SpaceAge Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 http://www.citywideofficespace.com/tmaps/A121080-013mt.jpg 1001 East Southmore Avenue Pasadena, Texas This is Pasadena's only skyscraper and it may be in danger. It has a chainlink fence around it and looks empty. Does anyone know its status? According to Stephen Fox in the AIA Houston Architectural Guide, it was designed by MacKie & Kamrath with Lloyd Borget and Doughtie & Porterfield and built in 1962. It is described as a distinctive 12-story tower consisting of a glass-curtained shaft that appears to project forward from a brick-faced spine containing the stairs, elevators and toilets. It would be tragic for Pasadena to loose this landmark. It is the only positive image I have of Pasadena architecture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 time for research!this building (bank one building) acquired a new owner in march of this year as well... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 what makes you say it's in danger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 This bank's picture used to be on my PISD Report Cards circa 1976. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 there is a construction fence around the property and a for sale sign describing the acreage only. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 there is a construction fence around the property and a for sale sign describing the acreage only. crapcakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 This bank's picture used to be on my PISD Report Cards circa 1976.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Me too. It would be sad to see that building go. The mall behind it is in bad, bad shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 This bank's picture used to be on my PISD Report Cards circa 1976.me too. fisher elementary PISD, 1972. moved to conroe after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 My former girlfriend worked for Tenneco in that building in the mid-80s. Nice building, back in the day. Nice girl, too, but that's another story. Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 i drive by this building every day on my way to work. it is an architectual gem and i hope it's not in danger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted August 19, 2005 Share Posted August 19, 2005 i drive by this building every day on my way to work. it is an architectual gem and i hope it's not in danger.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I heard that it will be replaced by a Super Target. Don't think that I have seen that in print - just word of mouth.Don't diss Pasadena Town Square - it's no Galleria - but for heaven's sake, it has Foleys, Sears and Dillards, and a Mervyn's across the street. I'm really surprised...since I can't think of any other mall that is not located next to a freeway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted August 21, 2005 Share Posted August 21, 2005 My issue with Pasadena Town Square are the stores, or lack of, in between those anchor stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted August 21, 2005 Share Posted August 21, 2005 went by there last night, and it looked like a neat place. i'll head there tomorrow and take some pictures during the day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MZargarov Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 The only skyscraper ever designed by MacKie-Kamrath, in Pasadena, Texas is in danger of demolition! http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/719.php This website has photos of the building and a nice description. A CVS Pharmacy recently opened opposite this incredible building...so you know what THAT means! Walgreens is buying the old Bank Building with plans to tear it down and build another Walgreens. What can we do????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 yeah this is bad... we were talking awhile back about it here, but this is the first news of a purchase of the property... i say a protest is in order! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gto250us Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 Back when I moved to Houston in 1981 there was a 7-11 or Circle-K on everyother corner. Now it seem as if there is a CVX or Walgreens on every other corner. I suspect what happend is that all the folks who ate at the 7-11 and Circle-K are sick, thus the demand for drug stores. Soon they will be all dead and it shall pass and we can get on with something new on every other corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 mortuaries on every corner...yay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted October 7, 2005 Share Posted October 7, 2005 also, where was this information about walgreens coming from? (a sign?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 From the 12-21 Pasadena Citizen:Demolition permit issued for buildingThe Bank One building, looming 12-stories high over 1001 Southmore, has recently been the topic of much local discussion, following rumors that surfaced regarding the demolition of the icon....http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=...id=532238&rfi=6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 From the 12-21 Pasadena Citizen:Demolition permit issued for building The Bank One building, looming 12-stories high over 1001 Southmore, has recently been the topic of much local discussion, following rumors that surfaced regarding the demolition of the icon.... http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=...id=532238&rfi=6 dammit i took pictures two weeks ago...glad i did now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 seeing that mervyns is going belly up across the street, maybe...just maybe, taking that space could prove to be more economical to who wanted bank ones's space. imploding this building would trully be a crime.