Renovation Experience

Renovation Experience

Alley Theatre Original, Renovation, Harvey Recovery

Lobby post Harvey

Lobby restored

Bellows is responsible for building the original Alley Theatre in 1968 in downtown Houston, the restoration/renovation that was completed in 2015, and the Hurricane Harvey recovery in 2017. The theater consists of two stages: The main Hubbard stage has 824 seats, and the Neuhaus stage has 310 seats. In 2001, Bellows completed a 75,000-SF facility for producing sets, props and costumes and for holding rehearsals as well as a 17,000-SF scene shop. This significant 102,030-sf project included lobby renovations, new skyline view, new four-story fly loft, a fully-trapped stage floor, state-of-the-art lighting/sound/electrical enhancements, a fiber optic network, a new catwalk, expanded restrooms, and theatre seating renovations. It was imperative to complete the renovation while maintaining the feel of the original Alley. This renovation gave the Alley the ability to put on 500+ performances a year which is more than all other performing arts organizations in the Houston Theater District combined. This renovation project was completed September 2015. Bellows also completed flood remediation after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in August 2017. The water reached 10 feet high in the Neuhaus Theatre and lobby and 15 feet high in the basement level (16”-18” higher than Hurricane Allison) with everything below ground flooded. In between the basement remediation and Neuhaus renovation, Bellows was able to get the Hubbard Stage up and running for the staff by the week of November 6, 2017. The Alley had their first performance of A Christmas Carol in the Hubbard Stage on Friday, November 24, 2017.

Additionally, the Alley staff was able to start working in the Neuhaus Stage around Christmas so they could prepare the lighting and sound for the shows starting in mid-January 2018.

Christ Church Cathedral Restoration and Renovation

Christ Church Cathedral’s current church building is a nationally registered historic Houston landmark that was built in 1893. Bellows teamed up with Stern and Bucek Architects for this restoration which focused on the sacristy, cathedral, and vesting areas. Exterior restoration work included masonry repair and repointing; removal and reapplication of stucco protective coatings at projections; rust jacking repairs; and repair and reconditioning of original wood windows, doors and features. All exterior finishes were restored to historic 1893 colors. Interior restoration work at the cathedral included the installation of new tie rods; floor refinishing; plaster repair; repainting of walls and trim to historic 1893 finishes; LED lighting retrofit; and the modification of existing under-window voids to conceal new individual VRF air conditioning units as part of a complete HVAC overhaul. Interior work at Golding Chapel included plaster repair and repainting and the relocation of air grilles. Interior renovation work at the sacristy and vesting areas included a complete spatial reconfiguration. All vesting areas were relocated to the second level, allowing the first level sacristy to significantly expand. All original materials were retained and restored, and new finishes and cabinetry were meticulously detailed to complement the historic character.

Winner of the 2020 Good Brick Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Jones Hall for the Performing Arts

In the summer of 2022, Bellows began a $50M phased renovation over the summer breaks to avoid interrupting Jones Hall’s regular season productions. Jones Hall’s iconic exterior remains intact, while the interior has been redesigned to enhance the concert-going experience. The new vertical aisles and dramatically improved acoustics were just the beginning. New seats have been installed as well as a new orchestra shell and a sizeable increase to the number of bathroom facilities. Additional changes include a reconfigured lobby to create more spaces for patrons, including expansion and enhancement of the green room.

The overhauled backstage technical infrastructure included modernized stage automation control and fiber networks, ushering in a new era for state-of-the-art audio and visual capabilities for broadcasts, livestreams, and stage effects. ADA improvements to the entrance and auditorium make the Hall more accessible, including more seats for those in wheelchairs, improved cross-hall access, and more access points from Texas Avenue to reduce elevator usage.The remainder of the updates will be completed this summer, in time for Jones Hall to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026.

Rice University Maxfield Hall Renovation and Restoration

Maxfield Hall is the new home for the Department of Statistics and is the solution to an ever-growing demand for more space for the faculty and students. Floor space in the renovated building is 21,751 square feet. The interior includes two new classrooms, faculty and staff offices, a conference room and huddle rooms, as well as two elevators with access to the basement and first and second floors. The exterior was preserved and two new egress stair enclosures and a new ADA-compliant access ramp were added. The building’s HVAC and electrical systems were modernized, and the building is fully equipped for fire protection. The unused basement was fully renovated into three huddle rooms. All historic windows were refurbished, all offices now have windows, and lighting throughout the building has been updated to LED. The dropped ceiling was removed, revealing the original vaulted ceiling in the large classroom on the second floor.

This project is LEED Gold certified Winner of the 2020 Good Brick Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

South Main Baptist Church Renovation

This 31,491-sf renovation project encompassed the fellowship hall, sanctuary, and balcony. Demolition of the sanctuary flooring and chancel were completely demolished and the chancel was extended to better accommodate large services. The sanctuary also received restorative paint on the entire ceiling with new acoustical plaster and new HVAC, lighting and audio/visual as well as finishes that match the existing original design. The balcony’s plaster walls were replaced and the organ rearranged. The fellowship hall was completely gutted and renovated to include new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, kitchen equipment audio/visual, and finishes. The Bellows team knocked out perimeter walls revealing hidden windows, and reduced the size of the overhead mechanical equipment allowing them to raise the ceiling four feet. Finally, the entire kitchen underwent major upgrades and was replaced with a new commercial-style layout. The team installed new drain lines, vent lines, a grease trap with a 1200-gallon tank, industrial sinks, a new dishwashing facility, a walk-in cooler, a 16-foot fume hood, four stove tops, and a new servery area. The entire renovation is one that the Church had been waiting on for many years. All of the decisions for this remodel were based on renovating a building that will stand the test of time.

