Home At 945 Heights Blvd.

[Subdude]

Lynn Edmundson

DEMOLITION OF 945 HEIGHTS BLVD

A group met with the new owner of 945 Heights Blvd on Saturday, July 7th to ask if he would allow time to find a buyer who would save and restore the house. Built in 1906 the large Queen Anne styel home with Classical Revival detailing is unique example of this type of house, not only for Houston Heights, but for Houston as well. The home is eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places as well as City of Houston Landmark designation, which qualifies it for City of Houston property tax exemptions for its rehabilitation. Despite its deteriorated condition, it is architecturally and historically a very significant residence on Heights Boulevard that could and should be saved.

Unfortunately, the builder now appears unwilling to entertain any offers. According to City records, the demolition/sewer disconnect permit was issued on July 11, 2007. The builder now faces no obstacles in his pursuit to redevelop the property.

The Heights is currently working to establish two historic districts. This house, if it were saved, would be located in the Heights East Historic District. Unfortunately the demolition of this house further erodes the historic fabric or the area.

Historic Houston

[sevfiv]

sorry to hear this

the sewer disconnect permit:

Project No:

07060569

Date:

7/11/2007

USE:

DEMO RES/SEWER DISC

Owner / Occupant:

AGNES DOYLE

Job Address:

945 HEIGHTS BLVD

Tax ID:

0400202270000001

Edited July 18, 2007 by sevfiv

[Parrothead]

As usual, the folks of Houston are too little, too late.

I think I'll move to Galveston--at least they treasure their history. Houston seems content to raze theirs.

[Native Montrosian]

*sigh* Another breakfast I'm now too nauseated to eat, thanks to news like this. I ought to collect all this butchery into a file and start reading it a couple of weeks before the holidays so I don't have to be careful at parties.

[native_Houstonian]

Is this the house that is overgrown with trees and shrubs on the corner of 10 1/2 and Heights?

[west20th]

Is this the house that is overgrown with trees and shrubs on the corner of 10 1/2 and Heights?

I think you mean this one.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

When I first saw this thread I was afraid it was this house. It's been on the market for about a year and had a major price reduction. The address on this house doesn't match the demo permit.

[sevfiv]

from Save the Bungalows (address listed is 935 Heights)

Harry James Builders has purchased a fine old Heights Boulevard Victorian that is definitely restorable but they have already pulled permits for demolition.

Historic Houston and other concerned folks tried to offer alternatives but the builder is, as usual, unwilling to consider any alternative, even those that financial incentives for restoration.

Sunday, July 15 at 935 Heights Blvd, 2:30pm.

At least one TV station is expected to be there to cover yet another sad turn of events.

A crowd would be nice - please do stop by.

You can also write Harry and let him know how you feel HJ20@nextel.blackberry.net

or call 713.695.7007

ONE PER DAY - that is the current rate.

If your block isn't protected, please check our website for how to information.

http://www.savethebungalows.org/The_New_Laws_____.html

[Ethanra]

It's very sad...

[cwrm4]

I rode by the house today...I never even noticed it before, as it is completely engulfed by overgrown trees.

What puzzles me about James wanting this lot is that it is really not in a very good location. Yes, it's on Heights Blvd, but directly behind it is a very scuzzy bail bondsmand (open 24 hrs), next to it are typical Heights Blvd apartments, and it is on a corner lot on a not really nice corner of Heights Blvd. If James plans on building one of his brick-faced pseudo-Victorians on the lot, I cannot imagine anyone paying upwards of $1mm for the house (or any house), given the neighbors. I wouldn't be surprised if the house gets demo'd (for liability reasons), and the lot then sits vacant for years until the surrounding area cleans up.

The house definitely has some cool details, but structurally it looks really, really rough (compared to, say, the Ashland Tea House, which was perfectly fine, IMHO). Still, I would love to get my hands on a house like that as a resto project, but, given the location, I don't know how many would interested in that property as a "labour of love" type project.

[Porchman]

I walked around the property yesterday. I, too, had not really noticed the house due to the overgrown lot. The structure of the main house - piers and the roof look pretty good. Not any significant structural sag from what I could tell. The porch would probably need to be rebuilt (not usually a big deal). I understand the house has some fantastic neo-classic detailing inside.

Can anybody give any insight as to the options discussed with Harry James in the meeting last week? I would like to share my thoughts with him in context. Thanks.

[sevfiv]

i was at the house yesterday - it is behind a huge facade of greenery, but the house itself is still beautiful and worthy of restoration, imo. the inside has been exposed to the elements a bit, and there is trash everywhere, though, but nothing beyond salvaging.

[west20th]

.

Sunday, July 15 at 935 Heights Blvd, 2:30pm.

Took a look at the house yesterday about 6:00 PM. Still there. Any word on why the demo didn't take place. I'm hoping the house was saved but that may be too much to hope for.

Edited July 16, 2007 by west20th

[sevfiv]

Took a look at the house yesterday about 6:00 PM. Still there. Any word on why the demo didn't take place. I'm hoping the house was saved but that may be too much to hope for.

the demolition permit has been issued, but it doesn't hold the owner to a particular date to demolish

[OldHouseLover]

Sad situation indeed! Wish profits could come from restoring instead of demolish/new construction.