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmancuso Posted December 23, 2005 Share Posted December 23, 2005 a high-res close up of the top i took a while back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stolitx Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 From the 12-21 Pasadena Citizen:Demolition permit issued for buildingThe Bank One building, looming 12-stories high over 1001 Southmore, has recently been the topic of much local discussion, following rumors that surfaced regarding the demolition of the icon....http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=...id=532238&rfi=6I'm so sad. What a great building and landmark. Couldn't they at least save the great glass feature along the roof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdmarc Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 I went today to take some pictures of this gem. I encourage everyone to go for a look and a walk around the perimeter before it is gone. Buildings like this one come along so rarely. Pasadena will not be the same without it. It's probably the only decent building in the town. I'm sure there is a story behind its construction - enlightened management of the bank providing an architectural gift to the local city or something of the sort. The exterior details are well worth the extra attention. Note the 1963 plaque near the entrance with the names of the architects in a little square...very Frank Lloyd Wright. I wish I could get inside to see the spaces within! Go now, before its gone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 this past weekend i went by again, and it is in the same state as before. how long to pasadena permits last? was it a hoax? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torvald Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 (edited) 1001 East Southmore Avenue Pasadena, Texas damn. saw the title of this thread and knew exactly which building you were refering to, although i've only seen it once. i hope that this is a hoax... how upsetting! Edited March 24, 2006 by torvald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Timmy Chan's Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 Say it ain't so!I didn't see this thread before...I was just down the street from it an hour ago, but didn't know it was in danger, so I didn't even look. Is the building still there?I remember marching past Pasadena's "skyscraper" in the Strawberry Festival Parade as a member of the Beverly Hills Bears marching band.I was born right down the street at Pasadena Bayshore.Funny, as I drove around Pasadena tonight a lot of memories came back. I really like Pasadena. One of the best parts of Houston, in my opinion. Definitely an underappreciated city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunchbox Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I totally agree with everyone. I used to work in that building, and it was almost totally empty (to the point of being creepy). I think that it's an awesome example of mod architecture and that it should be preserved. But on the other hand, this IS the Houston area, and if there wasn't already a CVS across the street (or a Wal-Mart down the street) from it, I'm sure that they would have built one there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 I didn't see this thread before...I was just down the street from it an hour ago, but didn't know it was in danger, so I didn't even look. Is the building still there? yes, still there for sale and waiting...for something to happen i have been periodically checking on it for the last few months or so...who knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Street Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 seeing that mervyns is going belly up across the street, maybe...just maybe, taking that space could prove to be more economical to who wanted bank ones's space. imploding this building would trully be a crime....nice pic, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 or a Wal-Mart down the streetWhich used to the old school 1950s Sears store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torvald Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 I used to work in that building, and it was almost totally empty (to the point of being creepy). I think that it's an awesome example of mod architecture and that it should be preserved.what was it like inside? how long has it been empty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunchbox Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 what was it like inside? how long has it been empty?I'm not sure how long it's been vacant. I worked there about six years ago in an office, and it was one of two occupied suites on that floor. The bank that was one the ground floor moved into a new building across the street about two years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted March 25, 2006 Share Posted March 25, 2006 (edited) I drove through this part of Pasadena today and circled this building. It looked like there were another couple of large parking lots up for sale adjacent to the building, and considering the high costs of demolition and what has to be relatively low costs of land, it would surprise me if it made sense to tear the thing down. It's one thing to see high-rise teardowns in the CBD, where land can often go for $60 to $100+ per square foot, but for five acres in Pasadena without an immediately-accessible freeway? Something is very odd about this.Anybody know what the asking price is? Edited March 25, 2006 by TheNiche Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 (edited) Anybody know what the asking price is?2 millionhttp://houston.commercialexchange.com/harp...detail&ln=14421 Edited March 26, 2006 by sevfiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 (edited) this is one of my favorite oddball detailings on the building (aside from the near-roof ones that were previously posted) Edited April 1, 2006 by sevfiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Timmy Chan's Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 this is one of my favorite oddball detailings on the building (aside from the near-roof ones that were previously posted) That photo reminds me of the S&R I building at UH. The roof of which, by the way, is a great place to view the Houston skyline(s)...including the Pasadena refinery skyline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 That photo reminds me of the S&R I building at UH. The roof of which, by the way, is a great place to view the Houston skyline(s)...including