Hilshire Village

With mature trees casting shade over quiet streets in the Hilshire Village neighborhood, it’s easy to forget for a moment that you’re less than 10 miles from downtown Houston. Those trees almost gave the neighborhood its name: Development began here in the early 1950s, and Frank Bruess, the property owner, intended to name it Tall Pines. However, he was reading a book about an English country estate called Hillshire Village, and decided that it would be the perfect name for his new enclave (with a slight spelling change). Today, the neighborhood is the site of majestic homes on well-manicured lawns, with easy access to nearby shopping and amenities, as well as to Interstate 10. “The location is great and the schools are great,” says Realtor and Hilshire Village resident John Cooper. “But I think what really sets us apart is the intimate setting of the neighborhood. Families here know each other and look out for each other. It’s a neighborhood that attracts sociable people. It’s like a small town in the middle of the city.”

Hlshire Village is characterized by large, stately homes, most of which feature a brick exterior. And you won’t find cookie-cutter homes in the neighborhood, as architectural variety is a hallmark of homes here. Ranch-styles sit next to Tudors and across the street from farmhouse-style homes in Hilshire Village. The median price of real estate in the neighborhood is around $1.2 million, and buyers should expect to pay approximately $360 per square foot. A four-bedroom/four-bathroom Queen Anne-inspired home can sell for around $798,000, and a spacious five-bedroom/six-bathroom modern Tudor lists for around $2.6 million.

Students in Hilshire Village can attend some of the best schools in the area, including Valley Oaks Elementary, Spring Branch Middle and Memorial High School. Valley Oaks and Spring Branch both earn an A rating on Niche, and Memorial earns an A-plus. Students at Memorial High School can participate in more than 60 school-sponsored clubs, from Women in STEM to Underwater Explorers to the Art Club. The school also fields over 20 varsity-level athletics teams. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of excellent private schools in the area, including St. John’s School, which is rated as the best private school in Texas by Niche.

While the neighborhood is car-dependent, there are several Houston METRO bus stops along Westview Drive at Hilshire Village’s northern border. And Hilshire Village is very walkable, as Cooper points out, “It’s not uncommon to see 50 people out walking in the neighborhood on a given night. And a lot of times, they’ll pass by a house where folks are having a glass of wine, and they’ll invite whoever is walking by to join them.” Hickory Shadows Park, located in the neighborhood’s southeastern corner off Hickory Shadows Drive, is a superb place for playing or relaxing in a tranquil outdoor environment. With a playground, butterfly garden, walking trail and benches, the park offers plenty of activities for all levels of activity. Memorial Park, Houston’s largest urban park, is less than four miles away from the neighborhood for those who want a full nature experience. Visitors can hike or bike their way through the park’s 1500 acres on any of the 13 trails. Memorial Park is also home to the state’s top-rated municipal golf course, the 18-hole Memorial Park Golf Course, as well as tennis courts, a swimming pool and a softball diamond.

When it’s time to stock up on groceries, Kroger is conveniently located just across Westview Drive. Home Depot is situated less than a mile southwest of the neighborhood and Walmart Supercenter is off Silber Road, also less than a mile from the neighborhood. And the Marq-E Entertainment Center is only two miles east on I-10, where you’ll find Houston Improv, Escape It Houston and Regal Cinema, along with restaurants like Dave & Busters and Big City Wings. For those times when you need a little more upscale dining in your life, check out Federal American Grill, where diners can indulge in steaks, seafood and chicken in a chic interior with exposed brick and well-stocked bar.

Video By

Daniel Willingham