Spanish Village, the 70-year-old Tex‑Mex fixture tucked between Houston’s Third Ward and the Museum District, is gearing up for a comeback as part of a three‑level redevelopment at 4720 Almeda Rd. Owner Steve Rogers says the new project will bring back the storied restaurant, with demolition of the existing building scheduled to begin Wednesday. For now, the cleared lot is set to pull double duty as temporary parking while the bigger plan gets its financing and permits in order.
What Rogers Announced
According to a press release reported by Houston Chronicle, Rogers’ plan calls for street‑level commercial retail, with Spanish Village returning as the second-floor anchor. The third floor is slated to become an event and flex space featuring views of the downtown skyline.
Rogers framed the project as a way to “reimagine this legendary space for the Almeda community” while carving out room for local artisans and community gatherings, the release said. In other words, this is not just a nostalgic reboot, it is a bid to turn the old favorite into a neighborhood hub.
Rooted In A Long Third Ward Tradition
Spanish Village first opened in 1953 and built a loyal following on red‑sauce enchiladas, frozen margaritas and the kind of regulars-only familiarity that takes decades to earn. As reported by Houston Public Media, Rogers bought the restaurant and briefly revived it in 2021 after a previous closure.
But the return was short-lived. Coverage from Click2Houston noted that Spanish Village closed again in 2023, seemingly closing the book on a 70-year run. The new Almeda project suggests that chapter might have been more of a cliffhanger than a final ending.
Timeline And What’s Next
Demolition is slated to start Wednesday, and the site is expected to operate as a parking lot until Rogers and partner Wake Up LLC secure full funding and are ready to break ground, according to a press release detailed by Houston Chronicle. The developers have not offered a firm reopening date for Spanish Village, and construction timing will hinge on financing, permitting and final design decisions.
For now, longtime fans will have to settle for patience and nostalgia. Rogers has pledged to preserve the restaurant’s spirit and, according to project materials, its recipes as the property is rebuilt. The exact timeline for permits and a grand reopening is still up in the air and will depend on city approvals and the pace of funding.