the Pasadena refinery skyline.That's interesting. I had someone tell me exactly that same thing the other day, comparing the Pasadena building to the S&R building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Street Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 That's interesting. I had someone tell me exactly that same thing the other day, comparing the Pasadena building to the S&R building.Because both are done by same architects, maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNiche Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 Because both are done by same architects, maybe? Well that explains that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceAge Posted April 4, 2006 Author Share Posted April 4, 2006 Thanks for posting all the beautiful photos of this great building. Yes, MacKie & Kamrath were the architects on both First Pasadena Bank (1962) and Science and Research (1969). S&R was my favorite building at UH. I was lucky to have about five classes there. I always took my Fortran punch cards there to be entered into the computer to see if I had punched all the holes correctly. It would take 15 to 30 minutes on every attempt so I would often get an icecream sandwich and eat it while sitting on the floor in the lobby, just soaking in all the details. S&R was only eleven years old then but it seemed much older. It has the same stained glass details shown above in the stairways. I can still remember the smell of the floor tiles and rubber edging in those hot stairways. This was my favorite classroom. I remember seeing a reduced floorplan for First Pasadena Bank and there is much more to it than just the tower. There is a large half circular portion around the rear and sides of the tower. This portion may have a basement with cafeteria. A filmmaker has indicated she will soon be producing a documentary about the bank building. This building is absolutely wonderful and needs to reclaim its position as the symbol of Pasadena. The city should buy it for their city hall. From the 1969 Cole's Directory, the building was leased mostly by doctors, attorneys, and insurance agencies. The architecture firm of Ressler & Applebaum were there. They were founded in 1963 and are now known as RA Architects. Perry Ressler is deceased. Hy Applebaum, first certified in 1958, continues the practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Street Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 s&r looks old, but still looking good, though. although it's kinda hidden from street by that new pelli's building... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Because both are done by same architects, maybe?Is this confirmed? Any name(s)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Street Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Yes, MacKie & Kamrath were the architects on both First Pasadena Bank (1962) and Science and Research (1969). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 An article in last week's Pasadena Citizen...Building may become victim of progressBy:JENNIFER BRANCH, Citizen Reporter04/21/2006According to Pasadena Mayor John Manlove, Pasadena is gearing up for revitalization. Part of this revitalization, said Manlove, will possibly come in the form of destruction. http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?new...id=532238&rfi=6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torvald Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 An article in last week's Pasadena Citizen...Building may become victim of progress By:JENNIFER BRANCH, Citizen Reporter 04/21/2006 "Officials however, think that steps taken with the Bank One Building might be the first of many that could lead the north side of Pasadena down the road to rejuvenation and revitalization: a revisitation of the bustling, lively city that was Pasadena in the mid 20th century." can't they see the bank building as the actual symbol of "a revisitation of the bustling, lively city that was Pasadena in the mid 20th century"!?! they actually have it right there empty, at a low price ---ready to convert into a civic center, community services, anything.. i am supposing that they will demolish the capitan theatre next since it is empty and only currently used as storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 can't they see the bank building as the actual symbol of "a revisitation of the bustling, lively city that was Pasadena in the mid 20th century"!?! they actually have it right there empty, at a low price ---ready to convert into a civic center, community services, anything.. i am supposing that they will demolish the capitan theatre next since it is empty and only currently used as storage. the capitan was brought back to life by someone interested in its history. it was also run down prior to being restored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torvald Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 (edited) the capitan was brought back to life by someone interested in its history. it was also run down prior to being restored.last time i checked it was empty and the doors locked (less than a month ago). the windowsto the left had cardboard boxes stacked in front of it that had papers from either a school or community college in them. you could also see many more boxes throughout the room. the marquee looks great --- the rest, not horrid but in disarray. Edited April 28, 2006 by torvald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 An article in last week's Pasadena Citizen...Building may become victim of progress By:JENNIFER BRANCH, Citizen Reporter 04/21/2006 According to Pasadena Mayor John Manlove, Pasadena is gearing up for revitalization. Part of this revitalization, said Manlove, will possibly come in the form of destruction. http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?new...id=532238&rfi=6 thanks for the update - so who wants to protest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 thanks for the update - so who wants to protest? Or does someone want to buy it... ...it is a way cool building - but it is hard to see a large office building prospering in that location... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.