1st Pasadena State Bank At 1001 East Southmore Ave.

[TheNiche]

yep...me too.

notice though it said "apparently" spared and not definately spared.

somewhere down the line...when we least expect it....someone may drive a crane with a wrecking ball over there at midnight on a sunday.

at least there seems to now be an awareness and some acknowledgement of its architectural and historical value.

Considering the price that they got, it makes no sense whatsoever to tear the thing down when the margins on a residential redevelopment are stupendously high. Barring some structural flaw of which I am not aware, you can take this comment to the bank.

[PasadenaTexan]

Considering the price that they got, it makes no sense whatsoever to tear the thing down when the margins on a residential redevelopment are stupendously high. Barring some structural flaw of which I am not aware, you can take this comment to the bank.

Thank You for the Postings of Support and the Great Pictures of Our Grand Lady The First Pasadena State Bank Building, in Pasadena,Texas.

I have Lived here in Pasadena,Texas 49 years and as long as I can recall 1st PasadenaState Bank has been Our Skyline, With the exception of a few 6story hospitals or office/banks. The Grand Lady of Pasadena has been our Only Claim to architicural Fame so to speak. The Lady has fallen victim to Progression, Our City Business District has been on the move South since the Late 50's. We Started at Sterling( Hwy 225) then 1956 Southmore Ave. then 1970's Spencer Hwy. then 1990's Fairmont Parkway.

Our Mayor feels we have no further use for the FPSB it's time has come and gone as did a larger number of other businesses on Southmore. Many folks here in town feel tearing down the Grand Lady is a nothing more than a ploy to put in another short lived Fast Food Joint. As Houstonians have seen Over and Over, for the sake of Progress a beautiful but neglected older building is torn down for what, a bigger parking lot or something that won't last as long as the building that there before. The Shamrock Hilton was a Famous World Class Hotel and it died way too soon, sad thing is nothing great has taken it's place YET.

In a Local Papers story the FPSB was valued at 1.3 million and was aquired by a Houston Commercial Holdings Company. I have not seen any articles about a remodel only about the Demolishion Permit.

I have Voiced often, rather than tearing it down why not move our City Hall into it, from the upper floors you can keep a good eye over the whole city. Cool part is I think as our City hall it would Rival Houston's in Height and Style. We Hope someone with a love for our Buildings style will step in and purchase her and help her with a rebirth of use, that is if the Citie Leaders don't step in and Save Her, as they should. As many of you have stated She is in deed a Grand and Beautiful Lady, maybe not a stately as she once was but still as Grand.

[Scharpe St Guy]

I agree it should be saved. Now here is an idea on how to do it:

1. Start a company

2. Issue 1.3M Class A shares to interested individuals/investors/HAIF'ers

3. Elect a Board of 7 from Class A participants

4. Undertake appraisal of property and best uses for. (Lease to Pasadena as City Hall, Other corporation, Retail on ground floor, Doctor Offices, Condo's, etc...)

5. Purchase FPSB

6. Acquire Bids to renovate, repair, and start pre-leasing/selling space

7. Finish Renovation and Leasing/Sales and devise exit strategy for initial investors.

8. Possible sale or long term (99year) lease to ??? with clause that exterior of building can not be significantly altered.

Building saved, hopefully a few $$$ made, and a nice warm feeling inside and a life long story to tell your friends, kids, and grandkids.

Scharpe St. Guy

[PasadenaTexan]

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:50 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote from PasadenaTexas.com Forum by member ggstro

"There was an article in the Chronicle a couple of weeks ago I believe that said that someone had bought the building and was planning on redeveloping that area with the help of the city administration. I believe Manlove also mentioned this in his state of the city address.

So it is my understanding, that area is getting a facelift, and the building will not get torn down."

"My Prayers have been answered if this indeed is true."

[sevfiv]

yep!

