Houston, Texas - circa early '80s
An expansive view above of the Polar Ice Galleria skating rink in the Galleria Mall. This full-sized rink, which I've featured before, is still there today, just like Lloyd Center's classic and famous ice rink. Nice to know there are still a few left out there.To the left is a more recent photo of the same area, just prior to a major expansion to the mall that was completed in March of 2003, in this, the fifth-largest shopping complex in the United States. It's truly beautiful how the natural light plays down onto the ice's surface through the glass atrium panels high overhead!
Mall history: 1970 - present
Architect/Developer: Gerald D. Hines
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Resource articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Previous entries: 1
The Galleria's ice rink opened as an Ice Capades Chalet. I still have a souvenir pillow from the Galleria Ice Capades Chalet. The Ice Capades Chalets were frequently located in shopping malls, with a concentration in Southern California as well as some far-flung locations. Phoenix's Metrocenter also had an Ice Capades Chalet.
ReplyDeleteThe Palm Desert Town Center in Palm Desert, CA, was the last mall in the area to have an ice rink. It closed up apparently and now is an expansion of a movie theatre.
ReplyDeleteIt used to be under the food court and you could see everyone skating when eating. A mexican restaurant was also down along the boards and you can sit and eat watching the ice skaters.
San Mateo Fashion Island mall (now gone), used to have an ice skating rink and the food court surrounded it. It was awesome... except for that kid splitting his head open during the busy lunch hour.
ReplyDeleteScott
My dad worked for Gerald Hines in the offices for The Galleria back in the 70's before he transferred him to Midland, TX for some development out there. My dad loved working for him and still mentions his name every now and then. This was the first ice skating rink I ever skated on.
ReplyDeleteThis mall was really cool in the 80's and early 90's but its too expensive and because of that I do not ever shop there.
ReplyDeleteWould love to know if anyone has copy of video from galleria Christmas Ice show that had snow queen, and scenes of Peter pan. I skated in that as snow queen. Would love a copy of video. Email: Nlcf1212@mail.com. Robbin
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