Heights - River Oaks - Montrose Edition | December 2025

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Heights River Oaks Montrose Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 9 DEC. 10, 2025JAN. 12, 2026

New boutique hotels emerge as Houston tourism rebounds

BY ROO MOODY

The Heights, Montrose and River Oaks areas have seen a rise in neighborhood boutique hotels open- ing in 2025. The openings coincide with Houston reaching a record number of 54 million visitors in 2024, according to the Houston First Corp.

CONTINUED ON 18

Hotel St. Augustine Inspired by The Menil Collection, a neighborhood museum in Montrose, the hotel has 71 rooms and designs that showcase the duality of Houston’s

Hotel Daphne Located in the Houston Heights neighborhood, once completed, the boutique hotel will oer 49 rooms, an all-day restaurant and bar and a library area that can be rented out for private events. 347 W. 20th St., Houston

The Marlene The neoclassical mansion in Montrose dates back to 1910 and features nine rooms decorated with antiques imported from France. 109 Stratford St., Houston

historic charm and new growth. 4110 Loretto Drive, Houston

W.MAINST.

ASHLAND ST.

STRATFORD ST.

W.21STST.

HELENA ST.

WESTHEIMER

W.2OTHST.

COURTESY BUNKHOUSE HOTELS

RENDERING COURTESY BUNKHOUSE HOTELS

COURTESY JULIE SOEFER

Also in this issue

Impacts: Check out what popular Austin burger chain is coming to Houston’s Inner Loop for the rst time in 2027 (Page 6)

Development: See photos of the new Ismaili Center, Houston, the rst to ocially open in the United States (Page 17)

Community: View this holiday guide list on when and where to see classic theater specials this December (Page 21)

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Impacts

W. 34TH ST.

W. 25TH ST.

offer all-natural burgers and hand-cut fries. • Opening spring 2027 • 4815 Katy Freeway, Houston • www.pterrys.com

W. CAVALCADE ST.

20TH ST.

290

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WHITE OAK BAYOU

7 Recess For parents and children, the new establishment will feature a supervised kids’ play area on the first floor and a full-service bistro and bar on the second. Reservations will be required for families and will be available to rent for events. • Opening early 2026 • 1500 Waugh Drive, Ste. 150, Houston • www.recess-htx.com 8 Glo Pilates The Pilates studio will offer classes with a reformer machine that include full-body workouts, stretching and Pilates classes with dogs. The Montrose location will be

W. 11TH ST.

T. C. JESTER BLVD.

WHITE OAK DR.

W. 6TH ST.

WASHINGTON AVE.

TAYLOR ST.

KATY FREEWAY

MEMORIAL PARK

SAWYER ST.

WASHINGTON AVE.

E. MEMORIAL LOOP DR.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARK

the first in Houston. • Opening in January • 2020 Richmond Ave., Ste. 201, Houston • www.glopilateshtx.com

610

P K

BUFFALO BAYOU

BRIAR OAKS LN.

W. GRAY ST.

What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

9 Killer Burger Home of the Peanut Butter Pickle Bacon Burger, this fast-casual burger restaurant from Portland is opening its first Houston location in Sawyer Heights. Construction is anticipated to start in February and finish in May. • 1909 Taylor St., Ste. A, Houston • www.killerburger.com 10 St. John’s School The private school is planning to undergo a $69 million expansion project to build a new two-story lower school building with an underground parking garage, as well as a lower building project that will feature a new carpool circle and playground. The project will begin in February 2026 and be finished by December, according to TDLR. • 2401 Claremont Lane, Houston • www.sjs.org 11 PNC Bank The former Shake Shack in Montrose will be transformed into a new building that will offer personal, corporate, institutional and small business banking services. According to TDLR, construction is slated to last through March 1. • 1002 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking.html

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W. ALABAMA ST.

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VAL VERDE ST.

