Although it may not be the center of the city, Montrose has long been considered the heart of Houston. A quirky neighborhood with roots dating back to the early 1900s, the Montrose area began as a home to some of the city’s most notable leaders. Over time, its unique reputation was earned as it increasingly became home to the city’s creative class. Particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, large numbers of writers, artists, and musicians began to flock into the neighborhood.


Montrose became one of Houston’s most well-known neighborhoods and saw real estate development continue during the early 2000s. As home to a wide range of restaurants, bars, museums and parks, its appeal has been widespread. This far ranging appeal has continued to attract a diverse range of residents to the area, who appreciate it for its unique vibe that is rooted in its long history and that continues today. However, long time residents and Houstonians from throughout the city appreciate the neighborhood as much for its past as for what its future holds. Montrose continues to maintain a historic district that honors the architecture and style of the city’s past.

As reported by Houstonia Magazine, this respect for Montrose’s past is one reason why the new Mandell Montrose, a mid-rise condominium that has been long in development, is integrating the area’s rich history into its creation. The Mandell will be the first luxury mid-rise condominium to ever be built in the area. For a neighborhood that prides itself on its storied past and unique character, the prospect of such a development has not always sat well. However, the developers have taken into account the history of the area and worked hard to include that as part of the new structure.

Rendering courtesy of Mandell

This effort starts with the name itself, as the Mandell Montrose is named for the streetcar line that once connected the area with Downtown Houston. The choice of exterior was also made to match the surrounding neighborhoods. The architects who planned the building designed it to have a brick exterior that integrates well with the existing Montrose area. Although the interiors have all the appeal of the most modern residential developments, the exterior fits perfectly with the brick and wooden homes surrounding it.

Developers have also made concerted efforts to price housing at the Mandell across a large range, affording existing residents and new ones from various backgrounds the opportunity to live there. In a neighborhood as storied as Montrose, it will be next to impossible to please everyone. However, the Mandell has been designed from the ground up to blend into the neighborhood instead of overshadow it. With the sales center already open, the Mandell Montrose anticipates that it will be opening its doors in 2019.