is a business and entertainment district located in
College Station, Texas just north of
Texas A&M University and what some may call the original
Downtown of the city. Northgate is the heart of College Station entertainment and is a vibrant part of the city known for its eclectic mix of
Restaurants and
Bars . It has also become one of the first stops for new students to A&M, since it has a college bookstore and a bank.
In the 1930's the city of
College Station had a rapid population growth thanks to the influx of
Texas A&M University students, professors and their families. This expanding market and its demands caught the interest of business owners for whom proximity to the Texas A&M Campus would be the key to their success. It wasn't long before the first established business district of College Station was born, and was named for the campus landmark it was closest to: the north gate. College Station's first City Hall was in an office in Northgate when the city was incorporated in 1938. It was also home to the first City Hall building, which now houses the restaurant Cafe Eccell.
Even with the establishment of newer and larger business districts in the city, Northgate has flourished not just as a business center, but a living symbol of Texas A&M's history and traditions. In 1994, efforts began to restore and enhance the area.
In 1998, the first annual "North By Northgate" (a 4 day music festival) took place and has continued since, changing its name to the "Northgate Music Festival" in 2002. The event draws bands from around the country and fans from around the state into the various venues Northgate has to offer.
More developments have continued since then, and with the completion of
Tradition At Northgate , "Cross Street Lofts", the "College Main Parking Garage" and the future "Northgate Gameday Center" condos, much more growth seems eminent as Northgate leads the way into the future for College Station.
- Bars:
- ---Bar 315, Barbershots, Dixie Chicken , Dry Bean Saloon, Duddley's Draw, Fitzwilly's, Gatsby's, O'Bannons Taphouse, Hookah Station, Logan's On Campus, Mad Hatters, Midnight Rodeo, Paddock Lane, Schotzi's, Skyy Bar, The Corner @ Northgate, The Groove, The Library, V Bar, Zapatos Cantina
- Restaurants:
- ---Antonio's Pizzeria, Burger Boy, Cafe Eccell, Domino's Pizza, Edge Cafe, Fat Burger, Freebirds World Burrito , Kyoto Sushi, La Bodega, New York Sub, Pita Pit, Potato Shack, Potbelly Sandwich Works , Starbucks
- Living:
- --- Aggieland Gameday Center Condos , Tradition At Northgate , Cross Street Lofts, The Warehouse Apartments, The Neighborhood
- Retail and Financial:
- ---Chase, Loupot's Bookstore (started by "Old Army Lou, Class of '32"), Texas Aggieland Bookstore, Wells Fargo
There have been several well publicized physical and sexual assaults in the Northgate district against Texas A&M students. Though the violent crime rate in the area is low and police do their best in protecting citizens, notable incidents have occurred that were reported to the university community by Texas A&M University Police.
- On January 24, 2004, a male was assaulted due to his sexual orientation. http://www.thebatt.com/news/2004/02/06/News/Former.Am.Student.Assaulted.On.Northgate-599807.shtml
- On October 30, 2005, an international graduate student was assaulted by white males. The student was left with swelling in the facial area.
- On June 1, 2005, an international graduate student was beaten with a baseball bat while riding back to his Northgate apartment at
night. http://www.thebatt.com/news/2005/06/21/News/Officials.Respond.To.Assault-958316.shtml
- On December 12, 2005, an international graduate student reported to police that he was struck in the face with water balloons. Another student also reported that he too was struck by water balloons in the chest.
- On September 20, 2006, an international graduate student was struck on the head repeatedly by two unknown white males around midnight.
- On April 5, 2007, a Rice University basketball player and his twin bother were stabbed outside a bar following a fight. The former died and the latter was hospitalized. A local resident was arrested for the crime.1
- On May 4, 2007, a bouncer and a patron at The Library bar were stabbed. Both were treated and released. A Bryan resident was charged with aggravated assault.2
