2215 Congress St

[IntheKnowHouston]

2215 Congress St in East Downtown (EaDo). It's a 0.23 acre parcel on the corner of Bastrop St.









 

[IntheKnowHouston]

2215 Congress St consists of two parcels, according to the Harris County parcel map.

One is 0.17 acre at 2215 Congress St. The other is 0.06 acre at 2217 Congress St.

[IntheKnowHouston]

According to Arch-ive.org, 2215 Congress St was home the following businesses:
 

• 1903-1907: Standard Publishing Co.; Mann Groceries
• 1955-1963: Hall Hotel; Harlan Printing Co.; Patterson Printing Co.
• 1976-: Commercial Washer + Dryer Co.
  
   

And these businesses occupied 2217 Congress St:
 

• 1917-1922: Mistretta Groceries and Barber Shop; All Saints Cigar Co.

https://arch-ive.org/archive/congress-houston/

 

 

January 2023 Streetview of 2215-2217 Congress St


















 

[IntheKnowHouston]

A  warranty deed recorded with the Harris County Clerk's office indicates 2215 Congress St has changed hands. According to the records, Scarlet Capital acquired the property earlier this week. 

The Houston real estate development firm's website specifies plans to rehab the building. Details includes "redeveloping the Hall Hotel (built c. 1895) into retail / studio space." The project is dubbed Hall Hotel Studios.


Additional information from the website:
 

• 14,000 square feet of building on 10,170 square feet of land
• Eating, drinking, creating (possibly seeking a restaurant tenant, bar tenant, artists or creative office tenants)

https://www.scarletcapital.com/developments/hall-hotel-studios

[IntheKnowHouston]

Exterior photos of 2215 Congress St.

The photos are from Scarlet Capital's website highlighting plans to redevelop this into Hall Hotel Studios. 


https://www.scarletcapital.com/developments/hall-hotel-studios

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

Interior photos of 2215 Congress St.

The photos are from Scarlet Capital's website highlighting plans to redevelop this into Hall Hotel Studios. 


https://www.scarletcapital.com/developments/hall-hotel-studios

 

 

 

[j_cuevas713]

preserving another charming building

[hindesky]

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 1/21/2023 at 5:13 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

A  warranty deed recorded with the Harris County Clerk's office indicates 2215 Congress St has changed hands. According to the records, Scarlet Capital acquired the property earlier this week. 

The Houston real estate development firm's website specifies plans to rehab the building. Details includes "redeveloping the Hall Hotel (built c. 1895) into retail / studio space." The project is dubbed Hall Hotel Studios.


Additional information from the website:
 

• 14,000 square feet of building on 10,170 square feet of land
• Eating, drinking, creating (possibly seeking a restaurant tenant, bar tenant, artists or creative office tenants)

https://www.scarletcapital.com/developments/hall-hotel-studios

 

On 8/16/2023 at 4:25 PM, hindesky said:

 

 

 

Following Scarlet Capital's acquisition of 2215 Congress St in January, the property changed hands in February. Scarlet Capital notes this on their website, adding their exit from the property in 2023 (though it doesn't say when in 2023).

As @hindesky posted,  Hood QOZ 2021, LLC owns 2215 Congress St. Hood QOZ 2021, LLC is an entity linked to Tim and Christine Hood.

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 8/16/2023 at 4:25 PM, hindesky said:

 

4 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

Following Scarlet Capital's acquisition of 2215 Congress St in January, the property changed hands in February. Scarlet Capital notes this on their website, adding their exit from the property in 2023 (though it doesn't say when in 2023).

As @hindesky posted,  Hood QOZ 2021, LLC owns 2215 Congress St. Hood QOZ 2021, LLC is an entity linked to Tim and Christine Hood.

2215 Congress St may likely become a pinball museum. The owners of the EaDo property also own Wormhole Pinball, which is a private pinball club in the Heights.

Back in April, Houston Chronicle revealed plans for the pinball museum. It was buried in an article pertaining to the city's pinball scene. The address wasn't disclosed, but the specs described match 2215 Congress St.



