Gulfgate Mall

Gulfgate Mall, also known as Gulfgate Shopping City or Gulfgate Center, is a shopping center located in the East End, Houston, Texas, United States.^[1] The mall is located northwest of the intersection of the Gulf Freeway and Interstate 610.

History

It was the first regional mall in the Houston area, opening as Gulfgate Shopping Center on September 20, 1956 with Joske's, Sakowitz, Weingarten's, J.J. Newberry and W.T. Grant.^[2] The architects were John Graham & Company.^[3]

In the early 1960s, while the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) was under construction in the Clear Lake area, NASA personnel opened temporary offices in center in about 3,000 square feet (280 m²) of floor space donated for the purpose by the Gulfgate management. MSC had a continuing operation there until additional office, engineering and laboratory space could be leased and made ready for occupation. Operations at the Gulfgate offices were largely concerned with procurement, personnel and public affairs.^[4]

The shopping center was enclosed around 1967 and, after years of decline and competition, shuttered in 2000.^[5] In 2001 the original mall and the former Mervyns (across Woodridge) were demolished and redeveloped into a strip mall configuration, anchored by H-E-B, Best Buy, Office Depot, Marshalls, and Lowe's.

Anchors

• H-E-B
• Best Buy
• Old Navy
• Marshalls
• Ross Dress for Less
• Staples
• Lowe's (Gulfgate West across Woodridge)

Former mall anchors

All stores demolished in 2001

• Joske's 228,900 sq. ft. (became Dillard's Clearance Center in 1987)
• Sakowitz 128,900 sq. ft. (closed 1985, remained vacant)
• J.J. Newberry 69,400 sq. ft. (became HJ Wilson Catalog Showroom on unknown date)
• W.T. Grant (closed mid-70's)
• Weingarten's (closed early 80's, became Pic-N-Pay Supermarket, then MacFrugal's)
• HJ Wilson Catalog Showroom (became Service Merchandise in 1985)
• Dillard's Clearance Center (closed 1997, remained vacant)
• Service Merchandise (closed late 90's, remained vacant)
• MacFrugal's (closed 2000)

Former Gulfgate West anchors

• Globe Shopping City Membership Store (closed in mid 70's and became FedMart)
• FedMart Membership Store (closed in early 80's and became Mervyns)
• Mervyns (closed 1991 and remained vacant for several years until it was demolished and rebuilt as Lowe's in 2001)

References