Art and About
A sneak peek at the hidden gem of Houston's Downtown Home Tour
- The custom stairs at the Cash Register Building have thick glass embedded in thesteps to allow the light through.
- The mosaic frieze was reconstructed by a graphic artist, taking inspiration froman old photograph
- After raising the ceilings and strengthening the structure, an outdoor livingarea and rooftop garden was added, along with an open period-style elevator.
Downtown is strictly a place for business, right?
Wrong. It's more than just a destination to shake hands, make deals and capitalize on our networks. It's a neighborhood, in some ways like any other, in other ways quite unique with one-of-a-kind historic buildings, showing off fabulous renovations and supporting sophisticated living.
A lot of attention has been paid to its gentrification, taking care to retain Houston's urban architectural style. While Discovery Green, on its third anniversary, has received national accolades, more Market Square-type green places are popping up around new restaurants, shopping and yes, residential buildings.
The Downtown Home Tour is this Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m., allowing design and real estate curious guests an opportunity to explore the fab abodes of real Houstonians including the homes of artists Nicola Parente and Olga Porter. The Bayou Lofts, Four Seasons Residences, Franklin Lofts, One Park Place, Commerce Towers and Post Rice Lofts are also featured.
But it was the newly renovated and award-winning historic Cash Register Building that piqued our attention and inspired an "Art and About" adventure.
Designed by the late Joseph Finger — he worked in Houston from 1910-40 and designed the Houston City Hall, Jeff Davis Hospital and the Harris County Courthouse — in Italian renaissance revival style, the building was dedicated on April 8, 1929, the 59th anniversary of the invention of the cash register. It sits between the second Houston Cotton Exchange Building and the Federal Reserve Branch Bank.
Since then, it has gone through many transient stages. It served as a storage facility for the FDIC, held a wine collection and was used as office space, before later morphing into the home of a bail bonds company.
Owner Deborah Keyser had different plans when she purchased it in 2006. With the help of designer Andra White, the building evolved into a multi-use space in a modernized vintage aesthetic, repurposing many materials including countertops, cabinets and windows.
All exterior signage was removed and the control display window was restored to its original size and design. The mosaic frieze under the eves was reconstructed according to an old photograph.
Ceilings were raised, the structure was strengthened, a period-style open elevator was added and original hardwoods refinished. Today, it houses Keyser's law practice on the first floor, her residence on the second and an expansive outdoor living area and roof garden with exquisite outdoor views on the third.
Curious? Watch our video tour with realty powerhouse Paige Martin: