HOUSTON – After sitting vacant for years, a longtime Houston landmark is now being torn down—making way for a project that could reshape how people travel across Texas.
Crews have begun demolition at the former Northwest Mall site near U.S. Highway 290 and Loop 610. The 45-acre property has been designated as the future Houston terminus for the proposed Texas high-speed rail line connecting Houston and Dallas.
The mall, which opened in 1968, closed its doors in 2017 and has largely remained abandoned ever since.
For many who have watched it sit empty for years, the sudden activity is hard to believe.
“I heard about it years ago, but then it kind of went away. I assumed it wasn’t happening,” said Houston resident Kevin Briand.
But in recent weeks, people have noticed more activity in the area.
“I’ve seen like about half a dozen cars and trucks parked outside, a couple of tractors going in and out…they’ve been pushing things around,” Briand said. “A lot of activity.”
Contractors for Cadiz Development Houston, LLC, a partnership under the common control of Texas High-Speed Rail Holdings, LLC have begun pre-construction work, starting with the demolition of the mall.
“Removal of the legacy mall and adjacent structures on the 45-acre parcel is another step forward,” said a spokesperson for Texas High-Speed Rail Holdings LLC. “This is important early enabling and foundation work that will allow the project to proceed as soon as we get the green light. Once approved, the project will create jobs and help drive important economic growth for Texas. Beyond the dedicated acreage that will house the high-speed rail station, development plans for a world class multi-use site are being evaluated.”
Demolition, including the removal of building materials, is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
The 240-mile high-speed rail project plans include dual tracks designed to transport passengers between Houston and Dallas in under 90 minutes. The project was greenlit during President Donald Trump’s first administration, and initial permitting and environmental studies have been completed.
Supporters say the rail line could transform travel between Texas’ two largest metro areas.
“Think about the connection between Dallas and Houston,” said Ken Nance, a Houston resident. “Look at how many cars will be off the road.”
Nance believes the project could make travel more accessible—especially for people without cars.
“It’s gonna be very accommodating for people that don’t have cars. It’s a positive step forward,” said Nance.
Concerns about funding, political support, and timelines have slowed the project in the past—and questions still remain about when construction on the rail line itself could begin.
For others, the demolition is bittersweet.
“Northwest Mall to me meant a sanctuary,” said Alex Lindsey, a Houston resident who has spent years documenting the site. “It was an important cultural landmark.”
Lindsey, who describes himself as an urban explorer and runs an Instagram page called Northwest_mall_rediscovered, has followed the mall’s decline closely—tracking its deterioration after its final tenants left and utilities were shut off.
“I’m relieved that it’s finally happening,” he said. “Texas Central’s project actually succeeding is a ray of hope. It’s a fitting end of the story.”
According to the project’s website, ticket prices are expected to range from comparable to driving on the low end to similar to flying on the high end.
While demolition is now underway, there is still no confirmed timeline for when the rail line itself will be completed.
Developers estimate the system could attract 6 million passengers by 2039 and more than 13 million by 2050.
For now, the teardown of Northwest Mall is the clearest sign yet that a project once thought stalled may finally be moving forward.