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Awards
The 2020
Good Brick Award
Official Named
Historic Building
Development of Distinction Finalist
Preservation
Award
Preservation Houston has presented the Good Brick Awards since 1979 to recognize local contributions to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of Houston's architectural and cultural heritage.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. There are more than 95,000 properties listed (as of 2019).
The ULI Houston Development of Distinction Awards recognize developments and public open spaces that exemplify best practices in design, construction, and more.
Houston Mod created the award winning Mod of the Month program to spotlight modern homes and buildings in need of new preservation- minded owners.
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HISTORIC
PRESERVATION
The Medical Towers building was designed by acclaimed architecture firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM) and served as their introduction to Houston’s architectural landscape. SOM partnered with Houston architectural firm, Goleman & Rolfe, and the design of the building was led by Gordon Bunshaft who drew inspiration from his famed Lever House in New York City. The Texas Medical Center (TMC), founded in 1945, is a collection of non-profit institutions and is now the largest medical center in the world, employing more than 110,000 persons and seeing more than 15 million visitors a year.
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SERVING THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
The Medical Towers building is strategically situated across the street from the TMC mandated non-profit use area and, thus, the Medical Towers has brought private office and numerous retail services to the suburban employment center. As a part of the project, Pearl restored the building’s exterior and upgraded all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The sensitive repurposing of the building created a 273-room luxury hotel that includes 18,000 square feet of meeting space, 17,000 square feet of high-end street level dining and outdoor cafes, and a 400+ car garage. The new use and additional amenities of this redevelopment serve the TMC and the greater City of Houston.
Integrating the podium for guest and THC parking and the preservation of original historic fabric proved to be a challenging and rewarding aspect of the project. Visitors can now enjoy a truly unique experience and view both original and new building elements side-by-side. A thoughtful new addition added a 30,000 square foot pavilion at the top of the podium. This was accomplished through consultation with the Texas Historical Commission and the National Park Service. This design of the new pavilion retained elements of the original building along with contemporary design, allowing the juxtaposition of new and old elements. Pearl accomplished this in a number of ways—most notably through keeping the exterior brick façade exposed in the new pavilion’s fifth floor lobby. As a nod to the hotel’s neighboring James Turrell Skyspace, Twilight Epiphany, at Rice University, five grand skylights were designed with the ability to change colors.
1,200+
JOBS CREATED
The revitalized Medical Towers building created over 1,200 jobs through construction and operations and has already become an integral part of the community serving the dining and hospitality needs of a diverse local population and countless visitors who visit each day.
Jimi Smith Photography 21
Jimi Smith Photography 21
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CONTEMPORARY
ELEMENTS
MEDIA & PRESS
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