MetroNational is preparing for a major redevelopment of Memorial City Mall in west Houston, signaling continued investment in one of the city’s busiest retail corridors. According to early filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, MetroNational plans to demolish about 216,000 square feet of interior space at the mall, relocate an entrance, and create a new ground-floor lobby with tenant areas. The Houston Chronicle reported that an additional 190,000 square feet outside the mall will be removed to make way for a redesigned parking layout and other site improvements.
The redevelopment project has an estimated cost of $8.8 million. Gensler is named as the architect for the work. MetroNational confirmed that demolition will include parts of the former Sears wing but did not specify which sections would be affected. Sears was Memorial City Mall’s original anchor when it opened in 1966; MetroNational demolished the main store building in 2020 after Sears closed its location two years earlier.
Construction documents refer to this phase as “400 Gessner–North Site Phase 2,” suggesting that work may occur near the Cinemark theater. Temporary tenants such as kiosks and pop-up shops will be relocated before demolition begins.
Work on the project is scheduled to start in May 2026. Improvements related to parking are expected to finish by January 2027, with overall redevelopment completion anticipated by April of that year. MetroNational stated it will release final details as plans develop.
The planned mall revamp is separate from MetroNational’s previously announced “town square” proposal—a larger-scale, 27-acre development unveiled in 2022—which remains under evaluation.
In addition to changes at Memorial City Mall, MetroNational has partnered with Radom Capital on Greenside, a mixed-use project across I-10 featuring retail, restaurants, offices, and wellness concepts slated for completion in 2026. Earlier this year, MetroNational also acquired both the retail portion of CityCentre—an open-air shopping district—and the adjacent former Marathon Oil tower.
These projects reflect ongoing reinvestment in west Houston’s retail submarket as demand continues to grow.
“MetroNational confirmed the demolition will include portions of the old Sears wing but didn’t specify which segments are on the chopping block.”
“The landlord said it will release final details as plans take shape.”
