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2019 Award Winners

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Multifamily

Multifamily Adaptive Reuse

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Bell Heights

Best in Region—South Central
Platinum

Houston, Texas

Architect/Designer | Mirador Group

Developer | 1714 Ashland, LLC

Photographer | Rob Muir Photo, Emomedia & Charles Suman

Bell Heights, named for the reuse of the 1959 Southwestern Bell switching station and Telephone Museum, is a 44-unit development surrounded by restaurants, retail, and antique stores. Twenty-four luxury lofts were created from the conversion of the historic building, with an additional 20 freestanding cottages on the 1.6-acre property. The building was originally constructed with a basement with 12-foot ceilings.  The developer converted the basement into a 50-car parking garage that provided two spaces and extra storage for every loft unit, plus bike storage.

Each loft unit includes features such as 12-foot exposed concrete ceilings, brick- wrapped columns, floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, custom cabinetry, and more. All residents are able to enjoy the fitness room and 10,000-sf rooftop terrace, complete with summer kitchen, fire-pit, sundeck, plunge pool, putting green, and unobstructed views of Houston’s downtown skyline.

From the Judges
The reuse transformed the site into something that looks nice. Judges loved the pavilion and the ceilings, and praised the project’s texture.   

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