For years, Memorial City Mall has been a beloved Houston institution—a reliable, family-friendly destination where you could find everything from the perfect dress to the latest iPhone. It’s the mall with the charming Italian carousel, the fun ice rink, and that incredibly convenient Target attached. But if you thought you knew Memorial City, get ready to be reintroduced. A massive redevelopment is underway, set to transform the classic indoor mall into a vibrant, walkable, open-air lifestyle destination. This isn’t just a minor facelift; it’s a complete reimagining designed to rival modern hubs like CITYCENTRE. Another great Houston Mall.
We’ve dug into the plans, from the new Memorial Town Square on the old Sears site to the boutique Greenside project taking shape nearby, to give you a detailed look at what these changes mean for the Memorial City Mall stores and your future shopping trips.
The Big Picture: A Walkable Urban Oasis
The central vision behind the Memorial City redevelopment is to break free from the traditional enclosed mall format and create a more dynamic, pedestrian-friendly community. The developer, MetroNational, is taking cues from the success of modern lifestyle centers by focusing on creating beautiful green spaces, walkable paths, and a seamless blend of retail, dining, residential, and office spaces.
The goal is to transform the sprawling 265-acre campus into an integrated, upscale destination where visitors can spend the entire day. This move follows a successful trend seen across Houston, where destinations like CITYCENTRE and River Oaks District have proven that today’s sophisticated shopper wants more than just a collection of stores—she wants an experience. The plan for Memorial City Mall is ambitious, aiming to create a “one-of-a-kind experience for shoppers and visitors” for the next 50 years.
Memorial Town Square: The New Heart of the Mall
The most dramatic change is happening at the site of the former Sears store. MetroNational is developing a 27-acre urban center called Memorial Town Square. This project will serve as the new, open-air heart of the entire Memorial City complex. Â
The first phase is focused on creating a vibrant retail and dining hub — and things are now moving fast. MetroNational has officially started work: demolition of approximately 216,000 square feet of interior mall space is set to begin in May 2026, with parking improvements wrapping by January 2027 and the full redevelopment completing in April 2027. Phase one will feature:
- 190,000 square feet of new retail space spread across 10 standalone buildings.
- More than 40 new tenants, with a focus on combining top-flight restaurants, local boutiques, and health and wellness facilities.
- A beautiful half-acre green space designed for relaxing, socializing, and community events.
To seamlessly connect the old with the new, part of the existing mall will be demolished to create a grand, covered entrance that opens directly into the town square. This thoughtful design, master-planned by the renowned architecture firm Gensler, will help integrate the traditional indoor mall with the new, walkable outdoor district. Later phases of the project are planned to include a residential tower with over 250 units and a large office building, further cementing the area as a true live-work-play destination.
Greenside: A Boutique “Backyard for Friends”
Just north of the main mall, another exciting project called Greenside is taking shape. This separate but complementary development is a collaboration between MetroNational and Radom Capital, the visionary team behind popular, design-forward centers like M-K-T Heights and Montrose Collective. Â
Opening in Fall 2026, Greenside is an adaptive reuse project transforming 35,000 square feet of industrial warehouses at 1085 Gessner Road into a curated mix of restaurants, retail, and wellness businesses. Described as an “urban picnic” and a “backyard for friends,” it’s centered around a one-acre green space with string lights and ample seating. Walkways will connect Greenside to nearby spots like Torchy’s Tacos and Kirby Ice House, enhancing the area’s overall walkability.
The first wave of tenants was unveiled in early 2026 and leans heavily into wellness: Solidcore (high-intensity reformer fitness), Hiatus (expert-led day spa), Leemoo (premium smoothies & açaà bowls), and fast-casual restaurant Honest Mary’s. More tenant announcements are expected throughout 2026 as Greenside continues to take shape.
What This Means for Your Shopping Day
So, how will all these changes affect the stores at Memorial City Mall? The redevelopment is designed to enhance, not replace, the shopping experience you already love.
The keyword data shows that shoppers are often searching for specific stores, and the good news is that the mall’s most popular destinations are here to stay. The ever-busy Apple Store at Memorial City Mall will remain a central tech hub, and family favorites like the American Girl store and the Disney Store will continue to be major draws. The goal of the new development is to complement these beloved anchors with a fresh mix of tenants.
The addition of over 40 new retail and restaurant spaces in Memorial Town Square is expected to significantly elevate the mall’s fashion and lifestyle offerings. This will enhance the already strong lineup of clothing stores in Memorial City Mall, bringing in new boutiques to sit alongside favorites like ZARA, Banana Republic, and Anthropologie. For those searching for specific items, the new spaces will likely add even more options for dress stores, jewelry stores, and shoe stores in Memorial City Mall. Â
A Culinary Destination on the Rise
The redevelopment is also set to make Memorial City a major dining destination. The area has already seen a recent boom in exciting new restaurants. Haywire, a Texas-inspired restaurant with an award-winning wine list, and The Rouxpour, known for its authentic New Orleans atmosphere, have become popular spots. The recent opening of the beloved 24-hour New York deli, Katz’s, has also been a huge hit with locals. The restaurant has been open for a month. Have you already taken a bite at Katz?
The addition of Greenside and Memorial Town Square will bring dozens more culinary options, from fine dining to casual eateries, further strengthening the area’s appeal and providing even more choices to complement a day of shopping.
What’s our take on it?
The Memorial City Mall redevelopment is one of the most exciting retail projects in Houston. By thoughtfully blending its traditional indoor strengths with new, vibrant, and walkable outdoor spaces, it is evolving into a true town center for West Houston. While retaining the beloved stores and family-friendly atmosphere that have made it a staple, the addition of Memorial Town Square and Greenside will introduce a new level of sophistication and experience, ensuring it remains a top-tier destination for fashion, dining, and community for decades to come.
