For the intersection many of us know as the home of two Starbucks…a third Starbucks is coming to West Gray and South Shepherd.

It’ll be inside a four story Barnes and Noble Bookstore rising next to a equally tall parking garage.

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The tenants say the lights could go out as early as 2008.

It will all replace Houston’s newest historic landmark.

“These are considered very significant art deco buildings, all that said, you can’t force a developer to be a little more forward thinking when they’re really focused on a big box store,” said preservationist David Bush.

With no debate, the Houston City Council Wednesday designated the River Oaks Community Shopping Center, the River Oaks Theatre and the Alabama Theatre as historic landmarks.

It was the first time in Houston history that council has designated a building an historic landmark without the owners' permission.

But for the shopping center, it won’t mean anything.

In a statement a Weingarten spokesperson said, “Weingarten Realty has begun a $15+ million redevelopment of the portion of River Oaks Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Shepherd and West Gray. Redevelopment consists of site preparation which is already underway; construction of a four-story parking garage in 2008 and completion of an exciting new array of retail shops, restaurants and lifestyle amenities in 2009. Weingarten has owned River Oaks Shopping Center for 35 years and has consistently invested in improving the aesthetic appeal of the center’s architecture while upgrading and modernizing infrastructure to meet our retailer’s needs.”

The Mayor’s office expects Weingarten Realty to apply for a demolition permit Thursday morning, the new landmark designation will make no difference.

And some council members like Michael Berry think it shouldn’t. “This historic designation doesn’t prevent them from doing what they intended to do. It simply gives people another reason to call them nasty names.”

“It expressed the sense of the community and that is more than symbolic,” said Houston Mayor Bill White.

But symbolism can't stop demolition: the fence is up, waiting for the signal to tear it down.

“It’s losing something that is different and unique and being replaced with something that’s typically suburban,” said Bush.

But this spot could continue making history - soon becoming the most caffeinated corner in town.

It will cost $15 million to build the Barnes and Noble and other retail complexes.

The parking garage will open in 2008.

The retail stores will open in 2009.

The River Oaks Theater will likely not be touched until 2009 or 2010.