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Niels Esperson Building, Partial Conversion To Multifamily


MidtownCoog

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Which building has the bell tower downtown? Is it the Esperson Building? Is it a real bell, or speakers?

I love hearing this. You can really hear it well in the parking garages along Fannin.

It's the best when the clock strikes 12.

Yes, it is Esperson. The building has five tubular bells for Westminster chimes.

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  • 1 year later...

I received an e-mail a while ago from a Frances Harvey who had her wedding at the top of the Esperson buildings in 1992. Apparently, it was shows on KHOU. She was good enough to share her wedding photos with us so we can get a rare view of this Houston architectural landmark.

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1992?? More like 1982!!

Sadly, the only outfit from those pictures that is still fashionable is the groom's tux.

This woman was nice enough to share with us the most important moment in her life, and that's all you can say? Geez. What a jerk. Think before you post.

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This woman was nice enough to share with us the most important moment in her life, and that's all you can say? Geez. What a jerk. Think before you post.

I did think. I changed "father" to "groom". But here, since this is what you really wanted:

Oh wow, great pictures! Thanks for sharing! I bet the view was spectacular! :)

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  • 9 months later...

Esperson%20Buildings%20-%20Houston,%20Texas%20-%20January,%202008%20-%20002a_Thumb.jpgSubject: The Esperson Buildings

Location : Downtown Houston

Date: January, 2008

Photographer: Wayne Lorentz

One of the city's best examples of classical architecture may also qualify as the city's most haunted.

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  • 3 years later...

I got to go up on the roof of the Esperson building last week. I actually work there but I just figured out how to get access to the roof. It was pretty awesome. Here are some photos.

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Downtown Houston View from Esperson Roof by J-a-x, on Flickr

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Dowotnwon Houston looking East - Esperson Roof by J-a-x, on Flickr

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Downtown Houston View from Esperson Roof 2 by J-a-x, on Flickr

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Houston Skyline from Esperson Building (closeup) by J-a-x, on Flickr

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Esperson Building Roof Details by J-a-x, on Flickr

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I appraised Esperson last year and we were allowed to go up. Yes, it is access controlled for insurance reasons. As someone who loves our skyline and downtown it was a great experience to see the city from there! The pic below is my favorite from the visit.

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  • 5 months later...

The Neils -- Esperson Building is the only complete example of Italian Renaissance architecture in Downtown Houston. Designed by theater architect John Eberson, the Esperson building was built in 1927. It's elaborately detailed with massive columns, great urns, terraces, and a grand tempietto at the top, similar to one built in the courtyard of San Pietro in Rome in 1502. It was the tallest building in Houston until the Gulf Building was built two years later.

Neils Esperson's wife Mellie Esperson had the building constructed for her husband, Niels, a real estate and oil tycoon, and his name is carved on the side of the building, above the entrance, in large letters.

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I think I was mistaken. Someone's grandfather worked there as a maintenance man and had ghost stories.

I know the ghost at Spaghetti Warehouse is supposed to be the wife of the pharmacist that worked there, who fell down the elevator shaft. She's still looking for him.

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  • 7 months later...

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