Highrise Tower Posted May 24 Share Posted May 24 In 1919, Henry C. House proposed a 20-story office skyscraper (which was very tall at the time) at the corner of Main Street and Travis Street in downtown. The building was supposed to serve as a memorial to his father and mother. Henry House owned the corner of Main and Travis for 30 years prior to buying it from the Rich estate. Herman Lee Meader of New York was the architect. The building was co-developed with Preston S. Faust of Houston representing the New York interests. Drawing of the skyscraper: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specwriter Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 16 hours ago, Highrise Tower said: In 1919, Henry C. House proposed a 20-story office skyscraper (which was very tall at the time) at the corner of Main Street and Travis Street in downtown. Highrise, can you clarify the location? Main and Travis run parallel to each other. They do not intersect. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted May 25 Author Share Posted May 25 7 hours ago, Specwriter said: Highrise, can you clarify the location? Main and Travis run parallel to each other. They do not intersect. Sure! Hope this helps. The site of the structure fronts 58 feet on Texas Avenue and 100 feet on Main Street. It's location between the extremes of the business section, and the fact it is diagonally across from The Rice Hotel are considered to enhance materially the value of the location for an office building. The lessees also consider the transportation facilities at the junction of Texas Avenue and Main Street commend the site. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Specwriter Posted May 26 Share Posted May 26 Thank you, Highrise. That's where the 48-story 609 Main building is located today (at least a piece of it). Given the city's reputation for demolishing and building new, I wonder how long it would have stood if the 20-story House building had been built. The location was definitely well considered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highrise Tower Posted August 30 Author Share Posted August 30 Was this built? I read that a contractor was awarded and the work would start the following year. The construction company was Hedrick Construction, out of Dallas, TX. I believe, Hedrick Construction was the notable architect Wyatt C. Hedrick's side business. If this was built, where are the many historical photographs of this building? I'm thinking the building contract was nullified and the project never happened. Maybe Mr. House had to pay a penalty for withdrawing the contract from Hedrick Construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted September 3 Share Posted September 3 Texas Tower was demolished to make way for 609 Main. That building started demo in 2013 and was I believe 22 stories or so... I think it was built in the 40s. In the 1944 Aerial photos of Houston, Texas Tower is the only highrise on the block bound by Texas, Main, Fanning, and Capitol. ing wa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.