Gnu:

full article from the chron:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/pas...ws/3868859.html

oops...that link has expired...here's the archived article:

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive....id=2006_4118294

[PasadenaTexan]

yep!

oops...that link has expired...here's the archived article:

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive....id=2006_4118294

Yahoo The First Pasadena State Bank Building has been Saved she has a New Bright Future, that is as long as our City Fathers don't mess up it's Revitalization plans. the Company K Realty Development of Houston purchased the Tall Lady for only 1.2 Million. If any of you know this firm, Please keep me up to date with anything you might read or hear and see about the Fate of Our Skyscraper. The President of the Company K Realty Developement, Kyle D. Tauch,is quoted saying our Tall Lady is much to nice a piece of Architicture to tear down, and his Company site Boasts of success in bring ideas to be Realities. God Bless him if he keeps her standing PROUD, and God Help him if he doesn't.

Edited June 11, 2006 by PasadenaTexan

[The G-Team]

I worked in the bldg about 6 years ago. We had the penthouse suite and it was great. Our big boss had the giant corner office and rigged up his door so that he could push a button under his desk and the door would close so he could light up his cigar. It was of course against company policy to smoke at your desk, but who was going to be brave enough to tell him. We also had the only balcony in the bldg being on the 12th floor. I thought about eating lunch out there once. Walked out and it was way too windy to sit down at the picnic table (that we hauled up the wood and built). There was a little space in the basement for a deli and I always felt sorry for the people who tried to open up an eating establishment there. They'd always close in about 1 month after opening because they had no customers. We had about a dozen 5 gallon buckets up there because every time it rained, the roof would leak in about a dozen places. In addition, the toilets were always breaking every other week. The a/c wouldn't work good in the summer and the heating wouldn't work good in the winter. Basically, the place was miserable and we couldn't get the owner to spend any money on maintenance so we left after our lease was up. I don't think anyone moved into the space after we left.

[PasadenaTexan]

I worked in the bldg about 6 years ago. We had the penthouse suite and it was great. Our big boss had the giant corner office and rigged up his door so that he could push a button under his desk and the door would close so he could light up his cigar. It was of course against company policy to smoke at your desk, but who was going to be brave enough to tell him. We also had the only balcony in the bldg being on the 12th floor. I thought about eating lunch out there once. Walked out and it was way too windy to sit down at the picnic table (that we hauled up the wood and built). There was a little space in the basement for a deli and I always felt sorry for the people who tried to open up an eating establishment there. They'd always close in about 1 month after opening because they had no customers. We had about a dozen 5 gallon buckets up there because every time it rained, the roof would leak in about a dozen places. In addition, the toilets were always breaking every other week. The a/c wouldn't work good in the summer and the heating wouldn't work good in the winter. Basically, the place was miserable and we couldn't get the owner to spend any money on maintenance so we left after our lease was up. I don't think anyone moved into the space after we left.

Hello G Team what was the view like up there on the 12th Floor? I once had a bank account there when it was Mbank or Bank one but I never got past the Lobby level. How was the Inside Styled, Frank Lloyd Style fixtures or anything note worthy. Besides all the bad stuff any great Memories? Were you Freaked out during high Wind days and feel the Building Sway as a earlier post stated.

[jmancuso]

this building has gotten a repreive? f%&@ yeah!

[PasadenaTexan]

this building has gotten a repreive? f%&@ yeah!

Thanks 'jmancuso' for the Northern view of the 1st Pasadena State Bank Building in Pasadena,Texas.

She is a Beauty isn't she, Spared from a wrecking Ball, Yahoo!!!!!

[foxmulder]

According to the Pasadena Newletter they plan a "resturant and some retail." to be inside of it! can't wait!

[The G-Team]

Hello G Team what was the view like up there on the 12th Floor? I once had a bank account there when it was Mbank or Bank one but I never got past the Lobby level. How was the Inside Styled, Frank Lloyd Style fixtures or anything note worthy. Besides all the bad stuff any great Memories? Were you Freaked out during high Wind days and feel the Building Sway as a earlier post stated.