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4 Trippin Taco This halal Mexican cuisine food truck opened in November to sell birria tacos, nachos, tamales and fusion ramen bowls. • Opened in November • 5550 Val Verde St., Houston • https://trippintaco.com 5 Framebridge This online custom framing business sells personalized and custom frames. It made its Texas debut in Central Austin in 2024. • Opened in November • 2505 River Oaks Blvd., Houston • www.framebridge.com Enchanted Chapters Popping up in the Houston area, this mobile bookstore carries a variety of genres from romance to fantasy, thriller, mystery and children’s books. • Opened in October • www.linktr.ee/enchantedchapterstx

Now open

1 Eberhard Social House Nestled between River Oaks and Montrose, the business features ambient lighting and artisan cocktails such as espresso martinis, as well as food items such as sushi. • Opened Oct. 21 • 1216 W. Clay St., Ste. A, Houston • www.eberhardhtx.com 2 The Taco Stand Created by the partners of Burger Joint, the new Montrose outlet offers street-style tacos paired with five different house-made salsas, corn and flour tortillas. Cocktails will also be available. • Opened Oct. 30 • 1503 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.tacostandhtx.com 3 Chick-fil-A Locally owned and operated by Houston resident Drew Ellis, the popular drive-thru chicken restaurant opened on Washington Avenue. This location has a new walk-up window for carry-out. • Opened Nov. 6 • 3800 Washington Ave., Houston • www.chick-fil-a.com

Relocations

12 Crust Pizza Co. The pizza joint relocated to the Durham Row Center in October. Restaurant officials said the move allowed them to expand the menu, provide better parking and improve the dining experience. The restaurant specializes in Chicago-style thin-crust pizza. • Reopened Oct. 24 • 1215 N. Durham Drive, Houston • www.crustpizzaco.com

Coming soon

6 P. Terry’s Burger Stand This popular, family-owned restaurant confirmed it will open the first location inside Houston’s Inner Loop in 2027. Sporting a double drive-thru format, the spot will

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

13 Loro Piana Previously located in The Galleria, the Italian fashion brand moved to the River Oaks District in October. The store’s new concept uses natural materials and oak. • Reopened Oct. 17 • 4444 Westheimer Road, Ste. F100, Houston • https://us.loropiana.com

• www.juniorleaguehouston.org

Now open

16 B&B Butchers More than 10 years ago, owner Ben Berg opened the locally-owned restaurant and butcher shop that specializes in dry-aged steaks and Japanese wagyu beef. • 1814 Washington Ave., Houston • www.bbbutchers.com

In the news

Closings

14 Memorial Park Golf Course and Driving Range

17 Houston Cider Company The cider bar and taproom closed permanently Nov. 15. The company opened as Houston’s first production cidery in 2018 and included a brewery, taproom and patio. • Closed Nov. 15

Houston City Council approved $1.52 million to make improvements to the longstanding facility. Repairs will include fixing the drainage and irrigation systems. The improvements will take approximately 10 weeks to complete and will be closed during this period. • 1001 E. Memorial Loop Drive, Houston • www.memorialparkgolf.com 15 Junior League of Houston The nonprofit celebrated 100 years with an event in October. The league consists of women from the Houston area who are passionate about advancing women’s leadership with a focus on child education, women’s health and basic family needs. • 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston

19 Doc’s Jazz Club Conceived by jazz pianist Brent “Doc” Watkins, the modern take on the golden-age supper club now features a full mezzanine level, performance stage, an upstairs bar, private alcoves and cabaret-style seating. • Opened Nov. 11 • 1201 Westheimer Road, Ste. B, Houston • www.docsjazzclub.com

• 1125 W. Cavalcade St., Houston • www.houstoncidertx.com/ciders

18 Paulie’s After 27 years of business, this Montrose staple is slated to close at the end of the year. Owner Paul Petronella said the closure is due to an inability to agree with its landlord to renew the lease. • Closing Dec. 31 • 1834 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.pauliesrestaurant.com

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Government

Enforceability concerns rise over new apartment inspection program

High-risk rental property inspection program

Council member Letitia Plummer originally proposed the ordinance in May to help protect residents from substandard and dangerous housing conditions.

What the ordinance includes:

Multifamily rental properties that receive too many certified habitability citations within six months would have to register as a “high-risk” building. Creates an Apartment Standards Enforcement Committee responsible for inspecting properties and administering fines for violations. Building owners who fail inspections as part of the proposed program could face a $250-$2,000 misdemeanor fine per day per violation. Owners of high-risk rental buildings would be required to attend an Apartment Landlord Training Program focused on city codes and identifying unsafe conditions. A property’s high-risk registration may be terminated if all pending violations are resolved within six months or the building no longer houses residents, per the policy.