Winner of the 2020 Good Brick Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Ronald McDonald House Houston Addition and Renovation

The Ronald McDonald Houston Charities’ Behind Every Door three-phased renovation project addressed an increasing need to provide a home away from home to a growing number of families seeking medical care for their critically-ill children, upgraded infrastructure, and a reconfigured floor plan. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 27, 2018 unveiled the renovated 50,000-SF flagship building, also built by Bellows, and the newly-built 16,000-SF two-story tower. The first phase involved constructing a new two-story building over an existing surface parking lot. The expansion added 20 new bedrooms to the Holcombe House’s original 50. These rooms are about 500 sf and include ADA compliant walk-in showers, new room furnishings, and upgraded finishes. The second phase included the renovation of the 50,000-SF original building with updates to critical infrastructure, including HVAC/mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural elements. With backup generators, among other features, Holcombe House has the capability to keep its residents comfortable and safe if an outage occurs. The renovation included a new feature wall that extends from the first floor to the ceiling of the three-floor lobby. A larger kitchen with high-end appliances was added to better serve the families and volunteers. New playrooms and sports rooms as well as a fully-dedicated classroom were also refreshed. To increase energy efficiency, all of the existing curtainwall glass and punched windows were retrofitted with glazing pocket extrusions and new insulated glass was installed. For the third phase, the 50 existing bedrooms were demolished down to bare studs, revamped, and now feature new flooring, millwork, and tile work as well as updated appliances, fixtures, and technological upgrades.

St. Agnes Academy Administrative Wing Renovation

St. Agnes Academy is intentional about providing their students and staff with an exceptional academic program in a transformational setting. The most recent space to receive attention was the Administrative Wing located in the main campus building constructed in 1963.

The Wing serves as a location for offices, library, classrooms, restrooms, small staff kitchen, and conference rooms. This 94,000-SF project consisted of renovating the existing student, staff and public restrooms to become handicap/ADA, accessible; the addition of an exterior handicap accessible ramp that called for replacement of concrete steps and porch with new entry; installation of new cabinets, fixtures and insulated glass windows; replacement of air handling units; installation of new sprinkler and fire alarm systems; and upgraded interior finishes to the floors, walls, ceilings, and lighting. The existing terrazzo floors and brick walls remained and were protected throughout construction. Additionally, all aspects of the Wing were brought up to current handicap code compliance.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Infrastructure Upgrades

St. Paul’s neo-Gothic sanctuary building has been an iconic and sacred treasure in the heart of Houston for nearly 90 years. In an effort to address some of the wear and tear of the building and preserve this beautiful building, the church initiated the Revive Campaign that would help replace outdated mechanical equipment, repair exterior stone walls that required masonry work, and renovate the building to make it more accessible while still retaining its historical integrity. The Bellows team performed a 100,000-sf renovation of the exterior, reception area, and plaza; made the campus ADA compliant; demolished and renovated the basement (classrooms and administration space); reinforced the existing basement structure; completed concrete excavation; installed new footings; and replaced windows, all on an active, occupied site. The Bellows team was in continual communication with St. Paul’s in order to coordinate schedules around their daily needs, activities, and events. Bellows previously completed a two-phase project for St. Paul’s school which included an addition to the existing Jones Education Building and major demolition and renovation with minor work in the basement.

Winner of the 2022 Good Brick Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Basement Renovation

Jones Basement is primarily used for 3rd–5th grade Sunday School classrooms. While 3rd–5th graders have not returned to pre-covid attendance, their Sunday School teachers have recently reported that children are arriving at their classes with friends in tow––ready to worship, learn, and play.

After the recent renovation, the basement was transformed into an attractive, usable space not only for 3rd–5th grade Sunday School but for many other purposes, including Vacation Bible School, Fine Arts Academy, Wonderfully Made Workshop, St. Paul’s School, Fey y Esperanza, Rutabaga After-School Program, Seminary classes through Perkins School of Theology (Houston-Galveston), and Overnight mission groups like UM ARMY. The new space accommodates three times its former capacity—up to 70 children in the Assembly Room and 17 children in each of four flexible classrooms. A brighter, newer, and more functional Jones Basement demonstrates St. Paul’s commitment to their children, inspires the faithful volunteers who work with them, and expands the program to new levels of participation.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Renovation

The church suffered a major fire on September 20, 2019 which significantly impacted the church’s campus. Due to the fire damage, the church required significant interior and exterior repairs and renovations totalling 17,208-SF. Renovations included fellowship hall and kitchen renovation, chancel and chore loft renovation, installation of new pews, fellowship gathering space, youth hall renovation, restroom renovation on all floors, and code compliance.

Winner of the 2024 Good Brick Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation