Downtown Houston Apartments for Rent

The Downtown area of Houston is the city’s largest business district and contains the headquarters of many large companies. Downtown Houston is the spot where Houston was formally founded on 6,642 acres of land and incorporated in 1837. The city branched out from the spot where Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou meet. After the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, many companies moved their headquarters in land to the safer area of downtown Houston leading to rapid growth.

Downtown Houston is a 108 square mile area enclosed by Interstate 45, Highway 59, and Interstate 10. The closest areas to downtown Houston are Houston Heights, the Sixth Ward, and the Houston Museum District.

One of downtown Houston’s most unique features is the underground tunnel system full of restaurants, services, and shopping. The tunnel system connects the buildings. The downtown area is generally separated into five districts: the Historic District, Mainstreet Square, the Skyline District, Sports & Convention District, and the Theatre District.

The Historic District represents the original center of Houston dating back to the 1800s. Market Square is where the original city hall building stood and is located in the center of the Historic District. This area includes the Harris County courts complex, and the University of Houston’s downtown campus. Main Street Square is known for its pavilion and fountains built around the Main Street Square Station. The skyscrapers in the Skyline District make up the base of the downtown area’s employment. The Sports & Convention District consists of the infamous Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center. The 17-block area making up the Theatre District includes many performing arts venues, Bayou Place, the Houston Public Library’s Central Library, and Landry’s famous Downtown Aquarium Restaurant.

Downtown Houston’s 90 blocks are pedestrian friendly, landscaped, filled with public art displays, and offer convenient rail service within a short walk. In 2004, a new Main Street was opened in downtown Houston, featuring many new restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.