Houston City Council on Nov. 5 tabled its decision to create a new “high-risk” rental property inspec- tion program after several council members said the proposal lacks proper enforcement measures. What happened Seven council members, including Letitia Plummer, who proposed the program back in May, wanted to hold a vote during the meeting, saying the council should pass the ordinance so the pro- gram can be implemented and properly evaluated. However, eight council members and Mayor John Whitmire disagreed and voted to push the decision back to Dec. 10 so the policy can be revised to include clearer enforcement protocols. What they’re saying Several council members said the proposal has

merit but isn’t quite ready for an official vote, citing concerns with enforcement logistics and a lack of an appeal process for property owners. Casey Morgan, CEO of the Houston Apartment Association, said during public comment that there should be a mechanism for identifying “bad actors” among property owners, but the proposal in its current form would not yield the intended results without a stronger enforceability component. On the other hand, council members Edward Pollard and Sallie Alcorn supported Plummer’s push to vote on the program, saying the city needs to move forward with establishing protections before all the details can be fine-tuned. Stay tuned City Council is expected to revisit the proposal at its Dec. 10 meeting.

SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTON/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY SARAH BRAGER, CASSANDRA JENKINS & EMILY LINCKE

Multifamily recycling program launched On Oct. 21, officials with the city of Houston announced the details of a new pilot program aimed at increasing recycling efforts for multifamily units. What’s being done District C council member Abbie Kamin is part- nering with Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department to lead the program. The one-year pilot program officially launched Oct. 1, 2025, with six properties participating in the initial rollout. However, officials with Kamin’s office said the program remains open to any mul- tifamily complex in the city of Houston that wants to participate, at no cost for the first year. Program costs are covered by a grant from The Recycling Partnership, a nonprofit that works to improve the United States recycling system, and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. The two entities cover all program expenses, including collection

Local Government News 3 stories we’re following online

Recycling rates In 2023, over 420,000 tons of waste were sent to landfills in the Houston area.

1 Houston City Council dism is ses request to increase water rates

Houston

On Nov. 12, Houston City Council rejected a request from the water provider Aqua to raise water rates for residents and business owners. The request would have raised around $30 million in additional revenue for the company and impacted about 93 residential customers across the area. 2 Houston receives $1.7M in state funds to address homelessness Houston City Council accepted about $1.7 million in state funding on Oct. 29 to eliminate and prevent youth and adult homelessness. The funds can be used for actions such as building housing, street outreach, case management and funding emergency shelters. 3 Houston approves purchase of new police, public works vehicles Nearly $9 million in purchase orders was approved on Nov. 19 for more than 70 new vehicles for the police and public works departments.

19%

San Francisco

80%

Portland

70%

Chicago

11.1%

New York City

15.4%

National average

34.7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

100%

SOURCE: ENVIRONMENT AMERICA/COMMUNITY IMPACT

crews, recycling containers, education materials and operational costs, according to Kamin’s office. Multifamily complexes interested in joining the program can contact the office of council member Abbie Kamin at districtc@houstontx.gov.

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Education

BY WESLEY GARDNER

Teacher approval of district goals increases Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles gave board members an overview Nov. 13 of the results of the district’s fall 2025 staff survey. A closer look Miles said the survey had a response rate of about 87%, noting it was sent out to 256 principals, 506 assistant principals and 8,495 teachers. Overall, Miles said about 98% of principals and 82% of assistant principals believed the district was headed in the right direction. However, he said only 44% of teachers felt the district was headed in the right direction. For that same question, Miles said 35% of teachers had a neutral response and 21% said they believed the district was not headed in the right direction. “Do we have some work to do at the district level? Yes,” Miles said. “[But] we’re moving in the right direction.”

Houston ISD expands free meal services HISD is expanding opportunities for students to access breakfast and after-school supper services in response to recent dis- ruptions in federal programs and services, officials announced in a Nov. 3 news release. What you need to know Every HISD campus will ensure students can eat a free breakfast when they arrive at school, even allowing kids to take meals to class, according to the news release. HISD is also expanding its After-School Supper Program, which provides free evening meals for students who stay on campus after school. Beginning Nov. 5, the free program expanded to include 231 of the district’s 274 campuses. HISD families can also visit any of the dis- trict’s eight Sunrise Centers for assistance.

