Winter 2012 GHPA Newsletter

For Preservation the newsletter of

Volume 22, No. 1

www.ghpa.org

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greater houston preservation alliance

Houston’s local partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Winter 2012

2012 co r n e r s to n e d i n n e r

Awards mark a banner year in preservation

McLane

Turner, McLane honored as first Community Pillars Martha Turner and Drayton McLane, Jr., will be recognized as GHPA’s first Community Pillars at the Cornerstone Dinner on February 17.

The award recognizes exemplary leadership in the community and outstanding contributions to Houston’s growth and prosperity.

Martha Turner is CEO, president and founder of Martha Turner Properties and was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. She works diligently for women’s and children’s causes, and is passionate about preserving Houston’s past. Working with Please see Pillars, Page 2

courtesy of houston metropolitan research center, houston public library

Turner

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance will celebrate a banner year in historic preservation when it presents the 2012 Good Brick Awards during The Cornerstone Dinner on Friday, February 17, at River Oaks Country Club. Since 1979, GHPA has presented Good Bricks to recognize outstanding preservation projects and the people who make them happen.

“All of these projects were completed in a difficult economy,” said GHPA Executive Director Ramona Davis.

“These successful efforts demonstrate Houston’s economic viability even in bad times and preservation’s role in keeping the local economy moving.”

Two showcase projects will set the standard for historic preservation in Houston for years to come.

Houston Public Library will receive the Stewart Title Award for the restoration and expansion of the 1926 Julia Ideson Building. In addition to the careful rehabilitation of the ornate Spanish Colonial Revival building, this public-private partnership included the installation of state-of-the-art archival facilities in a new wing built to complement the historic architecture.

The not-for-profit Julia Ideson Library Preservation Partners raised half the $32 million required for the project with the City of Houston providing

Houston Public Library will receive this year’s Stewart Title Award for the restoration and expansion of the Julia Ideson Building (1926, Cram & Ferguson), shown above soon after it was completed.

The Stewart Title Award and 15 other Good Brick Awards will be presented during the 2012 Cornerstone Dinner on February 17.

the rest of the money. Gensler was project architect.

Harris County’s comprehensive restoration of the historic 1910 courthouse is being recognized with the GHPA President’s Award. This massive undertaking has returned the courthouse to its original appearance after a poorly designed 1950s renovation removed many of the building’s original architectural elements. PGAL was the

walking tours

3 new tours are planned for this year

Please see Tours, Page 3

GHPA is helping the owner of historic buildings in downtown Stafford with his effort to have the properties recognized as local landmarks. This is just one example of how GHPA assists owners and developers of historic properties.

Property owners seek GHPA’s advice One of the most valuable services GHPA offers is one that receives little attention outside the organization.

GHPA staff members regularly assist the owners and developers of historic properties in researching their buildings and applying for local, state and national designations. In the case of commercial properties, designation can lead to significant federal

Please see Awards, Page 3

Hi, Cotton

jim parsons

Please see Services, Page 2

david bush

tax credits for redevelopment and repurposing historic buildings, which can be a deciding factor in whether a project goes forward. GHPA can also facilitate communication between property owners, public entities and private foundations to encourage preservation efforts in the greater Houston area.

GHPA’s Walking Tours Program will add three new tours to its repertoire this year as it continues exploring Houston’s rich history.

The first new tour, the Women of Glenwood, will debut in April. The tour will supplement GHPA’s existing Glenwood tour, discussing notable female Houstonians buried in the historic cemetery including Oveta Culp Hobby, organizer of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II; Alice Graham Baker, a leader of the local settlement house movement; and suffragists Annette Finnigan and Florence Sterling.

In June, a second new tour will focus on Turner Addition, a residential area on the west side of Montrose Boulevard just north of Bissonnet. Developed in the early 20th century, the neighborhood also

prime architect with ARCHITEXAS as preservation architect.

