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Weingarten Realty confirms loss of Alabama Theater murals

November 29, 2011
Montrose

A representative of Weingarten Realty Investors has confirmed the murals in the Alabama Theater (1939, Pettigrew & Worley), 2922 S. Shepherd Drive, were destroyed when contractors demolished the proscenium and screen wall inside the historic building. The result of that work is visible in the photo at left, which shows the exposed tile walls backstage as seen from the theater’s front entrance.

GHPA had contacted the architect and the developer about preserving the theater’s interior before the murals were removed and has offered its assistance as the project goes forward. GHPA regularly provides research assistance for developers and individual property owners who are planning projects involving historic buildings.

On Veterans Day, Weingarten Realty sent out a news release about construction under way at the Alabama describing the work as “interior upgrades.” The last sentence of the release noted that the company had removed the murals, shown below, that flanked the movie screen.

The company’s release incorrectly stated that the murals were not original to the theater. GHPA has documented that the murals were a significant component of the theater’s original interior design. GHPA contacted Judith Urrutia, lead architect for the 1983 conversion of the theater into Bookstop, who confirmed that the murals were original.

On November 2, 1939, the day the theater opened, both the Houston Post and Houston Chronicle carried stories about the theater that described the interior and mentioned the murals. A historic photo of the Alabama’s interior in the Bob Bailey archive of the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas clearly shows the murals in place. A similar photo dated 1946 in the archive of the Dallas Public Library also shows the murals in place.

The Weingarten release stated that a structural issue required removal of the proscenium wall. Movie theater murals were usually painted on canvas and applied to the walls; the question of whether the Alabama murals could have been removed, preserved and reinstalled is now moot. GHPA has suggested the murals be recreated or that interpretive signage illustrating the theater’s interior be installed when a new tenant occupies the space.

Although the Alabama Theater is a designated City of Houston landmark, Houston’s preservation ordinance does not protect interiors. Weingarten Senior Director Brooke J. Harvey was quoted in the release saying the company “… is preparing the space to make it viable for retailers.” No mention was made of the Trader Joe’s grocery chain as a potential tenant.

Greater Houston Preservation Alliance thanks David Welling, author of Cinema Houston: From Nickelodeon to Megaplex, for his assistance in researching this matter.

Alabama Theater (1939) interior in 2011, top, and 2008. Photos by Jim Parsons.

Alabama Theater’s colorful terrazzo likely to remain intact

October 10, 2011
Montrose

Texas Historical Commission has informed GHPA that the most recent plans for Houston’s Alabama Theater, 2922 S. Shepherd Drive, would leave intact the terrazzo at the theater’s original entrance.

The architect for the project contacted the state agency this morning. An accessibility consultant has determined that replacing the theater’s non-historic, single swinging doors with a set of double-width, automatic sliding doors will comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) without removing the terrazzo. No variances will be necessary for this work. The store’s ADA/TAS-compliant main entrance will be in the 1990s addition that opens onto the large parking lot at the rear of the building.

GHPA welcomes the possibility of a new use for the Alabama. The historic Art Deco theater is being considered as a potential location for Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocer. The California-based company has carried out quality rehabilitations of historic buildings for its stores in other cities. The Houston project is still in the design phase. Trader Joe’s has not yet signed a lease on the property.

GHPA thanks Texas Historical Commission for its quick response in this matter.

Terrazzo design, Alabama Theater (1939). Photo by David Bush.

Preserving the Alabama: How you can help

October 7, 2011
Montrose

Texas Historical Commission (THC) has offered an alternative that would preserve the original terrazzo at the entrance to Houston’s historic Alabama Theater (1939) if a proposed renovation of the building is carried out. GHPA contacted the state agency after the developer’s representative told Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission that the terrazzo would have to be removed to meet provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At GHPA’s request, THC has contacted the developer, Houston’s Weingarten Realty, and the project architect in Dallas to explain how the project can meet ADA Accessibility Guidelines and Texas Accessibility Standards while preserving the terrazzo.

The Art Deco theater at 2922 S. Shepherd Drive is being considered as a potential location for Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocer. GHPA applauds the adaptive re-use of the building, but is concerned about the proposed removal of one the theater’s original murals as well as the terrazzo.