Houston ISD teacher satisfaction survey Roughly 8,500 HISD teachers received the following survey questions. Favorable Neutral Unfavorable Overall, the district is headed in the right direction.

44%

35% 21%

Overall, my school is headed in the right direction.

70%

22% 8%

I receive adequate communication about district priorities and changes.

68%

21% 11%

My school leaders effectively communicate important information to teachers.

77%

14% 9%

The quality of my instruction is improving.

81%

16% 3%

The instructional feedback I get helps me improve the quality of my instruction.

78%

15% 7%

SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Transportation

BY JULIANNA WASHBURN

Ron Papsdorf, H-GAC’s chief transportation officer, discusses priorities in Greater Houston area

Community Impact interviewed Ron Papsdorf, the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s chief trans- portation officer, about the state of transportation in the Greater Houston area. H-GAC is a regional organization through which local governments consider issues and cooperate in solving problems in areas such as transporta- tion. Papsdorf, who stepped into the role of chief transportation officer in June, spoke about the region’s greatest transportation priorities and challenges. What are your responsibilities as the chief transportation officer? I have the honor of working with a group of dedicated professionals in service to the Houston region. With the Transportation Policy Council, we partner with local, regional and state agencies to plan, prioritize and invest in transportation system improvements to improve the lives of the people who live and work here. That means marshaling our resources to achieve the region’s transportation goals: improve safety, keep the system well-maintained, move people and goods efficiently, strengthen economic competitiveness and protect the environment. What are the biggest priorities for transportation and mobility in the Greater Houston area? I view addressing the region’s safety, congestion and air quality issues as paramount. If we can address those core issues, we will have a trans- portation system that contributes to a thriving and livable region. As an example, during the last three months of 2024, we experienced over 47,000

crashes on the region’s transportation system. Not only were each of those crashes probably the worst thing that happened that day to the people involved in them, but those crashes also make it harder for people to get to work on time, slow down the deliv- ery of goods to our stores and put our emergency responders at risk. That adds to our congestion, worsens our air quality and hurts the economy. What are some of the challenges this area has when it comes to transportation and mobility? The Houston region is large, dynamic and growing. Our population tripled over the past 50 years to 7.7 million people, and we expect to grow by another 3 million people over the next 20 years. ... We also have challenges with congestion and our ability to efficiently move freight through the region. In fact, according to a study by the American Transportation Research Institute, the Houston region has eight of the nation’s top 100 truck bottleneck locations and two of the top 10. As a port region, our economy depends on being able to move goods efficiently. Are there any new trends you are seeing in mobility needs across the region? Like most regions around the country, we’re still experiencing changes in travel patterns post- COVID, from some people working from home some of the time. E-commerce and increased home deliveries are influencing transportation needs. Finally, changing technologies like self-driving vehicles, artificial intelligence ... will change the way we use and experience the transportation system over time.

COURTESY HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL

What do you want people to know about H-GAC and the role it plays in the region’s transportation and mobility projects? At our core, we are conveners. We bring people together to wrestle through difficult issues and collaborate to make the best possible decisions to address the region’s transportation problems and build a livable future. We support that by collect- ing, analyzing and sharing data and information, and preparing plans and strategies.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

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Transportation

W. 18TH ST.

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

T. C. JESTER BLVD.

W. 11TH ST.

Upcoming projects

Ongoing projects

1 35 San Felipe Project: This project includes roadway repair and street reconstruction, as well as the addition of new sidewalks, improved accessibility and bus shelters with lighting. Update: The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County is set to start construction on the 35 San Felipe route on West Gray Street in December. The project spans from Montrose Boulevard to Shepherd Drive. • Timeline: December2025-January 2026 • Cost: TBD • Funding source: METRO

WHITE OAK DR.

W. 6TH ST.

WHITE OAK PARK

WASHINGTON AVE.

MEMORIAL PARK

SAWYER ST.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARK

BUFFALO BAYOU

P K

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GENESEE ST.

