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April 20, 2001 - Special To Houston Business Journal
Nostalgia joins technology in redeveloped office lofts
Andrew Kaldis & Tony Abyad
Historic loft office space meets the demand for corporate firms seeking alternative work environments not found in traditional office buildings. Aside from the nostalgic feelings and gratification of seeing glorious old buildings brought back to their original glory, these restored spaces offer a worker-friendly environment with all the bells and whistles that new technology offers. The open and fun atmosphere inspires employees and increases company productivity, while the aesthetics impress clients and visitors. Employers find the open concepts more economical and flexible than traditional hierarchical office plans with private offices, or even the traditional cubicle concept. As corporate America has become more casual, this type of space invites more warmth and interest.
DOWNTOWN REVIVAL
Thanks to Enron Field, downtown Houston is redeveloping at a rapid pace. Main Street is coming back to life, as is the historic Market Square District. Downtown Houston has become the center for sports, entertainment and the arts in the metroplex, and experts predict that, in a few years, more than 10,000 Houstonians will live downtown. There already has been more than $318 million in downtown development completed, with $1.3 billion in projects under construction and an additional $1.2 billion in the pre-construction phase. Additionally, $62 million is committed to the Cotswold project, a pedestrian-friendly project providing sidewalks, water features, enhanced lighting and "head-in" parking. Street improvements include the METRO/Main Street Rehabilitation Project, which includes a plan for light rail, and Buffalo Bayou improvements, which include the beautification of Allen's Landing. Infrastructure and street improvements currently slated by the various governmental entities total more than $250 million.
Most of the historical buildings are being restored and converted for residential use. There are, however, several notable exceptions of existing historical buildings that were once dynamic and prestigious places to office being given new life while honoring the integrity of the original design. They include the 97-year-old Commercial National Bank Building, located in Houston's historic Market Square area at 917 Franklin and Main St., and the Scanlan Building on the southeast corner of Main Street and Preston.
The goal in creating an alternative work environment in such buildings is to provide tenants an innovative office space that reflects their own creativity and informal nature and is conducive to interaction between the other companies, as well as each company's employees. This can be achieved by having open spaces, high ceilings, lots of natural light, multiple common areas for impromptu gatherings and the sharing of ideas and a friendly environment. Accomplishing these initiatives in "recycled" space with a historic background appeals to the tenants' sense of community.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Tenants today appreciate the fact that the Commercial National Bank Building is one of the most architecturally important structures in Houston's Central Business District. Intimately entwined with Houston's history, it is listed on the national register of historic places. The building gained significance not only from its physical structure, but also from its noteworthy occupants. It served as the offices for several of Houston's founding leaders. Upon its original completion in 1904, the building stood as the tallest and most prestigious in Houston's emerging CBD.
The Commercial National Bank occupied the building from 1904 until 1912 when it merged with the South Texas Commercial National Bank, later Texas Commerce and now Chase Bank. It was quickly replaced by National Bank of Commerce, whose president was Jesse H. Jones. The new bank occupied the facilities until 1915, when Western Union took over the first three floors of the building and headquartered there for the next 65 years. Among other tenants during the building's early years were Southern Pacific Railroad Co.; Capt. James Baker, who established the law firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Gargood; and William Marsh Rice, for whom Rice University is named.
The Scanlan Building also has strong ties to Houston history. The Allen brothers, who founded Houston, once owned the property on which the building rests. In 1838 the site was sold to the Republic of Texas and it became the official home for Texas presidents Sam Houston and Mirabeau B. Lamar until the government was relocated to Austin in late 1839. Considered a Houston landmark and completed in 1909, the Scanlan Building itself was developed by the colorful Scanlan family, whose involvement in local politics, industry and religion was often controversial.
Thomas Howe Scanlan was born in Limerick County, Ireland, in 1831 and came to Houston in 1853. His political career included service as Alderman of the Third Ward, two-term mayor of Houston and postmaster of the city. Scanlan invested heavily in Houston real estate and served as president of Houston's Water Works Co., a private (and the only) supplier of municipal water to the city whose facilities formed the basis of the present city water system.
As early as 1903, Scanlan planned a large, modern office building on the property, which he purchased in 1865; however, the building was not constructed during his lifetime. After his death, his seven daughters carried out his wishes and constructed the building as a memorial to their father. Designed by D.H. Burnham & Co. of Chicago, at its opening Aug. 1, 1909, the building was hailed as "the largest building in the largest city in the largest state."
Andrew Kaldis and Tony Abyad are partners and co-developers of the Commercial National Bank Building and Scanlan Building.
© 2001 American City Business Journals Inc.
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03/18/03
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