[tanith27]

Another forum seemed to suggest the news cameras were coming out sunday to do a segment on the house. Anyone know if that happened?

[luvtheheights]

Another forum seemed to suggest the news cameras were coming out sunday to do a segment on the house. Anyone know if that happened?

I saw a segment on the 6 o'clock news on Channel 11 about the demolition, so yes, there was some press.

[sevfiv]

Another forum seemed to suggest the news cameras were coming out sunday to do a segment on the house. Anyone know if that happened?

a small crew arrived around 3pm or so

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/kho...n.80671659.html

[sevfiv]

from GHPA:

Heights landmark facing demolition;

Historic district petitions still need signatures

Heights Boulevard is facing the loss of another landmark. The 1906 Doyle House, a National Register-eligible property at 945 Heights, is set to be demolished. Harry James Building & Design plans to construct a new

[sevfiv]

protest Thursday, 5pm:

Heights residents plan to protest the anticipated demolition of the Patrick Francis Doyle House at 945 Heights Blvd. at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The protest follows a week of conversation between area preservationists and Harry James Building and Design, which recently purchased the Queen Anne style house.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/hei...ws/4975382.html

[luvtheheights]

house was demolished earlier today.

[musicman]

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/kho..._.89e98923.html

[sevfiv]

i just got the email...will be heading there after work

[cwrm4]

Thought I'd drive by and take another look at the house but was shocked to see it demo'd. I couldn't even find a piece of cypress or trim work longer than a foot to salvage.

Congratulations Harry James on securing your spot in Hell.

[Dan the Man]

IIf James plans on building one of his brick-faced pseudo-Victorians on the lot, I cannot imagine anyone paying upwards of $1mm for the house (or any house), given the neighbors.

So, this guy is planning to demolish a real Victorian house and build a fake new one in its place? That's retarded, but sadly believable.

[houstonray]

What are some examples of his other homes? Is he responsible for that brick "orphanage" further down toward I-10?

It does sound stupid doesn't it? If he was willing to sell it for $800,000 or $900,000 to someone to rehab, how much does he expect to sell the new "Faux-torian" for? Surely it wouldn't have cost almost a million dollars to restore it would it?

Edited July 19, 2007 by houstonray

[sevfiv]

his homes can be seen on his site:

http://www.harryjamesbuilder.com/

at some point i will get everything uploaded to its own page on my site,

but here are a couple pictures post-demolition:

Edited July 19, 2007 by sevfiv

[sevfiv]

protest still on:

from STB:

The protest planned for today will now also be a wake.

As is typical, the builder, Harry James, tore down the Doyle Mansion as quickly as possible after the public got wind of the plan.

PLUS, another historic home was demolished at 401 Heights Blvd yesterday as well.

Gather at 10th Street and Heights Blvd at 5pm today, Thursday July 19th.

Letter from Gilbert Perez, one of the main organizers, below:

Dear Friends,

Just in case you haven't heard, it saddens me to inform you that the Doyle Mansion was torn down today. In spite of all the pleads from the neighborhood, community, Historic Houston, several members of the Houston Heights Association, and many preservationists, Harry James Builders spat in our faces by demolishing a one-of-kind historic home in the heart of our "historic" neighborhood.

Another historic home was also demolished today on Heights Blvd. between 4th and 5th streets, that's two in one day. Though I don't know who is responsible for that one, it wouldn't surprise me at all if tomorrow we find out that it was also the actions of Harry James Builders.

In light of what has transpired today, we need to (now more than ever) come out Thursday the 19th (tomorrow) to let Harry James and other builders know that we are going to put an end to this repulsive act of insensitivity, ignorance, and greed.

Please don't let yet another builder have the last laugh. Come and join us tomorrow (Thursday the 19th) on the Blvd. in front of the land of where a one-of-kind historic home lived for over 106 years. Come out and bring your signs, noisemakers, energy and vigor to let the builders and others know that we are fed up.

Though we had a setback today , we must gather tomorrow in front of the corner of Heights Blvd. and 10th Street ( formerly The Doyle Mansion, 945 Heights Blvd.) and let our voices be heard so that we can one day be victorious!!!

See you there!

Gilbert Joseph Perez

[Zippy]

Did anyone take some pre-demo pictures? How bad of a shape was it in?

[sevfiv]

Did anyone take some pre-demo pictures? How bad of a shape was it in?

\

i have some i'll be posting soon.

it wasn't in great shape - would have taken a lot of work, but was completely doable

[sevfiv]

Harry James' response:

"This house is not a historic mansion, as is being classified in the media by my opponents. It sat in disrepair for 35 years, without any occupants and with major water leaks for decades," James said in an e-mail Wednesday afternoon. "The house has deteriorated to the point where it is rotten and unhealthy. Any reasonable person could see that it was neglected too long by the previous owner and heirs."

"I gave the HHA almost two weeks to submit to me an offer to purchase it, but never received anything except verbal amounts that were a lot less than what my costs were to acquire the property," James said.

"I have plans to build a magnificent Classic Victorian that will be part of the future history of the Heights," James said. "Some times you have to ring out the old, and ring in the new."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/hei...ws/4979722.html