610 3 Montrose Boulevard Improvements Project Project: The project includes fully reconstructing Montrose Boulevard from Allen Parkway to West Clay Street into a four-lane concrete roadway. The project includes installing a median, sidewalks, trees, signals and a pedestrian bridge. Update: The portion of the project between West Dallas Street and Allen Parkway was completed in early November. • Timeline: March2025-Q2 2026 • Cost: $17.9 million • Funding source: Montrose TIRZ

Ongoing projects

W. GRAY ST.

MONTROSE BLVD.

2 Montrose Parking Study Project: This project intends to gather resident feedback on parking challenges in the Montrose neighborhood by using a survey put together by the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board. Update: The survey launched in early November and closes Dec. 15. Results of the survey are expected to be posted after the study is completed in December. • Timeline: November-December • Cost: $140,000 • Funding source: Montrose TIRZ

527

W. ALABAMA ST.

RICHMOND AVE.

288

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Development

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

1 The building and sky are mirrored in the water of the Reflection Fountain, a feature inspired by other architectural designs around the Muslim world. 2 A series of terraced gardens, each planted with native species from a different eco-region of Texas, elevates the building of the Ismaili Center, Houston. 3 The Central Atrium is the heart of the center, which rises over 70 feet and is made of stepped screens. Ismaili Center, Houston, opens as new cultural hub The Ismaili Center, Houston, will hold an official grand opening ceremony Dec. 12-13 for the public. The center serves as a community and cultural hub for the Shia Ismaili Muslim community as a place of prayer, social gathering, culture and intellectual pursuits. About the project The 11-acre site in Montrose boasts over 9 acres of gardens and courtyards and a 150,000-square- foot, five-story building, which includes a prayer room, several conference centers, a black box theatre, art exhibitions, children’s classrooms, an atrium and a cafe. Despite its affiliation with the Shia Muslim sect, Omar Samji, a spokesperson for the center, said he and all partners of the project hope the space will serve as a cultural and community hub for residents in and around Houston from all walks of life and religions. The center will be open to the public, with meeting spaces, the courtyard, gardens and black box theatre available for residents to use and book.

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New boutique hotels emerge as Houston tourism rebounds From the cover

Houston experienced a rise in several metrics related to hospitality, tourism and economic growth in 2024.

Local hotel & tourism growth

What’s happening

Hotel revenues in the metro increased nearly 16% , well above any other major metro in Texas.

Visitors to Houston spent a record of nearly $11 billion.

As boutique hotels continue to grow in popularity, more neighborhoods are helping accommodate the city’s growing tourism industry. For example, Lily Bareld, owner of The Marlene, said historically, the Montrose neighborhood hasn’t seen many hotels, but the numbers show that Houston is a place people keep traveling to visit. She believes smaller boutique hotels will help continue to fuel that growth. Lisa Bonifacio, managing director of The Lifestyle Group, which represents Bunkhouse Hotels, also said she sees travelers migrating toward boutique hotels. “It is easier for boutique hotels to oer the local neighborhood feel, providing guests with a real sense of place, even on a quick trip,” she said. Bunkhouse Hotels operates venues such as Hotel Daphne and Hotel St. Augustine in the Heights. Hotel St. Augustine opened at the end of 2024, and Hotel Daphne is currently wrapping up construction. Paul Vaughn, the director of data operations at Source Strategies, a company that tracks and measures Texas hotel data and analytics, also noted the rise in popularity of boutique hotels. “This is a trend that we have seen coming up in the last decade, basically, where travelers are wanting a more localized, experiential stay when they go somewhere,” he said. Bonifacio said large events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup are a strong motivator for the hotels to be up and running by the new year. The FIFA World Cup, which will host seven games in Houston in June, is expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to the city. In 2024, the city already saw a record-breaking 54 million visitors who brought in $16 billion of economic impact, according to data from Houston’s venue management company, the Houston First Corp. However, while the initial numbers for tourism and hotel revenue in 2025 are lower than the previous year, Michael Heckman, Houston First Corp. president and CEO, said the city has still experienced a strong year of tourism and growth. “Even in the face of sort of geopolitical uncertainty, taris on again o again,and a 40- day government shutdown, we’re going to end up with another really strong year here in 2025,” Heckman said. While predictions for 2025 show that the number of visitors will likely be lower than in 2024, experts remain positive about the city making a comeback in 2026. More hotels are also anticipated to open in the next two years, with Hotel Daphne debuting in January and The Birdsall, a luxury hotel in River Oaks, expected to open in 2027.