The Hoods want to make Houston a pinball destination, and to that end, they’ve purchased a 14,000-square-foot building just east of downtown with plans to create a pinball museum. As with Wormhole, the location is undisclosed, Christine Hood said work is already underway on the structure. She estimates it’s a two-year project.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/pinball-is-back-in-play-in-texas-17904986.php




Here is the topic for 2017 N Shepherd Dr, the site of Wormhole Pinball: 

https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/50135-2019-n-shepherd-dr

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 10/1/2023 at 5:10 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

2215 Congress St may likely become a pinball museum. The owners of the EaDo property also own Wormhole Pinball, which is a private pinball club in the Heights.

Back in April, Houston Chronicle revealed plans for the pinball museum. It was buried in an article pertaining to the city's pinball scene. The address wasn't disclosed, but the specs described match 2215 Congress St.



The Hoods want to make Houston a pinball destination, and to that end, they’ve purchased a 14,000-square-foot building just east of downtown with plans to create a pinball museum. As with Wormhole, the location is undisclosed, Christine Hood said work is already underway on the structure. She estimates it’s a two-year project.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/pinball-is-back-in-play-in-texas-17904986.php

Has anyone come across conceptual renderings of the proposed pinball museum? As noted above, it's planned for 2215 Congress St.

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 10/1/2023 at 6:10 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

2215 Congress St may likely become a pinball museum. The owners of the EaDo property also own Wormhole Pinball, which is a private pinball club in the Heights.

Back in April, Houston Chronicle revealed plans for the pinball museum. It was buried in an article pertaining to the city's pinball scene. The address wasn't disclosed, but the specs described matches 2215 Congress St.



The Hoods want to make Houston a pinball destination, and to that end, they’ve purchased a 14,000-square-foot building just east of downtown with plans to create a pinball museum. As with Wormhole, the location is undisclosed, Christine Hood said work is already underway on the structure. She estimates it’s a two-year project.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/pinball-is-back-in-play-in-texas-17904986.php

An architectural barriers project filing was submitted today for 2215 Congress St. The filing confirms the pinball museum discussed a few months ago will indeed be located at 2215 Congress St. The name of the museum may be Wormhole Pinball Museum.

Below is the filing submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for the pinball museum. The post was made to the wrong topic:


https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/51859-2201-2211-congress-st/?do=findComment&comment=693868

6 hours ago, hindesky said:

Architect - https://www.estudiogroup.com

Edited December 21, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

14 minutes ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

An architectural barriers project filing was submitted today for 2215 Congress St. The filing confirms the pinball museum discussed a few months ago will indeed be located at 2215 Congress St. The name of the museum may be Wormhole Pinball Museum.

Below is the filing submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for the pinball museum. The post was made to the wrong topic:


https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/51859-2201-2211-congress-st/?do=findComment&comment=693868

 @hindesky said:
Architect - https://www.estudiogroup.com

Details pertaining to the pinball museum planned for 2215 Congress St are below. The information is from the architectural barriers project filing submitted today to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR.)

The name of the pinball museum may be Wormhole Pinball Museum, according to the filing.

 

• Estimated Start Date: February 10, 2024
   
• Estimated Completion Date: August 20, 2024
   
• Estimated Cost:  $500,000
   
• Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration
   
• Scope of Work: Shell renovation of existing 100+ year old building. Repairing foundation, windows, doors, storefront and roof. Replacing broken exterior stairs and balcony with new that go up to future rooftop areas.
   
• Square Footage: 12,042 sf
   
• Design Firm: eStudio Architecture

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Search/Print/TABS2024007971

Edited December 21, 2023 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 10/15/2023 at 10:45 PM, IntheKnowHouston said:

Has anyone come across conceptual renderings of the proposed pinball museum? As noted above, it's planned for 2215 Congress St.

With the recent architectural barriers project filing for the pinball museum planned for 2215 Congress St, has anyone viewed the designs?

