Westchase, Houston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westchase
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Business district of Houston, Texas
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Marker of the Westchase District
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Harris |
| City |  Houston |
| Government | |
| • Type | Special district |
| • Body | Westchase Management District |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.2 km2 (4.32 sq mi) |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 26,122 |
| • Density | 2,334.7/km2 (6,047/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (CST) |
| ZIP Code |
77057, 77063
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| Area codes | 281, 346, 713, 832 |
Westchase is a busy area and neighborhood in western Houston, Texas. It is bordered by Westheimer Road to the north, Gessner Road to the east, Houston Center Boulevard to the west, and Westpark Tollway to the south. The important Beltway 8 cuts right through Westchase. It is close to other areas like Sharpstown and the International District.
A large part of Westchase is managed by a special group called the Westchase Management District. This group was created by the Texas Legislature in 1995. It helps with planning the area, making it look good, and keeping it safe. Businesses in Westchase pay taxes to help fund this district.
More than 1,500 businesses are in Westchase. Many of them are connected to the petroleum industry (oil and gas), which is very important in Houston. Big companies with offices here include ABB Group, BMC Software, Chevron, Phillips 66, and Jacobs Engineering. The Westchase district covers about 4.32 square miles (11.2 square kilometers). It has many office buildings, totaling over 16 million square feet of office space.
Contents
History of Westchase
How Westchase Began
In the 1950s, a man named Robert E. Smith bought much of the land that is now Westchase. He was an oilman from Houston and also helped create the Houston Colt .45s baseball team.
Later, in 1969, a company called Friendswood Development bought some of Smith's land. They used it to build Woodlake, a neighborhood where Westheimer and Gessner roads meet.
Developing the Area
In 1973, Westchase Corporation bought 760 acres (3.1 square kilometers) of Smith's land. They started getting the land ready for companies to build offices. Chevron and Western Geophysical were some of the first companies to set up their operations here.
Construction on Beltway 8 (also known as the Sam Houston Tollway) began in 1985 and finished in 1988. This highway helped Westchase grow even more.
Companies Move In
In the early 1990s, BMC Software moved its main office from Sugar Land to a new 20-story building in Westchase. This was a big step for the area.
The law that officially created the Westchase District was passed in Texas on August 28, 1995.
In 2012, after separating from another company, Phillips 66 started building its main office in Westchase. This large project was finished in 2016.
Businesses and Jobs in Westchase
Westchase is a major business hub with many companies.
Major Company Headquarters
Several companies have their main offices or important regional offices in Westchase:
- BMC Software
- Phillips 66
- Geokinetics
- The Men's Wearhouse
- Randall's Food Markets
- Statoil
Other Important Businesses
Many other companies also have offices or operations in Westchase:
- Jacobs Engineering Group
- Chevron Corporation
- PetroChina
- WesternGeco
- ABB Group
- KRBE, a radio station
- Compuware
- Vroom, Inc.
Hotels and Shopping
Westchase has a growing number of hotels. Between 2014 and 2016, the hotel business in the area grew by 9%. Two main hotels are the Marriott Westchase and the Houston Hilton Westchase.
You can also find Nippan Daido, one of Houston's few Japanese markets, in Westchase.
Recent Company Moves
In 2022, Bechtel announced it would move its Houston offices to Westchase by late 2023. Also, in 2023, Mattress Firm shared plans to move its headquarters to Westchase.
International Connections
Westchase is home to several consulate generals. These are like small embassies that help people from other countries who live in Houston.
Consulates in Westchase
The consulates for Costa Rica, Indonesia, and the Philippines are located here. The Indonesian consulate has been in Westchase since 1993. The Philippines consulate opened on September 24, 2018.
In 2015, Saudi Arabia planned to build a new consulate complex in Westchase.
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In 2019, the Mexican government agreed to move its Consulate-General of Mexico to Westchase. This move helps Texas rebuild freeways in Southeast Houston. The new Mexican consulate opened in June 2021.
People Living in Westchase
In 2015, the Westchase Super Neighborhood had 29,149 residents. This area is defined by the City of Houston and is a bit different from the Westchase Management District.
The people living here come from many different backgrounds. In 2015, about 33% were non-Hispanic Black, 26% were Hispanic, 25% were non-Hispanic White, and 13% were non-Hispanic Asian.
Learning and Schools
Colleges and Universities
The Houston Community College Alief Campus opened in Westchase in 2007. Next to it, the West Houston Institute opened in 2017. This institute focuses on STEM subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math.
Other colleges in the district include American InterContinental University and Remington College, which opened its campus in 1997.
Schools for Kids
Most of Westchase is part of the Alief Independent School District. Some parts are in the Houston Independent School District.
Public Schools in Westchase
Two Alief ISD public schools are located within Westchase: Alief Early College High School and Sneed Elementary School.
Students in the Alief ISD part of Westchase go to different elementary, intermediate, and middle schools depending on where they live. For high school, students can attend Elsik, Hastings, or Taylor high schools. High school choices in Alief ISD are decided by a lottery.
For the Houston ISD parts of Westchase, students go to schools like Walnut Bend Elementary School or Emerson Elementary School. They might attend Paul Revere Middle School (which is in Westchase) and Westside High School.
Private Schools in Westchase
There are several private schools in Westchase. These include Alexander-Smith Academy, River Oaks Academy, Wesley Academy, and Grace Presbyterian Church and School. Westchase Methodist School is a preschool and kindergarten. The Tenney School is also in Westchase.
Public Libraries
The Judson W. Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library serves the area. It is part of the Houston Public Library system. The library is named after Judson W. Robinson Jr., who was the first African-American elected to the Houston City Council. The library was renovated and reopened in 2018.
Getting Around Westchase
METRO, Houston's public transportation system, has a park and ride station in Westchase. This station helps people commute to the city center. It has spaces for many vehicles, making it easier for people to take public transport.
Fun and Recreation
Parks and Trails
The Westchase District manages a network of trails. These trails run along a small river that flows through the middle of the district. The Brays Bayou Connector trail, which started construction in 2016, connects different parts of the area. It makes it easier for people to walk and bike to places like the International District.
The city government bought land in 2016 to create new parks near the library. Wilcrest Park was planned to open in December 2022, and Woodchase Park was scheduled to open in October 2021. Before these new parks, Westchase had fewer public parks compared to other city neighborhoods.
Community Centers and Culture
Harris County operates the Tracy Gee Community Center. This center is named after Tracy Gee, a Chinese American university student. It opened in 1993 and offers various community activities.
The Chinese Cultural Center, run by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston, is also located in Westchase.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas in 2020, the farmers market in Westchase saw more visitors.
Congregation Or Ami, a Jewish congregation, is also in Westchase.
Images for kids
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A street sign in Westchase branded by the management district.
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Deborah Sue Schatz Post Office
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Houston Fire Department Station 69
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American InterContinental University
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Judson W. Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library (pictured here in 2009; extensively renovated between 2016-2018)