Visitors to the city helped generate $2.2 billion in state and local taxes and directly supported nearly 121,800 jobs.

The total number of visitors to the city of Houston reached 53.9 million .

SOURCES: HOUSTON FIRST CORP., SOURCE STRATEGIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Hotel St. Augustine

Opened December 2024 71 rooms and suites Amenities include an all-day lounge, a listening room, courtyard pool On-site all-day restaurant and bar

SOURCE: BUNKHOUSE HOTELS

Hotel St. Augustine includes a listening lounge, lobby and bar.

The Marlene

Opened summer 2025 Nine-bedroom inn

spanning three stories Amenities include TV, sound machine, Nespresso, steamer and toiletries On-site intimate cocktail bar

SOURCE: THE MARLENE

Guests can dine in The Garden Room at The Marlene.

Hotel Daphne

Opening January 2026 49 rooms Amenities include a pool, a library, retail shop On-site full-service

restaurant and lounge

SOURCE: BUNKHOUSE HOTELS

Hotel Daphne is presented as a European-inspired escape.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY ROO MOODY

Measuring the impact

In their own words

Dollars at work

Following the rise in occupancy and RevPAR, a hotel performance metric that calculates the revenue per available room, the cost of hotel stays has declined since 2024. According to Todd Walker, director of feasibility and analytics at Source Strategies, nearly 1,500 rooms are under construction in the metro. He said these rooms will keep occupancy lower as there will be more rooms to fill the demand.

In 2024, Houston saw 25.1 million rooms booked, according to data from Houston First. Barfield said she isn’t worried about running out of visitors, even though Houston isn’t necessarily known as a tourist destination. “There’s just always going to be people visiting Houston, which is incredible as a business owner to know there’s a really strong base,” she said.

Last year’s record number of visitors also led to a 15% increase in hotel revenue and contributed to a rise in the funds Houston First Corp. gives to the arts and entertainment sectors of Houston. Heckman said the organization allocates nearly 20% of the hotel occupancy tax to the Houston Arts Alliance and predicts around $22 million will be reinvested into the arts next year. The remainder of the money will be used to market and promote Houston, he said. “We work very hard to grow the pie because when the [hotel occupancy tax] is growing, that means all of the rest of the industry is growing,” Heckman said. “That means there are more people who are in hotels, there are more people who are going to restaurants and using transportation companies, and the ripple effect of that through the economy is incredible.”

Hotel performance metrics

Main trip purposes Visiting friends/relatives

2023 2024

RevPAR

Occupancy percentage

48.3% 52.1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

+10.9%

Special event

7.3% 8.8% 8.6% 6.4% 6.9% 8.3%

Touring

-3.4%

City trip

2023

2025

2023 Q4

2024 Q1

2024 Q2

2024 Q3

2024 Q4

2025 Q1

2025 Q2

2025 Q3

SOURCE: SOURCE STRATEGIES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: LONGWOODS INTERNATIONAL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Celebrate the Season

Chriimas Eve Worship Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! 3 PM GRAND HALL Children & Family 5 PM SANCTUARY Acoustic Band 7 & 9 PM SANCTUARY Chancel Choir

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Sun | Dec 14 | 4 PM Carols & Christmas Classics Christmas Concert

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Community

Holiday Events Guide

2025

Gingerbread Build-Off Architecture Center Houston is hosting this annual competition, where teams create 100% edible masterpieces with gingerbread, candy and other sweet treats. • Dec. 13, 8 a.m.-4:40 p.m. • $200 (team registration), $150 (high school team registration) • 3801 Eastside St., Houston • www.architecturehouston.org/gingerbread-build-off Holiday Crafts The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is hosting a DIY paper event, where participants can create holiday cards, gift tags and other festive accents with items such as recycled pulp, plant seeds and dried flower petals. • Dec. 20, 10 a.m.-noon • $37 (member), $47 (nonmember) • 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston • www.houstonarboretum.org/event/diy-paper

