The Kirby Mansion is seen October 30 after about half the building had been destroyed by unpermitted demolition work / photo by Jim Parsons
Demolition began at the Kirby Mansion at 2000 Smith Street on Friday morning, October 30, without a demolition permit. Approximately half the building had been torn down before a City of Houston inspector arrived and issued a stop-work order. The city’s order prohibits further work until proper permits have been issued.
Based on observations at the site, demolition of the mansion began with finishes and fixtures intact / photo by Jim Parsons
Preservation Houston strongly condemns the unpermitted demolition of this significant Midtown landmark. Our repeated requests to meet with owner OB Texas Properties LLC about preservation and reuse went unanswered, as did requests to document the mansion and discuss salvaging irreplaceable architectural features and materials. Observations at the site suggest demolition proceeded with interior finishes and fixtures still in place.
On October 6, Omair Bashir of OB Texas Properties told PH that law firms were considering leasing the property for offices. PH later learned that planning for a gas station at the site was already well under way when he sent that message. He did not disclose those plans.
The mansion is one of the few surviving houses from Houston’s once-elite South End neighborhood. Originally built in 1894, it took its Tudor Revival form through an extensive remodeling for lumber magnate John Henry Kirby. Its later service as Red Cross headquarters and corporate offices demonstrated that it could adapt to new uses while retaining its architectural character.
PH remains willing to meet with the owner to explore opportunities to preserve, document or salvage what remains.