Three individuals are receiving awards for their service and contributions to the community. GHPA’s first ever Community Pillars awards will be presented to Martha Turner of Martha Turner Properties and Drayton McLane, Jr., former owner of the

One of Houston’s newest downtown skyscrapers contains a reminder of a historic building it replaced. BG Group Place, which opened early last year at 811 Main Street, includes a reconstructed portion of the façade of the 1913 Hotel Cotton (later the Montagu Hotel), which was demolished along with its neighbors to make way for the new 46-story tower.

The fragment of the hotel and a display board summarizing its history are located at BG Group Place’s entrance to the downtown tunnel system and are visible during business hours.

For Preservation

2 | Winter 2012

TxDOT ramping up plans for I-45 expansion Heights City of Houston Historic District and Near Northside National Register District, which flank I-45.

At the request of home owners in the Grota Homestead subdivision, GHPA Historic Neighborhoods Resources Director Courtney Tardy and intern James Andras conducted a survey of the neighborhood in 2009. They documented a significant concentration of historic houses dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Based on the survey results, Texas Historical Commission (THC) determined Grota Homestead is eligible for listing in the These early 20th century commercial buildings on Houston Avenue at Bayland are among the his- National Register of Historic Places.

THC’s finding is important because toric properties that could be threatened by the widening of Interstate 45. inclusion in the National Register prothe existing right-of-way. The highway department plans to announce its fi- vides some protection from highway department also agreed to consider nal decision about the project in 2016. projects that use federal funds, such as moving four proposed managed lanes Even though the construction date the I-45 expansion. from I-45 to the Hardy Toll Road. seems far in the future, it is important TxDOT will hold another public These proposals are only goals for for property owners in areas that will meeting during the spring; GHPA will TxDOT and not binding agreements. be affected to weigh in now. Historic notify its members when the date is According to the timeline displayed at neighborhoods that could be impacted announced. More information is availthe November meetings, the highway by the project include the Woodland able at www.ih45northandmore.com.

One of the perks of my job is working with GHPA’s outstanding board of directors. These volunteers are generous with their time and talent, and I have learned so much from them over the years.

In my last column, I thanked former GHPA President Larry Whaley for his leadership and support.

Now I’d like to welcome Patty Porter as our new board president. I’ve asked that she share her thoughts on preservation in Houston.

Here are Patty’s comments.

Preserving our physical history builds and nourishes our sense of community, our common purpose. That becomes harder as a city grows to be as big as Houston.

Even if we moved here from somewhere else, and many of us did, Houston is our town. That’s our Hermann Park, our skyline, our ballpark with the old railway station, our Astrodome.

We have continued to grow because we offer opportunity and a welcoming attitude.

Preserving that sense of community and belonging as we continue to grow is essential to keeping Houston a thriving, livable city.

Thanks to dedicated volunteer leaders like Patty, continuing support from GHPA members and the hard work of our staff, we are continuing to create a preservation ethic for Houston.

Vernon Frost, she helped ensure the future of the Waldo Mansion (1905) in the Westmoreland Historic District.

Drayton McLane, Jr., is CEO of the McLane Group, but is best known as former owner of the Houston Astros. McLane played a pivotal role in preserving Union Station (1911) as part of Minute Maid Park. The Astros’ offices are located in the historic railroad station. He is an active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and was presented University of St. Thomas’ Ethical Leadership Award.

New book explores mod Houston Longtime GHPA supporter and preservation professional Anna Mod has completed the latest in Arcadia Publishing’s series of pictorial books about Houston history. Building Modern Houston examines Houston’s post-war transformation into Space City using historic photos of many of the city’s modern landmarks.

The book includes the Astrodome and other expected sites, but also highlights quirky buildings like Harold’s in the Heights and the fondly remembered Goodyear blimp base. One chapter is devoted

to modernist housing. Among the subdivisions featured are Memorial Bend, Meyerland and Glenbrook Valley, now the Glenbrook Valley City of Houston Historic District.