December

Christmas Village at Bayou Bend Slide down faux snow, toss snowballs and search for Santa’s reindeer in the gardens of Bayou Bend while touring Ima Hogg’s historic house. • Dec. 5-30, times vary • Free (children under 4), $14-$21 (per ticket) HHA’s Mistletoe Market Hosted by the Houston Heights Association, the market at the Historic Houston Heights Fire Station features one-of-a-kind gifts, festive cheer and the chance to support local vendors. • Dec. 12, 2-7:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 107 W. 12th St., Houston • www.houstonheights.org/event/mistletoemarket/ • 6003 Memorial Drive, Houston • www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend

M-K-T Holiday Light Tunnels Use the lit-up tunnels that create two twinkling pathways connecting M-K-T to the Heights Hike and Bike Trail as a festive backdrop for evening walks, cozy moments and holiday photos. • Nov. 7-Jan. 6, 4 p.m. • Free (admission) • 600 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston • www.themkt.com

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Holiday Theater Crawl

2025

Kid-friendly performances

Ballet, musicals and theater

‘The Story’ The Broadway-style musical shows the adventures of a young boy searching for peace within his dreams through exciting dances, holiday hits and original numbers. The show runs for two hours with one intermission. Child care is available for infants. • Dec. 12-14, times vary • $13-$38 (per ticket) • Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston • www.houstonsfirst.org

‘The Nutcracker’ Performed by the Houston Ballet, “The Nutcracker” follows classic holiday characters Clara and the Prince, and their fight against the Rat King. The show features hundreds of characters, intricate set designs and music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

• Dec. 10-28, times vary • $44-$230 (per ticket) • Brown Theater, 501 Texas Ave., Houston • www.houstonballet.org

The Ghosts of Christmas Eve Performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the concert showcases a rock, classical and theatrical spectacle, with pyrotechnics, lasers and holiday storytelling.

Ballet, musicals and theater

Kid-friendly performances

‘A Christmas Carol’ Encounter the true meaning of Christmas with Ebenezer Scrooge as he visits the past, present and future. • Dec. 10-28, times vary • $36-$138 (per ticket) • Hubbard Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., Houston • www.alleytheatre.org ‘Take The Soul Train To Christmas’ The Ensemble Theatre takes viewers back through time to witness how African Americans have celebrated Christmas throughout history.

‘A Christmas Carol’ for Kids The kid-friendly adaptation uses 12 large puppets to tell the story of Ebony Scrooge, a teenage millionaire who cares more about her money than the people in her life. • Dec. 16-17, times vary • $17.95-$19.95 (per ticket) • Brown Auditorium, 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston • www.cmhouston.org Oh, What Fun! The holiday concert for kids features sing-alongs, free hot chocolate and a visit from Santa. • Dec. 13, 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. • $35-$40 (per ticket) • Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St., Houston • www.houstonsymphony.org

• Dec. 19, 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. • $55-$450+ (per ticket) • Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St., Houston • www.trans-siberian.com

Carols on the Green The Houston Grand Opera is performing a holiday concert sing-along. This year’s show will celebrate Latin American culture and include traditional Spanish songs. • Dec. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • Anheuser-Busch Stage, 1500 McKinney St., Houston • www.discoverygreen.com

• Dec. 10-21, times vary • $45-$55 (per ticket) • 3535 Main St., Houston • www.ensemblehouston.com

Neighborhood talent

‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ The family-friendly holiday performance blends a Broadway-style musical with contemporary circus artistry and soaring acrobatics.

Concerts, orchestras and symphonies

‘Narnia, The Musical’ A.D. Players Theater is bringing C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” to life on stage. With the help of talking animals, brave warriors and a mighty lion, four siblings find the courage to fight for Narnia’s freedom. • Dec. 10-23 • $25-$66.25 (per ticket) • The George Theater, 5420 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.adplayers.org This list is not comprehensive.

‘Elf’ In Concert The Houston Symphony is performing live John Debney’s score in the Christmas movie “Elf,” as the film

• Dec. 23-24, times vary • $46-$126.50 (per ticket) • Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St., Houston • www.cirquedreams.com

plays on a giant screen. • Dec. 19-21, times vary • $75-$164 (per ticket) • Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St., Houston • www.houstonsymphony.org

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Dining

BY ROO MOODY

Heights & Co. oers a happy hour Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The restaurant’s menu features several sandwiches, including a smashburger, grilled chicken sandwich and brisket grilled cheese.

