Last Chance To See 600 sq mi: Hidden
Missed Connections: Gefilte Fish...and "Chain Connections"
H-Town Rock
Rock Talk, Vol. IX
Many tenants of the River Oaks Shopping Center have been slowly let in on a growing probability: the demolition of initially two parts of the complex - first of which is the northeast corner of the center at Shepherd and West Gray, designed by Hugh Potter, and constructed beginning in 1937. The second is our favorite theater in Houston, the River Oaks (2009 West Gray), which was opened in 1939 and is run by Landmark Theatres (known for playing first-run independent and foreign films). Where else can you see Sixteen Candles and Strangers With Candy back to back?!
There are no plans in writing, but according to the Chronicle article:
Archway is located near the River Oaks Theatre on the south side of West Gray. At a meeting with the gallery's owners in March, a Weingarten's leasing agent detailed the company's plans to tear down their entire building — including the theater — in early 2008, Archway co-owner Marsha Harris said.
And for what? A residential highrise in place of the theater ("possibly preserving part of the theater's exterior, but none of its art deco interior" - well whew!), and a multi-story Barnes and Noble on the corner. Of course, if there's a new bookstore there, that opens up the possibility of the demise of the Alabama Bookstop, owned by Barnes and Noble, and where the land happens to be owned by Weingarten as well.
To make things worse, Weingarten apparently hasn't met inquiries by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance with much enthusiasm, and along with Barnes and Noble are keeping quite mum on the matter. We can only hope now that the bulldozers won't arrive in the wee hours of a Monday morning (a la Spire Realty and their ingenious move to turn the historic William Penn Hotel into a surface parking lot).
You can contact Weingarten Corporate Headquarters' executive offices via email or telephone to chime in and help protect another endangered Houston landmark.
Photo: Flickr user narrazione
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We tend to stay away from the north side, and katy area because after a while everything starts to look the same. The same old big chain restaurants, clothing stores, coffee shops, electronics outlets etc. We love living in the Galleria/Richmond/Montrose area because there is so much diversity. We frequent Mom & Pop stores often and enjoy getting to know the owners. I can't imagine living anywhere where that type of diversity doesn't exist (well, technically, I can because I grew up near Willowbrook Mall, but got away as soon as I could!).
Reading about the River Oaks Theater being demolished makes my stomach turn.
Welcome to the homogenization of the "ecclectic" parts of town.
Yeh, what we need is another high rise...and while they're at it could they possibly entertain the idea of putting a Starbucks in said high-rise for a sum total of THREE Starbucks on one block!?!
ARGH!
I just don't understand how they could think of tearing down the things — River Oaks theater, Art Deco shopping center, bookstore in the restored Alabama theater — that make people want to go to these places at all. It'll be a real shame if Houston lets this happen.
also, the shopping center's site (http://www.riveroaksshoppingcenter.com/aboutcenter.htm) says it's the oldest shopping center in texas, and the second oldest in the nation...
Houston, It's Worth It? Maybe, but not for long if companies like Weingarten keep having their way with our city's landmarks. It's a shame.
As I said on Houston Photobloggers; It is ironic then, that the Houston Chronicle should list River Oaks theatre number 2 in it's top 20 cool things about Houston!
As someone who was born and grew up in SW Houston in the 70's & 80's -- and frequented the RO Theatre -- I find this utterly tragic. The theatre is a cultural and historical icon. It is irreplaceable and should be on a list of protected properties, not a hit list.
If it were poorly cared for or abandoned, an argument for demolition and replacement might be tenable. However, it is neither of those things. Surely there is something that can be done...?
thougt you might like to read this
Besides writing to Weingarten, the mayor, etc. We might want to write Barnes & Noble too. See http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com for info. We can work off the facts that they are proud of their history and the original store is still standing in NYC and their mission includes listening to the communities they serve. And we are being greatly served by them just 1 mile away in the Alabama Theater Bookstop [which we love very much]. See below for lifts from their website regarding history and mission.
History
The Original Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble's beginnings can be traced to 1873, when Charles M. Barnes started a book business from his home in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1917, his son, William, went to New York to join G. Clifford Noble in establishing Barnes & Noble. During the height of the Great Depression, what later became the Barnes & Noble flagship store was opened on Fifth Avenue at 18th Street in New York City, where it still resides today. This store developed a worldwide reputation for excellence by serving millions of customers with its comprehensive selection of general trade books, academic titles and textbooks, and medical books.
Mission
Above all, we expect to be a credit to the communities we serve, a valuable resource to our customers, and a place where our dedicated booksellers can grow and prosper. Toward this end we will not only listen to our customers and booksellers but embrace the idea that the Company is at their service.
Thanks for caring and doing!
Isn't this not the case anymore? I clicked a banner which led me to this link. The banner was about signing a petition? Landmark theaters which own hundreds of theaters across america bought it a while ago. right?
LL, this is still very much the case. Weingarten has already demolished half the original part of the center, as you probably know, and is replacing it with a two-story retail thing with a giant Barnes & Noble attached. The other half is scheduled to come down next, though it's not clear when that'll happen given the economy.
Landmark does operate the River Oaks Theater, but it doesn't own the theater — just leases the space from Weingarten. The theater lease has been extended a bit (I think until 2012), but after that, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen. My guess: no more River Oaks Theater.
Oh. Hmmm. So I guess my friends who work the River Oaks Theater Bar could be out of a job in a few years? yikes.
Good Cause. But I would guess it would stay open. There are way to many super rich clientele that pay 150$ a seat whenever some famous actor comes there and shows a movie.
good to sign on anyhow.