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May 23, 2024

Why Houston's glamorous skyscrapers will be boarded up for months

Plus: The Galleria is in for a makeover. A historic church may be converted into an apartment complex.

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Pedestrians walk past buildings with broken windows downtown as they return to work on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. The city closed off certain streets this week as glass continued to fall from cracking windows in the wake of last week's powerful storm.

Pedestrians walk past buildings with broken windows downtown as they return to work on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. The city closed off certain streets this week as glass continued to fall from cracking windows in the wake of last week's powerful storm.

Downtown may not look normal for months after powerful storm

A week after a rare powerful storm blasted through Houston, owners of downtown skyscrapers are still picking up the pieces after the derecho damaged almost 4,000 windows in just the central business district alone.

Even though most windows could be stabilized and cleaned up by this weekend, it could take months for downtown to look completely normal again as many skyscraper owners face long delays in window repairs. Additionally, more windows are cracking, complicating clean efforts and forcing sections of downtown to remain closed to traffic. Check Downtown Houston's website for the latest on road closures. 

Meanwhile, many homeowners were still cleaning up this week after the storm likely caused billions in property damage. Here are some answers to common questions you may have if you're navigating through the complex insurance claim process. Fortunately, the city of Houston is also expediting permits and Mattress Mack is donating 200 mattresses  to those who need it.

I sincerely hope everyone you know is safe and sound! 

Marissa Luck Headshot

Marissa Luck, Senior reporter, Real estate

Marissa.Luck@houstonchronicle.com


Residential

The downtown Houston skyline is photographed from Sabine Street Bridge Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Houston.

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee/Staff Photographer

Houston beats NYC, L.A. in U.S. News' Best Places to Live Ranking

Houston ranked ahead of New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles in the 2024 annual ranking on best places to live in the U.S., but fell far behind Austin.

The property of former home of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in the Fifth Ward is seen, Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. A Houston Housing Authority affiliate has acquired the property and put out an invitation for bids to demolish the historic structure. The church has relocated to a temporary location as it searches for a permanent home.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

Historic Houston church may be torn down for apartments

Founded in 1872, the church is a longstanding community landmark and has hosted prominent figures, including civil rights legend Martin Luther King Jr.

Workers repair a roof in northeast Houston, TX on Tuesday May 21, 2024. The area sustained extensive damage and loss of power due to fallen trees and high winds caused by the powerful storms that swept through the Houston region last Thursday.

Photo by: Sharon Steinmann

Houston to expedite permits following destructive storm

The city of Houston is expediting its permit and planning review processes to help citizens make repairs following last week's derecho.

A large tree is seen after it fell on a home after heavy winds and rains ripped through the region, Thursday, May 15, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

What Houstonians can do if their home was damaged by storm

Thousands of Houston residents are facing high-price repairs to fix damage caused by fallen trees, high winds and rain. Here's how to handle insurance.

Tree service crews climb atop an SUV to cut apart a tree that fell on it at an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Sherwood in the aftermath of a severe storm on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Houston. Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Estimates of Houston storm damage could take months

It's too early to say how much damage Thursday's storm has caused. That could take months, not weeks to assess. 

A man who goes by Shaggy talks about the high number of tickets he has received from police Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at a homeless encampment in Houston.

Photo by: Jon Shapley, Staff Photographer

Map shows where Houston's homeless get the most fines

Over the course of three years, the Houston Police Department fined one homeless man more than what most Houstonians earn in seven years.


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A former employee at the Galleria Mall has been arrested for allegedly recording videos of him and other unidentified people sexually assaulting two toddlers, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Photo by: Marie D. De Jesús/Staff Photographer

Galleria mall to undergo multi-million dollar revitalization

The Galleria mall will undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation aimed at cementing the iconic Houston mall's appeal to luxury shoppers.

Guests dining at Hamsa located in Rice Village.

Photo by: Kirsten Gilliam

New Mediterranean restaurant is coming to Montrose Collective

Sof Hospitality announced Októ as its newest forthcoming concept with a lively bar setting and late hours.

Pedestrians walk past buildings with broken windows downtown as they return to work on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Houston. The city closed off certain streets this week as glass continued to fall from cracking windows in the wake of last week's powerful storm.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Why Houston's glamorous skyscrapers will be boarded up for months

It could take months for downtown Houston to look normal again after last week's powerful storm. Here's why. 

A drone image of a battery installation owned by Key Capture Energy photographed on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in West Columbia. Companies are becoming more interested in building battery storage projects in the Houston region. 

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Grid-scale batteries are coming to the Houston region. Here's why.

Battery storage energy systems are growing rapidly on the ERCOT grid as developers build projects across Texas, including in the Houston region.

Tacodeli has opened its second Houston location at Post Oak Plaza. 

Photo by: Michael Forbes

Tacodeli opens second Houston location in Post Oak Plaza

Seven years after Tacodeli made its Houston debut, the Texas-based taco chain has opened its second location in Uptown. 

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