[hindesky]

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 12/21/2023 at 12:01 PM, hindesky said:

Architect - https://www.estudiogroup.com

   

5 minutes ago, hindesky said:

Following the filing of an architectural barriers project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), a plan reviewing fee was filed yesterday for 2215 Congress St.

Details from the filing:

• Use: Repair; shell
• FCC Group: Non-residential alteration.

As previously mentioned, a pinball museum is planned for 2219 Congress St. The museum's name may be Wormhole Pinball Museum.

[EastwoodEnvoy]

Quote

Last year the Hoods spent north of $2 million to buy a 14,000-square-foot 130-year-old building east of downtown Houston that they plan to convert into a pinball museum. They believe it is likely one of the oldest freestanding brick structures in town. Like the Vault, it has been many things: home to a succession of printing businesses, a flophouse hotel, a commercial laundry equipment seller, and, quite possibly, a brothel.

Its facade is painted a moody cerulean blue, and from its front step you can see both Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros play ball, and Shell Energy Stadium, where the Houston Dynamo kick balls.

On blueprints spread across the Hoods’ kitchen island, the building, at 2215 Congress, is called Wormhole East. It’s intended to be a shrine to pinball’s past and present as well as a playground. Most of the machines—or “pins,” as enthusiasts call them—on display at the future museum will be in working order, Tim Hood vows. Given how often both old and new pinball machines need repairs, that promise will be an engineering feat unto itself.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/underground-pinball-den-houston-museum/

[SecondWardDweller]

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 5/6/2024 at 7:52 PM, EastwoodEnvoy said:

https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/underground-pinball-den-houston-museum/

There are additional details regarding the pinball museum in a Youtube video posted last month. 

The pinball museum will be located at 2215 Congress St in East Downtown. The working name is Wormhole East.


From the video:

We are building a museum here. It's going to be called Wormhole East. It's a 14,000-square-foot building that's going to be in downtown. And it is going to be called the Wormhole East Museum or something to that extent. And we'll have 125 pins, some that the world's never seen... And it's going to be honestly a destination. And it's another reason why we just want to spread the love for pinball. And what we show people this unbelievable collection that Tim, John, and I have...

This place is going to be unbelievable. And if anyone that's ever been to the Wormhole, take that 2.0, it's going to be just... unbelievable. And if anyone knows, [couldn't make out the designer's name] is going to be designing it, they know it's going to be awesome. So, that will be a ribbon-cutting in 2026 that you're going to have to come down to Houston.  

 

 

 

Edited May 10 by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

A proposed Class 2 subdivision plat (C2) named Wormhole East was submitted earlier this week. The plat consists of the following parcels: 
 

• 2215 Congress St
• 2217 Congress St
   

The reason for the plat is "to create one unrestricted reserve."

According to proposed replat, the reserve size is 0.23 acres. On the plat is unrestricted reserve A.

I think the proposed Wormhole East plat will be  discussed at the September 5th planning commission meeting.

As noted in previous posts, a pinball museum is slated for the property.  The name of the museum may be Wormhole Pinball Museum or Wormhole East.

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 5/10/2024 at 1:37 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

There are additional details regarding the pinball museum in a Youtube video posted last month. 

The pinball museum will be located at 2215 Congress St in East Downtown. The working name is Wormhole East.


From the video:

We are building a museum here. It's going to be called Wormhole East. It's a 14,000-square-foot building that's going to be in downtown. And it is going to be called the Wormhole East Museum or something to that extent. And we'll have 125 pins, some that the world's never seen... And it's going to be honestly a destination. And it's another reason why we just want to spread the love for pinball. And what we show people this unbelievable collection that Tim, John, and I have...

This place is going to be unbelievable. And if anyone that's ever been to the Wormhole, take that 2.0, it's going to be just... unbelievable. And if anyone knows, [couldn't make out the designer's name] is going to be designing it, they know it's going to be awesome. So, that will be a ribbon-cutting in 2026 that you're going to have to come down to Houston.  