The view from the balcony was of Southmore, but the walls around the balcony were like 4-5 ft high and seemed like about 1 or 2 ft thick so it was hard to get a street view unless you kind of climbed up and looked over. My office had the view of intersection of Pasadena blvd. and Southmore. It was a good view because there were always accidents at that intersection, plus when it rained real hard it would flood and you could watch the crazy drivers try to drive through and then get stuck. I had forgotten about the building swaying until you mentioned it, but yeah, I do remember you could feel the the bldg move in high winds. As for the interior, it was about as plain jane as you could get on our floor. Of course, each tenant could build out the floor however they wanted and I think there was a lawyer office that had pretty nice decorations. I always thought the lobby was neat because it was so dang big and the ceiling went way up. It seems like I also remember there was no 3rd floor...the elevator went 1, 2, 4,5....12. I think the 3rd floorw as maintenance and they could get there by putting a key into the elevator or something like that. There were good times of course. The best part of being in the building was we WEREN"T DOWNTOWN with the ivory tower boys so we could kind of do our own thing.

[foxmulder]

I'm not letting this thread die. I pass this building once a week. It's still powered and now boarded up with wood(all the ground floor windows.) anyone here anything about it?

[TheNiche]

I'm not letting this thread die. I pass this building once a week. It's still powered and now boarded up with wood(all the ground floor windows.) anyone here anything about it?

The matter is under study by the City. To my knowledge, the new owner of the building is being cooperative and forthcoming.

Redeveloping a city

By JENNIFER BRANCH

Imagine a city where residents could congregate and a centralized town square was clearly identifiable. These are possibilities that could turn into realities, depending on community input regarding the redevelopment plan with which the city is moving forward.

Beginning in the mid 90's, under the mayoral direction of Johnny Isbell, a group of citizens, along with the assistance of a board, put together the Pasadena Plan, a strategy that would tackle the redevelopment and revitalization of Pasadena's north side, a side, said Teresa Vazquez, Economic Development Administrator for the City of Pasadena, that is suffering from blight. The plan involved participation from 500 citizens and was essentially a long-range visioning project that was completed in 1996. That plan was essentially a spring board for the redevelopment plan for north Pasadena, a plan that will hopefully combat the blight that is currently plaguing the northernmost part of the city.

Read further on HCNonline.

[foxmulder]

The matter is under study by the City. To my knowledge, the new owner of the building is being cooperative and forthcoming.

Anyone heard anything new? They replace the lighting when they go dim, and fix the fence when it get's knocked down, Some thugs have snuck in and tagged up the top of the builing.(wish i knew how they got in, I'd love to go in and take pics)

[gwilson]

As it is my goal to one day have my name (or my company name on a building), this would be GREAT (if it weren't in pasa-friggen-dena).

Gorgeous building.

I think it would be AWESOME to renovate it and build the office spaces out like the mid 50s and 60s (like Ewan Mcgregor's character's office in Down with Love).

That would be great.

[TheNiche]

As it is my goal to one day have my name (or my company name on a building), this would be GREAT (if it weren't in pasa-friggen-dena).

Pot, meet kettle.

Hmmm... in a battle between "pasa-figgen-dena" and Sharpstown, which would be better-suited for the title Armpit of Houston?

[TXvoodoo]

Sharpstown. Not just a waste of life...

or

Sharpstown. You could do worse...

I think I'll start making bumper stickers. Quite frankly I like the place................................

[gwilson]

Pot, meet kettle.

Hmmm... in a battle between "pasa-figgen-dena" and Sharpstown, which would be better-suited for the title Armpit of Houston?

Pasadena is out of the way and stinks. Sharpstown is convenient with beautiful neighborhoods.

It really is funny how ignorant people are of what Sharpstown actually is.

[TheNiche]

Pasadena is out of the way and stinks. Sharpstown is convenient with beautiful neighborhoods.

It really is funny how ignorant people are of what Sharpstown actually is.

I know Sharpstown and I know Pasadena. Each have nice areas and each have scary areas. Each is about the same distance from downtown, and Pasadena is far more convenient to the ship channel, NASA, and other jobs in east Harris County than is Sharpstown. Sharpstown is more convenient to the Galleria area, Sugar Land, and Westchase than is Pasadena. Each have crappy malls...but Sharpstown's is without a doubt more dangerous, while Pasadena's is only half-empty but remains relatively safe. North Pasadena has a tendency to have odors, but some are noxious while others are sweet-smelling; also, by being able to tax the refineries, Pasadena is able to offer a higher level of city services than is the City of Houston in the Sharpstown area.

