By: Andy Gao
Two weeks ago, my family and I went to POST Houston with some friends. The experience was something I wouldn’t expect to find in Houston, and especially not in downtown.
Most downtowns across America have tourist attractions, high-end shops, and bars/clubs. However, Houston, America’s fourth largest city, is different. Most of Houston is spread out in the suburbs, and the shops, attractions, and bars/clubs are spread through different areas of Houston. POST Houston is the first time an “all-in-one” building of this kind has been constructed in Houston.
The site of POST Houston is the former regional post office of Houston, known as the Barbara Jordan Post Office. After the post office closed in 2015, the property was redeveloped into POST Houston. In 2021, the building opened to the public.
My experience at POST Houston started outside of the building. From the parking lot, I could see old, preserved murals on the wall, dating back many decades. There were also signs, pointing to things related to the old post office.
Heading inside, I was shocked to see how much of the old post office was preserved. Many original walls and rooms were protected. There were signs on the walls talking about the history of the post office and what each room was used for. It was eye-opening to see all the history of mail in Houston.
What made the experience more interesting was the way the modern renovations contrasted with the building. The building had an old brick interior, but in the center, there was a lighted staircase spanning 3 stories.
Surrounding the staircase in the center, there were many unique restaurants of different cuisines. There were around 20 restaurants and a few sit-down bars in the center as well. The prices were quite high for Houston, but they were expected for a touristy destination like POST Houston.
What set POST Houston apart from other buildings was the outdoor Skylawn, a rooftop garden, featuring great views of Downtown Houston and great seating for an outdoor meal. There can also be a stage set up for different performances.
We visited POST Houston during the evening, and I got to admire the beautiful downtown skyline at night. There was live music on the Skylawn, and they hosted a bubble party with foam cannons.
Many more events can be hosted on the Skylawn. POST Houston offers free dancing classes and yoga classes every few weeks.
On the inside, there was a mini NASA exhibit. There were a few artifacts from the Johnson Space Center, located out in the suburbs of Houston. There was also a short film and a section about the future of space exploration with robots. They even had a prototype robot on display!
While visiting POST Houston, I also noticed a few unfinished areas. There are 2 atriums beside the main food hall that appeared half empty. Most of the spaces were filled with remote offices or real estate agencies. However, they were still looking for more tenants, especially shops, to turn POST Houston into a truly all-in-one experience.
Leaving POST Houston after paying a $20 parking ticket, I reflected on the impact POST Houston has had on the lives of fellow Houstonians. This building has given the residents of Houston a chance to connect with each other and the city. Preserving history and creating a gathering space, POST Houston gives hope for what my city has in store for the future.