Other titles in the series include Houston’s Courtlandt Place by Sallie Gordon and GHPA board member Penny Jones, Houston Heights by Anne Sloane with assistance from the Houston Heights Association, Houston in the 1920s and 1930s by Story Sloane III and Houston’s Sporting Life: 1900-1950 by Mike Vance.

ghpa file

Best regards,

continued from Page 1

david bush

Pillars

courtesy of arcadia publishing

fr o m t h e ex e c u t i v e d i r e c to r: RAMONA DAVIS

david bush

GHPA members were among the residents of neighborhoods north of downtown Houston who turned out to hear about the latest proposal for widening the North Freeway/Interstate 45 from Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials. As part of its planning process, TxDOT presented information and solicited comments at two public meetings that were held in November.

The project area, which passes through or near several historic neighborhoods, begins at the U.S. Highway 59/State Highway 288 interchange and follows I-45 north for 16 miles to Beltway 8. The Pierce Elevated is included in the project area as are the Hardy Toll Road from Loop 610 to Beltway 8 and the proposed Hardy Toll Road connector between Loop 610 and downtown.

Many of the attendees had taken part in earlier public meetings that resulted in TxDOT setting a goal of keeping the I-45 improvements within

I.P. Walker House (c. 1932), Shoreacres

Services

continued from Page 1 The parent-teacher organization at Carnegie Vanguard High School recently contacted GHPA Executive Director Ramona Davis for fundraising advice. The PTO must bring in $300,000 to outfit a theater in the historic Settegast Estate Building, 242-256 West Gray, which is being preserved as part of the school’s new campus. Davis consulted with a PTO representative on the fundraising plan. GHPA first focused attention on the building in 2004 when Houston Independent School District proposed demolishing the 1938 structure. Since then, Carnegie Vanguard PTO has worked

Settegast Estate Building (1938, Moore & Lloyd)

diligently to make sure the building was incorporated into the new high school.

GHPA’s interests are not confined inside Loop 610. Programs and Information Director David Bush is assisting the owner of some historic buildings in Stafford in having the properties recognized as local landmarks. The cluster of traditional brick storefronts on North Main Street/U.S. Highway 90 constituted downtown Stafford for many years.

The buildings were constructed in 1932 and 1933 after fire destroyed the town’s business district. The buildings are located on U.S. 90 east of its intersection with the Southwest Freeway/U.S. 59 in Fort Bend County.

At the request of Texas Historical

Commission, GHPA Historic Neighborhood Resources Director Courtney Tardy is assisting the owner of a landmark house in Shoreacres in having the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tardy’s research determined that the unusual home was built c. 1932 by Houston contractor Preston Plumb, Jr., for I.P. and Annie Walker. I.P. Walker was a vice president with Stowers Furniture Co. in Houston. The house’s distinctive features include a stone turret and rough concrete columns and brackets that are scored to look like tree trunks and branches.

Shoreacres is located between Seabrook and LaPorte on Galveston Bay in southeastern Harris County.

For Preservation

Winter 2012 | 3

2011 a n n ua l m e e t i n g

Restored 1910 Harris County Courthouse dazzles GHPA’s membership The newly restored 1910 Harris County Courthouse provided a spectacular backdrop when GHPA introduced the organization’s new president and board members for 2011-2012 during the Annual Meeting on October 29.

Patty Porter stepped into her new role as GHPA president. Larry E. Whaley will remain on the board as past president. Four new board members were introduced at the Annual Meeting: Ann Bookout, Neal D. Carlson, Louise Girard and Penny Jones. At its December meeting, GHPA’s

Executive Committee elected two additional board members: Chip Werlein and Brad Wyatt.

Before the annual meeting, members were free to explore all six floors of the courthouse to examine the detailed work that had gone into the restoration. Afterward, the group gathered in the building’s north courtroom to hear guest speaker Ruben Martinez, project manager for architect PGAL, explain the arduous work that went into returning the courthouse to its 1910 appearance.

Harris County will receive the GHPA Presi-

dent’s Award for the courthouse restoration during the Cornerstone Dinner on February 17.

GHPA is grateful to chief justices Sherry Radack and Adele O. Hedges of the 1st and 14th Texas Courts of Civil Appeals for allowing GHPA to hold its Annual Meeting in the courthouse and to Art Storey, executive director of the Harris County Public Infrastructure Department, for facilitating GHPA’s use of the building.