They stack up pretty evenly, but if only on account of its larger geographic size and variety of residential and recreational offerings on the south side, I think Pasadena soundly wins out in terms of quality of life.

[gwilson]

Sharpstown and Pasadena might be a mile difference between each other and downtown, but it is infinitely easier to get to downtown from Sharpstown.

Sharpstown is also far more family friendly (in the neighborhoods). No one understands the crap on the main streets more than I do. I'm quite involved in trying to get rid of the trash and improve Sharpstown. Part of those efforts are underway on the SW Corridor (Bellaire from 59 to 8).

Sharpstown mall isn't dangerous. It just isn't. You can go there any time, any hour. If dangerous means cars with rims and more black people than white people, than sure. But if by dangerous, you mean you are more likely to get hurt, mugged, murdered there, you're simply wrong.

You've got to look past the misconceptions.

Yes, I know I talk a lot about Sharpstown. But I love it and that love doesn't blind either.

Also, Sharpstown's proximity to Westchase, Sugarland, mid-town, uptown, the Galleria, the museum district, Montrose, etc (all SW side) adds quite a bit to Sharpstown's score card over Pasadena.

Edited June 6, 2007 by gwilson

[stolitx]

Sharpstown is also far more family friendly (in the neighborhoods).

Have you been in the neighborhoods of Pasadena? Very family friendly. I grew up there and there was only smell about twice a year, unless you actually live at the refineries. It's too suberban for me, but very family friendly place to raise kids these days, particularly the newer areas near the new shopping centers.

Also I got to second the city services in Pasadena, suberb. My mom called Pasadena to ask when the big trash trucks would be coming to her street next, and they just sent a truck and crew over and picked up the trash that day for her.

[TheNiche]

Sharpstown and Pasadena might be a mile difference between each other and downtown, but it is infinitely easier to get to downtown from Sharpstown.

Sharpstown is also far more family friendly (in the neighborhoods). No one understands the crap on the main streets more than I do. I'm quite involved in trying to get rid of the trash and improve Sharpstown. Part of those efforts are underway on the SW Corridor (Bellaire from 59 to 8).

Sharpstown mall isn't dangerous. It just isn't. You can go there any time, any hour. If dangerous means cars with rims and more black people than white people, than sure. But if by dangerous, you mean you are more likely to get hurt, mugged, murdered there, you're simply wrong.

You've got to look past the misconceptions.

Actually, I spotted a report on the news several months ago that compared incidences of violent crime at various malls around town. Sharpstown was the worst, with 80-something incidences. The next worst was Greenspoint with 17 or 18. The best was Gulfgate, with 3 incidences, which is very convenient to and draws from some of Pasadena.

Also, Sharpstown's proximity to Westchase, Sugarland, mid-town, uptown, the Galleria, the museum district, Montrose, etc (all SW side) adds quite a bit to Sharpstown's score card over Pasadena.

That's assuming, of course, that a resident of Sharpstown wants to go to those places. Everywhere is convenient to somewhere. I'm not going to argue over what is convenient for you.

[foxmulder]

Have you been in the neighborhoods of Pasadena? Very family friendly. I grew up there and there was only smell about twice a year, unless you actually live at the refineries. It's too suberban for me, but very family friendly place to raise kids these days, particularly the newer areas near the new shopping centers.

Also I got to second the city services in Pasadena, suberb. My mom called Pasadena to ask when the big trash trucks would be coming to her street next, and they just sent a truck and crew over and picked up the trash that day for her.

Very true there was a big pot hole in the street we live on, we called the city and they show up 1 hour later with some asphalt and a pounding machine. A water main broke at my friends house in Houston, Water dept came in 3 days... Call the cops they are there in less than 10mins, Call the cops in Houston...Let's get BACK on topic, every thread turns into this is better than yours...

[gwilson]

Actually, I spotted a report on the news several months ago that compared incidences of violent crime at various malls around town. Sharpstown was the worst, with 80-something incidences. The next worst was Greenspoint with 17 or 18. The best was Gulfgate, with 3 incidences, which is very convenient to and draws from some of Pasadena.

