Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Landmark Designation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HAHC recommends landmark designation for Battlesteins building at 806 Main St.
Summary
The Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission voted to forward staff’s recommendation to City Council to designate the mid‑century Battlesteins building at 806 Main Street as a city landmark, after a staff presentation on the structure’s architecture and commercial history and brief public support from the project agent.
The Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission voted on Oct. 10 to recommend that City Council designate the Battlesteins building at 806 Main Street as a city landmark.
Staff planner Kara Quigley told commissioners the 10‑story building, completed in its current form in 1950 and originally addressed as 812 Main Street, embodies Houston’s mid‑century modern commercial architecture and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. "It represents a melding of natural and manmade materials reflective of Houston's mid‑century modern period," Quigley said during the commission’s presentation.
Amanda Coleman, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support and said the designation would help reactivate a building that has been vacant, adding that the project team and an adjacent hotel are comfortable with the conditions staff recommended. "This nomination will help reactivate the building and honestly bring it back to life," Coleman said.
Commissioners moved to accept staff’s recommendation and forward the nomination to City Council; the motion carried on a voice vote. The commission’s action is a recommendation only — final designation would require council approval.
The commission’s endorsement means the nomination (prepared by staff and based on the National Register nomination) will now advance through the city’s landmark process. The next formal step is consideration by City Council, where staff said the city’s preservation office will present the nomination packet and recommended conditions.
The commission meeting packet lists the property as "Battlesteins, 806 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002" and notes the period of significance as 1950–1967. No formal council hearing date was announced at the commission meeting.
What’s next: The commission recommended sending the dossier to City Council for a final decision. If council approves, the property would gain city‑level protections that affect alterations and demolition. The commission noted staff will continue to work with the applicant on the conditions attached to the recommendation.