GHPA thanks Hearsay Gastro Lounge, 218 Travis, for donating catering for the reception.

both: courtney tardy

GHPA Past President Larry E. Whaley and GHPA President Patty Porter

Awards

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Tours

2012 Cornerstone Dinner

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Greater Houston Preservation Alliance will present the 2012 Good Brick Awards during the Cornerstone Dinner at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 17, at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Boulevard. Jane-Page Crump and Bill Stubbs are serving as event co-chairs.

For reservations and information, call (713) 216-5000 or e-mail info@ghpa.org.

Janita Lo is the silent auction chair. This year, everyone will be able to bid on items one week before the Cornerstone Dinner through an online auction site.

GHPA members will receive information closer to the event.

hester + hardaway

Among this year’s Good Brick Award winners is the City of Houston for its adaptive reuse of a 1924 warehouse as the Houston Permitting Center.

Proceeds benefit the programs and projects of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. Since 1978, GHPA has promoted the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s historic architectural and cultural resources through education, advocacy and committed action.

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in River Oaks. Reagan Miller, AIA, of Miller Dahlstrand Architects designed the project.

Glenwood Cemetery, Inc., and Executive Director Richard Ambrus for stewardship of historic Glenwood Cemetery.

Nancy and Walter Bratic for renovating their 1941 Georgian Revival style home in River Oaks. Michaux Thomas was the project manager.

Fred Sharifi for rehabbing a 1930s commercial building in Montrose.

includes modern homes by Howard Barnstone and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

And in October, a new downtown tour will trace the development of the Theater District and Civic Center. Among the stops will be the Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, Tranquillity Park, Hermann Square and City Hall.

GHPA offers walking tours the second Sunday of each month. Admission is $7 for GHPA members and students and $10 for the general public. For more information, visit www.ghpa.org/tours.

Gifts to GHPA In honor of Annise D. Parker

by Madeleine & Michael Appel In honor of Professor Stephen Fox

by Katrin DeBakey mark scheyer

Houston Astros. The Martha Peterson Award is going to Mayor Annise Parker for her successful effort to strengthen Houston’s historic preservation ordinance.

The juried awards are selected by a group of preservation professionals, former Good Brick winners and community leaders chaired by GHPA board member and former Houston Chronicle home design editor Madeleine McDermott Hamm. The 2012 juried awards will be presented to: n City of Houston for the green adaptive reuse of a 1924 warehouse as the Houston Permitting Center. Bill Neuhaus/ Studio RED Architects designed the project. n Katie and Nick Johnson for the renovation and sympathetic addition to their 1928 Tudor Revival home in the Boulevard Oaks Historic District.

Reagan Miller, AIA, of Miller Dahlstrand Architects designed the project. n Houston Public Library for the renovation and sympathetic addition to the 1961 Oak Forest Neighborhood Library.

Natalye Appel + Associates with Architect Works, Inc. (now Donna Kacmar, FAIA) and James Ray Architects were responsible for the project. n Lynn and Ty Kelly for the renovation and sympathetic addition to their 1949 Usonian house by MacKie and Kamrath

Marianne & Rob Jones, Lynn & Ty Kelly, GHPA board member Phoebe Tudor & Bobby Tudor

Lynn and Ty Kelly are receiving a 2012 Good Brick Award for rehabbing their distinctive 1949 MacKie and Kamrath home in River Oaks.

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Colby Design was responsible for the project.

Paula and Sam Douglass for the renovation of their 1936 Birdsall P. Bricoe designed Georgian Revival house located in River Oaks.

Carol and Daniel Price for the renovation and sympathetic addition to the 1924 Henry Stude Garage designed by Bird-

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sall P. Briscoe in Shadyside. Stephanie Adolph Eugster was the architect.

Minnette and Peter Boesel for the rehabilitation of a c. 1925 Craftsman style duplex in Eastwood.

Daughters of the Republic of Texas, San Jacinto Chapter, for stewardship of the 1936 Pioneer Log Cabin Museum adjacent to Hermann Park.

