Greater Heights / Houston Texas

Greater Heights is located in north central Houston, inside the 610 Loop. It is roughly bound by Interstate 10 to the south, Interstate 610 to the north, i-45 to the east, and White Oak Bayou to the west. Greater Heights is located in Council District H.

Brief History

The Greater Heights Neighborhood is centered on the area’s largest neighborhood, Houston Heights. Houston Heights, commonly referred to as “The Heights,” was Houston’s first master-planned community. The idealistic vision for the community was one in which entrepreneurs and workers could live and work within a close community setting. The location for the community was chosen because it had a natural higher elevation than the City of Houston which was seen as advantageous to both industry and residents alike. In 1892, the grand entrance to the community was constructed, known today as Heights Boulevard. Stately Victorian mansions were constructed along the boulevard. Textile manufacturing and milling operations located in the Houston Heights provided employment for many of the area’s residents. In addition, the community was able to support a business district that included a hotel, an opera house, and other public amenities.

The community’s success of attracting residents and businesses contributed to Houston Heights incorporating as a city in 1891. Houston Heights remained an independent municipality until the end of the 1910s when it was annexed into the City of Houston. The areas surrounding Houston heights began to develop around this time. The eastern portion of Greater Heights was generally developed in the 1920s and 1930s. The western portion of Greater Heights was developed later, generally from the 1930s into the 1950s.

Today, the proximity to downtown Houston and ease of access to major freeways, keeps the neighborhoods in Greater Heights in high demand. The demand for housing is leading to the redevelopment of some areas to more dense urban forms while other areas are experiencing the rehabilitation of the older housing stock. Whether it is a new condominium or a rehabbed bungalow, Greater Heights is an area that is experiencing considerable investment and revival.

Neighborhoods

• Houston Heights
• Brooke Smith
• Proctor Plaza (Norhill)
• Shady Acres
• East Sunset Heights
• Clark Pines
• Sunset Heights
• Woodland Heights

Homeowner’s Associations and Civic Clubs

• Clark Pines Civic Association
• Heights Progressive Civic Club
• Heights West Homeowner’s Group
• Park Square Home Owner’s Association
• Lower Heights Civic Club
• Houston Heights Association – www.houstonheights.org
• Montie Beach Civic Club – www.montiebeach.org
• East Sunset Heights Neighborhood Association
• Proctor Plaza Neighborhood Association (Norhill) – www.proctorplaza.com
• Shady Acres Civic Club – www.shadyacres.org
• Sunset Heights Civic Club – http://sunsetheightshouston.org
• Woodland Heights Civic Association – www.woodland-heights.org

Community Schools

• Browning Elementary
• Field Elementary
• Harvard Elementary
• Helmes Elementary
• Jefferson Elementary
• Looscan Elementary
• Love Elementary
• Stevenson Elementary
• Travis Elementary
• Hamilton Middle School
• Hogg Middle School
• Reagan High School

Parks

• Freed Art & Nature Park
• Halbert Park
• Heights Boulevard Park
• Lawrence Park
• Ley Plaza Park
• Little Thicket Park
• Love Park
• Milroy Park
• Montie Beach Park
• Proctor Plaza Park
• Stude Park
• T. C. Jester Parkway
• White Oak Parkway
• Woodland Park
• Wright-Bembry Park

Neighborhood Statistical Info

• Houston City Council District H and District A
• Houston Independent School District (11 public schools; 3 private schools)
• 4,682 acres (7.3 sq. miles)

 

Houston Neighborhood Profile: The Heights

The Heights is Houston’s oldest planned community (circa 1890) Originally a very small area, it was annexed to the City of Houston in 1918. Unofficially, The Heights now includes the Woodland Heights, Norhill Heights, Sunset Heights, and surrounding tiny subdivisions that have all grown together into one diverse and funky area.

The Heights is located in northwest-central Houston. A National Geographic article says, “stroll the area’s broad, tree-canopied esplanades and side streets dotted with homes dating from the early 1900s and you may think you’ve landed in a small town.” John Nova Lomax said that the Heights, which he describes as “Houston’s own mini-Austin,” had many “low-key” restaurants and beer gardens. Unofficially speaking, the boundaries are Washington Ave. on the south, IH 45 on the east, Shepherd/Durham on the west, and the North 610 Loop on the north.

