West University Texas Real Estate Guide
West University is one of Houston’s top rated (and most expensive) neighborhoods.
West University is one of Houston’s top rated (and most expensive) neighborhoods.
West University houses some of the premier real estate in Houston thanks to:
Navigating the West University real estate market can be tricky. Contact Paige Martin who has completed dozens of successful West University home sales and is the #1 ranked KW Realtor in all Houston.
Covering a total area of 2 square miles, West University Place is a “city within a city”, subdivided into 26 sections called blocks. It has Bellaire to the west, Southside Place to the south, and Houston to the east and north.
Located west of Rice University, West University has the cities of Bellaire to the west, Southside Place to the south, and Houston to the north and east.
The Museum District and the Texas Medical Center lie further west of the city.
Several main roads go through the city, including the Buffalo Speedway, Bellaire Boulevard, Bissonnet Street, and Kirby Drive. Loop 610 and US 59 (Southwest Freeway) are minutes away from West University.
The city has remained a quiet residential enclave over the years, thanks to its deed restrictions and zoning ordinances.
West University is within the 77005 zip code of Harris County.
Zip codes near West University TX include 77046, 77030, 77025, and 77401. (View Houston zip code map.)
Covering 2-square mile area, West University is a relatively small city within the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. Nicknamed “The Neighborhood City”, it is made up of 26 blocks.
Each block contains some of the area’s original bungalows, recently remodeled homes, as well as an abundance of beautiful new and recent construction.
Here are the subdivisions that make up West U:
West of West University
North of West University
East of West University
South of West University
West University homes are zoned to the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
West University Elementary School is located within the city.
Pershing Middle School and Lamar High School are in nearby Braeswood Place and Upper Kirby, respectively.
*Note: For a more detailed outline of top schools near specific West University subdivisions, check our Best Houston Schools article or email me.
Colleges and Universities
Rice University is just a few minutes east of West University Place. The city is also served by the Houston Community College System, with several campuses around Houston. The University of Houston and the Texas Southern University, on the other hand, are minutes away from West U.
To find an updated listing of all West University 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.
West University real estate has posted strong appreciation rates. From 2005 to 2014, the median sales price of West University homes have increased by 75%.
Average price per square foot and land values have also shown similar increases over the same period.
Thanks to the city’s continuing popularity, home prices have remained strong despite slight fluctuations.
Note: Given the number of subdivisions within West University, it may be best to take a closer look at each area with a reliable realtor for more accurate trends.
(Data sourced from the Houston Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.)
For updated information regarding West U TX real estate pricing and trend analysis, please contact Paige Martin at [email protected].
West University homes are mostly single-family dwellings on mid-sized lots. Some of the area’s original homes from the 1920s and 1930s have been renovated, but most have since been replaced with two-story custom-built homes.
Homes in the city typically feature lot sizes between 5,000 to 11,000 square feet. The most expensive West University homes for sale, however, can feature as much as 20,000.
Home sizes can range from 2,000 to more than 5,000 square feet. Four- to five-bedroom floor plans are common. Traditional, Colonial, Contemporary, and other architectural styles are available in the area.
During the 1990s, the city changed its development rules to allow new construction in the area. Today, West University homes range from the city’s older cottages to 2-story contemporary homes.
West University townhomes are typically smaller, with about 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of living space. However, these properties are generally more affordable than single-family homes.
Prices for West University townhomes can start at around $300,000 and can go up to just under $1,000,000.
Notable townhomes in the city include:
There are no mid- or high-rise West University condos for sale, but plenty of units are available in surrounding areas including 2520 Robinhood in nearby Rice Village.
Several condo buildings are located in the Museum District, Upper Kirby, and the Galleria, including:
To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see condos within the nearby Galleria area, see Galleria Houston Condos.
In 1917, Ben Hooper, a former governor of Tennessee, started the development of what is now known as West University Place. Some of the young community’s first lots were sold in the same year.
The city owes its name to Rice University, then known as Rice Institute. Most of the city’s streets were named after authors, colleges, and universities.
In 1924, residents pushed for incorporation, due in part to Houston’s reluctance to built infrastructure far from the city’s center. By 1939, the city of Houston continued to grow, but the then municipality refused to consolidate. In 1940, West U had adopted a formal city charter.
Today, West University is one of Houston’s most affluent and most expensive neighborhoods.
Residents of West University Place enjoy a variety of activities and establishments within the neighborhood. The city’s many parks and green spaces offer facilities where residents can go bird watching, do team sports, or have a relaxing bike ride.
Colonial Park features a playground, a picnic area, tennis courts, a pavilion, a walking path, and a sand volleyball court. It also offers a recreational center as well as a pool.
Wier Park, on the other hand, has lighted tennis courts and a basketball court.
West University residents aren’t far from retail either, as Rice Village, one of the area’s best-loved shopping destinations, is a stone’s throw away from the city. Covering 16 blocks with over 300 shops, the shopping district is home to a hodgepodge of high-end boutiques, small shops, restaurants, delis, and pubs.
Thanks to the city’s central location, residents are mere minutes from Houston’s finest, including the Galleria, the Museum District, Hermann Park, and Memorial Park.
Here are some of the must-visit places in and around West University Place:
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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