Neighbors on Riddlewood Lane have been complaining about this South Loop property for years. A fire made things worse.

HOUSTON — Folks who live along Riddlewood Lane off the South Loop are saying good riddance to a problem property they’ve dealt with for years.

“I’m glad they finally demolished it,” said neighbor Damien Blow.  “It was an eyesore and there were a lot of people living in abandoned space and it wasn’t good for the community.”

The vacant property is where a big fire possibly tied to squatters broke out last year which even damaged some neighboring townhomes.

A neighbor sent KHOU 11 cell video of demolition finally starting a few days ago, some six months later.

We returned to see the process ourselves.

“I’m extremely excited to see the demolition,” said neighbor Sakara Ross.

Ross is among those who’ve repeatedly contacted the city regarding concerns before and after the fire.

“Yeah, I knew it was going to be a challenge and, you know, you just keep pushing,” said Ross.

The City of Houston confirmed that it gave the property owner, a mortgage company out of the Dallas area according to records, until March 16th to either make repairs or tear it down.

Clearly, fixing it up may have been impossible.

A neighborhood eyesore near the NRG area is finally history months after I first reported on a big fire at the abandoned apartment building that residents say was a haven for all sorts of criminal activity. But some say there’s still work to do. My story later on @KHOU #khou11 pic.twitter.com/4xhLx6Msyx

— Jason Miles (@JMilesKHOU) March 4, 2026

Regardless, resolving situations like this can take time despite concerns from surrounding communities.

“Because this is where we, it’s our habitat, this is where we live, our families are growing here,” said Ross.  “And so now to see that it’s happening, I think everyone is relieved.”  “And I think it kind of just smooths the frustration a little bit.”

Ross and others told us the demolition is just a start in their opinion because of adjoining problem properties they’d also like to see gone.

Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum said it’s an example of what the city is trying to do with dilapidated properties across Houston.

Meanwhile, we reached out to this property owner, but the only thing someone who answered the phone said was “no comment.”