Gathering space for eternity

At a max cost of $50,000 for 30 square feet, this plot may not be the best value option, but at least you can say Howard Hughes is in your neighborhood. Houston’s beautiful and historic Glenwood Cemetery has some of the most expensive land in the area. The cemetery spans 88 acres along Buffalo Bayou, between Memorial and Washington Ave, and is one of Houston’s densest greenspaces outside of Memorial Park. The gently rolling hills are covered with mature hardwoods interspersed with deep ravines that flow to the bayou. It is the resting place for such Houston icons as William P. Hobby, Denton Cooley, Bob McNair, George Hermann, and yes, Howard Hughes. The cemetery has been expanded and upgraded considerably since 1983, when Richard Ambrus became its executive director. In 2018, the Board of Directors approved the latest enhancement, a Family & Visitors Center. Dillon Kyle Architecture designed the 12,000 s.f. gathering place. It will have room for events, research space for genealogists, and staff office space. Most importantly, it will have space for families to gather before and after funerals. Given the cemetery’s location adjacent to the new Memorial Park walkways, it is a hidden gem of natural beauty that draws plenty of regular walkers and visitors; it’s even become a tourist destination. The center will be a place to welcome all. Fundraising is underway; roughly $7 million of the $15 million construction cost has been raised so far. PRISM worked with Dillon Kyle to complete THIS ANIMATION for the capital campaign. Despite the cemetery’s fame and the fact that it is 148 years old, the best news of all may be that there is still enough land within the cemetery for approximately 60 years of inventory.