Major Memorial City Mall Upgrade to Transform Key Houston Retail Corridor

Memorial City Mall in Houston is set for a significant upgrade as developers move forward with plans to redevelop the area around the former Sears building. The project marks a major refresh for one of West Houston’s most heavily visited commercial hubs and signals continued investment along the bustling Interstate 10 corridor.

Major Redevelopment Planned Near Former Sears Site

MetroNational, the longtime owner and developer of Memorial City, has begun advancing plans to transform the space once occupied by Sears, which closed several years ago. The company has not yet released detailed architectural renderings, but early filings indicate a substantial redevelopment that may include new retail, dining, and mixed-use components.

The site sits on the mall’s west side and serves as a central connector for nearby offices, medical facilities, and residential towers. As foot traffic continues to return to pre-pandemic levels, property owners see an opportunity to modernize the space and draw more visitors.

Why the Upgrade Matters for Houston

The Memorial City area employs thousands of workers and attracts daily visitors from across Greater Houston. Because of this, any large-scale redevelopment has an outsized impact on traffic patterns, job opportunities, and retail options.

The new project may bring:

• More dining and entertainment choices for West Houston residents
• Additional commercial space that could attract regional or national brands
• Potential improvements to pedestrian flow around the mall
• Long-term job creation tied to construction and new tenants

Local businesses near the mall could also see increased activity once the new development opens.

What Comes Next

MetroNational is expected to release more information as plans move through the city approval process. Construction timelines, tenant announcements, and new site features will likely be shared over the coming months once designs are finalized.

Although no official completion date has been announced, the redevelopment is part of a wider effort to refresh the Memorial City district and keep it competitive with other major Houston retail destinations.

For now, regular mall operations will continue without interruption, and nearby businesses will remain open throughout the planning phase.

This article is a summary of reporting by the Houston Chronicle. Read the full story here.