L
ocated 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.
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.
But this scholastic community owes its
name to Rice University, then known as
Rice Institute. Most of the city's streets
Spotlight on
West University Place
were named after authors, colleges, and
universities.
In 1924, residents pushed for incorporation,
due in part to Houston's reluctance to build
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, its central location is appealing
to commuters noting the close proximity
to Houston's major job hubs including:
Downtown Houston, The Medical Center,
The Galleria, Greenway Plaza, and all major
highways. Several main roads go through
the city, including the Buffalo Speedway,
Bellaire Boulevard, Bissonnet Street, and
Educated
Elegance
