River Oaks

 

Established in the 1920s, this residential area is only five miles from Houston’s downtown, and the extravagant, palatial homes are nestled amongst mature oak trees. River Oaks spans 1,100 acres, and properties here rank among the top ten most expensive housing blocks in the United States. Homes here have been designed by noteworthy American architects such as John Staub and Texas native Birdsall Briscoe. This planned community paved the way for city planning, and the city’s devotion to fine living is self-evident in its pristine lawns, stunning residential architecture, and thoughtfully crafted layout. 

 

 

► Luxurious manor homes

► Secluded enclaves

► Centrally located

► Lavish lifestyle

 

River Oaks is Houston’s most sought after neighborhood. These historic streets have been favored by art collectors, oil barons, politicians, and philanthropists. The quiet streets are also beloved by hard-working lawyers, bankers, and surgeons. Both in Texas and in the United States at large, this community is one of the wealthiest. The River Oaks homeowner’s association sponsors top-notch security measures to ensure safety throughout the neighborhood.

 

 

Upscale shopping loves River Oaks. Highland Village is a local hot spot for high-end retailers such as Madewell, Crate & Barrel, and Kiehl’s. Plus, close proximity to The River Oaks Shopping Center and The Galleria means that residents here can keep their finger on the pulse of the latest fashion.

 

River Oaks sports some of Houston’s finest cuisines. For dinner, you’ll find crowds at State of Grace, where they serve up elevated American favorites like 30-ounce porterhouse steaks and street corn style pansotti. Each weekend they host brunch and Sunday Suppers. Nearby Giacomo's Cibo e Vino is a neighborhood Italian cafe with delightful, homestyle cooking. Bisou is one of the area’s newest and most attractive dining spots, and they plate global fares with extraordinary elegance. Armando's gourmet Tex-Mex menu pairs well with their Thursday happy hours. Their extensive drink menu features specialty cocktails, handcrafted margaritas, and both domestic and international wines.

 

 

Despite River Oak’s undeniably serene ambiance, the community remains active. Every year the River Oaks Garden Club hosts the Azalea Trail walk, where guests can enjoy the brilliant blooms of local azaleas.

 

Spend your afternoons at the River Oaks Country Club, an elite membership club that caters directly to the neighborhood. It boasts a wealth of amenities, such as an esteemed 18-hole golf course, professional tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The golf course at the River Oaks Country Club was originally designed by Donald Ross, but the course got a facelift in 2015 when it was redesigned by Tom Fazio.

 

This neighborhood has plenty of green space to relax in, and the parks here are well-manicured and maintained. River Oaks Park provides a whimsical play area for children to embrace their imagination, as well as a lighted field, a grove of Wishing Trees, and a Little Free Library. The park is cared for by the Friends of River Oaks Parks community club; the recent restoration of the park’s notable pumpkin carriage inspired the nickname “Pumpkin Park.”

 

 

River Oaks recognizes the importance of education, which is why you’ll find award-winning private and public schools here. Public schools function under the Houston Independent School District. Here are a few note-worthy schools in River Oaks:

 

► River Oaks Baptist, Pre-K-8 (Blue Ribbon Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education in 1991)

► St John’s School, K-12

► River Oaks Elementary, K-5