and no major developments materialized.
The final blow came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premiere Cinemas, which had been one of the last active tenants, closed permanently in 2020.
Although other Houston theaters reopened as restrictions eased, Premiere decided to keep its Greenspoint location shuttered. By 2023, the mall’s interior closed briefly for repairs, but with only a handful of stores left, the writing was on the wall.
On May 23, 2024, the mall’s management announced that Greenspoint Mall would close permanently on June 30, 2024, giving tenants until the end of July to vacate.
Looking Ahead – The Future of the Greenspoint Area
A major redevelopment is planned for the former site of Greenspoint Mall. The land will be repurposed for affordable housing, with construction slated to begin in late 2024.
The project aims to revitalize the North Houston District by including a mix of residential units, retail outlets, and dining establishments.
The new development will include a large affordable housing project, part of a broader effort to revitalize the area.
With over $77 million allocated for the project, the complex will feature 325 apartment units and is expected to open in 2025. Local officials see this as a key step in bringing more economic activity and stability to the area.