 

Last month, a co-owner of East Downtown's forthcoming pinball museum uploaded a walk-through video.  The pinball museum will be located at 2215 Congress St in EaDo.

As for the name of the museum, I'm not sure. It appears the working name is Wormhole East. However, Wormhole Pinball Museum is also listed in construction-related filings.


 

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 5/6/2024 at 7:52 PM, EastwoodEnvoy said:

 

Last year the Hoods spent north of $2 million to buy a 14,000-square-foot 130-year-old building east of downtown Houston that they plan to convert into a pinball museum. They believe it is likely one of the oldest freestanding brick structures in town. Like the Vault, it has been many things: home to a succession of printing businesses, a flophouse hotel, a commercial laundry equipment seller, and, quite possibly, a brothel. Its facade is painted a moody cerulean blue, and from its front step you can see both Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros play ball, and Shell Energy Stadium, where the Houston Dynamo kick balls. On blueprints spread across the Hoods’ kitchen island, the building, at 2215 Congress, is called Wormhole East. It’s intended to be a shrine to pinball’s past and present as well as a playground. Most of the machines—or “pins,” as enthusiasts call them—on display at the future museum will be in working order, Tim Hood vows. Given how often both old and new pinball machines need repairs, that promise will be an engineering feat unto itself.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/underground-pinball-den-houston-museum/

Also noted in the Texas Monthly article pertaining to the forthcoming pinball museum at 2215 Congress Street:
 

The Hoods’ blueprints show spaces for 120 pins, as well as a multimedia studio and control center for streaming tournaments online, recording podcasts, and more. A good chunk of the couple’s collection of pinball machines will be available to admire and, most importantly, play.


The tentative name of the pinball museum is Wormhole East. It's located in East Downtown (EaDo).

[IntheKnowHouston]

On 8/29/2024 at 4:50 AM, IntheKnowHouston said:

A proposed Class 2 subdivision plat (C2) named Wormhole East was submitted earlier this week. The plat consists of the following parcels: 

• 2215 Congress St
• 2217 Congress St

The reason for the plat is "to create one unrestricted reserve."

According to proposed replat, the reserve size is 0.23 acres. On the plat is unrestricted reserve A.

I think the proposed Wormhole East plat will be  discussed at the September 5th planning commission meeting.

As noted in previous posts, a pinball museum is slated for the property.  The name of the museum may be Wormhole Pinball Museum or Wormhole East.

 

A proposed subdivision plat with variance request for 2215 Congress St is on this week's planning commission's agenda. The name of the proposed subdivision plat is Wormhole East.

As mentioned, a pinball museum possibly named Wormhole East Pinball Museum is planned for the premises.



Below is the text from the notice of variance letter sent to area residents:

The Planning and Development Department has received a subdivision plat application with a  variance for a property located at the northwest intersection of Congress Street and Bastrop Street.

...The applicant, has filed the request on behalf of the developer of the subject site. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow a 0’ building line along Congress Street and Bastrop and  to not provide a visibility triangle. 
 

Link to the October 17 draft agenda:

https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-21_DraftAgenda.pdf












The proposed Class 2 subdivision (C2) Wormhole East plat

Edited Monday at 09:56 AM by IntheKnowHouston

[IntheKnowHouston]

5 minutes ago, IntheKnowHouston said:

A proposed subdivision plat with variance request for 2215 Congress St is on this week's planning commission's agenda. The name of the proposed subdivision plat is Wormhole East.

As mentioned, a pinball museum possibly named Wormhole East Pinball Museum is planned for the premises.


Below is the text from the notice of variance letter sent to area residents:

The Planning and Development Department has received a subdivision plat application with a  variance for a property located at the northwest intersection of Congress Street and Bastrop Street.

...The applicant, has filed the request on behalf of the developer of the subject site. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow a 0’ building line along Congress Street and Bastrop and  to not provide a visibility triangle. 
 