PHOTOS COURTESY CKO DIGITALHEIGHTS & CO.

Heights & Co. serves as ‘one-stop shop’ for residents Over the past 17 years, Brian Doke and Evin Wood have opened around 15 hospitality-focused busi- nesses, including Savoir, Patton’s Steakhouse and the neighborhood bar Heights & Co. cocktails, along with entertainment. A closer look

Heights & Co. oers seasonal drinks and food served in festive glassware during the holidays.

When it comes to Doke’s priorities, he said he tends to focus on the experience Heights & Co. oers, as he believes it’s not always enough for a restaurant just to serve good food anymore. So, the establishment utilizes its outdoor patio for dierent experiences. For example, throughout November and December, the bar plays Christmas movies and serves seasonal cocktails in themed glasses. “There’s always just something simple and enjoyable about hanging out with people you like, roasting some s’mores, watching a movie, having a little cocktail, a little dinner ... it’s just kind of an easy, fun experience,” he said.

Heights & Co. opened four years ago, and Doke said when he rst looked at the space, he felt it could be a great addition to the neighborhood. “We always want to make sure that anything we do is adding to the landscape and sort of the immediate neighborhood, but also from a general Houston standpoint,” Doke said. The approach When planning the concept for Heights & Co., Doke said he wanted the bar to serve as a one-stop shop for residents, oering brunch, dinner and craft

W. 14THST.

1343 Yale St., Houston www.heightsandco.com

Come to the Store Or Shop Online!

AUSTIN

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Dining

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

SHEPHERD DR.

DURHAM DR.

CENTERST.

RICHMOND AVE.

Wingbay 3520 S. Shepherd Drive, Houston www.wingbay.com

Main Bird 1150 Durham Drive, Ste. 400, Houston www.mainbirdhotchicken.com

Main Bird has six spice levels to choose from.

Halal restaurants break into Houston dining scene Several halal restaurants have opened across Houston in the last few months, including spots that oer Nashville-style hot chicken, smashburgers, hot dogs, wings and tacos. Respecting the craft Food is considered halal if it adheres to Islamic dietary laws, meaning it doesn’t contain forbidden ingredients like pork or alcohol and is prepared according to specic guidelines. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Services website, guide- lines include slaughtering animals in a humane way and keeping food free from any contact with forbidden substances.

WESTHEIMER RD.

CHIMNEY ROCK RD.

BRIARGROVE DR.

HILLCROFT AVE.

VAL VERDE ST.

Smash City Burger 6377 Westheimer Road, Houston www.smash-city-burgers.com

Trippin Taco 5550 Val Verde St., Houston www.trippintaco.com

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Real estate

The number of homes sold was up in three of five local ZIP codes in October, including in the Montrose neighborhood, the Washington Avenue and Rice Military corridor and the Upper Kirby area. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

October 2024

October 2025

+19.35%

+1.52%

-19.75%

-2.44%

+35.71%

610

77006

77007

77008

77019

77098

77008

77007

Median home sales price

77019

October

2024

2025

77006

$578,900 $522,700 $642,000 $770,000 $622,500

$651,500 $500,000 $630,000 $607,000 $770,000

77006

77098

77007

288

77008

Homes sold by price point

77019

October 2025

77098

$1,000,000+

$750,001-$1,000,000

Average days on market

$500,001-$750,000

+42.42%

+82.61%

+23.75%

-9.57%

+38.68%

$250,001-$500,000

<$250,000

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY CB&A REALTORS 832-678-4770 • WWW.CBAREALTORS.COM

77006

77007

77008

77019

77098

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Happy Hour specials: $4 Beer/wine, $6 Dumplings $6 Dumplings Happy Hour: 3–5 PM, Monday–Thursday! Surprise Giveaway! Spend $50 or more (dine-in or takeout) and be entered to win a holiday prize! Valid for dine-in and takeout only. Not valid through delivery service providers.

FREE & free first day of daycare following evaluation. EVALUATION Must mention Community Impact & for new guests only

HEIGHTS NOW OPEN! 1616 W 22nd St. Houston, TX 77008 832-699-3399 MONTROSE 1616 Montrose Blvd. Houston, TX 77006 713-496-3596

White Oak Dr.

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

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