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Houston preservation commission recommends landmark designation for 1st City National Bank
Summary
The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission voted May 21 to recommend that City Council designate the 1961 1st City National Bank (1021 Main St.) as a local landmark, citing architectural significance; applicants said the tower will be adaptively reused as 553 dwelling units, including a 93‑unit short‑term/hotel component.
The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission voted May 21 to recommend that City Council designate the 1961 1st City National Bank complex at 1021 Main Street as a local landmark, citing the building s an early local example of corporate modern architecture and an exterior articulated structural frame.
Deputy director Robert Williamson told the commission staff recommended the landmark nomination after reviewing the National Register nomination paperwork. "The property meets criteria 1, 4, 5 and 6," Williamson said in his presentation, and staff noted the National Register nomination was accepted by the National Park Service on Jan. 20, 2026.
Applicants and consultants spoke in favor of the designation. "Ownership fully supports the designation and appreciates the preservation program," Amanda Coleman of Rhine Historic Advisors told commissioners. Melanie Caudell of Ryan Historic Advisors, a co‑author of the National Register nomination, said the tower nd its visible exoskeleton frame "make it an important part of Houston's architectural legacy."
Brooks Howell, the Gensler principal in charge for the conversion project, described proposed adaptive reuse plans that he said would convert the roughly 600,000 square‑foot tower into 553 apartments. "The project will be converted into 553 apartments, of which 460 are market rate rental and 93 essentially function more like a hotel," Howell said, adding the brand envisioned for the short‑term component is called Roost and operates with a staffed front desk and housekeeping.
Commission discussion focused on the building rchitectural significance and on next steps. After staff presentation and applicant testimony, a motion to accept staff's recommendation carried and the commission voted to forward the designation recommendation to City Council for final action.
What happens next: the HAHC recommendation goes to Houston City Council for consideration. The commission id not set conditions on the landmark recommendation; any future certificate of appropriateness reviews related to the conversion or exterior work will return to HAHC under the normal COA process.
