HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Preservation Houston’s 2020 Good Brick Award winners represent a more diverse mix of projects in terms of their locations, eras of origin, architectural styles and uses.
The organization recognized – and showcased — examples of excellence in preservation, restoration and enhancement of historic and cultural properties at its Cornerstone Dinner, held recently at River Oaks Country Club.
As noted later by Preservation Board president Kate McCormick, projects this year reflect a growing trend: More people are undertaking projects outside designated historic districts.
“We are encouraged that Houstonians are embracing the importance of preserving the historic fabric of all neighborhoods, she said.
The 2020 Good Brick Award winners rehabilitated historic homes, repurposed vintage commercial properties, restored landmark church sanctuaries, and rescued a culturally significant mural in the Third Ward. Even space devoted to (outer) space made the roster of recognition. The age of properties encompassed nearly a century, from 1875 to the late-‘60s.
More specifically, the awards honored:
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NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, which restored the Apollo Mission Control Center. The project took the facility back to its 1969 state – with an attention to detail that included period cigarette packages.
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Christ Church Cathedral, located downtown, which restored its historic sanctuary, circa 1893.
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South Main Baptist Church also restored its historic sanctuary, which dates back to 1930 in what is now Midtown.
Award-winning commercial projects also included:
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Supreme Bright Houston/Newcrest Image for repurposing the Houston Bar Association Building (1966) as the AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown.
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Todd Interests for repurposing the Petroleum Building (1927) as the Cambria Hotel.
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Roberts Industrial Center Inc. for restoring the former W-K-M Company HQ (1947) in the East End.
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Radom Capital LLC for rehabilitating a mid-century modern retail center (1955) in Houston Heights.
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Pejman James and Oxberry Group for rehabilitating the 1936 Quality Laundry Building in Montrose.
Residential award winners included:
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Ronald David Powell for restoring a folk Victorian house (1892) in the Near Northside.
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Karen and Neal Dikeman for restoring two historic houses (1890 and 1910) in the Old Sixth Ward Historic District.
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Phil Neisel for restoring the Benjamin Reisner House (1875) in the Old Sixth Ward Historic District.
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Parra Design Group for rehabilitating the Milton and Carrie Curtis House (1952) in the Fifth Ward.
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Four Square Design Studio for rehabilitating a folk Victorian house (1900) in the First Ward
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Laura Carrera and Andres Utting for rehabilitating a Craftsman bungalow (1930) in the Norhill Historic District
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Jerry Hooker and Jacob Sudhoff for restoring the C.L. Neuhaus House (1909) in the Courtlandt Place Historic District.
The awards program also honored:
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City of Houston for developing the Houston Heights Design Review Guidelines
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Houston Community College for the book “100 Years of Educating Houston and the World: The San Jacinto Memorial Building.”
The organization’s Martha Peterson Award winner was Blue Triangle Multi-Cultural Association Inc. for restoring the historic mural by John Biggers and entitled “The Contribution of Negro Woman to American Life and Education (1953) in the Blue Triangle Community Center, located in the Third Ward.
Former Mayor Annise Parker received the Preservation Houston President’s Award for her outstanding contributions to historic preservation in Houston.
Feb. 24, 2020 Realty News Report Copyright 2020
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