Museum District Houston Real Estate Guide
One of Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods, the Museum District is home to 19 museums and art institutions within a 1.5-mile radius.
One of Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods, the Museum District is home to 19 museums and art institutions within a 1.5-mile radius.
Located just north of the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District is one of the premier culture and arts centers in the United States.
The district showcases vintage homes, luxury townhomes, and upscale condos, and is constantly in high demand due to:
Buying or selling in the Museum District can be tricky due to proximity to freeways (which can hurt resale values) or major arteries (where noise, traffic, and/or parking can be an issue). Certain streets sell at a discount/premium to others. In addition, some Museum District condos suffer from poor resale values due to quality issues, high HOA rates, view limitations, and/or parking problems.
For help in navigating this complex market, contact Paige Martin, one of Houston’s Best Realtors and one of Museum District’s most active real estate agents.
Located along the South and Southwest freeways, the Museum District has the Texas Medical Center to the south and Rice University to the west. Across the Southwest Freeway, north of the neighborhood lie Midtown and the Neartown/Montrose.
Downtown Houston is about three miles further northeast of the district.
Considered as one of the Inner Loop’s most accessible neighborhoods, the Houston Museum District is pedestrian-friendly, has immediate access to major freeways, and features great transportation services.
The METRORail’s Red Line has stops in the neighborhood, including Museum District, Hermann Park/Rice U, and Wheeler.
The Museum District also encourages visitors to avail of a bike sharing program called Houston B-cycle.
Museum District homes are minutes away from job centers like Downtown and the Texas Medical Center, and from retail and nightlife options in Montrose and The Galleria.
Museum District real estate have 77004, 77005, 77006, 77030, and 77098 zip codes. (View Houston zip code map.)
West of Museum District
North of Museum District
East of Museum District
South of Museum District
Museum District homes are zoned to the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
Established in the 1920s, Houston ISD is the largest school district in the state (with 283 schools). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) gave the district a “Met Standard” rating in 2016. HISD features several International Baccalaureate (IB) World schools.
Poe Elementary, Lanier Middle, and Lamar High School all offer International Baccalaureate programs. Debakey High School for Health Professions (named National Blue Ribbon School twice, in 1997-1998 and 2003) is located just minutes away from the Houston Museum District.
Students in the area may attend the following public schools:
The Museum District is an ideal jumping-off point to the private schools and universities located in Rice University, Montrose, Medical Center, and the Third Ward. Several private schools are located within minutes of the neighborhood. Listed below are some of them.
To find an updated listing of all Museum District real estate zoned to any specific public school, please send an email to Paige Martin at [email protected] with the property preference and budget that you’re working with.
*Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year, information provided above are accurate but not guaranteed. Please double check by visiting the school’s website.
Much like Midtown and Montrose, the Museum District’s real estate market has grown by significant margins over the past decade.
In 2005, Museum District homes for sale posted a median sales price of $438,075. By 2014, it has increased by over half to $739,756 – this 69% positive change is one of the best appreciation rates in the Inner Loop.
Average price per square foot has also increased over the same period, marking a 43% change, from $208 to $298.
Prices tend to fluctuate, though this can be due to the area’s wide variety of home options.
Houston Museum District real estate is certainly as interesting as the neighborhood’s selection of science and art museums. This vibrant community features a mix of elegant estates, luxury condos and lofts, patio homes, bungalows, and townhomes in gated communities.
(Data sourced from the Houston Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)
For updated information regarding Museum District real estate pricing and trend analysis, please contact Paige Martin at [email protected].
Though new construction townhomes and condos are becoming quite popular in the Museum District, there are plenty of detached single-family homes.
Patio homes and older bungalows line the neighborhood’s pedestrian-friendly streets, interspersed with gated communities. On average, Museum District single-family homes have a 3-bedroom, 3 and a half-bath floor plan, with 3,000 square feet of living space.
Some of the most luxurious – and most expensive – housing options in the district are the old estates that date back from the 1920s. Beautifully updated, these homes can feature 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, and 3 half-baths.
Pricing depends on a number of factors, including the condition of the home, location, and size. Museum District homes for sale can go for $400,000 to more than $3,000,000.
One of the Museum District’s most popular housing options, townhomes are a common sight in the area. Most Museum District townhomes are located within gated, private enclaves with luxury amenities and 24/7 security.
The standard townhome can feature a standard 3/3.5 floor plan. Floor areas can range from 2,000 to more than 4,000 square feet. Luxury Museum District townhomes are also available, and in addition to more living space, they can feature 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and 2 half baths.
Prices can range from $300,000 to more than $1,000,000.
The Museum District is home to several mid- and high-rise condominiums, most featuring early 19th century European-inspired architecture.
Houston Museum District condos typically feature 24/7 security, round-the-clock staff, and parking. Some also offer luxury amenities, like pools, gyms, tennis courts, and jogging trails.
A surge in new residential condos netted more upscale development in the district, including Oaks on Caroline and the Mondrian.
Museum District Condos include:
To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see condos within the downtown area, see Downtown Houston Condos.
The Museum Distict’s history is a testament to the neighborhood’s strong sense of community and civic responsibility.
In 1977, a number of civic organizations and associations came together to initiate efforts in revitalizing the Houston Museum District. Ten years later, what was then dubbed the “Montrose Project” became the Museum District Development Association of Houston.
The MDDAH and its previous iteration plotted a progressive plan to turn the district into a pedestrian-friendly area centered on the Museum of Fine Arts.
In 1989, Mayor Kathryn Whitmire and the City of Houston City Council officially designated the Museum District as “the area along Montrose Boulevard, from Allen Parkway to Hermann Park.”
The MDDAH was dissolved in 1994, though three years later, 11 institutions formed the Houston Museum District Association. More museums have joined the HMDA in the years since, and the association is now comprised of 19 member museums and institutions.
The Houston Museum District Association lists 19 member museums and institutions inside an area within a 1.5-mile radius of the Mecom Fountain in Hermann Park. These member museums – each with its unique scientific, educational, and artistic exhibits – welcome more than 8 million visitors annually.
Located at 1001 Bissonnet Street, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is one of the largest museums in the country. Within its 300,000-square feet of space, the MFAH houses more than 60,000 pieces in its permanent collection. Visitors can take advantage of the cultural complex’s two gallery buildings, two house museums, sculpture garden, library, movie theatre, and cafe.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive, is one of the country’s most popular museums, with more than 2 million visitors per year. In addition to its natural science halls, HMNS features the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, the Burke Baker Planetarium, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center. The museum also plays host to numerous guest exhibits every year.
Forbes listed the Children’s Museum of Houston at 1500 Binz Street as one of the “Best Children’s Museums in the US.” With its exhibits and bilingual programs, the museum aims to inspire “a passion for lifelong learning” in all children.
Another popular Museum District destination is Hermann Park. The 445-acre public park is home to the Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Hermann Park Golf Course, the Miller Outdoor Theatre, and the Houston Garden Center. It features several attractions and amenities, including jogging trails, pedal boats, playgrounds, and gardens, among others.
The Museum District also features plenty of dining, retail, and entertainment options, and its proximity to Montrose, Medical Center, and Rice University means that more choices are mere minutes away.
Listed below are some of the best places to visit in and around the Museum District:
As featured on Fox News in the Morning, Houston Business Journal and Houston Magazine, Paige Martin, a consistent Top Producing Broker-Associate and head of the Houston Properties Team, is ranked as one of the top residential real estate agents in the world.
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