Link to the October 17 draft agenda:

https://plattracker.houstontx.gov/edrc/RevDocDefault.aspx?AppID=0&UserID=0&UserRole=0&CycleDocPath=2024\2024-21_DraftAgenda.pdf

The variance request application, which is included in the submitted materials to the Planning Commission for the proposed subdivision plat Wormhole East at 2215 Congress, includes the following text:



(Sec. 42-47 and Sec. 42-81)
Specific Variance is being sought and extent of variance:

To not adhere to building line and visibility requirements along Congress and Bastrop. Chapter 42 Section: 42-150

Chapter 42 Reference:

(b) The building line requirements established by this chapter are minimum standards. Where deed restrictions provide for a greater building line or setback, the deed restrictions shall control over the provisions of this chapter. (c) A special minimum building line requirement established pursuant to subdivision B of this division shall control over all other provisions of this chapter relating to building line requirements. (d) The following chart is a summary of certain building line requirements of this chapter and is intended for illustrative purposes only. In case of any conflict between the chart and the text of this chapter, the text shall control.




Statement of Facts

(1a) The imposition of the terms, rules, conditions, policies and standards of this chapter would create an undue hardship by depriving the applicant of the reasonable use of the land; OR

The subject property is 0.2335-acre replat located at 2215 Congress Street, at the northwest intersection of Congress and Bastrop Street. The property currently contains a 10,500 SF two-story building which the developer is proposing to use as a pinball museum. This building, being over 100 years old, was built in 1895 according to the Harris Central Appraisal District. Currently, there is no building line on this property. With this replat, the City of Houston subdivision regulations would require a 25' building line along Congress and Bastrop. Since the structure is existing, the regulations will then cause the building to encroach. This variance request asks that the building line be placed at (zero) O' along Congress and Bastrop with no visibility triangle.


(1b) Strict application would make this project infeasible due to the existence of unusual physical characteristics that affect the property in question, or would create an impractical development or one otherwise contrary to sound public policy;

N/A


(2) The circumstances supporting the granting of the variance are not the result of a hardship created or imposed by the applicant;

The existing building was constructed according to the requirements which were in effect when the building was constructed, and the developer does not want to demolish the structure, they want to utilize it. It is not an unreasonable request to not adhere to the building line requirements due to the structure currently existing. The O' building line variance will allow the applicant to preserve the existing structure; maintaining the unified building footprint that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood as well as making the best use of this site. The enforcement of new building lines would result in an unnecessary impact of demolishment to this project.



(3) The intent and general purposes of this chapter will be preserved and maintained;

The property will keep the existing elevated sidewalk along Congress which will maintain the pedestrian realm and safety. Along Bastrop, a new paved sidewalk is being proposed. Although this section of Bastrop is an unimproved right-of-way, the developer is acting in good faith to complete the appropriate pedestrian realm. The new sidewalk along Bastrop will also provide a nice visual esthetic around the two sides of the building. Lastly, keeping the current building line at O' will maintain the unified building footprint within the neighborhood.


(4) The granting of the variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety or welfare;

The granting of the variance will not be injurious to the public health, safety or welfare as adequate vehicular and pedestrian circulation currently exists with a proposed portion being added. The reduction of the building setback will not impede the City's ability to access or maintain any of the surrounding rights-of-way. The O' building line request is reasonable since there is currently no building line, and practical to prevent the building from encroaching.

(5) Economic hardship is not the sole justification of the variance.

The existing building was constructed according to the requirements which were in effect when the building was constructed. The enforcement of new building lines would result in an unnecessary impact on this project. The developer intends to use this 129-year-old building in his development.

 

[IntheKnowHouston]

A proposed site plan for 2215 Congress St is included in the materials submitted with the subdivision plat and variance request application.

[IntheKnowHouston]

The north shell elevation for 2215 Congress St is below. This is from materials submitted with the subdivision plat and variance request application.
 

[IntheKnowHouston]

The east exterior shell elevation for 2215 Congress St is below. This is from materials submitted with the subdivision plat and variance request application.
 

[hindesky]

Planning Commission approved the variance request.