That's assuming, of course, that a resident of Sharpstown wants to go to those places. Everywhere is convenient to somewhere. I'm not going to argue over what is convenient for you.

I'd love to see those statistics because every set of numbers I look at show Sharpstown on a whole being a virtually violent crime free area.

[EatSleepMOD]

HOORAY for this thread!

[woolie]

I've always loved this building. I have a few pics, somewhere...

[robsmithtx]

Hello,

I came across this thread in a Google search. I grew up in Pasadena, but I had no idea the bank building was in peril. It's a beautiful structure, I was born at the former-hospital across the street.

If you don't mind, I have a couple questions that are Pasadena-related, but not architecture-related:

- What happened to the "Cowboy Riding Armadillo" sculpture that used to be inside Pasadena Town Square? If I ever win the lottery I'd like to own it.

- Where can I get an image of the old Pasadena city seal, with the chemical plant theme, rather than the boring new star logo?

[foxmulder]

Hello,

I came across this thread in a Google search. I grew up in Pasadena, but I had no idea the bank building was in peril. It's a beautiful structure, I was born at the former-hospital across the street.

If you don't mind, I have a couple questions that are Pasadena-related, but not architecture-related:

- What happened to the "Cowboy Riding Armadillo" sculpture that used to be inside Pasadena Town Square? If I ever win the lottery I'd like to own it.

- Where can I get an image of the old Pasadena city seal, with the chemical plant theme, rather than the boring new star logo?

The armadillo cowboy went to the convention center i think. The new logo sucks i thought it was churchs chicken logo

[bachanon]

Hello,

I came across this thread in a Google search. I grew up in Pasadena, but I had no idea the bank building was in peril. It's a beautiful structure, I was born at the former-hospital across the street.

If you don't mind, I have a couple questions that are Pasadena-related, but not architecture-related:

- What happened to the "Cowboy Riding Armadillo" sculpture that used to be inside Pasadena Town Square? If I ever win the lottery I'd like to own it.

- Where can I get an image of the old Pasadena city seal, with the chemical plant theme, rather than the boring new star logo?

welcome to the forum robsmithtx.

[EatSleepMOD]

Church's Chicken! HA! LOL!!!!!

I was born and raised in Pasadena.

I happen to like the new logo, but the one with

the chemical plant background has a sentimental

value to me.

Edited July 18, 2007 by EatSleepMOD

[TheNiche]

Where can I get an image of the old Pasadena city seal, with the chemical plant theme, rather than the boring new star logo?

I spotted the old seal on a watertower in Pasadena's Memorial Park, just southwest of Pasadena High School, earlier this morning while down there on business.

[PasadenaTexan]

The Grand Lady of Pasadena, Texas Built in 1963

Landmark Our 1st Skyscraper Pasadena Blvd @ Southmore Ave.

Many of you all in Houston only see Pasadena from Hwy 225

be a little adventurous, hey we have been to your hometown!

We have our show place neighborhoods and a few slummy areas,

we are still in the infantcy of Our Developement.

Edited September 19, 2007 by PasadenaTexan

[Subdude]

Note merged Pasadena State Bank topics.

[PasadenaTexan]

Note merged Pasadena State Bank topics.

Well Thank You for the merge,I had misplaced the location of this original Thread. I finally found out how to add my photo file to e-mails ( new Camera No Skills ) How do you all add your photos as a picture and not as a few words and numbers to download. I want to add more but I only have 90.65k left to use for photos.

Have a Great Day Folks ,Come on Over to the Dark Side and Visit 2nd largest city in Harris County,Pasadena,Texas Your Neighbors South East Harris County Population 149,000 plus >

[sevfiv]

advertisement, c. 1977:

[EastEnd Susan]

Well Thank You for the merge,I had misplaced the location of this original Thread. I finally found out how to add my photo file to e-mails ( new Camera No Skills ) How do you all add your photos as a picture and not as a few words and numbers to download. I want to add more but I only have 90.65k left to use for photos.