GHPA encourages its supporters to contact Weingarten Realty and Trader Joe’s to welcome the grocer to Houston and encourage both firms to preserve the Alabama’s historic murals, terrazzo and other significant design elements. Contact information and a sample letter follow:

Contact information

Mr. Dan Bane
Chairman & CEO
Trader Joe’s
800 South Shamrock Avenue
Monrovia, California 70106
dbane@traderjoes.com

Mr. Kenny Simmons
Senior Construction Manager
Weingarten Realty Investors
P.O. Box 924133
Houston, Texas 77292-4133

Sample letter

Dear Mr. SURNAME:

I was very happy to hear that Trader Joe’s may be opening in Houston and that the store might occupy the historic Alabama Theater. Houstonians care a great deal about this building.

While I am glad to see that your company has found a viable new use for the Alabama, I am concerned about preliminary plans that call for the removal of the original terrazzo at the building’s entrance and one of the murals inside the theater.

I strongly encourage you to preserve all of the significant historic elements of the theater and look forward to visiting Trader Joe’s in the renovated Alabama Theater.

Sincerely,

NAME
MAILING ADDRESS

Alabama Theater (1939, W. Scott Dunne). Exterior and mural photos by Jim Parsons; terrazzo design photo by David Bush.

What’s next for Houston’s Alabama Theater?

September 23, 2011
Montrose

Houston Archeological and Historical Commission (HAHC) yesterday approved proposed exterior alterations to the former Alabama Theater (1939, W. Scott Dunne), 2922 S. Shepherd Drive. The building’s owner, Weingarten Realty, requested the changes for a potential tenant: Trader Joe’s, a specialty grocer. HAHC approval was required because the Alabama is a City of Houston landmark.

Under the plan approved by HAHC, the South Shepherd façade would remain largely intact. The plan calls for lighted, freestanding letters atop the marquee spelling out “Trader Joe’s.” Similar signs were in place when the theater opened and when Bookstop renovated the building.

The plan also includes moving the South Shepherd entrance forward and removing some original enameled panels and poster frames. More problematic is the planned removal of the original terrazzo at the theater’s entrance (right). Houston Planning Director Marlene Gafrick explained that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the slope at building entrances be no more than 2 percent; the slope of the terrazzo is 2.5 percent.

HAHC members Doug Elliot and Maverick Welsh questioned the loss of historic design elements and Welsh asked about re-installing or replicating the terrazzo. Kenny Simmons with Weingarten Realty said the current plan called for replacing the terrazzo with concrete, but that issue could be revisited.

Welsh also asked about changes to the interior. The answers were both encouraging and disappointing.

The mezzanine and lighting will remain with some modifications, but one of the murals (left) is slated for removal. Simmons and project architect Don Sopranzi said they would try to address HAHC’s concerns about retaining the mural.

Houston’s preservation ordinance does not regulate changes to the interiors of local landmarks, so HAHC’s approval is not required for alterations inside the theater. Simmons and Sopranzi emphasized that the project is still in the design phase. Trader Joe’s has not yet signed a lease and has not officially announced a store will open here.

Texas Historical Commission and Preservation Texas have joined GHPA in contacting Trader Joe’s to thank the company for working to preserve the Alabama and encouraging them to retain the theater’s historic design elements.

Alabama Theater (1939, W. Scott Dunne). Exterior and mural photos by Jim Parsons; terrazzo design photo by David Bush.

HISD to preserve Art Deco landmark

June 30, 2011
Montrose

Houston Independent School District trustees have voted to fund the renovation of the Settegast Estate Building (1938) as part of the new Carnegie Vanguard High School (CVHS) for gifted and talented students. According the CVHS PTO President Peggy Sue Gay, the building will serve as the high school’s art annex and include a 130-seat theater, art room and photo lab.

Architects Moore & Lloyd designed the building at 242-256 West Gray Avenue as an investment property for the Settegast Estate. The structure’s large, stepped turret anchors a pivot point on West Gray and is visible from Montrose Boulevard. Houston’s Orange Crush bottling plant occupied part of the building through the 1950s.

Members of the CVHS PTO worked diligently to prevent the building’s demolition. They were supported in their efforts by HISD trustees Larry Marshall, Juliet Stipeche and Carol Mims Galloway.

The Settegast Estate Building is part of GHPA’s book Houston Deco and its companion website, www.houstondeco.org.

Settegast Estate Building (1938, Moore & Lloyd). Photo by Jim Parsons.