Montrose

The Montrose neighborhood has been lovingly known as the Heart of Houston. It’s a four-square-mile pocket of eccentricity that includes top Texas restaurants, dive bars, boutique browsing, and museums that display the works of Pollock to Picasso. The diversity also shines in the area’s development. Housing options range from restored mansions and craftsman bungalows to contemporary luxury condos. The neighborhood is bordered by Buffalo Bayou on the north, Southwest Freeway to the south, 527 spur on the east, and Shepherd Drive on the west side.

Accessibility: Montrose has one of the highest walkability scores in the city. Its current WalkScore sits at 85, meaning almost every errand or nightlife scene can be completed or accessed on foot. The Houston transit system METRO has multiple routes running through Montrose with the 82 taking passengers from Downtown, through the major neighborhoods of the city, and heads east to a nearby suburb, Katy, Texas.

Parks and Recreation: The neighborhood’s northern border is Buffalo Bayou Park, a 160-acre initiative that provides ample, beautifully-landscaped space for picnicking, hike and biking, paddle crafts, and even the city’s go-to dog park. Buffalo Bayou is just minutes west of downtown, so park visitors can lounge or get their lunges in with the Houston skyline as a backdrop.

Smaller green spaces include:

Mandell Park– a lush and picturesque community garden

Menil Park- 30 acres of sprawling lawns, trails, and sculptures

Ervan Chew Dog Park– features sports fields, playground sets, and a 9,000 square foot dog park (fenced)

Commute: Montrose is great for residents seeking a combo of a cultural hot spot and an easy commute. Downtown lies literally minutes to the east, and the 59 Southwest Freeway provides easy access to the 610 Loop, Interstate 45, or a southward trip down Highway 288. Interstate 10 is also a few minutes north, depending on traffic.

Appreciation: As a city hub, construction, and renovation (commercial and residential) are constants in this neighborhood. Combine that with a decade of steadily rising property values, and it’s safe to say that this trend will most likely continue.

Montrose Appreciation Values:

1-year real estate appreciation: 6%

5-year real estate appreciation: 47%

10-year real estate appreciation: 51%

Desirable Schools:

Elementary: Poe Elementary is known as one of the best inner-city primary schools in Montrose and the surrounding area. Wharton Dual Language Academy serves gifted and talented students in their Spanish Language Magnet program from grades Pre-K through 8th. Wilson Elementary is also a notable Montessori option.

Middle School: Students are zoned to either attend Lanier Middle School or Gregory-Lincoln Education Center.

High School: Lamar is regarded as one of the best public high schools in Houston with its renowned athletics program and IB Diploma Programs.

Private School Institutions:

• River Oaks Academy
• Annunciation Orthodox School
• The Harris School
• Avalon Academy
• Kipling Street Academy
• School For Young Children
• Stephen’s Episcopal School
• University of St. Thomas

Historic: ‘The Montrose’ was named after a town in Angus, Scotland. Local oil tycoon J.W. Link had a master-planned community like River Oaks in mind when he built his mansion amongst the original four wide boulevards in 1911 (his home was converted to now serve the University of Saint Thomas). In the 1960s, Montrose turned into the hub of the counterculture movement as lower rents allowed hippies, gays, and musicians to lay the groundwork for its bohemian flair. The 1970s Montrose was an even more vibrant LGBTQ community and where the city’s pride parade originated. Since then, development and gentrification have pushed prices up to make Montrose one of the more expensive neighborhoods in the city. However, this ‘hipstrict’ still teems with evidence of its ‘anything goes’ attitude from the past.

Shopping: Montrose offers a truly unique retail experience. From Space Montrose, a quirky Mom-and-Pop shop offering delightful local goods to Kuhl-Linscomb, a 100,000 square foot expanse of luxury curated wares. The area is also well known for its antique and vintage clothing stores dotted throughout.

Due to development (no zoning laws), deed-restricted building codes in Montrose’s historic districts, and the price of home values on the rise, the area can be difficult to navigate. If you are looking to sell or buy real estate in Montrose, Houston, Texas, contact Angel Fultz, Houston Realtor to advise and guide you.