The Galleria’s Elaborate $300 Million Makeover Includes a Long-Needed Hotel Revamp: Entire New Wing Opens, But More’s On the Way

It’s the finale to one of Houston’s largest retail expansions ever. Two years and $300 million later, The Galleria officially unveiled its new and improved Galleria VI, a project propelled and funded by the mall’s parent company Simon.

The newly opened 110,000 square-foot wing was fêted with a Galleria VI Influencers Event, which brought together some of the city’s premier style bloggers and tastemakers for a preview of the mall’s newest retail offerings.

Boutiques such as Ted Baker, AG Adriano Goldschmied, Sam Edelman, Lacoste, St. John, Cole Haan, Tumi, Coach, Peter Lik Gallery, True Religion, and Kate Spade New York were on full display, while guests indulged in light bites, mimosas, and meticulously crafted desserts from upscale dim sum, teahouse Yauatcha, which opened in March in The Galleria’s first-ever jewel box structure.

“There is significant demand to be a part of The Galleria’s retail mix,” says Chris Lane, the mall’s director of marketing and business development.

“Through this transformational moment at The Galleria, we are able to deliver a vibrant multi-level mall extension anchored end-to-end by [the new] Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus featuring approximately 110,000 square feet of space for 35 new and unique retailers and several new restaurants, all opening in 2017.”

But new stores weren’t the aren’t the only upgrade Galleria VI is touting. Simon unveiled plans to elevate its dining offerings with additions such as Nobu, arguably the world’s most recognized Japanese restaurant; New York-based Mediterranean restaurant Fig and Olive; and Spice Route, which specializes in Indian and Asian cuisine.

Additionally, a much-needed renovation of the Westin Galleria hotel is also underway.

“Since November of last year, we started renovations on our Westin Galleria. We started on the guest rooms, so by the end of this month, all 469 guest rooms [will be updated.] This month, we also broke ground on a new lobby. It’ll be a great new look and color scheme,” Westin Galleria complex marketing manager Stevie Vu says.

“We’ll be installing a new lobby bar as well as a club lounge on the roof of our Galleria hotel, which will be a great feature for all of our exclusive and VIP customers. There will also be a new fitness room installed. All of this will be completed by November 2017.”

Seen Shopping: Bloggers Ashlee Frazier, Dede Raad, Monica Abney, Isssa Chou, Kara Smith, Tayler Malott, Shelbi Adams, Chiara Casiraghi-Brody.