In honor of their fathers, Aaron C. Flores and Zelton Eubanks

by Lois and Darrell Eubanks In honor of Ramona Davis

by Marilee M. Wood Recognize and remember friends, colleagues or loved ones with a dedicated contribution to GHPA. To donate, please call (713) 2165000 or e-mail info@ghpa.org.

GHPA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Gifts to GHPA are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

For Preservation

4 | Winter 2012

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 2011-2012 Board of Directors Officers Patty Porter President

Larry E. Whaley Past President

Nancy Ames VP/Special Events Jane-Page Crump VP at Large

Lynne Bentsen Treasurer

Al Calloway VP/Communication

Eileen Hricik VP at Large

Madeleine Hamm Secretary

Bill Franks VP/Development

Patricia Laurent VP at Large

Rick Walton VP/Museum of Houston, Parliamentarian

d i r e c to r s Ann Bookout Neal D. Carlson Lucky Chopra David Cottrell III

John Cryer III Diane Gendel Louise Girard Benito Guerrier

Elizabeth Husseini Penny Jones Janita Lo

Nancy McGregor Manne Kate McCormick William W. Stubbs Phoebe Tudor

Mary Ann Reynolds Wilkins Chip Werlein Brad Wyatt

ex officio Charles D. Maynard, Jr. Legal Counsel

Marlene Gafrick Director, Houston Department of Planning and Development

Bart Truxillo Director Emeritus

b u s i n e s s a n d n ot - f o r - p r o f i t m e m b e r s 1940 Air Terminal Museum Adept Word Management AGC Houston AIA Houston Amilee Wendt, ASID / Wendt Design Group Bailey Architects, Inc. Baker Botts LLP Bering’s Bill Fisher Benefits Specialists Boulevard Oaks Ladies Club Bridgeway Capital Management Bud Light / Silver Eagle Distributors Canyonlands Corp.

Central Houston / Houston Downtown Management District Cinco Energy Services Cisneros Design Studio Coat & Evans, PC Colquitt Court Civic Club Cooke + Skidmore Consulting Corp.

David Cottrell Investments FRAMEwork design LLC Fretz Construction Company Gabriel Architects, Inc.

Gensler Gilbane Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects, Inc. Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. and Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation Madeleine M. Hamm / Design Communications HarrisonKornberg Architects HawesHillCalderon, LLP Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc. The Heritage Society Jerry Hernandez / Russo Services, Inc. Hines HistoryConsultants.net Houston Mod Houston House & Home Peggy Hull, ASID / Creative Touch Interiors Jane-Page Crump / Jane Page Design Group JD Miner Systems, LLC JPMorgan Chase & Co. Kirksey Architecture The Lancaster Hotel Landmark Houston Hospitality Group Charles W. Ligon, AIA, Architects

Martha Turner Properties Matrix Spencer Architects PageSoutherlandPage REHKA Engineering, Inc. Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. Daphne Scarbrough / The Brass Maiden Schenk and Company Sibley Kopmeier Appraisal Associates Silvestri Investments / SILCO, Inc. Smith and Company Architects, Inc. South MacGregor Civic Club Stern and Bucek Architects Stewart Title Stone Construction, Inc. Studio RED Architects SWCA Environmental Consultants Tellepsen W.S. Bellows Construction Ward & Ames Special Events William W. Stubbs & Associates Winlow Place Civic Club Woodland Heights Civic Association Wulfe & Co. Ziegler Cooper Architects

About GHPA The mission of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (GHPA) is to promote the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s architectural and cultural historic resources through education, advocacy and committed action, thereby creating economic value and developing a stronger sense of community. GHPA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

GHPA is funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

GHPA is a member of Preservation Texas and Partners for Sacred Places.

GHPA online www.ghpa.org www.houstondeco.org

For Preservation David Bush, editor Jim Parsons, designer Copyright 2012, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.

All rights reserved.

The Cornerstone Dinner presenting the 2012 Good Brick Awards 7 p.m. Friday, February 17 River Oaks Country Club For information: (713) 216-5000 or info@ghpa.org

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 712 Main Street, Suite 110 Houston, Texas 77002-3207 Return service requested

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Houston, Texas Permit No. 712