Due to the date of its inception, the area still has many original Victorian homes and classic Craftsman Bungalows. Some new construction, on the other hand, reflects the diversity of the residents, and is as modern as you’ll find anywhere. Warehouses, derilict gas stations, and old grocery stores become homes, cafes, restaurants and bars, while steel-frame metal-clad residencies sit between 1920’s constructions. This unique and vibrant mix of Veteran friendly real estate is sure to be a draw to most.

Thanks to a recent boom, nightlife in The Heights is among the finer in the city. The humble yet cool vibe of Big Star Bar (1005 W. 19th) has earned it a near cult-like following in just a few months; Jimmie’s Ice House (2803 White Oak), Shady Tavern (1206 W. 20th) and the like, offer up your prototypical neighborhood bar experience; and wine bar The Boom Boom Room (2518 Yale) is around if you’re looking to indulge in a little more fruitful alcoholic consumption. Other noteworthy venues include the funky Onion Creek (3106 White Oak), the down to earth Pearl Bar (4216 Washington), and Porch Swing Pub (69 Heights).

Many best-of-the-best call the Heights home. Veterans moving to Houston should take note. Crowned so by a local alternative arts and entertainment magazine and by the somewhat stuffier and more mainstream Houston Business Journal, the Heights’ Hickory Hollow (101 Heights) boasts the best chicken-fried steak, best new restaurant in Houston in the form of Glass Wall (933 Studewood), best tacos and homemade salsas at Berryhill (702 E. 11th), best plants, and best late-night restaurant. With names like Eclectic Home (home furnishings, 345 W. 19th), Glass Wall Restaurant (933 Studewood), Jubilee (women’s clothing, home décor, 321-A W. 19th), Tansu (321 W. 19th), Redbud Gallery (art gallery, 303 E. 11th), Antidote Coffee (729 Studewood), and the famous Harold’s (clothing, 350 W. 19th), relocating Veterans can expect diversified selections for every taste.

Originally a brainchild of a small band of visionary and dedicated small-business owners, the Heights 1st Saturday, typically from 10am – 6pm, brings visitors to the neighborhood to discover the Heights’ best-kept secrets. Eclectic boutiques, antiques shops, and the First Saturday Arts Market open their doors, plan special events, and have a grand ‘ol time. Artists show and sell their work, musicians play outdoors, and free shuttles carry visitors from business to business, providing some historical-and-otherwise insights into the culturally diverse and casual neighborhood.

Billed by the organizers as “sultry, steamy, exotic, and artfully provocative,” White Linen Night in the Heights brings out an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people. Always the first Saturday evening in August, art lovers wear white linen and take to the Heights streets. The event, a celebration of art, culture, and community, offers complimentary cooling summer drinks and recipes, entertainment, boutiques and shops, art galleries, fresh hand-rolled cigars, some of the best restaurants in Houston, and eclectic bars. Free white pedi-cabs, motorized rickshaws, and shuttles are the primary modes of transportation. Texas Veterans need to be ready to immerse themselves in the culture which abounds in this neighborhood.

Cultural events are in abundance in this chic neighborhood. Always the first Saturday in December, Mistletoe Madness is a similar event to White Linen Night, but is earlier in the day to encourage holiday shopping. It includes a popular caroling contest, horse-drawn carriages, hot cups of Wassail, hay rides, and lots of holiday cheer. Free shuttles and pedi-cabs carry visitors around the neighborhood.

“Lights in the Heights”, held on the second Saturday of December, is an annual holiday event identified by block upon block of luminarias (candles burning in sand inside small paper bags), horse-drawn carriages, carolers, holiday parties, porch entertainment and strolling visitors.

For Veteran families with school age children, the Heights are served by the Houston Independent School District. Elementary schools include Crockett, Field, Harvard, Helms Community Learning Center, Love, Sinclair, and Travis.

Secondary schools include Hamilton and Hogg. Reagan High is the lone high school.

There are also two charter schools in The Heights: Houston Heights Learning Academy and Houston Heights High School. The New School in the Heights, on the other hand, is a K-9 private school, while the Houston Outdoor Learning Academy is a grade 6-12 private school.

No matter which neighborhood transitioning Veterans choose, the Heights should remain high up on the list of choices based on the wealth of amenities and family friendly businesses.