Free Parking at Houston's Galleria Ends Today: Garage Rates Start at $2 and Top Out at $25
A Houston routine changed on Monday morning. The Galleria - the largest mall in Texas - has begun charging for the self-parking that was free for years: $2 for up to four hours, $5 for four to seven hours, and $25 for up to 24 hours in its garages, under a new system owner Simon calls a 'modern parking system.' Some retailers may validate; employees still park free.
HOUSTON - Free self-parking at the Galleria ended on Monday. Beginning Nov. 2, the Uptown shopping center is charging for its garages under a flat session rate announced last month by Simon, its parent company: $2 for up to four hours, $5 for four to seven hours, and $25 for up to 24 hours. The charges apply in the Yellow, Brown, Green, Orange and Red garages, according to same-day reporting on the rollout - and they are per session, not per hour.
'Beginning November 2, The Galleria will introduce a modern parking system designed to provide convenient parking for guests visiting to shop, dine, and enjoy the center,' a Simon spokesperson said in a statement to KHOU. The company declined to comment on the reason for the change when CultureMap asked, and it has not said how the new parking revenue will be used.
The Galleria is the largest mall in Texas, with more than 2 million square feet of leasable space - stores including Nordstrom, Macy's, Zara and Sephora, plus restaurants, gyms, two high-rise hotels and an indoor ice rink. For most shoppers, the practical number is the $2 tier: a normal shopping or dining trip now carries a parking charge where none existed before, rising to $5 for a long afternoon and $25 only for a stay that runs past seven hours toward a full day.
'Select retailers may offer parking validation at their discretion, and employees will continue to park free in designated areas,' the Simon statement said. No list of validating retailers had been announced in the reporting read this run, so shoppers who want the fee covered will need to ask at the store. Valet parking remains available, separately priced.
