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Save a landmark. Buy a book.
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As the anchor tenant for Weingarten Realty’s proposed River Oaks Shopping Center project and one of Weingarten’s largest tenants nationwide, Barnes & Noble has great influence with the developer and could require a more enlightened approach toward preserving Houston’s heritage as the bookseller does in other cities. The publishing business is evolving rapidly; in 20 years brick and mortar bookstores like Barnes & Noble will no longer exist. Our city’s enduring historic architecture is being destroyed by short-term thinking.
By shopping at the Alabama Theater/Bookstop (2922 S. Shepherd Drive) and the other businesses in the Alabama Shepherd Center, you will be sending a clear message that Houston supports preservation. You will also be providing measurable evidence that Houstonians care about our shared heritage and will reward businesses that preserve our city’s irreplaceable historic architecture.
About the River Oaks center/Alabama Theater
Weingarten Realty CEO Drew Alexander has confirmed for the first time that the company is considering plans to raze the original sections of the River Oaks Shopping Center (1937) as well as the River Oaks Theater (1939) and Alabama Theater/Bookstop (1939). In Lisa Gray’s Sept. 1 article in the Houston Chronicle, Alexander verified that Weingarten is negotiating with Barnes & Noble to occupy a new store on the site of one of the River Oaks Shopping Center’s distinctive curved buildings. The company is also considering high-rise residential or office developments for the sites now occupied by the River Oaks Theater and Alabama Theater/Bookstop.
Alexander says the company is open to ideas for saving three of Houston’s most significant Art Deco landmarks as long as the proposals make economic sense. On Sept. 10, the Houston Chronicle published Gray’s article explaining what other cities have done to preserve historic theaters.
In July, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance placed all three properties on its Endangered Buildings List due to the threat of demolition, and in February, Preservation Texas named the buildings to its list of the state's most endangered sites. Here's what you can do to help save them:
Write Weingarten, Barnes & Noble and city leaders
The public is encouraged to write Weingarten Realty to express support for preserving these local landmarks. Letters should be addressed to:
Mr. Drew Alexander
Chief Executive Officer
Weingarten Realty
P.O. Box 924133
Houston, Texas 77292-4133
Please also write Barnes & Noble and ask the company to reconsider its plans for the River Oaks Shopping Center in Houston. Address letters to:
Mr. Stephen Riggio
Chief Executive Officer
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
122 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
Please copy your letters to:
Mayor Bill White
mayor@cityofhouston.net
Councilmember Ada Edwards (River Oaks Shopping Center and Theater)
districtd@cityofhouston.net
Councilmember Anne Clutterbuck (Alabama Theater/Bookstop)
districtc@cityofhouston.net
Online petition
Concerned citizens have started an online petition to encourage Weingarten Realty to preserve these important buildings. Sign the petition here.
"Save This Landmark!" T-shirts
Show your support for preserving the River Oaks center by
buying a "Save This Landmark!" T-shirt. Order fulfillment is handled by Spreadshirt, and orders ship in one to two business days. A portion of the proceeds from online shirt sales benefits GHPA.
You may also buy T-shirts at Copy.com, 1201-F Westheimer Road.
"Save This Landmark!" sign
You may also download, print and display a full-sized version of the "Save This Landmark!" image above, courtesy of the Documentary Alliance.
Join GHPA
Your membership in GHPA allows us to track these types of projects and alert the community to threats to our irreplaceable heritage.
Learn more
Learn more about the threat and ongoing efforts to save the buildings through these stories:
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• "Historic theater could soon fade into history," Houston Chronicle, July 22
• "Battle begins over Houston landmark's potential destruction," KHOU, July 27
• "Houstonians Sign Petitions to Save Historic Shopping Center," KUHF, July 27
• "Battle to save River Oaks center," Houston Chronicle, July 28
• "Rumors surround historic theater and shopping center," KTRK, July 28
• "Theater fight might be preview of coming attractions," KHOU, July 28
• "Fighting for a Landmark," KPRC, July 28
• "Landmark's supporters take plea to City Council," Houston Chronicle, Aug. 2
• "A page of history," Houston Chronicle, Aug. 7
• "Fighting the Wrecking Ball to Save Houston Landmarks," New York Times, Aug. 12
• "Preservationists, REIT Tussle Over Fate of Houston Landmark," Wall Street Journal, Aug. 16
• "City panel urges Weingarten to spare landmarks," Houston Chronicle, Aug. 25
• "Quiet, color-coordinated efforts to save theater," Houston Chronicle, Aug. 31
• "Weingarten firm offers hope for 'endangered' theater sites," Houston Chronicle, Sept. 1
• "Eight ways to save a cinema," Houston Chronicle, Sept. 10
• "River Oaks theater eligible for historic registry," KHOU, Oct. 9 |
Thank you for your efforts.
Photo of the River Oaks Theater auditorium by Jim Parsons. Special thanks to Houston. It's Worth It.
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