Nestled next to Greenway Plaza and Montrose, Upper Kirby has become a destination in itself with its restaurants, cafes, lounges, and stores. The vibrant mixed-use district is one of Houston’s Most Accessible Neighborhoods.
Located a few miles southwest of Downtown Houston, Upper Kirby is home to many restaurants, offices, bars, townhomes, vintage homes and residential condo buildings. The neighborhood is highly sought after for its:
Buying or selling a home in Upper Kirby can present some challenges. Homes near main roads and freeways may have noise or parking issues, especially near the district’s commercial areas. With no zoning laws in effect, some homes may be built backing a restaurant or bar that can get noisy on certain days. The district features some old and new properties, each with its own set of challenges – older homes may need to be updated, while new construction may have quality issues.
Contact Paige Martin, the best Upper Kirby Realtor, for great recommendations and advice if you’re looking to buy or sell Upper Kirby homes for sale.
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Once nicknamed the “Heart of Houston”, Upper Kirby is one of the most accessible neighborhoods in the city.
Located along the Southwest Freeway, Upper Kirby is roughly defined as the area south of Westheimer Road, west of Shepherd Drive, east of the Buffalo Speedway.
The district is made up of small residential neighborhoods, commercial establishments, and a few mid- and highrise condominiums. Restaurants, retail centers, lounges, and parks are within minutes away from Upper Kirby homes.
The neighborhood’s location provides easy access to other key Houston areas like Downtown, the Galleria, Museum District, and Medical Center.
Upper Kirby has the Greenway Plaza to the west, River Oaks to the north, and Montrose/Neartown to the east. The city of West University Place is located south of the neighborhood, across the Southwest Freeway.
British red phone booths on random street corners distinguish the area from its surrounding neighborhoods. A 38-foot metal sculpture called Tree and Three Flowers can also be spotted along Kirby Drive.
Urban and unique in its own way, Upper Kirby has a lot to offer, and promises even more with new development (residential, commercial, and mixed use) under way in the neighborhood.
Upper Kirby Houston is under the 77098 Harris County zip code. (View Houston zip code map.)
West of Upper Kirby
North of Upper Kirby
East of Upper Kirby
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Upper Kirby 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, including Lamar High School, Lanier Middle School, and Poe Elementary School.
Students in the area may attend the following public schools:
The following are some of the more notable private schools near Upper Kirby.
To find an updated listing of all Upper Kirby 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.
Upper Kirby real estate have posted one of the most impressive appreciation rates among Inner Loop neighborhoods. Over the past decade, property values in the district have steadily increased. The median sales price of homes in the district peaked at just under $650,000 in 2014.
Continuing commercial and residential development in the district has pushed prices and demand up.
Like its neighbor Montrose, Upper Kirby home options are varied. Townhomes, luxury condos, patio homes, and elegant homes in gated communities are available in the neighborhood. Prices can vary, ranging from $500,000 to more than $3,000,000.
Due to the neighborhood’s increasing popularity, however, inventories are close to nonexistent, making the Upper Kirby real estate market quite a challenge to navigate.
(Data sourced from the Houston Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)
For updated information regarding Upper Kirby real estate pricing and trend analysis, please contact Paige Martin at [email protected].
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Despite the surge in condos and townhomes, single-family homes remain a popular housing option in the district.
Upper Kirby single-family homes can range from new construction custom-built homes to vintage patio homes. Price, architectural style, size, and condition can vary, but the typical home Upper Kirby home can feature 3 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths.
As demand for more housing rises in Houston’s Inner Loop, townhomes have started to replace older homes in Upper Kirby.
Lot areas range from 2,500 to more than 6,000 square feet. Living areas, on the other hand, can range from 2,000 to upwards of 4,000 square feet.
Upper Kirby homes for sale tend to sell at a premium – especially new construction homes. Prices can start at around $600,000. New construction homes can fetch much higher price tags, selling for upwards of $1,300,000.
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Thanks to the neighborhood’s overhaul, increased demand made way for new development in Upper Kirby. Townhomes have become quite a popular option and a number of new construction townhomes are available in the district.
Upper Kirby townhomes can feature 4 stories of living space, with 4 bedrooms and 4 and a half baths. Two car garages, high ceilings, rooftop terraces, and beautiful furnishings are common features. These properties tend to sit on smaller lots (from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet) but have relatively spacious living areas (from 2,000 to upwards of 3,000 square feet).
Some townhomes in the area are within private gated communities with amenities like controlled access and common area swimming pools.
New construction Upper Kirby townhomes for sale can start at around $500,000. Pricing depends on the properties’ age, size, location, and overall quality, and some townhomes in the district can sell for upwards of $950,000.
Upper Kirby is home to three highrise condos: 2727 Kirby, the Regency House, and Lamar Tower. With amenities like lounges, 24/7 staff and security, pools, golf simulators, fitness centers, and private parks, these three Upper Kirby condos are quite popular among those in the market for both luxury and accessibility. (HOA fees and amenities vary from building to building.)
2120 Kipling is also located within the district. More residential condos are available in nearby neighborhoods like River Oaks, Montrose, Downtown, Galleria, and the Museum District.
Listed below are just some of the highrise condo buildings in and around Upper Kirby.
In Upper Kirby:
To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see condos within the nearby Museum District area, see Museum District Area Houston Condos.
Much like other neighborhoods in the area like EaDo, Montrose, and Midtown, Upper Kirby used to be populated with deteriorating commercial and residential properties. Upper Kirby, however, managed to revitalize itself in a manner similar to those three neighborhoods as well.
During the 1980s, property and business owners banded together to revitalize the area’s ailing infrastructure. The Upper Kirby District was officially formed in 1988, followed by a Management District (1997) and a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (1999).
During this period, the neighborhood’s character was developed alongside its infrastructure.
Today, Upper Kirby features a great fusion of commercial and residential areas and has become one of the Inner Loop’s hottest neighborhoods.
Residents in the Upper Kirby District don’t have to go very far for shopping, dining, and entertainment as the neighborhood’s location gives it easy access to the finest Houston has to offer. The Greenway Plaza is virtually the district’s next door neighbor, while Montrose’s lively nightlife and street scene and the Galleria’s posh offerings are equally accessible from Upper Kirby.
Apart from reaping the benefits of its central location, the neighborhood is also a destination in itself, with its collection of upscale boutiques, fine dining restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Upper Kirby’s restaurants offer feasts in various cuisines, making the neighborhood quite a hotspot for foodies.
The Queen Vic Pub & Kitchen, located at 2712 Richmond Avenue, offers British-Indian fusion cuisine alongside a wide selection of craft beers. The Goode Co. Seafood (2621 Westpark Drive) and the Goode Co. Taquerita (4902 Kirby Drive) are sure to sate one’s hankering for seafood and Tex-Mex. Kata Robata Sushi and Grill, at 3600 Kirby Drive, features sushi and tapas.
The neighborhood also features lounges, bars, and pubs offering great selections of craft beers and wine.
While Upper Kirby doesn’t have much green spaces within its dense, urban landscape, the neighborhood has Levy Park in nearby Greenway Park. The park has been renovated in the past few years, and now features a dog park, a softball field and a community garden.
Listed below are just some of the best places to visit in and around Upper Kirby.
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