Have a Great Day Folks ,Come on Over to the Dark Side and Visit 2nd largest city in Harris County,Pasadena,Texas Your Neighbors South East Harris County Population 149,000 plus >

I use TinyPic.com to upload my photos. Others here use photo bucket.

[foxmulder]

Someone somewhere said they were going to redevolp it. Mayor backed it up...Till recently they had bird sounds coming out of the speakers near the trees, The place is still it up. Too depressing. The hospital needs to be demolished, Someone spray painted a picture of a penis on the inside. Mervyns closed, SBC behind the bank is gone too. The mall however get's crowded during the weekend.

[editor]

First Pasadena State Bank Building article added to Towrs.

[LarryDallas]

This building is located near the southwest corner of Pasadena Town Square. It is at the corner of Pasadena Blvd. and E. Southmore Ave. I'd say it is roughly 15-20 stories tall and has the cool new look of the 60s with tons of right angles and straight lines.

The word "Pasadena" was painted on the top and a ghost of the lettering can still be seen.

What is the history of that building?

I have seen it sit idle for over a decade and I think it is such a tragedy that ugly strip malls are popping up for professional services like tax prep, dentists, etc....when it could all go in this building. There is tons of parking already there and the Pasadena Police HQ is within walking distance so crime would be very low on the grounds.

Post any info you have about this place. I'll have to grab my camera next time I go out there to snap some photos for people who do not know the place.

I'd sign any kind of waiver and tour the building if they ever opened it for the public to see it for sales purposes. There have got to be offices in there that are time capsules sealed up as they existed in the 70s and 80s. A sign out front says it is available for use so at least they have not condemed the entire structure.

[rps324]

It's been discussed at length here.

[ChannelTwoNews]

I just looked back through my photos and I took a bunch around the building site back in July. Here they are...

[PasadenaTexan]

I just looked back through my photos and I took a bunch around the building site back in July. Here they are...

Great Photos, Thank You for Sharing them with us all I sure am Proud to see so many other folks that Love This Graceful Lady of Pasadena as much as I do. The Resigned former Mayor of Pasadena, John Manlove, could not be moved to answer

my questions about what was in the Future for the Bank Building. I was told by Council Woman Dana Philibert

that the Chamber of Commerce could better answer my concerns but that was a dead end. I will make a point of asking our new Mayor Jack Douglass, at our next Council Meeting. The developer that bought the former Bankone Location has just barely maintained the Landscape. I hope someone has it in the works to revitalizing the Building. Our Skyline won't be be the same without her, my Vote is for City Hall to move in and Save Our Tall Lady of Pasadena.

[editor]

Yeah, those are great. This is one of the few buildings that shows its best features when looking up its dress... so to speak.

Any chance you can upload those to Towrs?

[ChannelTwoNews]

Yeah, those are great. This is one of the few buildings that shows its best features when looking up its dress... so to speak.

Any chance you can upload those to Towrs?

Sure, which ones do you want uploaded or do you want them all?

[EatSleepMOD]

I was at the Macy's next door last weekend and noticed the graffiti at the top of thebuilding's exterior. That mad me sad . I like how you can still see the outline of the old letters that wereon the building for many moons...I recall a certain group of deliquents that were persuaded by an unidentified teenage girlto put soap in the fountain there...while they videotaped the act....HA! Good times, Good times.

Pasadena Texan! What a great idea! The city needs to take an active rolein the preservation of this great architectural beauty!

Edited October 12, 2007 by EatSleepMOD

[MidtownCoog]

I need to scan one of my old Kindergarten report cards. This building is on the report card.

[EatSleepMOD]

I need to scan one of my old Kindergarten report cards. This building is on the report card.

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

[stolitx]

I need to scan one of my old Kindergarten report cards. This building is on the report card.

It's on some of mine too.

[memebag]

We had about a dozen 5 gallon buckets up there because every time it rained, the roof would leak in about a dozen places. In addition, the toilets were always breaking every other week. The a/c wouldn't work good in the summer and the heating wouldn't work good in the winter. Basically, the place was miserable and we couldn't get the owner to spend any money on maintenance so we left after our lease was up. I don't think anyone moved into the space after we left.

Wow, this building is more Frank Lloyd Wright-ish than I realized!