West University Elementary, Poe Elementary, Roberts Elementary, Pershing
Middle School, Lamar High School
Source: Crawford Realty Advisors
5/22/94
West U. sees rebirth amid change
By Katherine Feser
Houston Chronicle
West University Place is fertile ground for pioneers: those who founded the city
far from downtown back in 1917 and those who spearheaded the tear-down trend in
the early 1980s.
"Over the past few years, West U. has really witnessed a rebirth of the
neighborhood," says Kim Frumkin of Martha Turner Properties. "We are seeing a
lot of new construction."
Since January of last year, 170 new and recent construction houses and town
homes were sold, ranging from $198,000 to $1,225,000. "It's now competing for
buyers who used to be River Oaks-oriented," Frumpkin says.
Older homes sell for $170,000 to $500,000. Tear-downs generally range from
$100,000 to $250,000.
The city of 13,200 people is located six miles from downtown near U.S. 59
South and Buffalo Speedway. Nearby is Greenway Plaza, the Village and Rice
University.
Brick cottages, stucco, and traditional style homes are found among the old
oak, maple and magnolia trees common in the community. Chain link fences around
trees foreshadow the fate of quaint old houses - demolition.
"There's the benefit of having a variety of architectural styles," Frumkin
says, referring to the new construction. "You have Grandma's old home next to a
New Orleans style next to striking stucco contemporary."
But squarish red-brick houses built recently have been criticized by some.
"Many of the blocks are like row houses," says architect Roy Harper. "You
almost have to count from one end of the block to find your home because they
all look alike."
"I think that it's still a very special place to live," Harper says. "There's
a real sense of pride in ownership in its citizens."
Although big new homes with small yards have changed the look of the
neighborhood over the past 10 years, some things have stayed the same. At
46-year old JMH Super Market on Rice Boulevard, groceries are still rung up on
old-fashioned cash registers and you can charge by signing your name.
West University has its own police and fire departments with quick response
times.
