Stowers Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stowers Building
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Stowers Building 2018, now the Aloft Hotel
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 Location in Houston Downtown
Location in Texas
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fannin and Walker streets, Houston, Texas |
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| Built | 1913 |
| Built by | Pearson & Co. |
| Architect | Green and Finger |
| Architectural style | Chicago style |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000335 |
| Added to NRHP | 2014 |
The Stowers Building is a historic building located at 820 Fannin Street in downtown Houston, Texas. It was built in 1913 and is famous for its unique design. The building is named after George Arthur Stowers and his furniture company. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 2014, recognizing its importance.
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What is the Stowers Building?
The Stowers Building was originally built for the G. A. Stowers Furniture Company. George Arthur Stowers wanted a new, big store after his first one burned down. The building stands at the corner of Fannin and Walker streets in downtown Houston.
Who Designed the Stowers Building?
The building was designed by a local architecture firm called Green & Finger. The main architects were Lewis Sterling Green and Joseph Finger. They made the building strong with reinforced concrete. They covered it with white bricks and added a fancy metal top.
The design of the Stowers Building was inspired by the "Chicago style" of architecture. This style often uses rectangular shapes and clear vertical lines. The building has seven vertical sections on its south side and five on its east side.
Who Was George Arthur Stowers?
George Arthur Stowers (1867–1917) was a successful businessman. He was born in Georgia and started working at a young age. He sold newspapers and worked as a messenger. At just 17, he started his own furniture business in Alabama.
He grew his business to include stores in Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. He eventually set up his main office in San Antonio, Texas. His first Houston store was on Main Street. After a fire destroyed that store, he decided to build the Stowers Building.
How Did the Building Change Hands?
In 1966, a company called Gordon's Jewelers bought Stowers Furniture Company. They moved the furniture store to a different part of Houston. Gordon's Jewelers then used the Stowers Building for their own jewelry business.
Why is the Stowers Building Important to Houston's History?
The Stowers Building is a great example of Houston's early "skyscraper" boom. Between 1909 and 1913, many tall buildings were constructed in downtown Houston. The Stowers Building was one of eight buildings built during this time that were at least nine stories tall.
Several of these historic skyscrapers are still standing and are also on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Scanlan Building (built in 1909), the Carter Building (1910), the Southern Pacific Office Building (1911), Union National Bank (1912), and The Rice Hotel (1913).
The Stowers Building as a Hotel
Today, the Stowers Building has a new life as a hotel. In 2016, a company called Trend Hospitality took over the building. They partnered with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which is part of Marriott International.
The building was transformed into an Aloft Hotel. This change happened as Houston prepared to host Super Bowl LI in 2017. Many historic buildings were updated to offer more places for visitors to stay. The Aloft Hotel opened in October 2016 and has 168 large rooms.
Images for kids
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Aloft Hotel, 820 Fannin, downtown Houston
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Close up of window bay from the Walker Street elevation
